Gratin potatoes and smoked salmon with olives

(recipe adapted from Maya)

When I saw this recipe I was during a brake at school, and I got hungry imediately! I almost skipped classes to go home and try it :) I didn't but.. when I finally cooked it it waspure and simple delicious!

I used:
200g smoked salmon
7 small potatoes
1 onion
100g black olives (without the essence)
crutons
200ml cream
dill
50g grated parmesan or cheese
50g breadcrumbs
lemon juice
salt, pepper

I sprinkled pepper on the salmon files and poured the lemon juice.



I cleaned and peeled the potatoes and cut them in small slices. Put them to boil for no more then 7-8 minutes.



The chopped onion I put it in a pan on medium heat with the sliced olives. I added the crutons and kept them more for 2-3 minutes on medium heat.





I layed the slices of potatoes in a baking pan, the salmon filees and I poured on top the cream. I sprinkled chopped dill.



The onion, olives and crutons made the last layer and on top grated parmesan.



I put it in the oven, preheated at 250 Celsius for 10-15 minutes or until it turns golden and parmesan melts.

Stuffed peppers

Now and then I remember the dishes I used to eat when I was little, made by my mom or grandma... and especially stuffed peppers with cream! Mines did not end up exactly the same, a bit burned (very very little) and without the cream, but I can say they were pretty close for my first try. I followed the recipe from Sanda Marin.

I used:
6 peppers
500g minced meat (mix of pork and beef)
1 onion
1 cup of rice
1 egg1 slice of bread
dill
1 little cup of water
1 can peeled tomatoes
1 spoon of white flour
salt, pepper



I washed the peppers and sliced off the top with a knife. I hollowed out the inside and the seeds and added a pinch of salt to each.



I heated a little bit of oil in a pan and saute the chopped onions. When they start to get translucid, I added the rice and the water. I let them boil for about 20 minutes.



In a separate bowl I mixed the meat with the egg and dill.



I added the onions and rice, and the bread (which I previously put in water for it to become mushy), salt and pepper and mixed it all together.





I filled the peppers with this mixture.



The sauce: in a bowl i mixed the peeled tomatoes with the flour and some salt.



The peppers I arranged them in a baking pan and filled in the spaces with the sauce.



I baked them in the oven for about 1 hour at 180 Celsius degrees.

Caramelized bananas with vanilla icecream

This recipe I took it from Gordon Ramsey's Cook along Live, and modified it a little bit. I just love the way the guy cooks and just speaks and act so nonchalant with everyone :)Simple and tasteful dessert!

I used:
2 bananas
1 cup of sugar
rom
cognac
vanilla icecream



I caramelized the sugar in a pan, until it became dark brownish. You need to be careful not to burn it.





I cut the bananas in medium pieces, not too small because they shrink when heated. I added them to the caramel and stirred them on medium heat for around 2-3 minutes.



I poured the cognac and flambe. In the end i added the rom and stirred all ingredients.



I served it in martini glasses with vanilla icecream on top.





We ate veeery fast, so the icecream doesn't melt!



This is all that's left after a few minutes :)

Chorizo tortilla

I used:
3 potatoes
2 peppers
300g chorizo
7 eggs
1 onion
6-7 cherry tomatoes
olive oil
parmesan
100g warm water



Chorizo is a sausage original from Spain, and can be found in lots of varieties. I personally prefer the smoked version, because it resembles the sausages from Romania :)

I peeled off the potatoes and boiled them with a pinch of salt for 15-20 minutes. Then I cut them in small cubes. The onion, peppers and cherry tomatoes I chopped as well and sauteed in a pan with a little bit of olive oil on medium heat.



I added the potatoes and the sliced chorizo. My sausage was a bit too big so I cut the slices in 2 and sometimes in 4.



I added the beaten eggs, the water, salt and pepper and let it get a little crust 8-10 minutes.



Then I overturned the whole tortilla in a oil greased tray. You need to be careful not to break it...mine of course did break in the middle.. but I put the pieces together anyway :)



I sprinkled parmesan on top and put it in the oven, 180 Celsius degrees, until the omelet is done and the parmesan is melted.



I served it warm. I also made a fast salad, because I thought it can be a bit heavy for the stomach, but surprisingly it was incredible light!

Tuna salad with beans and corn

I had this tuna can, for some while now, and a been can (from a failed try of mine of making a romanian dish that went wrong :) and I decided to try one of those salads "with everything" or "whith whatever stuff you have in the fridge". The result was a delicious healthy goodlooking nice little salad!

I used:

1 tuna can
1 corn can
1/2 been can
1 boiled egg
1 little onion
olive oil
1/2 lime or lemon
salt, pepper





I put everything all together in a bowl, added the olive oil, salt and pepper and the juice from the lime (or lemon). No rocket science here, just a normal, very tasty and healthy salad! I ate it with Wasa bread.

Youghurt cream with forest fruits

This recipe is some kind of dessert, which is incredible light and refreshing, and can also be eaten as breakfast or brunch. I did not mention any quantities because everyone can put as much or as many from any ingredient as they want. It's easier and it let's the imagination explore :) I put one layer onto the other in a glass, but you don't need to do as I did.. just.. experiment!



I used:
forest fruits
natral youghurt
minced walnts
minced cereals (I had fitness kellogs )
cream
vanilla sugar
honey (optional)

If yo have the forest fruits frozen, let them defroze and pour away the juice. Mix the minced cereals and walnuts.

I whipped the cream in the kitchen robot with the vanilla sugar and then added it to the youghurt.



I wanted a more pronounced taste of youghurt, so I took 2:1 ratio.



I put the layers one after another in a glass, as mentioned before. My forest fruits were a little bit too sour, so after every layer I added a tiny bit of honey to make it sweeter. It is such a better alternative to sugar and it gives the whole dish that balance that it needs. If some prefer it more sour, you can skip it.













I put them in the fridge for 1 hor, and after tht they were delicious!