Christmas treat- Pancakes for breakfast

ohh, I love Jamie Oliver. 

I love his recipes, I love the way he cooks, i love his carisma.

This week they had this show, Jamie christmas family on the tv every evening at 6:30. Did you watch? I watched and recorded the 5 episodes, and got so inspired that cooked some of the stuff the day after (even tho he is in the frozen winter and we are in boiling (not so boiling) summer.
One night he made left overs turkey "Chili con carne" so I made chili con carne vegetarian style. other day he showed how to make those amazing roasted potatoes. I adapted on my own way obviously but made with balsamic glaze, was just amazing. 

And one of the days the thought how to cook breakfast pancakes.I made them this morning and they were so good we ate them all (even tho would have been enough for 3 or 4 people).

I must say you will see the ingredients, the are not too bad at all (Until you put toppings heheheh).

So here we go:

easy easy pancakes (For 3 ou 4 people)

1 cup of regular flour  (Jamie oliver recipe uses self raising flour and no baking powder)

1 cup of milk

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp of baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Some fruit (optional but advisable) -  I put strawberries. In Jamie recipe he uses pear.

Butter (if you want the fat version) or olive oil spray (little bit lighter, and is what I used) for cooking them

Method

In a large bowl put flour, milk, egg, salt and baking powder and whisk it until gets soft. Then grate or chop the fruit inside and mix with a spoon

Heat up a large frying pan with the butter or oil. You will need to cook them batches. Put 3or 4  tbsp of the batch and it will set in one pancake.  you can make 2 or 3 at the same time depending on the size of your frying pan. Leave it for a couple of minutes than turn and leave the other side to cook for a couple of minutes.

if you want them to look very very nice you can sprinkle icing sugar on the top.

Voila.

Suggestions of toppings.

Ricotta, Banana, Cinamon and honey

Mapple syrup

Strawberries, banana and yogurt

Just honey and yogurt

whatever else comes to your mind.

Ps.: We were hungry so I ended up forgetting to take a photo of the final result. heheheh

Merry xmas.

Basil Pesto

Hey,


do you know how to make pesto?
it is so versatile, isn't it? Ben (my hubby) loves pesto. He likes to spread it in his sandwich, or put it in salad, or in the pasta...Even in the chicken and pizza.


So here is a home made recipe for pesto that you can make at home:
To make 1 1/2 cup you will need:
2 cups basil leaves, coarsely chopped (preferably from your garden/balcony)
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 cup (45g) toasted pine nuts
1/3 cup (35g) finely grated parmesan
1/2 cup (125ml) olive oil, plus extra

Method:

1. Place the basil, garlic, pine nuts and parmesan in the bowl of a food processor and process until finely chopped. (Alternatively, place ingredients in a mortar and pound with a pestle until well combined).
2. With the motor running, gradually add the oil in a thin, steady stream until well combined and a smooth paste forms. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
3. Transfer to an airtight container and pour over a little extra oil to cover the pesto surface (this will prevent the basil from oxidising and turning black).

Image from Salt and Pepper blog

Pasta with tomato cream sauce

Very very simple idea and recipe for one of these nights when the weather is not so good and you are not very inspired...


You will need: 

• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 Tbsp Butter
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Finely Diced
• 4 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 2 cans Tomato Sauce Or Marinara Sauce
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• Dash Of Sugar (more To Taste)
• 1 cup double Cream
• Grated Parmesan Or Romano Cheese, To Taste
• Fresh Basil, Chopped
• 700g Fettuccine

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.

Heat butter and oil over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and saute for a minute or so. Pour in tomato sauce and add salt, pepper, and sugar to taste. Stir and cook over low heat for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and stir in cream. Add cheese to taste, then check seasonings. Stir in pasta and chopped basil and serve immediately. (Thin with pasta water before adding basil if needed.)

Image from Lauren's Kitchen blog

Breakfast on the go

We learn, since we were little peeps, that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, that people shouldn't skip it and have it very balanced and healthy.

True? Yes. Easy task? No way.
I know I can only speak for myself but I am sure happens to everyone. We try but  a lot of times you get caught with something else in the morning and when you check your clock, it's time to go...and no breakfast.
So here is a recipe of a very nice and healthy breakfast, that can be prepared in minutes and it's on the go.
The combination of ingredients will make you feel full for a while.

Breakfast Smoothie
You will need (for 2 people)
4 or 5 strawberries, washed
1/2 cup of another berry (I use the frozen ones)
1 banana, peeled
1/2 low fat yogurt ( I suggest Vanilla flavour, but its your call)
1 cup skim milk or soy milk
5 tbsp muesli
Honey, sugar or sweetener optional

Method:
In a Blender, place all ingredients and blend it.

Bon Appetit!

This photo is from weelicious website.

5 minutes microwave white cake in a mug

Do you remember the 5 minutes microwave chocolate cake in a mug?
So what about a variation without Chocolate? I am trying to avoid chocolate at all cost, given is my weakness, but that doesn't mean that I can't have a dessert, right? ;)

There is another recipe, let's call it the 5 minute microwave white cake in a mug.

You will need (For 1 mug cake)
6 tbsp all purpose flour
4 tbsp caster sugar
1/8 tsp baking powder
1 egg
2 tbsp oil
3 tbsp water
1 dash of Orange Extract, or Vanilla Extract, or....be creative.

Method:
Add all the dry ingredients to the mug and mix it to combine.
Add the egg, water, oil and extract, and stir well.
Microwave it for 3 minutes in high

Voilá!

Mushroom with Creamy Polenta

• Have you noticed I love mushrooms?
  Well, they are easy to cook, tasty and low in calories! :)
  
  anyway, here is a nice nice recipe. Mushroom and creamy polenta.
  Source: Taste.com.au
  
  
  

  You will need (for 4)

  • 400g flat mushrooms, thickly sliced
  • 200g Swiss brown mushrooms, quartered
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup instant polenta
  • 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

  
  

  Method

  1. Heat half the oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add half the mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until tender. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat with remaining oil and mushrooms. Return mushrooms to pan. Add vinegar. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 2 minutes or until liquid has almost evaporated.
  2. Meanwhile, combine milk and 2 cups cold water in a saucepan. Bring to the boil over medium-high heat. Gradually pour in polenta, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low. Whisk polenta for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Using a wooden spoon, stir for 1 minute. Stir in parmesan. Divide polenta between bowls. Top with mushrooms and parsley. Season with pepper. Serve.