Surprise Burgers

I along with a large majority of the population, love a good burger occasionally, some of you may even eat one everyday (though I don't recommend it) it is a great meal, especially for all you meat lovers out there.

However, sometimes I find... it can just be a bit boring, unless you've jazzed the burger up with all sorts of extras, like bacon, cheese, salad, buns... etc. 

That's why I decided to make the "Surprise Burger". 

This beauty looks like your average beef burger from the outside, but has a mozzarella and pesto centre, making it an exciting burger to bite into. 

This recipe is also a great excuse to get the old BBQ out (weather permitting), if not don't worry, you can do them just fine without one. 

However, I chose to go down the BBQ route as luckily we had a nice day in England... yes believe it or not!!

I also decided to try out a new method of adding flavour to the burgers and keeping them moist. 

This new method involved making a liquid with water, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper and worcester sauce. Then dropping it over the hot coals while the burgers were cooking, to add extra flavours to the smoke. Now, you could definitely smell them in the air, however whether they actually went into the burger, I can't say for certain but its fun all the same and gives your BBQ guests a smell to get them hungry!

Recipe:

- 500g Beef mince

- 1/2 tsp Smoked Paprika

- 1/2 cayenne pepper

- 1/2 ground black pepper

- 1/2 salt

- Pesto

- Mozzarella

- (can add finely chopped onions and herbs)

To serve:

 - large flat mushrooms 

- Salad

- Guacamole

- Sour Cream

Method:

1) Mix the beef and all the seasoning together (as well as onion and herbs, is using)

2) Get a golf ball sized amount of meet and flatten into a buyer shape.

3) Add a slice of mozzarella and 1 tsp of pesto

4) Get another ball of the meat and flatten to lay on top.

5) Seal the edges together

6) Add to the BBQ and cook for around 8minutes, turning halfway through (depending on how hot it is)

7) Cook the flat mushrooms at the same time.

Once ready, if you want a healthier option, serve together with the mushroom, salad and sauces ( or if you prefer of course, serve in a bun with lettuce and tomato.

Pork with Pears, Red Onion and Blue Cheese

 Pork and Pears..... sounds great let alone tastes great together. This is a good variation on your average pork and apple combo ( though I have to admit I did sneak an apple in there too).

I used pork minute steaks for this recipe as they are nice and thin and quick to cook.

This is the perfect Sunday Lunch recipe, and the best part about it is its extremely quick to make!

Theres no putting the joint in to roast for a couple hours, it literally takes 20minutes or less from prep to table.

Recipe:

serves 4

• 4 Pork Minute Steaks
• 2 Pears
• 1 Apple (optional)
• 2 Red Onions
• 50g Blue Cheese

1. Heat a roasting tin with a tablespoon of oil on the hob (use 2 rings),

2. Add the onions, pears and seasoning (salt pepper and rosemary). Fry for 5 mins or until just starting to caramelise.

3. Heat the grill and season the Pork. Add it to the roasting dish and fry for 2-3minutes either side.

4. Add the cheese on top and transfer to the grill, until its melted. 

Its best served with olive oil, sea salt and black pepper new potatoes.  

Just boil the quartered new potatoes until soft and transfer to the frying pan to brown with the seasoning and oil.

Egg Fried Rice

Wondering what to cook for dinner?


Need something fast but tasty?


Why not try egg fried rice.... no not the takeaway variety, the home-made quick, simple and healthy kind. 


Its using all your best store cupboard and basic ingredients so no need to venture out to the shops.


You can put whatever veg you like in it. 
I chose mushrooms, mangetout, peas and sweetcorn.




Ingredients: 

                             Serves 4

240g- White rice (i.e. basmati)

1- Onion

2- Garlic cloves

2- Small chillies

5- Mushrooms

10- Mangetout

1 cup- Frozen peas 

1 cup- Frozen sweetcorn

5- Eggs 

Smokey Fish Pie

Everyone loves a good comforting fish pie.... and I don't know about you, but I personally can't stand any pre-made white sauce meal of any kind. They just seem very artificial and you can never tell whats in them. I can assure you its not your simple home-made butter flour and milk sauce though. 
When its so easy to make your own.... why go out and buy one??
Give this recipe a go and see how simple it is. Any comments or even pictures would be very welcome.


There are lots of varieties you can do and many types of fish you can use. From salmon, cod and haddock to shellfish like prawns, muscles,clams and many more. Just about any type will work well.
I choose a smoked haddock of the frozen variety - yes thats right, frozen or fresh whichever you happen to have. 


Tip - the smoked paprika gave it a nice intense flavour, but use sparingly. 


Try the recipe below- and for a vegetarian option with the same sauce omit the fish and add hard boiled eggs look at Veggie Fish-less Pie. 

Spicy Red Lentil Soup with Herby Cheese Scones

Easy peasy soup squeezy ....

As I am finding out lately, soup could not be easier to make. All you do is sweat down some vegetables and add your stock... then voila, a lovely home-made lunch or dinner. 

Red lentils and carrots go brilliantly together and I added a nice kick with some dried chillies (fresh would be just as good if not better) and cumin seeds. 

These home-baked, herby cheese scones are a great accompaniment and a nice change from your normal soup and bread marriage. 

Tip: adding mustard to the milk or mustard powder to the flour adds a little extra to these soft tasty scones. 

Look in the recipe section for Spicy, Red Lentil and Carrot Soup and Herby Cheese Scones.