Pytt-I-Panna (Swedish Potato Hash)

This dish is perfect for left-over potatoes. A family member who is Swedish, told me that Swedes eat pytt-i-panna with a fried egg on top.We had this at his house recently, minus the egg and it was absolutely delicious! This also brings back memories of snow covered mountains, exquisite scenery and the marvellous hospitality of the Austrian  people. I recall eating a similar meal, whilst on holiday in Kitzbuhel. (Served with a bit of gluwein, (german hot spiced wine), ok, maybe more than a little bit, on the side. Very comforting in cold weather. In fact, I think the photo I have added was taken that particular night. Not sure whether I was extolling the virtues of pytt-i pana, or the Gluwein, (probably the latter by the look on my face).



 Here is my version:-


1 Small Onion (finely chopped)
6 Potatoes (diced)
5 Rashers Bacon (diced)
3 to 4 German sausages (sliced)
A little dried Parsley.


Dice the potatoes and pre-cook. Add chopped bacon to a saucepan and saute until crisp. Drain off bacon fat, leaving a tablespoon of the bacon fat in the pan. Add onions and saute until soft. Add the cooked potates and German sausage.Mix in. At this stage, I prefer to transfer the mixture to a flat tray and bake in the oven at 180 degrees until the potatoes turn golden brown.(Turn frequently during cooking). Even better, place on the skottelbraai and crisp. Perfect to serve at a braai! Have it for breakfast with the egg on top! Be sure to walk this off the next day!

Steak and Mushroom Pie

You Need:
3 Tablespoons Oil
800 g to 1 kg stewing steak (cubed)
1 Medium Onion (finely chopped)
25 grams Papas Stew Mix
4 large brown mushrooms (cut into chunks)
2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
1 Ripe Tomato (skinned & chopped)
400g Today Ready Rolled Puff
Pastry ( Or your own pastry}

What to do:-

Brown meat in small batches. Set aside. Saute onion in oil  until soft. Add browned meat, mushrooms tomato and tomato paste. Add papa's stew mix and 2 cups water.Mix well. Cover an simmer until meat is tender. Stir occasionally whilst cooking and add more water if necessary. Place the filling in individual pie dishes or a larger single pie dish.Cut pastry to the shape of the dish and place on top of filling.Shape the edges of pastry and prick with a fork.Brush pastry with egg mixed with a little milk .Bake in the oven at 180 degrees , until pastry is golden brown  Serve with a creamy mash, honey glazed carrots and peas.Serves 4 to 6

Cauliflower Soup - Slightly curried

If you enjoy cauliflower soup this one is for you!

You need:-

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Teaspoons Papa's Curry Mix (Mild)
1 small Onion (finely chopped)
1 leek (finely sliced)
700grams cauliflower florets
1 cup coconut milk
1 litre chicken stock ( Add 1and a half cubes to 1 litre water)

Here's How

Saute the onion and leek in oil in a saucepan until soft. Add 2 teaspoons of Papa's Curry Mix and mix well. Add the chicken stock and the cauliflower and stir. Cover and simmer until cauliflower is really soft. Remove from heat and allow to cool a little. Place the mixture in a blender, (2 cups at a time) and blend until smooth. Return mixture to saucepan and place on the stove on low heat. Add 1 cup coconut milk,(full cream milk can be used if your prefer), and heat through. Serve immediately with a little grated cheese on top, croutons or chunky buttered bread.

Bouquet Garni

Bouquet Garni


All of you experienced cooks will know exactly what a Bouquet Garni is. I recall the first time I cooked a recipe with this as a requirement, I had no idea what it was and had to look it up.  For all of you who do not know, here it is : a bundle of fresh herbs tied together with a piece of string which is then placed in the stew or dish that you are cooking. Bay leaf, Thyme and Parsley are used, however I add lemon thyme, rosemary and basil to mine. (Fresh herbs can also be tied up in cheesecloth to facilitate easy removal after cooking.I prefer to use the bundle and then remove any stalks left in the pot after cooking.)

Papa's Oxtail Stew - "You're gonna luv this"

I have just been down to the bottom of the garden to feed the birds and man is it cold. Brrrrrrr. The oxtail stew I made last night would be more than welcome today, however it was so good there was none left.  A few good friends, a fire, a bottle of the good old grape and an oxtail stew on a chilly night. Great!! Here is my recipe :-






























Papa's Oxtail Stew

Ingredients

35 grams Papas All In One Stew Mix
1/4 cup Olive Oil
2 kilos oxtail
4 rashers bacon (chopped)
1 large onion (finely chopped)
Half 410g tin chopped tomatoes or two ripe tomatoes, skinned and chopped
1 leek (finely sliced)
2 carrots cut into chunks
1 tin butter beans (drained)
1 and a quarter cup red wine ( I use Robertsons Ruby Cabernet,excellent for stews and to serve with your meal)
Water as needed
Bouquet Garni ( a bunch of herbs tied with a piece of string. Make your own using, bay leaf, rosemary and parsley. I add Basil and Lemon Thyme as well.)
6 small pickling onions ( peeled, leave whole)

What you need to do:-

For the benefit of local people, I buy my oxtail from Richdens Superspar in Hillcrest. Excellent!
Trim the oxtail of all fat. In a large pot, brown oxtail on all sides in small batches then set aside. Add chopped bacon to pot and saute until crisp. Remove excess bacon fat with a spoon. Add oil, onion and leek and saute until soft. Add 1 cup of red wine and mix well. Add the oxtail and the tomato and enough water to just cover the oxtail. Give the mixture a good stir. Throw in the bouquet garni and cover with lid. The oxtail must be cooked on low heat for a few hours so allow to simmer gently.Cooking times may vary. Check every hour, and give the oxtail a good stir. Simmer until oxtail is almost tender,( usually takes about 2 hours), add pickling onions, carrots , butter beans and Papa's Stew Mix. Stir the mixture I usually add more wine at this stage, a quarter cup, however this is optional. Simmer until the carrots are soft. During the last 20 minutes of cooking, check the mixture frequently, If too thick, add more water sparingly and thin to the desired consistency. Serve with baby potates in a parsley butter. ( Heat butter in microwave, add chopped parsley.Coat potatoes). You might prefer to serve with mash or rice.  A french loaf goes well with oxtail too.

Bring out the wine and enjoy!!!

Butternut Soup - "With a tiny bite"

Looking for a starter for a sit down meal? This butternut soup is superb and is quick and easy to prepare. You can buy butternut already cut up,chicken stock is easy to make and "Woolies" have a choice of the most divine croutons. A tip with chicken stock - Make up your chicken stock with less cubes or powder than the manufacturers instructions. I find that it's just too salty,so I use 1 and a half cubes to 1 litre of water. Swirl a little cream and sprinkle a little parsley on top of the soup for an appetising  look.If you want a really creamy taste to this soup use pouring cream instead of coconut milk.

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons Oil

1 Onion (finely chopped)

1/2 cup celery (chopped)

1 kilo butternut cut into chunks

1 litre chicken stock (use 1and a half cubes of chicken stock to 1 litre water so liquid is not too salty)

1cup (250ml) coconut milk or pouring cream

2 Tablespoons Papa's All in One Curry Mix

Here's How

Saute Onion, celery and butternut for a few minutes. Add 1 litre chicken stock and 2 tablespoons Papas curry mix. Stir well. Cover and simmer until butternut is soft. Remove from heat an allow to cool for a while. Place mixture in a blender, (2cups at a time). Blend until smooth. A hand blender can be used too. (if  you don't have one of these,use a masher, mash really well, then use a whisk to smooth).  Return soup to saucepan and stir in coconut milk. Heat through. Cream can be used instead of coconut milk if preferred. Serve with a swirl of cream and croutons. Serves 6 -8

Curried Clam Chowder - For Seafood soup fans

This clam chowder is scrumptious. A marvellous starter for a seafood evening or simply eaten as a light meal with fresh chunky buttered bread. Bon appetit!



You Need:-

3 Teaspoons Papa's All In One Curry Mix (I use the mild for this recipe)
5 Rashers streaky bacon (Cut into small pieces)
1 Medium Onion (finely chopped)
2 Cups Diced Potatoes (250ml cup), less potato of you prefer
1 280 gram tin Clams in Brine (Do not drain)
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup plain flour
1 cup (250ml) chicken stock
3 cups (750ml) full cream milk

How to do it


Saute the bacon in a saucepan until crisp. Remove bacon and place on a paper towel. Discard bacon fat. Reduce heat and melt butter in the same saucepan. Add onion and saute until soft. Remove from heat. Add Papa's Curry Mix and flour and mix well. Add 1 Cup of Chicken stock and 1 cup of full cream milk. Mix well, return to heat. Add 2 more cups of milk and bring to the boil, stirring continously until mixture thickens. Add diced potatoes, bacon and the tinned clams and the brine. Mix well and cook the mixture until potatoes are soft.If you find that the mixture is too thick for your liking,add a little more milk sparingly to thin. Stir mixture occasionally. Serves 6.
Serve the chowder with crackers or chunky bread. 

Skinning Tomatoes

Handy tomato tip - Nothing worse than fishing out a bit of tomato skin from your food so:-

I prefer to skin fresh tomatoes when
adding them to a stew, curry etc.(The riper the better)
Soak tomatoes in very hot water for
a few minutes and then peel. The
skin comes off easily.

Papas Chicken Curry Pie

This chicken pie is really lekker served with potato wedges and a sweet chili sauce on the side. Double up on your mixture if you need to make a bigger pie. Despite what's said about having cold salads with hot dishes, I enjoy a french salad  with this pie.

Papas Chicken Curry Pie
Ingredients

3 Tablespoons Oil
25grams (1/2 Pkt) Papas All In One Curry Mix
1 Cup Water
1 Small Onion (finely chopped)
2 Medium Potatoes (Diced)
600 grams chicken fillet (cut into small pieces)
1/2 310gram tin chopped tomatoes or two ripe tomatoes (skinned and chopped)
400gram Roll of Today Ready Rolled Puff pastry (or your own puff pastry)

Here's How

Fry onion in oil until soft. Add chicken and brown.Add Papas Curry Mix and 1/2 cup water.Mix well.Add diced potatoes and tomatoes.Cook,stirring occasionally until potatoes are soft.Check consistency of mixture whilst cooking and add more water if necessary.Add salt to taste. Place chicken mixture in a suitable pie dish. You can place the mixture in individual pie dishes if you wish. Place pastry on top of filling. Trim and shape pastry. Press sides of pastry with a fork. Prick pastry and brush with mixture of beaten egg and milk. Bake at 200 degrees for 20 minutes or until pastry is golden brown. Serve with wedges and a sweet chili sauce,(I like Wellingtons), on the side.

Papa's Spice: Beurre Manie - (Used to thicken stews, sauces etc.)

Papa's Spice: Beurre Manie - (Used to thicken stews, sauces etc.)

Papas Curry - Try this

Our " All In One Curry Mix" contains numerous herbs and spices that compliment curry dishes.This mix was developed especially for people who want to make a curry without too much hassle,hence the idea and phrase "All in One" .The mix contains all of the ingredients to give your curry a delicious flavour.It is not necessary to add coriander,bay/curry leaves/bark,etc, however you can do this if you want to see a bit of greenery in your curry onced cooked. I add some of these herbs after I have cooked my curry to make the dish look attractive. So aprons on and here we go:-

Papa's Easy Curry

Ingredients

1/2 cup (125ml) Oil
1 to 1 and a half cups water
50grams (1pkt) Papas All in One Curry Mix
1 Medium Onion (finely chopped)
1 to 1 and a half kg Beef, Lamb or Chicken
2 - 4 Medium potatoes (quartered)
2 medium tomatoes (skinned and finely chopped) or half a 410gram tin chopped tomatoes

How it's done

Fry onions in oil until golden brown.Reduce heat. Add 50grams 1 (1pkt). Add half a cup of water and mix well. Simmer gently for about  30 seconds. Add meat of your choice and 1 cup water. (If using chicken, remove skin from chicken.) Mix well, cover with a lid and allow to simmer, stirring occasionally  until meat is almost tender. Add potatoes and chopped tomato. Cover and simmer until cooked. Serve with rice and sambals. Cooking times may vary depending on cut of meat etc. A good lamb or beef curry will probably cook between 1 - 2 hours. Chicken usually takes about 30 minutes. With Chicken curry potatoes and tomatoes are added at the same time as the chicken

Beurre Manie - (Used to thicken stews, sauces etc.)

Beurre Manie

Sometimes we find that the stew, soup or sauce we have made is too thin. This can be easily rectified by making a Beurre Manie.

This is a paste made from equal amounts of flour and butter and is used to thicken stew, soups, sauces, etc.
It is usually mixed in small amounts, e.g. 1 Tablespoon Flour and 1 Tablespoon Butter.  The butter must be soft. Blend well with the back of a wooden spoon and then place in your stew, soup, or sauce to thicken.

Papa's Spice: Papas Cottage Pie

Papa's Spice: Papas Cottage Pie

Papa's Spice

Papa's Spice

Papa's Spice: Turmeric - Powerful healer

Papa's Spice: Turmeric - Powerful healer

Papas Fillings for Wraps and Rottis - Mince and Chicken

Serving Rottis/wraps is a good idea when you have quite a number of people to feed.It's a help  yourself meal which is always a plus when entertaining.Freshly made wrap or rottis can be bought from most supermarkets, (unless you prefer to make your own)  Cook up the fillings,( chicken and beef mince). Heat the rottis, place everything on a table with sambals and a few different sauces on the side and you are ready for a mouth watering meal. And how about serving with  a cool cold homemade lemonade to drink!

The Stuff you Will Need

2 Tablespoons Oil

25 grams Papas All in one Curry mix (half packet),(Mild, Medium Or Hot)

1 Medium Onion, finely chopped

1 to 2 cups water

1/2 410 gram tin chopped tomatoes

2 Medium Potatoes diced

500 grams beef mince (lean)
6 Rottis/wraps
(Makes enough for a generous filling for 6
  Rottis/Wraps) 
                                                                             

Here's how

Fry onion over medium heat for about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, add 1 cup water and 25 grams Papas  All In One Curry Mix. Mix well and return to heat. Add mince. Use a fork to separate mince then add potatoes and tomato and mix well. Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes or until potato is cooked. Whilst cooking, check consistency and stir as needed. As mixture thickens, add more water if necessary. (Do not thin the mixture too much). Ready made fresh Rottis/ wraps can be purchased at most Supermarkets, unless you prefer to make your own. Serve the Rottis/Wraps with a Mango Sauce/Sweet Chili Sauce and Sambals.



Chicken Filling

 Stuff you will Need


1 Medium Onion (finely chopped)
2 Tablespoons Oil
25 grams ( 1/2 packet) Papas All In One Curry Mix,(Mild,Medium or Hot)
1/2 410gram tim chopped tomatoes
2 medium potatoes (diced)
500 grams chicken fillet (diced)
6 Rottis/Wraps


(Makes enough for a generous filling for  6 rottis/wraps)


Here's How

Fry onions over medium heat for about 1 to 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, add 1 cup water and 25 grams Papas Curry Mix. Mix well and return to heat. Add chicken, potatoes and tomatoes and mix well. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until potato is cooked. As mixture thickens, add more water if necessary and stir as needed. (Do not thin too  much). Delicious when served with a Sweet Chilli sauce on the side.

Turmeric - Powerful healer

Turmeric - Did  you know?

There are no artificial dyes in our curry mix. The yellow colour you see in our mix is curcumin which  is found in Turmeric and gives it a vibrant colour. This is an amazing spice and has many health benefits. Go to - http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis , scroll down to topics/turmeric and read up on the many health benefits of this wonderful spice

Papa's Spice: Curry Coolers

Papa's Spice: Curry Coolers

Papa's Spice: Papa's Easy Stew Recipe

Papa's Spice: Papa's Easy Stew Recipe

Papa's Vegetable Curry

Having a vegetarian friend amongst your dinner guests for a curry meal? No sweat! Make this veggie curry. Very tasty and easy to prepare.You can also add your choice of veggies.Brinjal is always  excellent when used in a veg curry. Take the skin off. You don't have to soak brinjals in salt water any more as these days the bitterness has been bred out of this unique veg.

Papa's Vegetable Curry

You need

2 Tablespoons Oil

1 to 2 Cups Water

25 grams Papa's All In one Curry Mix

1 Medium Onion ( finely chopped)

1 large Brinjal (Peeled and diced)

4 Medium Brown Mushrooms ( Sliced)

1 Medium Carrot (Diced)

2 small Sweet Potatoes (Diced)

1/2 410 gram tin chopped tomatoes

1 small butternut (Cut into small chunks)

Serves 4

How to do it

Fry onions over medium heat until soft. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup water and 25 grams Papas Curry mix and stir well. Return to heat and simmer for 30 seconds, stirring continuously. Add all of the vegetables and mix well. Cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. During this time, stir occasionally and check consistency of curry. If mixture becomes too thick, add more water sparingly and mix well.Do not thin too much as no-one enjoys a watery curry. Serve with rice or a fresh chunky bread.