Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Slow Cooker Asian Beef and Broccoli

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Slow Cooker meals like this Asian Beef and Broccoli are just what I need on busy days.  I simply put everything into the slow cooker pot and let it cook away until it's time to eat dinner.  

I do add the broccoli in the last half hour of cooking so they are still nicely green and have a slight bite to them.  Then I simply cook up some rice and dinner is served. 

This is a great way to use less expensive cuts of beef like stew meat/chuck beef in stir fries.  The beef comes out so soft and tender after cooking low and slow in the the slow cooker. 

I love finding ways to use my slow cooker in during the week or even on the weekends to free up my time to spend with my family.  I also love how fuss-free this Asian dish is to get prepared.  I simply used the cut stew meat from the grocery store and a bag of cut broccoli florets.  This is one stir fry that did not require me to stand in the kitchen for a long time chopping and dicing a lot of ingredients.  It was as simple as tossing the ingredients it into the slow cooker and turning the button to "on".  Now that's my kind of cooking!




Slow Cooker Asian Beef and Broccoli
Recipe by Ramona from Kitchen Simmer

Ingredients:
2 1/2 pounds lean boneless chuck beef cut into bite size pieces 
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup Chinese Shaohsing rice wine ( do not use rice vinegar) **
1/4 cup oyster sauce
2 Tbs brown sugar
3 Tbs fresh grated ginger
2-3 cloves fresh grated garlic
2 Tbs sambal Oelek
1/2 cup water with 2 Tbs cornstarch to form a slurry
4-5 cups broccoli florets

** you can substitute cooking sherry for the Chinese rice wine


Directions:
Step 1:  Place cut beef in the slow cooker.

Step 2:  Add all ingredients (except broccoli) to slow cooker and stir well with the beef.  Then turn slow cooker on high heat and cook for 3 1/2 hours. 
Step 3:  Add cleaned and cut broccoli florets at the 31/2 hour mark and cook for an additional 30 minutes (total cook time for this dish is 4 hours).   Cook some white rice and serve together.


 






Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Kitchen Simmer formerly known as Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Monday, December 28, 2015

Chicken and Yellow Rice One Pot Dish

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This Chicken and Yellow Rice is an easy and satisfying one pot dish that will make your family run to the table. I think all cooks can get excited that this is a one pot dish that so it's easy to cook and clean up.  

I cooked this right on the stove top and it took me less than 30 minutes.  Then I let the rice sit for 15 minutes to steam and served it with boiled eggs and mango chutney. You can also make some Deviled Onions (Seeni Sambol) if you want to give a spicy side dish to the rice or any vegetable or meat curry will also go well.

Make sure you rinse your basmati rice well and drain it so the rice can saute in the pot.  I also took the chance to add loads of veggies into the rice by adding celery, bell pepper and a bag of mixed veggies. Of course adding the bag of mixed veggies is totally optional, but I love all the color and nutrition it gives the dish.

Remember to season each layer of the dish so everything comes together and tastes delicious.  I used some help from the grocery store and used Knorr Chicken Bullion Powder to flavor the rice well.  

This is definitely a one pot dish that you will want to make again and again. 



Chicken and Yellow Rice One Pot Dish
Recipe by Ramona from Kitchen Simmer

Ingredients:
3 cups basmati rice
6-7 cups hot water (I boiled water in a kettle)
1 1/2 pounds marinated chicken breast cut into large cubes (see marinate below) 
2 medium onions finely chopped
3-4 stalks celery
1 large green bell pepper finely chopped
2 jalapeno peppers finely chopped 
12-15 curry leaves-optional
2 pandan leaves -optional
2-3 cardamom pods
2-3 cloves 
small piece of cinnamon stick
1 stick of margarine
3 Tbs Knorr chicken bullion powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
10oz bag of frozen veggie mix (green beans, peas, carrots, corn)-optional


Chicken marinade seasoning:
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp red chili powder
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1/2 Tbs Garam Masala powder
Salt and black pepper to season chicken 

Optional: Serve with boiled eggs, any spicy curry, salad and chutney

Special equipment:  Large pot (or dutch oven) with tight fitting lid


Directions:
Step 1: Rinse rice well and then place in a mesh colander and strain. Set aside until later. 

Step 2: Cut chicken and season with chicken marinade and mix well with chicken.  Marinate for 30 minutes in a bowl on the counter to bring chicken to room temperature. 

Step 3:  Heat 2-3 Tbs canola oil in a large pot and add cinnamon stick, cardamom pods, cloves and marinated chicken to brown.  Brown chicken for 3-4 minutes. 

 
Step 4:  Add curry leaves and pandan leaves next and saute for a minute.  Then add celery, onion, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper to pot and saute with some salt for 5 minutes with chicken.   

Step 5: Next add stick of margarine and allow to melt with chicken and vegetables.  Then add the washed and drained rice to the pot. Saute rice with all ingredients for 2-3 minutes. 

Step 6:  Add 6 cups of hot water, bullion powder and turmeric powder to pot.  Stir well with rice and chicken.  

Turn heat up to high and cook for 10 minutes (stir occasionally to keep rice from sticking to bottom of pot).  

Then turn heat down to medium-low, add a 10oz bag of veggie mix and mix into rice.  Place lid on pot and cook for another 10 minutes.  

Step 7:    Then taste rice to make sure it's cooked through.  Turn stove off and keep lid on pot for 15-20 more minutes to finish steaming rice.  Serve hot.  Enjoy.


 




Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Kitchen Simmer formerly known as Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Merry Christmas 2015

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Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!
May your day be full of Feasting, Fun and loads of Fa la la la la, la la la!

 I am off to to enjoy some time with my family so I'll be back to blogging after the Christmas holiday... Here are some recipes to make your Christmas extra special...




Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Kitchen Simmer formerly known as Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Ham and Cheese Macaroni Casserole

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Ham and Cheese Macaroni Casserole is a total comfort food for my family.  My kids love any style of mac and cheese they can dig a fork into so I knew this dish would be a winner at my dinner table.

I also knew that I would win extra points with my son who is a self-proclaimed carnivore.  He will eat mac and cheese, but is always asking where the meat is in the meal.  So,  I decided to make him extra happy by adding small diced up pieces of ham into this mac and cheese.  

The casserole only takes about 30 minutes to cook if you want to use two pans to move things quickly.  So this meal is something that you can get on the table on those busy weeknights without any problem.   

It's a great comfort food casserole that feeds my entire family and makes enough for leftovers so I don't have to cook again. 
  

Ham and Cheese Macaroni Casserole
Recipe by Ramona from Kitchen Simmer

Ingredients:
1 box of tube style pasta (any shape)
2 medium red or yellow onions chopped
2-4 sweet pepper sliced 
1 pound diced cooked ham (any kind you like)
1 tsp garlic powder
salt and black pepper to taste
red chili flakes to taste
2Tbs butter/margarine
1 1/2 Tbs all purpose flour
1 heaping Tbs Dijon mustard
1 1/2 cups milk 
1/2 cup pasta water
4 cups cheddar cheese (cheddar/mozzarella mix is best)

Directions:

Step 1:  Boil pasta according to box instructions in well salted water.   Drain pasta 2 minutes shy of fully cooked and reserve 1 cup of pasta water. 
 
Step 2: Saute chopped onions and chilies in 2 Tbs canola oil and a little salt until softened.   Then add the diced ham, black pepper, garlic powder and red chili flakes and saute for another few minutes.  Taste for seasoning and remove ham mixture out of pan to proceed. 

 
Step 3: Add butter and flour to pan and cook for 1 minute.  Then add the Dijon mustard and cook for another 20 seconds. 

 

Step 4:
Slowly add the milk to flour/butter roux and whisk for no lumps.  Then stir 1/2 cup of pasta water and 3 cups of the shredded cheese until cheese sauce forms.      
 


Step 5:
Add cooked pasta and 2/3 of the cooked ham mixture to pan.  Stir well and cook for 2 minutes.  Transfer to a buttered baking dish and top with remaining ham mixture and cup of cheese.  Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20-25 minutes.  Serve hot.  Enjoy.


 

Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Kitchen Simmer formerly known as Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Sausage Goat Cheese and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza

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Sausage Goat Cheese and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza is a quick and easy meal that is full of bold flavor.  I made this pizza for my husband when he was looking for something to eat for lunch.  I had naan in my fridge so I knew a pizza was a perfect idea. 

I decided that a roasted red pepper sauce would compliment this pizza nicely so I blended some jarred roasted peppers that I had in my pantry and made a sauce.  The pizza is finished off with the hot Italian sausage, mozzarella cheese, goat cheese and some sliced jalapeno peppers for a kick.

My husband loved this pizza.  He never thought that goat cheese would make such a wonderful pizza topping, but now that he's had it on pizza, he can't wait to try it again.




Sausage Goat Cheese and Roasted Red Pepper Pizza
Recipe by Ramona from Kitchen Simmer

Pizza Ingredients:
Naan 
Hot Italian Sausage
Goat Cheese crumbles
Mozzarella cheese
sliced jalapenos


Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
6 jarred roasted red peppers
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
red chili flakes
salt and black pepper
1/2 tsp sugar 

 Step 1:  Blend roasted red peppers until smooth.  Simmer with all sauce ingredients on medium heat for 20 minutes.  

Step 2: Brown hot Italian sausage and reserve until later. 

Step 3: Place naan in the oven for 2 minutes while the oven is preheating to 400 degree.  Then take out naan from oven and apply a layer of red pepper sauce on top.  Top with browned sausage, mozzarella cheese and crumbled goat cheese.   Finish off with sliced jalapeno peppers.  Bake in a 400 degree oven for 5-7 minutes.  Serve hot. Enjoy.



Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Kitchen Simmer formerly known as Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Minion Meatball Subs #MinionsMovieNight #ad

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. 
All opinions are mine alone.
 #MinionsMovieNight #CollectiveBias


My family loves movie night.  We get our coziest blankets, tubs of popcorn and snacks and settle in on the couch to watch a fun family friendly movie often.  Well, the Minions movie is definitely a great movie to gather your family around to watch.  A fun way to make watching the Minions extra special is by throwing a minion movie party.  You and your kids will have a great time making all the minion decorations and create some wonderful childhood memories in the process.

My two kids are beyond excited because the Minions movie is now available on a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack.  They just adore Kevin, Bob and Stuart.  We get to see the minions literally from the dawn of time.  My son loves Kevin the best.  Kevin is the leader of the group that sets out to help his minion family find their ultimate villain to follow.   My daughter is simply in love with Bob.  She thinks Bob is always doing something adorable.  I have to admit, I think he is my favorite too.  This movie is so much fun to watch and you will be laughing out loud right there with your kids from the beginning until the funny final credits. 

The great news is you can run out and buy the Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack now or order this Illumination Entertainment animation film fast and easy online. Check out this movie website:  minionsmovie to find out where you can get your copy of the Minions © 2015 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

I love to throw a party and a movie party is especially fun because your theme is already set.  Our theme for the Minions movie was... you guessed it... minions!!  I had so much fun going to the craft and party stores to gather my supplies.

The kids wanted to get in on the decorating so I had them help me make the minion popcorn bags and the special minion cups.   We all like our own popcorn bag/tub when we watch a movie, so we made enough bags for the whole family.



 The minion popcorn bags:
Step 1:  Cut a curve at the top of the bag for the minion head.  Note: My gift bag had handles so I cut the handles off at the same time. 
Step 2: Use scissors or a circle punch to cut out eyes using the white and brown paper.
Step 3: Cut a strip of black paper to make the straps of the goggles
Step 4: Glue the googly eyes to make the minion goggles as shown above
Step 5: Glue blue paper to the bottom of the bag to make the minion overalls and decorate as desired. 


Movie Night Food...

The food was really fun to play around with for the Minions movie. I decided to take a family favorite dish like meatball subs and make them extra special. These meatballs subs have two types of cheese so they are really extra yummy.


  Minion Meatball Subs

Meatball Ingredients:
1lb ground beef
1lb ground pork
3 slices bread soaked in 1/3 cup milk 
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
salt and black pepper to taste

Directions:  Soak bread and crumble.  Then mix all ingredients together and form into large golf-ball size meatballs and saute in a frying pan on medium heat to brown.  Meatballs will finish cooking in sauce.   
 

Tomato Sauce Ingredients:
1 small onion finely diced
1 small green pepper finely diced 
1 (26oz) jar pasta sauce of choice
1 1/2 cups water
red pepper flakes to taste
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp dried oregano

Directions:
Saute green pepper and onions with 1 Tbs canola oil until they soften.  Then add the pasta sauce, dried spices and water.  Tip: Rinse out pasta jar with water to get all of the tomato sauce.


Add the browned meatballs to finish cooking in the sauce.  Lower the heat to medium low and cook for 20-25 minutes with a lid on the pot. Stir occasionally.   Taste for seasoning and turn off stove.
 
 

Cheese Sauce:  
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 cups processed block cheddar cheese that melts well

Directions: Cook over medium low heat until fully melted.

Sub Ingredients:
1 cup mozzarella cheese 
Sub rolls 

Directions:
Cut rolls in half (leave one end attached) Fill with meatballs and sauce.  Top with a small handful of mozzarella cheese and bake in a 400 degree oven for 5 minutes or until cheese melts and the bread toasts slightly.  Then top with the melted yellow cheese and serve.  Enjoy the subs hot.



I always try to include some fresh vegetables to our meal or snacking.  An easy veggie dip with cut vegetables was a perfect addition to our party.  It also takes no time to prepare since I like to make my dip the night before to really develop all the flavors. When I make a veggie dip like this for everyone, I like to make individual portions by putting some dip into a base of a cup or glass and sticking lots of veggies for dipping.  Everyone gets their own portion and no one complains they didn't get their share. This way Mom also knows who ate all their veggies.


Veggie Dip:

1 cup low-fat sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1-2 Tbs dried minced onion
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried dill
2 tsp dried chives
2 tsp dried parsley
1 Tbs fresh lemon juice
salt and black pepper to taste

Veggie dippers:
Carrots
Celery
Pepper slices
broccoli

Directions:  Mix all ingredients together well.  Refrigerate overnight and serve with veggie dippers as desired the next day. 

Of course we have to have a beverage for our party and my kids wanted to pick something yellow to go with our minion friends.  The kids picked out lemonade.  I decided to give a little sparkle with some lemon/lime soda.  We also made fun minion cups to drink our Sparkling Lemonade Punch.

Sparkling Lemonade Punch
1 container frozen yellow lemonade (not pink) prepared as directed on container
1 bottle lemon/lime soda

To make the minion cups:

Step 1: Use scissors or a circle punch to cut out eyes using the white and brown paper.
Step 2: Cut a strip of black paper to make the straps of the goggles
Step 3: Glue the googly eyes to make the minion goggles as shown above
Step 4:  Draw your minion smile


I hope you enjoyed reading about how my family celebrated our Minions movie night.   Do you need some Minions movie night inspiration?  Check out this link: minionsmovienight and you will get you tons of ideas, recipes and projects to make your Minions movie night extra magical for your kids. 


If you love the minions be sure to check them out at the following social media


Does your family love the minions as much as we do?  Who is your favorite minion and how will you celebrate watching the Minions movie at home?


Copyright: All recipes, content, and images (unless otherwise stated) are the sole property of Kitchen Simmer formerly known as Curry and Comfort. Please do not use without prior written consent. Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited.