Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Chicken and Avocado Burritos




Here's a delicious recipe for chicken and avocado burritos:

Ingredients:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
  • 2 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and sliced
  • 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
  • 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, canned, or frozen)
  • 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup diced red onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 large flour tortillas
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend)
  • Optional toppings: sour cream, salsa, hot sauce

Instructions:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, sliced avocado, cooked rice, black beans, corn kernels, diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently toss until all ingredients are well combined.
  2. Warm the flour tortillas in a skillet or microwave until they are pliable and easy to work with.
  3. Divide the chicken and avocado mixture evenly among the tortillas, spreading it out in the center of each tortilla.
  4. Sprinkle shredded cheese over the chicken and avocado mixture on each tortilla.
  5. Fold the sides of each tortilla inward, then roll up tightly from the bottom to form a burrito.
  6. If desired, you can warm the burritos in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes on each side until the tortillas are lightly browned and the cheese is melted.
  7. Serve the chicken and avocado burritos immediately with optional toppings like sour cream, salsa, or hot sauce on the side.

Enjoy your delicious homemade chicken and avocado burritos! They make a satisfying and flavorful meal for any occasion.

Quick and Easy Beef Pepper Stir Fry




Quick and Easy Beef Pepper Stir Fry

Ingredients:
  • 1 lb (450g) beef steak, thinly sliced (such as flank steak or sirloin)
  • 2 bell peppers (any color), sliced into thin strips
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Cooked rice or noodles for serving
  • Optional garnishes: chopped green onions, sesame seeds
Instructions:

1. Marinate the Beef:

In a bowl, combine the sliced beef with soy sauce, oyster sauce, minced garlic, minced ginger, and cornstarch. Mix well to ensure the beef is evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.

2. Prepare the Vegetables:

Slice the bell peppers and onions into thin strips. Set aside.

3. Stir Fry:

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
Add the marinated beef to the skillet in a single layer, allowing it to sear without overcrowding the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes until browned on one side, then flip and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the beef is cooked through. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.

4. Cook the Vegetables:

In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed. Add the sliced bell peppers and onions. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes until they begin to soften but still have a slight crunch.

5. Combine:

Return the cooked beef to the skillet with the vegetables. Stir to combine everything evenly.

6. Season:

Season the stir fry with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning according to your preference.

7. Serve:

Serve the beef pepper stir fry hot over cooked rice or noodles.
Garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds if desired.

Enjoy your quick and delicious beef pepper stir fry! Feel free to customize the recipe by adding other vegetables like broccoli, snap peas, or mushrooms according to your taste preferences.

Quick & Easy Chinese Hot and Sour Soup




Chinese Hot and Sour Soup is a delicious and flavorful dish that's perfect for a quick meal. Here's a simple recipe you can try:

Quick and Easy Chinese Hot and Sour Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1/4 cup sliced bamboo shoots (canned)
  • 1/4 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms (fresh or rehydrated from dried)
  • 1/4 cup tofu, diced into small cubes
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions:

1. Prepare the Broth: In a pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a simmer over medium heat.

2. Add Ingredients: Add the sliced bamboo shoots, sliced shiitake mushrooms, and diced tofu to the simmering broth.

3. Season the Soup: Stir in the soy sauce and rice vinegar. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper according to your preference.

4. Thicken the Soup: Slowly pour in the cornstarch-water mixture while stirring the soup continuously. This will help thicken the soup slightly.

5. Add the Beaten Egg: While stirring the soup in a circular motion, slowly pour in the beaten egg. This will create beautiful egg ribbons in the soup. Let the egg cook for about 1 minute.

6. Finish with Sesame Oil: Drizzle the sesame oil over the soup. This will add a wonderful aroma and flavor to the dish.

7. Serve: Ladle the hot and sour soup into bowls. Garnish with sliced green onions if desired.

8. Enjoy: Serve the soup hot and enjoy its comforting flavors!

Tips:
1. Feel free to adjust the ingredients according to your taste preferences. You can add more or less tofu, mushrooms, or bamboo shoots as desired.

2. If you like your soup spicier, you can add a dash of white pepper or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.

3. This soup is customizable, so you can also add ingredients like shredded chicken, pork, or even seafood for variety.

Enjoy your homemade Chinese Hot and Sour Soup!





Steak & Guinness Stew with Irish White Cheddar Cauliflower Mash




Here's a recipe for Steak and Guinness Stew with Irish White Cheddar Cauliflower Mash:

Ingredients:

For the Steak and Guinness Stew:

  • 2 lbs (about 900g) stewing beef, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 stalks celery, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 can (14.9 oz / 440ml) Guinness stout
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
For the Irish White Cheddar Cauliflower Mash:

  • 1 head cauliflower, chopped into florets
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 cup Irish white cheddar cheese, grated
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Steak and Guinness Stew:

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add the stewing beef chunks and brown them on all sides. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot. Once browned, remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
  • In the same pot, add the chopped onions, minced garlic, carrots, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to coat.
  • Gradually pour in the Guinness stout and beef broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  • Add the bay leaves, tomato paste, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Return the browned beef to the pot. Bring the stew to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender and the flavors have melded together. Stir occasionally.

2. Prepare the Irish White Cheddar Cauliflower Mash:

  • While the stew is simmering, steam the cauliflower florets until they are fork-tender, about 10-12 minutes.
  • Drain the cauliflower and transfer it to a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the butter, Irish white cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the cauliflower.
  • Mash everything together until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.

3. Serve:

  • Once the stew is ready, remove the bay leaves.
  • Serve the Steak and Guinness Stew hot, garnished with chopped fresh parsley, alongside the Irish White Cheddar Cauliflower Mash.
  • Enjoy your hearty and comforting meal!

This recipe pairs the rich flavors of the Guinness stew with the creamy, cheesy cauliflower mash for a satisfying and delicious meal.

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Scampi with Zucchini Noodles




Here's a recipe for cilantro lime shrimp scampi with zucchini noodles:

Ingredients:

For the shrimp:

  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Zest and juice of 1 lime
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the zucchini noodles:

  • 4 medium zucchinis
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the zucchini noodles: Using a spiralizer, spiralize the zucchinis into noodles. If you don't have a spiralizer, you can use a vegetable peeler to create long, thin strips. Set aside.

2. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

3. Add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until pink and opaque.

4. Once the shrimp are cooked through, add the chopped cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice to the skillet. Toss everything together until the shrimp are coated evenly with the cilantro lime mixture. Remove from heat.

5. In a separate skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the zucchini noodles and sauté for 2-3 minutes until just tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. Serve the cilantro lime shrimp scampi over the zucchini noodles. Garnish with additional chopped cilantro and lime wedges if desired.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy cilantro lime shrimp scampi with zucchini noodles!