Recipe: Chilli grapes and cheese

We hosted our first lunch at home in HK yesterday. While it wasn't the way I usually do things i.e., cook everything myself, it was fun nonetheless! 

We ordered in some Indian food and did the starters at home. I was delighted that nobody had to go running to the supermarket to get ingredients, everything was available at home! Starters included nachos and home made salsa dip, onion flavoured macadamia nuts, roasted almonds, fresh fruits and my favourite, chilli grapes and cheese.

Came up with the chilli grapes idea while staring at a box of grapes... very simple, very spicy, very fun.

Here goes the recipe -

Ingredients -

• Washed seedless grapes, green or black
• Assorted cheese, we used to smoked cheese and emmental
• Olive oil
• Paprika
• 1/4 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon salt
• 3 tablespoon lime juice
• Pepper
• Lemon pepper

Method -

• Take 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Add paprika, granulated sugar, salt, pepper, lime juice, pepper, lemon pepper to olive oil and mix
• Let sit for 10 minutes and then pour over grapes
• Toss the grapes in the oil mixture and put in the freezer about an 45 minutes before serving
• Keep cheese in the freezer as well, this will make the cheese easier to cut
• Before serving, take out grapes, toss again and serve with cheese on the side!
• Make sure you pour out the remaining oil mixture on the grapes - this will really bring home the tanginess and the cheese will pick up the flavours too! 

Do let me know if you liked this quick and easy snack! Did you make any changes to it?

Presentation makes all the difference!

Presentation surely does make all the difference! It can make humble smoked cheese, grapes and olives look really appealing; everyday pancakes seem exotic; an ordinary pear unique and make a mundane activity like tea drinking, exciting!

Do share your thoughts and tips on presentation! What are the tricks and tools you use to make your food look fancy and appealing?

Dinner for two

Over the week, the only meal the husband and I have together is dinner. So on the days I am cooking at home, I try to make something simple yet interesting. Simple because the husband has a habit of getting into the kitchen the moment he comes home and sometimes, that's not a great idea.

When he's home late and hungry, it's been a simple dish of hot beans in soy sauce and paprika with pearl rice.

 Beans in soy sauce with pearl rice, our latest favourite

On that rare day when there was time for starters and a couple of beers, there was tzatziki with Doritos and mustard sauce; followed by salt and pepper baby corn and broccoli accompanied by brown rice in tomato sauce and zucchini. All made in under an hour (I sure am getting fast at this!).  

And then there are days when the leftovers just come together to make an interesting meal. Like beans in soy sauce with zucchini rice!

The only challenge to cooking with speed is that I think as I cook and that takes time. This is a typical exchange in the kitchen while I'm cooking -

Husband: "What are you making?"
Me: "I don't know yet."
Husband: "Then why are you cutting so many vegetables?"
Me: "Just to see where this takes us!"
Husband: Grins, "sounds good to me!"

So, when I need to just cook fast and not innovate, Indian is the way to cook. Just follow mummy's recipes!

What can you cook with speed? My least favourite chore is cutting vegetables. What is yours?

Breakfast!

This is my favourite breakfast. I really like this picture. I just had to post it!

Hard boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes with olive oil and parsley, multigrain bread.

Makes for a healthy, wholesome and filling breakfast!

What do you enjoy breaking your fast with the most? Please share some ideas! :)