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Saturday, February 27, 2010

Souvlaki Recipe - Greek Meat and Vegetable Kebabs


Marinade

* 1kg cubed meat lamb, beef, chicken or pork
* ½ cup olive oil
* 2 lemons - about 4 tablespoons juice
* ¼ cup wine ( red is best, but white is o.k)
* 2 tsps dried oregano
* 1 tsps dried thyme
* 3 -4 garlic cloves, crushed
* 1 small onion, chopped
* Salt and pepper

Vegetables for the kebabs

* Onions – cut into quarters
* Peppers – chopped into chunks
* Cherry tomatoes – used whole

Method

1. Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice and wine together then add the herbs crushed garlic and chopped onion and put the mixture into a deep dish. Putting some marinade aside to coat the cooked kebabs if desired. Add the meat cubes to the marinade and mix together well, ensuring the meat is well and evenly covered.
2. The meat needs marinating for at least two hours, but it is best if left overnight
3. Either metal or wooden skewers can be used, but the wooden ones need soaking for at least half an hour before they are used. This prevents them from burning.
4. Remove the meat from the marinade, the remaining marinade may be kept for basting during cooking but it must then be thrown away.
5. Make up the kebabs with an alternate piece of meat and vegetable. Making them all up the same makes them look more attractive on the serving dish.
6. The kebabs may be baked in the oven, grilled or the best of all barbecued.
7. Cook thoroughly and evenly turning them over regularly throughout the cooking time.
8. Brush with the reserved marinade that hasn't been in contact with the raw meat.

Serving Suggestions

Halve the wooden skewers, they look nicer smaller and it makes them go further!

Read more at Suite101: Traditional Greek Kebabs: Souvlaki Recipe - Meat and Vegetable Kebabs with a Tzatziki Dip http://greek-food.suite101.com/article.cfm/traditional_greek_kebabs#ixzz0goXUREl2

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake


Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake

Ingredients
· 4 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped
· 1 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
· 4 tablespoons cold water
· 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
· 1 cup white sugar
· 2 tablespoons rum
· 2 egg yolks
· 6 fluid ounces heavy cream, whipped
· 2 egg whites
·
· 1 (9 inch) prepared chocolate cookie crumb crust
Directions
1. In the top of a double boiler, heat chocolate, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool to lukewarm. In a small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over cold water; let set 5 minutes. Place the bowl over hot water in the pan and stir until gelatin dissolves; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in rum, egg yolks and dissolved gelatin. Beat in the melted chocolate. Fold in whipped cream.
3. In a large glass or metal mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Fold 1/3 of the whites into the batter, then quickly fold in remaining whites until no streaks remain. Pour mousse into pie crust. Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Pineapple Bacon Burgers


Pineapple Bacon Burgers
Ingredients
· 2 pounds lean ground beef
· 1/2 cup prepared barbecue sauce
· 1 (8 ounce) can sliced pineapple
· 8 slices bacon
Directions
1. Prepare grill for indirect cooking.
2. In a large bowl, mix together hamburger meat and barbecue sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Shape mixture into 4 large patties. Place a slice of pineapple on top of each. Crisscross 2 bacon strips around each burger, and secure with toothpicks.
4. Brush oil on grate. Place burgers on grill over medium low heat. Cook, covered, until the burger is cooked through. Turn often to avoid burning the bacon.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Artichoke Dip With Roasted Red Peppers


An easy dip, baked with Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, artichokes, and chopped roasted red pepper.
Ingredients:
· 1 cup mayonnaise
· 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
· 1 can or jar (12 to 14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained, not marinated
· 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
· 1/8 teaspoon onion powder, optional
· 1/4 cup minced roasted red pepper
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients; spread in a pie plate or shallow 1-quart baking dish. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Serve cold or heat in the oven for about 10 minutes at 350°. Don't reheat in the microwave or dip might separate.