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Tag: red pepper

Pasta Primavera with Roasted Vegetables

Yummy and healthy dish for Meatless Monday!!

  • 2 cups zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 to 4 garlic cloves, with skin on
  • Olive oil
  • Salt

Place the vegetables and garlic on to a line cookie sheet. Drizzle some olive oil and sprinkle some salt. Mix well and roast in a 400 degrees oven for 30 minutes. Take out and let cool. Slide the garlic out of the skins and mash with fork.

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cups fresh or store bought tomato sauce
  • ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
  • 1 cup roasted corn
  • ½ cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
  • Salt
  • ½ pound pasta of choice, cooked al dente and 1 cup spare pasta water

Heat a large frying pan with the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomato sauce, basil and the roasted garlic. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the corn and the roasted vegetables. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cheese and pasta. Mix well and add the spare pasta water if needed. Check for seasonings and add salt.

Chicken Paprikash

I saw Michael Symon make this recipe on some show and was reminded of a dish my Mom used to make for us… so I kind of blended the two and came up with my own version.. it is a great weekday, healthy meal to serve your family…

  • 5 to 6 chicken drumsticks, with skin
  • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
  • 4 garlic cloves, grated
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons salt

Mix the paprika, garlic, oil and salt in a small bowl. Rub all over the chicken and marinate for 2 to 3 hours.

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 small green pepper, chopped
  • 1 small red pepper, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
  • 14 ounces crushed tomato
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • Salt
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • ½ cup parsley, chopped
  • ½ cup dill, chopped

Heat a heavy saucepan with the butter and olive oil. Brown the chicken pieces on medium high heat on all sides. Take out of the pan and keep the chicken pieces aside. Add the thyme, onion, peppers and paprika. Saute on medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes. Add the crushed tomato and sauté for another 4 to 5 minutes on medium heat. Add the chicken back to the pan with the chicken broth. Bring to a boil and simmer on lower heat, covered for 15 to 20 minutes. Take the lid off the take the chicken pieces out to take off the bone (you can leave on the bone if desired). In the meantime, add the flour to the sour cream, mix well and add to the pan. Mix well and add salt if needed. Add the parsley and dill. Mix well and serve with egg noodles.

 

Mango Coconut Green Chicken Curry

  • 2 + 1 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 1 inch ginger, grated
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 2 kaffir lime leaves
  • 1 tablespoon green curry paste
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 2 cups mango chunks
  • 1 can coconut milk (13 ½ ounces)
  • 2 teaspoons fish sauce
  • Juice of one lime
  • 1 cup Thai basil, chopped and divided in half
  • 1 medium yellow onion, sliced
  • 1 large red pepper, sliced
  • 1 pound chicken breast, sliced thin
  • Sugar to taste
  • Salt to taste

Heat a wok like pan with 2 tablespoons coconut oil. Add the ginger, garlic, kaffir leaves, curry paste and coriander powder. Saute on medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the mango chunks, coconut milk, fish sauce, lime juice and ½ cup basil. Bring to a boil. Take off the heat and blend till smooth in a blender. Keep aside. Heat the same pan with 1 tablespoon with coconut oil on medium heat. Add the onion and pepper. Saute on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chicken and the blended sauce. Bring to a boil and cook the chicken till done. Add sugar and salt to taste. Garnish with the remaining basil. Serve with rice.

 

 

Paella with Chorizo and Chicken

This was a great hit at a get together I had recently at our home. I love making paellas, especially because they fit the ‘one pot meal’ category really well. This particular one is very flavorful with lots of chorizo and smoked paprika. The great thing is I was able to make it in advance and it actually tastes better as it sits.

  • 4 to 5 chicken thighs, with bone, skinless
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Sprinkle the salt and smoked paprika all over the chicken thighs and let sit for 2 to 3 hours.

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup dried chorizo, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 medium red pepper, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ teaspoon Spanish saffron
  • ½ cup tomato puree
  • 2 cups short grain rice
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • Salt
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped
  • ½ cup parsley, chopped
  • 1 small tomato, chopped

Heat the olive oil in a paella pan. Brown the chicken thighs on both sides, about 3 to 4 minutes each. Take out and add the chorizo. Saute on medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion, pepper and garlic. Saute on medium heat for 3 to 4 minute. Add the bay, saffron and tomato puree. Saute for a minute. Add the chicken thighs and cover with lid and cook for 15 minutes or till the chicken is cooked through. Take out and let cool. Add the rice and mix well. Add the chicken broth and check seasonings. Add salt. Bring to a boil and in the meantime, take the chicken meat off the bones and shred. Add the shredded chicken to the pan and mix well. Cook the rice on a simmer for 5 minutes, lower the heat and cover till rice is almost cooked through, about 15 minutes. Add the peas and tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt. Cover and cook for another 5 minutes till the peas are warm. Stir in cilantro and parsley and serve warm.

Szechuan Pepper Sweet and Sour Shrimp

Yummy, yummy is all that comes to mind when I read this recipe.. it is a bit involved but so worth making at home and not ordering the sticky sweet stuff from a take out restaurant…

  • 1 pound small shrimp, cleaned
  • 1 tablespoon Szechuan peppers
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 1 inch fresh ginger, roughly chopped
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, deseeded and chopped

Roast the Szechuan peppers in a small pan for 2 to 3 minutes. Take out and grind to a powder.

Transfer the ground pepper, salt, garlic, ginger and jalapeno pepper to a mortar and pestle. Pound till a paste is formed and marinate the shrimp for 2 to 3 hours and keep aside.

  • 3 tablespoons peanut oil
  • 1 cup pineapple, cut into small chunks
  • 1 red pepper, cut into 1 inch squares
  • 1 orange pepper, cut into 1 inch squares
  • 1 large yellow onion, cut into 1 inch squares
  • 1 cup blood orange or regular orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped
  • 2 green onions, chopped

Transfer the pineapple, red pepper, orange pepper and onion chunks to a lined cookie sheet. Broil on high for 7 to 8 minutes till the veggies are a bit charred. Keep aside.

Mix the orange juice, vinegar, honey, soy sauce and cornstarch in a small bowl, test for seasonings and keep aside.

Heat a wok like pan with the peanut oil. Add the marinated shrimp and cook for about 5 minutes on high heat. Add the charred vegetables and mix well. Add the sauce and bring to a boil. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes and garnish with cilantro and green onions and serve with brown rice.

 

Chicken Cacciatore

My first try at chicken cacciatore! Not sure why I didn’t make it before- it was quite easy and super flavorful.. especially with the capers and basil!

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 1 large red pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 large yellow onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 16 ounces, Cremini mushrooms, cut in half
  • 4 large garlic cloves wrapped in aluminum foil
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Sherry wine vinegar
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Line a large cookies sheet with aluminum foil. Place all the vegetables onto the tray accept the garlic. Drizzle oil, vinegar and sprinkle salt and pepper. Mix well with fingers and add the covered garlic cloves. Roast the vegetables for about 40 minutes or till they are golden brown and soft. Take out of the oven and keep aside.

  •  2 pounds chicken cutlets
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
  • 1 14½ ounces can of fire roasted chopped tomatoes (or crushed tomatoes)
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon capers, drained
  • 1/3 cup fresh basil, sliced thin

Mix the flour, salt and pepper on a flat bowl. Dredge the chicken pieces taking off any excess flour. In the meantime, heat a large saucepan with the oil, butter, rosemary and thyme. Brown the chicken pieces in batches on both sides till golden brown. Take out and keep aside. In the same pan, add the canned tomatoes, chicken broth and capers. Bring to a boil and add the roasted vegetables including the soft garlic. Cook for about 10 minutes on a simmer and add the chicken pieces. Add the chicken pieces and cook till the chicken is cooked through. Check for seasonings and garnish with basil. Serve with pasta or polenta.

Moroccan Style Chicken with Vegetable Couscous

I love, love harissa- it is a Moroccan style sauce with lots of flavor including some spice and sweet red peppers. It is a great way to infuse loads of flavor if roasting or grilling meats, poultry or seafood…

  • 4 to 6 chicken thighs, bone in with skin on
  • 2 tablespoons harissa
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 preserved lemon, chopped fine
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Mix the harissa, oil, preserved lemon and salt in a small bowl and marinate the chicken with the mixture for 2 to 3 hours.

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped into 1 inch squares
  • 1 large red pepper, chopped into 1 inch squares
  • Salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Heat a large frying pan with the butter and olive oil. Brown the chicken pieces on high heat with skin side down- approximately 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Take the chicken out and add the chopped vegetables and 1 teaspoon salt. Mix well and turn the heat off. Place the chicken pieces on top of the vegetables and roast in oven for 30 to 35 minutes or till chicken is cooked through. Take the chicken pieces out onto a platter and cover to keep warm. Take the vegetables out and chop roughly and keep aside. Take all the liquid out of the frying pan and separate the fat and keep aside. Use the remaining liquid for the chicken before serving- it’s full of yummy flavor!

Couscous

  • 2 remaining fat from the frying pan
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon harissa
  • 1 ½ cups whole wheat couscous
  • Salt
  • 1 ½ cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup cilantro, chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped

Reheat the same frying pan with the fat and olive oil. Add the chopped vegetables and the harissa. Saute on medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the broth and a teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil and add the couscous. Cover with lid and turn heat off and let the pan sit for 10 minutes. Take lid off and fluff couscous with fork. Garnish with cilantro and mint. Serve warm with chicken on top and a drizzle of the chicken liquid!