Cuisines

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Random cooking

I really like to menu plan, whether it's days ahead of the next dinner party where I spend hours on the internet searching for the perfect recipes to fit whatever cuisine that tickles my fancy, or mere hours before my imminent meal. Basically I like to know what I'll be cooking and eating.

Such was not the case when I went to visit Mami the other night to help babysit her gorgeous brood of 3. I arrived later than expected due to work commitments and of course I was starving.

I know she had just grocery shopped the previous day, with the evidence lying all around the kitchen. I was excited at the prospect of whipping up something yummy for the kiddies and myself.

But then, the challenge came,I was informed the food stock available is to last for 2 weeks which dismally limited my resources. Other criteria being yummy, nutritious, filling and vegetarian friendly since Mami is a Pescetarian. After raiding her cupboards and fridge (this is turning out to be very much like a Mystery Box Challenge on Master Chef!), I decided to make a vegetarian pesto risotto, topped with some fried sausage pieces for the kiddos and I, who devour meat like there's no tomorrow. I know the presentation is not fantastic, as I only remember to take a picture after nearly finishing half my portion...ooops

Pesto Vegetarian Risotto

Ingredients

  • Aborio Rice
  • Chopped Broccoli
  • Chopped Cherry Tomatoes
  • Sliced Red Cabbage
  • Shredded Carrots
  • Vegetable Stock
  • Pesto Paste
  • Mixed Spices
  • Mixed Herbs
  • Pepper & Salt
  • Butter




Directions


Melt butter, add rice, add vegetables and stock, cook until rice is soft with continuous stirring
Add Spices and Pesto paste
Topped with fried chopped sausages and a bit of cheese.

Steak Night

Steaks were on sale the other day when I was grocery shopping, and my little friend LesbianCop has been asking me to cook some red meat for her since she's low on iron....(but I'm not her mother?!?) anyway, since she drives me everywhere...I'll cook watever she likes.

With the main decided, now I need to think of accompaniments. What to have? What to have? I ask myself.....hmm maybe some soft, smooth, buttery mashed potatoes, along with some sweet roasted pumpkins. And I always used to get baked beans when I visited steakhouses when I was young, so gotta have some of that. With some fresh bread, left over zucchini patties and mushroom red wine sauce, the menu is now complete.


Drink of the night - Pineapple juice with Vodka and Midori




Mushroom Red Wine Sauce

Ingredients
  • Sliced Mushrooms
  • Minced Garlic
  • Red Wine
  • Stock
  • Tomato Paste
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Flour
  • Thyme
  • Butter
Directions

Melt butter, add garlic and mushrooms.
Add the rest of the ingredients and bring to a simmer til it thickens