Mint Lamb Kofta

Inspired from one of my Greek cookery books and a little Jamie Olivier, here is an awesome quick and delicious meal for the whole family.

Koftas are sometimes made with fish or vegetables, rather than red meat, especially in India, and can be grilled, fried, steamed, poached, baked or marinated and served with a rich spicy sauce.

I personally like to saute them with a little oil in a griddle on the hob.  

I have added two 'secret ingredients' to this recipe, one being mint sauce, which fuses beautifully with the sweet lamb and the second, is some smokey paprika, which adds a punch of flavour.

I serve it up in some wholewheat pita popped in the toaster, slit in the middle and smeared with smooth cream cheese.  Add a bunch of rocket and spring onion in the bottom, then the kofta and another big dollop of cream cheese and there you have it!

RECIPE

(serves 4)

800g lamb mince

2 tsp smoked paprika

4 tsp mint sauce (store-bought)

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp chilli oil

Olive oil

1 garlic clove, bruised

60g shelled pistachios

1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

2 Tbsp runny honey

Using your hands, in a bowl mix mince, paprika, mint sauce, salt, pepper and chilli oil

Divide into 10 portions, using wet hands roll each portion into a fat finger

Add some oil and bruised garlic to a frying pan and allow the garlic flavour to draw for 1 min

Remove garlic

Add kofta fingers to the oil and saute on all sides until nice and brown

When done, drain excess fat

Crush pistachios in a pestle and mortar

Toss nuts, thyme and honey over kofta and swirl around the pan a few times to coat off the heat

Serve in some pita or alongside a traditional Greek salad.

~   Michelle ~

Green Tea Salmon

Salmon has to be one of THE most delicious and popular fresh water fish around.  Did you know it is classified as an 'oily fish' which makes it a healthy choice due to its high protein and omega 3-fatty acids - not forgetting high levels of vitamin D?

This is a really simple and easy recipe.  It is all about soft flavours that come from the green tea meeting the lovely smoky taste of the paprika.  This is a definite winner at any dinner party.

I usually work on 200g per person as the fish is rich, especially if you serve it with some oriental noodles or lemon and coconut milk rice on the side.

Suitable for 4 foodie lovers

RECIPE
400g salmon fillet, skin on
Olive oil
2 lemon green tea, tea bags
1 pinch smoked paprika (optional)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Remove salmon from packing and pat dry with some kitchen  town
Cut open tea bags and mix tea with paprika, salt and pepper and mix well
Drizzle a little oil over the fish to coat
Add 1 tsp of herb mix to each fillet, flesh side and lightly rub to coat
Stand salmon at room temperature for at least 1/2 hour to draw
Pre heat oven to 180'c
Heat a skillet on the stove to hot

Add fish, meat side down and cook for 1 minute

Carefully flip and cook on the other side for 1 min

Pop into the pre heated oven and cook for a further 3 - 4 minutes - no longer!

Remove from oven, cover with aluminium foil and stand for 5 min before serving

Potato Wedges with Smoked Paprika, Rosemary & Garlic

Now here is a great snack or side dish with anything.  It is affordable for entertaining and above all is oh-so-easy.  Here we go ... (suitable for 4 foodie lovers)

Potato Wedges with Smoked Paprika, Rosemary & Garlic

500g small to medium potatoes, cut into quarters lengthwise
4 tbs olive oil
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh Rosemary, chopped
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp smoked paprika

Heat oven to 200'c
Place potatoes on a baking sheet
Add olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper and paprika
Toss with your hands to ensure all is mixed well
Bake as a single layer for 1 hr, turning half way through
Serve with pretty much everything, but herb cream cheese works best

Enjoy!