Month: January 2023

Grilled Lamb Chops

January 19, 2023January 19, 2023 M. Ziko No Comments

pring is definitely the season for grilled lamb chops. If you’re like many in my family, you have a preconceived notion that lamb has too strong of a flavor. The real truth is that if most people had a taste of a good, properly cooked lamb chop, they would change their tune. I was one of those people that swore I wouldn’t like lamb, until I had the most delicious, tender and perfectly seasoned lamb chop.
You experience these Grilled Lamb Chops well before your first juicy bite. The sizzle and flash of orange flame as tender chops meet the hot grill; warm scents of piney rosemary and buttery garlic rise to meet your nose, olive oil shimmers. A gentle turn, a waft of smoke and deep char lines promise that, soon, it will be time to eat.
Ingredients :
750g/ 1.5lb lamb chops (loin chops, forequarter, cutlets)
LAMB CHOP MARINADE:
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves , finely minced
1 tbsp rosemary leaves , finely chopped
1 tsp each salt and pepper
GRAVY:
2 cups beef stock , low sodium
3 tbsp flour , plain/all purpose
1 tbsp rosemary leaves , finely chopped
2 rosemary sprigs , optional
Directions :
Marinade: Mix Marinade ingredients together, then pour over chops. Turn to coat and leave to marinade for at least 1 hour, preferably 3 hours or overnight.
COOKING:
Take lamb out of fridge 30 minutes prior to cooking (to bring to room temp).
Heat a large skillet over high heat (no oil needed).
Pick up a chop, scrape off excess bits of garlic (it burns) and let excess oil drip off. Place in skillet. Once all chops are in, turn heat down to medium high.
COOK TIMES FOR MEDIUM RARE (INTERNAL TEMP 62°C/145°F):
Loin chops & forequarter chops – 4 minutes each side, or until internal temp is 62°C/145°F for medium rare
Cutlets & thin leg steaks – 3 minutes on the first side then 2 minutes on the second side.
Rest – Remove lamb from skillet and place on a plater. Loosely cover with foil and rest for 3 minutes while you make the gravy.
GRAVY:
Pour off all but about 3 tbsp oil (if you’re short, add butter), return skillet to medium heat.
Add flour and stir for 30 seconds.
Pour in beef stock while stirring constantly to dissolve flour mixture in. If you have lumps, use a whisk.
Add chopped rosemary and sprig.
Simmer, stirring regularly, for 2 – 3 minutes until it thickens in a gravy consistency.
SERVING:
Serve lamb chops with gravy over creamy mashed potato and a side of peas!

lb of ground beef

January 18, 2023January 18, 2023 M. Ziko No Comments

Ingredients:
1 lb of ground beef
1 jar of spaghetti sauce
8 oz of cream cheese
¼ cup sour cream
½ lb cottage cheese (equals 1 cup)
½ cup butter (1 stick)
1 pkg spaghetti 16 oz
Grated cheddar cheese
Instructions:
Step1: Preheat your oven to 350°.
Step2: Boil your spaghetti noodles until al dente (firm). Drain and set aside until ready to assemble.
Step3: Combine the cream cheese, sour cream and cottage cheese until well blended (Now, you can mix!)
Step4: Brown your hamburger and when done, drain well.
Step5: Combine the hamburger with your spaghetti sauce.
Step6: Put a few slices of butter into a 9×13 pan then pour half of your spaghetti noodles on top.
Step7: Take your cream cheese mixture and pour on top of the noodles. Step8: Spread well over noodles.
Step9: Pour the rest of the noodles on top of the cream cheese mixture. Step10: Put a few more slices of butter on top of the noodles.
Step11: Pour your spaghetti and meat sauce on top of your noodles.
-Now it is ready to put into the oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, pour the desired amount of grated cheese on top and return to the oven for 15 minutes to allow cheese to melt.

Homemade Chocolate Cake

January 17, 2023January 17, 2023 M. Ziko No Comments

INGREDIENTS :
For Chocolate Cake:
1½ cup all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
½ cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 eggs
½ cup butter on room temperature
1 cup milk
1 cup black coffee
½ cup vegetable oil
For Frosting:
½ cup unsalted butter
2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 cup chocolate chips
INSTRUCTIONS
For Chocolate Cake:
Preheat oven to 350 F.
Butter and flour 2 (8 inch) round cake pans and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In the bowl of your mixer, beat butter and sugar, on medium speed for two minutes, until light and fluffy, add eggs one at a time, beating and scraping the sides of the bowl after each, add milk, black coffee and oil and mix until smooth.
Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients with the mixer on low
Spoon batter evenly into prepared pans and bake 10-15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
For Frosting:
In a medium bowl, combine butter powdered sugar, vanilla and beat until light and fluffy
Add heavy whipping cream and beat about 5 minutes
Add the melted chocolate chips and beat on medium speed until smooth.
Place 1 layer on your cake stand, evenly cover the top with frosting
Top with 2nd layer and top with frosting and spread the frosting around the sides evenly.
Decorate as you wish

Chicken Adobo

January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 M. Ziko No Comments

Chicken Adobo
INGREDIENTS:
3 bay leaves
4 tsp whole black peppercorns
1 tbsp neutral oil
1.5 lbs bone-in/skin-on chicken thighs and 1.5lbs skin-on chicken wings/drumettes
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup shoyu (soy sauce)
1/2 cup lager beer
1 tbsp brown sugar
5 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
METHOD:
Place a dutch oven over med heat and toast the bay leaves and peppercorns until fragrant and the bay leaves have a nice sheen(3-4min).
Remove spices and crush 3/4 of the peppercorns with a mortar and pestle.
Pour the oil in the dutch oven and brown chicken in batches, skin side down, until golden brown and fat has rendered (6-8min).
Wiggle chicken from time to time to make sure the skin doesn’t stick. Place all the chicken on a plate as you work the batches. Once done, pour out all but 1 tbsp of oil.
Return the pot to the stovetop over low heat and pour in the vinegar, shoyu, beer, brown sugar, garlic, bay leaves, and peppercorns. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
Add the chicken and any juices and move heat to med-high, to bring to a low boil. Lower the heat to med-low, cover and cook for 45min, flipping the chicken halfway through.
Remove the lid and simmer for 15min. Remove the chicken and place skin-side up on a baking sheet.
Turn the heat to high and let the sauce reduce to half (5-6min).

Cucumber and Tomato Salad

January 15, 2023January 15, 2023 M. Ziko No Comments

Ingredients:
A pint fro tomato berries, I cut them into halves.
One large cucumb er, I sliced into thin slices.
One sliced medium onion.
FOR THE DRESSING, I USED:
Half a Cup.Of olive oil.
1/4 Cup.Of wine vinegar.
A large spoon.Of lemon juice.
A small spoon.Of white sugar.
A small spoon.Of Italian seasonings.
2 minced garlic cloves.
Cracked pepper, I used half a small spoon.
Salt, to taste.
STEP-BY-STEP PREPARATION:
1St Step:
In a large mixing bowl, I combined the halved tomatoes with sliced cucumbers, and onions slices, and put them aside.
2Nd Step:
To make the dressing, I mixed the olive oil with balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, granulated sugar, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and cracked pepper in a mixing cup or small basin.
3Rd Step:
And using a whisk, thoroughly I mixed the ingredients well; the dressing should be poured over the tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions.
4Th Step:
At this step, I tossed everything together and served it immediately, or I kept it refrigerated, covered, for up to 2 days.
NOTE:
If you are preparing the salad ahead of time, use half of the dressing to toss the salad and save the other half to put in later.
Well, this is how to make this easy refreshing salad, I hope that it will please you, and remember to share it with your friends!!!

Vegetable Beef Soup

January 13, 2023January 13, 2023 M. Ziko No Comments

Ingredients:
1-1/2 lbs beef stew, cut into bite-sized cubes
Olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp minced garlic
1 tbsp of Better Than Bouillon (beef flavored)
8 oz baby bella sliced mushrooms
1 medium boiler white onion finely chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp tomato paste
4 cups beef broth
12 oz of Guinness Stout
1 bunch of scallions (~6) sliced
1 bag frozen cut green beans
1 lb baby carrots
1 lb diced potatoes
1 can (15 oz) corn drained
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with the liquid
Instructions:
In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, Better than Bouillon, and mushrooms. Sauté, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms release their water, then cook for a minute or two longer to reduce. Remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
In a large dutch oven, heat a few tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef and sauté until it begins to brown, about 6 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the beef.
Turn down the heat to medium and add another tbsp of olive oil to the dutch oven. Add the chopped white onion and cook for a few minutes until it starts to soften.
Add the salt, paprika, and tomato paste. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute. Add the Guinness and bring to a simmer. Add the beef and mushrooms and stir for about a minute.
Add the vegetables (green beans, carrots, corn, scallions, potatoes, and tomatoes), pepper, Italian seasoning, and beef broth. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Turn the heat to low, cover, and let the soup simmer for about two hours, stirring occasionally.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗽𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗲

January 13, 2023January 13, 2023 M. Ziko No Comments

• 5 gelatin sheets
• 130g milk
• 400g liquid cream
• 500g mascarpone
• 90g icing sugar
• 1 tbsp liquid vanilla extract
• Ladyfingers cookies
• Raspberries: all bought fresh and frozen this summer.
• Soaking syrup: raspberry coulis with water to soak the ladyfingers in it
METHOD:
1- Soften the gelatin
2- Heat the milk over low heat and add the gelatin
3- Whip the cream, mascarpone, sugar and vanilla whipped cream
4- Reserve a small part for the decorative poaching because once the milk is incorporated it freezes very quickly and it seeds
5- Incorporate the milk into the preparation and stir.