MY FIRST POST

Herbs For Cooking

I have been wanting to do a cooking blog for sometime now but never really got round to it.  That is about to change.  Today 16th Febuary 2010 I am going to start.  I have grown up with cooking.  My dad was a chef and he had his own restaurant in Spain where he lived for some time.  Keith Floyd used to go to his restaurant.  I always used to be in the kitchen with my dad but I never took an active roll in cooking until after he died.  Isnt that always the way?  I did a hotel and catering course but even then it wasnt until my Fiance and I got our own house 3 years ago that I started cooking.  I discovered I loved cooking and baking also.  I feel that my dad is close when in the kitchen especially when cooking my favourite meal Spaghetti Bolognaise.  Yum.  Today I am going to go over some of the herbs that I use.  I love to use herbs and have a nice collection building up.  I also have a few fresh ones growing in my garden.

1. 
   
   Basil, very good for fish, and vegetable dishes.  I love basil in just about anything.  Fresh basil and tomatoes make a great mix
2. 
   
   Rosemary.  I have this fresh and dried.  I love to use it on meat, and in casseroles
3. 
   
   Coriander.  I think this is one of my favourite herbs.  It smells lovely and again I love to use it casseroles and spaghetti bolagnaise.
4. 
   
   Garlic.  An essential herb that I use in spaghetti bolagnaise and pasta dishes.
5. 
   
   Dill.  I like dill in casseroles and vegetable dishes.
6. 
   
   Thyme. Again in casseroles and pasta and also meat dishes
7. 
   
   mixed spice.  A great general herb mix

Sea salt and Pepper.  I add these into almost anything but only lightly.

I am very intuitive with my use of herbs.  I dont tend to measure exactly the amount I need.  I taste to see if I have enough or need more.  Remember to add herbs little by little.  It's easy to put them in but not so easy to take them out. 

macoroni sausage fritatta

Macoroni sausage Fritatta

Macorroni

sausages

sweetcorn

eggs

salt

pepper

For this recepie I pre cooked the macoroni and the sausages.  Once the macoroni was cooked which takes about 5 minutes or so.  Taste to check if its done.  Leave asside in a dish and fry the sausages.  Once fried slice the sausages and leave in the pan.  Put in the drained tin of sweetcorn and the macoroni.  THen beat 3/4 eggs depending on size of egg.  Add in salt and pepper to taste.  Remember add  a little and taste to see if you need more.  It is easier to put in more than to take some out.  Stir egg mixture and pour over the mixture in the frying pan.  I dont use any oil in this recepie as the sausages are greasy enough.  Cook on medium heat like you  would an omlette and slice and serve when cooked. 

you can serve this with chips or salad or on its own. 

hugs

Sara

Potato herb and caper salad

Hi everyone

Yesterday I had some left over potatoes from the fish pie I made.  I used new potatoes as my potato topping rather than mashed potatoes. 

cooked new potatoes
capers
pickled jalepino peppers
light mayonaise.
fresh corriander from your herb garden


Anyway onto the salad.  I quarted the already cooked new potatoes and added in a handful of capers.  Then I finely sliced some pickled jalepino peppers which I absolutely love, into the mix and a big dollop of light mayonaise.  You can use normal mayonaise but I am on a diet and trying to loose the weight I put on on honeymoon.  add in the finely chopped corriander.  I dont think that dried herbs would have the same taste effect for this dish.  Though you could try it and then tell me if I am wrong.  Mix all the ingredients and serve.  We had ham and cheese (ok not that much of a diet) and mustard sandwiches.  Yum.

Hugs
Sara

Chicken Herb Pasta

Chicken Herb Pasta

1. 200grams of Pasta
2. chicken chunks
3. baby sweetcorn
4. snap peas
5. chicken stock
6. Herbs selection ( sage, rosemary, thyme, oragamo)
7. a leek

• chop up leek
• put the kettle on to boil.  Pour into the saucepan of pasta, turn on heat and let pasta cook.
• Fry the leek and the chicken chunks.  I dry fry mine but you can add oil if you wish.  I sprinkle the chicken with an everyday herb mix.
• when the meat is white add in the herbs
• boil the kettle again.  Put chicken stock ( I use Knor) into jug and pour the water into jug.  Mix and pour over the chicken and herbs in the frying pan. 
• Add the sweetcorn and sugar snap peas to the frying pan and cook.  Stir occassionally not forgetting to check on the pasta.  When you feel its all ready serve.

The herbs make this dish so please do taste as you go along to make sure you dont over do it.  Serve with a bit of bread to mop up any left over sauce and enjoy.

hugs

Sara

                                                                        Sara Savoury.

  (This was named by my fiance. He thinks that its yummy)

THis meal makes a great meal for using up leftovers. I had some cooked cabbage left over which went into this

INGREDIENTS

• puff pastry. I use the pre brought frozen stuff. Did I mention I am a lazy cook? :)
• pesto. (Brought or homemade)
• Meat (opional. THis makes a wonderful veggi option)
• any left over veg.
• red pepper, sliced
• courgette, sliced

Roll out puff pastry into a square. I used my baking tray as a measuring guide. THis served four nicely.

with a knife score a inner square about an inch and a half in. The idea is to leave a edge so that the puff pastry rises round the outside.

brush the whole square with milk.

in the centre square spread a liberal spreading of pesto.

then put the meat on first. Remember to think of which ingredients needs most cooking and put the ones that need most cooking down first.

layer all the veg. I used cooked cabbage, mushroom, tomatoes, pepper and courgette.

Sprinkle some grated cheese over the top

Place into an oven. I use electric oven which is about 200oc I think for gas it is gas mark 6 for around 30mins. I like to check on it around two times just to keep an eye on its progress. The puff pastry outer edge will rise and contain the ingredients. Cut into 4 slices when ready and serve with a salad or whatever you fancy. We had it on its own. I am sure it will be nice cold in the summer. I have so far only tried it hot