Indian Butter Chicken

adapted from From Away

I love Indian food. It's so spicy and completely exotic. I would love to travel to India someday and go on a food tour - just to try out the range of spices and new flavors. Ahhh... someday! 

This recipe was good and easy to make. If you are into Indian food at all, or are wanting to try something new - give it a whirl! It could easily be made vegetarian as well by substituting the meat with eggplant or another veggie.

Serves 4-6

2 lbs chicken, cubed
8 cloves of garlic
2 tsp fresh ginger
2 Tbsp coriander powder
2 tsp cayenne pepper
salt (to taste)
vegetable oil
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 onion, chopped
2 cups water
1/4 cup cashews
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 fresno chile, seeded and diced (If you like spice!)
1/2 stick unsalted butter (1/2 cup or 112 grams)
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 tsp sugar
1/2 cup cream
1 Tbsp garam masala
1/4 cup parsley, chopped, for a garnish

In a large bowl, toss chicken cubes, half of the garlic, 1 tsp of ginger, 1 Tbsp of coriander, 1 tsp cayenne pepper and a pinch of salt. Toss until well coated and set aside.
Heat a slash of oil in a wok, then add the marinated chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the cumin seeds, the onion, remaining garlic and ginger and saute for 20 minutes on low until the onions are soft. Then add water and stir. Add cashews, remaining coriander powder, remaining chili powder, tomatoes, the chile and stir well.
Let the sauce cook slowly over medium-low heat for about 30 minutes, until everything has mingled. Transfer the sauce to a blender (CAREFULLY!) and blend until smooth. Pour the sauce back into the wok, add the butter, tomato paste, sugar and stir will.
Finally, add the cream and reserved chicken to the sauce. Cook the chicken for a few more minutes, making sure it is cooked all of the way through. Add the garam masala and stir well. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve over rice.

Vegetarian Chickpea Curry

from Allrecipes

It was a warm Sunday afternoon and it was time to make dinner. Everything around here is closed on Sundays, and I had forgotten to pick up groceries. BOO! So I looked at the few ingredients we had around the house and miraculously found everything I needed for this recipe. And wouldn't you know, it was delicious.

I'm feeling more comfortable with curries day by day, and this one is great and so easy. You could add chilies for heat or cool it down with some plain yogurt or sour cream. Anyway, give it a try.

1 Tbsp butter
1 onion
3 cloves garlic
3 tsp curry
2 tsp garam masala
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp tumeric
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 can garbanzo beans
2 potatoes, chopped
1 can coconut milk (reduced fat is fine)
1-2 tomatoes, chopped
1/3 cup milk
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 vegetable bullion cubes
1-2 Tbsp cornstarch or flour to thicken the sauce (optional)
almonds, for garnish
sour cream, for garnish

Melt the butter in a large wok and saute onions and garlic until the onions are soft and translucent (about 20 minutes on medium low). Add the spices and allow them to toast for 1-2 minutes.

Chop potatoes into chunks, and add the rest of the ingredients to the walk. Simmer on medium-low until the potatoes are cooked through and the flavors have mingled. If the sauce is too runny, add the cornstarch or flour to thicken it up. Serve on a hot bed of rice topped with almond slivers and sour cream.

Spanish Rice Bake

Adapted from Allrecipes

I don't know about you, but sometimes I get into a cooking rut. I get comfortable with a few recipes and after a month or so I stop and realize I have been eating the same 3 things for weeks! Anyway, I wanted something new and easy, with not too many strange ingredients that I would have to hunt around for. This was just the ticket. Familiar flavors, hearty and with a little hot sauce it really sings.

Plus, I imagine you could add all sorts of beans and veggies to this and even make it vegetarian if you so desired.

Makes enough for 4-6 people

1 lb lean ground beef
1 onion
2-3 bell peppers
1 can (14 oz or 400g) canned tomatoes
1 can corn
1 can kidney beans
1 cup water
1 cup rice
1/2 cup chile sauce (or salsa)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
fresh cilantro

Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C)
Brown the meat and onion in a large skillet. Drain excess fat and stir in peppers, tomatoes, water, rice, chilie sauce, salt, sugar, and spices.
Let simmer for about 30 minutes covered, stirring occasionally. Check to see that the rice is cooked through, and if it is pour entire contents into a large casserole dish. (if not, wait a little longer, add water if needed and then pour it into the dish) Press down firmly and sprinkle with cheddar cheese.
Bake at for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh cilantro.

Chicken Tikka Masala

adapted slightly from Jamie Oliver

I love Indian food but find it so intimidating! I guess I hate the fact that I never really know if I'm doing it right because it is so unfamiliar... So when my friend Janine wanted to try out this Tikki Masala recipe I thought it would be the perfect time to tackle the challenge. By the end of the hour the house smelled like a spice market and our mouths were all watering.

Serves 4-6

1/2 fresh red chili, deseeded (more if you want it hotter)

1 clove garlic,

1/2 oz (15 grams) fresh ginger

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 pinch paprika

1/2 Tbsp garam masala

1 tsp tomato puree

a bunch of fresh cilantro (coriander)

about 14 oz (400 grams) chicken breast, diced into pieces

1 small onion, peeled and sliced

1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped into pieces

1 green pepper, deseeded and chopped into pieces

1 pinch of ground cinnamon

1 pinch of ground coriander

1 pinch of turmeric

14 oz (400 grams) plum tomatoes

3.5 oz (100 ml) plain yogurt

3.5 oz (100 ml) sour cream

The day before: (or at least a few hours before)

Put the chili, garlic, ginger, vegetable oil, paprika, garam masala, tomato puree, and all of the cilantro stalks into the food processor and puree to form a paste. Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl, coat them with marinade and put them in the fridge over night.

When ready, add a little vegetable oil in a large wok or fry pan on medium heat. Fry the onion, peppers and remaining spices in a large saucepan. Cook gently for about 10 minutes, then add the can of tomatoes and yogurt. Finally, add the chicken pieces and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes until cooked through. Just before serving, stir through the double cream and chopped cilantro leaves.

Serve with fluffy rice and a leafy green salad.

Thai Curry Soup

From Timo Lehto

This is such an amazing soup. The flavors are brilliant and my mouth is watering just thinking about it. It is spicy and creamy and feels wonderfully exotic. Extra bonus, it takes about 10 minutes to put together.

Serves 4

2 onions

1 chili (or 1 tsp chili powder)

3 Tbsp curry paste (red or green)

7 dl fish stock

1 cup coconut milk

salmon

2 Tbsp fish sauce

3 limes

linguine noodles

fresh cilantro

Saute onions, chili and curry paste until onions are soft. Add fish stock, coconut milk and boil for 2-3 minutes. Add noodles and fish sauce and just when the noodles are starting to soften, toss in the fish. Simmer until fish is cooked, then remove from heat and serve. Use lime juice and cilantro as a garnish.

Brazilian Black Mango Soup

from Allrecipes

When I first saw this recipe I was pretty skeptical because of all the random ingredients. Mango in a stew? Are you crazy? But I really love mango. And black beans. And sweet potatoes. So I thought I would give it a try. So glad I did. And while I loved the ham, it would be great with out it as well.

1 Tbsp oil

1/4 lb chorizo sausage

1/3 lb cooked ham, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and diced

1 large bell pepper, chopped

2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice

1 hot chili pepper, finely minced (optional, add for heat)

1 1/2 cups stock

2 (16 oz) cans black beans

1 mango

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

salt to taste

First, heat oil in a big pot. Saute onion and garlic and once softened, toss in the chorizo and ham. Then add in the sweet potatoes, bell pepper, the cans of tomatoes with juice, minced chili pepper, and stock. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in beans and simmer for 5-10 more minutes. Lastly, mix in mango and cilantro, season with salt and serve.

Spicy Spanish Bean Soup

I just can't get enough soup this winter! It has been so snowy and cold this week and this soup was perfect to cast off the chill.

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 medium onion

1 bunch cilantro

1/2 tsp oregano

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp paprika

1-2 chili peppers (depends on how much spice you want)

2 chorizo sausages, chopped into pieces

2 cups garbanzo beans

3 potatoes, cut into thin slices

1/2 cup olives, chopped

1 red pepper (I used the roasted kind that comes in a jar)

1 cup tomato sauce

3-4 cups chicken broth

cheese or sour cream to garnish (optional)

Saute the onion, garlic until beginning to soften. Then add oregano, cumin, paprika, chilies and sausages in a large soup pot. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve immediately.

Ground Pork Curry

Adapted from Chow Times

I am always nervous about curries. I don't have much of a background in Indian food, and I often question if I am doing things correctly. This was perfect for a beginner like myself, and Ben liked it so much that he ate the whole pot. It was spicy and so easy to make. I would be interested in trying it with chicken, and varying the heat levels, but it was great as is.

1 lb lean ground pork

2 onions, finely chopped

4 medium potatoes, cubed

3 cloves garlic

1 Tbsp minced ginger

1 tsp ground turmeric

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp cumin seeds, roughly crushed

1 tsp coriander

1/2 tsp dried chili flakes

1 can crushed tomatoes

1 1/4 cup vegetable stock

1 large bunch spinach

salt and pepper to taste

Saute onions, garlic, pork, and spices together in a pot. Cook until onions are soft and meat is browned. Then add potatoes and tomatoes, once warm add stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once 20 minutes have passed, add spinach and allow to heat through for a couple of minutes, just enough to wilt it.

Serve immediately with rice.

African Peanut Soup

Adapted from Show Me Vegan

I had seen this recipe on several blogs and finally had to try it out. It was excellent. The flavors were warm and different than the palate that I usually cook with. It was spicy and sweet and so easy that I will be making it again soon!

1 Tbsp oil

1 medium onion

3 cloves garlic

2 Tbsp fresh ginger (1 tsp dried)

cayenne pepper to taste

salt and pepper to taste

6 cups vegetable stock

2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

1 can of tomatoes (about 1 1/2 cups)

2 cans red beans (about 2 cups)

1/2 pound cabbage, thinly sliced (kale or spinach would also work)

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup brown sugar

Heat the oil and saute the onion, garlic, and ginger for 5 minutes. Then add 1/2 cup peanuts, cayenne, salt and pepper and saute for about 30 seconds. Then add broth, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and red beans, bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Add cabbage and simmer for about 20 minutes, then add peanut butter and brown sugar and simmer an additional 10 minutes. Serve immediately

PF Changs style Lettuce Wraps

Adapted from PF Changs

Ben and I first tried these lettuce wraps on a date, and we were hooked! Being students we couldn't afford to go out every time we had a hankering for them so we learned to make it ourselves through trial and error. The chicken has great flavor, the dipping sauce is hot and spicy and it is a great contrast to the cool, crisp lettuce leaves.

3-4 chicken breasts, diced into small pieces

1 cup water chestnuts, diced

green onion, diced

mushrooms, diced

2-3 chilies (optional, depending on how hot you like it)

oil

2-3 Tbsp soy sauce

2-3 Tbsp brown sugar

salt and pepper to taste

1 head iceburg lettuce

rice

Dipping Sauce

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup water

4 Tbsp soy

4 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

4 Tbsp ketchup

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp oil

Hot chinese mustard and chili paste to taste

Carefully peel off individual leaves of lettuce from the head, wash and place in the fridge to chill. Chop up and combine the chicken, water chestnuts, onion, mushrooms and chilies. Heat the oil on the wok and once hot, stir fry chicken mixture together.

In a separate bowl, combine all ingredients for the dipping sauce and mix well.

Eat by spooning the chicken into lettuce cups with a little dipping sauce, wrap it up and enjoy!

Chicken Enchiladas Verdes

Adapted from Mom

Enchiladas are one of my favorite meals. It reminds me of mom and living in my childhood home, and it is great comfort food. I have changed her original recipe over the years to add more spice and heat, but it still has the same elements and tastes great.

Serves 4

1 Tbsp butter

1 onion

2 garlic cloves

2 tsp chili powder

1 Tbsp dried cilantro (or 1 bunch of fresh), divided

1 can green chilies

2 cups cubed chicken

1 can of Cream of Chicken soup *

16 tortillas

1 cup cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

1 can green enchilada sauce

1 bell pepper, diced

Preheat the oven to 350 (176 C)

Saute onion, garlic, chili and half of your cilantro in butter until clear and fragrant. Add chicken pieces, cook through. Add cream of chicken soup, can of green chilies and sour cream, stir until smooth.

Pour 1/2 the can of green enchilada sauce on the bottom of your baking dish (I ended up using one 9x13 inch casserole pan). Take one tortilla at a time, add a scoop of creamy chicken filling and roll it up inside of the tortilla. Start lining up the filled and rolled tortillas in the casserole dish and keep squeezing them in until they are packed tight and you are out of sauce. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce on top of the dish and sprinkle with 1 cup of cheese, the rest of your cilantro and diced bell pepper.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Serve with fresh salsa.

*if you need to make your own cream of chicken soup like I do in Finland, here are the ingredients:

4 Tbsp flour

4 Tbsp butter

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup milk

1 cup chicken stock

Melt butter in a sauce pan and whisk in flour. Then add salt, milk and broth slowly and heat until liquid is smooth.

Spicy Asian Shredded Pork

adapted from Savour Fare

I made this as a side to a vegetable stir fry, and it was amazing. Slow cooking meat really allows you to capture intense flavor, and it is so easy a child could do it!

2 lbs pork tenderloin, cut into smaller pieces

2 bell peppers, chopped

3-4 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, chopped

sesame seeds to garnish

Sauce:

2 cups teriyaki sauce

1/2 cup soy sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp Thai red curry paste

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Place pork, peppers, garlic, onion into a large pot (or crockpot). Mix together sauce and turn the heat on low for 8-12 hours. Be sure that liquid is always covering the meat so it doesn't get dried out. Once done, pull the pork apart with forks and serve.

Thai Cashew Chicken

Adapted from a Mingling of Tastes and Allrecipes

This spicy stir fry was an attempt to start labor after being almost a week overdue. It didn't work, but it was delicious and packed with healthy veggies.

2 cups chicken pieces
1 Tbsp oil
6 Tbsp ketchup

6 Tbsp oyster sauce

2 Tbsp soy sauce

3/4 cup chicken broth

3 tsp white sugar

2 Tbsp Thai chili paste (adjust this to your tastes, it can make it very hot!)

1 Tbsp flour

1 large onion, chopped

1 zucchini, chopped

3-4 large carrots, julienned

1 red pepper, chopped

1 head broccoli, chopped

*dried red chilies (optional, for additional heat)

1/2 cup cashews

Steamed rice, for serving

Mix together the ketchup, oyster sauce, soy sauce, chicken broth, sugar and chili paste. Reserve half of the sauce and marinate the chicken in the other half in the fridge for at least 1/2 hour (the longer the better).

While the chicken is in the fridge, prepare all of the vegetables, cook rice and set aside.

Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken plus chopped onion and stir fry for several minutes until meat is cooked through. Lower the heat to medium, add in the reserved sauce plus 1 Tbsp flour to thicken, the rest of the veggies and cook for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are just beginning to become tender, but still have bite. Remove from heat, mix in the cashews and serve immediately over rice.

Bean Burritos

adapted from Martha Stewart

These turned out so great and had so much flavor that you didn't miss the meat at all. The best part about it is you can make extra and freeze them individually for a quick lunch or dinner later in the week.

This picture doesn't show off many beans, but they are in there!

Beans:

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 medium onions

4 cloves garlic

1 jalapeño

1 tsp chili powder

salt and pepper

1/2 cup diced canned tomatoes (about 1/2 can)

3 cans beans (black or pinto)

1 bag (about 3 cups) corn

Mexican Rice:

3/4 cup rice

1 chicken (or vegetable) bullion (or 1 1/5 cup broth)

1/2 cup diced canned tomatoes (about 1/2 can)

1 cup cheese

1 head lettuce (or other leafy greens)

8 burrito sized tortillas

salsa

sour creme (optional, but recommended)

1. Cook rice using broth or drop a bullion cube in the water. Once done, mix in canned tomatoes and set aside.

2. Saute onions, garlic, jalapeño, chili powder and salt and pepper in a large pot until soft and golden. Add tomato paste and cook for 1-2 more minutes, then add beans and 1 1/2 cup water. Once boiling, turn heat down to low and simmer for about 10-15 minutes to reduce the liquid. Add corn to bean mixture and cook until heated through.

3. Grate cheese, chop lettuce and warm up tortillas according to package instructions (or make your own)

4. Assemble burritos: mound 1/4 cup rice, 1/2 cup bean mixture and sprinkle cheese on one side of the tortilla. Fold and hold in sides. Start from the filled end, holding sides in as you work, tightly rolling it into a bundle. Serve immediately with salsa and sour cream, or wrap individually in plastic and freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat from frozen with a microwave:

Remove from plastic wrap and put in microwave on a plate, covered in with a microwave safe bowl. Defrost on high for 3-4 minutes, uncover and microwave on high for 3-4 more minutes

To reheat from frozen using oven:

Remove burritos from plastic wrap, and cover them with foil. Place on a baking sheet and bake at 450 (230 C) for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake to a crisp 5-10 additional minutes.

To reheat from defrosted:

remove all coverings and bake at 450 (230 C) for 10 minutes or microwave on high for 3-4 minutes.

Cari Poulet

My sister Kate has lived on a small island off the coast of Madagascar for the past year and a half. The food on her island was a bizarre blend of French food, Creole, Malagasy and Indian cuisine. On her way home to the USA, she visited us here in Finland and we made this traditional creole dish:

Cari poulet is French for curry chicken, but everything sounds prettier in French, so cari poulet it is. The dish was great and it was fun to experiment with the local spices she picked up from the island. What really knocked it out of the park was the hot sauce and beans, so be sure to make the complete meal.

1-2 Tbsp oil

3-4 chicken legs (skinless)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, diced

5-6 tomatoes, diced

1/2 tsp curcuma (Tumeric)

enough water so the chicken is mostly covered in the pot

salt and pepper to taste

Hot Sauce: (combine into a bowl)

1/2 onion, finely minced

1 clove garlic, finely minced

1 tsp salt

2-3 finely diced tomatoes

chili paste to taste (we used Pimo from Reunion island, use as much as desired...)

Beans: (Saute oil, onion and garlic in a pan until soft, add beans and cook until heated through)

1 Tbsp oil

1/2 onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 cup kidney beans, drained but not rinsed

In a large pot, sear the chicken legs in olive oil on high until cooked. Then add minced garlic and diced onion, and stir until fragrant. Then add tomatoes, curcuma, enough water to cover the chicken and salt and pepper. Cook on medium-low for 45 minutes, then serve on rice accompanied with hot sauce and beans.

Yakitori Burgers

adapted from A Good Appetite

This is a delicious Japanese twist on hamburgers, and turned out beautifully.

Burger Patties:

225 grams ground pork (or turkey or other ground meat)

2 cloves garlic

1 tsp fresh ginger, minced

1/2 onion

1/2 tsp honey

1/2 Tbsp soy sauce

1 egg

1/4 cup oatmeal

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Glaze:

1/4 cup Mirin, or pineapple juice

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 Tbsp maple syrup

1 T brown sugar

2 tsp ginger

2 Tbsp lemon juice

2 tsp cornstarch

1 Tbsp cold water

hamburger buns

pineapple rings (reserve juices)

1 medium onion, cut into rings

1/4 cup mayonnaise

lettuce

chili sauce

In a small saucepan, bring the Mirin, soy sauce, maple syrup, brown sugar, ginger, and lemon juice to a boil. Mix the cornstarch and cold water together to dissolve the cornstarch. Stir into the boiling mixture. Let boil for about 15 minutes until thickened. Set aside to cool.

Mix all burger ingredients together with your hands and form into patties. Grill over medium-high heat for 3 minutes per side. Brush with glaze and flip. Grill for 2 more minutes each side, adding glaze to both sides.

When the burgers have about 5 minutes left, fry the onions on the grill and brush them with glaze. Cook until soft.

Mix mayonnaise with 2 Tbsp glaze. Put together burgers on a bun with mayonnaise mix, lettuce, onions, a pineapple ring, and chili sauce.

Mongolian Beef

adapted from Foodie Bride

This is a take on the popular Chinese restaurant favorite. It was easy to put together, and had a light spicy flavor. Next time I would probably add some fresh chilies to make it a little hotter, but as is this dinner is a crowd pleaser.

1 lb flank steak, sliced thinly
1/4 cup cornstarch
3 tsp oil, divided
1 tsp freshly grated ginger
3-4 cloves minced garlic
1 cup water
1cup soy sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar (measured, not packed)
2 tsp red pepper flakes (I used 1 tsp chili powder)

Garnish with sesame seeds or sliced green onion

Pat steak slices dry and add to a bowl with cornstarch. Toss to coat and shake off excess starch.

Heat 1 1/2 tsp oil in a large wok or frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and ginger, and stir until fragrant. Add the soy sauce, water, brown sugar, and pepper flakes. cook the sauce for about 2 minutes and transfer to a bowl.

Turn the heat to high and add the remaining oil to the wok. Add the beef strips and cook until browned on all sides. Pour the sauce back into the wok and stir for several minutes, then remove from heat. Serve with rice and vegetables, garnish and enjoy!

Polynesian Style Meatballs

adapted from Don't Forget Delicious

Ok, I know this is my third meatball recipe, but for some reason (pregnancy?) I have been really craving meat lately... These meatballs may be my all-time favorite, the flavor was spicy and unique and they were a cinch to put together.

1 lb ground pork

1 egg

3/4 cup bread crumbs (or quick oats)

1-3 tsp chili sauce (depending on how much heat you like)

3/4 tsp fresh ginger root, grated

2 tsp mustard

2 Tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp salt

8 oz pineapple chunks, plus juice

1 red bell pepper, diced

1/2 onion, diced

3 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

3 Tbsp brown sugar

1/2 cup beef stock

2 Tbsp cornstarch

Preheat the oven to 350. Mix together pork, egg, oats, chili sauce, ginger root, mustard, soy sauce and salt. Roll into balls and brown them in a frying pan on the stove. Once browned, put in a baking dish and bake for 15 minutes (or until cooked all the way through)

In the same frying pan, heat the pineapple + juice and onion until just boiling. Add in the bell pepper, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Meanwhile in a small bowl combine vinegar, brown sugar, stock and cornstarch and mix together. Add to the pineapple mixture and stir to combine. Boil for 1-2 minutes or until thickened.

Add meatballs back into the pan and toss to coat. Serve over hot rice.

Spicy Sloppy Joes

This is one of those childhood classics that I remember as a child. They are cheap, easy and liked by kids everywhere. As an adult I prefer my Joe a little spicier, but feel free to ease up on the heat according to the tastes of your guests.

1 lb ground beef
1 small onion, minced
2 cloves garlic
1-2 Tbsp spicy mustard
1 stalk celery, sliced
1/2 green bell pepper, diced
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1-2 Tbsp brown sugar
3/4 cup ketchup (or tomato sauce)
dash of chili (adjust to your tastes)
salt and pepper to taste
1 Tbsp olive oil
sandwich buns

Heat oil in a skillet and saute onion, garlic, bell pepper and celery, seasoned with salt and pepper. Cook for 5-7 minutes, then add beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain off fat. Add ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and sugar to beef mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, then scoop into sandwiches and serve.

Pineapple Chili Chicken

adapted from My Kitchen

This chicken is hot and sweet. When choosing the chili sauce be sure to pick one that reflects the tastes of your guests, some can be really hot while others are mildly tangy.



3-4 chicken thighs
1 Tbsp olive oil
3-4 cloves garlic
1 Tbsp fresh grated ginger
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup chili sauce
1 large can crushed or cubed pineapple (plus the juice)
1 Tbsp sugar
salt
1 Tbsp flour or cornstarch
green onion (garnish)

1. Heat oil in a large frying pan. Saute garlic and ginger about 1 minute, then add pineapple (plus juice), ketchup, and chili sauce. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Let cool.

2. Once the sauce is cool, pour over the chicken and marinate in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Then place the chicken and sauce in a baking dish, cover with foil and bake at 300 F for 2 hours.

3. Take out the chicken, reserving the liquid, pan sear and set aside (keep warm). Take the liquid and put it in a frying pan, skimming the fat off the top. Bring to a boil and reduce the liquid, adding flour or cornstarch to thicken the sauce. Pour sauce over the chicken, garnish with green onions and serve.