Lemon-Lime-Herb Pasta

Get This -

pasta of your choice
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon dried cilantro
1 tablespoon dried sage
or any dried/fresh herbs you have


Do This -

Bring a pot of salty water to a boil. Cook the pasta in the boiling water until cooked through yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Remove 1/3 cup of the water from the pot and set aside. Drain the pasta.

Combine the pasta and reserved water in a large bowl; stir the lemon juice, lime juice, and herbs through the pasta until evenly mixed. Serve hot.

Thea's Favourite Summer Salad

Get This -

potato salad
ham
cherry tomatoes
fetta
mango
boiled egg
fresh herbs (parsley/dill/coriander/basil/chives)

Do This -

Mix together and enjoy!

My Greek Style Salad

Get This -

iceberg lettuce
red onion
cherry tomatoes
Lebanese cucumber
sun dried tomatoes
whole olives
feta
dried oregano
dried thyme
salt & pepper


Do This -

1. Slice and chop the lettuce, tomatoes, onion, cucumber & sundried tomatoes and place in a salad bowl.
2. Squash the olives to remove the pips and then tear them into the bowl.
3. Add crumbled feta, dried herbs and salt & pepper.
4. Pour a little of the sun dried tomato oil from the jar, and a little olive juice from the jar to make the dressing.
5. Toss well and serve.

Spaghetti Bolognese

I know the really simple way to make this is to brown some mince, add a jar of prepared sauce and add to pasta, but it's so easy to make your own. It tastes heaps better and you know exactly what you're eating, too.

With illnesses, ailments and disorders on the rise I have to wonder if it has something to do with the mountains of processed foods we eat with all the additives, preservatives & chemicals. I don't like to use any bottled sauce bases anymore.

Serves 4

Get This -

500g beef mince
1 brown onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 cans diced tomatoes
4 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 beef stock cubes
a shake of dried oregano
a shake of dried thyme
a shake of dried tarragon
a pinch of cinnamon
a pinch of nutmeg
1/4 red lentils
1/2 to 1 cup vegetables, eg carrot, zucchini, cauliflower, capsicum
1/2 cup water (I swish out a can of tomatoes & use that)
salt & pepper
fresh parmesan, shaved/finely grated
fresh basil
spaghetti or other pasta

Do This -

• Heat oil in large pot.  Saute onions & garlic until translucent.
• Add vegetables, stock cubes & herbs.
• Add mince and stir until browned.
• Add tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute.
• Add all other ingredients and simmer.
• Sauce will be ready in about 20 minutes, but I love it after a few hours of gentle simmering...much tastier! 
• Just before you're ready to serve, cook pasta according to the instructions on the packet.
• Drain pasta, serve in bowls with the bolognese sauce on top and finish with fresh shaved parmesan and chopped basil.

Savoury Muffins

I am sooo not a baker.  But I felt like some savoury muffins today and thought my kids might like to try them, too.  Well, of course, I loved them and my kids wouldn't even taste them!  Oh well, I'll keep trying.

 Makes 12

Get This -

• 2 1/2 cups self-raising flour
• salt and pepper
• 125g melted butter, cooled
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon herbs
• 1/2 cup grated cheese
• 2 bacon rashers, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1/2 small red capsicum, diced
• parmesan to top

 

Do This -

1. Preheat oven to 200C.
2. Fry onion, bacon and capsicum until onion is soft.
3. Sift flour into a bowl.  Add cheese and season well with salt and pepper.
4. Whisk eggs, milk and herbs together.
5. Make a well in the flour, add milk mixture and butter, fold until well combined.
6. Fold in bacon and onion mixture.
7. Spoon into greased muffin tray, top with parmesan.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

 

Try to eat just one!!