Mr. Bijoy Writes

Here's a great recipe for a Thai-style curry chicken that's rich in protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and healthy carbs! Give it a shot and let me know what you think! What ya need: 1 chicken breast, 6 ounces, or so 1 cup of light coconut milk (if you can't find light, regular works too) 1 cup of reduced sodium chicken stock 1/2 cup of chopped broccoli 1/2 cup of cubed sweet potato 1/4 cup of chopped carrots 1/4 cup of raisins 1 medium onion, finely chopped 1 medium zucchini, finely choped 1 red bell pepper, roughly chopped  1 tablespoon of olive oil 1 tablespoon of curry powder 5 teaspoons of finely sliced garlic 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper The zest of 1/2 of 1 lime Ok, so: Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Season the chicken with the salt and pepper on both sides. Sear the chicken in the olive oil until lightly browned on both sides. remove the chicken and set it aside. Add the onions, carrots, and g...

An omelet has eggs folded over stuff. A frittata has stuff folded into the eggs. A quiche is basically a frittata with a pie crust. So, I mean, you should make a quiche.     What ya need:  1/2 cup of finely chopped yellow onion 1 egg 2 egg whites 1/2 cup  of fat-free sour cream 6 ounces of diced lean ham 6 ounces of shredded low-fat Swiss cheese 1 ready-made 9-inch pie crust Ok, so: Set your oven rack to 1/3 off the bottom. Preheat your oven to 350ºF. In a microwave safe bowl, microwave the onions for 1 minute on high. Discard any fluids that may have come out of the onions and set the onions aside. Grease a pie pan with cooking spray and fit the pie crust to it. In a large bowl, beat the egg, egg whites, and sour cream together. Now stir in the onions ham and cheese. Pour the egg mixture in to the pie crust and place it in the oven. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the eggs are firm and the top of the quiche has lightly browned. Serve while hot!

There are a few entrees that have always befuddled a great deal of this blog's readers. A few days ago, I asked people what these entrees were and how I could help make them easier or, in some cases, just how to make them at all. This is one of those entrees. It's an easy one, but you have to be quick about the steps! Enjoy! What ya need: 1 lb of extra-large or "Jumbo" shrimp, peeled and de-veined 1 pound (1 package) of cooked orzo 4 cloves of garlic, minced 3 shallots, minced 9 scallions, sliced 3 plum tomatoes, seeded and cubed (like in salsa) 2 cups of canned tomato sauce 2/3 cup of baby spinach leaves 1/3 cup of fresh, chopped parsley leaves Ok, so- In a large dutch oven, or soup pot, over medium-high heat, heat the oil and saute the garlic and shallots for 1 minute. Add the scallions and shrimp and cook for 30 seconds, without stirring. Add the tomato sauce and tomatoes, stir and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the sauce and set...

A healthy side-dish is always a good choice. Here's a healthy and delicious side dish for you to enjoy. It's a perfect addition to any lean protein, but also tastes great on its own as a snack. Let me know what you think of it! What ya need: 1 pound of fresh asparagus   1 tablespoon of quality olive oil (you don't need extra virgin, unless you prefer it)   1 tablespoon of high-quality balsamic vinegar   1/2 teaspoon of fresh, minced garlic   1/2 teaspoon of kosher sea salt   1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground black pepper Ok, so: Preheat your oven to 425ºF. Cut off the tough lower ends (about lower 1/6) of the asparagus and throw those away. Rinse what's left of the stalk and pat dry. Place these stalks on a cookie sheet, in a single layer, and drizzle with the oil and vinegar. After the stalks are coated, sprinkle the garlic, salt, and pepper over them.  Now bake at 425ºF for 5 minutes. Turn, or toss, the stalks and bake for another 5 minutes. Remo...

Barbeque sauce is tasty. Why not make your own? It's not really that difficult and it goes with everything. I came across this sauce when I was traveling through Alabama. It's delicious and has Cherry Coke in it, so it's definitely something awesome, haha. What ya need: 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil 2 cups of finely chopped onions 2 garlic cloves,  minced 24 ounces of chili sauce 12 ounces of cherry preserves or jam 1 cup of Cherry Coke (regular, not diet) 1/3 cup of golden brown sugar 1/4 cup of fine balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon (at least) of hot pepper sauce Ok, so: Grab a large, heavy saucepan and heat it over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent. Add the garlic and saute for another minute. Stir in the chili sauce, Cherry Coke, brown sugar, and vinegar. Bring this all to a simmer and reduce the heat to low. Reduce this down to about 4 cups, stirring often enough to prevent burning or scorching. Add the hot sauce and stir in completely. A...

Sometimes, you just need a super-easy recipe around the holidays. Big food holidays and all the prep required to put on such a show makes for delicious, easy meals like this to be truly appreciated, both by the people eating, and the people making the meal. I hope you enjoy! What ya need: 1 pound of quality orzo 1/2 pound of coarsely chopped sliced Serrano ham (2 cups) 1/2 pound of mild goat cheese, crumbled 5 scallions, thinly sliced Ok, so: Preheat your oven to the broiler setting. Grab a 3-quart oven-safe, preferably flameproof, baking dish. Most of these are about 2 inches deep. That's what you want. In a pot, cook orzo in salted water until al dente. Drain the water, reserving about 3/4 cup for later. In a bowl, toss the hot orzo with the remaining ingredients, reserved cooking water, and any salt and pepper you may want to add until the cheese is melted.Transfer this to your greased baking dish and broil until lightly browned. Thi...

  I often am asked what my favorite methods are for some simple things. Honestly, for a lot of things, I have more than one way of doing them, and I just choose the method I find best suited for the time and audience. So, in light of all this, here is one of my favorite steak rubs. If you don't put a rub on your steak or do anything to it, out side of seasoning it a little bit, I have nothing bad to say to you. That's how I generally like my steak. However, sometimes, I feel the need to step it up a bit. This recipe is just that- a step up. This recipe yields much more than you'll need for one steak, so don't overdo it. What ya need: 1/2 cup of light brown sugar 1/2 cup of kosher sea salt 2 tablespoons of cumin 2 tablespoons of garlic powder 2 tablespoons of onion powder 1 tablespoon of dry English mustard 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper 1/2 tablespoon of finely ground white pepper 1/2 tablespoon of finely ground black pepper Ok, so- In a medium Tupperwar...

Here's a great, nutritious side dish for recipe for you. I learned how to make this when I was working at a small bistro in St. Louis. It has it's roots in Italian cuisine, but has evolved here in America. It's tasty, healthy, easy, and a perfect side dish for a weeknight meal. I hope you like it! What ya need: 6 cups of fresh cut broccoli florets 2 bunches of fresh green beans, left uncut 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon of dried red pepper flakes 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 tablespoons of freshly grated Romano cheese, if desired kosher sea salt, to taste Ok, so- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a roiling boil. Season this water, once boiling, with a few pinches of sea salt. Now, fill a large bowl with ice water and set aside. Throw the broccoli in the pot of boiling water and let cook for 3 minutes. Immediately remove from the boiling water and toss it in the bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Repeat the cooking and shock...

For many a century, cheese has been a tasty addition to many dishes. As Wisconsin has grown to be the heartland for American cheese, many Wisconsin recipes have come forth to create an especially cheesy cuisine. I learned how to make this soup on a short tour of Wisconsin. It’s an easy and quick crowd pleaser that works as a rich side soup for any occasion. Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of butter 1 ½ teaspoons of salt 1/3 cup of chopped celery ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper 1/3 cup of chopped onions 4 cups of diced peeled potatoes 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese 3 cups of chicken broth 2 cups of milk 1 dash of paprika Ok, so: In a big pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Saute the celery and onion in the butter until the celery gives and the onions are tender. Add in the potatoes and the broth then let this simmer for about 12 minutes, covered, or until the potatoes are tender. In small batches, puree this potato mixture in a blender or food processor. Return this ...

It's almost Thanksgiving and some people are asking for creative, new ideas for Thanksgiving side dishes. I posted this earlier this year, but decided to re-post it now, for ease. Enjoy!!! --- So sweet potatoes are good. Whiskey is good. So, logically, why not mix them together and see what happens? I tried. It's good. What ya need: 2-1/2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes 4 Tablespoons butter, softened 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar Pinch of salt 1/3 cup Jack Daniel's Whiskey Ok, so: Preheat the oven to 350ºF. In a big bowl, mix together the sweet potatoes, butter, brown sugar, salt, and whiskey. Spoon this mixture into a greased casserole dish or pie pan. Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. Oh hey, you're done.

**NOTE: The use of a smoker is highly recommended for this recipe. The results are not nearly as delicious without it.** Here's the deal, pulled pork is delicious. Another thing, pulled pork takes time to be delicious. So, this recipe takes at least one day, and likely better to start one night and finish for dinner the next night. Don't worry, it's not a solid day of work, but it will take one day from start to finish. Ready? Ok, let's do this- The meat: 8 pound Boston Butt  What ya need for the brine: 8 ounces of quality molasses 12 ounces of pickling salt, or fine ground sea salt (make sure it's non-iodized salt) 56 ounces of clean water  8 ounces of Merlot What ya need for the rub:  1 tablespoon of onion powder 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika 1 teaspoon of whole fennel seed  1 teaspoon of chili powder 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes 3/4 teaspoon of ground coriander 3/4 teaspoon of ground cumin Ok, so:      In a large...

Cobbler. It's delicious. Blackberries. Also delicious. An easy, delicious cobbler. Duh. What ya need: 2 pounds of frozen blackberries 1 cup of sugar 1 cup of pancake or waffle mix. 3 tablespoons of quick-cooking rtapioca 2 tablespoons of honey 3/4 cup of quality cream soda 2 ounces of spiced rum Some non-stick cooking spray Ok, so: Coat a medium slow-cooker with cooking spray. In a large bowl, mix the blackberries, honey, sugar, and tapioca together. Put this mixture in the slow-cooker and sprinkle the waffle mix over the top. Then, slowly pour the cream soda and spiced rum over the top of the whole situation. . Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours. Serve this warm with some whipped cream. It's just a nice plate of delicious. Enjoy!!

People always ask why I don't post more Indian recipes, so, I guess I'll post one for you. What ya need- 2 onions, roughly chopped  1/2 cup unsalted butter, you can use soy margarine if you're vegan.   8 oz can of tomato sauce  8 cloves of garlic, minced  2 teaspoons of turmeric  1 teaspoon of cumin  1 teaspoon of allspice 1 1/2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper, use more or less, if you like 4 cans of garbanzo beans  2 green peppers, finely chopped  Salt to taste Ok, so- In a large pot, saute the onions in the butter until golden brown and slightly translucent. Then add tomato sauce, garlic, and spices. After this cooks for about 3-4 minutes, add the garbanzo beans and green peppers.  Saute this for about 10 minutes and salt to taste. There ya go!

Gluten-free diets tend to keep a lot of tasty treats out of reach. Here's a recipe for all of the gluten-free folks that may need a happy thought this week. And, let's be real, brownies are delicious!   What ya need: 1/4 cup of raw cacao powder 1/4 cup of coconut flour 1/4 cup of teff flour 1/4 cup of almond flour 1 tablespoon of decent instant coffee 1/2 teaspoon of xanthum gum 1/2 teaspoon of kosher sea salt 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, fresh is best 1/4 cup of quality almond milk 1/2 cup of palm sugar 1/4 cup of high-quality maple syrup 1/2 cup of "Earth Balance" Brand vegan butter 1 tablespoon of quality vanilla, (Nielsen-Massey is a great brand to use in everything regarding vanilla)   Ok, so - Preheat your over to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In a big bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix well. Pour this into a 8x8, or equivalent siz...

This is a personal favorite condiment of mine. I rarely ever make it, only because I consume it almost immediately after making it. So, give it a shot and let me know what you think! What ya need: 1 stick of unsalted butter, at room temp 5 teaspoons of honey 1 teaspoon of chili powder (cayenne works) salt, to taste Ok, so - Whip all of the ingredients together until it forms a smooth mixture. Chill this in the fridge for a minimum of one hour. Spread this on toast, fry an egg in it, put it on a sandwich, eat it by the spoonful, whatever. Love it!

Riverboat Salmon is a fast preparation dish with some great benefits. This dish is light, yet filling and healthy. It’s a great main item in a light lunch or dinner. The rich flavor will please many and the light burden doesn’t weigh one down after the meal. What ya need: 4 salmon steaks (6-8oz. works best) 1 lemon, quartered 1 tablespoon butter 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1 teaspoon garlic powder Ok, so: Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat. Melt the butter in the skillet. When the butter is completely liquefied, add the soy sauce and garlic powder. Increase the heat to medium. Place the salmon in the skillet and cook 4 minutes on each side, or until well cooked. The fish will be thoroughly cooked when it flakes easily with a fork. Do not test doneness often or you will ruin the integrity of the filet. As the salmon is cooking, prepare the lemon. Cut the lemon in half. Cut one half of the lemon into four thin slices. Cut the other half of the lemon into four wedges. Wh...

With the absence of the spices in this recipe it would be weinershnitzel. This dish, however, utilizes some American classics, such as seasoned salt and cayenne pepper, to allow for a more country home-style flavor.  What ya need: 2 pounds of quality veal steak 1 egg 1 ½ cups of bread crumbs or crushed crackers 1 teaspoon of seasoned salt 1 teaspoon of lemon juice ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper ½ teaspoon of crushed black pepper (white peppercorns may be substituted) Vegetable oil Ok, so: Cut the veal steak into ½ inch thick slivers and allow them to better acclimate to the room temperature. While the steak is sitting out, mix the salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and bread crumbs in a shallow dish.  In another shallow dish, beat the egg. In a large skillet, pour in oil to ¼ inch in depth. Heat the skillet on medium heat. In the time it takes you to prepare the bread crumbs, skillet, and egg, the steak should be ready to cook. Take the veal, one piece at...

On a trip to Georgia a few years back I came across a portabella soup that sparked my interest. I remember walking into this small restaurant and wanting something warm to help ease the crisp night air. This soup looked good, so I ordered it. I tried for months to try and mimic the recipe and it finally came through. I suggest this soup for cooler days as part of a hearty meal. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.  What ya need : ¼ cup of unsalted butter 5 chopped leeks (about 3 cups) 1 onion (roughly chopped) 10 ounces of portabella mushrooms (chopped – so about 4 cups) ¼ cup of all-purpose flour 3 cups of quality chicken stock 4 tablespoons of dry sherry 2 cups of Half & Half ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper (or white pepper, your choice) Ok, so: In a big pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the leeks and onion and sauté until the onions grow soft. This should take about ten minutes or so. Then add the mushrooms...

Growing up, I had some issues with cooking rice. I know, right? How could an Indian not get rice? Anyway, back to the point. Here's a healthy, great rice recipe for you to try at home! I hope you enjoy it! What ya need: 1 cup of brown basmati rice 1 cup of low-fat coconut milk 1 cup of cold water 1 tablespoon of canola oil ½ cup of minced onions 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced 1 teaspoon of minced ginger Juice and zest of 1 lime Ok, so: In a medium saucepan, combine the rice, water, and coconut milk. Whisk this all together and bring to a boil over high heat.Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover. Let this simmer for about 45-50 minutes, or until nice and fluffy, and all of the liquid is absorbed into the rice. As the rice is cooking, in a large sauté pan over medium heat, heat up the oil and sauté the onions and jalapeno until the onions are translucent. Make sure you don't burn any of the veggies! When the rice is done cooking, add the ginge...

"Gluten-free", "healthy", "low-calorie", and "high fiber" are buzzwords for some people, but run-away-scared terms for others. Let's try and find a happy medium. Here is a healthy, gluten-free recipe that tastes great and is, get this, a good dessert. What ya need: 6 cups of fresh raspberries 5 cups of fresh strawberries, stems removed 1/2 cup of cornstarch 1/2 cup of water 3/4 cup of granulated sugar 1/4 cup of whipping cream 2 teaspoons of confectioners' sugar 1/4 teaspoon of quality vanilla extract 3/4 cup of nonfat plain Greek yogurt Ok, so: In a blender, blend together the raspberries and strawberries until smooth. Push this mixture through a fine sieve into a large bowl. When you've pushed through all of the liquid and fine parts, add enough clean water to equal about 5 cups of liquid.  In a small bowl, mix the 1/2 cup of water with the cornstarch and the granulated sugar. Then, in a large saucepan, mix this mixtu...