Beef Strognaoff

Beef Stroganoff, is one of those classic dishes but i have added some extra vegetables and a bit of spice to give a different flavour. I like my food with a bit of a spice, but if you don't you could always leave out the peppers and Tabasco. Serves 2

Beef Stroganoff

500g good quality beef (sirloin)

Mushrooms

1 white small-medium onion

½ red pepper

½ green pepper

1 tsp wholegrain mustard

500ml light cream

Dash of Tabasco 

Method:

1. Chop the meat up into dice size cubes and quickly fry on a hot pan until lightly browned then remove immediately
2. Then in the same pan soften the onion, mushrooms and peppers then add the mustard and seasoning if desired, then add the cream and reduce by half once the cream has been reduced  add the meat and cook until the meat is still soft to touch and then  serve immediately. 
3. This dish is best served with rice pilaff.

What's For Dinner? - Chili Con Carne

I love making this dish, it is great if you have no time at all, it can be made the night before and to be honest it has more intense flavours if it is made in advance. You can edit the spices in it to make it hotter or milder, you can serve this with just boiled or steamed rice or with some cous-cous. As it is a night before dish it means you could bring this for your lunch, if you didn't have lunch facilities or if you want something more substantial. Serves 6

Chili Con Carne

1 Green Pepper

1 Red Pepper

3 Chillies

1 Red Onion

4lb Lean Steak Mince

1 Tin Of Red Kidney Beans

1 Tin Of Tomato Puree

1 Tin Of Chopped Tomatoes

Cumin (Ground)

Chilli Powder

Cayenne Powder

Basil

Oregano

Crushed Jalapenos (Optional)

Crushed Chillies (Optional)

Seasoning

Method:

1. Dice the peppers and the onions and fry off in a large deep pan, when they are softened add the mince and cook throughout.
2. Add the chillies (diced, de-seeded, cut carefully!!!) add the palm-ful of cumin, chilli powder, a pinch of cayenne, palmful of basil and oregano.
3. Add the tin of tomatoes and the tomato puree, the kidney beans and allow to cook for 40 minutes at a medium temperature.
4. Allow to marinade over-night, and serve with warm tortillas and a fresh leafy salad.

What's for Dinner? - Chicken Tagine

I made this while I was making another dinner, the Tagine is so much nicer if you make it the day before, and any leftovers can be perfect for lunch. With this dish you could serve cous-cous or steamed/boiled rice. This serves 6.

6 Chicken Fillets
Tagine Spice Mix
1 Red/Green Pepper
1 White Onion
1 Tin of Tomato Puree
Salt and Pepper
Pinch of Suagr
1 Tin of Tomatoes (With Chili)
1 Tin of Tomatoes (Plain)

Tagine Spice Mix: Equal quantities of each approx 3 Tbsp

1. Cumin 
2. Turmeric
3. Paprika
4. Chili Powder

Method:

1. Add some of the spice mix to the Chicken and allow to marinate for an hour or two.
2. Cut the peppers and onions and gently saute on a gentle heat, add some of the spice mix and set aside.
3. When the chicken has been marinated, cook on a high pre-heated grill pan (no oil) and seal on both sides about 3 minutes on each side. The chicken will fully cook in the sauce so don't worry if the chicken is still pink.
4. Add the chicken to the vegetables and add the tins of tomatoes and season with salt and pepper and a pinch of sugar.
5. Allow to cook on a gentle heat for 30 minutes, add the tomato puree and some fresh coriander if you have it.