Self-isolation Treat Meals :)

Over the last few weeks (approximately two months and counting) Vietnam has been on a national lock down in an attempt to stop the spread of Covid19. My daily routine, work schedule and social life has been somewhat obsolete but the one thing that has remained a constant throughout this period (and a huge joy!) has been the creative and delicious food menu I have been able to come up with, seriously – I’ve shocked myself guys. Here are some of my top 5 favourite and easiest gourmet treats to whip up at any time of the day or night. Enjoy!

1. Smoko Smoothie bowls 

Ingredients:

• 1-2 Frozen bananas
• 1 Fresh banana
• Museli
• Raisins
• Oats
• Cinnamon
• 1 Tablespoon of Coconut cream
• Honey
• Chia seeds
• Organic weight protein (optional)

Method:

1. Combine your frozen bananas, coconut cream, cinnamon and weight protein into a blender for 3 minutes.
2. Once you have reached a thick consistency pour out into a bowl.
3. Top with fresh bananas, muesli and oats, raisins and chia seeds.

 

2. Breadcrumbs Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese grated
• 1 cup of gouda cheese grated
• 1 bag of Panko bread crumbs
• Macaroni
• 3 Tablespoons of Salted butter
• Salt
• 3-4 pieces of Streaky Bacon
• 3 1/4 cups of Milk
• 3 Tablespoons of All Purpose Flour

Method:

1. Boil a pot of water, add in macaroni and salt and cook until al dente
2. Melt butter on moderate heat and add in the flour, use a flat edge wooden spoon to stir the mixture together
3. Slowly add in milk and stir until sauce thickens
4. Add both grated cheeses and stir until it’s completely melted
5. Strain pasta and mix pasta into sauce
6. Pour the macaroni and cheese into the prepared baking dish
7. Mix an adequate quantity of panko bread crumbs to top your dish on a small pan with melted butter for 1 minute
8. Pour the macaroni and cheese into the prepared baking dish and top with the panko bread crumbs mixture
9. Bake until light golden brown and bubbling for about 30 minutes

 

3. Egg-celent brekkie

Ingredients:

• Bread
• Salted butter
• Eggs
• 2 pieces of Streaky Bacon
• Avocado
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 1/2  Tablespoon of Vegetable oil

Method:

1. Fry streaky bacon in its own fat on high heat
2. Remove bacon, add in vegetable oil and fry egg
3. Lower heat by -2  and coat egg in oil by using a spoon and tilting the pan. Cook egg until the egg yolk is to your preference
4. Toast slice of bread
5. Butter bread and add a layer of avocado
6. Top with fried egg and crispy streaks bacon

 

4. Shake Shack Inspired Burgers

Ingredients:

• 500g Beef Mince (produces 2 patties)
• Sliced Cheddar Cheese
• 2 Pieces of Streaky Bacon
• 2 Tablespoons of Vegetable oil
• Round bread rolls
• Chopped red onion
• Tomato sauce
• Mayonnaise

Method:

1. Fry streaky bacon in its own fat on high heat
2. Remove bacon and add oil
3. Season mince with salt and pepper
4. Divide ground mince into two different sections (Don’t play with it too much)
5. Add mince blob  to the sizzling pan and press down with a spatula to flatten it into the shape of a patty
6. Once the beef patty’s edges starts bubbling and darkens it is then time to flip the patty over
7. Add a layer of cheddar cheese to the patty
8. Toast roll
9. Place beef patty and cheese on roll with streaky bacon
10. Add red onion, tomato sauce and mayonnaise

 

5. Mom’s Famous Lasagne 

Ingredients:

1. 500g beef mince
2. 1 onion finely diced
3. 3 Tablespoons of All Purpose Flour
4. 3 1/4 Cups of Milk
5. 1 Cup of Grated Gouda Cheese
6. 1/4 bottle of Tomato sauce
7. 1 Tablespoon Mayonnaise
8. 1/4 bottle of sweet Chili sauce
9. 1/4 bottle of Soy sauce
10. 1/4 bottle of Worcestershire sauce
11. Spaghetti
12. 3 Tablespoons of Vegetable oil

Method:

1. Add oil and fry onions on moderate heat until they start to brown
2. Add in mince and cook until lightly browned
3. Once mince has started browning start adding in all the sauces; tomato sauce, sweet chilli sauce, soy sauce, worcestershire sauce and mayonnaise then leave to simmer on low heat
4. Boil a pot of water, add in spaghetti and salt and cook until al dente
5. In a separate pan/pot melt butter on moderate heat and add in the flour, use a flat edge wooden spoon to stir the mixture together
6. Slowly add in milk and stir until sauce thickens
7. Add grated cheese and stir until it’s completely melted
8. Drain pasta and and divide spaghetti in two servings
9. Add the first layer of spaghetti, saucey mince and white sauce then repeat the same pattern and add the second layer of spaghetti, saucey mince and white sauce
10. Bake for 20 minutes and grill for the remaining 10 minutes