Author Archives: The Cooking spoon

greek meatballs in tomato sauce

Greek Meatballs in Tomato Sauce, Keftedes me Saltsa Domata

14 Replies

greek meatballs

After having our first beach day of the season today I felt it more than appropriate to share this super delicious and easy dish with you that just screams SUMMER .

It’s the kind of dish you make in a breeze and it tastes heavenly, it reminds me of long hot summers in Greece.
You can serve it with pita bread and a Greek salad or oven fries, it’s all good and the point is to keep it simple.

greek meatballs in tomato sauce
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⏰ Prep time: 10 min
♨ Cooking time : 15
🍴 Serves : 4-6
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Ingredients:

• 1 lb. ground beef, pork, or lamb
• 1/4 – 1/3 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1⁄4 tsp. ground all spice * SEE NOTE
• 1 small red onion, grated
• 1 clove garlic grated
• 2 large egg yolks
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
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• 1 tablespoon olive oil (Greek preferably)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1⁄2 tbsp. tomato paste
• a pinch of sugar
• 1 (28-oz.) can whole peeled tomatoes, or cherry tomatoes
• 2 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp all spice
• 1 cup dry white wine
• salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp. chopped dill, for garnish

greek meatballs in tomato sauce

Instructions:

In a medium bowl combine the meat with the breadcrumbs, oregano, all spice, grated onion, garlic, salt, pepper and egg yolks.
Divide mixture into small balls or roll into ovals.
Heat a non stick skillet over high heat and working in batches, cook meatballs until browned on all sides for about 6-8 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a plate and wipe out the skillet with a paper towel.
Heat olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and a pinch of sugar. Tip in the can of tomatoes and the white wine. Add the oregano and all spice. Season with salt and pepper. Add the meatballs back to the skillet and cook for another 10 minutes. Garnish with Dill.

καλή όρεξη.

• NOTE: If you don’t have All Spice you can make a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves in equal parts.

Enjoy!
Myra XO

greek meatballs in tomato sauce

Bbq Honey Chicken Tenders Cobb Salad with Green Goddess Dressing

5 Replies

Let’s celebrate Spring in full glory with this amazing refreshing salad. It’s super easy to make and you can easily substitute the chicken with some succulent Shrimp or any other protein you like.

INGREDIENTS COBB SALAD:

  • 1 lb. chicken tenders
  • 2 tsp. Cajun seasoning
  • ¼ cup bbq sauce
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil for frying
  • 1 head of lettuce
  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 20 cherry tomatoes (more or less)
  • 2 -4 hard boiled eggs
  • 1 small can of corn, drained
  • 1 – 2 avocados, peeled and stone removed
  • 1/3 cup olives
  • handful baby carrots

GREEN GODDESS DRESSING:

  • 1 avocado, peeled and stone removed
  • ½ cup natural yoghurt of choice
  • ½ cup natural sugar free milk of choice
  • Small handful of fresh Basil* see note
  • Small handful of fresh Dill* see note
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 2 tsp. onion powder
  • A dash of tabasco
  • Juice of half a lime
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • Salt and pepper
  • ½ cup of water or more for the right consistency

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. First we’ll marinate the chicken, place the chicken tenders in a bowl and season them with the Cajun seasoning , then add the bbq sauce. Mix to combine and cover. Place in the fridge to marinate, overnight if possible but any amount of time is good.
  2. Take out a large plate or platter and arrange a layer of lettuce on it.
  3. Meanwhile wash the peppers and pinch them with a fork all over, put them on a plate and microwave for 6 minutes, remove and cover with foil straight away. This is so the skin will loosen from the peppers. When cool enough to handle pull away all the skin and tear the peppers into strips, place them on the lettuce in a single diagonal row.
  4. Cut the tomatoes in half and arrange in a row on the lettuce
  5. Cut the eggs in quarters and arrange on platter.
  6. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
  7. For the dressing, combine all the ingredients in a blender, and run until all is smooth. Add the water until you have the desired consistency.
  8. Now heat a non stick frying pan large enough to hold the chicken tenders in one layer and set to high heat.
  9. Add the olive oil and place the tenders in the pan, cook on one side for two minutes and turn. Cook for another two minutes and lower the heat to low.
  10. Cook for another two minutes or until cooked thru, check by pulling a piece open.
  11. Add the tablespoon of honey and stir around so it starts to caramelize. Turn off the heat and place the chicken tenders on the salad right before serving.
everyday spelt bread

Everyday Spelt Bread

64 Replies

everyday spelt bread

This is the easiest bread recipe I have in my repertoire, I make it all the time. Mostly because it is a no-brainer recipe and some times because it’s even quicker than going to the store to buy a loaf, or because it’s raining and I don’t want to leave the house. Whatever the reason may be, this fool proof recipe is one I use time and time again .

Pro’s :

  1. delicious
  2. Soft
  3. Warm
  4. Healthier
  5. No additives
  6. Cheap
  7. Home made

Con’s:

  1. Nope…can’t think of any.

everyday spelt bread

Prep time : 10 minutes

Cooking time : 30 minutes

oven temp : 200 C / 400 F

Ingredients:

  • 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • 1/2 cup milk at room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 3 1/2- 4 cups whole grain spelt flour
  • 2 tablespoons extra-light olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • extra olive oil or melted butter for brushing loaf

everyday spelt bread

Instructions:

Combine the warm water, yeast and honey in a large jug, and let it sit and “proof” for 10 minutes. Add the milk and stir.

Place the flour in the bowl of your mixer, fitted with the kneading hook, pour the water yeast mixture into the bowl of flour with the motor running on the lowest setting. Add the salt and olive oil. Once incorporated you can turn the mixer setting on higher. Knead for about 7 minutes.

Cover the bowl with a damp cloth and let the dough rise for 45-60 minutes in a warm place. It should double in size.

Grease a loaf tin with melted butter.

Turn the dough out on a floured surface and knead a few minutes. Shape into a loaf and place in loaf tin.

Let rise again for 30 minutes covered with an oiled piece of plastic wrap.

Preheat your oven to 200 C/400 F , remove plastic wrap and place loaf on a rack in the middle of the oven. Bake the loaf for about 30 minutes turning half way, tap the loaf to see if it’s fully baked, it should sound hollow. Once baked , brush the crust with some butter. This is an optional step but I love the way the crust gets a bit softer and glossier. Let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before removing it to cool completely on a wire rack.

Enjoy!

Myra xo

everyday spelt bread

If you make this recipe please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you. And please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations!

Korean Beef

Korean Beef Bowls

6 Replies

korean beef

When I’m looking for a super easy dinner that I know will satisfy everyone, I often make this recipe.

These Korean beef bowls are made with thinly sliced beef cooked in a sweet and savory sauce, served with steamed rice or rice noodles and plenty of veggies, whichever ones you happen to have.

The sauce is one of my favourites; soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger are a few of the key ingredients that makes this so delicious.

Prep Time : 10 minutes

Cook Time : 10 minutes

Total Time : 20 minutes

Servings : 4

korean beef

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 lbs. steak, thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
  • 3 garlic, grated or minced
  • 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 4 tbsp.light soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp. coconut sugar or regular
  • 3 tbsp. oyster sauce
  • 1 tsp. Gochujang or sambal oelek
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tsp. fish sauce
  • 2 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1/4 cup sliced green onions and/or Coriander
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a small bowl, whisk together the ginger, garlic, ground black pepper,soy sauce, sugar, oyster sauce, Gochujang or sambal oelek, sesame oil and fish sauce.

Slice the beef as thinly as you can and coat with a teaspoon of sesame oil.

Have all your other ingredients ready, like the vegetables and noodles or rice, because this really takes just a few minutes to make.

Mix the corn starch with the white wine in an other little bowl or mug.

korean beef

Heat a large frying pan, when really hot, add the beef and saute for a few minutes until it starts to get nice and brown. Lower the heat and add the sauce, bring to a simmer and add the corn starch-white wine slurry you’ve made. Add a little more water if necessary.

Cook for 1 more minute or until sauce has thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

Dived your vegetables and rice or noodles between the bowls and spoon over the beef and sauce, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and coriander and/or sliced green onions.

Enjoy!

Myra XO