The Food Corner

Food for you

Welcome to The Food Corner

Welcome to the Food Corner where every week I'll be giving you tasty recipes that have been tried and tested by myself (and family and friends who always seem to arrive just as the tasting part occurs!). These recipes can be made by absolutely anybody. You don't need to be an expert in cooking; you don't have to have even opened a cookbook before. All you need is a taste for delicious food and a thirst for trying the unknown. This week I've started with something very simple to make but tastes so amazing chances are it won't be staying in the freezer long.

Words: Carol Leahy, Pictures: Carol Leahy

Tomato Corn Chowder

Feb 14

Posted by admin in 2 People, Tomato Corn Chowder, Vegetarian | 1 Comment

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This chowder is thick and its perfect if you feeling a little under the weather.

What you will need to serve 3-4:

1 large onion

I can of corn

2 cans of chopped tomatoes

4 large potatoes peeled and chopped

2 flour tortilla (this is optional as it is for serving)

Method:

1)   In a large saucepan fry the chopped onion in some olive oil until it has softened.

2)   Add the corn, chopped tomatoes and the potatoes. The potatoes can be added raw, but just ensure they are chopped small so that they will cook easier and quicker.

3)   Cook for about 30 minutes until the potatoes are tender.

4)   Cut the flour tortillas into triangles (you should get about 6 triangles out of each one) and grill on both sides for few minutes.

5)   Serve with toasted tortillas.

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Saucy Meatball Sub

Feb 7

Posted by admin in 2 People, Beef, Saucy Meatball Sub | 2 Comments

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What you will need for 12 medium sized meatballs:

250g of minced beef

I small onion (chopped into small pieces)

Approximately 1 desert spoon full of breadcrumbs

1 dessert spoon brown sauce

2 teaspoons of worcester sauce

1 pasta stir-in sauce

Method:

1)   In a large bowl mix breadcrumbs, minced beef and chopped onion together with the Worcester and brown sauce.

2)   When thoroughly mixed, take small amounts of the mixture in your hands and roll into a ball. It is important that the onion has not been chopped too big, otherwise the mixture will not form into an even ball.

3)   Pour small amount of oil onto a frying pan and add the meatballs. Cook slowly on a low heat for 15-20 mins, turning now and again to ensure they are cooked through and evenly browned.

4)   Once they are cooked, add the sauce and evenly coat the meatballs with it. Give this another 5-10 mins.

5)   Serve on a warmed roll on a bed of lettuce and a sprinkling of grated cheese.

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Homemade Beef Burgers with spicy mayonnaise:

Jan 31

Posted by admin in Beef, Homemade Beef Burgers | 1 Comment

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What you will need for 3 burgers:

250g of minced beef

I small onion (chopped)

1 dessert spoonful of breadcrumbs

2 teaspoons of Worcester sauce

1 teaspoon oregano

For the spicy mayonnaise:

1 dessert spoon of mayonnaise

2 teaspoons of turmeric

For serving:

Flour baps

Grated cheese, lettuce, and tomato (for serving)

Method:

1)   In a large bowl mix the breadcrumbs, minced beef and the chopped onion.

2)   When mixed, add the Worcester sauce and oregano.

3)   Take a decent sized lump of the mixture into your hand and shape it into a circle. Don’t make it too thin; homemade burgers are nicer when they are a bit on the thick side.

4)   Add some olive oil to a frying pan and cook the burgers on a low heat. They will take about 15 minutes, maybe more depending on how thick they are.

5)   While they are cooking, put the mayonnaise in a small bowl and add the turmeric. Mix well, do taste it before serving to ensure there is enough turmeric in it.

6)   Once cooked, serve in the baps with the sauce and lettuce.

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Sweet Red Onion Tarts

Jan 21

Posted by admin in Sweet Red Onion Tarts | 2 Comments

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What you will need:

25g butter

2 red onions chopped

Desert spoon of brown sugar

Desert spoon of balsamic vinegar

3 eggs

Grated cheese

Milk

1 packet of shortcrust pastry (this can be found in the freezer of most supermarkets) or you can make your own with:

8oz flour

40z margarine

Water

Method:

1)   Firstly, if you decide to make the pastry yourself then put the flour in a mixing bowl and add the margarine in little chunks. Using your hands, rub the margarine into the flour until its like breadcrumbs. Then make a well in the centre and add small amount of water and kneel the mixture into the water. Keep going until all the mix comes together in a ball. You may need to add a little more water, but be careful only add if the dough won’t come together. Leave it to rest for about 30 minutes in the fridge.

2)   If you using the frozen pastry, follow the defrosting instructions. This pastry usually comes in sheets so there is no need to roll it out. If you making your own pastry then you need to roll it out on a floured surface.

3)   If you going to make a large tart then ensure the rolled out pastry fits fully in the dish, coming up over the sides. It is important that the pastry goes up the side of the dish so the egg mixture won’t leak out when you pour it in. If you want to make small tarts, then use a cupcake tray. You will need to cut the pastry to fit the moulds (if you don’t have a cookie cutter bug enough then use a glass or cup. Once the circle you cut is slightly bigger than the mould, it will be ok).

4)   Line the dish or cupcake tray with the pastry and leave to the side while you do the filling.

The sweet onion filling:

1)   Melt the butter in a pan and add the chopped onion and sugar. After a few minutes, add the balsamic vinegar and cook on low heat until the onion becomes caramelized (about 15 mins).

2)   In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with a little bit of milk and pepper.

3)   Once the onions are caramelized, put them on top of the pastry and add the egg mixture.

4)   Add cheese to this mixture and place in the oven for about 30 minutes.

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Jambalaya

Jan 15

Posted by admin in Feed a Large Army, Jambalaya | No Comments

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Jambalaya is one of best known creole dishes.  It is a versatile dish that combines cooked rice with a variety of ingredients including tomatoes, onion, green peppers and almost any kind of meat, poultry or shellfish. The dish varies widely from cook to cook. It’s thought that the name derives from the French jambon, meaning “ham,” the main ingredient in many of the first jambalayas.

What you will need to serve 6 people:

3 slices of bacon or pepperoni chopped into small pieces

1 red or green pepper

I courgette

1 onion

2tsp of Cajun spices (slightly more if you like things spicy)

1 can of tomatoes

200g of COOKED rice ( this can be cooked just before you make the dish)

100g cooked chicken chopped up (optional)

100g cooked ham chopped up (optional)

100g cooked prawns (optional)

Method:

1)    If you using bacon it needs to be cooked first. So in a large pan add the chopped bacon and cook until crisp. Once crispy remove and set aside.

2)    Add the onion, pepper, and courgette and cook until tender.

3)    Add the meat (ie the pepperoni, chicken, ham) and pour in the can of tomatoes. Season with the spices and bring to the boil. (if you want a bit more bite to the dish add approx 100ml of chicken or beef stock with the can of tomatoes)

4)    Once it begins to boil turn the heat down and add the rice and simmer for 10-15 minutes.  Keep an eye on the dish and add some water if it starts to get a little dry.

5)    Add the bacon (and the cooked prawns) about 5 minutes before serving.

Yummy Seafood Pie

Jan 11

Posted by admin in Yummy Seafood Pie | 1 Comment

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What you will need:
A packet of mixed seafood, precooked (I used a 500g packet)
1 onion
Approximately 1 ½ dessert spoons of flour (either plain or self-raising)
Approximately 1-1½ small cups of milk (I used low-fat but full-fat would work too)
5 large potatoes (if you like a lot of potato on your pie then use 2 more, but this was enough to fill the dish above)
Salt and pepper to season
Chilli powder (optional)
Grated cheese for the top of the pie (optional)

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Mini Christmas Puddings

Dec 21

Posted by admin in Pudding | 1 Comment

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This is the last Food Corner recipe for this year and so I thought it would be fitting to end with some Christmas puddings.
Thanks for all the amazing comments, I’m so chuffed you all loved the recipes so much. If ye have any requests for next year, please send them in and I shall do my best to make them.
I hope to hear from ye all again, and maybe a few more, in 2010.
Happy Christmas 

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Mama’s Homemade Egg Nog

Dec 14

Posted by admin in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

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Historically, egg nog has been a winter beverage not specifically associated with any holiday. However, it has become popular around Christmas and New Year. Recipes for egg nog vary but all contain milk, sugar and beaten egg. This is my Mother’s recipe which she adapted from my Grandmothers recipe. It’s a big favorite in our house this time of year. I hope ye enjoy it.



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Chocolate Chip Bacon Cookies

Dec 14

Posted by admin in Chocolate Chip Bacon Cookies | No Comments

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These are the most amazing cookies ever. I know the combination sounds a bit weird but you don’t taste the bacon. Instead you get a slight salty taste that works great with the chocolate. I’ve made the recipe so easy that there is no excuse not to make them (unless of course you are vegetarian). I’m a firm believer that all cookies should be served with milk and since it is the Christmas season I served them with egg nog. The recipe for this can also be found here at the Food Corner.



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Beer Pancakes

Dec 7

Posted by admin in Beer Pancakes | 3 Comments

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Great recipe when you have run out of milk.

What you will need:

This is just a simple pancake mix, but I will give the measurements just in case

125g self raising flour

1 beaten egg

Small bottle of any beer approx. 250 mls (flavoured beer like chocolate or blueberry would work really well with this)

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