Sun dried tomato and mushroom pasta in a garlic and basil sauce

I found this recipe here but copied it into metric because it was too hard to follow in American measurements. 

Serves 4

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2 tablespoons olive oil
200g mushrooms, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
100g sun-dried tomatoes, diced
2 chicken stock cubes (use vegetable for vegetarian version)
2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup half and half (may need to add another 1/2 cup)
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon dried basil (or up to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil)
fettuccine for 4

NOTE:
WHAT IS HALF AND HALF? Half and half is the US milk product that combines half milk half cream to form a lighter cream (unlike heavy cream). To make 1 cup of half and half, combine 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup regular cream (heavy, or whipping cream).


Do This -

1. Heat olive oil on medium-high heat, add sliced mushrooms and garlic and cook for about 3 minutes. Add diced sun-dried tomatoes. Reduce heat.
2. Dissolve 2 chicken stock cubes in 2 cups of boiling water. Add the broth to the pan and cook on medium heat until the mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes absorb some of the broth and the broth reduces somewhat. Add half and half, heavy cream and bring to boil just for a short moment. Add Parmesan cheese and cook the sauce, stirring, for a couple of minutes, on low-medium heat until the cheese melts. Add the basil.
3. If your sauce is too thick at this point - add another 1/2 cup half and half. If your sauce looks thin to you - do not continue simmering the sauce to thicken it as you will be adding pasta shortly (in the next step) - and pasta will absorb some of the sauce liquid. Even if the sauce looks thin now, it will not be so thin once you add pasta.
4. Cook fettuccine according to the package instruction. Drain and rinse in cold water (this will stop the cooking). Add the fettuccine into the sauce and continue cooking the sauce with the pasta in it, on medium heat, for a couple of minutes (or more - to achieve the desired thickness) stirring constantly to coat well.

Note: Do not add salt to the creamy sauce because it should already be salty enough from the chicken cubes. Check at the end when the sauce is done to see if some salt is needed.

Asian Beef Mince & Noodles

(From Taste.com.au)

Serves 4

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500g beef mince
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
soy sauce to taste
teaspoons fish sauce to taste
ground chilli to taste
1 onion sliced into thin wedges
3 cloves garlic minced
260g Asian style coleslaw mix
Noodles of choice, prepared following packet instructions 
4 eggs
1 long red chilli, thinly sliced
Spring onions, thinly sliced, to serve
Steamed Asian greens, to serve

Do This -

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a frying pan or wok over medium high heat. Add onion & garlic and fry until soft and fragrant. Add mince and cook for 5 minutes, breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon, until browned.
2. Add coleslaw mix and 1 tablespoon of water and toss until well combined. Cook for 1 minute or until vegetables are just tender. Add sauces and noodles. Stir until well combined. 
3. Meanwhile, heat remaining oil in a large frying pan. Fry eggs for 2-3 minutes or until whites are cooked. Place an egg over mince, sprinkle with chilli and green onions. Serve with steamed Asian greens.

Dongella's Shepherd's Pie

(From Taste.com.au)

Get This - 

500g beef mince
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion chopped
clove of garlic
2 teaspoons mixed herbs
1.5 cups of beef stock
1 cup frozen peas
1 grated carrot
1 grated zucchini
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup grated cheese
1 tablespoon butter
3 potatoes


Do This -

• Heat Oil in a large frypan, Saute onion and garlic, add mince and cook until brown.
• Add tomato paste, beef stock, mixed herbs, sauce, peas, carrot and zucchini, mix thoroughly and simmer until liquid is absorbed.
• Meanwhile boil potatoes until soft. Mash with butter.
• Place mince mixture in a casserole dish, top with mashed potatoes.
• Sprinkle with cheese and bake in a hot oven for 20 minutes or until cheese has melted and is lightly brown.
• Enjoy!

Teriyaki Sauce

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 1/2 cup soy sauce
 1/4 cup mirin*
 1/4 cup caster sugar
 1 tablespoon honey
 1 tablespoon sesame oil
 2 teaspoons finely grated ginger
 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced



Do This - 

Place soy sauce, mirin, sugar, honey, sesame oil, ginger and garlic in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature.


*Mirin is a Japanese sweet rice wine that adds a mild acidity. If you don’t have it in your cupboard you can use dry sherry, sweet marsala wine, dry white wine, or rice vinegar and mix in about 1/2 teaspoon sugar per tablespoon. 

Easy Lo Mein

Image found here

Serves 4 - 6

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250g chicken breast, thinly sliced (optional)
500g fresh lo mein egg noodles
1 tablespoon oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1 - 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
3 - 4 cups cabbage, shredded
1 red capsicum, sliced thinly
1 carrot, sliced thinly
2 spring onions, finely sliced
2 cups bean sprouts
1 - 2 red chillies, finely sliced (optional)

For the sauce:
2 tablespoons soy sauce, or more, to taste
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes, or more, to taste


Do This -

• In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, ginger and chilli flakes; set aside.
• Cook egg noodles according to package instructions; drain well.
• Heat oil in a wok add oil and stir fry chicken until opaque, remove from pan.
• Add garlic, mushrooms, cabbage, capsicum and carrot. Cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in spring onions and sprouts.
• Return chicken, stir in egg noodles and soy sauce mixture, and gently toss to combine.
• Serve immediately.

Teriyaki Chicken & Hokkien Noodles

Serves 2

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1 chicken breast cut into strips
1 large clove of garlic, crushed
2 chillies, finely chopped
shallots, finely sliced
Teriyaki Sauce (click to go to the link to make your own)
broccolini
capsicum
pak choy or Asian green
hokkien noodles
lime juice
olive oil

Do This -

• Make the Teriyaki sauce and let cool.
• Add chicken, chillies, garlic, shallots to a bowl and cover with Teriyaki sauce. Refrigerate for a few hours.
• Cover noodles with boiling water and let sit for 1 - 3 minutes. Drain and cover.
• Add olive oil to a hot pan cook the chicken (reserve the liquid) for a few minutes or until it turns opaque.
• Remove chicken and place in a bowl.
• Stir fry vegetables for a few minutes.
• Add the marinating liquid, chicken and noodles. Squeeze in half a lime.
• Combine and simmer until chicken is well cooked.

Optional - add cashews on top.

Spinach, Ricotta and Bacon Crustless Quiche

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2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 red onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 bunch English spinach, stems trimmed, washed, dried, coarsely chopped
125g (1/2 cup) smooth ricotta
100g feta
2 bacon rashers, diced
4 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
Freshly ground black pepper



Do This -

1. Preheat oven to 180°C.
2. Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Add the onion and bacon and cook, stirring, for 3-4 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute or until aromatic.
3. Add spinach and tarragon and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until spinach just wilts. Remove from heat.
4. Whisk the ricotta, feta, eggs and nutmeg together in a large bowl. Season with pepper.
5. Put onion and bacon mixture into a greased pie dish and spread to cover the base evenly.
6. Pour the egg mixture over the top.
7. Place in oven and cook for 40 minutes or until quiche is set.

Roasted Red Potatoes

Quarter the potatoes long-wise.
Toss in olive oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary.
Arrange potatoes in muffin tin as shown.
Add garlic clove in the middle of the potato quarters.
Add half a teaspoon of olive oil on top of each garlic clove.
Bake 375Fahrenheit or 190Celsius for 25 minutes!

4 Ingredients - Garlic Prawns

Tzatziki - Cucumber Yogurt Dip

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1 tbsp olive oil
3 tsps lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced finely
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp white pepper
3/4 cup greek yogurt
1/4 cup sour cream
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
1 tsp chopped fresh dill

Do This - 

1. Combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix until well combined.
2. Using a whisk, blend the yogurt with the sour cream. 
3. Add the olive oil mixture to the yogurt mixture and mix well.
4. Finally, add the cucumber and chopped fresh dill. Chill for at least two hours before serving.
5. Garnish with a sprig of fresh dill just before serving.

Chickpea Vegie Burgers

Serves 4 large or 8 small burgers

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400g can chickpeas, drained, rinsed

1 small carrot, peeled, grated
zest 1 lemon, plus juice ½
1 tsp ground cumin
small bunch coriander, chopped
2/3 cup wholegrain breadcrumbs

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 teaspoons olive oil

4 large or 8 mini bread rolls, halved crossways

green oak lettuce leaves

slices canned beetroot, drained

large tomato, sliced
red onion, sliced thinly
cucumber, sliced
sauce of your choice (Tahini Mayonnaise is my favourite)

Do This -

1. Place chickpeas in a bowl. Using a potato masher, mash until almost smooth. Add carrot, lemon zest, lemon juice, cumin, half the coriander, eggs, breadcrumbs and garlic. Season with salt & pepper. Mix to combine. Shape mixture into desired number and size of patties.
2. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Cook patties, turning, for 4 to 5 minutes each side or until heated through.
3. Meanwhile, preheat grill on high. Toast cut side of rolls for 2 to 3 minutes or until golden. Top roll bases with beetroot, lettuce, tomato, onion, cucumber, the remaining coriander, patties and roll tops. Serve with your favourite sauce.

Indian-style Kedgeree

From Taste.com.au

Serves 4

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1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice

30g butter

1 medium brown onion, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 tablespoon medium curry powder

200g smoked trout fillets, flaked

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh coriander leaves

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

4 hard-boiled eggs, quartered

Do This -

1. Cook rice following packet directions. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Spread rice over prepared tray. Cool. Cover and refrigerate for 3 hours.
2. Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until onion has softened. Add garlic and curry powder. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute or until fragrant.
3. Add rice, trout, coriander and parsley. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until heated through. Divide between bowls. Top with egg. Serve.

Options for next time - use prawns instead of smoked trout, add 1 large red chilli, serve with lemon wedges as well as boiled eggs.


Recipe from Taste.com.au

Spinach & Ricotta Lasagne

Not my image because I couldn't get a good one!
I'll try again next time I make it.

Serves 2 - 4

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curly or flat lasagne (use according to instructions on the pack)
1 cup passata
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
6 cups baby spinach, loosely packed and chopped well
250g ricotta
1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella
200g feta, crumbled
1 egg
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pinch nutmeg
salt & pepper to taste
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Do This -

1. Preheat oven to 220°C.
2. In a large fry pan add oil and heat to medium-low heat.
3. Sauté garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
4. Add chopped spinach and sauté until wilted, about 3 minutes.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine garlic, spinach, ricotta, 1 cup mozzarella, feta, egg, oregano, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
6. Place one layer of cooked lasagne sheets in the base of a casserole dish.
7. Layer with passata, spinach & ricotta mix and lasagne sheets.
8. Finish with a layer of pasta and sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and parmesan.
9. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes, or until cheese is hot and bubbly.

Lasange

Lasagne is something I love to eat, but never make because it seems too fussy.

Well, tonight I gave it a go.

I combined three recipes from online searches and came up with this...

I reckon it's pretty good!

Serves 4

Get This -

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 brown onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 500g lean beef mince
• 400g can crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 250g packet dried lasagne pasta sheets
• small carton of cream
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Do This -

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced.
2. Heat oil in a heavy-based saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until onion is tender. Add mince. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to break up mince, until browned. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, dried herbs and cinnamon.  Season with salt and pepper. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to low. Simmer, uncovered, for 40 minutes or until sauce has thickened. Remove from heat.
3. Soak the lasagne sheets in a single layer in boiling water for 5 mins. (Although the packet says no pre-cook, soaking improves the texture.) Drain well. 
4. Drizzle a little olive oil over base of a 7cm-deep, 25cm (base) square baking dish. Arrange pieces of lasagne over base of dish. Pour enough cream to just cover lasagne sheets. Spoon one-third of the mince mixture over pasta. Spread with one-quarter of the cheeses. Repeat layers twice. Top with lasagne sheets, cream and cheeses. Cover loosely with foil.
5. Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil. Bake for 15 minutes or until pasta is tender and cheese golden. Stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Option 1 - Replace cream with cream cheese.
Option 2 - Replace cream with ricotta cheese. 
Option 3 - Use a mix of all three

Hokkien Noodles with Prawns

Image and (tweaked) recipe from Taste.com.au

Serves 4

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450g thin hokkien noodles
1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil
300g green prawn cutlets
1 garlic clove, crushed
400g fresh stir-fry vegetables
2 tbs kecap manis
2 tbs fresh lemon or lime juice
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves

Do This -

1. Place the noodles in a large heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside for 2 minutes or until tender. Drain.
2. Heat a large wok over high heat. Add 2 teaspoons of the oil and heat until smoking. Stir-fry the prawns and garlic for 2 minutes or until they change colour. Transfer to a plate.
3. Heat the remaining oil in the wok. Add the vegetables and stir-fry for 4-5 minutes or until tender crisp.
4. Add the noodles, kecap manis and lemon juice to the wok. Return the prawn mixture to the wok and add the basil. Toss until combined and heated through.

Fi's Minestrone

I found this recipe on Fi's blog Mummy Daze and thought it looked so good and so easy that I'd give it a go! It's absolutely delicious!!

Not my image, as per usual!

Serves 4 - with enough for seconds and leftovers

Get This -

2 tablespoons oil
ham/bacon/salami
onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

3 tablespoons tomato paste

800g tinned tomatoes

2 teaspoons stock powder

4.5 cups cold water

2 medium potatoes, cubed

1 large carrot, diced

zucchini, sliced

1/2 broccoli, chopped finely

1/2 cup frozen peas

750g tin cannellini beans, rinsed and strained

1/2 cup macaroni/broken spaghetti pieces

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 cups fresh baby spinach (if you have some)
salt & pepper

fresh basil

serve with a dollop of pesto

Do This -

1. Add diced bacon, onion, crushed garlic and oil to large pot. Cook over medium heat for 3 minutes or until onion is softened.
2. Add tomato paste, tinned tomato, stock and water. Cover, and bring to the boil. Add potato and carrots. Cook, uncovered for 15 minutes, or until cooked through.
3. When you are nearly ready to serve, add the beans, zucchini, broccoli, peas and pasta. Cook for 10-15 minutes or until pasta is just tender. Add sugar and vinegar and season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix in baby spinach leaves just before serving.
4. Ladle into bowls and dollop with pesto and basil. Serve with toasted bread or oven-baked rolls - whatever you have handy.

I served it with parmesan instead of pesto, and fresh basil.

Mini Asparagus Frittatas

Makes 12

Get This - 

• 5 eggs
• 1/2 cup pure cream
• 1/4 cup grated tasty cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1/2 bunch asparagus, trimmed, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped semi-dried tomatoes
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• handful of fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped

Do This -

1. Preheat oven to 190°C/170°C fan-forced. Grease 12 hole patty pan.
2. Whisk eggs, cream, cheese and garlic together in a jug. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Combine asparagus, tomato, basil and onion in a bowl. Spoon evenly into holes of prepared pan.
4. Pour egg mixture over asparagus mixture. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden and set.

Beef Stroganoff

I am a big fan of stroganoff.  I've posted a chicken one, now here's a beef one.  Too delicious!

Serves 4

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• 1/2 cup plain flour
• 500g beef fillet steaks, cut into 2cm-thick strips
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large brown onions, halved, sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 3 cups beef stock
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 200g button mushrooms, halved
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• chopped spring onions to garnish

Do This -

1. Place flour in a snap-lock bag. Season with salt and pepper. Add beef strips. Seal bag and shake to coat. Remove beef. Place in a bowl.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large, deep frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook mushrooms, onion and garlic for 4 to 5 minutes or until soft. Transfer to a plate.
3. Add remaining oil and beef to pan. Cook for 5 minutes or until browned. Return mushrooms, onion and garlic to pan. Add stock. Bring to the boil. Add tomato paste, paprika and mustard. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer, uncovered, stirring, for 10 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Cook for 1 minute or until heated through.
4. Serve with mashed potato, rice, pasta or (my favourite) rice noodles. And top with spring onions.

Pad Thai

This is a version of a recipe I found here.

Image found here

Serves 4

Get This -

250g rice stick noodles

500g chicken thigh fillets, sliced thinly
2 clove garlic, crushed
2 teaspoon grated ginger
1 red capsicum, sliced into thin strips and strips halved
1 large carrot, cut into matchstick
4 spring onions, sliced thinly
2 cups bean sprouts
1 or 2 red thai chilli, sliced thinly
2 tablespoons chopped palm sugar (or brown sugar)
2 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
3 eggs
fresh roughly chopped coriander leaves
chopped peanuts
Chilli flakes and sesame seeds (optional)

Do This -

• Prepare rice noodles according to directions listed on package.
• In a mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, lime juice and fish sauce, set aside.
• Heat oil in a wok or large and deep non-stick pan over medium-high heat. 
• Once hot add chicken and saute until cooked through, about 4 - 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate, leaving oil in pan. 
• Add capsicum and carrots and saute 1 - 2 minutes then add garlic, ginger, spring onions and bean sprouts saute 1 minute longer. 
• Push veggies to edges of pan and crack eggs into center. Cook and scramble until eggs have cooked through. 
• Add in chicken, noodles and sauce and toss everything together and cook 1 - 2 minutes.

Serve warm topped with cilantro, peanuts and optional red pepper flakes and sesame seeds.

Chicken Stroganoff

This makes a nice change from beef stroganoff.  It's not the easiest thing on this blog, but it's certainly not difficult...I don't do difficult!

2 serves

Get this -

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large chicken breast fillet, cut into strips
1 small brown onion, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, crushed
100g mushrooms, sliced
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup sour cream
steamed rice and chopped chives to serve

Do this -

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil to high heat.
• Add chicken & stir until it has changed colour and is lightly browned.
• Remove chicken & reduce heat to medium.
• Heat remaining oil, add onion, garlic & mushrooms.
• Cook for 5 mins or until onion has softened.
• Add paprika.  Stir until fragrant, about 1 min.
• Add Worcestershire sauce and stock and simmer 2-3 mins until slightly reduced.
• Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream, season with salt &pepper.
• Return chicken, place back over medium-low heat until chicken is cooked through.
• Serve with steamed rice and chopped chives.