Meatless Monday

The idea of going on a meatless diet isn't new to me.  I've toyed, dabbled and somewhat succeeded on several occasions once or twice before.  It's safe to say that being a vegetarian isn't in my foreseeable future.  It is the kind of commitment that thrives on a great deal of conviction, requires a solid mindset and change of lifestyle.  Frankly, I am nowhere near ready for that. However, I do like the idea of cutting out meat, one day a week.  

Reason being? I owe it the "crew" that runs my digestive system to allow a much needed day off.  It may seem insufficient considering the amount of not-so-healthy stuff I consume but it is a good start nonetheless.

As a personal quest, I started Meatless Mondays.  This is what I ate today...

Breakfast: Matcha oatmeal with granola and black coffee

Snack: Banana, apple and spinach smoothie

Lunch: Minestrone

Dinner: Tofu and veggie stir fry

I hope your week is off to a great start wherever you are.

See you soon!

Ackee and Saltfish

Side note: This one is also a re-post from my previous blog.

Three days off and home with my fiancé simply means spending serious amount of time in the kitchen making home cooked meals.  That's just the way it is and there's no two ways about it.  So take out, delivery and frozen food...we'll save that for lazy days.  For now, here is what's on our plate for breakfast.

Ackee and Salt Fish w/ Boiled Dumplings.  Say what and salt fish?  Now, I am far from being a food expert and my vocabulary when it comes to describing food is very limited.  The fact that I often fight the urge to use the word "yummy" means I am not the right person to shed some light into the unfamiliar.  Here's a description from a reputable source. 

  

Ackee and Saltfish, Jamaica

Despite ackee’s unhappy origins as slave food, Jamaicans have reclaimed it as part of their national dish. A nutritious fruit with a buttery-nutty flavor, ackee resembles scrambled egg when boiled. Jamaicans sauté the boiled ackee with saltfish (salt-cured cod), onions, and tomatoes. Sometimes the dish is served atop bammy (deep-fried cassava cakes) with fried plantains. 

To make this you'll need:

• 2 cans of Ackee
• 1 lb bag of salt fish (cod or pollock)
• 4 sprigs of thyme (fresh or dry)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper, salt to taste
• 1 medium onion, 1 small tomato
• 3 tbsp butter
• vegetable oil

scotch bonnet (optional)

Dumplings:  

3 cups of plain flour, 1 cup of water and a tsp salt.  Mix them all together and knead like you would a pizza dough. Boil water in a medium sized pot.  Break off into pieces and form the dough into a flattened biscuit.  Place the pieces into the pot and cook for about 25 mins.  Set aside.

Ackee and Saltfish:

It is very important to soak the salt fish for at least 4 hours or even overnight.  After soaking, boil for 15 mins to get rid of all the salt.  Once cooked, flake the fish using a fork.  Set aside.

Saute garlic, onion, tomato, thyme and salt fish for about 5 mins.  Add butter, scotch bonnet pepper, season with garlic powder and cook for another 5 mins. 

Add Ackee and mix VERY carefully making sure not break it up so much.  Cook for another 10 mins. Season with salt and a generous amount of pepper. And that is it!  Easy.

Yummy! (oops!)

If you find yourself having a difficult time finding canned Ackee in stores you can also buy it online. Here!

Cheesy Beef Lumpia

Side note: This post was exported from my previous blog.  I plan to move some recipes on here to share with you guys. There might be a few more in the next couple of days so please check back.  Enjoy!


Cheesy Beef Lumpia

To make this you'll need:

500 grams minced beef
1 packet of  taco mix
1/4 cup water 
3 tbsp onions chopped
1 tbsp garlic chopped 
3 tbsp spring onions chopped
3 tbsp cilantro chopped 
lumpia wrapper (I used rice wrappers from the Vietnamese spring rolls I made weeks ago)
sour cream
salsa (store bought or homemade)
1/4 cup of mozzarella
strips of cheddar (cut from cheddar slices)

1. Sauté garlic, onion and beef.  Cook until the meat is browned.

2. Add taco mix that is dissolved in 1/4 cup water into the pan. Let it simmer until the liquid is completely absorbed .  Let cool. (at this point you can serve the meat as a filling for tacos which is what I originally made this for.)

3. In a bowl, mix spring onions, cilantro, beef, mozzarella.

4. Place a strip of cheddar on the wrapper, put the meat mixture on top, roll and seal the sides.

5. Serve with salsa and sour cream. 

I paired it with Watermelon Cooler.  It's basically 2 cups of fresh watermelon, 2 mint leaves, crushed ice nicely blended into a glass of deliciousness.

PS. Here is the link to the original recipe in case you're interested. link!  Happy cooking.

Peanut Butter Cocoa Ice Pops

Photo: Flickr

It is basically peanut butter hot cocoa made into ice pops.  Isn't it the most creative and delicious oxymoron you've ever heard of?  I am going to be a tad shameless here and admit that this brilliant idea was borrowed from the queen herself, Martha Stewart.  However, I believe that in life, we take what's good and make our own adaptation of it. In addition to that, it is our duty to share it for others to enjoy.  So, here it is dear friends, my very own version of this delicious treat, if I may rightfully say so.

Follow directions of my Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate recipe.  Let it sit for a while to cool. Pour into ice pops molds, insert sticks and freeze overnight.

Enjoy!

Easy isn't it?  This might not be the preferred choice of treats while shoveling snow I suppose.  Apologies that the timing for making ice pops could not have been more unusual.  But as mentioned earlier, there is a version of this more suitable for a sit-by-the-fireplace scenario.  This is just a good example that with a bit of creativity, we can easily turn a seemingly odd idea into something that favors us.  That's the beauty of food and life in general. The possibilities are endless.

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Photo by: add a pinch

In the world of make believe, I am walking along the streets of Munich this time of the year while slowly sipping on a cup of mulled wine. Over here in the not-so-cold part of the real world, it is in the mid 20s (celsius).  A shy cool climate far from the kind of cold that seeps into the bones.  Suffice to say, our version of winter is slowly revealing itself. 

Sure, my warm cozy socks are still blissfully tucked away and the portable heater yet to come out from hibernation.  But, not for long.  Our Christmas tree now stands gloriously in the corner of the living room and there is no stopping this fella in setting the mood for the most wonderful time of the year.

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

2 cups milk

1/4 cup milk chocolate powder

2 tbsp of creamy peanut butter

dash of cinnamon 

whipped cream (optional)

In a medium saucepan over low heat, warm milk until it begin to simmer.  Whisk in milk powder and peanut butter until smooth.  Pour into individual mugs and top with whipped cream.  Make it more sinful by adding a sprinkle of mini reese's pieces or a regular sized reese's cup chopped roughly.

Enjoy!