Grilled Shrimp

Grilling shrimp does not take long and is delicious  and flavorful,Shrimp is cooked  many ways but today I decided ti grill it just bring summer in winter.I grew up eating shrimp back home in Fiji where On every corner of the highway you will find the Fijian woman selling  shrimp from the ocean.Cheap and fresh.

Ingredients
8 shrimp deveined and with shells on
salt to taste
1 teaspoon back pepper
2 lemons
1 tablespoon olive oil

Method
1 Heat the grill pan.In a bowl add in shrimp, salt and pepper  .Mix it together with olive oil.
2 Place it on the preheated grill and cook it until the shrimp turns its color to pink.,turning only once.
3 Grill  the cut lemon circles ,
4 Squeeze lemon juice on the shrimp when serving.

Pretzel Bites

Pretzel bites is easy to make and is an appetizer and  also good for snack for this holiday season.I made this and packed in boxes for gifts .It  looks adorable and beautiful  and is a good little something for everyone to munch on.

Ingredients
Pretzel
Peanuts or any nuts of your choice
caramel candy
melted chocolate


Method
 Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.On a baking sheet place pretzel Top the pretzel with caramel candy  and place it in the oven  until the candy is soft.Take it out of the oven and put peanuts on soften candy.Let it cool.
On a double broiler melt chocolate,.Place a parchment paper on a baking sheet  and with a spoon place melted chocolate  on the paper and then put the pretzel on the middle of the chocolate. Leave it in the refrigerator  to set up.Pack in boxes and give it to your friends and families.

Honey Sesame Chick Peas

Honey roasted chick peas is really good for snack and is also full of flavor .It is really good snack with people with diabetes or for someone who likes to watch their waistline.Honey sesame chick peas can also be nicely packed and given as a gift for any special occasion.

Ingredients

1 can chick peas drained and rinsed

2 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoon honey

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon five spice powder

1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds 

salt to taste

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil 

Method

1 On a baking sheet toss chick peas with olive oil and salt and pepper.Roast at 400degrees until crisp stirring occasionally for 30 minutes.  

2 Take it out of the oven ,add honey ,garlic, sesame oil.sesame seeds ,five spice and return it back to the oven until crisp and caramelized.

3 Enjoy it as a snack 

Edamame And Apple soup

Edamame  is good for our health as it helps to lower cholesterol and also helps the decrease the risk of cancer.I just buy the frozen edamame and try to use in soups and stews.During this fall weather I really need something warm and comfortable to eat so I play around with soups and stews. This soup is full of flavor and can be eaten with crackers or with any bread croutons.

Ingredients
1 cup defrosted edamame
1 small carrot chopped
1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 chopped serrano pepper
1 chopped celery
1 chopped apple
salt to taste
1 teaspoon soy sauce
2 cups of vegetable or chicken broth
1 teaspoon black pepper
feta cheese for garnish
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon dry roasted oats
1/2 of chopped onion

Method
1 Heat oil in a pot add in onion let it cook for a minute and then add in celery, carrots, apple, ginger garlic paste stir together and let it cook for few seconds .
2 Add in salt, black pepper, paprika with soy sauce ,oats and stir to combine .Add in broth and cook it until everything is soft and cooked so it is easy to blend.
3 Place it in a blender and blend until smooth.
4 Pour it back in the pot and check for seasoning and serve with feta cheese as a garnish and enjoy it with crackers or croutons.

Turkey thighs with Herb Butter and Cajun Seasoning

Celebrating Thanksgiving with families and friends by watching our favorite teams playing football or basketball and of course food. Turkey thighs  cooks faster  than the whole turkey and is tasty as well.Make herb butter with sage, rosemary, oregano and spices to rub on the thighs.


Ingredients
1 stick of  soften butter
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon finely chopped sage
2 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt to taste
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne
4 turkey thighs

Method
1 Mix everything with butter.Pat dry the thighs with paper towel. Season it with salt and pepper.Leave it for about 10 minutes.
2 Preheat the the oven to 375 degrees. Rub the season butter under the skin of the turkey thighs and on top of the skin and on the other side as well.
3.Place it on a baking sheet and place it in the oven and cook it for an hour or until the temperature reads 165 degrees.
4 Take it out of the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes and enjoy.

Sweet Potato and Basil Tart

Sweet potato tart is a good for an appetizer for  any party of get together.It is delicious and is also a good way of using left over sweet potatoes from thanksgiving.I used the store bought puff pastry ,brushed it with roasted garlic olive oil and placed par cooked  sweet potatoes  and placed it in the oven.It was chancy from the puff pastry and sweet from the potatoes  .Yummy.

Ingredients

puff pastry 

1 sweet potato peeled and cut in circles

few basil leaves

3 garlic cloves roasted and minced

1 tablespoon olive oil

salt to taste 

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 tablespoon cheese of your choice

Method

1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.On a baking sheet place the sweet potatoes and drizzle it with half of the oil, salt and pepper.Cook it in the oven as it is almost done but not all the way cooked.Roast garlic at the same time.

2 At the same time in another sheet bake the puff pastry for 10 minutes.

3.Remove it from the oven ,brush it with roasted garlic olive oil, arrange sweet potatoes on the puff pastry with basil leaves.Spread cheese and put it back in the oven for another 5minutes  or until puff pastry is cooked through.

4Enjoy as an appetizer or for an snack

Chicken And Vegetable Palau

Palau is like a pilaf which is easy to cook and can be served with ratia or  with any salad or chutney. This can be cooked with veggies only or with chicken or with any other meat of your choice, but I  made it with boneless and skinless chicken breast and some vegetables.It was  tasty and flavorful with a kick from chili powder.

Ingredients
1 chicken breast skinless boneless cut into small pieces
1 cup brown rice
1 cup bok choy cut lengthwise
1 cup green bell pepper
1 cup red bell pepper
2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
salt to taste
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
oil for cooing
1 teaspoon palau masala
Butter (optional)


Method
1 wash and rinse rice.Keep it aside.Boil water until it comes to a rolling boil.
2 In a pot heat oil, add in chicken ,season it with salt 1 teaspoon black pepper.cook it until done.remove form the pot and keep it aside.
3 Add a little bit more oil to the pot and then add in onions, cook it until soft, add in ginger garlic paste and saute it for a minute.Add in bok choy with green bell pepper  and cook it for a minute.
4 Add in rice with chili pepper ,1 teaspoon black pepper, salt and Palau masala.Stir everything together and than add water cover and cook on low heat until rice is almost done.Than add chicken, red  bell pepper and cilantro and stir and cover until rice is cooked all the way.
5 This is optional add in little cubes of butter on the top of the rice mixture ,cover and let the butter melt in the pot.Mix and serve  it with cucumber salad.

Barfi

Barfi is  sweet and yummy and is made in every household for Diwali.It is made with powdered milk and then let it rest for 4 hours before cutting into squares.

Ingredients
1 packet of powdered milk
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 cup sugar
1 cup water
yellow food color
 1 cup ghee
Decorating sprinkles



Method

1. In a pan add ghee milk and cook for 3 minutes.take it off the stove.
2.In a pot make sugar syrup with  with cardamom, and add in food color, and boil it is little bit sticky.Then add in milk mix and keep stirring until the mixture thickens and it atarts to leave the siade of the pot.
3.Pour this on a greased tray ,spread it out evenly and sprinkle with decorations.Let it cool and then cut it into squares.

Chicken Curry

Chicken curry is my daughters favorite and she enjoys with over dhal(lentils).the spicy curry is a comfort for this rainy weather.Just chop the chicken in bite size pieces and add turmeric and masala with chilis  and chopped cilantro, really yummy .

Ingredients
chicken chopped in bite size pieces
2 tablespoon masala
2 tablespoon turmeric
1 tablespoon ginger garlic paste
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1/2 of an onion chopped
1/4 teaspoon cumin seed
1/4 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/4 teaspoon black mustard seeds (sarso)
2 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon lemon juice
chicken stock
1 tablespoon oil
salt to taste
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Method
1, .Add lemon juice to the chicken and set it aside.Heat oil  in a pot ,add in cumin, mustard seeds when it starts to crackle then add in onions cook
it for a minute ,then add in ginger garlic paste and cook it for a second.
2 Add in turmeric, stir then add in masala ,stir it then add in chicken ,salt chili powder and stir everything together.Add in stock ,cover bring it to a boil and then let it cook on low heat for 30 minute.Stir once or twice while it is been cooking.
3 Add in cilantro .stir and serve it with rice.

Bread Pudding with Banana and chocolate Chips

This is a very  good way of using left over bread and is also a very delicious desert  for a company.I made this with my children who really enjoyed this over ice cream. Any thing can be added to this pudding such as nuts, dried fruits and of course chocolates.This is easy to make and is very flavorful with chocolate melts into your mouth when you take a bite.

Ingredients

1/2 loaf of bread torn into small pieces
2 cans of coconut milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup chocolate chips or more of your choice
1 stick of butter
2 eggs
sugar 1/4 cup or to taste
2 mashed banana

Method
1 In a bowl place the bread,add in cinnamon,baking power, and toss all together.
 2 In another bowl add in  banana,eggs ,vanilla, coconut milk, sugar and mix everything together and then add in chocolate chips.
3 Pour the liquid over the bread and mix it together and then add little pieces of butter on the bread.
4 Pour it on a baking dish and bake for 30 minutes or until done at 350 degrees.

Spinach and Mushroom stuff Chicken Breast

This is another way of cooking chicken breast which is full of flavor and it also very healthy.Just defrost spinach  and cook it with mushroom and than stuff  and wrap and roll the chicken .It does take a little time to prepare the chicken but it does not take long to cook.


Ingredients
2 chicken breast
1 large plastic storage bag or  parchment paper
1/2 cup defrosted spinach
6 button mushrooms finely chopped
4 cloves of minced garlic
1 teaspoon chili flakes
2 teaspoon ground black pepper
salt to taste
1 teaspoon ground nut meg
2 tablespoon goat cheese
olive oil for cooking

Sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup chicken stock


Method

1  Cut the chicken breast in half to it makes  it into 2  chicken  breast.Place the chicken breast in the storage bag  and pound it thin.
2 Place the defrosted spinach in a towel and squeeze out all the liquid.Heat oil in a pan and add in mushroom ,chili flakes cook it for few minutes.
3 Add in spinach,1 teaspoon black pepper,nut meg,garlic and salt mix,and cook for few minutes.When everything comes  together than put the mixture in a bowl and add in cheese and mix it together.
4 Season the chicken with salt and pepper and place a mound of the stuffing on the chicken and then wrap and  roll the chicken over the stuffing.Secure it with a toothpick.
5 Heat oil  in a skillet ,add the chicken and brown it on all sides.Since the chicken is thin it will cook faster.
6 Remove chicken from the pan and add in butter  and flour , cook it for a minute  than add in chicken stock ,bring it to a boil and than add the chicken and bring it to simmer.
7 Serve it any vegetable of your choice

Cauliflower Rice

Rice is a staple in almost all household  but how about change it to cauliflower rice which is easy to prepare and is also delicious.I like to eat this with curries or roasted chicken and vegetables. Just take the florets out of the cauliflower and then place it in food processor and blend it .This is really healthy and is a good replacement for rice.

Ingredients
1 head of cauliflower
1 cup chopped cilantro
salt to taste
1 teaspoon black peeper
1 teaspoon olive oil

Method
1 Take out the florets of the cauliflower and place it in the food processor and blend it .
2 Heat oil in pan and add this cauliflower  with salt ,black pepper and stir it together and cook it for few minutes.
3 Add in cilantro, mix it together and turn off the heat.
4 Serve and enjoy

Mangos as a little bite

Mangos is available in all grocery store during know since it is summer.It is can be eaten cooked or make into smoothie or just enjoy it with salt and chili .It is takes only a few minutes to prepare and is also a healthy snack for late nite.Just peel the mangos and cut it into stripes or wedges sprinkle with salt and ground red chili or paprika.

Ingredients
1 mangos peeled and cut into thick strips
salt to taste
chili to taste

Method

In a bowl add the cut mangos.Sprinkle with salt and ground chili.

Banana Gulgula

Gulgula is another term for donuts.It is fried and is very easy with only few ingredients.This gulgula is made with over ripe bananas and it does not require any sugar so it is also good for people who are diabetics. I love this because it can be eaten with syrup or just enjoyed over tea or coffee as a snack or for brunch.Just take self raising flour and coconut flour mix it with mashed banana and then fry it until golden brown.

Ingredients
1/2 cup self raising flour
1/2 cup coconut flour
1 big banana mashed
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 tablespoon sultana (optional)
oil for frying

Method
1.Add all the ingredients to the mashed banana and mix it together until a dough is formed.
2.Heat oil in a pot . Take a little bit of the dough  and form it into balls and fry it until golden brown and is cooked through.

Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich

Peanut butter is filling so it also helps in losing weight.I love peanut butter with celery,apples and now bananas.Spread peanut butter on a toasted bread from crust to crust then place bananas on it and then cover bananas with another piece of bread.This sandwich can be eaten for breakfast,lunch and for snack as well.

Ingredients

4 piece of whole grain toasted bread
1 banana cut into circles
peanut butter

Method
1 Spread peanut butter on the bread from crust to crust.Then place the bananas on top of butter.
2 Cover the banana with another piece of bread.

Canned Salmon And Zucchini Curry

Zucchini is available all year round and is affordable as well as delicious if cooked the right way.I used zucchini instead of potatoes because  if of carbs which is not good for diabetic people.Just chop zucchini add it to the pan with onions ,garlic and peppers to your taste and finally add salmon .This is very flavorful and healthy as well.

Ingredients
1 can salmon
1 onion sliced
1 zucchini chopped
3 cloves of minced garlic
3 serrano peppers chopped
2 teaspoon turmeric
2 teaspoon masala
juice of half a lemon
1 tomato chopped
1 cup cilantro chopped
2 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon oil
salt to taste

Method
1. Heat oil in pan,add in zucchini, cook it until water evaporates and is lightly brown.Add in onion and stir to combine.
2.Add in pepper and garlic, mix together and then add in turmeric,masala and stir to combine.
3.Add in salmon, salt ,lemon juice, stir and then add water ,cover the pan and cook for few minutes,then add in tomatoes, mix it together and then cover and cook until every thing comes together.
4.Add in cilantro,stir to combine and turn off the stove.

Banana Pudding Pie

Banana Pudding pie is a no bake pie which is very easy to assemble.I really enjoyed this pie since I am pre diabetic.Just use coconut milk instead of regular milk and add in  ground cardamom ,ground nutmeg,and almond extract to bring out the flavor.

Ingredient
1 can coconut milk
2 bananas
2 tablespoon corn starch
3 egg York
1 teaspoon honey or to taste
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
pinch of salt
1 cup toasted coconut
2teaspoon coconut oil or butter
store bought Graham cracker pie crust pre made


Method
1. In a food processor blend bananas,In a saucepan add in milk,corn starch,eggs,honey ,coconut oil.and salt and then turn on the heat,Keep stirring the mixture until it thickens.
2.Add in blended banana,cardamom,nutmeg and stir until combine and it  likes like pudding consistency.then add in almond extract, mix and  add it to the pie crust.
3.Cool ,refrigerate until it gets set and then  sprinkle it with toasted coconut.

Chicken thighs and drumsticks

Chicken is a staple in many Fijian households because it is affordable and can be prepared in so many ways.Just marinate chicken for 30 minutes and than bake it in the oven until cooked through.

Ingredients
Chicken thighs  and drumsticks
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 tablespoon minced ginger
salt to taste
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil1 tablespoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chili paste or to taste
juice of half a lemon


Method
Mix all the the ingredients together except chicken.Add chicken to the marinate  and leave it for 30 minutes. Then place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake it  at 350 degrees  for 45  minutes or until  cooked through.

Veggie Quinoa with Sunflower seeds

Quinoa is a plant based protein,wholesome grain and is very flavorful,cook it like rice and add any veggie  or meat of your choice .I added pineapple ,dried cranberries and sunflower seeds.This can be served  as lunch or for dinner.

Ingredients
1 cup cooked quinoa
1/2 cup chopped pineapple (optional)
1 sweet potatoes boiled,peeled and chopped
1 tablespoon dried cranberries
1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
1 teaspoon garlic minced
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
salt to taste
1 teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1/4 of and onion chopped
1 teaspoon garlic chili sauce


Method
1 Heat oil in a skillet,add in onion,cook for few seconds,add in garlic cook it for second then add in sweet potatoes,pineapple,bell pepper ,salt and pepper stir to combine.
2Add in quinoa,chili garlic sauce,stir cook for couple of second
3 add in cilantro mix to combine and garnish with dried cranberries and sunflower seeds
4 Enjoy

Mango and Clantro Chutney

I love mango chutney because it can be served with rice or with roti.It is easy and simple to prepare.Just prep all the ingredients and place it in the food processor, and chutney is ready.

Ingredients
1 mango peeled and chopped

1 cup chopped cilantro
2 Serrano pepper chopped or to taste
3 cloves of minced garlic
1/4 of a small onion chopped
little bit of honey
salt ot taste
juice of 1/2 of lemon
warm water to blend everything together
1 tablespoon olive oil


Method

Put all the ingredients in a food processor and blend together .

Vegetable Stir Fry Barley

Vegetable stir fry barley is easy and is very flavorful with nutty flavor from barley and is spicy from chili sauce.If not a fun for barley,then use left over rice.Just chopped bell pepper, Bok Choy scallions,and carrots ,add it to the skillet with spices and soy sauce.


Ingredients
1 cup cooked barley
1 green bell pepper chopped
2 scallions chopped
1 carrots finely chopped
1 serrano pepper finely chopped
1 teaspoon chili flakes
salt to taste
1 teaspoon cumin seed
1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 cup finely chopped Bok Choy
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce

Method
1.Heat oil in a skillet, Add in cumin seeds ,after few seconds add in onions and Serrano pepper let it cook until soften.Add in garlic and cook for a second.
2.Add in the veggies with chili garlic sauce,mix ,salt and chili flakes, 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce and mix it together.Let it cook for few minutes.
3.Add in cooked barley and soy sauce,stir it together ,cook until everything comes together.
4.Serve and enjoy

Tomato and Cilantro chutney

Spring time and tomatoes are in abundance in grocery store and in farmers market.I  had so much tomatoes that I decided to make  spicy chutney. This goes very well with rice and dhal ( lentil),with roti or paratha.I just love eating it .Just chopped some tomatoes,and turmeric and masala and any herb of your choice ,put it in the pan cook for few minutes,flavorful and delicious chutney is ready.

Ingredients
3 roma tomatoes chopped
2 serrano pepers chopped
3 gloves of minced garlic
1 small onions chopped
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 large heaping teaspoon of masala (can use curry powder)
salt to taste
pinch of sugar
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 tablespoon oil
2 tablespoon water
1 cup chopped cilantro
Method
1. Heat oil in a pan,add in mustard  and cumin seeds, let it crack add in onion and Serrano peppers.Cook it until it is soft  then add  garlic,cook for a second.
2. Add in turmeric and masala cook for a minute and then add in tomatoes,chili flakes,salt and sugar  with water, mix it together cover and cook on low heat until everything comes together .
3 Add in cilantro,mix taste for seasoning and turn of the stove .
4.Serve it  after couple of minutes

Fruit Salad

This salad is perfect  for anytime of day,either you serve as a side or as a snack.This is light and delicious and is immensely easy to prepare.Just cut fruit into sticks and arrange it  on the serving plate and drizzle it with a dressing.

Ingredients
 1/4 cup pineapple  julienned in sticks or cut in halves if it is from  can.
 1/2 cup cucumber julienned in sticks
 1 carrots  finely cut in to sticks
 1 cup cantaloupe  cut into sticks

Dressing
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon mustard
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon coconut sugar
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
3 tablespoon canola oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

Method
1.In a boiling water, blanch carrots for couple of minutes.
2.Place fruits and vegetables on a plate in layers
3.In a bowl, mix soy sauce,mustard,sugar,vinegar,canola oil and sesame oil.
4. Drizzle dressing over fruits and  vegetables and garnish it with sesame seeds.

Banana Pops

Banana is rich in potassium and it helps us prevent from many diseases.Banana is available year round and it can be eaten just as a fruit or can be transformed into pops.Just cut banana into halves and then freeze and then dip it into chocolate and then dip it into shredded coconut or nuts.

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas
chocolate
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup finely chopped cashews or any nuts of your choice
craft sticks


Method
1. Cut banana into half and then put  the stick into the banana. cover and freeze it for a while.
2. Melt chocolate over double broiler and  dip  half of the banana into the chocolate  and then roll into the nuts and then into coconut.
3. Freeze the pops for 20 minutes and then enjoy

Collard Greens with coconut

Coconut is widely used by the people of Fiji because it is  the second main export of Fiji.I used collard greens because that is what I had on Hand.I love veggies and I try to incorporate the Fijian into my dishes.Just take any greens cook it with onion and garlic and after a while add in shredded coconut.

Ingredient
1 bag of defrosted collard greens
3 serrano pepers chopped
3 cloves of minced garlic
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
salt to taste
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 tablespoon olive oil

Method

1 Heat oil in a pan,add in  cumin  let it splutter and  then add  onion cook it until translucent,add in garlic and Serrano peppers  and cook it for a minute.
2  Add in greens,chili flakes,and salt ,mix it around  cook it until it is almost done.
3 Add in coconut  stir it around and cook it for few minutes. Enjoy with roti,or rice.

Insant Lemon Pickle

Lemon pickle can be served any time of the day either with rice and dhal or roti and curry. I grew up eating  pickles various types of pickles such as mango pickles, lime pickles. Pickles enhance the taste of meals. I just took some pickles cut it into quarters added salt and left it alone for a while, then I add turmeric and chilis. Mix it around leave it for a while.Then add in oil and mix to around.

Ingredients
8 small lemons
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon turmeric
-salt to taste
2 tablespoon chili powder (to taste)
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon black mustard seeds

Method
1 Cut lemons into quarters and sprinkle it with lots of salts. Leave it aside for 10 to 20 minutes .
2 Add in turmeric and chili peppers, chili powder, mix it around. Leave it for 10 minutes,
3 In a pan add oil and add in mustard seeds and let it splutter and take it off the stove Let it cool,then add in garlic, mix leave it for few minutes and then add it to the lemons and toss it around.
4 Place it in a jar, try to put in sunlight once a week or just place it in a refrigerator.

Chili-garlic chicken stir fry

Chicken stir fry is immensely delicious and does not take long to cook.Just have all the veggies ready with the chicken and  a hot skillet .Add chicken cook it ,take chicken out of the skillet ,add veggies cook it for few seconds than place the chicken back with the sauce.It is tasty and flavorful.

Ingredients
2 tablespoon sodium sauce
2 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 tablespoon Asian  chili garlic sauce
1 tablespoon minced ginger
4 cloves of minced garlic
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bit size pieces
2 tablespoon honey or coconut sugar
2 teaspoon corn starch
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon oil
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped carrots
salt to taste
black pepper to taste
1/2 cup finely chopped onion

Method
1 In a bowl add soy sauce,vinegar,chili garlic sauce,ginger,garlic,black pepper and mix it together ,then transfer half of a mixture to a bowl and to that mixture add in honey and corn starch ,stir to combine.
2 Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add chicken to the remaining soy sauce mixture in a bowl and toss it  to coat.
3 Heat oil in a skillet add in chicken cook it until light brown.Take it out and put it in a bowl.
4 To the same skillet add in onions ,cook for few seconds,add in carrots and bell peeper cook it for a minute and the add in chicken ,mix it together and then add in sauce ,stir it to combine ,cook for a minute and then take it off the stove.
5 Serve it with fried rice or steam rice or with pasta

Avocado Paratha

Avocado paratha is simple to prepare and it can be used for breakfast,lunch and for dinner. It is quite healthy, tasty as well! My family rejoiced as I plated this on the table. Just take some avocados and mash it with lemon juice, spices, mix it with flour, and form into a dough. Then cook it on a griddle or nonstick frying pan.
Serve it with veggies or a meat of your choice.

Ingredients
1 large avocado or 2 small ones
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
juice of half a lemon
pinch of salt
1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
2 cups whole wheat flour
Hot water
olive oil or ghee

Method
1 Deseed the avocado, take it out of the skin and place it in a bowl
2 Mash it up and add all the ingredients except flour. Mix it together
3 Add flour to the mashed avocado and make it into a dough. If needed then add a little bit of water to
make it soft. Rub it with oil.
4 Take a little bit of dough and make it to a ball and then roll it with your rolling pin to make paratha
5 Cook it on a griddle or skillet on both sides and brush some ghee or oil
6 Serve it and enjoy

Cilantro and Scallion chutney

Cilantro is used in indian cooking for flavor and for color.This herb is also the main ingredient in most of the chutneys and dips.I like cilantro because it is easily available in grocery stores.Take some cilantro with a few scallions place it in the blender with spices make a tasty chutney that can be eaten with rice and dhal ( lentil) or with roti and curry.


Ingredients
1 cup cilantro leaves
2 chopped scallions
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 cloves of garlic chopped
1 Serrano pepper  chopped
-Salt to taste
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)
3 tablespoon warm water to blend

Method
 1 Place all ingredients in a blender
 2  Serve and enjoy
 

Coconut and Cilantro Chutney

Coconut and cilantro chutney is immensely tasty and can be served with iddli, samosa or just eaten with tortilla.

Ingredients
2 cups shredded coconut
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon chilli flakes
1 finely chopped Serrano peppers (optional)
1/2 cup cilantro
salt to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
water, to blend together

Method
1. Blend all ingredients together
2. Serve and enjoy!

Spinach Paratha

Spinach paratha is very flavorful.It can be served as a breakfast as well as for dinner.Mix spinach with flour and form into a dough and then make into ball ,then roll with a rolling pin.cook and enjoy.

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat flour
9 oz(1 packet)defrosted spinach,

wring out excess water
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 cloves of minced garlic
2 tablespoon olive oil
salt to taste

Method
1.Heat oil in skillet. Add in cumin let it cook for a few minute and then add in garlic then add in spinach.
2.Add in chili flakes, black pepper and salt.Stir everything together cook it for few minutes then turn off the stove.
3.Place flour in a bowl,add in spinach and with your hands take it apart and mix it evenly in the flour.
4.Boil water and add it to the flour and with a spoon mix it around until cool enough to make into a dough.
5.Take a little bit of dough,form into a ball and then roll with a rolling pin to make a paratha.
6. Heat Tava/skillet and cook the paratha on both sides, brush it with ghee or olive oil and take it off the Tava/skillet
7.Enjoy

Chocolate and Avocado mousse

Chocolate and avocado mousse is very tasty and flavorful and also very easy to prepare.I like this because with very few ingredients it still is very creamy and delicious.Just take a avocado place it in the blender with vanilla ,milk,cocoa ,blend it  and then mix it with chocolate of your choice.

Ingredients

chocolate of your choice either bitter sweet or semi sweet chocolate

2 avocado cut and scoop out the flesh

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/3 cup honey or coconut sugar

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method

1.In a food processor combine avocado,cocoa powder,honey,milk,and vanilla.Take it out in a bowl and leave it aside.

2.On a double boiler melt chocolate and then fold  it into the avocado mixture.

3.Spoon it out into bowls and refrigerate it for a while and then enjoy.  

Honey Chile Chicken

Honey chicken can be served as a appetizer and also as a main dish but either way it is very tasty and full of flavor.Just mix honey ,sugar ,garlic ginger and spices,toss it together and let it rest for 30 minutes and then bake it for .

Ingredients
1/3 cup  honey(warm)
2 tablespoon coconut sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 1/2 tablespoon sriracha
2 tablespoon chicken stock
4 cloves minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced ginger
2 tablespoon paprika
1/3 cup chopped parsley
                                                     2 pounds chicken wings
                                                     1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
                                                     2 tablespoon olive oil



Method
1.In a bowl add in honey,sugar stir to combine and then add in soy sauce,sriracha,stock,oil,,garlic ,ginger.paprika,cilantro and mix it together.Add wings to the sauce and toss to coat and let it marinated for 30 minutes.
2.Preheat oven to 350 degrees
3.Transfer wings and sauce to baking dish  and cover it with a foil and bake it for 30 minutes.
4. Uncover the chicken turn it around and then bake for another 30 minutes .
5.Then garnish it with sesame seeds .
6 Serve and enjoy

Vermicelli pudding (semiya)

Semiya is mostly consumed by the people of Fiji as a snack .This is very tasty and  flavorful with very few ingredients.Just toast semiya until lightly brown with nuts of your choice and add in either milk or water what ever is available.


Ingredients
semiya 1 cup
milk     2 cups
sugar to taste
ghee or unsalted butter or olive oil1 tablespoon
                                                      nuts such as cashews ,almonds 1 tablespoon
                                                      raisin 1 tablespoon
                                                     ground cardamom 1 teaspoon
                                                     almond extract 1/4 teaspoon

Method
1 Heat ghee in a pan,add in nuts and raisin fry it until brown,take it out of the pan.In the same pan fry semiya until lightly brown,take it out of the pan.
2 Bring milk to a boil add in semyia,sugar, ground cardamom cook it for a while until semiya is cooked through.
3 Add in nuts and raisin ,mix everything together and then add almond extract mix and turn off the heat.Leav it for a minute then enjoy