Day 14: Chicken Cacciatore.

I admit, I didn't know what this was when I was the title on another persons blog. I looked it up and saw it was an Italian dish, a hunters dish that was made for hunters apparently, to fill them up. Base of tomatoes, and traditionally wine. I used the recipe I found on:  http://theworldaccordingtoeggface.blogspot.com/

This was so good! I was a little unsure with it being SO tomato based (I can't stand tomatoes, bad, I know!). I am goign to post the unedited recipe below, but I made a few changes. When I roasted the veg I added to large cloves of garlic, crushed and a sprinkling of rosemary. Mmm, it smelt so good! I don't think this even needs the dressing marination if you simmer it for a while in the tomato, perhaps. Ah, I also did not use diced tinned tomatoes, instead I used creamed tomatoes. There goes my tomato dislike again ;).

The picture I took was actually of Lisa's plate. I served mine with couscous too, but about half that amount (about 1/8 cup, dry).

Shelly's Chicken Cacciatore

1/2 red onion, chopped
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
olive oil
kosher salt
black pepper

7 chicken breast tenders cut into 1" piece, marinated in a few T's of Italian Dressing for 4 hours (at least)
1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz S&W brand is my fav)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Toss onions and pepper with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in oven for 50 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking time.

Saute chicken that has been marinated till golden. Add Italian Seasoning and garlic. Add diced tomatoes. Simmer 5 minutes. Add roasted vegetables with all juices. Mix to combine.

Day 13: Casserole

Basic casserole today, yet another 'slop' looking dinner I'm afraid, and yet again the flash came out. I will be making dinner earlier tomorrow to avoid the flash, I'll take the picture outside if needs must!

No recipe as such, just chicken, carrots, onions, peas, chicken stock, herbs and a little polenta to thicken. Came out delicious and comforting as simple foods can do so very well!

Not much more to say on this one really, apart from casseroles are delicious, and if you live in the UK, never fall in to those little sauce mix packets you can get. The main ingredient is FLOUR or THICKENER. Do it yourself with store cupboard ingredients!

Day 12: Spaghetti Bolognese

Mmm, I'm so glad I switched from jarred spaghetti sauce to making my own. I thought I just didn't like it anymore, but it really wasn't the case, once I made my own I realized just how delicious it is when you decide on the taste and flavourings yourself :). Don't be scared of the carrot, you barely notice it, it adds bulk and makes a more traditional Italian sauce and flavour.

This recipe is just something I sort of...looked at other recipes and then added to from there along the way to come up with what I use each time now. I serve it with spaghetti or tagliatelle. This time I tried ciao carbs pasta, made with soy and pea protein...honestly I wasn't keen. I grate parmesan on top.

For two people.

1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion
3 garlic cloves
1 carrot, grated.
150g minced meat, I use Quorn, but you can use beef, lamb, turkey, TVP, soy etc.
400g passata
200ml water
1 tbsp tomato paste
Beef stock pot/cube
1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
1/2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp thyme
1 tsp celery salt
2 tsp chilli powder - use one tsp if you don't like any heat at all, but keep at least one tsp in for flavour.
Half a lemons juice.
Salt and pepper to taste.
About 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg.

Really simple, olive oil, onions and garlic in the pan, then add the rest of your ingredients, everything! Adding the passata and paste first. Add the mince, if it is meat brown it off first with the onions and garlic, but with Quorn, TVP etc you can just pop it in and use the water to break it up. Add the remaining ingredients apart from the balsamic and lemon. cook for 30 minutes, then add the vinegar and lemon, then allow it to have another 15 minutes while you cook the pasta. Serve with grated parmesan.

Day 11: Orange-Hoisin Chicken

This recipe I found on recipezaar, now food.com. I've made it several times since and it is delicious! I added carrots and baby corn to it, but honestly, it doesn't need it at all! I do add onion to mine however.

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Here is the recipe!

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

Servings Size

• 0
  

• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili paste
• 1 large garlic clove, pressed
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon ginger paste or 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 1/4 cup orange marmalade
• 2 tablespoons scallions, chopped for garnish
• 3 lbs chicken legs with thigh, with skin 

1. 1 Combine ingredients up to marmalade in a large bowl and mix well.
2. 2 Wash and pat dry the chicken legs and thighs.
3. 3 Place chicken and marinade in a large ziplock bag and refrigerate for up to 2 hours, but at least 30 minutes.
4. 4 Preheat oven to 375°F.
5. 5 Place the chicken in a large shallow roasting pan and roast for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown. (Time also depends on how plump your legs and thighs are - the fatter, the longer the time).
6. 6 Baste with juices one or two times during the baking process.
7. 7 When finished, remove chicken from roasting pan onto serving platter. Spoon some sauce over it and garnish with the scallion. Serve immediately.

Day 10: Three-Cheese Ravioli

Today I managed to pull something in my neck, ouch. I didn't realize the work that went in to rolling, and rolling, and kneading and rolling homemade pasta. This was the first time i made it. It was very good, but a pasta gadget next time please! Plus it needed to be rolled thinner, it was a little too thick!

I used this recipe for the pasta part of the ravioli: http://hubpages.com/hub/How-to-Make-Homemade-Ravioli

I'd recommend it, though next time I might try semolina flour instead. For the filling I used a basic mix of ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, basil, oregano, salt, pepper and one egg. The sauce was just passata that I added garlic, salt, pepper, water and balsamic vinegar too, then heated up, simple!

Day 9: Chicken Skewers

Nice, simple but really tasty.

I used one large chicken breast between two of us, but you could use thighs. Chopped it and marinated in in the natural juice drained from a tin of pineapple, garlic, teriyaki and pepper...just a dash of everything in the juice. Left it to marinate for several hours, but even 30 minutes would do. I then pre-grilled (broiled) the chicken while I chopped up the veggies - red onion, green and red pepper. You could also use courgette (zucchini) and/or mushrooms. Once all was done I threaded on to presoaked skewers (an hour in soak will prevent burning) and grilled for a few minutes on each side.

Had it with fresh corn on the cob, delicious!

Day 8: Curry

I was semi lazy yesterday. The curry was all fresh apart from, you know, the cheat part. The curry paste. I simply used a mixture of Patak's Madras and Rogan Josh curry pastes, which I cooked up in to a chicken and vegetable curry - onion, carrots, peas, sweetcorn, peppers. Along with a mixture of spices I like a lot of, such as cumin, coriander seed and, you know, chilli.;).

I had it with some rice and a single slice of allinsons wholemeal loaf, both of which I ate about half of. I promised myself this would be last time I ate bread with a curry, but my fibre was low that day, bad excuse, I know!

I apologize for the AWFUL photo, it was late, very dark and I couldn't be bothered to get my lamps, so I used flash.

To make up for the crap dinner photograph I have some more attactive pictures of the granny smith apples growing in my backgarden.

And even more interesting, Swede chips (aka rutabaga fries).

I just chopped a swede in to chips, tossed in olive oil, salt, pepper and chilli powder. Sprayed a baking tray, oven at 200oC (400F) and cooked for 30 minutes, flipping once.

If you don't like chilli you could use paprika, cumin or even garlic powder perhaps.

Diction thought they were home made oven cooked chips made with potato till I told her! Great dipped in ketchup :).

Day 7: Chicken Paprikash

German or Hungarian depending on how it is made and what it is served with :). first time I've ever made this. I didn't follow a recipe completely, just did my usual of looking at lots of different recipes and making one up I think will work from it :).

This was pretty good, but next time, more chilli for me.

I'll make something one of these days that actually LOOKS attractive!

Recipe:
- 2 free range chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- Half a red pepper (bell)
- Two cloves of garlic
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1/2 cup chicken stock
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tbsp flour
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/4 sour cream or plain yogurt

In a frying pan, heat your oil and pan fry your chicken through until white all the way.Add onions and fry until softened and brown. Add red pepper and garlic and cook for one minute, bring the heat down low. Add paprika, chilli powder, salt and pepper. Slowly sprinkle in the flour and cook for another minute. Pour in your chicken stock and add tomato paste, stir thoroughly and bring to boil. Once boiling turn to a medium heat and simmer. Add sour cream or yogurt and heat through.

Day 6: Cottage Pie

Delicious cottage pie...I don't know anyone who doesn't like it! Please note cottage pie is made with any meat OTHER then lamb. If you use lamb it is then called 'Shepherd's Pie'. Shepherd = Lambs after all :).

Made this with a non recipe again, so will just give a rough idea of how to make it, but cottage pie couldn't be more simple really! Delicious comfort food, and so filling.

It is REALLY hard to make cottage pie, dished out, look pretty. It looks like slop basically!

Simple recipe, I use about 1/4 potatos to 3/4 swede (rutabaga) as a topping! Just boil your root veg you wish to have as a topping to mashing point (you could use any root veg for the topping - potatos, swede, turnip, parsnip, carrots, celeriac etc). At the same time boil down your meat (or in my case, Quorn) with some water, beef stock (I use Knorr stock pots), worcestershire sauce, carrots, onions and peas and any herbs or spices you fancy - I use rosemary and thyme. You can also use gravy granules to thicken it if you wish, or just boil it down. Mash the root veg as you would normally.

Oven on at 200oC, pop the meat mixture in a casserole dish, or oven proof dish, top with root veg/potato mix - you can slather it on, pipe it on, or fork it on. Some people add cheese on top, but I'm happy without. Pop in the oven for about 30-45 minutes until nice and hot and cooked through.

I eat mine with HP sauce, a bad but delicious habit ;).

Day 5: Salmon Patty

Was feeling rough today, after the stables yesterday my back was really hurting me, and lovely Diction offered to make dinner, so I'm not sure of the recipe for this one, but think it is a fairly basic salmon patty recipe :). will update with the recipe at some point.

Was lovely with the fresh lemon over it. Had it with a simple green leaf salad drizzled with balsamic vinegar. Thank you D!

Day 4: Tortilla Pizza

Had a very quick dinner yesterday as had a busy day at the stables with D and then X-Factor started last night for 2010, yes I am that sad ;).

Tortilla Pizza! which I forgot to take a picture of until I had started. Yes, I salt my pizza. As healthily as I eat nowadays salt is my crutch I don't want to give up.

Easy peasy to make. You need a tortilla, tomato paste, cheese and toppings. Oven on at 190oC. Spray baking tray with frylight, pop tortilla in for about two minutes, remove and flip, spread on tomato paste, sprinkle on grated cheese of your choice, and toppings. I added peppers (bell), turkey ham, onion, pineapple, sweetcorn, cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of parmesan on top. Pop in over for about ten minutes. Delicious!

Day 3: Chicken and Bacon Root Vegetable Bake

This one was just a bit of a throw together, I'm a bit of an idiot though, I completely forgot to take a picture of this one cooked, but luckily snapped a picture before cooking as it looked pretty even while raw :).

No recipe really, it tasted good though, was just a large chicken breast wrapped in two slices of streaky bacon, on a bed of root veggies - carrots, parnsips, swede (rutabaga), sweet potato - you could use turnip if you wished, maybe potato too if you wanted to add more starch. Everything was then sprinkled with salt and rosemary.

Day 2: Nasi Goreng

Or at least my half take on it. Indonesian fried rice basically, and delicious at that. Diction gets excited when she finds out it is nasi goreng for dinner. I really enjoy it too, and we have it maybe once every two or three weeks.

I don't really measure things for this, so what I have written down is an estimate really, give or take as you like.

For two people, multiply as needed.

One cup of uncooked rice (this was way too much for me and D, but I had some left over rice for the dog).
One cooked large free range chicken breast (two would be good too, but meat is expensive and I eat little).
Three medium free range eggs.
Half a green pepper (bell).
Two cloves of garlic.
One large onion - any colour, or spring/green onions.
One medium carrot.
Half cup sweetcorn.
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground paprika
3-5 tbsp hot curry powder (could use mild or medium. Normal, garam masala or madras powders are all good).
1 tsp sesame oil
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons light soy sauce.

- Cook your rice earlier in the day, or even better leftovers from the night before. Make sure your rice has cooled completely.

- Shred chicken - I used a breast removed from a whole bird after roasting. Julienne carrot, chop onions, slice pepper, crush or chop garlic finely.
- Using oil or frylight saute onions and garlic, adding remaining vegetables apart from sweetcorn after a few minutes.
- Once onion has browned add chicken, and soy sauce, and allow to cook for several minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add all spices apart from curry powder, add sweetcorn.
- Once thoroughly coated in spices add rice, keep heat relatively high and stir quickly, making sure the rice cooks through, as hot as possible.
- In a bowl, crack three eggs and mix, add sesame oil and salt and pepper. 
- Turn down heat a little and scoop everything over to one side, add a couple of sprays of oil and add egg mixture, mix now and then as it cooks through, once white but still quite wet mix through the rice mixture and sitr everything together, turn the heat right up and stir rapidly for two minutes, until egg is properly cooked through.
- Add curry powder and mix through at a medium heat.
- Done!

Once you have made this once you will probably never need to see the recipe again, it is so easy and quick :).

Day 1: Poppy Seed Chicken

Poppy seed chicken for dinner today. Didn't have it with anything else, the vegetables included within it were enough, and gave two good size potions (I cut the recipe in half).

Was rather good, but think next time I might add some herbs or spices to bring the taste up a notch or two, plus double the onion :). I added half a cup of petit pous and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese to this recipe. Tooo many poppy seeds, I slipped!

Taken from The World According to Eggface.

Shelly's Poppy Seed Chicken

1 cup chopped broccoli, steamed
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
2 zucchinis, chopped
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced into 1" pieces
1/2 cup sour cream
1 can of cream of chicken soup
salt & pepper to taste
10 ritz crackers
poppy seeds
butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Steam broccoli and set aside. Saute onions and zucchini till golden. Remove from pan. Saute chicken until golden cooked through. Add broccoli, onions and zucchini back to pan. Mix sour cream and cream of chicken soup together and pour over. Stir to coat. Salt & pepper to taste. Pour into a casserole dish. Crumble crackers in a ziplock baggie, add poppy seeds and sprinkle mixture over the top of chicken. Melt 1 Tablespoon of butter in the microwave. Drizzle melted butter evenly over crackers. Bake 30 minutes, until crackers are golden brown.

Starting fresh, 365 day photo project!

Well, the taking a picture of EVERYTHING I eat just wasn't possible, it took up way too much of my time, and basically became to difficult to do. So much so that I just gave up in the end, which was sad really.

Instead I've decided to attempt a 365 day photo project. I aim that for one year I will take a photograph of whatever it is I eat for my dinner. Just my dinner. Like before I will be concentrating on keeping the carbs down when possible, keeping the protein up, small portions of course and trying new things, new recipes, new ingredients and branching out, along with eating some old favourites and the occasional dinner out.

Boring weight loss bit: I'm hoping this will not only be a fun project but help me behave, it is so easy to go off course, so very easy. But I'm determined to get to, or close to, my first goal of weight loss by Christmas.  I want to get down to, or close to 9 stone (126lbs) by Christmas. That is a loss of about 3 stone (42lbs!). About two lbs a week. I have a mini goal of getting to my 100lbs lost which is 13lbs away, I hope to meet this goal by the 1st October.

Joining me will be the lovely Lisa, who also hopes to loose about 35lbs by Christmas, she will be eating the same amounts and same things as me each day.

I will be using recipes I was taught, recipes from blogs I read, recipes from cookbooks and magazines - anything really!