Magra Con Tomate

Wonderful pork dish that is simple to whip up, and requires only a handful of ingredients. Make sure to serve with fresh bread and salad (unless you enjoy a meat coma).

Serves: 6

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 25minutes

Ingredients

• 1.5kg pork fillet, diced into 3cm pieces
• 250g tomatoes, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/3 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely sliced
• 1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley, chopped

Method

1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan on medium heat. Cook onion, pork and parsley for 5-7 minutes, until golden.
2. Season, add wine and simmer for about 10 minutes, until pork is cooked through.
3. Heat remaining oil in a seperate pan on medium-high heat. Cook tomatoes for about 5 minutes, until reduced slightly.
4. Stir tomato into pork, garnish  with parsley.
5. Eat!

Potenza Style Chicken

Simple chicken dish on the mind? Look no further than this tasty meal that the most incompetent bachelor can handle and master. This isn't a dish I do often, but when I do the plate is cleaned in a matter of no time.

I suggest serving with dired risoni pasta.

Serves: 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 60 minutes

Ingredients

• 1.2kg whole chicken cut into 8 pieces (boned or deboned)
• 400g diced tomatoes
• 400g can Italian cherry tomatoes in tomato juice
• 30g butter
• 1/4 cup coarsely grate pecorino
• 1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 cup torn fresh flat leaf parsley
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/4 teaspoon dried chilli flakes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 brown onion, halved, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• Shaved pecorino, to serve

Method

1. Heat the butter and oil in a large, heavy-based saucepan over medium heat. Cook the chicken, turning occasionally until browned. transfer to a plate.
2. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes or until golden.
3. Add the wine and bring to the boil. Simmer for 3-4 minutes or until reduced by half.
4. Add the chilli, garlic, combined tomato, grated pecorino, half of the basil and parsley. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Uncover and simmer for 10 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
5. Sprinkle the chicken mixture with the remaining basil and parsley. Serve with shaved pecorino.
6. Eat!

Asparagus Stir-Fried With Prawns

This wonderful light thai meal will not only hit the spot, but the tastebuds too. It can be whipped up in a matter of no time as a main meal with rice or just as a quick snack without the rice. I tend to have this at least once a fortnight, because it is that damn good!

Serves: 1-2

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients

• 10 thin asparagus spears, cut to 4cm lengths
• 10 medium-sized raw prawns, tails left on (heads optional)
• 6 cloud ear mushrooms
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• A little oyster sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of white sugar
• Pinch of ground white pepper

Method

1. Crush garlic to a coarse paste with the salt.
2. Heat a well-seasoned wok over medium-high heat. When hot, pour in the oil and add the garlic paste, asparagus and prawns. Stir fry, taking care that the garlic doesn't burn.
3. When prawns and asparagus are just about cooked add the cloud ear mushrooms, moisten with the water, and simmer for a moment.
4. Season with the soy and oyster sauce, sugar and pepper. Continue to stir through for a short moment before serving.
5. Eat!

Garlic Bread

This tasty garlic bread is fast starter or snack to put together and tie over those grumbling stomachs. After the first time you whip up this garlic bread you will wonder why you haven't made your own before.

Serves: 8
Preperation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 12-15 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 x 35cm baguettes
• 150gm butter, softened
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped

Method

1. Preheat oven to 220ºC/200ºC fan-forced. Cut bread into 2.5cm-thick slices, stopping right before the base. 
2. Combine butter, garlic, parsley and chives in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Spread over cut side of bread. Wrap each baguette in foil.
3. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until butter is melted and bread crisp.
4. Eat!