papa with chakalaka

This recipe was taken from a Lenten calendar that the girls brought home from school.It was easy to make and was very filling.
For the Papa : 2 1/2 cups corn meal and 4 cups water.
Boil water, then stir in cornmeal. Simmer, stiring often to prevent burning, until mixture is thick and water is absorbed. Shape the mixture into round balls, one for each person.
For the Chakalaka: 3 tbsp. oil; 1 onion, finely diced; 1 green bell pepper, finely diced;1 chili pepper, finely diced; 2 tomatoes, finely diced; 1 carrot, peeled and grated; 1 16oz. can of baked beans; 1 tsp. curry powder; salt to taste.
Saute onion and peppers in pan with oil until soft. Add remaining ingredients, mix thoroughly and simmer (stirring occasionally) for 15 minutes. Serve warm with papa.
The translation for this recipe is Corn porridge with spicy vegetables. This recipe is great for those meatless Fridays.

Chicken Parmigiana

For chicken Parmigiana you need only 6 simple ingredients: Spaghetti (or Fettucini), Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, Eggs, Bread Crumbs, Spaghetti Sauce, and Parmesean Cheese. The day I made this recipe, however, we didn't have any spaghetti sauce; so I made one from scratch.

Home-made Spaghetti Sauce:

6 oz can of tomto paste

15 oz can of tomato sauce

28 oz can of diced tomatoes

3-4 garlic cloves

1/2 a large onion, diced

1 cup mushroom, chopped

salt and pepper to taste

red pepper flakes to taste

italian seasoning to taste

Saute onions, garlic, and mushrooms. Add cans of tomatoes. Add spices.

To bake chicken:

Dip breasts in whisked eggs. Roll in bread crumbs. Place in lightly grease pan. Place in oven at 350 for 1 hour. During final 15 mins cover with spaghetti sauce and cheese.

Minestrone Soup!

MINESTRONE SOUP

Minestrone soup is an italian soup that when translated means "the big soup." It is the type of recipe that can be made in a variety of ways. It calls for whatever vegetables and pasta or rice you have on hand or that are in season. Since this was my first time making it I did some "google-ing" and in the end my recipe most resembles Emeril's recipe, though I made a few of my own changes.

Ingredients:

• olive oil, for sauteing
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 3 celery celery sticks, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 medium zucchinni, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth [the original recipe called for 10 cups broth, but I substituted about half with water (below)]
• 6 cups water
• 28 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 3 small potatoes, chopped
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 can of navy or white beans
• 1 can of kidney beans
• pasta [I use rotini, and 5 handfuls]

Directions:

heat olive oil. add onions, carrots, clery, and garlic. saute until soft, about 4 mins.

add zucchinni, and cook for another 3-4 mins.

add broth, tomatoes, spices, potatoes, and spinach.

bring to boil. reduce heat and simmer 30 mins.

add pasta and beans. simmer 15 mins.

let cool, and enjoy with a dinner roll.

Asian-style stir fry

Well Chinese New Year is coming up so I was in the mood for some chinese. We did have a couple of boneless chicken breast, leftover from when Carmen made chicken parmesean, but i was a little lazy. And didn't feel like chopping and cooking it. So instead i used the fajita chicken that comes cut and precooked in the bag.

First i sauteed some onion and garlic. Then i added some sliced mushrooms and the chicken and some snap peas, and sizzled it till brown. Usually i add soy sauce and brown sugar to get my basic asian flavour, but this time i decided to get the sweetness from honey and of course the caramalized onions. I chose honey because i thought it would go better with the whole juicy lime i squeezed in. Hmmm a nice soury tang. Plus i added a little soy sauce and a little hot sauce for good measure. And finally i added a few chopped up walnuts for extra crunch. Serve on a bed of white rice. Very nice!

Sorry bout the pic..couldn't find the digital camera had to use my PC cam...Made in China though...

Recommended Music: David Bowie-China Girl