Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Spaghetti Squash with Onions and Garlic.

This is a wonderfully easy way to make a healthy quick meal.

Ingredients:
1 x Spaghetti Squash
1/2 onion finely chopped up
3-5 cloves garlic finely chopped up
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup water
2-3 tablespoons grated cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste

Method:
  1. Pre-heat oven to 375C.
  2. Cut the squash in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and the fibre from the middle.
  3. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or aluminium foil.
  4. Place the squash cut side down on the baking dish. Add the water to the pan. Cook in a pre-heated oven for about 1 hour. Remove from the oven and using a fork scrape out all the squash - it will come out in spaghetti strands.
  5. In a pan heat the olive oil. Add the onions and garlic and cook on MEDIUM for about 3-4 minutes or until the garlic is slightly brown.
  6. Add the squash and stir. Season with salt.
  7. Serve hot and sprinkle some cheese on top.
  8. Add pepper to taste.

Potato Gratin in a Muffin Tin

Quite a unique idea that I picked up from one of the TV shows on Food Network and changed it to suit our tastes.

Ingredients:
2 large potatoes
1/2 cup grated cheese (use any that you like)
3-4 cloves garlic - very finely chopped
1/2 cup cream

Method:
  1. Pre-heat oven to 375C.
  2. Grease a non-stick muffin pan very well .
  3. Peel the potatoes and cut into paper thin slices (I use a mandolin for this).
  4. Mix the chopped garlic with the grated cheese.
  5. Line the bottoms of the muffin tins with the thin potato slices. Add a layer of cheese mixture, then a layer of potatoes, then cheese and continue till you have used up all your potatoes and cheese mixture.
  6. Pour the cream on the top of the potatoes.
  7. Place in the pre-heated oven and cook for 35-35 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
  8. To serve, use a butter knife and remove each individual "gratin" per serving.