Posts Tagged bbc

Stuffed & baked ricotta shells

“These great-looking shells make a good alternative to stuffed cannelloni and look stylish in the dish”

  • olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1x400g tin chopped tomatoes
  • 20 (about 200g) giant pasta shells
  • 500g courgettes topped, tailed and grated
  • ½ lemon, zested
  • 100g ricotta
  • 50g parmesan, grated

Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pan. Add ½ the garlic, cook for a minute then add tomatoes. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until thickened.

Cook the giant shells until almost tender. You want to slightly undercook them as you’ll be baking them again later. Drain, rinse under cold water then drain completely.

Heat another tbsp of oil in a large frying pan, add the rest of the garlic and the courgettes. It looks like a huge amount of courgette at the start, but it really wilts down. Cook for 10-15 minutes until the courgettes have reduced and all the liquid has cooked off. Cool then stir in the ricotta and zest and half the parmesan. Season well.

Heat the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Spoon the tomato sauce into the bottom of a shallow ovenproof baking dish. Stuff a spoonful of courgette mix into each shell then sit in the sauce in rows. Sprinkle over the rest of the parmesan. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbling and golden.

Source : Olive Magazine, June 2011

Servings/Yield : 2

Difficulty : Easy

Course : Main

Preparation Times : Prep 10 minutes, Cook 50 minutes

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Dog\'s dinnerNot my sort of thingGood but not for meWould try againLoved it! (1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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Feta baked with tomato & oregano

“Cooked feta keeps its shape but becomes lovely and spreadable. Serve with warm crusty bread to scoop up the sauce.”

  • olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, sliced
  • a big pinch chilli flakes
  • 2 x 400g tins plum tomatoes, drained
  • a small handful oregano leaves, chopped
  • 400g blocks feta cheese, broken up into large chunks
  • crusty bread, to serve

Heat 3 tbsp oil in a pan, add the garlic and cook for a minute. Add the chilli and tomatoes and simmer for 25 minutes until thickened. Season and stir in the oregano.

Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Put the feta in an ovenproof dish, cover with sauce and bake for 20 minutes before serving.

Source : Olive Magazine, April 2008

Servings/Yield : 4

Difficulty : Easy

Course : Main

Preparation Times : Ready in 1 Hour

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Dog\'s dinnerNot my sort of thingGood but not for meWould try againLoved it! (1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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Hearty Chicken & Bean Soup

“A hearty bean and chicken soup, perfect for a cold winter night”

  • 2 tbsp sunflower oil
  • 400g chicken breasts, cut into chunks
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 carrots, finely chopped (or 2 large carrots)
  • 3 celery sticks, finely chopped
  • 2 thyme sprigs or ½ tsp dried
  • 1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
  • 600ml vegetable or chicken stock
  • 800g canned haricot or cannellini beans, drained
  • chopped parsley, to serve

Heat the oil in a large pan, add the chicken, then fry until lightly browned. Add the veg, then fry for a few mins more. Stir in the herbs and stock. Bring to the boil. Stir well, reduce the heat, then cover and cook for 40 mins, until the chicken is tender.

Stir the beans into the pan, then simmer for 5 mins. Stir in the parsley and serve with crusty bread.

Source : Adapted from Chicken & white bean stew, Good Food Magazine February 2009

Servings/Yield : 4 Servings

Difficulty : Easy

Course : Main

Preparation Times : Prep 20min, Cook 1 Hour

Note : We tried the original recipe from Good Food Magazine, and found it too watery to be a stew; so we boiled it off to reduce the liquid content, and relabelled it as a hearty soup which it should have been called to begin with. Our hats off once again to Good Food for a great recipe to begin with.

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Dog\'s dinnerNot my sort of thingGood but not for meWould try againLoved it! (1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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Pasta with Spiced Prawns & Chorizo

"A Spanish flavour in a hearty pasta meal."

  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 small onions , diced
  • 120g uncooked chorizo sausage, thinly sliced
  • 800g large tomatoes , chopped
  • 350g rigatoni
  • 200g large prawns , shells and tails removed if necessary, chopped
  • 2 large spring onions , thinly sliced, keep the whites and greens separate

Put the oil, onions and a good grind of pepper in a large, cold frying pan. Place over a low heat and slowly cook for 10 mins, stirring regularly, until softened.

Add the chorizo to the onions, turn up the heat (but not too much) and colour a little. When the orange oil is released into the pan, add the tomatoes and a good pinch of salt. Stir over a medium heat – the tomatoes should literally melt in about 10 mins. If the sauce is not bubbling, turn up the heat a little. Gently simmer for a few mins more.

Meanwhile, cook the pasta. Add the prawns to the sauce, bring back to the boil and cook for 1 min until the prawns change colour. Drain the pasta and stir into the sauce with the spring onion whites. Cook and stir for 1 min. Serve sprinkled with the spring onion greens.

 

Source : Adapted from Good Food Magazine: September 2010

Servings/Yield :4 Servings

Difficulty : Easy

Course : Main

Preparation Times : Ready in just under an hour

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Dog\'s dinnerNot my sort of thingGood but not for meWould try againLoved it! (2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
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One-pan Prawn & Tomato Curry

"This spicy, low-fat curry is sure to become a favourite. Swap the prawns for chunks of white fish or chicken to vary it"

  • 2 tbsp sunflower oil
  • 1 large onion , chopped
  • large piece ginger , crushed
  • 4 garlic cloves , crushed
  • ½ red chilli , finely chopped
  • 1 tsp golden caster sugar
  • 1 tsp black mustard seeds
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tbsp garam masala
  • 2 tsp malt vinegar
  • 400g can chopped tomatoes
  • 400g raw king prawns
  • small bunch coriander , chopped
  • basmati rice , yogurt, mango chutney and Carrot & cumin salad, to serve

Heat the oil in a deep-sided frying pan and cook the onion for 8-10 mins until it starts to turn golden. Add the ginger, garlic and chilli and cook for 1-2 mins. Stir in the sugar and spices for 1 min, then splash in the vinegar and tomatoes. Season with salt and simmer for 5 mins, stirring, until the sauce thickens.

Stir in the prawns, reduce the heat and cook for 8-10 mins until cooked through – if the sauce gets really thick, add a splash of water. Remove from the heat, stir though most of the coriander. Serve straight from the dish scattered with the remaining coriander and the rice, yogurt, chutney and salad in separate bowls.

Source : Good Food magazine, April 2010

Servings/Yield : 4 Servings

Difficulty : Easy

Course : Main

Preparation Times : Prep 10 mins, Cook 20 mins

Nutritional Information :  per serving: 217 kcalories, protein 22g, carbohydrate 16g, fat 8 g, saturated fat 1g, fibre 3g, sugar 9g, salt 0.66 g

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Dog\'s dinnerNot my sort of thingGood but not for meWould try againLoved it! (1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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Hearty Pasta Soup

“Do something different with a pack of tortellini. This filling soup is full of fibre, low fat and full of veg. The perfect lunch or supper”

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 carrots , chopped
  • 1 large onion , finely chopped
  • 1l vegetable stock
  • 400g can chopped tomatoes
  • 200g frozen mixed peas and beans
  • 250g pack fresh filled tortellini (we used spinach and ricotta)
  • handful of basil leaves (optional)
  • grated parmesan , to serve
Heat oil in a pan. Fry the carrots and onion for 5 mins until starting to soften. Add the stock and tomatoes, then simmer for 10 mins. Add the peas and beans with 5 mins to go.
Once veg is tender, stir in the pasta. Return to the boil and simmer for 2 mins until the pasta is just cooked. Stir in the basil, if using. Season, then serve in bowls topped with a sprinkling of Parmesan and slices of garlic bread.


Try: Make it a bake Ricotta & basil bake: Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/ gas 6. Tip the pasta into a baking dish, season the tomatoes, stir in the basil, then spoon on top. In a bowl, combine the peas and beans, 250g tub ricotta and a handful grated Parmesan. Dot the mix over the pasta, scatter with more Parmesan, then bake for 20-25 mins until golden.

Alternatives: No basil – pesto will do Can’t get hold of fresh basil? If you’ve got a tub of pesto in the fridge, stir a spoonful into the soup just before you serve it.

Source : Good Food Magazine : March 2008

Servings/Yield : 4 Servings

Difficulty : Easy

Course : Main

Preparation Times : Prep 5 min, Cook 25 min, Ready in 30 min

Nutritional Notes : Per Serving : 286 kcalories, protein 11g, carbohydrate 44g, fat 9 g, saturated fat 3g, fibre 6g, sugar 11g, salt 0.88 g

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Dog\'s dinnerNot my sort of thingGood but not for meWould try againLoved it! (2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Spinach & ricotta gnocchi

“These luxurious gnocchi are both light and spoilingly rich at the same time”

  • 200g young spinach, washed
  • small handful parsley leaves, finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 140g ricotta
  • 85g plain flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 100g freshly grated vegetarian Parmesan-style cheese , plus extra to serve
  • freshly grated nutmeg
  • olive oil and rocket, to serve
Boil the kettle. Place the spinach in a large bowl and pour boiling water over it. Leave for 2 mins until wilted, then drain thoroughly. Leave to cool, then wrap a clean tea towel around the spinach. Hold it over the sink and squeeze out as much water as possible. Finely chop.
Place the spinach, parsley, garlic, ricotta, flour, eggs, cheese and a generous grating of nutmeg into a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Use a fork to stir very thoroughly until everything is completely mixed. Using wet hands, form the mixture into walnut-size balls. Place on a large plate or tray and refrigerate for at least 30 mins.
When ready to cook, heat the oven to warm and bring a large pan of water to the boil. Reduce the heat to medium and drop in batches of about 8-10 gnocchi at a time. They will sink to the bottom, and when they rise to the top give them about 1 min more, then remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm while you cook the rest. Serve the gnocchi on warm plates drizzled with olive oil and scattered with rocket and more cheese.

Source : Good Food : May 2010

Servings/Yield : 4 Servings

Difficulty : Easy

Course : Main

Preparation Times : Prep 40 min, Cook 10 min

Nutritional notes : Per serving : 287 kcalories, protein 20g, carbohydrate 19g, fat 15 g, saturated fat 8g, fibre 2g, sugar 2g, salt 0.86 g

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Dog\'s dinnerNot my sort of thingGood but not for meWould try againLoved it! (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Chunky sausage & tomato pasta

“Jazz up sausages with this spicy tomato pasta”

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 thick pork sausages , cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 200ml medium white wine
  • 1 tbsp tomato purée
  • 400g can chopped tomatoes
  • 500g pack rigatoni or penne
  • handful basil leaves, torn, (optional)
  • Parmesan, to serve
Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based pan (preferably not non-stick) and add the sausages. Fry for about 8 mins until golden and cooked through. Tip in the garlic and fry for 1 min. Pour in the white wine and boil until it has reduced by half.
Stir in the tomato purée and tomatoes, and season to taste. Simmer for 15 mins until the sauce is rich and thick.
While the sauce cooks, boil the pasta according to pack instructions and drain. Stir in the basil if using, and cooked pasta into the sauce, then serve in bowls with grated or shaved Parmesan.
Making it veggie or spicy Use veggie sausages, such as Cauldron Vegetarian Lincolnshire sausages, available from supermarkets. Or to make it spicy, add a pinch of dried chilli or 1 chopped red chilli as you fry the sausages.

Source : Good Food : November 2005

Servings/Yield : 4 Servings

Difficulty : Easy

Course : Main

Preparation Times : Ready in 25 min, Prep 5 min, Cook 20 min

Nutritional notes : Per serving : 655 kcalories, protein 24g, carbohydrate 103g, fat 16 g, saturated fat 5g, fibre 5g, salt 1 g

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Dog\'s dinnerNot my sort of thingGood but not for meWould try againLoved it! (1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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Chicken, sweet potato & coconut curry

“Serve this mildly spiced curry with rice noodles, basmati rice or chappati breads and introduce your kids to curry”

  • 1 tbsp sunflower oil
  • 2 tsp mild curry paste
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes , peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
  • 4 tbsp red split lentils
  • 300ml chicken stock
  • 400ml can coconut milk
  • 175g frozen peas (optional)

Heat the oil in a deep frying pan or wok, stir in the curry paste and fry for 1 minute. Add the chicken, sweet potatoes and lentils and stir to coat in the paste, then pour in the stock and coconut milk. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 15 minutes.

Tip in the peas, bring back to the boil and simmer for a further 4-5 minutes. Season to taste before serving.

Source : Good Food : March 2004

Servings/Yield : 2 Servings

Difficulty : Very Easy

Course : Main

Preparation Times : Ready in 25-35 minutes

Nutritional notes : Per serving : 291 kcalories, protein 19g, carbohydrate 24.5g, fat 14 g, saturated fat 10g, fibre 3.6g, salt 0.57 g

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Dog\'s dinnerNot my sort of thingGood but not for meWould try againLoved it! (1 votes, average: 4.00 out of 5)
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Pasta Norma

“This Sicilian staple of pasta with golden aubergines makes a special, but budget-friendly, supper”

  • 1 small aubergine , cut into 1cm discs and sliced like fries
  • olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves , finely chopped
  • large pinch chilli flakes
  • 400g chopped tomatoes (polpa)
  • ½ small bunch basil , shredded
  • 200g linguine (any pasta will do)
  • 50g pecorino , parmesan or feta, grated

Cut the discs across so you end up with little matchsticks of aubergine. Heat 1-2 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick frying pan. Add the aubergine in batches, and fry on a fairly high heat until really tender and golden. You want it to be melt-in-the-mouth with no rubberiness left. Season and tip out onto a plate.

Wipe out the pan then add another tbsp oil and cook the garlic for a minute. Add the chilli flakes and tomatoes and simmer for 10 minutes. Cook the linguine following packet instructions. Stir the basil and aubergine into the sauce and heat through. Toss with the drained linguine and finish with the grated cheese.

Source : Olive Magazine : May 2010 (Slightly changed by Silli)

Servings/Yield : 2 Servings

Difficulty : Easy

Course : Main

Preparation Times : Prep 10 mins Cook 20 mins

Nutritional notes : Per serving : 575 kcalories, protein 25.1g, carbohydrate 81.4g, fat 18.8 g, saturated fat 6.2g, fibre 6.7g, salt 0.99 g

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Dog\'s dinnerNot my sort of thingGood but not for meWould try againLoved it! (2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
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