Couscous Salad Recipe

Couscous Recipe

This couscous salad is an adaptation from a recipe I found somewhere. The salad itself was okay but I made a few changes to suit my own taste. I did not like the original dressing so made a few changes there as well.

This salad uses several ingredients and is a complete meal. Ideal for the vegetarian or someone looking to eat healthy. You are allowed to make changes to suit your budget and taste as well.

Couscous is very easy to prepare and easy to cool as well so if you don't have leftovers you can just prepare it half hour before you are ready to put your salad together. Make the dressing first so it can be chilled.

How to fry an egg

Sunny side up eggs

Fried eggs

Sunny side up eggs

It is beast to use fresh eggs for frying in a non-stick heavy skillet. All you need to do is use a tip of butter or cooking spray.

Do not over-heat the pan. It is best to fry the egg on low flames and let it slowly cook. A sunny side egg is done when all the white is firm especially around the edges of the yolk. The yolk should look fresh and shiny but not opaque.

If the flames are too high, the edges of the white will be rubbery or burned.

How to scramble eggs

One of the first things we may learn to do in the kitchen is cook eggs. Many of us get it right but some don't. Some of us struggle for years in trying to make the perfect eggs but the scramble is too dry or too pebbly. Follow these tips and you will have the perfect eggs every time.

How to poach an egg

Poached eggs

When I was small I used to hate poached eggs. As I grew older I realized the benefits of the poached egg and I really began to like it, however, I could never get it right.

Most times the egg would come out mushy and tasteless. Then I got a poached egg made from a restaurant and I was hooked. I had no idea what they did to make the thing so perfect but I was determined to find the right technique.

Kitchen Aid Mixer - Why Should I Get One?

My mother brought a kitchen aid from the United States and boy does she boast about it. Before she took it out of her boxes of kitchen appliances, she said 'I have a kitchen aid.' My reply was, 'Oh a mixer.' She point blank told that never to call it that because it does more than mere mixing.

So here's the thing. Hers is the KSM150PSER 5-Qt. Artisan Series. This particular Kitchen aid mixer comes with over a dozen different attachments that are used for various reasons. That's crazy, what mixer does that? All I'm use to, is a mixer that has those little metal things you stick in, press low, medium or high and it combines your ingredients. Now here is a device that does things I've never even heard of.

So it's quicker than the average kitchen mixer, not big deal but the things looks sleek and powerful so I decided to do a little research.

How to make soft boiled eggs

This one is tricky because I often end up with the egg either too soft or too hard.

Making soft boiled eggs takes just a little patience and timing. I have had ,any moments where I decide to just forget it, but I found the formula and here is your guide to the perfect soft boiled egg.

Soft boiled eggs

Similar to the hard boiled eggs, a soft boiled egg is done better using days old eggs. Not many people can do the perfect soft boiled eggs. It takes practice and patience so here goes.

The saucepan will depend on the amount of eggs you are doing. I don't recommend doing more than three eggs at a time for this. Pour about three inches of water in the saucepan. On high flames put water to boil. When water is bubbling, use a spoon to lower cold refrigerated eggs into the water. The water should be fiercely boiling when you are doing this. Be careful when lowering the eggs that they do not crack.

Let the eggs boil for two minutes then turn the eggs on the opposite side using the spoon. Cook for another two to three minutes. Turn off flames and remove from hot water immediately. Place the egg in the egg holder and crack the rounded part with a spoon, remove the shell and make a hole. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve.

This is great with toast and grated cheese and as a protein snack. 

How to cook hard boiled eggs

Is it possible to over-cook an egg when boiling?

Have you been frustrated when peeling the boiled eggs because the shells don't come off clean?

Hard boiled eggs

The first thing you should know about how to boil eggs is that eggs that are a few days old will give you a better peel than fresh eggs.

Another tip is to drop a teaspoon of vinegar in the water to prevent the eggs from running in case they should crack

Here is how long to cook hard boiled eggs-

Depending on how many eggs you are boiling fill the appropriate size sauce pan half way with water. Place your eggs carefully in the pan one by one taking care not to crack the eggs. Make sure that you have about an inch or two of water space above the eggs. Place your eggs on medium high to boil.

When the water starts boiling let bubble for 30 seconds then cover pot and turn flames off. Let stand for 12-15 minutes, the drain water and run eggs under cold water, cracking the them as you go. Crack each egg while still hot and place in the cold water for about 30 seconds then peel. If the water gets too hot/warm drain and run fresh cold water over them.

Your eggs should peel nicely and they should not be overcooked. Boiling eggs for over five minute will over cook your eggs. Have you ever boiled and egg and the film around the yolk is green? That is a sure sign of an over cooked egg.

Fried Green Plantains

Green plantains is a popular Jamaican staple. It is widely used right across the country. Fried green plantains are popular and loved by many. This side dish is mostly used for breakfast along with any protein you see fit, but mostly with calaloo, or ackee and saltfish.

Fried green plantains is easy to prepare and very tasty once done right. The secret is never to let the plantain go cold.

Ingredients for Fried green Plantains

3 green plantains, peeled
a pinch of salt
1/3 cup of vegetable oil

Notes: You will need a skillet with a cover. Reserve plantain skin for pressing.

How to fry plantains

Peel your green plantains and cut them in two or three, depending on their size.

Place them in a bowl and add a pinch or two of salt. Rub the salt in.

Place your skillet on medium heat and add oil, Let the oil warm and then add your plantains. Don't let  oil get hot. Turn flames on medium low and cover. Allow plantains to fry on low flames. This allows the plantains to steam while frying. You will hear when the oil gets hot enough.

After about 10 minutes, turn plantains, they should be golden. Let other side cook for another ten minutes or so or until golden.

If you reserved the skin of the plantain get ready to start pressing with the heel of the hand. Be careful as this will be hot. Alternatively, get a plate and a strong fork.

Place one piece of plantain between skin and press until desired flatness. Personally I don't like mine too flat. Return pressed plantain to skillet and do the same with all the pieces of plantain.

If you are using a fork and plate, press down gently with the fork.

Let pressed plantains cook on each side for about two minutes and remove from heat.

Note: if the fire is too low increase heat just a tad, but remember, the best way to make this dish is by using low heat.

Easy Tofu Curry Recipe

Here is an easy tofu recipe that is tasty and healthy. My fiance didn't eat tofu before because he heard such negative things, especially about the taste or the lack thereof. However, since I started making tofu he is now hooked.

His favorite tofu recipes are: sweet and sour, spicy fried and this one, the curried tofu. Please enjoy.

The Coal Stove

I thought I'd share the coal stove experience with you. 

We all know what a coal stove was back in the day but the Jamaican version is smaller and more like a pot. It's circular, with a raised base and a grid in the center.