Sunday, October 31, 2010

Plantain Curry


I learnt this dish from my Mum in law last summer its a great way to prepare Indian green plantains its easy to make and loaded with spicy flavor and it makes hubby happy as its one of his favorite side dishes! 

I love having a food blog as I search recipes I have stored and learnt from others and re create dishes and tweak them :-), thats what I hope the Chow and Chatter  iPhone recipe app will be for folks, its now been submitted to apple for approval so stay tuned!!

Friday, October 29, 2010

Social Media: A Piece of the Puzzle


Social Media A Piece of the Puzzle:

Social media is like a piece of a large jigsaw puzzle, one part of it say blogging is pretty but when it has different sides such as facebook, twitter and blogging it connects to other peoples pieces and still others to create a beautiful picture.  Each side of the jigsaw piece allows the user to plug into another community for example twitter users may at times be different from the people who use facebook, and the blogging side may mostly appeal to bloggers. However as it all connects folks from facebook will click through to the blog, or website then tell their friends spreading your little piece of the internet to the wider community making new and meaningful connections and creating an image of the beauty of sharing. As the pieces spread out and interconnect your piece of the puzzle be that your blog or website, will flourish from a shared exchange of ideas and conversation. You may have to wiggle your piece around a few times, round off the edges and truly find your niche to get that perfect fit, but in time it will naturally fall into place.


In the same way that a part of a puzzle say a tree has a trunk then branches and leaves your ideas can spread and reach others and in time a bigger branch may even approach you for chatter or an opportunity. The idea of being a part of a puzzle stresses the point that we are stronger being part of a community giving our readers, customers and twitter followers equal importance. The word social in social media is just as it sounds make the time to be yourself, and be social respond to comments on your blog posts and check your replies on twitter acknowledge when your posts are liked on facebook. Because as people are able to enjoy your brand and content you will in turn be able to embrace theirs and come away from the encounter enriched and feeling part of the bigger picture.


The most amazing thing about social media is the potential to have a broad reaching appeal, these days people get their news and entertainment from the internet, get fun information on facebook from companies in between posting family pictures and playing games. Look to twitter for the latest trend, recipes and to make connections with like-minded people. As your niche or piece of the puzzle is slotted in with similar people more than likely they will know others with shared interests and still they will know others and the information is spread not just in your immediate neighborhood but across counties. Social media is a universal tool to share and converse that speaks its own language that is understood by all.


So start today, share your passion with the world, there’s a piece of the puzzle with your name on it. 




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Thursday, October 28, 2010

Turkish Beef Meatballs


I have featured this recipe before but couldn't resist sharing again, it turned out so well the other day. I got the spice mix in Turkey but the key ingredients are - coriander, black pepper, cloves, bay leaves and wild thyme. I love picking up ingredients on our travels and learning new dishes, I even got a cookbook when in Turkey :-)
Enjoy, I love these :-)


Ingredients:

  • one pack of lean beef mince 
  • one small onion chopped
  • 1/2 a bunch of parsley chopped
  • one egg
  • 2 slices of bread crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons of meatball spice
  • a little salt
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • one can of chopped tomatoes

Method:

  1. mix all of the ingredients together except the can of tomatoes
  2. heat some olive oil in a thick bottomed pan then add the meatballs and slowly cook for 10 minutes stirring all the time to brown evenly
  3. then add the tomatoes and reduce down to a simmer for 20-30 minutes





Finally the wonderful Kristy of My Little Space gave me the lovely blog award I love Kristy she is a great cook, especially bread, great Mum and fun member of the blogging community

and Victoria of Mission Food another sweetie and future star chef seriously trust me on this

Thanks ladies I want to share it with everyone - Love you all your comments and the friendships from blogging make my day :-)

Have a wonderful weekend all 



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Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Salmon Marinated in Apple Cider


This recipe was inspired by the wonderful Chef E of Food Wine Fun, a talented chef who is super creative. She commented on my salmon and grapefruit post that salmon is great cooked in apple cider and she was right:-) I served it with mashed potatoes and cabbage slowly steamed with paprika (I know this is my favorite ingredient of the moment) Be sure to tune in to Chow and Chatter Blog Talk radio tomorrow for an interview with Chef E.

Ingredients:

  • 2 wild Alaskan salmon steaks - I always buy these as they are sustainable 
  • one -two cups of apple cider enough to cover salmon
  • 1/2 a grated apple
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups of thinly chopped cabbage 
  • one teaspoon of smoked paprika
  • a little salt
  • 3 cloves of chopped garlic
  • 1/2 an onion chopped
Method:

  1. marinate the salmon in the apple cider and apple for about one hr then poach for 10 minutes its that easy 
  2. meanwhile saute onion and garlic in olive oil, add the cabbage, salt and paprika and cover steam in juice for 20 minutes until soft
Serve with mashed potato and garnish with thinly sliced apple, Jasmine and I really liked this one, hubby not so sure, not spicy he he

Hope your all enjoying your week so far :-)




Monday, October 25, 2010

Joss Stone - Jet Lag (Live) - Enjoy :-)


Just thought I would share one of my favorite songs, we all need good music in our lives I also watched a movie Listen to Your Heart on imovie amazing - a must watch if you like music and love :-)

Hugs Rebecca


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Sunday, October 24, 2010

Smoky Bacon Rice!





I made this delicious rice dish last week, not sure what to call it but its packed with flavor from bacon, smoked Spanish paprika, beans and stock. Its easy to make also high in fiber, nutrients and protein with the beans and brown rice. 

Friday, October 22, 2010

Balloons and Leaves

Today my friend and I and the little munchkins headed to Statesville NC for the NC balloon festival it was crazy busy miles of cars and many folks turning back, so we parked at a little shop a mile from the airport and got to see the balloons launching it was so worth it. 

A kind gentleman let us watch from his yard and the girls ran around and played in the leaves. I had packed a picnic so as we munched on sandwiches we enjoyed the view. 








Got to love the way she can chill out :-)

Tomorrow we are going to a Diwali part at Wake Forrest University with friends, will take pictures and share a major Indian function should be fun, its lovely that the Indian community does this to celebrate the most important festival of the year with the local community. I must confess I nearly always forget though as a Christian Christmas is in my mind, but luckily I googled it and called around and got a gang together to enjoy good Indian food dancing and learning he he 

Have a fun adventure filled weekend everyone :-)


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Thursday, October 21, 2010

Rebecca's Pumpkin Soup


So after making the pumpkin infused cous cous I had another half of a New Zealand winter squash to use, I simply kept in the fridge till the next day and preceded to make a simple soup with it.

So happy I have begun cooking with pumpkin and squash lots of fun and it truly adds a rich, sweet taste. Its one of my favorite times of year with the leaves changing, mild weather and pumpkin patches America's love of fall is infectious and puts a smile on my face.

Ingredients:
  • half a roasted New Zealand winter squash 
  • 3 cloves of garlic
  • 1/2 a chopped red onion
  • 1/2 a glass of white wine
  • one teaspoon of cinnamon
  • 2 cups of vegetable stock
  • 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice and one tablespoon of orange zest
Method:

  1. saute onion and garlic in olive oil, add the squash for 10 minutes 
  2. then add the stock, wine, orange juice and zest and boil for 10 minutes 
  3. then blend the soup with a hand blender 
  4. serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon and enjoy :-)







Love the British girl in North Carolina 




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Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Spicy Cod over Pumpkin Infused Cous Cous


The other day at the pumpkin patch I got a little New Zealand winter squash not really sure what to do with it :-) I cut it in half and baked it. I wanted fish that night and found a nice spicy cod recipe on Jamie Oliver's recipe app (since I am launching my own I figured I have to test drive some!) I had some Israeli cous cous on hand so I figured why not add the pumpkin to it. It was super easy to prepare lovely flavor and packed with beta carotene, folate, vitamin C and iron.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Pancetta, Leek and Pea Risotto


I just love risotto and I want to thank food blogging for motivating me to make it, thats the wonderful thing about blogging. In fact Terra from Cafe Terra was talking about how easy pumpkin is to make on twitter the other day. So while taking cute snaps of Jasmine and her little buddy at the pumpkin stand I got one to eat not just for the front steps! I got a New Zealand winter squash, its a little cute purple/blue one. I made cous cous and added it and a pumpkin soup today, recipes to follow.......

How to Make a Good British Cuppa!




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Friday, October 15, 2010

Just for Laughs!!






I couldn't resist sharing this, kind of British humor but Kim from the Ungourmet had on facebook, so I hope you like it!


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Thursday, October 14, 2010

Easy Beef Stew


Tis the Season for soups and stews :-) I made this beef stew recently its been on Chow and Chatter before but worth sharing again, I learnt it from my Mum its easy to make and perfect healthy comfort food.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Chow and Chatters New Look!



Hi all how do you like Chow and Chatter's new look, I wanted a little re design and didn't want to break the bank and by good luck I found Kristen on ETSY she did an amazing job, was fun to work with and was very reasonably priced.

The top one is for my iPhone recipe app!! - COMING SOON ;-)

 Heres a little about her and links to her sites for more information:




My name is Kristen and I am a full-time freelance graphic/web designer. I graduated from the Art Institute Online earlier this year with a Bachelors in Interactive Media Design. I absolutely love what I do and it's even better because I can do it in my PJs! I have a passion for colors and typography. Currently, I am focusing on working with independent crafters and small business owners to brand their businesses. So I do it all, from website banners to full logo designs. My portfolio can be found at http://thegirlmakesbanners.etsy.com and http://kss538.aisites.com/site

My boyfriend and I live in Raleigh, NC with our Australian Shepherd, Dillon, a cat named Miss Kitten and two Shar Pei, Freyja and Reuben. In our spare time, my boyfriend and I train and show dogs in AKC events. That's how we met. I have one tattoo on my back that is a pink fairy holding two puppies. It is in memory of my Australian Shepherd, Jambo, and Sandy, my Longcoat Chihuahua. It is based on Jasmine Beckett-Griffith's artwork titled "A Beautiful Rat." I love: pink hair, tattoos, reading horror books, watching Bravo reality shows.




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Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Salmon Marinated in Grapefruit Juice






Yes you read it right, I marinated salmon in grapefruit juice and it really is a great way to cook salmon. I figured lemon is often paired with fish so why not grapefruit. I love grapefruit and Jasmine and I share one every morning with a little sugar on it. I also want to mention that I have Fernando De Valle a World  famous Opera singer on my radio show tomorrow at 5 pm talking about life as a world class artist and how to prevent diabetes. 

Monday, October 11, 2010

Proximity Hotel Greensboro


Hubby was off today so we decided to go out for lunch, I attended the DATs symposium in Winston Salem at the weekend, and Dennis  Quaintance the owner of the Proximity hotel was a speaker, he was an inspiring gentleman and was talking about ways for the Triad to look forward and improve the economy. He mentioned that he owned a Green hotel with national recognition and how his chefs take a London taxi cab to the farmers market that had my attention! he also talked about how he walks to work all in all he was a treat to listen to.
 So today I looked up his hotel and we had lunch at The Print Works Bistro...



Sunday, October 10, 2010

Cauliflower and Carrot Soup


This is a really simple soup great for this time of year, hubby was asking for a soup, so heres my new invention! I had a cauliflower and carrots on hand and coriander so made a nice comforting soup. Got to love soup as you can add almost anything!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Purple sweet potato mash up!


-I attended day one of the Design Art and Technology Symposium in Winston Salem, I really had no idea what it was about but it was hosted downtown in a new art center and was just $35 for the weekend. So of I went, it has a wonderful panel of expert speakers talking about the Triad and how the area has largely been dependent on tobacco, textures and tobacco doing type jobs. In future we need to look forward to thinking jobs, creative work and sustainable work. The food for thought it talking about local restaurants, food products and creating work along with design. It started of a little slow to be honest and I was starving I hadn't had lunch. But 2.30pm came around we were treated to the Mash Up, it was a wonderful collaboration between local chefs and refugees from Iraq, Ethiopia, Nepal and Vietnam. The chefs wonderfully embraced their partner and eagerly learned about their cuisine and created dishes using the Stokes county North Carolina sweet potato.






The conference hall, the event is a collaboration between Winston Salem State university, University of North Carolina and The Center for Innovation. 




This was a presentation by the Saura Pride sweet potatoes who worked with farmers and community kitchens to produce products such as purple sweet potato puree, pies and purple sweet potato butter to sell to get folks more familiar with the locally grown potato.



Chefs with their partners 





Spicy cassava stew with boiled sweet potato inspired by Vietnam 





Southern purple sweet potato pie




Iraqi inspired purple sweet potato baklava with cheese wow this one was so good!




Ethiopian inspired purple sweet potato chicken soup, this chef was particularly impressed by his partners knife skills, I told him he needs this soup on his menu!





Nepali purple sweet potato samosas


one of the chefs

A while back I made a leek and potato soup with these potatoes, if you find some what will you do with yours?



Didn't get to stay all day but hope to catch the World food in the Triad session tomorrow what fun!




Thursday, October 7, 2010

Pumpkin Gnocchi with Roasted Vegetables

Here's another simple recipe (what Chow and Chatter is all about :-)) I simply roasted vegetables with garlic and shallots and mixed with Gnocchi. I am slowly plucking up the courage to try making Gnocchi especially after reading Kristy's lovely blog My Little Space she made it look straight forward.
Who else has made it?

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Easy Asian Noodles with Vegetables



Heres a lovely and super simple Thai inspired noodle dish, can be loaded with veggies and any desired meat and great for toddlers. Love these kind of meals when I am running low on groceries :-)

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