Inspired by China – Prawn Party Puffs

The Party Season has definitely started in our house, so if you are entertaining this December and looking for some tasty treats with mainly freezer and store cupboard ingredients then have a go at the tasty puffs! 

Makes: 26

Prep:20 mins
Cook: 15mins

Ingredients: 460g ready made puff pastry, 250g frozen shrimps/prawns, 4 tbsp. of mayonnaise, 2 heaped tbsp. of tinned sweetcorn, 2 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds 2 tbsp. sweet chilli sauce, 1 small bunch of spring onions or chives thinly sliced, 1 tsp. dried ginger, a little oil for frying.

Method

1. Pre-heat your oven to 160F
2. Using a pastry cutter or a cup, cut out 26 circles in your puff pastry, prick with a fork and add to a lined baking tray
3.  Cook in the oven for 15mins until golden and puffed up
4. Take out and leave to cool
5. To make the prawn filling, fry your prawns in a little oil to remove any excess water, allow to cool
6. Make the prawn sauce, by mixing together all of the remaining ingredients, except the sesame seeds and add the cooled prawns
7. Take each of the little puffs and using the back of a spoon bash the top a little to make a small hole in each
8. Fill the hole with the prawn mixture and finish off with a sprinkling of the sesame seeds
9. Enjoy!

Save The Children are working in China to improve the quality of life for the children of China, working with childrens rights organisations, to keep children protected from neglect, illness and abuse. They have also developed the Helping Babies Breathe programme, and are supporting local health workers to better treat and diagnose childhood illnesses.  In China around 50% of the population also live in natural disaster-prone areas, Save The Children are working locally to ensure that communities are better prepared for future emergencies, to find out more please visit their website:

https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/asia/china

Remember all recipes are created for you not only to enjoy, but to also raise awareness of the struggles these countries face on a daily basis, so if you would like to make a donation to Save The Children, who are working everyday to support children around the World, please visit my just giving page by clicking the link Just Giving for more information.

So where will we go next? Come back on Monday to find out!

See you soon!

Thanks

Rosalyn x

Inspired by India – Potato and Sweetcorn Samosas with Pea Raita

 

These lovely little samosas are mild enough for little tastebuds too! 

Makes: 12 Samosas

Prep: 30mins

Cook: 25-30mins

Ingredients: For the Samosas – 1 pack of ready made filo pastry, 1 medium sized potato, small can of sweetcorn, 1 medium sized onion, 1 tbsp olive oil, (plus a little more for putting your samosas together), 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric, 1/2 tsp. mustard seeds, 1/2 tsp. cumin seeds, small bunch of chopped coriander.

For the Pea Raita – 2 tbsp. cooked frozen peas, 150g natural yogurt, 2 tbsp. olive oil, 1/4 cucumber, 1/2 tsp. dried mint, good pinch of salt and pepper.

Method

1. Peel your potato and cut into small chunks and boil for 8mins

2. Peel and thinly slice the onion and fry in the olive oil with the dried spices on a medium heat for 5mins

3. Add your cooked potato, sweetcorn and chopped coriander to the onion and spice mixture  and cook for 2mins more to ensure all ingredients are covered in the onion and spice mix

4. Turn off the heat and leave to one side to cool

5. Preheat your oven to 180f

6. While you are waiting for the mixture to cool make the Pea Raita by combining all ingredients and giving it a good blitz in a food processor, pop in the fridge until ready to serve with your samosas

7. Now make your samosas, check out the video here https://youtu.be/09Upx-kVIvQ that shows an easy way to roll the pastry, I used a little olive oil to brush at the end to hold all in place and a little over the top before popping them in the oven

8. Pop in the oven for 25- 30 minutes until golden

9. Serve with the Pea Riata

10. Enjoy!

350,000 children are currently at risk after India’s eastern coastline was hit by Cyclone Fani, they need water, food and shelter.  As well as this recent disaster, one child in twenty dies before their fifth birthday from preventable diseases and an estimated 12 million children are employed as child labourers, often in dangerous conditions. Save The Children are currently there trying to provide help and support to these children to provide them with a better future…to find out more please visit:

https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/asia/india

And if you would like to make a donation via this blog, please visit my Just Giving Page, by clicking the link here Just Giving

Thanks

Inspired by Vietnam – Aubergine Buns with Veggie Pickles and Spiced Mayo

Serves: 4 as a starter

Prep: 1 hour

Cook: 15 mins

Ingredients: For the pickles; large handful of radishes grated, 1 large carrot grated, 1 large cucumber grated, 100ml of rice wine vinegar, 100ml of water, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. sugar, 1 large or a few small jars.

For the spicy mayo; 2 tbsps. of mayo, 1 tsp. of jalepeano peppers (more if you like it really spicy), 1 grated thumb sized piece of ginger

For the buns; 1 large aubergine, olive oil, 4 brioche buns, small bunch of coriander, 1 lemon, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.

Method

1. First make your pickles, (these can be made a few days ahead), by layering the grated vegetables into sterilised jars
2. In a pan add the rice wine vinegar, water and sugar and salt
3. Bring to the bowl then pour into the jars and put the lids on straight away
4. Allow to cool and store in the fridge
5. For the mayo just mix all of your ingredients together and set aside in the fridge until ready to use, again can be made in advanced as long as in air tight container
6. When ready to make your rolls, slice your aubergine into thin slices and leave on a plate covered with kitchen paper for one hour
7. Pre-heat your grill, lay your aubergine out on a baking tray and drizzle with oil cook for 6 mins each side, but keep an eye on them so they don’t burn
8. To serve, cut your brioche buns down the middle add a layer of the spicy mayo, then the auberinge, topping with the pickled veg, fresh coriander, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a lemon wedge
9. Enjoy!

NB. If you have any pickles left over keep them in the fridge, they should be good for a couple of weeks.

Save The Children have been working in Vietnam since 1990, their work includes improving the healthcare system, education and have also been working on programmes to ensure children under five have access to nutritious food as many grow up stunted.  To support Vietnam’s large textile industry, many children are working for 17 hours a day for little pay, Save The Children are working with local authorities to monitor the textile industry and to look for alternatives to child labor.  To find out more about this and the other work Save The Children carry out here, please click on the link below:

https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/asia/vietnam

And if you would like to make a donation via this blog, please visit my Just Giving Page, by clicking the link here Just Giving

Thanks

 

 

Inspired by Iraq – Cucumber, Dill and Yogurt Soup

Healthy, light and so delicious…

Serves: 2 as a main course, 4 as a starter

Ingredients: 1 large cucumber, 300ml of greek yogurt, 1 cup of premade and cooled chicken stock*, 1 clove of garlic, 1 tsp of lemon juice, 1 tsp of dill and salt to taste.

Method
1. Peel and chop the cucumber, saving some of the peel for the end
2. Add the cucumber to a blender and add the rest of the ingredients, blend until smooth and add salt to taste
3. Leave to chill in the fridge until serving, adding some of the cucumber peel and dill for decoration, delish!

*Can change for vegetarian stock cube.

As fighting continues in Iraq, children are being seriously injured everyday, trapped with no access to fresh food, water and medicine. Thousands have already fled their homes and are now in camps just outside Mosul desperately needing help to survive, to find out more please visit:

https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/middle-east/Iraq

And if you would like to make a donation via this blog, please visit my Just Giving Page, by clicking the link here Just Giving

Thanks x

Hummus…we have a problem!

Well I know I do! I love the stuff and it’s not only good for you, it’s super easy to make too.

Want to whip up a quick batch of hummus right now? Then try this:

In a food processor add a drained tin of cooked chickpeas, juice of a whole lemon, one garlic clove, a tablespoon of Tahini paste and about 100ml of olive oil and blend to a paste, add a little water or more oil if too clumpy. I’ve topped mine with some more olive oil and some Pinenuts.

High in fibre and protein, which also makes it super filling, it’s great as a snack, on toast or with crudities for lunch, or as a sauce in pitta bread with some roasted veg or chicken.

Did you know that India is the biggest producer of Chickpeas globally? Followed by Iran, Mexico and Ethiopia and is often used as the star in Mediterranean Mezes, what a delicious little legume it is!

For more dip recipes, take a look at Syrian Inspired Aubergine Dip with Honey and Pistachios, and if you need even more Chickpea inspiration this weekend, then have a look at the super easy, cheap Indian Inspired – Chickpea Dahl with Eggs and Homemade Raiti

Happy Friday

x

March Recipe Review: From Syria to Brazil…

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Hi All!

So has Spring finally sprung?

As the nights started to hint at being a bit longer and the days a bit brighter, I decided to share with you some lighter, more colourful recipes.

I often cook a roast chicken at home as it’s not only delicious on first sitting, but great for left overs too, however I do get a bit bored sometimes,  so decided to spice things up a bit with our first stop to the Lebanon, for the Inspired by the Lebanon – Whole Roast Lebanese Chicken with A Cauliflower, Bulgar Wheat Tabbouleh

Next stop, still wanting to add a bit more zing to my dinner table, we made a visit to Brazil, known for its love of ‘Piri Piri’, for the Inspired by Brazil Piri Piri Style Turkey Breast, Black Beans, Orange and Tomato Rice, Smashed Avocado and a Simple Salsa

From Brazil we went to Syria, a lot, first off Inspired by Syria – Garlicky Roasted Courgette and Carrot, Honey, Cumin and Pine Nut Dips, which I dipped into many times!! Then something to brighten up the breakfast table Syrian Inspired Fruit Salad and finally  Syrian Inspired Aubergine Dip with Honey and Pistachios to complete the trio of Mezes!

March, marked the eighth year of the war in Syria, millions are now living as refugees, resorting to eating leaves and animal feed to survive. Thousands of children have been killed and many of those surviving are separated from their families and are living with severe injuries as a result of this brutal conflict. Save The Children are working tirelessly to help those still in Syria, to find out more please visit the link:

http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/middle-east/syria

And if you would like to make a donation via my just giving page please click Just Giving for more information.

Last stop and thinking of those longer nights to come, we went to Greece and the humble jacket potato for the Inspired by Greece – Oregano and Garlic Roasted Tomatoes with Lemon, Feta and Olive Topped Jacket Potatoes

So where will April take us? Come back next week to find out…and in the meantime I would love to have your feedback on the recipes created by Feastforfamine so far, and please feel free to share your recipes too!

Thanks

Rosalyn x

Syrian Inspired Aubergine Dip with Honey and Pistachios

Add to the other dips I made earlier this week for a trio of deliciousness!

Can serve up to 4 as a starter or more if added to a Meze Platter.

Prep: 10mins
Cook: 50mins

Ingredients: 1 large aubergine, juice of 1/2 a lemon, 2 tbsps of olive oil, 1 tbsp of tahini,  1 tsp sesame seeds, 1 tsp of honey, 10 pistachios.

Method

1. Make some pricks in the aubergine then roast in a preheated over at 200f for 50 mins
2. Allow the aubergine to cool then scrap out all of the flesh and add to a blender, along with the lemon juice, tahini, olive oil and blend to a smooth consistency and decant into a bowl
3. Lightly toast the seasame seeds and set aside, shell and crush the pistachios, sprinkle both over the dip along with a drizzle of the honey
4. Serve with warm pittas or make at home tortilla chips*
5. Get dipping!

*Using shop bought tortillas, cut into triangles and lightly coat in oil and a sprinkle of salt then bake in the oven for 15mins at 200f degrees until lightly golden and crunchy!

Friday marked the eighth year of the war in Syria, millions are now living as refugees, resorting to eating animal feed and leaves to survive. Thousands of children have been killed and many of those surviving are separated from their families and are living with severe injuries as a result of this brutal conflict. Save The Children are working tirelessly to help those still in Syria, to find out more, please visit the link: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/middle-east/syria

If you would like to make a monetary donation please visit the link: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/Feastforfamine

Thanks x

Syrian Inspired Fruit Salad

The use of watermelon makes this dish so juicy, even better if the watermelons been in the fridge! Great for breakfast, brunch, snack or for dessert, especially after a BBQ…

Serves 1 (just add larger quantities of all ingredients to make for more people)

Ingredients: 1/4 watermelon, 2 figs (black or green), tbsp fresh pomegranate seeds, tbsp. greek or natural yogurt, tsp honey, a few crush pistachios.

Method:

1. Cut all ingredients up to your liking
2. Crush the pistachios
3. Plate up all the fruit, add the tbsp of greek or natural yogurt, scatter over the pomegranate seeds, drizzle the honey and crushed pistachios over the top and enjoy!

Friday marked the eighth year of the war in Syria, millions are now living as refugees, resorting to eating animal feed and leaves to survive. Thousands of children have been killed and many of those surviving are separated from their families and are living with severe injuries as a result of this brutal conflict. Save The Children are working tirelessly to help those still in Syria, to find out more, please visit the link: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/middle-east/syria

If you would like to make a monetary donation please visit the link: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/Feastforfamine

Thanks x

February Recipes Review: From Yemen to Haiti…

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Hi All!

So how am I doing with my Food from the World for the World?

February was a short month but I managed to take you to a few new places! First stop was Zimbabwe for a delicious, cheap and easy Inspired by Zimbabwe: Tomato Chicken Stew with Peanut Butter Rice

Next stop Mozambique for a rich chocolate dessert just in time for Valentines…Inspired by Mozambique, gluten-free, rich Dark Chocolate, Cashew Nut and Sweet Potato Mousse.

From Mozambique we made a visit to Yemen for Inspired by Yemen – Scrambled Eggs with Green Beans and Hot Spiced Yogurt, Served with Clove and Cardamon Black Tea, giving new flavours to an all time comfort food, also timely linked with Save The Childrens’ current campaign, Pens for Peace in Yemen. For more details please visit the link: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/middle-east/yemen

As some of you were feeling the spring like weather early this year, for our last stop in February, I decided to take us somewhere to try something a bit lighter, so we went to Haiti… twice! Once for Inspired by Haiti – Crab and Sweet Potato Fritters and a last little February treat of mock ice cream! Inspired by Haiti – Banana and Mango Mock Ice Cream with Dark Chocolate and Cashew Nut Shards

So where will March take us? Come back on Monday to find out…and in the meantime I would love to have your feedback on the recipes created by Feastforfamine so far, and please feel free to share your recipes too!

Thanks

Rosalyn x

Inspired by Haiti – Crab and Sweet Potato Fritters

These are perfect for a starter or light lunch…

Serves two as a Main, four as a Starter

Prep: 10mins, plus one hour chilling time
Cook: 10mins

Ingredients: 1 medium sized sweet potato, 1 tin of white crab meat, thumb sized piece of ginger, 4 spring onions, 1 egg, small red chilli, fresh watercress to serve, vegetable oil for frying,

Optional: Tamarind Sauce, Cashew Nuts (10 pieces)

Method

1. Peel and grate the sweet potato, add to a large mixing bowl with the tinned crab
2. Finely slice the spring onions, ginger and chilli, add these to the mixing bowl
3. Crack in the egg and combine all the ingredients together
4. Mould into 8 patties and set aside in the fridge for at least one hour
5. Now heat a tbsp of vegetable oil in a frying pan and fry your fritters for five minutes on each side, gently pressing down as they cook
6. Serve on a plate of watercress with a dipping bowl full of shop bought tamarind, sweet chilli sauce, or one of your choice, could even use mayo! Sprinkle over a few cashew nut pieces and get dipping!

   A devastating earthquake struck on the 12 January 2010, it killed 230,000 people and left more than one million people homeless. Save The Children were there to help and by the end of 2010 they had helped a total of 870,000 people, but there is still more to be done, to find out more please visit: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/where-we-work/south-central-america/haiti

If you would like to make a monetary donation please visit the link: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/feastforfamine

Thanks x