Tag: main course

Vegetarian Gyros

erineatsmtlLeave a comment

These probably taste nothing like the real deal but I have no idea and it was definitely gyros inspired. .
1-8oz package of tempeh (unflavored), sliced in 1/4” slices 
2 tbsp greek seasoning blend (see previous post)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 
Naan rounds 
Tomatoes 
Cucumber 
Kalamata olives 
Spinach .
Sauce:
Tzaziki Greek yogurt (Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic) mixed with lemon juice and a sprinkle of Greek seasoning .
Mix together oil and Greek seasoning, coat tempeh. Allow to marinate for about an hour if possible. 
Grill tempeh on both sides until a nice crust forms. 
In the meantime, warm naan.
Spread sauce on naan. Top with spinach, sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, kalamata olives and tempeh. .
Enjoy! .

Lemon Herb Pargiot

erineatsmtlLeave a comment

Ingredients:
12 boneless, skinless chicken thighs 
1 cup mixed basil and parsley
5 cloves garlic
1 tsp sumac
Freshly ground pepper (lots)
1/2 tsp sea salt
Zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Directions:
In a blender, mix herbs, garlic, sumac, pepper, salt, lemon zest and oil. 
Place chicken pieces in a bowl and spread herb mixture over chicken. Let marinate for about an hour. 
Grill chicken for about 4-5 minutes per side over medium high heat. (I used my cast iron pan – you know it’s ready when the chicken releases easily). When it’s almost done cooking, squeeze a bit of lemon juice onto the chicken.

Meat egg roll style triangles

erineatsmtlLeave a comment

Ingredients:
7 oz roast smoked turkey breast, chopped
2.5-3 oz gourmet salami (I used
@amsellemgourmet_butcher ), chopped
1/2 cup chopped @jacksgourmet fake bacon, chopped
16 puff dough squares
2 cups white cabbage
1 egg
Everything but the bagel seasoning
Dijon mustard

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F.
In a pan over medium-high heat, sauté cabbage and meat for about 5 minutes. So cabbage is wilted and everything is nice a flavourful together.
Squeeze a bit of dijon mustard on each puff pastry square and spread (leaving edges clean). Spoon about 1.5 tbsp of meat mixture on each puff pastry square. Fold in half and seal to close. (You can freeze at this step). Place on greased or parchment lined baking sheet.
Beat egg and brush onto each triangle. Sprinkle with everything but the bagel seasoning.
Bake for about 20 minutes, until nicely browned.

Ice Storm Chicken

erineatsmtlLeave a comment

Anyone who lives in Montreal has heard of the ice storm of ‘98. The city was out of commission for 2 weeks – schools were closed, businesses were closed too and many many people lost power. 
The day before the Ice Storm, my mom bought tons of chicken breasts because it was on sale. When we lost power, she put the chicken in our neighbor’s freezer, and over the week, it traveled to my grandparents’ house and then my aunt and uncle’s cold storage room and finally our friends who invited us to stay with them. At this point, my mother had to cook the chicken. She used this recipe (which comes from her friend Barbara with of few of my own adaptations) and it has since been dubbed “Ice Storm Chicken”.

Ingredients:
1 whole chicken, cut into eighths 
1/4 cup oil olive
1/4 cup soy sauce or GF tamari
juice and zest of 1 lemon
1 Jalapeño pepper, sliced and seeds removed 
3 garlic cloves, minced 
2 tbsp minced fresh ginger
2 tbsp fresh mint, divided 
Sesame seeds for garnish .

Directions:
Spread chicken evenly in baking pan. 
Mix together oil, soy sauce, lemon juice and zest, jalapeño, garlic, ginger and 1 tbsp mint. 
Pour marinade over chicken and let sit for about 1 hour (turning halfway through if you remember). Preheat oven to 375°F convection or 400°F. 
Bake uncovered for about 40 minutes, until juices run clear. Make sure to check dark and white meat – every oven is different and cooking time could vary. 
Garnish with remaining meat and sesame seeds.

Phyllo Meat Triangles

erineatsmtlLeave a comment

Ingredients:
1-2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 leek or 1 onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
~1.5 lbs minced meat
2 tbsp shawarma seasoning
2 tbsp tomato paste (I use @tuscaninifoods because it comes in a tube!) 18 phyllo sheets
1/2 cup margarine (melted) plus additional olive oil .

Directions:
In a large pan, sauté leek over medium heat. Once softening, add garlic and continue to sauté for a few more minutes. Add meat, breaking up chunks. Cook until starting to brown. Add shawarma seasoning and tomato paste. Cook until meat is cooked through.
This meat mixture can be used for a “humus basar” (Aka humus topped with meat) or stuffed in eggplant or just eaten as is because it’s delicious. .
If you’re making with phyllo, preheat oven to 375°F.
Keep phyllo that you aren’t using covered. I purchase fresh phyllo dough, which is much easier to work with.
Mix melted margarine with some olive oil to make it easier to spread.
Lay out 1 phyllo sheet, brush with margarine. Place another sheet on top, add more margarine. Finally place a 3rd sheet.
Cut phyllo rectangle into 4 strips (rectangle should be oriented horizontally so you end up with 4 shorter and wider strips). Place about 2 tbsp of meat mixture towards the corner of each strip and fold over to fold a triangle and keep folding over.
Repeat with remaining phyllo. You can freeze them at this point.
Place flat on parchment lined baking sheet. Brush with margarine/oil mixture.
Bake for about 20 minutes, until nicely browned. ** if phyllo steps are unclear, see highlight**
.
Tahini dipping sauce – this wasn’t necessary but I mixed together 2 tbsp tahini, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1 tbsp zaatar and water to thin .

Barbecue Rosemary Arayes

erineatsmtlLeave a comment

Ingredients:
Pita (I used 6 medium and 20 mini ones)
2.5 kg minced meat and minced chicken, preferably not lean (I did half and half)
4 garlic cloves, pressed through garlic press
1/4 c barbecue sauce
1 tbsp Montreal steak spice
2 tbsp chopped fresh rosemary .

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F
Mix together all ingredients, except pita. 
Slice pita partially open and stuff each pita with meat mixture and flatten to ensure even cooking. 
Spray baking sheet liberally with non stick cooking spray and place stuffed pitas on pan. Spray again with non stick cooking spray. 
Bake for 20-25 minutes (small for 20, large for 25)

Fried Cauliflower Rice with Salami

erineatsmtlLeave a comment

Ingredients:
1 tbsp avocado oil
1 shallot, peeled and chopped 
1 clove garlic, peeled and pressed through garlic press
1 cup chopped carrots (1/4 inch big)
3 cups riced cauliflower 
1 cup cooked rice (optional)
1/2 cup frozen peas 
2-3 tbsp soy sauce or GF tamari
2.5-3 oz thinly sliced gourmet salami
2 eggs, lightly beaten .

Directions:
Sauté shallot, garlic and carrots in oil for about 2-3 minutes. Add 3 cups cauliflower rice, soy sauce, peas and salami. Cook for an additional 2 minutes before mixing in the rice. Mix to combine everything. Push rice mixture to one side of the pan, raise temperature and add eggs to empty side. Mix them so they break into little pieces while frying. Once egg is cooked, mix everything together and enjoy! . 
You can also broccoli, tofu, chicken, peppers, sausages etc. 

Asian Chicken Meatballs

erineatsmtlLeave a comment

Ingredients:
1-1/4 lbs ground chicken 
3/4 cup grated zucchini, liquid squeezed out
2 tbsp soy sauce 
2 tsp freshly grated ginger (adjust according to preference)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup oats (can use GF variety)
1 egg 
1-2 tbsp avocado oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. 
Mix together all ingredients, except oil, and form into meatball shapes. 
Heat oil in oven safe pan on high heat. Sear meatballs on all sides until nicely browned. Bake in oven for 10 minutes (check for doneness).

Pesto stuffed chicken with artichokes and sundried tomatoes

erineatsmtlLeave a comment

Ingredients:
6 pargiot (boneless chicken thighs)
3 sundried tomatoes (packed in oil)
3 cloves of garlic, peeled 
2 tbsp fresh basil
1/4 cup pesto sauce (I used store bought)
1/4 cup marinated artichokes 
1/2 cup dry white wine

Directions:
In a food processor, pulse tomatoes, garlic, basil, pesto and artichokes. Mixture should have some small chunks remaining. Place about 1.5 tbsp of mixture into each piece of chicken, fold over and secure when toothpick. Spread remaining mixture over chicken. Place in Pyrex baking dish. Pour wine at the bottom of the pan. 
Allow to marinate for about 1 hour. 
Bake (uncovered) at 350° for 45 minutes, basting halfway through. 
Remove toothpicks prior to serving.

Mediterranean Flat Bread

erineatsmtlLeave a comment

Naan bread
Spinach
Marinated artichokes, sliced
Olives, sliced
Mozzarella cheese
Sundried tomatoes
Baby tomatoes
Vegetarian hot dogs (I used @yvesveggiecuisine kale and caramelized onion)
Balsamic glaze (I used @tuscaninifoods )
Zaatar
.
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Spread a bit of spinach over naan bread. Top with mixture of artichokes, olives, cheese, tomatoes and vegetarian hot dogs.
Bake for about 10 minutes, until spinach has wilted and cheese has melted.
Garnish with zaatar and drizzle on balsamic glaze.