Chocolate Nut Caramel Chunks
I actually don’t know what to call these, but they do end up as chunks. The first time I made these, was when my 14 year old daughter had to go hiking and camping as part of a school project. My daughter had agreed to …
Month: May 2020
Lamb
We love lamb – not mutton which can be a bit wooly in taste. But lamb! Lamb shanks are great for stews that can cook and sit for hours. Tenderloin, loin, legs, shanks…basically all lamb. If you buy a piece of lamb as in a lump of meat – probably being loin, – it is great for cutting into chunks for sticks, legs can be roasted and if there are any left overs, cut the leg clean and use the scraps in salads, stews, tortillas or other dishes. Lamb is great with just a bit of salt and pepper. In stir fries you can add a dry rub and give it a middle eastern taste. Lamb is very versatile.
Fruits
Maybe I am the only one – although I think that many are in the same boat as I. You buy fruit and lots of it too, with the intention to feed the family with healthy snacks. And suddenly they have expired their “due date” and are left behind in the fruit bowl. You throw it out as it just sits there attracting flyes.
However, – don’t throw it out!!
Most often expired fruit is excellent when used cooked up with a bit of sugar – you don’t need much as the fruit in itself turns very sweet when ripe. It is very easily caramelized and is great in sauces for meats. Or just simply – bake up a cake or muffins and feed the kids and their friends with a homemade after school treat..I guarantee, – this is consumed in no time at all. Apples, pears, apricots, plumbs, bananas….fruits are very versatile!
Pizza sauce
I named this post “pizza sauce”, but I could have said “pasta sauce” or something similar. But instead of buying a jar of pizza sauce, you might as well make it your self. It doesn’t matter, if you have fresh tomatoes, left over tomatoes or …
Edamame Beans
I learned about edamame beans when living in Asia. In Japan they would often be served as a snack in pods – later on I learned to appreciate them de-shelled. When served in pods, boil them between 5 to 10 minutes in salted water (just enough salt so that it tastes like sea water), cool them off in cold water or they will continue boiling in their shell. Serve them warm or cold. I better note, that you do not eat the shell. You easily release the beans from the shell by “popping” the beans out of the shell.
Or – you buy them frozen pre-boiled and steam them in a bit of water either in a pot or the microwave for about 5 minutes and they are ready. I use these for my girls’s snack boxes letting them release the beans from the shells, when they are eating.
You can also buy them frozen already released from their shells. I often use these for salads or in salads. Edamame beans are great when you need a quick salad as a side for any meats, pizzas, sandwiches or the like. All you have to do is to de-frost the beans and they are ready for use.
Edamame Bean Salad
This is so easy! I often have a bag of edamame beans in the freezer ready for use – all you have to do is to take it out, defrost it, mix it up with a few ingredients and you have a wonderful green side …