My affair with food landed me a spot on one of hottest breakfast radio shows in South Africa. Every Friday morning I get to share this passion for food with people all over Gauteng on KayaFM, 180 with Bob. I have known Bob Mabena for years, and he is one of the most engaging radio personalities I know. When the opportunity came for me to be on his show, I grabbed it without thinking twice. It is always a pleasure doing this show, as I get to engage with different people and get to solve different kitchen nightmares weekly
On Last week’s show we spoke about quick and easy weekday meals. These meals are quick, healthy and won’t break the bank. The following recipes are easy and can be made by anyone, even novice cooks.
Beef stir-fry
Stir-frying is simple, healthy and the cooking process takes just a few minutes. A good stir-fry should be crunchy and full of flavor, not slimy and overcooked. Make sure that the pan is very hot before adding the oil to start stir-frying. When you have added everything to the pan, pour half a cup of water and cover, this steaming process helps to retain moisture and nutrients.
You’ll need:
Serves 2
1 teaspoon Garlic (crushed)
1 teaspoon Ginger (grated)
1 Red chilli chopped ( optional)
250g Sirloin steak, cut into strips
½ tablespoon Olive oil
1 Red pepper, sliced
1 small handful broccoli
1 small handful baby corn, cut into 3
1 teaspoon Paprika
2 tablespoons Soya sauce
Here’s how:
· Mix garlic, ginger, chilli, paprika and beef together, set aside to marinade for 5minutes
· Heat a large frying pan and add oil
· Add beef mixture and fry on high heat for 3-4 minutes until beef has browned
· Add peppers, broccoli, baby corn and cook for a further 3mins
· Add soya sauce and cook for a further 3mins and serve with noodles or rice
PRAWN CURRY
This is my favourite prawn curry recipe. The coconut milk gives the curry a very rich creamy texture.I used to serve this at my restaurant and it was always a hit.
You’ll need:
1 tablespoon Olive oil
1 Onion, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic
1 teaspoon ginger, grated
1 green chilli, chopped
½ cup coconut milk
½ cup canned tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoon Curry paste
1 handful fresh coriander, chopped
Salt, to season
400g Prawns, deveined
Here’s how:
· Heat oil and add onion until soft, add garlic and ginger.
· Add curry paste, chilli and cook for 2mins
· Add tomatoes and brown sugar, cook for 5mins
· Add coconut milk and cook for a further 3mins
· Add Prawns and cook for 5minutes until prawns turn pink, season with salt to taste
· Add chopped coriander and serve with rice or Couscous
CHICKEN WITH LEMON VEGETABLES
You’ll need:
½ Chicken , cut into pieces
1 Red pepper, deseeded and cut into chunks
1 Onion, cut into wedges
2 Potatoes, cut into wedges
Small handful green beans
1 small Lemon, sliced
3 tablespoons Olive oil
1 teaspoon Paprika
1 teaspoon rosemary
Salt to taste
Here’s how:
· Preheat oven to 220C
· Season chicken with salt
· Heat oil in a pan and brown chicken on each side ( 2mins each side) remove and set aside
· Place vegetables and lemon into roasting tray, rub with olive oil
· Combine paprika, rosemary and salt together.
· Scatter this seasoning over the chicken, lemon and vegetables and toss together
· Roast for 40mins until the chicken is thoroughly cooked through
· Serve with Couscous
SAVOURY COUSCOUS
You’ll need:
1 cup Couscous
½ Onion
1 teaspoon garlic
1 Cup vegetable stock
1 teaspoon oil
1 teaspoon curry paste
Handful fresh coriander, chopped
Here’s how:
· In a bowl mix couscous, vegetable stock and oil. Cover with cling wrap and leave for 5mins
· In a pan, heat oil and fry onion, garlic and curry paste
· Cook until onion is soft.
· Fluff out couscous with a fork and add onion mixture
· Mix all ingredients together and add fresh coriander
· Serve with baked chicken
