Green Pepper and Tomato Stew / Chicken in Cider

Green pepper and Tomato Stew.

The vast majority of these recipes are vegetable based ,they can be served as a main dish or a side dish with bread.

Prep time : 15 minutes.

Cooking time : 15 minutes.

Serves 4 to 6 people.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of olive oil.

1 Big Onion

2 Red Peppers

1 green Pepper

4 Big Ripe Tomatoes

2 teaspoons of brown sugar

1) Heat the oil in a medium size casserole, add the chopped onion and fry on low heat until tender .

2) Add the Peppers and cook for 5 minutes, stirring to mix with the onion .

3) Add the Tomatoes and the sugar and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes, until vegetables are tender.

Cider Chicken.

Prep.  Time : 30 minutes.

Cooking time : 25 minutes.

Serves 4 to 6 people

Ingredients:

6 Chicken Breasts.

6 Slices of Ham:

Toothpicks to hold the chicken breasts together.

60 g of butter.

1 small onion.

1 small carrot.

1 tablespoon of flour.

1 1/2 cup of chicken stock.

pepper to taste.

1 cup of cider, you can also use non alcoholic cider

1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg .

1) Pre heat the oven at 180 C / 350 F.  With a sharp knife make an incision on the widest part of the chicken breast. Inside incision place the slice of ham,  close the incision with the tooth picks. Wrap the chicken breast with cling film  and place in the fridge until later use.

2) Heat the butter in a pan, add the onion  and the carrot chopped and stir fry for 4 minutes. Add the flour  and cook and stir until its  a golden colour. Add the chicken stock gradually,  and add the cider also. Stir until it is a fine mixture . Add the pepper and the nutmeg. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring till it thickens. Leave to boil for one minute. Take off the heat.

3 ) Place the chicken breast in an oven proof dish and pour the sauce mixture over it, cover and cook  in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

4) Take off the tooth picks off the chicken breasts, serve the chicken with the sauce and boiled rice or potatoes.

Buen Provecho !

Paella a yummy rice dish!

Paella is one of the best known gastronomic dishes of spain. Its name is derived from the name of the pan that is used to cook it in, though any good size pan will do. There is a wide variety of ways to prepare the paella. It can be done with fish,meat or poultry and vegetables. Any of the combinations will do.  The paella is served as a main and only dish, to accompany it you may serve a green salad.

Paella.

Preparation time: 25 minutes.

Cooking time:  20 minutes.

Serves 4 to 6 people.

2 table spoons of Olive oil.

4 chicken drumstick,  with out the bones,  cut into 4 pieces.

1 Red pepper.

1 Table spoon of chopped parsley.

425 g of squid, prawns,mussels and small clams.

2 Cups of round rice.

2 Cloves of garlic.

1 Medium size onion.

1/2 a tea spoon of saffron.

4 cups of chicken stock.

1 cup of frozen peas.

125 g of chorizo cut into strips.

Lemon slices to garnish.

1)  Heat up one table spoon of olive oil in the pan, fry the chicken pieces for 2 to 3 minutes, take out of the pan and save for later. Cut the red pepper into chunks and add to the pan with the parsley and the fish medley stir fry for one minute and take out of the pan for later use.

2) Take the rice and rinse under the cold water tap,  and drain from the excess water.

3)  Heat up the rest of the oil and add the chopped garlic and the onion also chopped and stir fry for one minute. Add the rice and stir, making sure the rice is well mixed up with the oil. Add the chicken pieces, you put to one side,  with the fish medley and the chorizo strips. Stir. Add the saffron and the chicken stock.

4) Bring to boiling point on a medium heat, stirring. Lower the heat and cook for 15 minutes or till all the liquid has evaporated.

5) Take off the heat  and let the rice rest for 5 minutes with a cover. With a fork separate the rice before serving with lemon cut in pieces . Each person may add the lemon juice to taste.

This is a great dish to serve to guests . You may want to try making the paella in the open air in picnic site. Also instead of chicken you may use pork or rabbit, if you do use rabbit omit the fish . Or you may want to do a vegetarian paella .

Buen Provecho !