Traditions – Grit Cooking- A Southern Girls Taste

Curry Meatballs oven baked either beef or lamb or combo of both

Jason and I really have grown to enjoy cooking together. We share a nice glass of wine, turn up the tunes to match the cuisine, and get going with who does which job. Jason is my savior for kneading dough, mixing, and making meatballs! This was a taste of Mediterranean with cool greek yogurt, homemade Naan , and spicy curry. Naan recipe here. Our pictured was with lean hamburger but I think if you like lamb it would enhance the flavors. Lean pork with beef would be nice as well. Browning meatballs in a skillet first would enhance the color. Its your date- have fun with it! Easy and delicious!

1 pound ground beef, lamb, or pork
2 green onions
2 garlic cloves finely chopped
1 inch peeled and grated ginger
1 tsp garlic powder
2 Tbs yellow curry
1 tsp parika powder
Salt and pepper
2 cup chopped zucchini
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1 med yellow onion diced
1/2 cup greek yogurt plain
1 can coconut cream
Chopped cilantro and or mint approx 1/4 Cup
Rice cooker jasmine rice- cooked.
2 Tbs olive oil

Meatballs. Preheat 400 degree oven. In a mixing bowl. Combine ground meat, chopped green onion (reserving 1/4 cup for garnish) , garlic powder, greek yogurt, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. 1 Tbs chopped cilantro and mint. Combine well with your hands. Then form into 1 inch meatballs using a scoop or table spoon. Bake on foil lined baking sheet for 20-25 min. While you prepare your sauce. ( have your jasmine rice cooking)

While Jason works on the meatballs I prep veggies and seasonings. small bowl combine curry, paprika, tsp garlic powder, tsp turmeric,1/2 tsp pepper. Separate bowl chopped garlic and grated ginger.

Large sauté pan, add 2 Tbs olive oil and heat to a shimmer. Add veggies and cook until fragrant, salt and pepper lightly. Add garlic and ginger. Cook two min til fragrant. Add seasonings stirring thru. Slowly add coconut cream and 1/4 c water. Blend. Taste and salt and pepper to taste as well as mint and cilantro. ( optionalIf you prefer your curry more gravy heavy, add a Tbs corn starch to the water and incorporate. )

Add your cooked meatballs to the curry and simmer low for 2-3 min and allow sauce to reduce slightly.

Serve over you fresh jasmine rice, wedge of lime, Naan bread on side, then I enjoy hummus is small vessels and fresh cucumber tzatziki sauce. sprinkle with chopped green herb, lime wedge, paprika for color.

This is a recipe that leftovers are amazing!! Make fresh hero with the naan, rice, meatballs, fresh lettuce, tomato and tzatziki sauce. Yum! Enjoy!

Traditions

Scallops with blistered cherry tomatoes over pasta

January 26, 2023 Gritcooking- A Southern Girls Taste

Light and flavorful with lemon zest, white wine, and garlic

This is a easy way to add the goodness of scallops to your meal. Did you know scallops are high in antioxidants, low in calories and fat, and delicious! Hope you enjoy!

1 pound fresh scallops
Zest of 1 lemon and wedged for garnish
2 1/2 cup fresh organic cherry tomatoes
Four fresh garlic cloves crushed
Green onion chopped for garnish
4 Tbs olive oil
2 Tbs butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Tbs fresh thyme chopped
Tsp fresh rosemary chopped
3/4 cup dry white wine – pinot Grigio

Dry scallops and season both sides with salt and pepper. In large skillet heat 2 Tbs olive oil to shimmer at med high heat. Add scallops and cook 2- 3 min on each side pending thickness. Remove from heat to a plate and save juices that will accumulate from resting.

Cook 2-3 min based on thickness. Delicious

Same pan med high heat, add two Tbs olive oil and garlic, thyme, and rosemary to pan. Cooking until fragrant and tender, slightly browning. About two minutes. Add butter and allow to start to brown pulling up all the bits left on pan. Add white wine, simmer until fully heated and slightly reduced. 2-3 min.

Garlic will brown and start to caramelize.

Add your tomatoes and cook until they start to wither and blister. You hear them pop as they dance in the heat.

The brightness of the tomato with the garlic smells incredible

Bring your scallops to the pan and remove from heat. Incorporate fully warming your scallops but not overly cooking more.

Remove from heat- as you don’t want to over cook these delights

Serve over pasta, angel hair, or linguini garnishing with lemon zest, green onion and lemon wedge on the side. A touch of fresh parmesan is a nice compliment as well.

I highly recommend adding a nice veggie like broccoli, asparagus, or small green salad. I hope you enjoy the success and tastes of cooking from home. ❤️

Entrees, Garden, High Protein, Traditions

Mediterranean Lamb Bowls

July 4, 2022November 30, 2022 Gritcooking- A Southern Girls Taste

Summer fresh herbs and veggies from the garden add an extra fresh element to this easy and tasty bowl. I discovered a ground lamb package in the freezer and wanted lighter than a Shepards pie. Fresh picked cherry tomato, mint, parsley, cucumber, all bring flavors of Greek cuisine. You could make this with ground pork or chicken – seasoning heavy will be key straying from the earthiness of lamb.

1 pound ground lamb
1 cup chopped sweet onlion
Med chopped cucumber seeded
Two cloves garlic minced
Fresh parsley broadleaf
Fresh mint
hummus (store bought original)
1/2 c craisins or golden raisins
Turmeric rice
Olive oil
Feta cheese crumbled
Greek olives
Paprika 2 tsp
Pepper flakes optional
Garlic powder 2 tsp
Salt and pepper
2 tsp all spice
Warm pita bread
Tziziki sauce optional ( I make sour cream chopped garlic, minced cucumber, lemon salt and pepper)

Prep veggies. Chop onion and cucumber. Wash cherry tomatoes and quarter. clean parsley rough chop as well as mint.

Easy rice. 1 cup jasmine in the rice cooker with two cups water and dash of salt. Once cooked add olive oil and two tsp ground turmeric and tablespoon butter. Easy. Rice is done.

Brown your lamb with 1/2 c onion, garlic and dried seasonings and bay leaf. Drain well in fine strainer on paper towel. Lamb has a-lot of fat. Bring back to pan and add your craisins, fresh chopped mint and parsley. Keep warm for bowls. (Salt and pepper to taste) always taste your cooking as you go.

Assembly time! I add a big dollop of hummus center on a bed or rice and then assemble your ingredients. Warm your pitas (simple toaster) and drizzle with oil paprika and fresh chopped herbs. Delish!