Sunday, September 14, 2025

Meatball and Potato in Tomato Sauce


Baked Meatballs with Potatoes in a Rich Sauce 
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWpOaTTPZ0w
https://www.createcookshare.com/single-post/baked-meatballs-and-potatoes-in-rich-tomato-sauce



 Meatballs
Sauce: 
300ml vegetable or beef stock / broth 
400ml tomato sauce 13.5 oz
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
1 teaspoon Greek dried oregano 
1 teaspoon dried thyme 
1 teaspoon paprika 
1 teaspoon ground garlic 
2 teaspoons sea salt 
1 teaspoon pepper 

 Vegetables: 
800g potatoes, sliced into 2cm diced pieces 

 Topping: 1 cup grated cheese (Mozzarella, Gruyere, Tasty, Parmesan, or a combination of 2 cheeses) ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped

1. Prepare the potatoes: Wash and peel the potatoes. Then slice them into 2cm diced pieces. Slicing them this size will allow them to cook well at the same as the meatballs.


2. Oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C fan forced.


3. Soak the bread: Trim off the crusts of the wholemeal bread slices and immerse them in a bowl of water for a brief 20 seconds. Remove and gently squeeze out excess water, then place them in a large mixing bowl.


4. Prepare the meatball mixture: In the same bowl, combine the soaked bread with the beef mince, finely chopped onion, crushed garlic, whisked eggs, smooth olive oil, white vinegar, and a medley of fragrant herbs and spices including mint, parsley, Greek oregano, paprika, sea salt, and pepper. Using your hands, meld the ingredients together until combined.


5. Shape the meatballs: Take a generous handful of the meatball mixture (approximately 2 tablespoons) and roll it into a ball, roughly 5cm in diameter. Place each formed meatball onto the baking tray atop the prepared potatoes. Repeat this process until all the mixture is used, ensuring even spacing between the meatballs. You should yield around 10-12 meatballs.


6. Prepare the sauce: In a mixing bowl combine the stock/broth, tomato passata, extra virgin olive oil, dried thyme, Greek dried oregano, paprika, ground garlic, sea salt, and pepper. Using a whisk, stir to combine well. Gently pour the sauce over the meatballs and potatoes, ensuring an even distribution to coat all ingredients.


7. Bake to perfection: Cover the tray with a snug layer of baking paper or foil to seal in the flavors, then let it bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Afterward, remove the covering and allow it to bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and cooked through (depending on the potatoes, they may need to bake a further 10 minutes)


8. Garnish and serve: Remove it from the oven once beautifully baked. Sprinkle your favorite grated cheese over the top with a generous scattering of fresh parsley. Allow the dish to rest for a few moments before serving. Enjoy!

Tandoori Chicken Skewers




The Best Grilled Tandoori Chicken Skewers

Whole and Heavenly Oven https://wholeandheavenlyoven.com/2019/07/15/the-best-grilled-tandoori-chicken-skewers/

Ingredients

Tandoori Chicken1 cup plain yogurt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-in pieces

Tzatziki Sauce1-1/2 cups plain yogurt
1/2 cup minced fresh cucumber
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 clove minced garlic
2 tablespoons fresh minced parsley
2 tablespoons fresh minced mint
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Tandoori ChickenIn a large bowl, whisk yogurt garlic, ginger, all the spices and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place chicken cubes in marinade toss until they're evenly submerged in the marinade. Cover with plastic wrap and marinade chicken in fridge at least 2 hours or overnight.
Once chicken is done marinating, remove from marinade and pat dry. Discard marinade. Thread chicken onto wooden skewers. (for best results, soak skewers in water 10-15 minutes to prevent them from breaking while grilling)
Grill tandoori chicken over medium-high heat 4-5 minutes on each side, turning occasionally until chicken registers 165F, about 8-10 minutes of cook time total. Keep chicken warm.
Alternatively if you don't have access to a grill: in a large skillet, pan sear the skewers in 1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil, turning occasionally until chicken is browned and registers 165F.

Black Bean Tacos



Black Bean Tacos

Source: Love and Lemons: https://www.loveandlemons.com/black-bean-tacos/


Ingredients
2 tablespoons oil
½ medium white onion, diced
1 jalapeño pepper, diced
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt
1½ tablespoons Taco Seasoning
Pinch cayenne pepper, optional
3 cups cooked black beans, drained and rinsed, reserve ½ cup bean liquid
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving
6 to 8 tortillas, warmed

For toppingPickled Cabbage

Cilantro Lime Crema
Cotija cheese
Sliced jalapeño peppers
Fresh cilantro
Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions
Heat the avocado oil in a medium pot or large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, jalapeño, garlic, and salt and cook, stirring occasionally, for 8 minutes, or until softened.
Stir in the taco seasoning and cayenne, if using, and cook for 1 minute. Add the beans and ¼ cup of the reserved bean liquid and cook for 5 to 8 minutes, or until the vegetables are totally soft and the mixture is thick. If the pan becomes dry, add the remaining ¼ cup bean liquid.
Mash some of the beans with the back of a wooden spoon to make the mixture lightly creamy. Stir in the lime juice and season to taste.

Assemble tacos in the tortillas with the beans, pickled cabbage, crema, Cotija cheese, jalapeños, and cilantro.





Thursday, August 28, 2025

Sheet Pan Panini


Sheet Pan Panini
Source: Plandy Mandy

Panini:
6 slices Havarti 
6 slices Swiss 
16oz turkey lunch meat *optional 
12oz bacon strips cooked 
6 tbsp chive & onion cream cheese 
12 slices sourdough bread butter lettuce 
2 roma tomatoes, sliced *aioli spread 

Aioli: 3 tbsp dijon mustard 3 tbsp mayo 2 tsp honey 1/2 tsp lemon juice 1/2 tsp pepper 1/2 tsp salt

 1. Open face 2 sourdough slices 2. on one side spread 1 tbsp cream cheese, 1 slice havarti, & bacon slices. 3.on the other side lay 1 slice swiss & turkey slices 4.bake at 400 for 10 min 5.lose sandwiches, then broil each side for 3 min to create a good crisp 6.add lettuce, tomato, and aioli to inside of sandwiches.

One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs

One Pot Spaghetti & Meatballs 
Source: Hollie Evelyn on Instagram

Spaghetti

12 meatballs

2 tins chopped tomatoes

5 tbsp tomato paste

5 garlic cloves, minced
handful of cherry tomatoes
2 onions, finely diced

1 stick celery, finely chopped

1 tbsp red pesto

Handful fresh basil
750ml beef stock or broth (plus extra if needed)
Olive oil
Pinch sugar + salt
How to make it:
1.Heat olive oil in a large pan, add meatballs + brown until golden (not cooked through). You can then sauté the onions, or skip straight to the next step.

2.Push meatballs to the side, add spaghetti + all other ingredients straight into the pan.

3.Cover with a lid and cook on a medium heat, stirring often so pasta doesn’t stick.
👉Keep an eye on liquid and top up with stock/water if needed.

4.Once pasta + meatballs are cooked through, finish with basil and a grating of cheese!
The easiest, sauciest, most flavour-packed pasta you’ll ever make.

Save this one-pan wonder for your next weeknight dinner
👯 Tag someone who’d demolish this whole pan with you

Orange Chicken

Austin loves Orange Chicken and we are going to upgrade from the freezer orange chicken and make ours from scratch!

Orange Chicken
Source: Modern Honey

Ingredients

Chicken:▢4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts cut into bite-size pieces
▢3 Eggs whisked
▢1/3 cup Cornstarch
▢1/3 cup Flour
▢Salt
▢Oil for frying

Orange Chicken Sauce:▢1 cup Orange Juice
▢1/2 cup Sugar
▢2 Tablespoons Rice Vinegar or White Vinegar
▢2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce use tamari for a gluten-free dish
▢1/4 teaspoon Ginger
▢1/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder or 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
▢1/2 teaspoon Red Chili Flakes
▢Orange Zest from 1 orange
▢1 Tablespoon Cornstarch



Garnish:▢Green Onions
▢Orange Zest

Instructions
To make orange sauce:

In a medium pot, add orange juice, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and red chili flakes. Heat for 3 minutes.
In a small bowl, whisk 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 Tablespoons of water to form a paste. Add to orange sauce and whisk together. Continue to cook for 5 minutes, until the mixture begins to thicken. Once the sauce is thickened, remove from heat and add orange zest.
To make chicken:
Place flour and cornstarch in a shallow dish or pie plate. Add a generous pinch of salt. Stir.
Whisk eggs in shallow dish.
Dip chicken pieces in egg mixture and then flour mixture. Place on plate.
Heat 2 -3 inches of oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Using a thermometer, watch for it to reach 350 degrees.
Working in batches, cook several chicken pieces at a time. Cook for 2 - 3 minutes, turning often until golden brown. Place chicken on a paper-towel-lined plate. Repeat.
Toss chicken with orange sauce. You may reserve some of the sauce to place on rice. Serve it with a sprinkling of green onion and orange zest, if so desired.


Freezing Orange Chicken:

  • Cook your chicken and let cool completely. When cooled place in a gallon sized freezer bag.
  • Place uncooked sauce into labeled gallon sized bag. Remove all the air.
  • Add the sauce bag into the chicken bag to help prevent them from getting separated. Place in your freezer for 3 to 4 months.
Reheating: 
  • Place frozen orange sauce mix into a pot of boiling water. Stir continuously, then reduce heat to low and simmer 1 to 2 minutes or until sauce thickens up.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Place frozen chicken on a greased or parchment lined baking sheet.
  • Bake for 12-15 minutes until chicken is fully heated through.
  • Pour sauce over chicken and serve with chopped green onions if using.

Bean and Cheese Enchiladas


Bean and Cheese Enchiladas
Ingredients: 
1 Can Refried Beans, 16 ounces
▢1 teaspoon Cumin
▢1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
▢2/3 Cup Cheddar Cheese
▢6 Flour Tortillas

For the Sauce
▢1 Can Red Enchilada Sauce, 10-16 ounces
▢1/2 teaspoon Cumin
▢1/4 teaspoon Chili Powder
▢1/4 Cup Sour Cream
▢1 ½ Cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded


Instructions

For the Bean Mixture

In a medium bowl, combine the beans, seasonings and cheese until smooth.
1 Can Refried Beans,1 teaspoon Cumin,1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder,2/3 Cup Cheddar Cheese
Add a dollop or two to each tortilla and roll closed.
6 Flour Tortillas

For the SauceWhisk together the enchilada sauce, seasonings and sour cream.
1 Can Red Enchilada Sauce,1/4 Cup Sour Cream,1/2 teaspoon Cumin,1/4 teaspoon Chili Powder

For the EnchiladasPreheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Spoon 1/3 cup of the enchilada sauce in the bottom of an 9×13 inch baking dish.


Place the enchiladas seam side down and top with the remaining sauce and cheese.
1 ½ Cup Cheddar Cheese
Bake for 30 minutes and enjoy.

OR 
Assemble without baking, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen at 375°F for about 45 minutes.