Chicken, Grapes and Blue Cheese Salad / Салат с Курицей, Виноградом и Голубым Сыром

This is just a well known great combination of tasted and textures. Sweet fruit and sharp cheese dressing, juicy pieces of chicken meat, crunchy walnuts. I love these fruity salads so much! Hope I've inspired you to make it. Give yourself a treat!:)

200g roasted chicken meat, sliced
1 medium red apple
2 handfuls red grapes, cut in half
handful toasted walnuts
rucola (enough for 3-4 people)
some parsley leaves

2 egg yolks*
1 large garlic clove
about 100ml olive oil
about 80g blue cheese
1-2 t.s. lemon juice

Place rucola leaves into a salad bowl. Add chopped grapes, sliced apple and toasted walnuts.

Beat egg yolks, adding gradually olive oil into the mixture. Add lemon juice and crushed garlic. In the end add blue cheese and continue beating.

Divide mixed salad between dishes, place sliced chicken on top of every dish and sprinkle with blue cheese dressing.

* If children are going to eat it, I would not add egg yolks. The dressing will be just as delicious without them.

Enjoy!

Chicken Sauté in Peanut Sauce/ Куриное Соте в Арахисовом Соусе

We love chicken sauté in this creamy, spicy, fragrant peanut sauce. And this is something we miss a lot since we live abroad, away from the Netherlands. It's just really delicious as part of a lunch or just as a snack. Back in Holland I would never think to cook it myself. But since there is no alternative any more I have to:)
This recipe is a good enough variation to bring back those tasty memories. It takes about 20 minutes to put together and grill, which is always a bit plus for me:) If you like a lot of sauce I suggest to make double portion.

2 large chicken breasts (about 200g each)
wooden sticks

4 full tb.s. crunchy peanut butter
1,5 tb.s. soy sauce
1 spanish red pepper
2 cloves garlic
2tb.s. coconut flakes
2cm fresh ginger root
juice and zest of 0,5 lemon
0,5 t.s. chilli pepper flakes

olive oil
some honey

Makes about 7-8 sticks

Soak wooden sticks in water for 10 minutes.
Cut chicken breasts into medium sized stripes.
Combine in blender all ingredients for the sauce (written in the middle) and whizz. Add a little bit of oil. Toss chicken pieces in marinade and leave for 5 minutes.
Sprinkle grill pan with oil. Thread the chicken onto the skewers and place onto grill pan. Fry on medium high heat several minutes from each side. Drizzle with some honey (about 1 tb.s.) and serve with rice or s salad...

Chicken Mushroom Loaf with Cheese/ Запеканка из Курицы с Грибами и Сыром

This loaf is so easy to put together and it is one of my favourite dishes. I must say I could eat the entire thing in one day...I just have to stop myself all the time:)

It's juicy, full of flavours, low on fat and carbs and with a lot of different vegetables. My kids eat this stuff every time I make it, it's a 100% success. It's also easy to take with you on a trip/picnic, if you slice it cold and make sandwiches. Very convenient:)

500g chicken breasts, minced
1 large red onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
2 garlic cloves
250g mushrooms
small bunch of dill
2 eggs
3-4tb.s. flour (I use WW)
salt, black pepper

sheep cheese/parmesan for grating on top (not too much)
a couple of spoons of ketchup or spicy tomato sauce


On olive oil cook half of the onion and carrots until they begin to get golden. Add chopped mushrooms and cover with frying pan the lid. Cook, stiring a couple of times for about 10 minutes.

Preheat oven to 175C. Brush baking dish (rectangular for baking bread) with olive oil.

Mix minced chicken with another half of chopped onion, chopped garlic and tomato. Season to taste. Add chopped dill, eggs and mushroom mixture. Regulate thickness of the mixture by adding more or less flour. Don't make it stiff though.

Transfer everything into prepared baking dish. Spread some ketchup over the top. Cover with aluminium foil and bake 30 minutes. The remove foil, sprinkle with grated cheese and bake for about 15 more minutes. Enjoy it warm or even cold.

Best 10 Yoghurt Recipes of this blog/10 Лучших Рецептов с Йогуртом

10 Best Yoghurt Recipes of this blog

I don't know many people who do not like yoghurt. I love it! Thick, creamy plain or flavoured...for dessert, for baking or cooking. It's delicious, healthy and cosy, I think.

Я не знаю людей, которые не любят йогурт. Я его обожаю! Густой, кремообразный, натуральный или с наполнителем...на десерт, в выпечке или для главного блюда. Это вкусно, полезно и очень уютно, я думаю.

So here are top 10 recipes using yoghurt in my blog.
Вот Топ 10 рецептов с использованием йогурта из этого блога

1. Yoghurt baked chicken. Tender and juicy!
http://mijndagelijksegedachten.blogspot.com/2012/05/yoghurt-baked-chicken.html

2. Pistachio yogurt with Strawberries! What a combination...and it's light too!
http://mijndagelijksegedachten.blogspot.com/2012/04/pistachio-yogurt-with-boozy.html

3. Easy berry ice cream. Beautiful!
http://mijndagelijksegedachten.blogspot.com/2011/04/super-tasty-and-easy-berry-icecream.html

4. Baked Orange yogurt. So tender and tasty!
http://mijndagelijksegedachten.blogspot.com/2012/03/baked-orange-yogurt-with-pistachio.html

5. Oatmeal bars with Yogurt filling. Scrumptious breakfast idea!
http://mijndagelijksegedachten.blogspot.com/2012/01/oatmeal-bars-with-yogurt.html

6. Peach and Honey yoghurt parfait.
http://mijndagelijksegedachten.blogspot.com/2011/07/peach-and-honey-yogurt-parfait.html

7. Summer morning smoothie. Thick, tasty, energizing!
http://mijndagelijksegedachten.blogspot.com/2012/03/summer-morning-smoothy.html

8. Ricotta Lemon Pancakes. Fluffy and light for tasty breakfast
http://mijndagelijksegedachten.blogspot.com/2012/01/ricotta-lemon-pancakes.html

9. Carrot cheesecake in a Glass. Carrot cake and cheesecake combined in this easy healthy dessert
http://mijndagelijksegedachten.blogspot.com/2012/04/carrot-cheesecake-in-glass.html

10. Strawberry Scones! Instant summer feeling
http://mijndagelijksegedachten.blogspot.com/2011/03/strawberry-scones.html

Hope you enjoyed it! And don't forget to tell your opinion about this product. As I mentioned above I really like it, so it means I'll be posting more recipes using yoghurt and it would be nice to know what your preferences are!
Надеюсь, Вам понравилось! И не забудьте поделиться своим мнением по поводу этого продукта. Как я указала выше, мне он очень нравится, это значит, что вы увидите рецепты с использованием йогурта и дальше. Поэтому мне бы хотелось узнать Ваши предпочтения!

Yoghurt Baked Chicken/Запеченная в Йогурте Курица

Very light, tender and luscious chicken. Original recipe can be found here, I just changed proportions of yoghurt and stock for even more tender result with less liquid.

1,5kg chicken, jointed
olive oil
1 large onion, cut in thick slices
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1-2 tb.s. dried thyme
200ml chicken stock
600ml Greek yoghurt
2tb.s. honey
juice and zest of 1 lemon

Preheat oven to 160C. Heat olive oil in frying pan and fry pieces of chicken from both sides until golden.
Transfer to the heavy casserole. Add the rest of ingredients to the frying pan, where chicken has been cooked and heat them up. Pour it back to casserole, cover with foil and bake for 2,5 hours.

Grilled Chicken Avocado Salad/Салат с Курицей Гриль и Авокадо

Such rich salads keep you satisfied and energized for hours. Just lovely combination.

1 bunch rocket salad
1 avocado
5-6 dried tomato halves
1 garlic clove
1 small or half grilled chicken breast
sharp sheep cheese
olive oil
lemon juice

Peel and cut avocados lengthwise. Cut chicken meat into thin slices. Mix salad leaves, avocado, chicken and tomatoes in a bowl. Combine together pressed garlic, oil and lemon juice. Pour over the salad. Grate some sheep cheese on top (or through some small cubes of cheese) and serve.

Lighter Chicken Parmigiano/Курица Пармиджанo (облегченная)

Tasty chicken with cheese and tomato sauce, contains a little less calories.

2 chicken breasts (cut horizontally in halves)
olive oil
black pepper
salt

4 thin slices of light mozzarella
grated parmigiano

half of onion
2 tomatoes
2garlic cloves
1 red bell pepper
tomato paste
1t.s.rosemary
1t.s.oregano
1t.s. paprika flakes
1t.s. sugar
some water or stock
salt
olive oil
pitted black olives

Prepare simple tomato sauce using ingredients from the third table or use your favourite tomato sauce. Cook until it gets thicker, about 40 minutes.
Pound pieces of chicken to make them thinner. Heat olive oil, season chicken and fry from both sides until golden, about 4-5 minutes from both sides.
Preheat oven to 250C. Pour some of the sauce into baking dish, place chicken pieces on top and put small pieces of mozzarella on each. Sprinkle with parmesan and pour the rest of the sauce over.
Bake in the over uncovered until bubbly, around 15 minutes.
Serve.

Spicy Roasted Chicken with Quince/Пикантная Запеченная Курица с Айвой

Juicy meat. Golden crust. Full of flavour. What else to add?

chicken of 1,5-2kg

2 medium sized quinces

1t.s. cumin powder
1t.s. red pepper powder
1t.s. ginger powder
1t.s. curry powder
1t.s. turmeric powder
app.70ml olive oil
4 garlic cloves (crushed)
2tb.s. lemon juice

Mix all ingredients for the sauce. Cut quinces into 4 parts, stuff the chicken with it. Rub the chicken with the sauce.
Preheat oven to 200C. Bake chicken for 20-25 minutes at this temperature, then lower to 160 and bake for one hour more (there should be clear juice running if you prick it).
Serve and enjoy:)

Quick Chicken Paprikash/Скорый Куриный Паприкаш

When you're short on time, but warm and big meal is a must, this is one good recipe. And that was exactly my case...I had to cut vegetables and meat having baby hanging on my chest in baby carrier. Everyone waiting for food....a bit of  madness:)
The portion here is for 2-3 people.

2 large chicken breasts
1 large red sweet paprika
paprika flakes
chicken broth app.100-150ml
black pepper
some flour
2 garlic cloves
1 small onion
1tb.s. tomato paste
100ml yogurt or sour cream
bay leaf

Toss chicken pieces in flour and dry paprika. Fry on butter from all sides, about 8 minutes, take away. Put onion, garlic and red paprika stripes on a pan and cook until soft, add stock and tomato paste. Return chicken, add sour cream and cook until ready, about 10-15 minutes. Serve with noodles or pasta, preferably long, not in my case here...but well, it was one hectic dinner...but tasty:)

Stuffed Chicken Italian style/Фаршированное Куриное Филе в Итальянском Стиле

Fabulous recipe from BBCGoodFood. Fabulous, because it's easy, quick and very tasty. Instead of soft cheese I used cheddar and found this combination really good, actually.

2 chicken breasts
5 chopped olives
several dried tomatoes, chopped
3 garlic cloves, cut into small pieces
app.40g cheddar cheese
1 tomato
parsley
black pepper, some salt
olive oil

Preheat oven to 200C. Cut the chicken breast, making a sort of an envelope, stuff it with cheese, olives, tomatoes. Fasten the edge with wooden sticks and pour some olive oil on top, lay slices of tomato and parsley. Season.
Bake for 25 minutes. Remove sticks before serving:)

Chicken Adobo

There are many versions of this dish, in mine I used balsamic vinegar and chicken breast, cut into cubes. The sauce has pretty strong taste, so I think it's better to use as little salt as possible.

500g chicken meat
150ml light soy sauce
150ml balsamic vinegar
4 garlic cloves, crushed
paprika flakes 2 t.s.
200ml chicken broth without salt
2 bay leaves
parsley to serve

Marinate meat in all ingredients for an hour or more. Heat oil in a heavy pan, add chicken and liquid, broth and cook on medium high for about 25 minutes, until the meat is ready and soft. Thicken the sauce a little with a tea spoon of starch. Serve.

Caribbean style Chicken Curry with Banana/Куриное Карри с Бананом

As we really like poultry I always try to find new recipes, new flavours. This interesting recipe of quick dinner I found on foodandwine.com, but adapted to what I had at home. Goes well with rice.

400g chicken breast (cut into cubes)
2 bananas
2 tb.s. curry powder
1 t.s. salt
0,5 t.s. black pepper
pinch of ground coriander
50ml water
3 tb.s. butter
1 t.s. mustard
grated lime zest
juice of 0,5 lime

Blend all ingredients for the curry, preheat oven to 230C. Bake chicken in sauce in the oven proof dish for 20-25 minutes. You would probably have to stir through it once. Serve with rice. Enjoy!

Creamy chicken thighs with Leek/Куриные Бедрышки с Пореем

One easy creamy chicken with vegetables dish, with a touch of lemon.

app.400g chicken thighs
2 medium carrots
4-5 leek stalks
butter and olive oil
chicken stock app. 200ml
full fat milk app. 150ml
black pepper
zest of 0,5 lemon

First fry chicken pieces on butter and oil until golden, add carrots and then leeks. Pour chicken stock and season. Cook for about 20 minutes, add milk, when liquid begins evaporating.
Sprinkle with lemon zest and turn the heat off. Let it rest for 5 minutes. Serve.

Kozhi Kulambu- Indian Chicken Curry/Индийское Куриное Карри

Very simple to make and  very tasty!
As I understand, there are many varieties of this dish. Here is one of such.

500g chicken breast pieces
1 large onion
1 large tomato
coriander powder 2 tb.s.
curry powder 1 tb.s.
red chilly powder 1 t.s.
vegetable oil
salt

Masala paste:
1/4 cup shredded coconut
3cm shredded ginger root
3 large garlic cloves
1t.s. cinnamon
4 cloves
some water

Blend ingredients for the masala paste, adding water to create smooth paste.
In heavy pan fry onion, add chicken and cook until golden, add tomatoes.When tomatoes are tender, time to add spices and masala paste. Pour 1 cup of water and cook on medium high heat for about 15 minutes.
Serve with rice and enjoy!

Chicken Ragu with Pasta/Рагу из Курицы с Пастой

We had two rainy days lately, well, autumn is coming soon and suddenly your preferences in food change. We want more energy, we pick cosy dishes. This is one of such foods. Use chicken thighs for this recipe, in any case not just breast.

app.300-400g chicken thighs
1 onion, thick slices
1 big carrot
1 big bell pepper
1 large tomato
thyme
basil
garlic
red pepper powder
bay leave
chicken stock
app.100ml red dry wine
app.250-300g any pasta
some flour
salt

Sprinkle chicken pieces in salt, black pepper and some flour. On olive oil and some butter fry meat from both sides. Take it out.
Add onion, garlic, carrot and bay leave to the frying pan, when they are a little bit golden, return the chicken and pour wine. Wait, until it evaporates, then pour stock over and lower the gas. Now add spices, cover and simmer until the meat is ready.
In the meanwhile cook pasta. Drain, drizzle with olive oil and serve with the chicken ragu.

BBQ chicken on sticks/Куриное филе Барбекью на Шпажках

Super tender and full of flavour chicken.

3 chicken breasts
2 garlic cloves
3tb.s. carob molases
0,5 t.s. dried mint
salt
red pepper powder
app.50ml pineapple juice
0,5 t.s. cumin

Marinade the chicken in all ingredients for 30 minutes. Put pieces on wooden sticks (place them in water before doing so) and fry on grill pan for several minutes on each side. Serve with bulgur and mint, for instance.

Grilled lemony chicken breast with flat bread

Nice summer food with spanish character.

500g chicken breast cut into small stripes
1 lemon (juice and rind)
salt
olive oil
1tb..s sesame seeds
2tb.s. dry italian herbs

200g flour
1/2 t.s. yeast
1/2 t.s. salt
150ml water
1tb.s. olive oil

Marinade chicken in lemon juice, olive oil with some salt.
Combine the rest of ingredients.
Mix flour, yeast, water and oil. Knead for 10 minutes, let it rest fo 30 minutes.
Devide the dough into 8 pieces, roll them into rounds and fry on frying pan from both sides.
Grill chicken pieces with the herbs until bownish.
Serve together with vegetables.

Chicken breast in balsamico

Easy and tasty chicken.

3 medium sized chicken breasts
2 tomatoes
1 small onion
2 garlic cloves
parsley
black pepper, salt
basilic
balsamic venigar app.80ml

Fry chicken pieces until brownish, add onion and garlic, then tomatoes, season and pour balsamico over. Cook on medium hight heat until meat is ready, serve with parsley.

Indian style dinner

Chicken and tomatoes:

chicken breast 500g (or thighs, drumsticks...)
2 large tomatoes
5 garlic cloves
2 shalotts
1 t.s. dried chillies
1 t.s. fennel seeds
vegetable oil
1 t.s. black peppercorns

Heat oil and season chicken with salt and pepper. Fry chicken until golden, remove. Put chopped tomatoes into the pan and add mashed with blender garlic, shallots, chillies and fennel seeds. Cook on low heat for about 15 minutes, then return the chicken and cook until the sauce is thickened (on this step I just did not wait for too long, as I don't  like the sauce to be too thick.

Lemon rice:

1 cup cooked rice
half a lemon (juice)
grated ginger (about 1 t.s.)
dried chillies 1 t.s.
small pinch of black mustard seeds
pinch of turmeric
several peanuts (I used paste here)
vegetable oil

Put mustard seeds into a pan with oil, add the rest of ingredients and take off the heat, pouring lemon juice. Mix this with rice.

Chicken breast stuffed with walnut-cranberry pesto

The idea came from french cooking blog. I just changed some ingredients according to what I found in the fridge.

2 chicken breasts
paprica flakes
thyme
salt and pepper
olive oil

For pesto:
handful dried canberries
--- walnuts (toasted)
bunch of parsley
1 garlic clove
1 t.s. dried bazilicum
salt, pepper
handul grated parmesan

Make a "pocket" in each chicken breast by cutting it lengthwise, stuff with pesto (blend all ingredients, adding oil slowly), pieces of parmezan on top, seal with toothpricks , place them on greased baking tray, season on top and bake at 180C for 30-35 minutes.  Remove toothpricks and serve!