A new start...

I have been so busy over the past few months and have seriously neglected my blog, however I am back. I have recently relocated to the DC and started a new job as a sous chef and my culinary inspirations have reached an all time high. I am constantly coming up with new recipes and finding better ways to get things done in the kitchen. To start things off again I have some great recipes that are quick and easy to prepared and have proved to be my new comfort foods since relocating. Try them out and see if they can make it onto you list of favorites. Enjoy.

Crepes with Nutella and Strawberries

Crepes
1/2 cup milk
1 whole egg
1 egg yolk
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 tsp sugar
1/2 cup flour
2 tsp melted butter

1. In a bowl mix together the eggs, milk and vanilla
2. Next add the flour, sugar and butter and blend unil smooth
3. Allow the batter to sit for at least 15 minutes before cooking

To cook the crepes, heat a good non stick skillet over medium high heat. Pour in enough batter to coat the bottom of the pan spreading out into a thin layer. Watch closely because the crepes cook very fast about 30 seconds on each side.

For the filling

1 Cup of fresh strawberries
1/4 cup freah squeezed orange juice
1 tsp of orange zest
2 tsp sugar
1 tsp fresh mint, chopped
3 tb Nutella

1. In saute pan over medium high heat add the strawberries and cook for about 20 seconds
2. Next add the orange juice, zest, sugar and mint
3. Cook for 3 or 4 minutes unitl the juice reduces a bit and becomes like a syrup


Assembling the crepes is rellay easy, in each crepe spread out some of the Nutella on 1/4 of the crepe on the same edge put some of the filling and then just roll it up and eat. Its soooo delicious.

Greek Chicken Burger with Tatziki Sauce

1# of Ground chicken
2 tb diced red onion
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tb fresh dill, chopped
2 tsp fresh mint, chopped
2 tb worstershire sauce
salt and pepper to season
splash of lemon juice
Feta cheese to top burgers
Tatziki sauce (recipe below)

1.In a bowl combine the chicken,herbs and spices, worstershire and season with the salt and pepper and blend together.
2. Next, using your hands form into burger patties
3. The burgers can be cooked anyway you like, on the grill, in the skillet, or in the oven.

Enjoy the burger on your favorite bun with the tatziki sauce and topped with the feta cheese. This recipe is to die for it is soooo good, it's definately my newest favorite.

*Tatziki Sauce (cucumber dill sauce)

2 tb fine grated cucumber*
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tb manyonnaise
1 tsp chopped dill
1 tsp chopped mint
2 tsp lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste


*Tatziki is traditionally made with greek yogurt and sour cream, but I like to use mayo when its for a spread on a sandwich.

*To get the cucmber for this recipe just run it over the fine side of your cheese grater, and add the cucumber along with its juice into the mix.

As I always say my recipes are just a guideline, i am happy to know that they have been a starting point for you to unleash your own culinary creativty and put you stamp on the meal.

Happy eating!