Recipe 58- Nadine's fried rice

This is a quick and healthy snack after a difficult day. You can prepare it in less than 30 min and enjoy a gourmet lunch or dinner!

Ingredients

2 cups water
1 cup rice
1 egg
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon soya sauce
1/2 teaspoon tabasco sauce
salt/pepper to taste

In a pot heat the water over medium high temperature, then add the rice. Lower the heat to sim and cook for 20 min. In a frying pan heat the butter over medium temperature and add the rice. Beat the egg and pour it in the pan. Mix well, add the sauces, salt and pepper.
Ready in no time!

Enjoy!

Recipe 57- Nadine's FRITTATA

Good morning!

This is a great idea for a fabulous breakfast. You can prepare it the night before and just heat it in the microwave in the morning.

Ingredients

4 eggs
3 1/2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mizithra cheese (from Crete) shredded
1/2 cup feta cheese shredded
1 tablespoon butter melted

Preheat the oven to 400 F (200C).
Grease a small baking dish.
In a large bowl beat the eggs and add the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in the cheese and butter. Pour the mix into the baking dish and bake for 15 min. Reduce the heat to 325F (165C) and continue baking for 35-40 min.
There you go!

Enjoy!

Recipe 56- Nadine's Greek Salad

 This is the famous greek salad! It's easy to make but it's difficult to find some of the ingredients if you don't live in Greece..

Ingredients

2 large tomatoes chopped
1 cucumber chopped
1 onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
5-7 greek brown olives (kalamata olives)
2 tablespoons olive oil (greek!)
300 gr greek feta cheese cut in cubes
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon vinegar
salt/ pepper to taste

In a large bowl mix all the ingredients together. So easy and delicious!

Enjoy!

Recipe 55- SKORDALIA (greek garlic sauce)

Sorry, no internet all these days. This is a greek traditional sauce we serve with the cod.

Ingredients

3 big potatoes chopped
4 cloves garlic
1 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon vinegar
juice from 1 lemon
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt

Put the garlic, vinegar, salt, lemon in the blender and mix well. Gradually add the potatoes and oil and blend all the ingredients until you have a smooth sauce.
There you go!

Enjoy!

Recipe 54- Cod fish deep fried

This is a traditional greek dish we prepare today the 25th of March, to celebrate the Independence day (in 1821 we declared the war of independence against the Turks) and the Annunciation of Theotokos.
In Greece you can find fish cod fillet dried and salted. So we usually have to put it in the water in order to desalt it and make it edible.
It is better of course to find fresh cod fillets.

Ingredients

4 fresh cod fish fillet
1 can of beer
2-3 cups flour
1 egg
olive oil for frying
salt/pepper


In a deep pot put the oil and heat over high temperature. In a large bowl mix together the flour and beer. Then beat in the egg. Add salt and pepper to taste. Place the fillets inside the mix and make sure they are totally covered. Fry the fillets for 5 min each side or until golden brown.

Enjoy!

Recipe 53- Baked Spaghetti

Hello. Today I prepared a spaghetti with minced beef sauce and I decided to bake it in the oven.
The result? Amazing!

Ingredients

Minced beef sauce (look at the recipe 40)
1 package spaghetti
500 gr yellow cheese of your choice shredded (I used greek cheeses of course-ladotiro mitilinis, kefalotiri kritis, graviera naxou)

Boil the spaghetti until al dente.
Prepare the minced beef sauce. Put one spoon of sauce in a large baking dish and cover all the bottom. Place the spaghetti and pour inside the sauce. Bake it at 315F(155C), there is no need to preheat the oven, for 10 min and then sprinkle the cheese on top. Bake for another 10 min. Yes, this is it!

Enjoy!

Recipe 52- Feta biscuits

These biscuits are so delicious you can eat them all at once!

Ingredients

                                                    
100 gr butter melted
1/2 cup vegetable oil
250 gr feta cheese shredded
3 cups flour
1 egg

Preheat oven to 355F (180C).
In a large bowl mix together all the ingredients, except of the egg, until you have a smooth dough.
Beat the egg in a cup. Place a baking sheet on a large baking dish.
Take small pieces of dough and form round biscuits. Place them on the baking sheet and brush the egg on top of them.
Bake them for 20 min and then broil them on hi for 5 min. All set!

Enjoy!

Recipe 51- Nadine's awesome CHEESECAKE

Hi there.
Today I prepared my famous cheesecake! It is simple delicious!

Ingredients

500 gr Philadelphia cheese
250 ml cream milk
1 cup icing sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla powder
250 gr fruits of the forest jam
250 gr digestive biscuits
100 gr butter melted

Crash the biscuits to crumbs with your hands and mix with the butter. Place the mix on the bottom of a loose-bottomed tin and press it firmly down into the base to create an even layer. Chill in the fridge for 10 min. Preheat the oven to 315F (155C). Bake the crumbs for 10 min. Allow to cool down and place it again in the fridge for at least 1 hour before you add the filling on top.
Put in a blender the cheese, cream milk, sugar and vanilla and blend them together well. Pour the filling on top of the biscuits' crumbs and refrigerate overnight.
When you are ready to serve take the cheese cake out of the fridge, take the lid off and place on top the jam.
Excellent!

Enjoy!

Recipe 50- Tagliatelle with Salmon and caviar

This is awesome! I am sure you will enjoy it very much.

Ingredients

1 package smoked salmon
2 table spoons olive oil
1 wine glass vodka
500 ml cream milk
500 gr tagliatelle
25 gr caviar
garlic salt/salt/pepper to taste

First prepare the pasta by boiling it in salty water until al dente.
In a deep pot heat the oil over high temperature and put the salmon. Stir well and cook for 2-3 min, then pour in the vodka, garlic salt, salt and pepper. Add the milk cream and lower the temperature to sim. Allow to cook for 15 min.
Pour the sauce into the pasta and mix well. Serve and sprinkle with a tiny amount of caviar on top. Great!

Enjoy!

Recipe 49- Great Falafel

This is the nicest falafel ever. All you need to do is prepare the chick peas (boil them and then drain).
The rest is very easy and quick!

Ingredients

2 cups chick peas (boiled and drained)
6-8 tablespoons flour
1 small onion chopped
1/2 cup parsley chopped
1 teaspoon cummin powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
olive oil to fry

Blend the chick peas until smooth, then add all the other ingredients and mix well. Make small balls of the mix and put them in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
Heat a deep pot with the olive oil over high temperature and put 1 falafel to test. If it falls apart, add a little flour. Fry all falafel for 3-5 min or until golden brown.

There you go!

Enjoy!

Recipe 48- Hummus (Chick peas Paste)

Good morning.
This is an incredible easy recipe and so tasty. The best spread for your freshly baked bread!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cup chick peas previously boiled
juice from 1 lemon
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons tahini
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

Combine all the ingredients in a blender until smooth and creamy.
That's it.

Enjoy!

Recipe 47- Nadine's Irish Potato Casserole

Today I give you the recipe for this delicious dish, as promised.

Ingredients

3 large potatoes shredded
1 onion shredded
1/2 cup butter melted
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup dubliner hard cheese shredded
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Grease a baking pan.
In a large bowl beat all the ingredients together and pour the mix into the pan. Bake for 50 min.

Enjoy!

Recipe 46- Special Irish Beef Stew

Happy St. Patrick's day (to those who understand what it is!).

Today I prepared this famous Irish dish. I think it is absolutely delicious!
So, either you celebrate St. Patrick's day or you have no idea about this, you should give it a try.

Ingredients

1kg beef cut in cubes
1 onion chopped
1 can mushrooms chopped
1 can tomato paste
2 carrots sliced

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 can Irish beer
1 tablespoon flour
salt/pepper to taste
fresh parsley to sprinkle on top before you serve

The original recipe has also potatoes but it is better not to put any and serve it with Irish potato casserole (I will give you the recipe tomorrow).

In a large pot heat the oil and butter over medium high temperature. Add the beef, mushrooms, onion and carrots. Allow to cook for 10 min, then pour in the tomato paste and beer. Bring it to boil, then lower the temperature to sim and cook for 3 hours. Just before you are ready to serve take 1/2 cup of the sauce, add the flour and mix. Pour the mix back into the pot. This will make the sauce thicker. Add salt and pepper.

Sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Enjoy!

Recipe 45- Greek cake without eggs FANOUROPITA

Good morning. Today we are baking a traditional greek cake called FANOUROPITA.

Ingredients

4 cups flour
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon Metaxa liqueur
1 tablespoon cinnamon powder
100 gr nuts
100 gr yellow raisins
300 ml fanta orange juice carbonated

Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, nuts, raisins and cinnamon. Add the liqueur, oil and gradually pour in the orange juice. Mix well and place it in a greased baking pan.
Bake for 55 min. Sprinkle with confectioner's sugar and serve!

Enjoy!

Recipe 44- Easy vanilla cream

Today I have a quick recipe for a nice and healthy dessert.

Ingredients

500 ml fresh milk
160 ml condensed milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla powder
2 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons corn flour
cinnamon to taste

In a large pot put all the ingredients except of the cinnamon. Start mixing with a wooden spoon and heat over medium temperature. Continue mixing until the cream gets thick enough, about 10min. Pour the cream into bowls (makes 3-4 medium). Sprinkle with cinnamon powder.

Enjoy!

Recipe 43- Nadine's onion soup

Hello.
Today we are cooking a fabulous onion soup.

Ingredients

5 medium onions sliced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 cup Metaxa liqueur
5 cups of water
2 tablespoons flour
salt/pepper to taste

In a large pot heat the oil and butter over medium high temperature and put the onions. Cook them for 2 min then pour in the wine and liqueur. Let boil for 3-4 min and then add the water. Bring to boil and lower the heat to sim. Allow to cook for 10 min, then take 1/2 cup of water from the pot and add the flour. Mix well and put back into the soup. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Healthy and delicious!

Enjoy!

Recipe 42- Nadine's Irish Bread

Good morning.

One friend of mine suggested that I should prepare an Irish dish, because of St. Patrick's day on March 17. I think this is a great idea!

So, after done my research I give you a delicious and easy to make bread and  the recipe of Irish stew is coming soon!

Ingredients

2 cups white flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons butter melted
3/4 cup milk warm

Preheat the oven to 425F (220C). In a large bowl mix all dry ingredients and gradually add the milk and butter. Knead lightly until you have a smooth dough. Give the shape of a ball, mark an X and place it on a baking sheet.
Bake for 40 min, or until light brown.

Enjoy!

Recipe 41- Amazing Chocolate Glaze

Today I don't have much time.

I will give you a recipe I found in one of Argiro's books. It is very quick and you can use it to decorate whatever cake you make, or even put it as a filling inside the crepes. It is amazing!

Ingredients

50 gr chocolate TOBLERONE
70 gr milk cream

Heat a small pot over low temperature and mix in the chocolate and milk cream. Stir well until they are blended and you have a smooth chocolate glaze. This is it! So simple!

Enjoy!

Recipe 40- The famous Greek MOUSAKAS

Yes, today I will give you the recipe for this traditional greek dish. It takes a long time to prepare but it's worth the effort if you want to impress with your cooking abilities!

Maria thanks for the suggestion to grill the potatoes and eggplants but I will stick to the original version..

Ingredients

500 gr minced beef
500 ml tomato sauce
1 tomato chopped
1 onion chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1 wine glass white wine
garlic salt/salt/pepper to taste

4 big eggplants sliced lenghtwise
4 medium potatoes sliced lenghtwise

Besamel sauce (check recipe 32)

So, you have to prepare 3 different things. The minced beef sauce, the basamel sauce and fry the potatoes and eggplants.
In a pot heat the oil over medium high temperature and put the onion and tomato. Pour in the wine. Add the minced beef and mix well. Allow to cook for 1-2 min and then add the tomato sauce. When it starts boiling lower the heat to sim and cook for 1 hour. In the end add the garlic salt, salt and pepper.

In a large frying pan put enough olive oil and fry the eggplants and the potatoes.

Prepare the besamel sauce.

When all the ingredients are ready preheat the oven to 345F (170C).
Use a large baking pan and place on the bottom the potatoes. Pour in a layer of minced beef sauce and place half of the eggplants. If you want you can put a little bit of whatever yellow shredded cheese you like. Pour the remaining minced beef sauce, place the eggplants and on top pour in the besamel sauce.

Bake for 55 min. Then turn the broil on and bake for 5 min, or until the top is lightly brown.

Ouf! This was hard!


 Enjoy!

Recipe 39- Cinnamon Cake

Good morning.

This is a fabulous cake to serve with your coffee. This recipe is from my favorite cook Argiro.

Ingredients

60 gr butter melted
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
80 ml milk
1 teaspoon vanilla powder

Preheat the oven to 345F (170C).
Mix the flour with the baking powder.
In a large bowl beat together the butter, sugar, vanilla and egg. Add gradually the flour and milk and stir the mix with a wooden spoon. Grease one small baking pan and put some flour in. Pour in the mix and bake it for 30 min.
When it is ready sprinkle some cinnamon powder and sugar on top and remove from the pan after 5-10 min.

Enjoy!

Recipe 38- Spaghetti with LOBSTER and PRAWNS

Mmm, today a meal for the rich.. or for the lucky ones that live in Abu Dhabi where the seafood is still cheap!

Ingredients

800 gr fresh lobster (it's fresh only if it still moves)
4 prawns
3 tomatoes chopped
1 onion chopped
1 pepper chopped (if you like use a chilly one)
1/2 wine glass white wine
1/2 cup olive oil
1 box spaghetti
salt/pepper to taste

Wash the lobster and the prawns. Use a small cotton dipped in oil to close the lobster's holes.
In a large pot bring 3 lit of salted water to boil, then add the wine and wait 5 min. Now put inside the lobster and prawns and cook for 40 min. Take out of the water the seafood and boil the spaghetti in this water until al dente.
When the lobster and prawns are cool enough to handle, take the shell off and leave only the white meat. If you like you can keep the heads for decoration while serving the spaghetti.
Now it is time for the sauce.
In a frying pan put the oil and heat over medium high temperature. Add the tomatoes, onion and pepper. Pour inside a little bit of the water from the seafood. Add salt and pepper. Allow to cook at low temperature for 1 hour, then add the seafood and mix well.
In a large bowl place the spaghetti and sprinkle the sauce on top.

Enjoy!

Recipe 37- Chicken Enchiladas Nadiladas

So, today we are ready for the enchiladas.

Ingredients

500 gr chicken chopped
1 tomato chopped
1 chilly pepper chopped
1/2 wine glass red wine
1/2 cup olive oil
400 gr tomato sauce
salt/chilly pepper to taste

12 tortillas
300 gr cheddar cheese shredded

Heat a pan with the olive oil over medium high temperature. Put the chicken, tomato and pepper. Mix well and add the wine. Let them cook for 10 min and add the tomato sauce. Lower heat to sim and allow to cook for 1 hour. Add salt and chilly pepper to taste.

Heat the tortillas in microwave to make sure they are soft.

Take one spoon of the chicken sauce and place it in the middle of a tortilla. Roll it up and place it in a greased baking pan. Repeat with all the tortillas. Pour the remaining sauce on top and sprinkle with the cheese.

Put it in the oven at 345F (170C) and bake it for 30 min. If after baking the tortillas turn hard on the edge you can put them in the microwave for 1 min. This will make them soft again.

Viva la tortillas!

Enjoy!

Recipe 36- Soft Flour TORTILLAS

Good morning.

Today we are preparing tortillas. Soft and smooth ideal for enchiladas.
So, tomorrow guess what.. We will be ready for cooking enchiladas!

Ingredients

3 cups flour
3/4 water warm
1/4 cup butter melted
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder

Mix all the dry ingredients in a big bowl. Add the butter and gradually the water and start kneading until you have a smooth dough.
Cut 12-13 equal pieces and make small balls of dough. Let it rest for 10 min.
This was the easy part.

Now on a lightly flour surface roll out every ball of dough, until you have a thin round tortilla. This is VERY difficult, I know.. But the result is fantastic!
It will take you about half an hour to prepare them, so be patient..
Heat a non sticky frying pan over medium high temperature and put one tortilla. Cook for 1 min and turn upside down.The tortilla will have some brown spots on it. This is how you will understand that is done.
Cook for another min. Repeat for all of them.

This is it.

Don't enjoy!

You will need them for tomorrow!

Recipe 35-Koulouria Thessalonikis (ring shaped small breads)

Yes, you can bake them. It 's easy and the result is so delicious and healthy!

Ingredients (for 6)

3 cups flour
3/4 cup warm water
1 teaspoon dry yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large plate full of sesame seeds

In a large bowl put the flour. In the middle create a small hole and add the yeast, salt, sugar and oil. Mix with your hand, then pour in the water and start kneading until you have a smooth dough. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a warm place for 1 hour.
Knead again the dough for 1-2 min. Preheat the oven to 380F (190C). Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces. Take one of them and roll it up giving the shape of a snake about 35-40 cm. Wet your hands and press the one end against the other in order to form a ring. Brush some water on one side and place this side on the plate with the sesame seeds. Brush the other side and turn it upside down. Now both sides have sesame seeds on them. Repeat with all the pieces of the dough and place the ring shaped breads on a baking sheet.
Bake for 30 min or until golden brown.
For more crunchy results, in the end you can broil each side for 1 min.

There you go! Koulouria Thessalonikis in your home!

Enjoy!

Recipe 34- Chocolate muffins

This is a quick and easy recipe for delicious little cup cakes.

Ingredients

2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
6 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla powder
2/3 cup milk
2/3 cup butter melted

Preheat the oven at 350F (180C). Grease 6-7 paper muffin cups.
In a bowl beat the eggs with sugar, mix in the flour, baking powder, cocoa powder, vanilla and milk. Add the butter and mix well.
Pour the mix into the cups and bake for about 20 min.

Super chocolate flavor!

Enjoy!

Recipe 33- Greek lasagna

Now it is time to use this besamel.
Let's prepare lasagna the greek way!

Ingredients

500gr minced beef
100 gr tomato paste
200 gr tomato sauce
2 tomatoes chopped
1 onion chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup white wine
1-2 cups of water
salt/pepper to taste

Lasagne pasta

Besamel sauce

200 gr Feta cheese shredded
200 gr Pecorino Amfilohias (or other yellow cheese) shredded

Heat a pot with the oil in it, over medium high temperature. Put the onion, tomatoes and beef. Stir well and add the wine. Allow to cook for 5 min, then add the tomato paste and sauce. Mix in 1-2 cups of water. You need the sauce watery because this will allow the pasta to heat and cook properly.
Lower the temperature to sim and cook for 1 hour. In the end add salt and pepper to taste.

Preheat the oven at 345F (170C). In a large baking pan (36cmX25cm) put a little bit of the besamel and minced beef sauce. Place a layer of lasagna pasta. Now put more of the besamel sauce, minced beef sauce and mix of shredded cheese. Place another layer of lasagna and repeat with the sauces and cheese. Place the last layer of lasagna and cover with the remaining sauces and cheese. Make sure the edges are completely covered by sauce. If not, add a little bit of water.
Put the pan into the oven and bake for 25 min.

There you go!

Enjoy!

Recipe 32- Cream BESAMEL

This is the simplest besamel ever! And it only takes 10 min. But.. you have to stir a lot!

Ingredients

8 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons butter
3 eggs
1 lit milk
salt/pepper to taste

Put all the ingredients except salt and pepper in a large pot. Start mixing and THEN turn the heat on. Continue mixing over medium heat for about 10 min. Yes, I know it's difficult but the result is awesome. Add the salt and pepper and enjoy!

Tomorrow I will give you a recipe for greek lasagna, so you can use the besamel!

Recipe 31- Vanilla cake with TOBLERONE chocolate

This recipe is from Argiro and it is delicious!

Ingredients
125 gr butter melted
200 gr sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
150 gr yogurt low fat
250 gr flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
10 pieces of toblerone chocolate

In a bowl beat the butter and sugar, then add the eggs. Mix the flour with the baking powder and vanilla and add to the bowl. Mix in the yogurt.
Preheat the oven at 350F (175C). Grease a baking pan and add some flour.
Pour in the mix and put inside the pieces of chocolate. Bake for 55 min.

Enjoy!

Recipe 30- Very spicy chicken NadiTIKKA

This is an indian type chicken, almost like chicken tikka but without all the spices. I used only chilly powder.

Ingredients

500 gr chicken breast cut in cubes
1 cup yogurt
1 cup chilly powder
juice from 1 lemon or lime

Mix all ingredients in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and put in the fridge for 4-6 hours.
Preheat oven at HI broil.
Place chicken cubes on a greased baking pan and bake for 10 min. Turn them upside down and bake for another 10 min.

Pour yourself a glass of iced water because you will need it. This food is REALLY spicy!

Enjoy!