Baked Prawns

Karades Guvec - Shrimp in a Clay Pot or Baked Prawns

This is a delicious dish that doesn't take too long to prepare.  Use fresh uncooked shrimp to get the best flavor and ensure that it does not taste overcooked.  There are may possible potential side dishes, but for this one we selected a kind of spanish or cajun style rice...that is actually adapted from a turkish pilav dish.  We also made oven roasted fries that were done a bit early and did not make it past the appetizer phase.  

Rice Pilaf Dish

1 cup of rice

1 onion or onion powder

3-4 cloves of garlic

2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil

1 t sugar, 1 t cumin, 1 t coriander

1 can fire roasted chopped tomatoes with garlic

3/4 cup chicken stock + some extra water as needed

salt and pepper

1 can of pinto beans, rinsed

In a wide pan (with a vented lid) soften the onion and garlic in the butter or olive oil.  Stir in the sugar, coriander and cumin and cook for a few minutes.  Stir in the fire roasted tomatoes and chicken stock and cook for 3-4 minutes.  Add the rice, salt, pepper, and additional water as needed.  Bring to a boil for a few minutes and reduce to low.  After about 5 min pour the can of beans on top.  Cook until the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked.  Remove from heat and let rest, blend together.

Baked Prawns

1.5 lbs fresh raw shrimp

2 tablespoons olive oil or butter

1 onion

1-5 peppers - green, red, hot mild - depending on the size and your preference

1t sugar

3-4 cloves of garlic

1t caraway seeds, 1 t coriander, 1 t chili powder

1 handful of fresh basil - chopped

1 large tomato

1 can fire roasted tomatoes with garlic

4-6 oz of hard goat cheese - something that can be grated

salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 400F.  Soften the onion and peppers in a pan in the oil or butter.  Stir in the garlic, sugar, coriander, and chili powder.  Cook for a few minutes.  Add the shrimp and cook until they start to whiten.  Add the basil, canned tomatoes, and fresh tomatoes.  Cook gently for about 5 minutes.  Add salt and pepper.  Spoon the mixture into the clay pots and sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top.  Bake in the oven for 15 minutes until the cheese starts to brown.  

Roasted Chicken and Vegetable Stew

The key to this recipe is to cook the parts separately and then blend them together for the finish.  Another key is to add some fresh ingredients at the end when serving. 

Part 1

• prepare full boneless chicken breasts by rubbing them with olive oil, salt, and pepper or Slap Your Mama rub seasoning mix
•  roast in the oven until centers are about 165 on the instant read thermometer
• chop and set aside to rest, add to the stew - towards the end so they are not over cooked

Part 2

• Chop eggplant, onion, and peppers and coat lightly in olive oile, salt and pepper
• roast in the oven at 425 for about 30 minutes until roasted and golden brown
• add to the stew
• chicken can be roasted at the same temp at the same time

Part 3

• In a dutch oven or stove top pot, saute chopped garlic in a little olive oil
•  add chopped potatoes and carrots and saute a bit
• add 2 cans of diced tomatoes with garlic and peppers and add one can of chickpeas, drained
• add 1 can or one cup of stock
• spices - thyme, salt, pepper, paprika, oregano

Part 4

• add the chicken and roasted vegetables to part 3
• cook together until the taste blends together
• serve with fresh parsley, lemon, yogurt, soy cream cheese

Mojo Sauce

Mojo Sauce

Ingredients 

1. 1 cup of Olive Oil
2. 3/4 cup Orange Juice
3. 3/4 cup Lime Juice (or more orange juice if you don't have any)
4. garlic - 3-4 cloves chopped
5. fresh oregano - chopped
6. fresh cilantro or coriander
7. smoked paprika
8. cumin - about 2 t
9. chili powder 2 t
10. Tabasco sauce 1 - 2 T
11. salt to taste
12. pepper to taste

Directions

1. heat about 2T of olive oil in a pan and saute the chopped garlic for a minute or so
2. mix all of the ingredients together in a food processor and blend, adjust the seasoning to your taste preference
3. pour over roasted pork or other meats or roasted vegetables, rice, or beans

Blue Potato Salad

Blue Potato Salad

1. Chop and roast blue potatoes, garlic, carrots, and red peppers in the oven at 425 until done.
2. Chop green onion and parsley
3. Saute chopped Canadian bacon until brown
4.  Mix all ingredients in a bowl and add
5.  A small amount of mayonnaise
6. Olive oil
7. Salt
8. Pepper
9. Smoked paprika
10.  Additional possible ingredients

• Sesame oil
• Garlic powder  
• Pan Roasted Nuts
• Balsamic vinegar

 Chill and Serve

Yum-O Gumbo

In pure "crap-it-up" fashion, I created this design for a contest on Spoonflower, but thought it definitely needed to be posted here! Clam juice, shrimp, sausage.....lots of things go into this gumbo recipe!