Laban Immo (Lamb & Yogurt Stew)

Changed this up slightly from another recipe I came across. Feel free to do what you like with the spices.

1 kg diced lamb
2 onions, sliced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 large tub yogurt
beef or other broth
rosemary
paprika
cinnamon
ground pepper
flour
olive oil
1 can chickpeas
frozen broccoli &/or other veg

Saute onions, then garlic, in olive oil. Push to the side of pan when almost done cooking. Toss diced lamb in flour, pepper & paprika mix, then add to pan to brown. In separate pan, mix yogurt and an equal amount of broth. Whisk while heating, then bring to simmer. After lamb is browned, add yogurt mix to pan, along with chickpeas. Add cinnamon and rosemary. Bring to summer and let cook for about an hour. Serve with bread!

Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate

Haven't made this yet but it sounds good, so saving it!

12oz prepared hot chocolate (not too sweet)
2 tbspns honey
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 shots pepper vodka
2 tbspns heavy cream

Combine all but the cream (top the rest with that). Garnish with cinnamon sticks or choc shavings (optional).

Tahini Chicken

Hubs says this one is a keeper

2 chicken breasts
3 tablespoons tahini
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil
1/4 c water
olive oil
1 large onion, sliced
chili flakes
ground pepper

Chop chicken into 1 inch pieces. Heat oil and saute onions until transparent, then add chicken and brown. In the meantime, mix tahini, soy sauce, sesame oil and water. Add tahini mix to pan with chicken, as well as a sprinkle of chili flakes, and some ground pepper to taste. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Serve on top of rice. Savory and spicy!

Steak in Red Wine Sauce

2 steaks
2 c good quality red wine
garlic powder
fresh ground pepper
olive oil
4-8 tbspn butter, chopped into small pieces

Using a baking dish that is big enough to hold your steak, fill with red wine. Whisk in garlic powder and pepper. Marinade steak for at least 2 hours (or overnight). Add oil to a non-stick pan, and sear steak on each side for 2 minutes on each side (do not overcook - steak should be medium rare). Remove steak from pan and place on plate. Add marinade to steak drippings and boil until reduced to 1/2. Take the pan off the heat and whisk in the butter, a bit at a time, until melted. The colour of the sauce should lighten and sauce should thicken up. Serve steak and pour sauce over. Excellent with greens and mash.

Mashed Cannellini Beans

An alternative to potatoes!

1 can cannellini beans
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
dash or two of lemon juice
freshly ground pepper
parmeson (optional)

Heat oil and saute onions, then add garlic. Add beans and cook for 5-10 minutes, or until tender. Mix in pepper, cheese and lemon juice. Mash by hand. Serve hot or cold!

Scones

3 c self-rising flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
100 g butter
1 1/4 c milk

Sift together dry ingredients. Mix in melted butter, then milk. Knead lightly. Cut into 12 evenly sized pieces. Cook in 220C (fan forced 200C) for 10 minutes, or until slightly golden browned on top.

Barossa Brekky Sandwich

I found this recipe in Around the World in 80 Dinners, and modified it slightly by not including bacon, using scrambled eggs instead of fried, and using freshly made scones instead of rolls. This is a perfect brunch, served with a side of fresh fruit.

Scones
Fruit Chutney
Eggs, scrambled with cheese
Pickled onion

Cut scone in half. Slather both halves with fruit chutney. Slice pickled onion and place on top of chutney, on one half. Spoon scrambled eggs on top of half with pickled onion and place other half on top.

Homemade Blue Cheese Salad Dressing

Blue Cheese, in small chunks
Lemon Juice
Garlic
Milk
Mayo

Put all in small jar and shake, shake, shake!

Smothered Chicken

This didn't taste of sinful as the last time I had it, but it was still tasty!

4 chicken breasts
1/2 c flour
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
salt & pepper, to taste
1/4 c canola oil
1 onion, chopped
2 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
1 c sour cream
1/2 c chicken stock

Mix flour, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt & pepper, then coat each chicken breast in this mixture. Heat oil in pan and brown chicken breasts, about 3 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from pan and add onion & garlic to saute, about 3-5 minutes. Place chicken back in pan, mix sour cream & broth together, and add to pan. Bring to simmer and cover. Cook for 10 - 15 minutes.

Cocoa Brownies

I've been craving brownies for some time now. These are heaps better than a package mix.

10 tbspn (140 g) unsalted butter
1 1/4 c sugar
3/4 c cocoa
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 c all-purpose flour

Mix sugar, cocoa and salt into softened butter. Add vanilla and stir, then add eggs, one at a time, mixing well. Finally, add in flour and mix well. Bake in 325F oven for 20-25 minutes, or until toothpick comes out with slightly moist with batter.

Homemade Taco Seasoning

I was overjoyed to find minced turkey at the shops the other week. It's a rarity to find. Not sure what to make with it, I initially thought burgers, but then saw this recipe for taco seasoning. I abhor the Old El Paso type stuff in packets, but this turned out really lovely. Just enough seasoning, without being overpowering. (I can't remember how much mince I had, but I used Kevin's measurements as a guide.)

chili powder
paprika
cayenne pepper
cumin
oregano
garlic powder
onion powder
salt
pepper

Brown your meat in oil, then add in seasoning and simmer for 10-15 minutes. This is healthy as well!

Spicy Roasted Potatoes

I buy a new spice about once a month, usually intending to use it for some partcicular dish. This month is was fennel seed, which I just ground up with my new mortar & pestle. I've become a huge fan of roasted potatoes, which we never had much when I was growing up, and am experimenting with different spices when cooking. This time, it is:

Fennel seed, ground
Paprika
Cumin
Salt
Pepper

Cut up potatoes, mix in olive oil and spices, and bake for 45 minutes or until soft on the inside and crispy on the outside!