Garlic Preserve (2 in 1 ) Edible gifts

Hi dolls

If you are the only person who eats garlic in your household,we share a common problem: You buy a whole bulb of garlic and you end up throwing it away because you can't use it up quick enough or it has started to sprout.
In our local food store they sell those appetizing jars of garlic in oil for a huge load of money,but they gave me the idea to try to preserve garlic my way.

You need:
1 bulb of garlic or more (peeled)
olive oil
peppercorns
chilli flakes
cheap vinegar
laurel leafs/bay leafs
optional :a twig of rosemary or thyme
airtight jars/bottles
bamboo skewer


Place your peeled garlic cloves and 5-10 laurel leafs (rosemary) in a small pot cover them with vinegar.Bring to a boil and let it boil on high heat for 7 minutes.
Meanwhile add about a teaspoon of peppercorns and chilli flakes in each jar.
Once the garlic is done,drain the vinegar and let the garlic and spices cool for 10 minutes.Now put the garlic cloves on a bamboo skewer,cut the skewer,so it will fit into the jar and place the laurel leafs in the jar.
Now just fill up the whole jar with olive oil and you will have amazing garlic on a skewer (for the easiness of taking it out of the oil).Once you have used up the garlic,don't throw away the oil,because the oil has absorbed all the amazing flavors.The oil can be used for garlic bread,salads,pasta and soups to add a kick of aromatic freshness.
The preserved garlic can be used just like fresh garlic :)
This also makes an awesome gift,especially in a bottle.(and not in an ugly jam-jar like mine )



Huggies and Happy Preserving

cookingchinchillas

Dried Apples Recipe

Hi dolls

Dried apples are a great and healthy snack,you can use them in your yogurt,cereal,in cakes,in breads and you can give them to your chinchillas as a rare snack.
If you don't plan to feed them to chinchillas(Bunnies,Rats,Guinea Pigs)you can sprinkle them with icing sugar and cinnamon.

You need:
3 sweet,not too juicy apples
parchment paper
cinnamon and icing sugar

If you don't like apple peel,peel the apples.Remove the core and the seeds.Cut the apples into wedges,then thinly slice the wedges.
Preheat your oven to low heat (65 degree celsius/150 Fahrenheit).Spread parchment paper on 2-3 large oven trays and neatly place the apples next to each other,but they shouldn't touch each other.
Now you can sprinkle sugar and cinnamon on top,but you can skip that for a healthier and chinchilla-safe choice.
If your oven doesn't have an air vent,place a fork inbetween the oven door,so the steam can escape the oven.
Cook for 3 hours and turn the apples once.The thinner you slice the apples,the quicker they cook.
BUT if you live in a hot country,you may also sundry the apples,which is what I did.
I covered the trays with tulle fabric,so no bugs and other airborne stuff doesn't stick to the apples.It took two sunny days (morning-midday-early afternoon sun) to dry them.



Huggies
Cookingchinchillas

Epic Meals and a shrinking muffin top.

Hi dolls


Yes,I have had another lazy day at the beach and it was fabulous.It wasn't too hot today,so I had one more reason to lay around under my umbrella and just listen to the waves.But I did something really dumb: I know I have to religiously apply sunscreen and not swim for more than an hour in order not to get burned by the sun and not to get too much of a tan.I ignored that and now my cheeks and my nose are red X_X
Yogurt is my savior......
On the way home I had to satisfy an urge that I had for a looong time: Mc Donald's.....
I have been doing really good with my project of getting back in shape,I cut all soda kind of sugary carbonated drinks and the only thing I consume with bubbles is an occasional bottle of sparkling mineral water,because hey I grew up in a household where sparkling mineral water was supposed to be the most thirst quenching thing.

It kind of is though.First I just refused to drink cola,but after a few weeks of not drinking cola's cousins,I noticed how disgusting they really taste and the overwhelming sweetness is just absurd.*lol*
I am cola-cured!

The meal at Mc D was epic: Unhealthy,fatty,but sometimes I just need a crappy burger.I had a CBO and 4 chicken nuggets and it was reaaaallly yummy.
On the parking lot somebody sprayed a genius graffitti

I have lost 7 kilos till now and I am almost happy,because all that is left to do is to get the muscles in the tummy area a bit tighter.Not going for a six pack though :D

What is your Mc D-Favorite?

Huggies
Cookingchinchillas

Healthy red iced tea (rose hip,rooibos,hibiscus)

Hi dolls

Today I experimented with red teas,because I was looking for a new ice tea flavor desperately,because right now I am trying to skip Green tea because of an issue I have with my tummy.
This actually came out really good and it was gone within 1 hour.
You need:
1,5 liters of very cold water water
3 teabags rose hip tea
3 teabags of rooibos tea (redbush tea)
1 bag of hibiscus tea
1/4 teaspoon citric acid or a tablespoon lemon juice
15 ice cubes
pitcher(s)
optional: sweetener/honey/fructose/sugar/agave nectar

Take 500 ml of the water and bring it to a boil in a small pot/deep saucepan .Add the teabags,sweetener and citric acid and remove from the stove.Steep for 8 minutes.Fill the ice into the pitcher and pour the tea over the ice.Immediately add the cold water and you are ready to sip your very healthy red iced tea.

Health benefits of rose hip: 
-Rich in Vitamin A,B,C,E,K
-better digestive function
-helps the body to build up resistances for infections of all kinds
-has a detoxifying ability

Health benefits of rooibos :
-Rooibos is richer in antioxidants and flavonoids than green tea,which means it helps to fight free radicals which cause aging signs.
-reliefs tummy related pains like trapped winds,cramps and spasms.
-it's good for the teeth
-rooibos is also great for mild headaches,insomnia,anxiety,stress relief

Hibiscus benefits:
-diuretic (detoxifying)
-great for weightloss,because it limits the bodies carb-absorption

-lowers cholesterole
-regulates blood pressure
-great natural anti-depressant

Pretty awesome benefits I would say :)

Huggies
Cookingchinchillas

Easy,light tomato basil sauce

Hi dolls

With this heat,it is a torture to be in a tiny kitchen with no aircondition.So I try to cook quick and easy stuff that doesn't need constant supervision.This tomato basil sauce for pasta and meatballs is great,because you don't have to do a lot.

You need:
2 large,ripe,aromatic tomatoes (cut into chunky dice)
1 shallot (sliced)
1 large carrot (sliced or diced)
1 tablespoon concentrated tomato puree
1 clove of garlic
a hand full of fresh basil leafs (coarsely chopped)
200 ml of water
2 tablespoons olive oil
pepper salt
1 teaspoon sugar

In a saucepan quickly saute the shallot,garlic an carrot for 3 minutes in olive oil.Add water,pepper salt and the tomatoes.Boil for 12 minutes on medium heat.Add the tomato puree and the sugar.
Simmer until the sauce thickens slightly (3-5 min) and add the basil last minute.
Serve on your favorite pasta or meatballs.


Huggies
Cookingchinchillas

900th post *yay* : Turbo lunch

Hi dolls

If you have less than 10 minutes to prepare a healthy lunch,go with wraps.
Those washed salads in the store are amazing for making quick wraps,but you may add any vegetable you like.
I used smoked turkey cold cut as my protein and instead of sauce or dressing I just spread vegan cream cheese on the wrap and seasoned it with pepper,salt,chilly and a drizzle of lemon.Some chopped tomato to make it juicy.
It takes like 5 minutes to prepare 3 large wraps.

Of course you could eat a simple salad,but wraps are more convenient to take with you and eat on the go.

900 posts :) Yuppie! I'm a spammer!

Getting back in shape

Hi dolls

I am still doing my muffin top challenge,although a few things changed now.
Today I went to check on my weight and my 5 kilo goal is actually accomplished,but the circumstances weren't right.I had some major problems with my tummy and skipped a lot of meals because of that.Now I have been advised to reduce stress and skip dairy.
Skipping dairy is okay,but reducing stress right now is not possible.
I went to the pharmacy and asked for herbal teas that can support the digestive tract.....Dandelion,Fennel seed and ginger.
And Dandelion mixed with fennel doesn't taste that bad,but by itself it's just hideous!And it really does a good job.
I 'm drinking a lot of this tea,because it's a wonderful thirst quencher when prepared as unsweetened ice tea with some lemon.
But I still drink green tea,because it's amazing :) and helpful.

The exercise has been average this week.The days I was feeling good,I went for walks and ran all errands and shopping by foot.

I will continue the project a little longer,because it doesn't feel like a diet.

Huggies
Cookingchinchillas

Muffin top Chinchilla Challenge

Hi dolls!

Another week of my 'get back in shape and loose that muffin top' challenge went by and this week I'm really proud.Although we ordered souvlakia three times,because the workers were there,I was a good girl.
Instead of gobbling down a whole souvlaki wrapped in pita bred,stuffed with meat ,tzatziki and fries,I went for a kalamaki (chicken/pork on a skewer)
In terms of exercise it was a great week,because renovating a house is quite a physical task.But I also went for a lot of walks and ran all my errands by foot.

There weren't any sit-ups though,because there were always people around and they shouldn't have to look on a sweaty,gasping Goth.

Because today we have some weird holiday,I couldn't go to the pharmacy to weight myself,but my pants are telling me that I have lost some mass.


And also I have found a great way to satisfy my midnight cravings: Caramel flavored Green tea and chocolate flavored black tea.

It was a good week!

Muffin top chinchilla weight in

Hi dolls

Wooohoo I lost 3 kilos already just by working out a lot and drinking ridiculous amounts of green tea and water.
Until today my belly wasn't complaining about no food intake at nights,but today I forgot to eat my dinner,because I was watching a stupid documentary.
Writing down the stuff I eat is really helpful.I usually eat about 600-1000 kcal a day.
Today I had to get a milkshake in the morning,because our lame neighborhood coffee shop carries milkshakes now.
I ordered it with no whipped cream and no extra syrup on top *good girl!* And it was delicious,because I didn't feel guilty.
This afternoon I walked for 2 hours....up the mountain you can see in the background of the smoothie picture
Halfway I thought I wouldn't make it,but then I put on my headphones and listened to this song ,which totally makes you walk fast.


And because I am so hungry right now I made my breakfast for tomorrow : Greek Yogurt with sweetener and vanilla extract,strawberries and oats.

Good night dolls,the muffin top is about to shrink!

Cookingchinchillas

Pink Grapefruit Matcha Breakfast Smoothie (Energy+Fitness )

Hi dolls!

It got really warm lately and it's sometimes impossible to drink a hot cup of tea.So I was looking for breakfast alternatives which led me to Matcha.Tried it in a strawberry smoothie and loved it.
And since I am trying to incorporate pink grapefruit into my diet,because it's good for the metabolism,I created a breakfast smoothie that contains everything I need in the morning.

You need:
1 ripe banana (peeled,sliced)
1 pink grapefruit (peeled and diced)
1 kiwi (peeled)
3/4 teaspoon Matcha powder
Strawberries (cleaned,green cut off) or cherries (remove stone)
a little bit of cold water (approx 70 ml)
11/2 teaspoon instant oats

Optional: Sugar,honey,fructose

Mix in the blender until smooth.
Enjoy :)


Huggies
Cookingchinchillas

Muffin top chinchilla

Hi dolls!

My little 'get in shape' project is really going well!
Today I walked 1.6 kilometers and made 50 sit ups.....Haven't done sit-ups for years.I was going for 100 but that was impossible given the fact that I just started.
There are also some additions to my diet-duties:
Write down all the foods I ate during the day,counting the calories.
This may sound a bit extreme,but it's also very interesting to see what we put in our mouth during the day without even  noticing.I came to the conclusion that my habits are not THAT bad,especially since I stopped to eat after 8:30.
The stuff I used to eat late at night was crazy calorie-wise.500-600 calories of chocolate and other devilish snacks.

There will also be a weekly weight in at the pharmacy,since there is no scale in my house.

I would also like to emphasize that I am not going to transform my body into a skin and bone structure.No! Never!

In my opinion there is nothing more pretty than a woman with an hourglass shaped figure.

Good night dolls!

Huggies
Cookingchinchillas

Getting back in shape

Hi dolls,

I hate diets because I am a foodie.So all this no-carb-no-this-no-that stuff is not going to work for me.
But lately my eating habits were pretty bad: Late night chocolate munching,a lot of salted peanuts and tons of cookies.
And since the only scale in my house is a food scale,I didn't realize how much weight I put on.
5 kilos in a few weeks......
The first step was to cut cola and all his cousins.It's sooo full of sugar and other stuff that nobody needs.
Cutting this bad habit was a great decision,because it feels so great.The first days were difficult....of course,because cola has quite a bit of caffeine and the body gets used to it.
That was the first step.

Cardio-work out is step number 2.I can't go jogging due to a problem in my knees,but I can walk!
The mini-town I live in is perfect for walks.....3-4 times a week for 2 hours.And now that summer is here,the sea will be my best workout buddy.

Till now it's working great.
And today I started the hardest part....step number 3: Not eating after 8:30 pm.
This has worked well in the past.
If I eat a small salad or some fruit at 8:15 I am fine and won't be hungry till I go to bed.


And to support good health during this process,I will take grapeseed extract supplement and mix 200 ml of red grapefruit with 1,3 liters of water.
One bottle of this+ one (1.5 liter) bottle of plain water+all the tea that I consume

This 'method' worked well for me last year,because it's not too extreme.If I wouldn't have those munch-attacks at night,there would be no extra 5 kilos of muffin top.
And I drink the grapefruit water at night,so my taste buds have something to do,but I really like grapefruit so it could be much worse.

Let's see how much time will pass,until I am back to normal.
And no,it's not the end of the world if you gain weight.With any kind of extreme diet,I could loose them in a  few days,but the healthy and slow way is better.

But I am not a doctor! You should always consult a specialist before making drastic changes in your diet/nutrition.

Do you have any secrets for getting back in shape?


Huggies and Good Night
CookingChinchillas

Salmon with Spinach and cream cheese topping

Hi Guys!

First of all I wanted to welcome all the new Followers that have joined the CookingChinchillas Blog.I am preparing a contest for all of you with a really cool price .

This recipe was a request from Malika.She was asking what she can do with spinach and salmon apart from the classic spinach-salmon pasta.There you go Girl!

You need :
One salmon fillet
a hand full (or two) baby spinach
2 generous tablespoons of cream cheese
1 tablespoon grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 clove garlic (crushed)
pepper salt nutmeg
lemon slices

Wash your salmon fillet and dry it with a kitchen towel.Season it with pepper and salt.
In a small saucepan mix spinach,cream cheese,garlic,pepper salt and nutmeg.Saute on high heat for one minute. then add the grated mozzarella.Place your salmon in a small oven proof dish and surround it with lemon slices.Carefully spread the topping on the salmon.
Bake at high temperature for 12-15 min depending on the size of the fillet.
The rice bed is just some rice boiled in water seasoned with turmeric and mixed frozen veggies oriental style.

Huggies <3

What is your favorite way to cook salmon?????

Homemade Energy Drink

Hi
We are all tired once in a while or need that extra kick of energy.Well when I consume an energy drink from the shop I will be hyperactive,irritated and not able to sleep.
So I experimented a bit.
The recipe I came up with is natural and it doesn't make you hyperactive,yet it makes you feel awake and energized.
You need :
5 teabags organic Green tea
1 teabag  sage tea
1 teabag anise tea
1 teabag lemongrass tea
1 teaspoon freshly ground ginger
1 organic lemon (juiced )
2-3 lemon slices
1 tablespoon corn syrup/glucose syrup
1,5 liter mineral water (not the carbonated one!)
2 tablespoons honey or sugar (if you prefer it sweeter,you may take more)
a tiny tiny tiny pinch of salt

Tie all the teabags together to make the handling easier.
In a small saucepan bring a half liter of mineral water to a boil and while it is boiling add the ginger,the glucose syrup and all the teabags.(When boiling Green tea for 1-2 minutes you maximize the caffeine levels in the green tea).Let it boil for 1 min and remove it from the fire.Now add lemon juice,slices,salt, and honey.
Let it steep for 8 minutes.
Now filter the mixture.
Add it to the 1 liter of mineral water and adjust the sweetening if needed.
Chill and enjoy.

Huggies
Chinchillachannel258

On the internet you find all sorts of dangerous recipes for homemade energy drinks that use minerals,vitamines and caffeine.I think that it is very dangerous to 'play' with extracts of powerful herbs like ginseng and caffeine.

Warning : If you are sensitive to caffeine,don't let the Green tea boil for 1 minute.

I am not responsible for any unwanted reactions or allergies.

Spinach Potato Croquettes ( This screams for leftovers!!)

Howdy!

I don't like to throw away food.I love my food because I worked for it and I payed for the ingredients!
So in this recipe I will show you how you can use the spinach puree leftovers from the recipe below , and you can use those old cornflakes sitting in your pantry!
So put on that apron and let's get started!

You need:
Spinach Puree/Mash Leftovers
Old cornflakes /Breadcrumbs
vegan yogurt or cream cheese
Oil and a deep pan to fry
Water

(For non veggies,you can also put Feta Cheese in the mash!!!!)

Okay in a food processor crush the corn flakes  and season them with pepper and salt.
In a bowl mix the puree with 1 teaspoon of vegan yogurt or cream cheese.
Add about a hand full of breadcrumbs to the mash and season if needed.
With wet (!!) hands take a small portion of mash and shape it into a croquette shape or little balls.
Now in a small bowl take 1/4 cup water and add one tablespoon of creamcheese or yogurt to it and mix well until the two components are blended together well.
Let your little croquettes take a bath in the water-yogurt mix and roll them in breadcrumbs right after.

Now let some oil get hot in a deep pan.Soy oil is just fine!
Fry your little croquettes until golden brown.

This recipe can be done with so many different boiled veggies and mash.I did it with carrots,broccoli,peas and turnips.
I served it with a dip made of vegan yogurt,chives pepper and salt.
And of course fresh Greek  tomatoes

Huggies
Chinchillachannel258

Octopus Salad

Geia!

In Greece Octopus is a famous ingredient prepared in so many different ways:Boiled,barbecued,with pasta and even baked in the oven.You can take canned Octopus for this recipe,because cleaning the little bugger is a pain in the butt.The salad is a quick meal for a hot summer day!

You need :
Salad of your choice (I chose mixed Salad rdy 2 eat)
1 slice of fresh pineapple (diced)
1 carrot (grated)
1 small cucumber (cut into thin slices with a veggie peeler)
1 small red bell pepper (diced)
1 spring onion (sliced)
1 can of octopus
-any veg you love in salads

For the dressing
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
the juice of a half lemon
1 tablespoon yogurt (I chose Greek low fat)
1 teaspoon honey
1/2 garlic clove (I took 1/3)crushed
1/2 teaspoon chopped dill
pepper,salt
1 teaspoon mayonnaise


Combine all the sauce ingredients and whisk well.Drain the juices from the canned octopus.
Mix all the veg/salad well and dress with the dressing.
The Pineapple compliments the octopus very well.


Huggies
Chinchillachannel258

Vegan fan potato with dip

Mooooo!
Long time no see.
Well this vegan journey was really fun!
It was tasty,healthy and not boring at all.This recipe is wonderful.A flavor infused potato with a nice salad and a vegan dip.

You need for the dip :
70 gr tofutti vegan cream cheese
1 spring onion (chopped)
some drops lime juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper


Soften the vegan cream cheese with olive oil and lime juice,add the spring onion,mix and season.

For the fan potatoes :
3 medium sized potatoes
2 cloves garlic
1 lime
olive oil
pepper
salt
a rosemary twig

Cut thin slices into your potato,but don't cut all the way down,so the bottom is attached.
Put them in a pot and cover with water.Bring to a boil and add the rosemary twig,the lime cut in half ,one garlic glove and salt.
Let your potatoes boil for 15 min and drain the water.
Chop the other clove of garlic.In a small saucepan,heat 5 tablespoons olive oil and add the garlic.Once the garlic gets some color,remove the pan from the heat.
Place your potatoes on a baking tray with nonstick paper.
Brush the garlic olive oil on and in the potatoes.Season well.

Bake on high temperature until the potatoes get some color.

The salad is a mixed salad with olive oil and some lemon juice.


Huggies
Chinchillachannel258

Spa Water

Namaste!

Green Tea is something wonderful.It is not only tasty,but it is very healthy.
This Spa Water is made with decaf green Tea,so it is really a spa water that hydrates your body.
The limes and the mint give it a very refreshing taste

You need
1 liter of your favorite water
200 ml of decaf green tea steeped for 3 min cooled
 mint leaves
2 limes (cut in wedges)
1/2 lemon (cut in wedges)

big pitcher
Mix everything in your pitcher and serve on ice.


Huggies
Chinchillachannel258

Vegan Veggie Rigatoni

Servus (That is Bavarian and means hi)

Why do a lot of people think,that vegan food is bland and boring?
Vegetables can never be boring,because they are full of flavor (well except canned veggies,they are bland and boring).
'This dish is full of flavor and full of vitamins and no,it is not boring at all.

You need
700 gr Rigatoni w/o egg
1 red bell pepper
1 orange bell pepper
1 zucchini
1 carrot
some broccoli
1 spring onion
mushrooms (canned or fresh)
some cherry tomatoes
etc.....add more veggies if you want :D
150 ml soy heavy cream
olive oil
lemon garlic salt
pepper
nutmeg
1 teaspoon freshly chopped dill
1 teaspoon freshly chopped parsley


The sauce is actually pretty easy to make,it just requires some chopping skills.Chop all the veggies (the smaller,the faster they cook) and put them in a medium saucepan.Cover them with water and bring them to a boil.Let them boil for 7-12 min.
Drain the water and set the veggies aside.
Put the cream,the parsley,the dill and a teaspoon of olive oil in a saucepan.Bring to a boil and add nutmeg.
Mix in the veggies and boil for 2 min.
Season-done! Keep warm on very low heat,so the flavors can develop and you can boil your pasta!
Boil your pasta,drain water,serve with sauce!

Huggies
Chinchillachannel258

Easy zucchini soup

You are probably wondering why I am cooking so much soup lately.Well I love soup.
There is nothing better than a honest down to earth bowl of soup!
I lately re-discovered zucchini soup.My mother used to make the most slimy and garlic-y zucchini soup in the world.
I didn't eat zucchini soup for like 8 years.
Until I realized that it wasn't the zucchini's fault.
Enough blah blah,let's get down to business folks!

You need:
2 large zucchini
1 shallot
2 medium potatoes
200 ml cream (I used 12% fat cream suitable for cooking)
salt,pepper,olive oil,ground nut meg
water

Slice your shallot and one zucchini,then peel and dice your potatoes.Remember the smaller you cut your veg,the faster they will cook.
With a cheese grater grate the other zucchini into small sized juliennes.
Put the diced and sliced veg into a pot and cover with water.Season the water with salt and add a tablespoon of olive oil.

Bring to a boil and boil for 10 min on high temperature.
Drain the water and put the veg in a food processor.Add the cream and season well.Blend the veg until very creamy and put the puree back into the pot.Now add the grated zucchini and maybe some water if the soup is too thick.Quickly bring to a boil and serve with a nice slice of bread!

Huggies
Chinchillachannel258