Simple Celebration Dinner

I had big plan for my 4-th anniversary (21st May) and 500 000 visits to my blog, which collided almost same day. Unfortunately, mother nature had her last word - flood in Bosnia happened and I didn't have any desire to celebrate. I was in my birth town with my thoughts and hart, feeling for my friends and family who had to suffer again.

Instead of that, here is suggestion for simple seafood dinner, which happened on 1/5 (Labor day in Europe; still very much celebrated).

-Cooked Prawns, bought

-Battered Seafood

-Panfried Salmon with Chimichurri Dressingū

-Tomato, Coriander and Cumin Rice

-Salad (mjesavina zelenih listova)

-Parfait Torte (next post)

How to create more space on your table  /  Kako kreirati vise prostora na vasem stolu

Jednostavna  vecera za proslavu

Imala sam velike planove za moj 4-ti 'blogorodjendan' (21/5) i 500 000 posjetitelja, koji su se gotovo na isti dan susreli. Na zalost, majka priroda je imala zadnju rijec - poplave su se desile i ja naprosto nisam imala volje za bilo kakav znacajniji post. Mislima i srcem sam bila u mom rodnom kraju, osjecajuci za prijatelje i rodbinu koji su ponovno patili.

Umjesto toga, evo prijedloga za jednostavnu veceru sa morskim plodovima (koja se desila 1/5)

-Kuhane kozice, kupljene gotove

-Pohovani morski plodovi

-Losos sa Chimichurri prelivom

-Riza sa paradajzom, korijanderom i kimom

-Salata (green leaf mixture)

-Parfe Torta (sljedeci post)

Prawn Risotto

Another light meal, that doesn't take long time to cook.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 tbs olive oil

1 1/2 cup long grain rice (Jasmine or Basmati)

1 small onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp cumin, ground

3-4 tomatoes, diced

2 cups chicken or vegetable stock

1/3 cup coriander leaves 

2 shallots, sliced

250-300 g prawns, tail intact 

1 Chorizo (or Kransky) sausage, sliced (optional)

Method:

Heat oil, add rice and sausage and stir for a couple of minutes. Add onion, garlic and cumin. Cook until aromas are released, then add tomatoes, mix well and pour stock. Cover and cook (reduce heat) 15 minutes. Add prawns and cook additional 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let it (covered) cool slightly. Fluff the rice (with a fork) and stir in coriander and shallots. 

Rizoto sa kozicama / gamborima

Jos jedan lagani obrok, koji se brzo sprema.

Potrebno:

1,5 K maslinovog ulja 

1,5 solja rize dugog zrna (Jasmin ili Basmati)

1 manji crveni luk, sjeckan

3 cena bijelog luka, protisnuta

1 k praha kima

3-4 paradajza, sjeckana na kocke

2 mlada luka, sjeckana

2 solje kokosijeg ili povrtnog bujona / supe

1/3 solje lisca korijandera, sjeckana krupno

250-300 gr kozica, 

1 Chorizo (ili Kranjska) kobasica, sjecena (opciono)

Nacin:

Zagrijte ulje, proprzite rizu i kobasicu par minuta, zatim ubacite luk i kim. Mijesajte i kuhajte malo zatim dodajte paradajz i supu / bujon. Poklopite, smanjite i kuhajte 15-ak minuta. Ubacite kozice i kuhajte jos 5 minuta. Smaknite s vatre, ostavite poklopljeno par minuta, zatim viljuskom 'izgrebite' rizu (da se odvoji) i pospite sa liscem korijandera i mladim lukom.

Crispy Calamari Rings

Very often, simplest is the best. This is my favourite way of serving squid!

Ingredients:

Calamari rings (cleaned, peeled squid cut into rings)

salt and pepper

flour (or very fine semolina )

oil for frying (peanut oil or  light olive oil) 

Method:

Season your calamari rings with salt and pepper (white preferably). Place flour in a plastic bag and shake it with calamari rings until well coated. Heat oil in a pan, fry calamari a minute each side; drain on paper  towel before serving. Any fish can be  done the same way, in order to make outside more crispy.

Hrskavi Kalamari

Veoma cesto, najjednostavnije je i najbolje. Ovo je moj najdrazi nacin pripremanja lignji.

Potrebno:

Kalamari prstenovi (lignje ociscene, oguljene i izrezane na prstenove)

so i biber

ostro brasno ( ili veoma sitna krupica / griz)

ulje za przenje (kikiriki ulje ili  svijetlo maslinovo ulje)

Nacin:

Zacinite kalamare sa solju i biberom (po mogucnosti bijeli biber). Stavine nesto brasna u plasticnu vrecicu i protresite je zajedno sa kalamari prstenovima dok  nisu dobro uvaljani. Zagrijte ulje , przite kalamare oko 1 minut svaka strana; ocijedite dobro na upijajucem papiru prije serviranja. Bilo koja riba moze biti pripremljena na isti nacin, da bi imala spoljasnju hrskavu koricu.

Stuffed Squid

Continental girl learning how to prepare seafood...

Ingredients:
4 larger (or 8 small) squids

3 garlic cloves, crushed

Parsley, small bunch, chopped

1/2 cup -3/4 cup bread crumbs

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper

olive oil and white wine (1/3 cup) for cooking

Lemon slices for serving

Method:
Clean the squid (peel the skin, take out 'plastic' bone, wash), cut off tentacles (above eyes) and fins, then chop them. Heat oil in a pan, add chopped parts and garlic; saute for 2-3 minutes. Take off of heat, mix in bread crumbs, and parsley - season to taste, mix well. Fill cavities of squid with this mixture, close it with a toothpick. Place each filled squid into a pan, that has been heated with some olive oil. Pour white wine over it and saute (covered) for for 6-10 minutes, turning once. If too much liquid has formed, boil uncovered for another 1-2 minutes. Take out and serve with Potato salad .

Punjene lignje

Kontinentalka uci kako da se spreme morski plodovi...

Potrebno:
4 velike ili 8 malih lignji (kalamari)
3 cena bijelog luka, protisnuta
Persinuvo lisce, manji svezanj, isjeckano
1/2 solje do 3/4 solje mrvica kruha / prezle
1/4 solje djevicanskog maslinovog ulja
so i biber prema ukusu
maslinovo ulje i bijelo vino (1/3 solje) za kuhanje
Limun , izrezan za serviranje

Nacin:
Ocistite lignje, ogulite ih i izvadite 'plasticnu' kost. Narezite peraja i vrhove glave (odrezane iznad ociju). Zagrijte ulje pa dinstajte ove izrezane komade sa bijelim lukom par minuta. Sklonite sa vatre, ubacite mrvice i persun; zacinite prema ukusu, promijesajte. Ovime punite lignje, zatvorite otvor sa cackalicama.
Zagrijte tavu sa malo ulja, smjestite lignje na tavu, prelijte bijelim vinom. Pokrijte i kuhajte 6-10 minuta, okrecuci jednom. Ako je previse tekucine ostalo, otkrijte i kuhajte jos 1-2 minute na jakoj vatri. Izvadite i 
servirajte sa Krompir salatom.

Seafood Pizza with Garlic and Parmesan Sauce

What makes this pizza special is sauce, that goes much better with seafood than any other tomato sauce.

Ingredients:

-Pizza dough

-Garlic and Parmesan sauce (for 1 large or 2 small pizzas)

1 tbs butter

1/2 tbs olive oil

1 tbs flour

1 cup milk (semi skimmed, cold)

1/3 tsp salt 

1/3 tsp white pepper

pinch of mustard powder (or prepared mustard - optional)

1 large garlic clove, crushed

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 

-Toppings (according to your likings)

Prawns

Olives 

Mussels

Squid rings

Salmon pieces

Tomatoes, Capsicums...

and a lot of fresh herbs (parsley, oregano, basil, thyme - whatever you like)

Method:

Make dough according to highlighted recipe above (or use your own). 

Sauce- heat butter and oil in a pan, put flour in and stir; leave it pale. Pour milk, mix rigorously. Add all other ingredients for sauce and cook (stirring) until thickened. Let it cool.

When dough ready, spread sauce over it and place sliced toppings on top. Finish with plenty of herbs and bake for 12-15 min on 180*C

 Pizza 'Plodovi Mora na Sosu od Bijelog luka i Parmezana'

Sta ovu pizu cini posebnom je sos koji se  mnogo bolje uklapa sa okusima morskih plodova, nego bilo koji sos od paradajza.

Sastojci:

-Tijesto za picu-

Sos sa bijelim lukom i parmezanom (za 1 veliku ili 2 manje pize)-

1 K maslaca

1/2 K maslinovog ulja

1 K brasna

1 solja poluobranog mlijeka, hladnog

1/3 k soli

1/3 k bijelog bibera

prstohvat senfa u prahu (moze i gotovi - po zelji)

1 vece ceno bijelog luka, protisnut ili sitno sjeckan

1/2 solje sitno ribanog parmezana

-Ostalo (prema vasoj zelji)

Skampi / gambori / kozice

Masline

Komadi lososa

Kolutovi lignji

Paradajz, Paprika...

I mnogo svjezeg zacinskog bilja (persun, origano, bosiljak, timijan - sta god volite)

Nacin:

Napravite tijesto prema gornjem receptu (ili nekom svom). 

Sos- zagrijte maslac i ulje proprzite brasno (ostavite svijetlo), pa zalijte mlijekom. Ubacite sve ostale zacine, dobro promijesajte i kuhajte na slaboj vatri dok se ne zgusne. Ostavite da se prohladi.

Isjeckajte sve ostale sastojke, pa kada razvucete tijesto, nanesite sos i izabrane morske plodove na povrsinu. Pospite zacinskim biljem i pecite 12-15 min na 180*C.

Ginger and Coriander Prawns

I'm back in Australia. I loved spring in Europe, took a lot of photos and will need some time to sort them and write about my findings. By then - something from my draft.
Ingredients:
12-16 Green king prawns
1 small onion, finely diced
1 teas minced chilli
1/2 tbs minced ginger
3 tbs fresh coriander, finely chopped
1 teas minced garlic
1 teas cumin powder
1 tbs sesame oil
1 tbs olive oil
Dipping sauce-
1 cup coconut milk / cream
1 large tomato, diced
1 tbs fish sauce
spinach leaves to serve
Method:
Mix all spices together with oil, add prawns. Mix again to coat prawns. Refrigerate for 1 hour or more. Brush off spices of the prawns. Pan fry or grill them until they turn pink. Microwave (or cook) the rest of marinade, add coconut milk, tomato, bring to boil. Mix in the fish sauce. Serve as dipping sauce.

Kozice / Škampi sa Djumbirom i Korijanderom

Vratila sam se u Australiju. Provela sam divno proljetnje vrijeme u Evropi, slikala mnogo. Treba mi malo vremena da sortiram fotke i napisem svoja zapazanja - do tada nesto iz 'drafta'.

Potrebno:
12-16 Velikih Kozica / škampa
1 manji luk, citno sjeckan
1 kasicica cjeckanog chilija
1/2 kasike rendanog djumbira
3 kasike svjezeg korijandera, sjeckanog
1 kasicica protisnutog bijelog luka
1 kasicica kima u prahu
1 kasika sezamovog ulja
1 kasika maslinovog ulja
Umak-
1 solja kokosovog mlijeka / krema
1 veci paradajz, isjecen na kockice
1 kasika 'ribljeg sosa' (ili malo soli)
Listovi spinata za servirati
Nacin:
Pomijesajte sve zacine i ulje sa kozicama. Ostavite u frizideru na 1 sat (ili vise).
Skinite marinadu sa kozica; Pecite na tavi ili rostilju, dok ne pocrvene.
Ostatak marinade prokuhajte sa kokosovim mlijekom i paradajzom. Ubacite riblji sos.
Sluzite kao umak za kozice.

Creamy Seafood Tagliatelle (Post from my birth town)

I have arrived in Bosnia.My birth town (Brčko) is beautiful in spring. I'll try to post some photos next time.

Quick, creamy, delicious!

Ingredients:
200 g calamari rings
200 g prawns, shelled
200 g bass fillets, small pieces
200 g mussels, cleaned
(or 800 g of your favorite seafood mix)
1/2 bunch parsley leaves, finely chopped
1 tbs olive oil
1-2 tbs flour
2 gloves garlic, crushed
1/2 tbs Vegetable stock powder
300 ml fresh cream
salt and white pepper
350-500 g Tagliatelle (or other pasta)
Method:
Heat oil in a deep pan, add flour and mix until flour cooked, but pale. Pour cream, add seafood mix, herbs and spices. Cook 10 min, or until sauce thickens. Cook pasta according to packet instructions; drain. Place into serving bowl, pour sauce/seafood mixture on top. Sprinkle with extra parsley leaves (optional).


Kremasti sos sa plodovima mora (sa rezancima)

Evo me u mom rodnom gradu; proljece je prekrasno ovdje.
Poslaću par fotografija u mom sljedećem postu.
Pozdrav mojim virtualnim prijateljima!

Potrebno:
200 gr kalamara, rezanih (prstenovi)
200 gr kozica
200 gr bijele ribe (cvrste), manji komadi
200 gr skoljki, meso samo
(ili 800 gr vase omiljene mjesavine morskih plodova)
1/2 sveznja persunovog lisca, sjeckanog
1 K maslinovog ulja
1-2 K brasna
2 cena bijelog luka, istisnutog
1/2 K Vegete
300 ml svjezeg krema/pavlake
so i bijeli biber
350-500 gr sirokih rezanaca (ili druge tjestenine)
Nacin:
Zagrijte ulje, proprzite brasno pazeci da ostane svijetlo. Usuti krem, dodati plodove mora, zacine i persun. Kuhati 10 minuta, ili dok sos ne postane gusci. Skuhajte tjesteninu, prema uputstvima na paketu, ocijedite. Prebacite u posudu za sluzenje, prelijte sosom. Pospite sa malo persunovog lisca (po zelji).

Marinara Macaroni

Ingredients:
1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, crushed
500 g Marinara mix
5 medium tomatoes, diced (or 1 can - drained)
1 tbs tomato paste
1/2 cup white wine
2 tbs parsley leaves, sliced
3-5 Basil leaves, thorn
salt, pepper to taste
To serve-
300 g Macaroni pasta, cooked
Method:
Heat oil, saute onions until translucent. Add garlic, vine, tomatoes and paste. Mix well and bring to boil. Add Marinara mix and cook for 10 minutes. Season to taste and add herbs. Serve with Macaroni (or other types of pasta).Can be topped with Parmesan (optional).

Marinara Makarone

Potrebno:
0,5 dl maslinovog ulja, djevicansko
1 srednji crveni luk, sjeckan
3 cena bijelog luka, sitno sjeckanog
500 gr Marinara mix (ili sami odaberite morske plodove)
5 srednjih paradajiza, ili konzerva od 400gr (bez tecnosti)
1 kasika paradajz pirea
100 ml bijelog vina
2 K persunovog lista
3-5 listova bosiljka
so, biber, vegeta
Prilog-
300 gr makarona, kuhanih
Priprema:
Ulijte ulje u dublju tavu, zagrijte pa onda dodajte luk da se proprzi.
Dodajte bijeli luk, mijesajte minutu, a zatim uspite sjeckani paradajz, vino i paradajz sos.
Kad prokuha, dodajte marinara mjesavinu. Promijesajte.
Kuhajte 10 minuta, a potom dodajte svo zacinsko bilje , so i biber.
Ako vam se ucini suvise tecno, kuhajte dok tecnost ne ispari.
Sluzite pomijesano sa makaronima ili drugom tjesteninom.
Ribani parmezan se moze dodati po vrhu.

Garlic Prawns and Crispy Bass Fillets

I'm back! After some 'disconnection with the rest of World' I finally got a better Internet provider. Happy!

Ingredients:
Fillets-
4 Bass fillets (or others), fresh or frozen (must be well defrosted)
1 egg, beaten
corn flour, fine
salt, pepper to taste
oil for frying
Prawns-
500 g shelled prawns
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 tbs olive oil
1 chilli, optional
salt
Method:
First make marinade for prawns - mix all ingredients, add prawns. Stir and shake until well coated. Set aside.
Heat oil for frying. Salt and pepper fillets, dip into beaten egg, then into corn flour. Fry for a few minutes each side, until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towel.
Discard oil from pan, wipe well with paper towel. Heat pan, then pour prawns into it together with marinade. Shake and toss until prawns turn red. Serve immediately.

Škampe / Kozice sa bijelim lukom i Riblji fileti u Kukuruznom Brašnu

{Evo mene!!! Problemi sa konekcijom rijeseni! :-)}

Potrebno:
Fileti-
4 fileta , svjeza ili smrznuta (odmrznuti prvo naravno)
1 jaje, umuceno
kukuruzno brasno sitno
so i biber
ulje za przenje
Kozice-
500 gr ociscenih kozica
2 cena bijelog luka, zdrobljena
3 kasike maslinovog ulja
1 chili (po zelji)
so
Nacin:
Najprije marinirajte kozice; sve sastojke dobro promijesajte i ostavite po strani.
Zagrijte ulje.
Uvaljajte zacinjenu ribu u jaje, zatim u kukuruzno brasno. Przite sa svake strane po nekoliko minuta, dok ne porumeni. Ocijedite na papirnoj salveti.
Izbacite ulje, obrisite tavu, zagrijte je, pa ubacite kozice zajedno sa marinadom. Przite i treskajte tavu dok kozice ne pocrvene. Servirajte odmah.

Paella

Easy way to feed large number of people. Traditionally made by men on Sundays, because women needed break from cooking. It can be made with anything found in the fridge.

Ingredients:
for 6-8 people
1 kg Marinara mix (or choose your favorite seafood)
1/4 cup olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
favorite vegetables (capsicum, green beans, peas, corn...)chopped
2-3 cups Arborio (risotto) rice
4-6 cups fish (or chicken) stock
salt, pepper, parsley leaves
1/2 cup white wine
Saffron (optional)
Method:
Heat oil in a large pan. Fry onion for a few minutes, add garlic, sea food, vegetables and fry for 5 minutes, stirring all the time. Add rice, mix well. Pour stock, cover and let it cook until water absorbed (15 minutes). Don't stir, just shake the pan, during this process. When rice cooked, add all the spices and wine. Stir well and let it evaporate. Serve hot.




with Saffron






Paela (Pajeja)

Potrebno:
za 6-8 osoba
1 kg Marinara mjesavine (ili sami odaberite morske plodove)
1/4 solje maslinovog ulja
2 crvena luka, sjeckana
3-4 cena bijelog luka
povrce (paprika, mahune, grasak, kukuruz...)
2-3 solje rizoto rize
4-6 solja riblje (pilece) osnove
so, biber, lisce persuna
1/2 solje bijelog vina
safron (po zelji)
Nacin:
Zagrijte ulje u dubljoj tavi, proprzite crveni luk, pa dodajte bijeli luk, morske plodove, povrce i pirjajte oko 5 minuta. Dodajte rizu, promijesajte i zalijte supom. Ostavite kuhati 15 minuta, dok riza ne upije svu supu. Povremeno protreskajte posudu. Kad je riza kuhana, dodajte zacine i bijelo vino . Promijesajte i ostavite da vino ispari. Sluzite odmah.

Sushi...The way I make it

This is not a traditional recipe; it's been adapted to my skills and preferences.

Ingredients:
1 cup Jasmine rice
1,5 cups water
1 teas vegetable stock powder (or other)
4 sheets of roasted seaweed
Salmon (smoked)/Tuna/Prawns
Lebanese cucumber, sliced lengthwise
Avocado, sliced lengthwise
(or other vegetables)
Sushi mat
Water and brush for wetting
Method:
Cook rice - absorption method- with 1,5 cups of water, add vegetable powder. Let it cool completely.
Place a seaweed sheet on a sushi mat. Spoon 1/4 of rice; with your damp fingers press down, leaving 1 inch uncovered.
Place fish/prawns and vegetables lengthwise on the edge close to you. Roll towards centre, making slight pressure. Wet the uncovered seaweed, and finish rolling. It should stick together. When finish rolling all, slice with a sharp knife.
Serve with soy sauce and Wsabi paste.





Sushi - nacin kako ga ja pravim

Potrebno:
1 solja 'Jasmin' rize
1,5 solja vode
1 kasicica Vegete ( ili slicno)
4 lista susene/presovane morske trave
Dimljeni/suseni losos
Tuna ili gambori/skampe
Krastavac rezan po duzini
Avocado ili drugo povrce
Sushi podmetac (za savijanje)
Voda i cetka za vlazenje
Nacin;
Skuhajte rizu, po postupku apsorpcije (mikrovalna idealna), zacinite. Ohladite je potpuno. Na podmetac stavite list morske trave, na njega rasporedite 1/4 kuhane rize. Navlazenim rukama pritisnite rizu po listu, ostavljajuci nepokriveno 2,5 cm na jednom kraju. Na ivicu sa rizom, po duzini, stavite reznjeve povrca i ribe. Pocnite zamotavati, zajedno sa podmetacem, pritiskujuci njezno. Kada ste dosli blizu slobodne strane, navlazite je vodom, pa onda zavrsite zamotavanje. Treba da ostane 'zalijepljeno'.
Kada ste sve listove umotali, rezite ostrim nozem na reznjeve 2-2,5 cm.
Servirajte sa soja sosem i Japanskim hrenom (Wsabi).