Caraway Lamb Triangles
Caraway Lamb Triangles
- · Use sesame or cumin seeds instead of caraway.
- · For a complete meal, serve with a mixed green salad or mashed kumara.
- · You can buy lamb already minced; you will need about 250g
Serves 4 (Makes 20)
Preparation: 25 minutes
Cooking: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- · 500g lamb forequarter chops, fat trimmed
- · 1 medium brown onion, finely chopped
- · Cooking oil spray
- · 1 clove garlic, crushed
- · 1 tablespoon Middle Eastern spice blend
- · 1 small carrot, finely grated
- · ¼ cup toasted silvered almonds
- · ¼ cup coarsely chopped coriander
- · 20 sheets filo pastry
- · 1 ½ tablespoons caraway seeds
- · Bought pesto dip, to serve
Method:
- Line 2 baking trays with baking paper. Cut lamb from bone. Discard bone; chop lamb. Process lamb until finely minced.
- Spray onion with oil. Heat a large frying pan over moderate heat. Cook and stir onion for 2 minutes. Add mince; cook, stirring with a wooden spoon to break up lumps, for 3-4 minutes or until browned. Stir in garlic and spice; cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Remove from heat. Stir in carrot, almonds and coriander; mix well.
- Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan forced. For each triangle, place 1 sheet filo on a plat surface. Spray with oil. Fold in half lengthwise, twice, to make a long, thin strip. Spoon 1 heaped tablespoon of filling onto one end of strip; fold and roll to enclose filling, into a triangle. Place on prepared trays.
- Spray triangles with oil; sprinkle with seeds. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden. Serve with clip.
Croque Monsieur
Croque Monsieur
- · Traditionally dipped in an egg mixture here is a slightly more lightly flavoured option.
- · Add sliced tomato to sandwiches.
- · Use salami instead of ham.
Serves 2
Preparation: 10 minutes
Cooking: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- · 2 tablespoons wholegrain mustard
- · 4 thick slices white bread
- · 4 slices leg ham
- · ¾ cup grated tasty cheese
- · 40g unsalted butter
Method:
- Spread mustard over bread. Top half the slices with ham and cheese. Top with remaining bread.
- Melt butter in a large frying pan over moderate heat. Cook sandwiches for 2-3 minutes each side or until golden and cheese melts. Cut in half. Serve at once.
6 Things to Remember When Driving In a Strange City
Driving in a strange city strange to you, you quickly discover two things – first, that most signs are for drivers who know where they are going, and second, drivers who know where they are going have little tolerance for drivers who don’t. Here are some hints to ease your on-wheels introduction not only to new street patterns, but to a new city’s particular pace, rhythm and unwritten rules of the road.
- Before your trip, get a good map and pore over it. Your best sources: the library (which should have a road atlas); a state highway map (which will have insets of detailed sections of major cities); The Automobile Association of America members have access to their stock of local maps. Study the map before you leave to anticipate problems before you encounter them.
Note the names of major streets, the directions in which they run and their location relative to each other – what is parallel to what and which ones cross. Even if you get lost, knowing the names and directions of major streets helps when asking for directions. Some arteries may also be highways with route numbers, and route signs are often easier to spot than street names when you are behind the wheel.
Locate on the map the street that is your destination, and note its relation to the major streets, including the ones you may encounter if you overshoot your mark. Notice the numbers of the nearest freeway exits, too. Remember that street names may appear at several different exits, but every exit does have its own number; figure out which one you need and you won’t get lost.
- Get oriented. East us east and west is west, and you’ll need to know which is which, particularly in cities where directions are part of the address, such as “NE” or “SW.” If a mountain range is to the west of the city or a lake is to the north, noting that fact will be helpful. Or use distinctive buildings, radio towers – whatever is available to mark a direction. Don’t count on the sun; darkness or a heavy, overcast sky can disorient you.
- Discover the street pattern. In some cities, streets are laid out in a simple grid. Perhaps overlaid with a diagonal or two. Other towns are spider webs. Some cities make it easy, by numbering streets or naming them alphabetically; in others they’re named after American presidents, so if you’re not lucky enough to remember that Polk served after Tyler, you’re likely to get lost. Whatever the pattern, discover it.
Also, consider the one-way streets. For instance, are all odd-numbered streets northbound? On detailed city maps, arrows sometimes indicate the direction of individual streets’ traffic flow. Once you’ve checked that pattern, however, remember that reality can differ from the map. When driving in a city that was once familiar but which you haven’t visited recently, it’s especially important to remember that thoroughfares that used to move in one direction can now be a solid stream of traffic flowing in the other.
Street numbers offer another pattern worth observing. In which direction do street numbers get bigger? And do they increase in both directions from a particular thoroughfare or only in one direction from a river or lakefront?
- Learn the sign language. Cities have individual ways of placing directional signs and street names. Some cities confound strangers by posting only the names of the cross streets and never naming the street you’re on, except at main intersections. Other cities re more helpful, announcing the name of each upcoming street with large signs at midblock.
- Notice what the locals do. This is especially important in terms of driving speed. Obviously you always drive at a speed at which you’re comfortable, so if the tempo on the main arteries tightens your grip on the steering wheel, either stay well to the right to find alternate routes. If, on the other hand, traffic moves at a more leisurely pace than you’re used to, ease off: you may attract police attention if you proceed at your usual speed.
One important question: How do the locals respond to yellow lights? If the yellow lights are seen as “hard,” most drivers will treat them as what they were designed to be: preliminary reds, requiring that you stop. In a “soft yellow” city, many drivers will treat the lights as a trailing green, and press on to cross the intersection before the red light appears. If you’re in a “soft yellow” city, wait a beat at a changing red to be sure no drivers are about to shave the light.
- Be more attentive than usual to personal safety. You should always look out for your personal safety on the road – but be doubly alert in a city unknown to you. Always lock your doors and conceal your valuables. Stow all luggages out of sight and while at the wheel put your purse under a seat or out of view. Drive with all windows up.
Ask about high crime areas. A map shows streets’ names and layouts, but it cannot characterize a district as one that strangers should avoid. Ask where those areas are, and until you know, stick to the superhighway and maintain arteries.
Minted Lamb With Pea Couscous
Minted Lamb With Pea Couscous
- · You can also use frozen broad beans in couscous. Peel off the outer skin before adding.
Serves 4
Preparation: 20 minutes
Cooking: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- · 8 x 150g lamb loin chops
- · 1/3 cup mint jelly
- · 1 1/3 cups couscous
- · 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- · 1 1/3 cups boiling chicken stock
- · 1 clove garlic, crushed
- · 1 small carrot, coarsely grated
- · 120g fresh ricotta, crumbled
- · 1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- · Lemon wedges, to serve
Method:
- Preheat a char-grill or barbecue on moderately high. Place lamb and jelly in a large bowl; turn to coat. Grill lamb, brushing with jelly, for 2-3 minutes each side for medium or until cooked to your liking. Transfer lamb to a plate. Cover with foil; rest for 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place couscous and peas in a large heatproof bowl; stir in stock. Cover with plastic food wrap; set aside for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Using a fork, fluff and separate grains. Add garlic, onion, carrot, ricotta and parsley. Season with salt; stir to combine.
- Spoon couscous onto plates; top with lamb. Serve with lemon wedges.
Sausage Risoni
Sausage Risoni
- · Use macaroni instead of risoni.
- · Store leftover parsley wrapped in damp paper towel in the crisper.
- · Add spices such as ground cumin or fennel.
Serves 4
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- · 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- · 1 leek, pale section only, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced
- · 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- · 1 cup risoni
- · 400g butternut pumpkin, peeled, cut into 2cm cubes
- · 2 cups hot chicken stock
- · 1/3 cup silvered almonds
- · 6 beef chipolata sausages
- · 50g baby spinach leaves
- · ½ cup shredded parmesan
- · ½ cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
Method:
- Heat half oil in a medium saucepan over moderate heat. Add leek and garlic; cok and stir for 6-7 minutes or until the leek softens.
- Increase heat to high. Add risoni and pumpkin; cook and stir for 2 minutes.
- Add stock and ½ cup water to risoni. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, for 8 minutes. Remove from heat. Stand (don’t lift lid) for 5 minutes.
- Add a sausage, spinach, half the parmesan and all the parsley to pasta; toss gently. Spoon onto plates; sprinkle with almonds and parmesan.
Beware - Thieves Target Airports
Pickpockets and thieves frequent most large airports: New York’s JFK, Chicago’s O’ Hare and Miami’s International are among the hardest hit. Pickpockets are common at ticket counters, phone booths, newsstands, rest rooms and cart rental stands – places where you open your purse. At O’ Hare and other airports, “nuisance crimes” are a problem: Someone offers to carry your belongings or get you a cab quickly, then demands a large payment.
Thieves work in groups. One or two create a distraction; another steals from you. To create a distraction, they:
- Ask you to read the departure board for them “because I forgot my glasses.”
- Point out money on the ground and ask if it is yours.
- Drop a suitcase on the escalator or point out a spot on the back of your jacket or blouse to get your attention. Seattle airport officials report the “escalator bump followed by a profuse apology.” Passengers appreciate the concern until they find their wallet is missing.
- Target mothers struggling with luggage and children. A St. Louis woman reported their suitcase strap was entangled in her stroller. While she bent over to help, they stole her wallet.
“Trust me” is another scam. Police at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix warn of thieves who engage a traveler in friendly conversation, then ask you to watch his or her belongings while he goes to the “newsstand” or “rest room.” The thief hopes you will then trust him to watch your belongings. When you return, your belongings are gone.
Protect yourself. You have to be vigilant when you are in a crowded place.
· Carry as few credit cards and as little cash as possible. Use traveler’s checks even if you are only traveling for a day or two.
· Carry your purse close to your body in front of you.
· Carry tickets in an outside compartment of your bag or briefcase to avoid having to open them; carry money for phone calls, cart rentals, tips and sundries in a pocket.
· Never take your eyes off any of your belongings. If someone bumps into you or seems overly friendly, be cautious.
· Tag belongings with your name, business address and phone number; most thieves prefer property that is not easily identifiable.
· Keep passport, credit card and traveler’s check numbers in a safe place to facilitate cancellation if your purse is stolen.
· Make sure you know where the airport security personnel are located so that when something goes wrong and you need their help, you can go directly to them in no time.
Roast Lamb
Roast Lamb
- · It’s cheaper to buy a leg of lamb as part of a portioned pack. Some butchers have specials on legs – buy extra when on special, then freeze.
- · As a guide, roast a leg of lamb (bone in) for 25-30 minutes per 500g for medium.
- · To make gravy, place 4 tablespoons gravy powder in a heatproof jug; stir in 2 cups boiling water until sauce thickens.
Serves 6
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 1 hour 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- · 500g kumara, unpeeled, halved lengthwise, thickly sliced
- · 12 uniformly sized chat (baby) potatoes, halved
- · 3 medium carrots, quartered lengthwise
- · ½ cup of vegetable or rice bran oil
- · 2 medium red onions, halved, cut into thick wedges
- · 2 heads garlic, halved crosswise
- · 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- · 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- · 2kg leg lamb
- · 2 cups frozen peas
- · 1 lemon, zest finely grated
- · 1/3 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
- · 2 tablespoons finely chopped oregano
- · Gravy, to serve
Method
- Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C fan forced. Place kumara, potato and carrot in a large roasting pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil and season with salt; toss to coat. Roast for 20 minutes. Add onion and garlic to pan.
- Reduce oven to 200°C/180°C fan forced. Combine remaining oil, sugar and vinegar in a medium jug. Place lamb on vegies in pan. Using a large, sharp knife, score top of lamb at 1cm intervals. Drizzle with oil mixture.
- Roast lamb, basting occasionally with pan juices and turning vegies, for 1 hour 15 minutes for medium-rare or until cooked to your liking. Transfer lamb to a large plate. Cover with foil; rest for 10 minutes. Add peas to pan; roast for 5 minutes or until vegies are tender.
- Combine zest and herbs in a small bowl; sprinkle over lamb. Serve sliced, with vegies and gravy.
Sausage & Ricotta Calzone
Sausage & Ricotta Calzone
- · For a bit of spice, you can use 2 chorizo sausages.
- · Use cumin seeds in muffins such as kumara or carrot.
Serves 4
Preparation: 20 minutes
Cooking: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
- · 1 quantity Pizza Dough (recipe follows)
- · 2 thick beef sausages
- · 200g Swiss brown or button mushrooms, sliced
- · 100g fresh ricotta, crumbled
- · 2/3 cup shredded tasty cheese
- · 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- · 1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
- · 1/3 cup tomato paste
- · 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
Method:
- Preheat oven to 210°C/190°C fan forced. Line a large baking tray with baking paper. Prepare dough as recipe directs. Quarter dough and shape into balls. Cover with plastic food wrap rest in a warm place for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan over moderate heat. Cook and turn sausages for 8-10 minutes or until browned and cooked. Cool slightly. Quarter lengthwise, then slice thinly. Place in a large bowl. Cook and stir mushrooms for 3 minutes or until tender. Add to sausage with cheese, onion and parsley; mix to combine.
- For each calzone, roll a piece of dough on a lightly floured surface to an 18cm round. Spread with 1 tablespoon tomato paste. Spread a quarter of sausage mixture on half of round; fold other half over to enclose filling and shape a semi-circle. Using a fork, press edges to seal; brush edge with water. Place calzones on prepared tray; sprinkle tops with cumin. Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden.
The Warning Signs of Online Free Credit Report Scam
The US government has authorized a law that grants all citizens to acquire a yearly credit report for free some years back. This law expresses that you can obtain your credit history as there is an alarming growth on identity theft cases online lately. This costless credit report can be accessed online anytime you want. It will show you various reports by entirely three of the well-known and respected credit reporting agencies. Though, as a teaser, you will not be able to see your credit score instantly.
Because there is no cost on getting your annual credit report, it made this law instant famous. But it also attracts so many identity thieves and con artists online that have emerged to create their own scam web sites offering free credit report. They have generated easy income through this law which defeats its purpose of protecting you. As of this time, there are hundreds of websites offering help on getting free credit report. If you are confused which one is really legitimate and truthful, you might want to check the site with your local Better Business Bureau. Better yet, you can ask for some recommended sites from your financial consultant or even close friends.
How can you spot a scam site? Here are the most common warning signs to remember. If the site charges you for a small amount just to get the credit report, then that is surely a warning sign that you will get scammed. Another thing, when you are asked to fill out confidential information through the website such as your credit card or Social Security number; that is also another warning sign that it is a scam. If you fall prey into this scheme, virtually anybody can use your money and identity online that eventually will destroy your credit.
Furthermore, these scam sites most likely, are purposely given domain names that are so much alike with the legit ones to mislead you. But you can spot the fake ones by noticing some typo errors on the domain names themselves or through the contents. Examples of such typo errors are misspelled domain names, some incorrect spellings of content words and misplaced punctuation marks. The law provides that you are entitled to get one yearly free credit report. You should remember that. Do not give in to pay any amount of money even if it is a very small amount when you want to get your online free credit report through a site. There is a clever way used by online thieves to get around with this. On their site, they will tell you that they will ask for your payment information (a.k.a. credit card details) just for verification purposes and that they will not charge you at all. Do not fall into this trap. Also, whenever you receive an email which is some sort of a sales letter, make sure that you read the small print really cautiously prior to making any reply. There are scam sites that give you no choice but to give your credit card information in exchange for the free credit report.
You must remember that getting your free credit report can be done either through mail, phone or online. Just to be on safe side, try to get in touch with the three top national credit reports authorized agencies such as Trans Union, Equifax, and Experian. These three agencies can assist you in keeping track of your credit.
Sausages With Skordalia
Sausages With Skordalia
- · Skordalia is a traditional Greek creamy garlic and potato puree. Delicious with grilled pork chops or firm white fish.
Serves 4
Preparation: 20 minutes + 10 to cool
Cooking: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- · 3 large (600g) potatoes, unpeeled
- · 2/3 cup soft fresh breadcrumbs
- · 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- · ¼ cup lemon juice
- · 2 cloves garlic, crushed
- · 8 thick pork sausages
- · 2 large ripe tomatoes, halved
- · 50g baby spinach leaves, to serve
- · Lemon wedges, to serve
Method:
- Place potato in a medium saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil. Cook for 12-15 minutes or until tender. Drain. Cool 10 minutes. Peel. Place potatoes in a large bowl. Mash until almost smooth.
- Using the back of a spoon, press mashed potato through a sieve into a large bowl. Process breadcrumbs, oil, juice and garlic until well combined. Add bread mixture to mashed potato and stir until well combined. Season with salt.
- Meanwhile, heat a large frying pan over moderate heat. Cook and turn sausages for 8-10 minutes or until browned and cooked. Transfer to a plate. Cover with foil; rest for 5 minutes.
- Add tomato, cut-side down, to pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until tender. 5 spoon skordalia onto plates. Top with spinach, tomato and sausage. Serve with lemon wedges.
