Monday, June 29, 2009

Gratin potatoes and smoked salmon with olives

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(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.

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

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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.

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

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

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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I filled the peppers with this mixture.

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

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

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

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Caramelized bananas with vanilla icecream

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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

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

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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.

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

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

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

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

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Chorizo tortilla

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

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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.

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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.

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

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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 :)

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

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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!

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Tuna salad with beans and corn

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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

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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.

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Youghurt cream with forest fruits

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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!

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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.

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

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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.

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

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