Who doesn’t like a good chicken parm? This isn’t exactly a complicated recipe but it’s also not an easy one because you have to do a lot of things at the same time. I love making chicken parmigiana on the odd occasion but the problem is that you need up with a lot of dishes so if you don’t have a dishwasher (like me), you may want to keep this one for special occasions only. It’s a total crowd pleaser though so don’t hesitate to make it for a crowd.
Category: meat and seafood
Recipe: Kibbeh
This recipe is a little time consuming but it’s worth the effort for a special occasion or if you really want something to wow guests. It doesn’t have many ingredients but the flavor is perfect. If you’re feeling a little healthy you can bake these instead of frying them but I haven’t tried that yet so your results may vary.
Kibbeh
Adapted from The Spruce EatsRecipe: Kreplach
These are really delicious and you can speed up the whole process if you use store brought stock or just make a really big batch and freeze the kreplach dumplings separate from the soup. I do have to admit this is a chore to make all at once and takes a LONG time to come together but it’s worth it for special people or a special occasion.
Kreplach
Adapted from Tori AveyRecipe: Fleischnacka (Meat Snails)
This is a pretty unique recipe from the Alsatian region in France. It’s what you’d get if you combined stew, pasta, and a wrap all at once. While it does take a bit of time I found that you can freeze the rolls and then simply cook them right from the freezer which means this is a great ahead of time meal since the final steps after making the roll is fairly easy. In the future I would process the vegetables for a smoother consistency but I didn’t really mind the texture either, just made them a little harder to hold together.
Fleischnacka (Meat Snails)
Adapted from SBSRecipe: Chili Fries
Take french fries (or really, in this case roasted potatoes) to the next level by adding chili on top of it. This comes together surprisingly quickly and can be topped with anything from cheese to jalapenos and ranch if that’s what floats your boat.
Chili Fries
Adapted from Amanda's Cookin'Recipe: Turkey Bolognese
This is such a simple sauce but it’s absolutely delicious. Served with a wide noodle to pick up all those nice chunks of turkey (or chicken or beef or whatever ground meat you end up using) and tomato there’s really something truly delicious about taking good food and making a good meal. You can add some grated Parmesan on top but I found that if seasoned right, the cheese just didn’t have much to add so it’s all about your taste. You can add in more spices or herbs if you want but I found the perfectly paired down flavors packed a nice punch and with just salt and pepper you’re able to really taste the underlying garlic, olive oil, and balsamic. Sometimes life is better when it’s simple.
Turkey Bolognese
Adapted from Delish.comRecipe: Salted Cod Balls
I made these for my Eurovision party on account of Eurovision was in Portugal this year and after spending a week there last year I fell in love with salted cod, locally known as bacalhau. While I had to make my own salted cod it doesn’t involve more than just a little time and a lot of salt. You can skip that part if you really want to save time and just make sure to thoroughly salt your mashed potato mixture instead.
Salted Cod Balls
Recipe: Crab Cream Croquettes
I absolutely adore these. They’re pretty simple to make and you can use real lump crab, canned crab or surimi (krabstick) to make them. Personally I usually use surimi because it’s cheap and easy. These can be eaten plain but they also go well with a variety of dipping sauces and you can make them ahead of time and freeze them for an easy lunch or dinner.
Crab Cream Croquettes
Adapted from Japan Centre
Recipe: Chicken Tamale Pie
This was delicious and it was just about the ugliest thing I have made in ages. In the future I would probably add some jalapenos and pickled red onions on top but this was a big hit as is.
Chicken Tamale Pie
Adapted from Or Whatever You DoRecipe: No Fry Sweet and Sour Chicken
I really love this recipe because frying is just a bridge too far for me most days. I understand most people don’t fry because of health but for me it’s mostly just laziness so if you want the delicious taste of sweet and sour chicken but less work – this is the recipe for you.