All In A Days Work

I'm Australian so no sugar coating here just life so if you are looking for bs don't read this. But I will have some great recipes :)

Thinking what the heck is one supposed to do when you leave your job? Having to have left because of ill health. A couple of years have now passed and crap pops its ugly head now and again but hopefully many years yet to go. Questions like who am I now and what do I know and what do I like to do and what am I good at and how can I contribute and just maybe make some money along the way. Heard about so many great life changes on Oprah surly we can come up with something just as life changing and become an overnight millionaire? Bring on the positive thinking and all the hints about the "Secret" (thinking that it will happen and does) inner calm and finding the evolved part of us. And then it will all work out so they seem to say.

Well the 50s are the new 30s going back and remembering my sweet grandma I think wow and she was only 60! So we have really updated on that front! Now all we have to do is eat less all fruit and veg and move our bodies at least 30 mins a day, a fulfilling partnership, happy life, a future full of interest and excitement, staying free from stress, keep our waists at 35inches and with a heaps of luck we should live until 100 with all our marbles! whew Yep that's it! Who are they kidding? I take my hat off to those of you who are walking that path, but like the majority I'm struggling along doing what I can and always knowing I could do better.

Yes life is short and blah blah so let's make the most of it! At this time I'm still working on all that and I'm hoping each week will bring me closer to where I need to be for me.

Meanwhile my sons Matthew and Daniel (20s) had often asked me how to cook this and that especially old favorites and recipes that have been mindfully passed down from the old country (Malta) Last year I decided to compile a cooking book for them, the boys were wrapped (happy) with that and gave me something to do. I did find however, I as most people do never measure out what I add to the pot so here is where my journey started.

Each recipe I knew and since learnt had to be measured out cooked, tasted and if it passed took a pic added to the typed recipe printed it out, laminated and put into a folder for each of them. Hence my study now looks like a full equipped office! lol

But through this I have found I love cooking really good tasty beautiful food. My taste buds seem to be working quite well (relief to know something is!) and they work out what goes with what nicely. No complaints so far but each to their own.

I surf the net for the best of the best and try to put what I think will make those sounds of ahhh and mmmmm when their eaten. Some recipes can take a bit of time and effort others are so simple my future grandkids could do it. (whenever that will happen!)

So if you feel like something tasty or just bored and want to try something pull up that creative part of you and whip up a treat!

SUCCLULENT CHICKEN

Most people love chicken these tasty pieces are easy and will never let you down for taste.

Ingredients:

15 chicken strips or pieces either, tender loins, breast or boneless thighs 1 cup sweet chilli sauce

1 cup plain flour

2 eggs beaten

Salt and pepper Parsley flakes

2 cloves crushed garlic 1 teaspoon Onion powder 1/8 teaspoon chilli powder 2 cups crushed cornflakes or wheat bix Canola oil

Method: All dry ingredients in one bowl, flour, salt, pepper, parsley, onion powder, chilli powder and mix through. Chilli and crushed garlic together mixed. Beaten eggs in another bowl. Slice chicken any thick parts cut in half to make uniform thickness. Dip firstly in sweet chilli sauce mix then in flour mixture completely covered then in egg and lastly patting down into in the crushed cereal. Repeat with each piece. If you run out just make up a little more. Lay on a grease proof paper until your ready to fry the chicken. Heat a good amount of oil in a large pan when hot lay each chicken piece in the pan gently, if the chicken is browning to quickly turn down the heat. They only need a few minutes on each side. Put on absorbent paper.

A Maltese recipe that my son Daniel has loved since he was young is Baked Macaroni -(qarrun fil-forn) epecially those crunchy top bits that get burnt they seem to vanish before it gets into the plates!

BAKED MACARONI

Ingredients:

1 ½ packets Penne or very thick spaghetti 1 kg Minced beef and pork 2 Tins tomatoes 5 large tablespoons tomato paste 4 cloves garlic Canola Oil 1 Onion 2 tablespoon beef stock power 1 teaspoon Salt ½ teaspoon Pepper 2 teaspoons Sugar 1 teaspoon mixed herbs ½ cup fresh parsley chopped finely 1 cup Water 4 eggs Grated cheese 2 cups Parmesan cheese ½ - 1 cup

Method:

Heat oil in pan put in onions and minced meat cook for a 2 mins add garlic. Toss around until brown then add tin tomatoes, beef stock, pepper and herbs. Add tomato paste after mixed in add sugar (to cut acid) stir in then salt and parsley. Add water then simmer for 15mins at least. Boil up pasta until just done. Once water has been removed put in oven dish mix with eggs and cheese. Add meat mixture to the pasta toss through. Add grated cheese on top and bake in 180 deg fan forced oven. Bake until crispy on top. Tip: This can also be eaten before it goes in the oven.