Category: Main Ingredient

Main Ingredient

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Haggis, neeps & tatties

Ingredients

  • 500 g haggis (1.1 lb.)
  • Neeps & tatties
  • 400 g turnips or swedes , peeled and quartered (.88 lb.)
  • 450 g potatoes , peeled and quartered (1 lb.)
  • 100 g unsalted butter (.22 lb.)
  • 8 spring onions , roughly chopped
  • 30 ml double cream (6 tsp.)

Method

  1. Recipe by Abi Fawcett
  2. Feel free to use vegetarian haggis if you prefer, which you can find online. Tatties (mashed potatoes) don’t usually contain spring onions, so omit them if you like.
  3. Cook the haggis in a large pan of boiling water according to packet instructions.
  4. Meanwhile, cook the turnips or swedes and the potatoes in separate saucepans of boiling salted water for 20–25 minutes, or until tender. Drain the veg separately. Return the turnips or swedes to the pan, add half the butter, and mash, keeping chunky. Season to taste. Cover to keep warm.
  5. Melt the remaining butter in the potato pan, add the spring onions and cook for 1–2 minutes, till softened. Add the potatoes, and mash until quite smooth, seasoning to taste. Cover to keep warm.
  6. Remove the cooked haggis, cut open, and place a portion onto each warmed plate. Divide up the neeps & tatties and serve.
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Easy and Delicious Mexican Pork Chops

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray (for baking dish)
  • 2 Tbsp oil (to brown pork chops)
  • 4 boneless pork chops
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 2 C water or chicken broth
  • 1 C uncooked long-grain white rice
  • ~5 oz. can tomato sauce
  • 1/3 C picante sauce (or half that, if I cook separate for Steve)
  • 1/6 C (8 tsp) taco seasoning mix
  • 1 green bell pepper, sliced (get a small one)
  • 2/3 C shredded cheddar

 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle pork chops with salt and black pepper, and brown them on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Set chops aside.

Mix the water, rice, tomato sauce, picante sauce, and taco seasoning in the prepared baking dish. Lay the chops into the rice mixture, and top with the green bell pepper slices. Cover the dish.

Bake in the preheated oven until the chops are no longer pink inside and the rice is tender, about 1 hour. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a chop should read 145 degrees F (63 degrees C). Uncover the dish, and sprinkle with Cheddar cheese.

Return to the oven, and bake uncovered until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 5 to 10 more minutes.

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Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding

Ingredients

Roast

  • 2 3/4 to 3 1/3 pounds (1 1/4 to 1 1/2 kilograms) rib beef, on the bone
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, pIus more for seasoning beef
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil

Yorkshire pudding

  • 1 cup (225 g) plain flour
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) milk
  • About 4 tablespoons (60 ml) vegetable oil (or beef drippings), for cooking

Gravy (or use a different one)

  • 3 to 4 sprigs thyme
  • 4 garlic cloves, unpeeled
  • 2 red onions, peeled and sliced
  • 4 plum tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 bottle red wine (about 1/2 cups, or 350 ml)
  • 5 cups (1/4 liter) beef stock

Directions

Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Season the beef with salt and pepper; sear in a hot roasting pan with the olive oil to brown on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes each side. Transfer to oven; roast, allowing 15 minutes a pound (450 g) for rare or 20 minutes a pound (450 g) for medium.

Make the Yorkshire pudding batter: Sift the flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Add the eggs and half the milk; beat until smooth. Mix in remaining milk; let batter rest.

When beef is cooked, transfer it to a warmed plate; let it rest, lightly covered with foil, in a warm place while you cook the puddings and make the gravy. Raise oven to 450°F (230°C). Put 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vegetable oil–or hot from the roasting pan–into each section of a 12-hole Yorkshire pudding tray (or a muffin tray); put it in the oven on the top shelf until very hot, almost smoking.

Meanwhile, whisk pudding batter again. As soon as you take the tray from the oven, ladle in the batter so each cup is three-quarters full (it should sizzle); immediately put tray back in oven. Bake for 12 to 20 minutes until the Yorkshire puddings are well risen, golden brown, and crisp. Don’t open oven door until end or they might collapse.

To make the gravy, pour off the excess fat from roasting pan, place pan over medium heat, and add the thyme, garlic, onions, and tomatoes. Cook 4 to 5 minutes, pour in the wine, and bring to a simmer. Squash the tomatoes with a potato masher to help thicken sauce. Pour in the stock; simmer until reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Pass gravy through a sieve, pressing vegetables to extract flavor. Bring gravy back to boil; reduce to a gravy consistency. Check the seasoning.

Carve the beef thinly. Serve with the gravy and Yorkshire puddings, along with sautéed cabbage, glazed carrots, and roast potatoes.

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Microwave Roasted Potatoes Recipe

Ingredients:

4 medium Russet, Yukon Gold, or 6 to 8 Red potatoes*
Seasonings of your choice (i.e., salt, pepper, parsley, rosemary, thyme, or any other seasonings)
Olive Oil

*  When shopping for potatoes, look for potatoes that are firm and smooth.  Avoid potatoes with wrinkled or wilted skins, soft dark areas, cut surfaces, and those that are green in appearance.

 

Instructions:

Scrub and rinse the potatoes thoroughly.  Cut potatoes into uniform-size cubes.  Place into microwave-safe dish.

Drizzle a small amount of olive oil over potatoes.  Sprinkle with seasonings of your choice.  Toss to evenly disperse oil and seasonings.

Tightly cover dish with a lid or plastic wrap, and place in microwave.  The hot oil browns the potatoes, while the plastic wrap creates steam to cook the insides to tender perfection.

Microwave on HIGH for 10 minutes or until potatoes are done.  Carefully remove from microwave and serve.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

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Simple Chicken Cordon Bleu

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast
4 slices Swiss or Provolone cheese
4 thin sliced smoked ham
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 egg; beaten
1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup whipping cream

Pound chicken breast to 1/4-inch thickness. Sprinkle each piece on both sides with salt and pepper. Place 1 cheese slice and 1 ham slice on each breast. Roll up each breast using toothpicks to secure if necessary. Dredge each in flour, shake off excess, then in egg and finally in bread crumbs. Place seam side down in baking dish that has been sprayed with Pam. Place 1 tablespoon butter on each piece of chicken.

Bake at 350°F for 35 minutes until juices run clear. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, combine broth and whipping cream; season to taste (salt, pepper, garlic, oregano). Simmer on low stirring until thickened; Pour over chicken.

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Chicken Cordon Bleu

Ingredients

  • 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 6 slices Swiss cheese
  • 4 slices cooked ham
  • 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a 7×11 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. Pound chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness.
  3. Sprinkle each piece of chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Place 1 cheese slice and 1 ham slice on top of each breast. Roll up each breast, and secure with a toothpick. Place in baking dish, and sprinkle chicken evenly with bread crumbs.
  4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from oven, and place 1/2 cheese slice on top of each breast. Return to oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese has melted. Remove toothpicks, and serve immediately.
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Twist on Chicken Cordon Bleu

Ingredients

  • 1/4  cup  fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
  • 5  teaspoons  butter, melted
  • 1  large garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2  cup  dry breadcrumbs
  • 1  tablespoon  grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
  • 1  teaspoon  paprika
  • 4  (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
  • 1/4  teaspoon  salt
  • 1/4  teaspoon  dried oregano
  • 1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
  • 4  thin slices prosciutto (about 2 ounces)
  • 1/4  cup  (1 ounce) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • Cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Place broth in a small microwave-safe bowl; microwave at high 15 seconds or until warm. Stir in butter and garlic. Combine breadcrumbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and paprika in a medium shallow bowl; set aside.

Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap, and pound each to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt, oregano, and pepper. Top each breast half with 1 slice of prosciutto and 1 tablespoon mozzarella. Roll up each breast half jelly-roll fashion. Dip each roll in chicken broth mixture; dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Place rolls, seam side down, in an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Pour remaining broth mixture over chicken. Bake at 350° for 28 minutes or until juices run clear and tops are golden.

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Turkey & Pesto Ravioli with Fresh Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:
6 oz (175 g) 93% lean ground turkey
1½ cups (375 mL) loosely packed fresh basil leaves
½ cup (125 mL) loosely packed fresh parsley
5 garlic cloves, peeled, divided
3 shallots, divided
1½ cups (375 mL) plus 2 tbsp (30 mL)
unsalted chicken stock, divided
½ oz (15 mL) Parmesan cheese, grated
¼ cup (50 mL) mascarpone cheese, divided
½ tsp (2 mL) coarsely ground black pepper, divided
24 round wonton wrappers
½ cup (125 mL) dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc
2 cups (500 mL) grape tomatoes
2 tsp (10 mL) sugar
Shaved Parmesan cheese and thinly sliced fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. For ravioli, place turkey in Classic Batter Bowl; microwave, uncovered, on HIGH 3–4 minutes or until no longer pink. Break up turkey using Mix ‘N Chop. Drain well and return to batter bowl. Place basil, parsley, two of the garlic cloves, one of the shallots and 2 tbsp (30 mL) of the stock in Manual Food Processor; cover and pump handle until finely chopped. Add herb mixture,
Parmesan cheese, 2 tbsp (30 mL) of the mascarpone cheese and ¼ tsp (1 mL) of the black pepper to turkey; mix well.
2. Place 12 wonton wrappers on flat side of Large Grooved Cutting Board. Using level Medium Scoop, scoop turkey mixture onto centers of wrappers; lightly brush edges with water. Place remaining wrappers over filling, pressing around filling. Using rounded edge of (2 ½-in./6-cm) Biscuit Cutter, press around filling to seal firmly.
3. Finely chop remaining shallots using Food Chopper. Spray (12-in./30-cm) Skillet with olive oil using Kitchen Spritzer. Add remaining shallots and remaining garlic pressed with Garlic Press; cook and stir over medium heat 60–90 seconds or until fragrant. Stir in wine; cook 1 minute. Add
remaining 1½ cups (375 mL) stock, tomatoes and sugar; cook, covered, 3–4 minutes or until tomatoes begin to burst. Crush tomatoes with Mix ‘N Chop. Stir in remaining mascarpone and black pepper. Add ravioli to Skillet; cook, covered, 3–4 minutes or until tender, gently swirling Skillet to coat ravioli with sauce. Garnish with additional Parmesan and basil, if desired. Serve  immediately.
Yield: 4 servings

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Tuna Patties Recipe

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 6-ounce cans tuna
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup white bread torn into small pieces
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp water (or liquid from the cans of tuna)
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives, green onions, or shallots
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • A couple squirts of Crystal hot sauce or tabasco
  • 1 raw egg
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon butter

Method

1 Drain the liquid from the tuna cans. If you are using tuna packed in water, reserve a tablespoon of the tuna water, and add a teaspoon of olive oil to the tuna mixture in the next step.

2 In a medium bowl, mix together the tuna, mustard, torn white bread, lemon zest, lemon juice, water, parsley, chives, and hot sauce. Sprinkle on salt and freshly ground black pepper. Taste the mixture before adding the egg to see if it needs more seasoning to your taste. Mix in the egg.

3 Divide the mixture into 4 parts. With each part, form into a ball and then flatten into a patty. Place onto a wax paper lined tray and chill for an hour. (You can skip the chilling if you want, chilling just helps the patties stay together when you cook them.)

4 Heat the olive oil and a little butter (for taste) in a cast iron or stick-free skillet on medium high. Gently place the patties in the pan, and cook until nicely browned, 3-4 minutes on each side.

Serve with wedges of lemon. You can also serve with tartar sauce on slider buns for a tuna burger.

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Tomato-Basil Soup with Ricotta Dumplings

Ingredients:
Soup
1 tsp (5 mL) Basil Oil or olive oil
1 garlic clove, pressed
1 can (15 oz or 398 mL)
crushed tomatoes, undrained
1½ cups (375 mL) vegetable broth
¼ cup (50 mL) snipped fresh basil leaves
Dumplings
¼ cup (50 mL) part-skim ricotta cheese
2 tbsp (30 mL) grated fresh
Parmesan cheese
1 egg white, lightly beaten
½ tsp (2 mL) salt
¼ tsp (1 mL) coarsely ground black pepper
1/3 cup (75 mL) all-purpose flour

Directions:
1. For soup, combine oil and garlic in (3-qt./2.8-L) Saucepan; cook and stir over medium heat 1-2 minutes or just until garlic begins to turn light golden brown. Immediately add tomatoes, broth and basil. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Meanwhile, for dumplings, combine ricotta cheese, Parmesan cheese, egg white, salt and black pepper in Small Batter Bowl; mix well. Add flour; stir just until combined. Using Small Scoop, scoop dumpling mixture directly into simmering soup. Cook until dumplings float to the surface, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Ladle soup into bowls; sprinkle with thinly sliced fresh basil.
Yield: 2 servings