Friday, November 20, 2015

Ham & Cheese Party rolls

Need a fast and impressive looking "aperitivo"? A dish to take along to share? One that your kids can eat as well? Here's the answer.


Ingredients: (Makes: 12 rolls)
1 roll of pizza dough
¾ lb ham (thinly sliced)
12 thinly slices Emmenthaler cheese

Glaze (optional)
½ cup (8 tablespoons) butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
1.) Coat a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2.) Unroll the pizza dough onto a cutting board and press into approximately a 13x18-inch rectangle. 3.) Top with ham and cheese slices.
4.) Starting on the longer side of the rectangle, roll up the edge tightly. When you reach the end, pinch the seam together and flip the roll so that the seam is face down.
5.) Cut into 12 slices, approximately 1-inch wide. Arrange in prepared baking dish.
6.) Combine the butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and poppy seeds in a sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk until the butter is melted and the glaze is smooth and combined. Pour evenly over the rolls.
7.) Bake uncovered for 25 minutes until golden and browned.

Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Apple & Cinnamon muffins

Can you smell the autumn? Nothing beats the fragrance of brown butter, cinnamon and baked apple. Well, maybe chocolate cake but that's for another day.


Ingredients:
1 cup self raising flour
½ cup almond meal
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ginger, ground
½ tsp nutmeg, ground
½ tsp cardamom, ground
140gr unsalted butter, browned
⅓ cup caster sugar
⅓ cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla bean paste
2 eggs
1 large apple, grated

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 180°C.
1.) Place the butter in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until the milk solids start to turn brown on the bottom of the pan and smells nutty. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
2.) In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, almond meal, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cardamom.
3.) In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, maple syrup, eggs and vanilla bean.
4.) Add the cooled brown butter and stir until combined.
5.) Add the wet ingredients to the dry and whisk until combined.
6.) Fold in the apple.
7.) Spoon the batter into lined muffin cases and bake for 15 minutes or until golden and cooked.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

One Pan Mexican Quinoa

Searching for an exotic, healthy weeknight supper? Here is your answer. Also a big hit with gluten-free and vegetarian family and friends.


Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup diced yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ a large jalapeno, minced (taste to make sure it's not too spicy)
3/4 cup quinoa
1 cup vegetable broth
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (not drained)
1 cup corn
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Preparations: 
1.) Heat the olive oil in a large skillet with a lid over medium heat.
2.) Sauté the garlic and jalapeno until it starts to brown, about one minute.
3.) Add the quinoa, vegetable broth, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, chili powder, cumin, and salt to the skillet and stir to mix well.
4.) Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and cover the pan with the lid.
5.) Cook covered for 20 minutes, until the quinoa is cooked through, but stir it halfway through cooking just to make sure the quinoa cooks evenly.
6.) Before serving, sprinkle the chopped cilantro and diced avocado on top and then squeeze ½ of the lime in as well. Taste and add more lime juice, salt and pepper if needed.