Coconut, Sweet Potato and Chickpea Stew

Ingredients

• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 5 cloves garlic, grated
• 1inch fresh ginger, grated
• 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon tumeric
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 green chilli
• 1 can chopped tomatoes
• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 large potato, chopped into 1inch cubes
• 1 can light coconut milk*
• 1/4 cup chopped coriander
• Basmati rice, for serving

*TIP- If you can only find full fat coconut milk, then dilute half a cup of coconut milk with half a cup of water*

Method

1. In a medium-large skillet (with a lid for later), heat the vegetable oil and the chopped onion. Allow this to soften for 3-5 minutes, and then add the grated garlic, ginger, chilli and spices. Stir and leave to simmer with the onions for 5-7 minutes, add a splash of water if the onions are sticking to the bottom of the skillet.

2. Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas, the can of tomatoes, the light coconut milk and the chopped sweet potato. Turn the heat down to simmer, cover and leave for 30-50 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender. At 30 minutes, check the taste of the spices and add more if needed and add salt according to taste. 

3. Before dishing up, sprinkle the chopped coriander on top and serve with the steaming basmati rice.

Chicken Fried Steak

Ingredients

Chicken Steaks

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup plain flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Peppered Cream Gravy

• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• Salt and ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 - 1 and 1/2 cups milk, at room temperature

Method

1. Wash the chicken steaks, dry them with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper. Sift the flour onto a plate and coat with flour. Place the steaks onto a clean surface and cover with cling film then pound them with a meat cleaver until they 1/4 inch thick. Coat again with flour then dip them into the beaten eggs and then dredge in flour again until fully coated.
2. Pour enough oil into a large skillet to come about 1/4 inch up the sides and set over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, carefully add the steaks with tongs and cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Remove the steaks and keep warm.
3. To prepare the gravy, pour off all but two tablespoons of oil and remove any burnt drippings from the skillet. Reduce the heat to medium, and add the flour, salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes, whisking consistently, until the flour is golden. Slowly whisk the milk, about 1/2 cup at a time. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the gravy is thick and creamy, stirring constantly until 7 or 8 minutes. season again with salt and pepper according to taste.
4. Serve the gravy over the chicken - fried steaks and mashed potatoes.

Baked Breaded Chicken Strips

Ingredients

• 3 large chicken breasts
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1/3 cup mustard
• 1/3 mayonnaise
• 3 large garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 cups bread crumbs

*HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE RECIPE*

Method

1. Preheat oven. Line a large, baking tray with foil.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together the mustard, mayonnaise and the garlic. Set aside, while you prepare the chicken. Place breadcrumbs in a second bowl, and season with salt and pepper to your preference.

3. Wash and dry your chicken with paper towels. Cut chicken into 1-inch thick strips. Lightly season chicken strips with salt and pepper.

4. Place chicken strips into the marinade and mix well. Roll each chicken strip into your breadcrumb mixture a few times to make sure they are all fully coated. Transfer the chicken to the baking tray.

5. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and golden brown on the outside. 

6. Serve with chip and honey mustard sauce* and enjoy. 

Honey Mustard Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup mustard
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise

Method

1. Mix until well blended and refrigerate until ready to serve. 

Cajun Seasoning

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 5 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 and 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 2 and 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes

Method

1. Mix altogether and store in airtight container.

Creamy Spinach and Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients

• 200g fettuccine pasta
• 500g small shrimp, cleaned and de-veined 
• 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning (recipe below)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 garlic cloves, finely grated
• 25g butter, plus 1 tablespoon
• 1 large bunch of fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 cup full fat milk
• 1 cup double cream
• 1 pack of Philadelphia cream cheese
• 75g parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 25g cheddar cheese, finely grated
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes
• Salt to taste

*CLICK FOR CAJUN SEASONING RECIPE*

Method

 1. Cook pasta as per instructions on the box, drain and set aside.
 2. Defrost and wash shrimps thoroughly. In a bowl, add the fajita spice, lemon juice  and garlic - mix the shrimps in evenly and leave to marinate in the fridge for a minimum of 1 hour.
3. Heat the 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan and add the marinated shrimps. Sautee for three minutes and then add the spinach and cook for another 3 minutes. Cover the pan, turn off the heat and set aside.
4. In a medium-large pot, melt the 25g butter and add the milk, cream and cream cheese. Whisk vigorously until all the cream cheese has full incorporated into the liquid. Add both the parmesan and cheddar and continue whisking until you have a nice smooth and creamy sauce. 
5. Using a slotted spoon, place the shrimp and spinach into the sauce. Try to avoid any liquid from the shrimps going into the sauce. Add the black pepper, chilli flakes and the pasta and mix thoroughly. Season with salt, according to preference.
6. Serve hot, and enjoy!

Almond Nuts

Benefits

Protects Against Cancer: Almonds are quite rich in antioxidants which provide protection from cancer causing agent free radicals. Along with it contains fibre which cleans toxin so stored in the colon.

Bone and Teeth Health: It contains a a good amount of calcium which strengthen bone and teeth. Along with it provided magnesium and phosphorus which strengthens bones. It can prevent osteoporosis.

Supports Fetus Development During Pregnancy: For proper development of fetus, pregnancy women require folate. Late of folate in the diet can be responsible for irregular development of the brain and spinal cord in children. So it can be highly beneficial.

Skin Care: Almonds are also good for the skin, it improves skin health and makes it supple. It contains vitamin E that is powerful antioxidants that nourishes skin and prevent ageing.

Good For Weight Loss: Fibre is hard to digest. So the body burns more colorie to break fibre, during this process colorie is burned and there is a boost in metabolism, which aids in weight loss.

Boost Brain Power: It also protects brains cell damage from free radicals. Along with it also improves blood circulation towards the brain. It is highly recommended that children should eat almonds to improve their memory.

Good For Diabetes: Diabetes risk rises with sudden increase in sugar level. But eating fibre rich almond lower the rise of sugar level in blood. So it provided complete benefits fro diabetes patients.

Improves Energy Levels: As almond is a good source of manganese, copper and riboflavin helps in synthesis of energy. So its improves energy level along with protecting from free radicals.