I often suffer from the ‘Monday blues’. Other people have told me that they actually prefer a Monday to a Tuesday but for me that Monday morning attempt to get out of bed is not a good start to the week! On top of this Mondays tend to be one of my busiest days which is why I need something quick, easy and a bit of home comfort for supper on a Monday evening. Chilli con carne is a typical working week classic that is on most households weekly shopping list.
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recipe
Asian style cooking in Berlin: Thai Green Curry
I love Asian food. It can be light, fresh and reasonably healthy. I also find it quick and easy to make after work. I made a Thai green curry last night and any meal that involves cooking with one pan (apart from the rice) is a winner for me!
Finding fresh spices and ingredients can be quite limited in a German supermarket. You can of course find your standard root veg and basic salad ingredients but finding anything that may appear ‘exotic’ is a no go I am afraid.
If you are hoping to find some thai sweet basil in your nearest large supermarket you can forget it – standard basil can sometimes be hard enough to come by!
Yet cooking with these spices and herbs can really make a dish that something special and more importantly it is healthy and fresh. The good thing about Berlin is that there are a few local Asian stores dotted around the city. One of my favourites is Asia Mekong located here at Hackesher Markt:
Henriette-Herz Platz 1, 10178 Berlin
You will find all packets of spices you can imagine, pastes, fresh herbs and vegetables and packet and tinned goods. Also, for any of those missing a cup of ‘proper’ tea over here in Berlin they also sell PG Tips….
Grilled Halloumi with Roasted Vegetables
Happy Monday! Temperatures are creeping up slightly over here in Berlin and we are no longer freezing.
I have another easy working week treat for you. Halloumi reminds me of Berlin summers with it being a key ingredient for Berlin street food and BBQs in the park. I made the grilled halloumi with some winter veg to get the best of both worlds – a mix of both summer and winter….
Winter Comforts: Shepherds/ Cottage Pie
Whilst the temperatures are looking likely to increase by next weekend this weekend is going to be another cold one! Shepherds pie is a classic British ‘home comfort’ of mine and perfect for a cold weekend.
I should really be calling this version ‘Cottage Pie’ as this is made using minced beef. Shepherds Pie is made using minced lamb but seeing as lamb is near impossible to find over here in Germany I just used the minced beef. Either way – this is a perfect winter warmer!…
Grilled Chicken and Couscous Salad with a Mint Yoghurt Dip
At just under 500 calories this dinner is a great one for that post Christmas diet! I find that using a griddle pan is a delicious way to cook meat (plus fish and vegetables) and also a healthy one. Quick, easy and healthy – what more do you need? Make sure that this is part of your mid week meal plan….
The Little Tapas Book
Happy Monday! I have a little treat of a recipe book to show you today.
My younger sister gave me a cute little tapas book for Christmas which inspired my recent Tapas Feast. You can find a wide range of tapas dishes including fish, meat and vegetarian. Making tapas can require a little time due to the lots of different dishes but I find that this book is ideal for those light suppers after work. Especially in those summer months. Yet, you will also find recipes including spicy chorizo, salami, chilis and paprika potatoes to keep you warm during the winter.
The recipes are simple, easy to follow and the photos and design of the book make it a lovely item on your bookshelf.
You can buy the book here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Tapas-Book-Murdoch-Books/dp/1742660304/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358767071&sr=8-1
Enjoy! x
A Tapas Feast
I love tapas. Last summer I went to Barcelona and enjoyed plenty of tapas that included all kinds of fish, meat and cheese. Now it is January and temperatures have dropped to freezing cold and therefore my way of dealing with the ‘January Blues’ was to bring a little bit of Barcelona into my Berlin kitchen. This is a perfect weekend treat….