Rosalina's Filipino Fried Rice

A simple but delicious recipe for fried rice, which Rosalina explained to me after I commented on how delicious it was!

You need:
1 Cup Rice
Frozen peas
Bacon/ Chicken/ Prawns
Onion 1, small
Garlic 2 cloves
Carrot (3, grated)
frozen sweet corn
egg To make it:

1. Cook the rice, frozen peas and sweet corn together in boiling water (for an non-authentic, but fun twist, add a spoonful of turmeric to the cooking water for a great colour)
2. Fry the bacon, onion, chicken, prawns, fish (all or one of these, or none if you just want a tasty rice accompaniment) in small batches in a wok or large frying pan, setting them aside once done
   
3. Grate the carrot
4. Beat the egg. If you are making rice without meat, add two eggs. If you are using meat, add only one. Add black pepper and a tablespoon of soy sauce and the garlic.
   
5. Add some more oil to the pan. Add the beaten egg, and then quickly all of the other ingredients to the wok/pan, stirring constantly so that the egg is well distributed.

If you want to use healthier brown rice, adjust the cooking times as it will take longer, and you might need to add the peas and corn later.
photo thanks to sweet mustache.

Chicken Livers with Tarragon and Orange

Reading old cooking books in the deep winter, I came across a recipe in "Floyd on Britain and Ireland". I love chicken livers if they are well cooked, and these flavours really appealed. Upon eating, they tasted good too. Chicken liver is a stronger flavour than chicken, and the flavours played off each other really well.

My version (makes a great starter for four, or serve as a light lunch with fresh bread)
chicken livers (250g)
one medium onion/ large shallot
fresh tarragon, roughly chopped.
one small orange, halved. Cut one half into wedges to serve, and zest the other half, keeping what is left for the juice. (if you are doubling the recipe, you might also want to segment another orange and add that as a good-looking extra)
olive oil

1. Prepare the chicken livers. Chop off any stringy bits and cut into mouthful sized pieces.
   
2. Dice the onion or shallot. Put a bit of olive oil into a frying pan and the sweat the onions until clear on a low heat.
3. Turn up the heat. Add the chicken livers and stir constantly. After a minute or so, add the orange zest. When the chicken livers are almost done, add the juice from the zested half of the orange, keep stirring and then put the chicken liver and onions onto plates.
   
4. Put plenty of fresh tarragon on top and garnish with the orange wedge, which can be squeezed onto the chicken livers.
5. Serve hot!

Tip: You can grow tarragon, which is delicious with chicken (and I like in my scrambled eggs) in your garden.

Photo thanks to Jasmine&Roses

Easy Pancakes

Pancakes are an easy and delicious treat to cook. Sweet toppings, like lemon and sugar make a delicious addition to a breakfast. They can also be the basis for a hardy meal with savoury fillings leftover from yesterday's dinner, such as bolognese sauce or chili con carne.

Pancakes (serves 4)

• 1 Pint of flour
• 1 Pint of milk
• 1 Egg
• 1 Tbspn vegetable oil
  

1. Put flour, egg, oil and half the milk into a mixer. Turn the mixer on slow and slowly add the milk. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the mixer with a spoon to get all the flour mixed in.
2. Heat the gridle on a high flame. Dip a kitchen cloth in oil and apply a thin layer to the pan.
3. Pour a ladle of batter onto the pan. when the pancake starts bubbling it is time to flip it
4. Put your toppings on the pancake and cook for 1 minute.
5. Roll up, serve and enjoy.
   
   Suggested Toppings:

Sweet

• Lemon and Sugar: (Add a few squeezes of fresh lemon)
• Maple Syrup: (Add a few squirts of maple syrup to the pancake for a tasty treat)
• Banana + Chocolate Spread (Spread some chocolate on the pancacke then slice up half of a banana)
  

Savoury

• Egg Ham and Cheese: (break the egg onto the pancake just after you flip it, and mix it with a fork till it starts to turn white. Put on some sliced (cooked) sausage, bacon or ham, grate some cheese over the top)
• Chicken and Cranberry Sauce: (Fill the pancakes with your chicken leftovers. Cut the chicken meat into thin strips Top it off with some tasty cranberry sauce)
• Chicken and Chorizo: (Fry some leftover roast chicken and thin chorizo slices in spicy seasoning, with some chopped tomato)
• Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato: (Cook some streaky bacon under the grill. Spread some mayonnaise on the pancake, put on the bacon and some finely chopped lettuce and tomato Roll up and enjoy)

photo thanks to: rachel is coconut & lime