Spinach Lasagne with Mince

Ingredients:

• 1 packet spinach lasagna sheets
• 1 kg mutton mince
• 1 canned tomato
• 200g mozzarella cheese (grated)

For the mince:

• 1 onion (chopped)
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 tablespoon Kashmiri masala
• Salt to taste
• 1 canned tomato

For the white sauce:

• 4 tablespoons flour
• 100g butter
• Mixed herbs (to taste)
• Black pepper (to taste)
• Salt (to taste)
• 3 cups milk

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Instructions:

1. Prepare the Mutton Mince:

   • Heat oil in a large pan, and sauté the chopped onion until soft and golden.
   • Add the ginger-garlic paste and cook for another 2 minutes.
   • Add the mutton mince and braise until browned and cooked through.
   • Stir in the Kashmiri masala and salt, then add the canned tomato. Let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

2. Make the White Sauce:

   • In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the flour and whisk to create a smooth roux.
   • Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
   • Add mixed herbs, black pepper, and salt. Keep whisking until the sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.

3. Assemble the Lasagna:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
• In a baking dish, spread a layer of the cooked mutton mince at the bottom.
• Place a layer of spinach lasagna sheets over the mince.
  
• Pour a layer of white sauce on top of the lasagna sheets, followed by a sprinkle of grated mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat the layers (mince, lasagna sheets, white sauce, mozzarella) until all the ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of mozzarella cheese on top.

4. Bake:

   • Cover the lasagna with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
     

5. Serve:

   • Let the lasagna rest for a few minutes before cutting into squares. Serve hot and enjoy!

Baked Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes and Bell Peppers

 Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese (grated or sliced)
• 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 green bell pepper (sliced)
• 1 yellow bell pepper (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (or mixed herbs)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

2. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel.
   • Season both sides of the chicken with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.

3. Sear the Chicken (Optional):

   • Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
   • Sear the chicken breasts for about 2 minutes on each side until lightly golden (this step enhances flavor but can be skipped).

4. Prepare the Vegetables:

   • In a large baking dish, add the cherry tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, and minced garlic.
   • Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the vegetables and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat.

5. Assemble and Bake:

   • Place the chicken breasts on top of the bed of vegetables in the baking dish.
   • Top each chicken breast with a generous amount of mozzarella cheese.
   • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.

6. Bake:

   • Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature reaches 75°C or 165°F) and the cheese is golden and bubbly.

7. Garnish and Serve:

   • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.
   • Serve the baked chicken with the roasted cherry tomatoes and bell peppers on the side.

Enjoy this vibrant, cheesy baked chicken dish!

Easy Chicken Chow Mein with Udon Noodles

 Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breasts (sliced thinly)
• 300g udon noodles (pre-cooked or fresh)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 onion (sliced)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 carrot (julienned)
• 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
• 2 cups cabbage (shredded)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Spring onions and sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

(you can also use the asian stir fry soy sauce thats already premixed with the above sauces)

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Instructions:

1. Cook the Udon Noodles:

   • If using fresh or pre-cooked udon noodles, simply separate them in hot water for a minute, drain, and set aside.
   • For dry udon noodles, cook them according to the package instructions, drain, and set aside.

2. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Season the sliced chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper.
   • Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
   • Add the chicken and stir-fry for 5-6 minutes, or until fully cooked and lightly browned. Remove from the pan and set aside.

3. Stir-Fry the Vegetables:

   • In the same pan, add a bit more oil if needed.
   • Add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
   • Add the carrots, bell pepper, and cabbage, and stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes until the vegetables soften but still have a bit of crunch.

4. Combine and Cook:

   • Return the cooked chicken to the pan with the vegetables.
   • Add the udon noodles to the pan and toss everything together.
   • Pour in the soy sauce, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, and sesame oil. Stir well to coat the chicken, noodles, and vegetables evenly in the sauce. Cook for 2-3 more minutes until everything is heated through.

5. Garnish and Serve:

   • Garnish with sliced spring onions and sesame seeds if desired.
   • Serve hot and enjoy your delicious chicken chow mein with udon noodles!

This quick and flavorful dish is perfect for a weeknight meal!

Mutton Curry ( Lamb Curry)

INGREDIENTS

1 kg mutton curry pieces

3 bay leaves

10 whole black peppercorns

3 cardamom pods (elachi)

3 cinnamon sticks

Shah jeera (black cumin seeds)

1 tsp cumin seeds (jeera)

5 tablespoons masala

1 tablespoon Kashmiri chili powder

1 tablespoon ginger and garlic masala 

1 tablespoon dhania and jeera powder

1 tsp food color

5 potatoes, peeled and cut in halves

3 grated tomatoes

1 onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons salt

Oil for cooking

METHOD:

• Heat oil in a large, deep pan or a pressure cooker over medium heat. Add the bay leaves, black peppercorns, and cardamom pods and all whole spices. Fry them for a minute and add onions,  fry until golden brown 
• Then add the dry spices (masala, kashmiri powder,dhania powder, ginger and garlic masala , allow to simmer for 30 seconds 
• Add mutton curry pieces to the pan and mix well to coat the mutton pieces with the spices and allow to cook on low heat for 20 minutes.
• Now, add the grated tomatoes and cook for a few minutes until they soften and release their juices.
• If using a pressure cooker, add a little water (about 1/4 cup) and close the lid. Cook on medium heat for about 20-25 minutes or until the mutton is tender. If using a regular pan, add enough water to cover the mutton pieces, then cover and simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the mutton is tender, stirring occasionally.
• ( should you want mutton bunnies you can add 1 cup water to the cooking process for extra gravy)
• Once the mutton is 3/4 cooked, add the potato cubes to the curry and cook for another 10-15 minutes until the potatoes are soft and cooked through.
• Check for seasoning and adjust salt and spices according to your taste.
• Serve the Indian-style mutton curry hot with steamed rice, naan,unsliced bread for bunnies or roti.

Enjoy your delicious Indian-style mutton curry!

Peri-Peri Prawns

Ingredients

1kg prawns washed and deveined with shell 1/4 cup plain yoghurt

1/2 cup fresh cream 

2 tablespoons lemon juice 

one large onion finely sliced

one green pepper finely sliced

 3 tablespoons of oil 

100g butter 

1/4 tsp methi powder 

2 tablespoons aminas fish and prawn special masala

 2 tablespoons armina's Peri-Peri braai marinade 

salt to taste

fresh coriander to garnish

Method 

Marinate drained prawns in a bowl with yoghurt, lemon juice, salt amina's fish and prawn special masala, Aminas Peri-Peri braai marinade

In a large pan over medium heat add butter, oil, methi powder and onion and braise till soft and translucent

Add in marinated prawns and cook for 4 -6 minutes,stirring occassionally 

Add in green peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes

Now add fresh cream and chopped coriander leaves and allow simmering on low heat until done

Serve with hot rotis and fresh salads

NB: Prawns can be substituted with chicken which needs to be cooked for longer .

Chicken and Cheese Tortilla Wraps

INGREDIENTS

1 kg Chicken Fillets cut into strips

1 onion diced

2 chillies chopped

Mayonnaise ( use as desired)

1 tsp black pepper

salt to taste

Tortilla wraps bought from supermarket

3 carrots julienned

1 green pepper cut into strips

2 tsp ginger & garlic paste

1 tsp paprika paste

2 tsp mixed herbs

Lettuce 

1/2 cup grated Cheese

hot sauce ( use as desired)

METHOD

• Marinate chicken with paprika paste , mixed herbs and ginger & garlic paste 
• Fry chicken on low until cooked
• Add onions, chillies, black pepper , salt, and pepper
• Allow to cook until onions is translucent in color
• Place a tortilla on plate
• Place a lettuce leaf and carrots on tortilla, add chicken mixture
• Add mayonnaise and hot sauce 
• Sprinkle with cheese and fold into a wrap
• Toast tortilla on both sides on a frying pan
• Repeat process with remaining tortillas

Spicy Garlic Grilled Chicken

INGREDIENTS

1 whole chicken
2 tbsp veri peri sauce
2 tbsp garlic paste
2 tbsp ginger & garlic paste
4 tbsp garlic and herbs spice
3 sprigs fresh thyme
2 tbsp mayonaise
3 tbsp masala
2 tbsp oil
1/2 tsp fine salt

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 180° . clean chicken but leave the skin on, and cut in the centre to butterfly the chicken.. make a few incisions on the chicken
• Mix all ingredients together forming a marinade
• Marinate the chicken with marinade
• place on oven tray and cover with foil
• Grill in oven until chicken is cooked and is golden brown

* Best served with potato salad and roasted vegetables

Mutton Mince Curry

INGREDIENTS

1kg mutton mince
5 tablespoons oil
3 heaped tbsp masala
1 tsp jeera
2 cinnamon sticks
4 leaves mint
1 tsp turmeric
2 tbsp ginger & garlic paste
2 tsp breyani spice
 2 tbsp garam masala
1 onion chopped
1/2 cup frozen peas
4 tomatoes grated
4 potatoes cut into cubes
2 sprigs curry leaves
1/2 cup water
dhania for garnishing

METHOD

• Heat oil in a pot and add onion , fry until golden brown
• Add jeera, biryani spice, masala, turmeric, cinnamon sticks and the ginger & garlic paste
• Mix well and add the mince 
• Allow to cook for 10 minutes
• Next add the garam masala , peas, tomato and potatoes
• Add the salt, mint and curry leaves and mix well for all ingredients to incorporate
• Allow to cook on low heat ,stirring occasionally for + - 45 minutes or until potatoes are cooked
• The water can be added during the cooking process if curry starts getting too dry.
• Garnish with dhania and serve with rice or bread

Stuffed Gem Squash with Beef Mince

INGREDIENTS

4 large gem squash

20 ml oil

1 onion diced

400g beef mince ( can be substituted with mutton mince)

1 tsp salt

4 cloves

2 tsp ginger & garlic

1 green chilli chopped

1 can baked beans

METHOD

• Heat oil in pan, add onion & braise until golden brown
• Wash & drain mince in colander, then add to saucepan with salt, cloves , garlic and chilli
• Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally
• Add beans and cook a further 10 minutes until well blended
• Halve squash and remove seeds
• Stuff squash with mince and bean mixture , leaving some gravy in saucepan
• Place squash in saucepan and steam, covered for 15 minutes
• Sprinkle cheese over gem squash and bake in oven for 10 minutes
• Serve with white rice

Spicy Mutton Chops Chutney

INGREDIENTS

2 kg chops
7 green chillies
4 tbsp ginger and garlic
2 tsp mixed herbs
1 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp steak & chops marinade
1 tbsp paprika paste
1 tsp green chilli paste
1 tsp jeera
1/2 tsp tumeric
salt to taste
1/2 cup thyme
3 large onions diced
10 ripe tomatoes grated
1 tsp masala
3 tbsp oil

METHOD

• Marinate chops with ginger & garlic, mixed herbs, black pepper, paprika paste and green chillie paste and set aside
• Fry onions in oil until golden brown
• Add jeera and turmeric and green chillies
• add chops and fry on low heat until cooked or can be pierced with a knife or skewer
• Add tomatoes , masala ,thyme and salt and mix well gently to avoid breaking chops
• Cook on low heat for 20 minutes or until tomatoes are cooked.
• Garnish and serve with savory rice

Spicy Chicken Alfredo

INGREDIENTS 

For white sauce
4 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1 tsp black pepper

1kg Chicken fillets cut into strips
1 tray mushrooms
2 green peppers
1 kg penne pasta
2l fresh milk
500g cheese
1 packet chicken ala king sauce

Marinade for chicken fillets
2 tablespoons veri peri sauce
1 tablespoon ginger n garlic
2 tsp black pepper
4 tablespoons mixed herbs
3 tablespoons nandos sauce

METHOD

• Marinate chicken with all the marinades
• Fry it on low heat and set aside
• In a separate pan, saute mushrooms and pepper with 1 tablespoon butter and set aside when cooked
• For the white sauce ,heat the butter
• Add flour and stir continously to avoid lumps from forming 
• Add milk slowly and stir
• Add back pepper, salt to taste and half cup cheese and set aside
• Boil pasta and set aside
• Add sauce to large pot,add the chicken, mushrooms and pepper, pasta, mix chicken ala king mixture and add to pot and and remaining milk and cheese and salt.
• Allow to cook for 10 minutes

Southern Prawn With Lime Rice

INGREDIENTS

300g prawn tails peeled and deveined
handful of coriander, finely chopped
15 ml Cajun seasoning
15 ml olive oil
salt and milled black pepper
400g  Rice cooked
250 g frozen corn thawed
1 lime , zest and juice

To serve 

Fresh Coriander
Lime wedges

METHOD

• Combine the prawns , coriander and cajun seasoning and oil in a large bowl
• Season with salt and pepper
• Heat the olive oil in a large non stick frying pan and fry the prawn mixture for 2 minutes or until just cooked
• Toss in the rice along with the corn and lime zest and juice and heat through for 3 - 4 minutes
• Top with coriander sprigs and serve immediately with lime wedges on the side