Tag: #familyfood

Leftover Kebab Biryani
Stylemesisteradmin
July 26, 2019

Eid-ul-Adha leftovers Biryani

Now before you turn away from this recipe HEAR ME OUT.
For some of us Eid-ul-Adha is very meat heavy due to the nature of it (Qurbani Meat overload). There’s only so many Kebab recipes you can plough through.
Over time I must have tried lots of Kebab recipes with various chutneys. However I’ll be honest; I get fed up of food and so do the girls. In the end is sits around in the fridge drying out.

So last year (or maybe the year before) I decided that I wanted to create a recipe to use up leftover kebabs from the platters I create. A Pulaw in my humble opinion wouldn’t have worked so I considered it’s cousin; Biryani.

The way I would explain the different between a Biryani and Pulaw is this: A Pulaw is a one pot rice dish where you create the base and cook the rice in the stock created. A Biryani is where the rice is steamed between layers of the meat/vegetable base. A lot of Biryanis are tomato sauce based and can be tangy and very fiery.

This is a medium heat tangy Biryani which I serve with a range of Raitas and Chutneys.

The kebabs I’ve used this Biryani include: Tikkas (chicken and meat), Seekh kebabs and even liver kebabs (just shows how versatile this recipe really is).

So to make enough to serve 5/6 you will need:
450-500 grams (Cooked) leftover kebabs
300 grams rice
250 ml passata
150 ml low fat plain yogurt
5 TBSP oil
6 heaped TBSP fried onions pre-soaked and drained
1 TBSP garlic and ginger paste or just garlic paste.
3 TBSP fresh coriander leaves-chopped finely
Cooking salt-to your own requirements
2 heaped TBSP mint leaves-chopped finely
5 dried plums (available in most South-Asian food stores).
2 heaped TBSP ground coriander seeds
2 heaped TBSP ground cumin seeds
2 heaped TBSP chaat masala
Juice of 2 limes
.4 green chilies sliced (lengthways)-I prefer bullet chilies as they keep their shape well.
3 heaped TBSP fried onions (Do not pre-soak)
4 TBSP Screw pine water (Kewra water)
Powdered food dye (available in Asian food stores; I use a little bit of red and orange to compliment the original colours. You can leave out the dye is you wish to).

1) Heat the oil in a large pan on a medium heat.
2) Add the onions and fry for one minute.
3) Add the garlic paste and fry for 30 seconds.
4) Add the salt and spices and fry for 1 minute.
5) Now add the passata and stir well. Add the dried plums.
6) Now add the yogurt and stir well. Cook the mixture for 5 minutes. You’ll notice it gets thicker and you may see a bit of oil separation. Don’t worry that’s normal .
7) Add the kebabs, half the coriander leaves and chilies. Stir well to cover the kebabs.
8) Add the water and bring to the water. Then reduce the heat to simmer.
8) Reduce the heat and allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes.

Penne Arrabiata with Aubergines.
Alliyah Dawud
June 24, 2019

I love pasta…but when I do have it I try to make it a tad bit healthier. One of my favourite ways is by adding a vegetable to the sauce.

One of my favourite old skool pasta sauce is the simple but awesome Arrabiata which literally translated means angry. As someone who likes heat I love the spiciness of this.

This sauce in it’s simple classic form is really easy to knock up and there’s a high chance you’ve got everything at home. My aubergine version is a bit more work.

You can leave out the aubergines if you wish. I personally love it. If you wish to leave it out just skip the steps for the aubergine prep.

Ingredients (to serve 4):

  • 300 grams penne pasta (cooked till Al dente) drained. Keep about 6 TBSP of pasta water just in case (I’ll explain later)
  • 2 TBSP olive oil
  • 5 cloves of garlic-minced
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • Chili flakes-to your taste
  • Salt-to your taste
  • 1 X 350 ml carton passata (you can use one with garlic or herbs)
  • 200 ml water or vegetable stock
  • For the aubergines:
  • 1 whole aubergine sliced into slices (either way is fine). Sliced into a pounds (£) thickness.
  • Spray oil
  • Garlic Granules
  • To bake the aubergines:
  • Baking tray
  • Greaseproof paper
  • Spray oil (1 cal works)
  • To serve:
  • Italian style Hard cheese of your choice
  • Fresh basil (if you wish)

1) Pre-heat the oven to 170 (160 on fan assisted ovens). Place the aubergines on the tray and spray with oil. Sprinkle on garlic granules and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn over. Spray again and sprinkle on more garlic if you wish. Now spray on more oil. Place bake in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Once the aubergine is done set aside.
2) To make the actual sauce: heat the oil in a large pan on a medium heat. Add the garlic and fry until garlic is lightly brown. This won’t take long so don’t leave the pan. Burnt garlic is horrible.
3) Add the basil, salt, chili and stir well. Add the passata and water. Bring to the boil. Then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.
4) Now add the aubergine if using. Stir well and simmer for another 4-5 minutes. If the mixture becomes too dry add 4 tablespoons of water. You don’t want a dry sauce as you want it to cling to the pasta.
5) Add the drained pasta to the sauce (I like doing it this way) and if the sauce is too dry add the pasta water you saved earlier to it. This should restore the sauce.
6) Divide the pasta into 4 pasta sauces and shave over the cheese and add the basil if using.
7) Stuff mouth and enjoy (I’m joking about the stuffing bit btw).

I find the sauce can be frozen WITHOUT aubergines. However it’s just a quick sauce you may not want to have it in your freezer taking up space.

PS: Tesco have recently started stocking chargrilled sliced Aubergine. This still needs to be cooked but it makes the recipe even more easier to knock up as you don’t need to worry about having a fresh Aubergine in the Fridge. Plus they taste nice (no, Tesco did not pay me to say that).

My easy, tasty and good Baked Chicken Meatballs
Alliyah Dawud
June 14, 2019

Baked Chicken Meatballs…like are they a thing?

Quick, easy, healthier than a lot out there…ladies and the odd gent I present to you Chicken ‘Meatballs’.

Give me a Kofta Curry and I’m happy. Give me some Kefta Kebabs and Naans and I’m also happy. Give me a meatball sub with some extra hot sauce and I’m happy….I love a good meatball.

As you know we are constantly being encouraged to focus on healthier recipes. Focus on reducing fats, salts and sugars in our diets. We are also encouraged (and quite rightly so) to get our children eating healthier from a young age so it’s a habit and lifestyle rather than a chore.

Recently I got playing in the kitchen and with Chicken mince being around £2.69 per KG at my local Butchers I decided I would make some ‘meatballs’.

Cheaper meat, leaner too. And if I play my cards right I can bake them off in the oven and reduce the fat too.

And believe it or not I’ve created a meatball the girls actually adore. And I’m happy because a simple bit of prep work means I can create, bake and freeze a few meals in next to no time…

To make these awesome meatballs (enough for 3-4 or more depending on the age of those you are feeding) servings you will need:

  • 500 grams chicken mince
  • About 16 olives chopped
  • Zest of 1 lemon finely chopped
  • 1 tsp salt (or to your taste)
  • 1/2 TSP dried thyme (leveled spoon not heaped)
  • 1/2 TSP dried oregano (leveled spoon not heaped)
  • Juice of one lemon
  • 2 heaped TBSP breadcrumbs
  • OPTIONAL flavourings:
  • 2 sun dried tomatoes finely chopped
  • 1 heaped tablespoon of crumbled feta (if you do decide to add feta reduce the salt intake).
  • Chili Flakes-if you want some need.
  • To bake:
  • Spray oil ( 1 Cal spray works, as do other varieties)
  • Baking trays (1 large pan will be enough or two smaller ones)
  • Kitchen Tongues
  • Greaseproof paper

1) Line the baking trays to keep cleaning to a minimum. Preheat to oven to 170 (160 on a fan assisted oven).
2) Place all the ingredients in a large bowl and with your hands mulch it all together. Yes it’s a messy job but dammit it will create awesomeness in the form of springy healthy meatballs!
3) Once you’ve mixed all the ingredients together take a tablespoon amount of meat mixture and form into a meatball using wet hands. Place on the greaseproof sheet. Leave a gap between the meatballs.
4) Repeat the process until you’ve used all the mixture.
5) Spray each meatball once with the oil.
6) Now bake for 10 minutes.
7) Remove from the oven and carefully turn the meatballs over using the tongues. Spray the other side of the meatballs with oil. Place back in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Turn the oven off.
8) Allow to meatballs to ‘rest’ for 2/4 minutes and then serve. I add my meatballs to a simple sauce which I have featured before here:

To make this recipe extra healthy you can serve the meatballs with wholemeal spaghetti.

NOTES: If your meatballs release any liquids do not panic. This is a normal part of the cooking process. The amount you find really does depend on many factors so don’t worry yourself too much on the science. Think of the flavour.

Mini meatballs make great canapes.

Making meatballs can be fun and messy for younger children.

Meatballs can be cooked, cooled and frozen successfully for up to 3 months without losing texture etc.

Vegetarian Taco Meat Burritos
Stylemesisteradmin
June 10, 2019

Over the past two years I’ve grown to love the idea of meat free meal days. Once upon a time I dreaded the idea of finding a vegetable based recipe that wasn’t coated in fat and spices to cover the fact there’s no meat in it.

Nowadays for me it’s no longer a challenge. Possibly because I have found that I simply need to adapt the meat element to be replaced by a non meat product.

There’s plenty of non-meat alternatives available in the UK. I personally love Morrisons own brand Vegetarian Mince from their Taste range for things like Spaghetti Bolognese (400 grams for £1.50 and no they have not paid me to compliment them).

Most Superstores have their own ranges however some famous brands include Quorn and Lindy McCartney. Considering how many more mouths we will need to be feeding in the future and how much farm land we actually have I’ve got to be honest with you; I feel we should all be looking into alternative proteins.

Anyhow….back to the recipe.

I love Burritos! I do. I reallllly do. However I find good ones hard to come by. So I literally created my own at home.

These Burritos contain:

My awesome vegetarian taco meat (recipe here)

My Tex Mex Inspired Burrito Rice (recipe here)

Plus a flurry of other ingredients that pack a punch.

To make 4 Burritos you will need:

  • 1 lot of Vegetarian Taco Meat (heated)
  • 1 lot of Burrito Rice (heated)
  • 4 large Tortilla Wraps (I use corn ones)
  • 1 large red onion diced finely
  • 80 grams of Sweetcorn (cooked)
  • 50 grams Cheddar Cheese (grated)
  • 4 TBSP Salsa
  • 4 TBSP Sliced Jalapeno
  • 1 large tomato deseeded and finely chopped
  • Optional :Hot Sauce

To serve:
Skewers/tooth picks (optional but I find they come in useful to keep things in place)
Burger wraps (I used colourful ones but that’s all I have in)
Tortilla chips
Salsa
Sour cream

The HOW TO:

1)Take a Tortilla Wrapper and gently warm it in the Microwave (10 seconds) or in a dry frying pan. Turn over to avoid it burning. Remove from the pan and place on a chopping board or large plate.

2) Now place the taco meat on the wrap. Spread it in a ‘line’ vertically. We need to pile up the ingredients in a ‘line’ as we need to wrap these badboys up as tight as possible.

3) Now add some rice.

4) Add the Jalepenos, Sweetcorn, Onions, Tomatoes and Cheese.

5) Drizzle on the Salsa and Hot Sauce (if using).

6) Now is the hard bit. It may take some practice but its worth it. Trust me. Fold the horizontal sides in. Now gently start rolling the Burrito trying to tuck everything in. Don’t speed this step up because things will fall to pieces; literally.

7) Once it’s all rolled up take the burger wrapper (or greaseproof paper if using) and wrap it tightly around the Burrito. Add a tooth pick if you feel it needs one. Just let people know there’s one there so they don’t hurt themselves on it.

8) Your Burrito is ready to serve. I serve mine with extra Salsa, Tortilla Chips and Sour Cream.

Easy-O Tex Mex inspired Spicy Rice (aka my version of Burrito Rice)
Alliyah Dawud
June 7, 2019

Easy-o Tex Mex inspired Spicy Rice (aka my version of Burrito rice).

Note: the image of the Burrito is to show you where else you will find my Rice recipe featuring. The Burrito Recipe will be posted on 10th of June 2019.

I love a good old fat Burrito filled with beans, rice, protein, salsa, cheese….all wrapped in a golden corn tortilla wrap. Certain fast food places make awesome ones but the fat content (and salt) can sometimes leave you feeling well…guilty.

I started making Burritos at home so I could control things better (in others words what was going in them). And the one thing I know my girls love is the spicy rice…so to make life easier for me I created a quick and easy recipe using basmati rice that has been cooked and cooled. This makes this recipe ideal for using up leftover rice or frozen rice too.

For this recipe I don’t have ‘weighed’ out ingredients. Such is the nature of using leftovers.

NOTE: I have added sweetcorn to my rice to add a bit of extra goodness. This is optional.

This recipe makes two bowls of the rice which is enough for 4-6 Burritos (depending on how big/curvy your Burritos are).

  • INGREDIENTS:
  • 2 bowls (I use bowls called cereal bowls….) of cooked cooled rice
  • 200 ml passata (or half a standard carton if that makes life easier)
  • 1/2 a 400 gram chopped tomato tin.
  • 1 400 gram tin of red kidney beans rinsed and drained
  • OPTIONAL: 100 grams Sweetcorn-cooked
  • 4 cloves of crushed garlic or 1 TBSP of garlic paste
  • 2 TBSP coriander leaves chopped finely
  • Salt-to taste
  • 1 medium onion diced finely
  • 1 TBSP rapeseed oil
  • 1/2 TSP chili powder
  • 1 TSP cumin powder
  • 1 TSP coriander powder
  • Juice of 1 lime

1) Heat the oil in a large pot on a medium heat.
2) Add the onion and fry until the onion is soft. Add the garlic and fry for about 1 minute. Stir well because burnt garlic tastes very bitter.
3) Now add the spices and beans and fry. You’ll smell a wave of spice which is good. Fry for about a minute. If the mixture starts to burn move onto step 4.
4) Add the tomato tins and passata and stir well. Bring to the boil and simmer for 2/3 minutes.
5) Add the majority of the coriander (keep some back if you wish to use it as a garnish). Now add the rice and stir through to encorporate all the ingredients.
6) Turn the heat off. Add the lime juice and your rice is ready to go.

Can be enjoyed as a side at your next Tex Mex night or in a rice bowl or well in a Burrito.