Chorizo & Rice stuffed Peppers

I had a bit of Chorizo left so I decided to make these stuffed peppers.  It was a bit of a challenge because my oven is not working (it blew up last week!) but I was very happy with the end result as they were really tasty.

Original Recipe and Pictures by Amanzi - Fundu.

Ingredients:

2 x Red Peppers

2 x Tablespoons Oil

1 x Onion, diced

1 x Teaspoon Garlic, diced

1 x Teaspoon mixed herbs

½ x Teaspoon Sugar

½ x Teaspoon chilli, dried and crushed

¼ x Chorizo Sausage, cut into coins.

1 x cup Rice

4 x Cups Chicken Stock

½ x Can chopped Tomatoes

¼ x Mozzarella Ball, sliced

Method:

Put the peppers in a preheated oven and cook for about 10 mins.

Alternatively, place in the microwave and cook for 2 mins.

Remove and stand aside.

Heat the oil in a pot.

Add the onion, garlic, herbs and chilli and cook for 2 – 3 mins.

Add the chorizo and cook for a further 2 mins.

Add the tinned tomato and sugar.

Add the rice and stir well.

Add the stock and bring to the boil.

Reduce heat and allow to simmer for about 7 – 8 mins or until rice is done.

Spoon the rice mixture into the peppers, sprinkle with the mozzarella and grill for 2 – 3 mins.

My very first authentic Paella Pan!

This isn’t a recipe but I thought that I’d share it with you anyway as I was – and still am – really excited about it.  Gareth bought me an authentic Paella pan when he went on holiday to Spain last year.  I have wanted one for as long as I can remember and can now cross it off my wish list.  The pan came with a bag of rice and a pouch of stock so I just needed to add my Chorizo, Prawns and Lemon.  It was divine.  Paella has to be my all time favorite dish. 

Chorizo and Chick Pea Salad

Wanting to eat more Beans & Pulses I created this recipe from the ingredients that I had in my pantry / fridge and I wasn’t disappointed with the end result.  Fairly easy to make and a combination of my favorite flavors made it an instant hit.  I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.

Ingredients:

2 x Tablespoons oil

½ x Onion

2 x Teaspoons Garlic, crushed

2 x Teaspoons Thyme, dried

¼ Chorizo sausage, sliced

100ml Passata

1 x Teaspoon sugar

¼ Mozzarella Ball, chopped into chunks

4 x Cherry Tomatoes, Halved

1 x Can Chick Peas, drained and rinsed

1 x Chilli, diced (optional)

Handful of lettuce

Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Heat the oil in a pan.

Add the onion, garlic and herbs and cook for 2 – 3 mins.

Add the Chorizo and cook for about another minute.

Add the Passata and bring to the boil. 

Reduce heat and add the teaspoon of sugar.

Add the can of chickpeas and allow to cook for about 5 mins on a gentle heat.

Add the mozzarella, tomatoes and chilli

Season to taste.

Serve warm (not hot) on a bed of lettuce.

Dinner with Friends

My friends, Kelly and Darren, came for dinner recently.  I originally wanted to cook a South African themed menu but as I couldn't get all tbe ingredients I needed I had to change it.  The pictures aren't good.  I really need to invest in a proper camera.  Maybe FC will bring me one, I am sure that I have been a good girl this year.  lol.


I made:

Starter:

Prawns with chorizo, tomato and Mozzarella.  Served with Melba Toast.  

(I bought these miniture Gino D'Acampo casserole dishes from Morrissons for £1.50 each!  Bargain!)

Main Course:

Moroccan Lamb Casserole served with cous cous and roast veg.

(I have made this dish so many times and it has always been nice.  I was very dissapointed and quite embarressed to serve it to be honest)

Dessert:

Lemon Curd Pudding

Malva Pudding

(Served with icecream and a waffer twirl)

Bread:

I made some home made bread although I used a different recipe to what I originally use. 

Garlic Bread

Chilli and Herb bread sticks and plaits.



Home made Bread





Pepperoni & Chorizo Pizza

I have never been a big fan of Pizza (strange considering I am half Italian!) but my children love it so we had an Italian themed evening with home made pizza to start and pasta for our main course.

Ingredients:

(For the dough)

Strong, plain flour 500g
Fine sea salt 1 tsp
Dried yeast 7g sachet
Sugar a pinch
Warm water 250ml

Method:

Tip the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl. Pour in the dried yeast, sugar and as much of the water as you need to make a smooth, slightly sticky dough. Tip out on to a floured board and knead until it is no longer sticky.

Place in a floured bowl covered with a clean, damp tea towel and leave in a warm place for an hour or until the dough has risen to twice its size.

Turn the dough out and press it down with your fist. It is now ready to roll out and cover with your toppings.  I used pepperoni, chorizo, grated cheese, tomato puree, chilli, garlic and herbs.