Clare’s Tasty Tapas (2)

Here is part two of Clare’s Tasty Tapas. These are super as a main meal any evening, ideal for lunchtime leftovers and you will impress many a dinner guest if you were to sever mini ones of these as canapés.

tapas1

Today we have our simple mango salad, Mushroom bruchetta and Tomato bruchetta.

Makes: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Total Time:  20 minutes

tapas2

Ingredients

Mango Salad:

  • 100g Mixed Salad leaves
  • 1 sliced mango
  • 1 sliced red onion
  • juice of 1 lime
  • 2tbs extra virgin olive oil
  • pinch of black pepper

tapas8

Mushroom Bruchetta:

  • 8 slices of french bread
  • 200g button mushrooms
  • half a glass of white wine
  • 1tbs smooth mustard
  • 1tbs grated garlic
  • pinch of salt and pepper
  • handful of fresh chopped parsley
www.clarewiththehair.com
http://www.clarewiththehair.com

Tomato Bruchetta:

  • 200g vine ripe tomatoes
  • 2-3 chopped spring onions
  • 2tbs olive oil
  • 1 grated clove of garlic
  • 1tbs of sugar
  • pinch of salt and pepper
www.clarewiththehair.com
http://www.clarewiththehair.com

PREPARATION

Mango Salad: Mix the salad leaves, mango, red onion and dress with the oil, lime juice, salt and pepper.

Mushroom Bruchetta: Cook your sliced mushroom in a pan for 4-5 minutes, until soft and tender, add the wine and cook until almost evaporated, add your mustard, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper. toast your bread slices and top with the mushroom mixture.

Tomato Bruchetta: Chop your vine ripened tomatoes, add your chopped spring onions, garlic, sugar, salt and pepper. Toast your bread and top with the tomato mixture.

www.clarewiththehair.com
http://www.clarewiththehair.com

❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

Clare’s Tasty Tapas

I am still in a summer sun kind of mood, so today I bring to you my Tasty Tapas

www.clarewiththehair.com
www.clarewiththehair.com

These are super as a main meal any evening, ideal for lunchtime leftovers and you will impress many a dinner guest if you were to sever mini ones of these as canapés.

Today we will give you the Black pudding, Potato & Prawn Bruschetta Tapas recipes, come back next week for the Tomato Bruschetta, Mushroom Bruschetta and Mango Salad.

www.clarewiththehair.com
www.clarewiththehair.com

Makes: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Total Time:  55 minutes

www.clarewiththehair.com
www.clarewiththehair.com

Ingredients

Black Pudding:

  • 280g Black Pudding
  • 2tbs of tomato relish
  • 8 slices of Dry cure Streaky rashers

Potato & Chorizo 

  • 200g Baby sliced potato
  • 1 med onion
  • 1/2 glass of dry white wine
  • 1tbs olive oil
  • 100g Chorizo sausage

Prawn Bruschetta

  • 8 ,1cm thick slices of French stick
  • 2tbs olive oil
  • 150g of Prawns
  • Large handful of fresh chopped coriander
  • 1 finely chopped red chilli
  • 1 grated clove of garlic
  • 1/2tsp cracked black pepper
www.clarewiththehair.com
www.clarewiththehair.com

PREPARATION

Potato: 1/ Place the potatoes into a pan of water, bring to the boil and cook until tender, drain and set to one side, While these cook place the sliced onions in a large frying pan with the olive oil, cook for 2-3 minutes, add the wine and reduce until this has almost disappeared, you really just want 1-2 tbs of wine left in the pan, add the sliced Chorizo, cook for 1-2 minutes, add the cooked potato and cook for a further 3-4 minutes. Then serve.

www.clarewiththehair.com
www.clarewiththehair.com

Black Pudding: 2/ Slice the black pudding, butter the relish onto the flat sides of the pudding, cut each rasher into 3 and wrap around the pudding and relish, place on a lined baking sheet and place in a moderate oven for 10-12 minutes. turning once.

www.clarewiththehair.com
www.clarewiththehair.com

Prawn: 3/ Place the sliced bread on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and bake until golden and crunchy. Place the prawns, chilli, garlic and coriander in a pan, (if using fresh prawns cook until they turn pink, if using already cooked prawns, then you are just warming them through) try not to over cook. Place the Prawn’s onto the bread, finish with cracked black pepper and serve.

www.clarewiththehair.com
www.clarewiththehair.com

 ❤ Clare with the Hair ❤ 

Aroi Restaurant Limerick Review

If you are planning a trip to Limerick City, then find time to visit Aroi! This review is based on my personal experience in their Aroi’s Limerick restaurant but just to let you know, Aroi are also based in Cork City Center also.

www.clarewiththehair.com
www.clarewiththehair.com

In Aroi’s words:

“Aroi is associated with the eating experience in Asia. Pronounced (Aroy) means delicious or tasty.

Aroi is a casual dining venue which offers a single course dining experience and service with the minimum of fuss.

Our ethos is to serve market fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Our healthy cuisine avoids the obscure chemicals and additives so common in our food today.

Aroi sources authentic herbs and spices and we do not use M.S.G. in any of our preparation.”

www.clarewiththehair.com
www.clarewiththehair.com

In my words:

Aroi is one of my favorite places to visit for lunch in Limerick, they serve fresh, tasty, clean food at affordable prices with the bonus of a free ice cream afterwards.

I have tried many items on their menu but my favorites are (in order) the Pad Thai, Char-grilled Duck, Red Thai Curry and the must try for you all, their sticky rice, I love this with the Char-grilled Duck.

All main meals are just €10, which I really love, before you go in, regardless of what takes your fancy on the menu, it is always just €10!

www.clarewiththehair.com
www.clarewiththehair.com

Aroi also have a large selection of soft drinks, wine, teas and Thai beers.

The ice cream I referred to is actually their homemade Gelato, they have tonnes of flavors, I have tried their Cherry, Lemon & Coconut, and I loved them all, I will have to return “just to try the others” and report back 🙂 

www.clarewiththehair.com (image from Aroi)
www.clarewiththehair.com (image from Aroi)

I am a big fan of Aroi and I am not alone, this year Aroi won the Best newcomer in Munster from Irish Restaurant association. Well done Aroi, this is a super achievement because as you know, Limerick and Munster is filled with some super places to dine.

www.clarewiththehair.com (image from Aroi)
www.clarewiththehair.com (image from Aroi)

❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

Clare’s Simple Summer Lettuces Cups

It officially summer! so what better way to start this season than with these light and tasty lettuces cups.

These make a perfect lunch or light dinner or you could served these as a starter when hosting a dinner party.

www.clarewiththehair.com
www.clarewiththehair.com

Makes: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Total Time:  25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 200g 5% minced beef
  • 100g button mushrooms
  • 12-16 cucumber slices
  • 12-16 tomatoes slices
  • 40g red cheddar chees
  • 4tbs Sweet chilli sauce
  • 1tsp crushed garlic
  • 1tss cracked black pepper
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2tsp coconut oil
  • 12-16 cos lettuces leaves
www.clarewiththehair.com
www.clarewiththehair.com

PREPARATION

1/ Put the coconut oil in a large frying pan, add the minced beef and cook for 2-3 minutes, add the crushed garlic, black pepper, salt and 1/2 the sweet chilli sauce and cook for a further 2-3 minutes

2/ Slice and cook the mushrooms in a saucepan with a pinch of salt, cook until water coming from the mushrooms has evaporated (2-4 minutes) . wash and dry the lettuces cups.

3/ Fill the lettuces cups with the cooked mushrooms, sliced tomato, minced beef, cheese and the remaining 1/2 of the chilli sauce.

Enjoy!

❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

Clare’s Beef & Mango Meatballs

Oh now this is comfort food at its best and who doesn’t love beef, pasta and tomato sauce 🙂 It warm, a hint of spice and heavy on the carbs . Sure what is not to love?

mb5
Clare’s Beef & Mango Meatballs

mb1

Makes: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Total Time:  35 minutes

mb

Ingredients

  • 450g extra lean minced beef
  • 1 egg
  • A bunch of chopped coriander
  • A bunch of chopped parsley
  • 1tbs Ground Black pepper
  • 1 large onion Grated
  • 2-3tbs of mango chutney
  • 1 jar Pasata
  • 2 shallots finely diced
  • 1 large carrot finely diced
  • A small bunch of chopped basil
  • Black pepper
  • 1tbs Coconut oil
  • 250g Wholewheat pasta, any you like
  • 30g of low fat cheddar cheese

mb2

PREPARATION

1/ Mix the beef , egg, mango chutney, coriander, parsley, pepper and onion and shape into golf ball sized balls, place on a tray and pop in the fridge to cool for a few minutes before cooking. Place in over for 15-18 minutes on a medium heat

2/ Melt the coconut oil in a sauce pan, add the chopped shallots, carrots until soft, 4-6 minutes, add the pepper , basil and top with pasata, carry on cooking on a low heat for 5-10 minutes

3/ Place the pasta into a pan of hot water, stir to separate the pasta and cook per packet instructions.

4/ Place: the cooked pasta on your plate, top with meatballs, sauce and cheese x Enjoy!

mb3

Top Tip: I love to over cook and these are especially lovely the following day in a pitta pocket, slice the meat balls in half, top with the sauce and place in a sandwich press for a few minutes and you have a super lunch, or eat cold with a salad.

Clare’s Chinese Beef and Noodles

I am a big fan of stir fry’s because you can add what you like, you want a veggie stir fry, no problem , you want a mixture of meats, again no problem, you want a mix of meat, veg and seafoods again no problem, stir fry’s are fast, versatile, tasty and a great way to use up the end bits of your bags of veg in the fridge before you bin them and really good to cook more than you need for lunch the following day, I make many different stir fry’s but this one is one of my all time favourites, it is a little sweet, a little spicy and has the distinct aromatic flavour of five spice.

Clare’s Chinese Beef and Noodles 

Clare's Chinese Beef and Noodles www.clarewiththehair.com
Clare’s Chinese Beef and Noodles www.clarewiththehair.com

Makes: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 15 minutes (allow extra for marinating meat)

Total Time:  30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 400g Lean Beef (slice into 1cm thick strips)
  • 400g Wholemeal Noodles
  • 200g Green vegetables (I used Green beans and Sugarsnap peas but use any you like)
  • 200g Button Mushrooms
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 2 cloves of crushed Garlic
  • Thumb sized piece of grated Ginger
  • 1 med red chilli, diced finely, leave in the seeds for added heat.
  • 2tbs Chinese Five Spice powder
  • 1tbs Cracked black pepper
  • 2tbs cooking oil
  • 2tbs light soya sauce
  • 1tbs fish sauce
  • 3tbs honey
Clare's Chinese Beef and Noodles  www.clarewiththehair.com
Clare’s Chinese Beef and Noodles www.clarewiththehair.com

PREPARATION

1/ Slice your beef and place in a bowel with marinade (mix 1/2 the oil, chilli, ginger, garlic, five spice, honey, soya sauce, fish sauce and black pepper for the marinade).

2/ While your beef marinades (if you can do this 1+ hours a head of time great, of not 15 minutes will do) Chop your vegetables to bite sizes pieces, dice the onions and slice your button mushrooms also get your pan of boiling water ready for the noodles and cook these as per packet instructions, once cooked, rinse under cold water and place to one side.

3/ Place 1tbs cooking oil into a wok or large frying pan, add the beef plus all the marinade, cook for 1-2 minutes, remove from the pan, add the onions, mushrooms, greens and stir fry for 3-4 minutes, add the beef and the noodles back to the pan and stir fry for another 1-2 minutes, serve and enjoy!

Top Tip: The cheaper the cut of the meat, the longer you should marinade as this will result in a tasty and tender piece of meat.

www.clarewiththehair.com
www.clarewiththehair.com

Thank you for reading you FABULOUS people

❤ Clare with the Hair ❤

Clare’s Chicken Wraps

Some day’s you just want something super easy, non fuss, on the table in minutes rather than hours and this is when I reach for things like my Chicken Wraps, they are a favorite with my husband and children alike .

day114
Clare’s Chicken Wraps

Clare’s Chicken Wrap’s

Makes: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Total Time:  20 minutes

(if making my baked chips add 25 minutes for timing)

day11
Food looks so much better in color , add lots to your meals

Ingredients

  • 500g skinless chicken breasts
  • 1ltr low salt chicken stock
  • 1 yellow pepper , diced
  • 4 tomatoes
  • 4 spring onions
  • 1/3 iceburg lettuces finely sliced
  • large wholewheat wraps
  • 1 pot of creme fresh / low fat cottage cheese
  • Cracked black pepper
  • 3tbs of French mustard
  • 400g potatoes (if making the chips)
  • 5tbs of tomato relish

day116

PREPARATION

1/ Place the chicken and stock into a saucepan and cook on medium for 6-10 minutes, this will depend on the thickness of your chicken but always cut into the thickest part to ensure there is no pink color left , one cooked remove and shred

2/ Dice the pepper, tomatoes, onions and place in a large bowl, add the chicken, black pepper, half the tub of crem fresh , mustard and mix well

3/ warm the wraps in the oven/microwave for a few seconds, remove and fill with the chicken filling

4/ If making the chips, you need to peel and cut into large pieces, place on a baking sheet, add 1tbs of coconut oil and sprinkle with black pepper, cook for 20-25 minutes and serve with dip (mix some creme fresh with tomato relish)

day111
Clare’s Chicken Wraps

Top Tip: These wraps are fabulous with egg and no meat, baked ham works great as does tinned tuna. Mix and match these to create many different options.

Thank you for reading you FABULOUS people

Clare with the hair

Clare’s Satay Fake Away Skewers

Clare’s Satay Fake Away Skewers

Fancy a take away but want a slightly lighter version? then try my Fake Away Skewers. I love this  tasty, versatile peanut sauce not only as a dip for grilled satay skewers, but also for Stir Fried Rice or Noodles with Chicken and Peanut Sauce. The Satay sauce contains a little bit of heat, but you can cut back on this or eliminate it altogether if you wish. The sauce keeps for days in the fridge so make ahead of time for a simple go to sauce mid week. You also can thin the sauce with a little coconut milk, water, or chicken stock.

fb
http://www.clarewiththehair.com

Makes: 4 servings (main meal) 8 (starter)

Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Total Time:  50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 Skinless / Boneless Chicken Breast Fillets
  • 1⁄2 cup  peanut butter ( I used Almond Butter, reasons in week 6 Food & Activity Dairy)
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chilli paste / I clove of minced Garlic (Fresh can be unpredictable heat wise hence opting for the paste option)
  • 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh chopped  coriander
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice.
fb1
http://www.clarewiththehair.com

PREPARATION

1/ In a small saucepan, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, ginger, brown sugar, chilli, garlic and coriander. Stir in the water. Heat the ingredients over medium heat, stirring to combine. Do not let the sauce boil or it will separate. The consistency of the sauce should be pourable, like double cream. When the peanut sauce is hot, stir in the lime juice. Taste the sauce and add a little more lime juice if you like more acidity. The sauce will keep, covered in the refrigerator, for about 1 week.

2/ Then take the  chicken fillets and slice  into finger size lengths.  Thread onto skewers ( you can buy these in your supermarket or pick them up in your butchers.) then smother the chicken in your satay sauce, leave to sit for 30 minutes, place on a baking tray lined with baking parchment and grill, turning after 6-8 minutes and brushing with remaining sauce as you go.

fb2
http://www.clarewiththehair.com

Tip: Soak the Skewer Sticks in water while you prepar all the other bits, this will help them not to burn under the grill

I served these with some sweet chilli Prawn Skewers and Brown rice for our Saturday Night ‘Fake Away’ I will add these recipes next week.

fb9
http://www.clarewiththehair.com

Thank you for reading you FABULOUS people

Clare with the Hair  

Clare’s Prawn Fried Rice

I am a big fan of Fried Rice and this is one of my favourites, it is simple, like seriously simple to create but packs a real flavor punch and so much better than opting for the take out version, if you are not much of a cook, you will be able to create this and if you are a whiz in the kitchen you may tweak to create a whole different flavor. If you are not a fan of Prawn’s then add chicken,beef etc and for a fab veggie option add tofu, broccoli and or mushrooms.

psf
www.newtecservices.com

Makes: 4 servings

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

psf1
www.clarewiththehair.com

Ingredients

250g of Brown Rice (I used the boil in the bag type, feel free to use the 2 minute micro version)

400g of Fresh water jumbo prawns

150g Baby Spinich

1 med white onion Peeled and diced

100g button mushroom sliced

3-4tbs coconut oil

1bs Chilli paste

1tbs Garlic paste

1/4tbs Cracked black pepper

2tbs Mirin

1/4tbs sugar

2tbs light Soya Sauce

psf
www.clarewiththehair.com

PREPARATION

1/ Place the rice in a pan of hot water and bring to the boil and cook per packet instructions, or as per microwave instructions. Once cooked set to one side.

2/ Cook the onion and mushroom in the coconut oil until soft 3-5 minutes, remove from the pan and set to one side.

3/ Garlic, Chilli, Mirin, Pepper, Sugar and soya sauce in the pan and add the prawns, cook for 1 minute, add the spinach, mushrooms, onions and rice and mix well, cook for 2-3 minutes and plate up.

4/ Fry eggs in 2-3tbs coconut oil and place o top of your Prawn fried rice.

Enjoy!

psf
http://www.clarewiththehair.com

Thank you for reading your FABULOUS people

Clare with the Hair