Tag Archives: qatar

Perfect pot roast beef with vegetables and gravy


rôti de boeuf (roast beef) with vegetables and gravy

My favorite dish; roast beef with vegetables and gravy. It makes the ultimate Sunday lunch, but since we live in Doha, Friday is the new Sunday.

It’s not as difficult as you think, but it requires time to get everything ready plus the meat has to be rested after cooking for at least half an hour and sliced really thinly for you to enjoy the tenderness. I am not doing it in the oven, as i adapt my mom’s recipe, for a perfect pot roast beef that makes its own succulent gravy.

I chose a topside beef (1.2kg), this cut comes from the inner muscle of the thigh, it’s reasonably tender and very lean so it makes a good roasting joint. Check the meat cuts guide for useful info about the meat to choose.

You will need: (serving 4-6 persons)

  • 1.2kg topside beef
  • 5 garlic cloves roughly crushed
  • salt and pepper for seasoning
  • 100g butter
  • 1 1/2 cup red wine good quality
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 1/2 tbsp flour

Take your beef out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. Make 6-7 small cuts in the meat and stuff them with the crushed garlic. Season all sides with salt and pepper.

In a large pot heat the butter and sear the meat, turning as needed, for about 4-5 minutes on each side (the top and bottom as well), or until the beef is brown. Add the water then wine and bring to boil. When bubbles start to form, cover the pot and lower the heat. Now cook for 75-90 minutes or so depending how well done you want it.

Remove the beef from the pot and let it rest at least half an hour. I recommend 3 hours for better slicing.

rôti de boeuf (roast beef) with vegetables and gravyMeantime prepare the vegetables you like to serve with the meat, i did carrots and broccoli (steamed then sautéed with butter, salt and pepper), mushroom and corn (out of tins) and sautéed with butter, salt and pepper. and finally potato cubes (fried then sautéed with butter, salt and pepper) you can replace with mashed potato if you like. Some people like to serve it also with peas, green beans and shallots. Choose your veggies to your liking.

To prepare the gravy, take the juices from the pot and add 1 1/2 tbsp of flour to thicken it a bit. (roux style)

rôti de boeuf (roast beef) with vegetables and gravyTransfer your meat to a cutting board and try to slice it as thin as possible. Serve it with the veggies, potatoes and gravy. I love to have it also with a side salade (green salad with vinaigrette).

I can never get enough of it, i like to have leftovers in a baguette sandwich with dijon mustard, or if i have a remaining gravy i serve it the next day with pasta.

rôti de boeuf (roast beef) with vegetables and gravyThis recipe should go on your cooking list, trust me you will receive lots of compliments and applause for each flavorful bite .

Enjoy xx

pot roast beef with vegetables and gravyIf you like this post give it some likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More interesting posts are yet to come.

Meat cuts guide


Meat cuts guide m&P

This meat cuts guide could be a help for you to find the best match for the recipe you want to cook. Along with suggestions for the cooking technique to help you serve on your table the best meals.

Beef cuts guide:

beef cuts guide

Neck and Clod:

This cut is generally sold as stewing steak. Long and slow cooking will release a good flavor and produce tasty gravy or sauce.

Chuck and Blade:

This cut is often sold as Braising Steak. A little more tender than stewing steak. Use in casseroles, stews and to braise. Also Blade steak sometimes known as “Flatiron Steak”.

Fore rib:

Sold “Boned and rolled”, “French trimmed” or “On the bone”. Has good marbling throughout the flesh and with excellent fat cover on the outside making for a superb roast. Can also be cut into steaks”Ribeyes” for grilling, frying or BBQ.

Thick rib:

Typically sold as Braising Steak. This cut is somewhat more tender than stewing steak. Ideal for use in casseroles, stews and for braising.

Thin rib:

One of the denser cuts and is usually sold as mince (ground beef) meat.

Shin and leg:

Generally sold as Stewing Steak. Best suited for long, slow cooking to breakdown the high proportion of connective tissues and denser fibers and make thick sauces and gravy.

Brisket:

Usually sold “boned and rolled” and sometimes salted. This joint is suitable for slow cooking or pot roasting. Brisket is the cut traditionally used for making corned beef. It is also used for lean mince.

Thick flank:

This joint is also known as Top Rump good for slow roasting as a joint or braised in pieces. Also sold as “stir fry” strips or flash fry steak.

Flank:

Meat from this area is often known as “Skirt”,” Hanger steak”. It has plenty of fat marbling which makes it moist and flavorsome. This cut is often used in Mexican recipes such as Fajitas. Good for grilling, frying or the BBQ.

Sirloin:

This is typically sold boned and rolled. A prime cut which is suitable for a classic roast. Sirloin Steak comes from the same area but cut into steaks such as “T”-bone, Porterhouse and Entrecote. Prime cuts which are suitable for grilling, frying, stir-fries and barbecuing.

Beef Fillet also comes from this section. Probably the most praised cut of beef, the fillet is very tender and very lean, as a steak it is suitable for quick cooking under the grill or frying. Larger pieces are used for dishes such as Beef Wellington. Other names for cuts of fillet include Filet Mignon, Tenderloin, Tournedos and Chateaubriand.

Rump:

Although this is a prime cut. However many say that it has a far superior flavor than sirloin or fillet. Rump is suitable for quick cooking such as frying, stir-fry, grilling or the barbecue.

Topside and Silverside:

Silverside was traditionally salted and sold as a boiling joint or salt beef. This very lean piece of meat is now most often sold unsalted as a joint for roasting. We recommend regular basting whilst cooking. Topside is also a very lean joint and, often has a layer of fact tied around it to help baste and keep it moist.  This is also suitable cut into steaks for frying or grilling and in stir-fries.

Lamb cuts guide:

lamb cuts guide

Scrag end or neck (and middle neck):

When cut into thick slices this bony part of the neck, it is very tasty and good for slow cooking. Also from this section are Neck Fillets – the same muscles but taken off the bone. Stew or braise until tender.

Shoulder:

Lamb shoulder is usually sold whole or halved on the bone. This part of the animal has worked hard so is better for slow roasting to break down any fibers to be really tender, Shoulder is also sold boned and rolled for roasting or diced for casseroles, curries or stewing. Minced lamb is also taken from this section of the animal.

Best end:

This section produces some of the most tender cuts of Lamb. Best End is the first eight ribs which are known as “The Rack”. The Rack can be cut in several ways. If the ends of the bones are exposed after the fat has been trimmed away it is termed “French Trimmed”.

A rack of Lamb can also be trimmed and tied into a circle to form a “Crown of Lamb” – a most impressive roast to serve at your table.

Loin:

This portion provides Loin Chops for grilling or frying, similarly a Barnsley Chop – which is double the size being both sides of the animal. Off the bone this section provides Noisettes or in one piece a Cannon. These are all very tender and will cook quickly.

Chump:

At the lower back of the animal where the loin meets the leg is known as the Chump. From here you can get Chump Chops and Chump Steaks. As a whole piece off the bone this is called a Chump Joint. All these are good for grilling and BBQ but can also be delicious if baked slowly in the oven.

Breast:

This is the belly area of the Lamb. This is usually sold as a rolled joint for roasting. It is a quite fatty cut but when slow cooked this melts away to leave a tender and very tasty meat. This is one of the best value, least expensive cuts.

Leg:

Whole, half or boned Leg of Lamb will make a perfect roast. For grilling and frying or the BBQ Leg of lamb is often sold as Leg Steaks, stir fry strips, or cubed for kebabs. A leg of lamb that has been ‘Butterflied”’ is a boned leg opened up into a large flat piece which has a rough butterfly shape. This too can be roasted or grilled.

The lower leg from this section is Lamb Shank. As a harder working part of the animal this needs slow cooking or braising; full of flavor it will become very tender and fall off the bone when cooked in this way.

If you like this post give it some likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More interesting posts are yet to come.

Artichoke stew – easy & quick recipe


artichoke stewLebanese cuisine is one of the ancient cuisine, a result of a blend of many cultures due to the country’s location on the crossroads of three continents, Europe, Asia and Africa. Lebanese cuisine gained its popularity beside the variety and the delicious taste, from being naturally healthy and low in fat. Fresh vegetables and legumes are the staple ingredients in the lebanese dishes especially when we are talking about family cuisine. Specifically stews (yakhné) that are presented with rice vermicelli.

Artichoke stew يخنة آرضي شوكي ورز , is one of my favorite dishes. Very easy to do and so delicious. Knowing the artichoke nutrition facts, you will be making it more often, trust me.

To prepare a meal for 4 persons you will need:

  • 1 kg artichoke hearts, could be frozen or fresh
  • 5 small onion quartered
  • 300g beef cubed (size of a bite)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • juice of 2 lemons
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 3 cups of water
  • salt to taste

Follow this step by step method:

step by step artichoke stewIn a pot, bring oil to heat and fry the onion until tender and fragrant (2-3 minutes). Add the cubes of beef and cook until brown (3-4 minutes), then the artichoke hearts (cut them in half or 4 if they are too big), cover with water and bring to boil for 5 minutes. In a separate bowl mix well lemon and flour and stir in to have a thicker sauce. Cover the pot and simmer for 30-40 minutes.

artichoke stewFor a complete full meal serve with rice vermicelli. Kids usually love this dish. Don’t hesitate to try this simple and healthy recipe. Alf sahtein!

artichoke stewIf you like this post give it some likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More interesting posts are yet to come.

La salade niçoise


Salade NiçoiseAfter two long hektic weeks, moving to a new house, i am back if you are wondering where i’ve been!

My first post from my new kitchen, eagerly presenting the french “salade Niçoise”, in the style of Nice, France.

Traditionally made with hard boiled eggs, boiled potatoes, olives, green beans, tuna, anchovies, tomato and onion presented on a bed of lettuce. Some sources exclude anchovies, add artichoke hearts or even presented without lettuce.

Salade NiçoiseTo serve 4 people you will need:

  • 3 canned tuna drained and flaked
  • 4 hard boiled eggs quartered
  • 8 small potato boiled and quartered
  • 12 cherry tomato halved
  • 150 g green beans steamed
  • around 24 black olives pitted
  • 1 big onion cut rondelles
  • 1 head romaine lettuce chopped into bite size pieces

Mix all together drizzle with vinaigrette or lemon olive oil dressing and serve!

Salade NiçoiseUsually this salad is served as an entree, but with some french baguette or croutons it can be a wholesome and sustaining dinner.

Salade Niçoise

Happy to be back, miss you 🙂

If you like this post give it some likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More interesting posts are yet to come.

 

Strawberry jam crumble tart


strawberry jam crumble tartAre you craving a sweet treat that is unfussy? Try this delicious crumble tart with any jam flavor you fancy and reap a bounty of flavors in no time!

It’s been a hektic week, juggling hundred tasks, between work and home, especially we are moving to a new flat. I wanted to prepare something sweet but very easy and effortless. Right now, i am savoring one piece of this strawberry crumble tart while writing this post.

strawberry jam crumble tart

Share with me this pleasure, head to your kitchen right away to prepare this delectable tart, I am sure you have all the ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cup flour sifted
  • 200g butter cold and cubed
  • 1/2 cup confectioner sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp vanilla
  • 300g jam (flavor of your choice)

Mix all together until it just starts to come together. You need a crumble like dough not a solid ball of dough.

Preheat you oven 200°C. Take 3/4 of the dough and roll it in your pan (10 inches) with a half cm thickness. Bake for 10 minutes before taking out to spread the jam on top of it. Use any jam you favor, i chose strawberry for this time.

Crumble the rest of the dough over the jam and bake again for another 10 minutes.

strawberry jam crumble tart

Let it cool before serving. Personally i like it at room temperature and also cold from the fridge. It’s one of the treats light in efforts but rich in flavors just bake and slice!

strawberry jam crumble tartSatisfy your sweet tooth and Sahtein!

strawberry jam crumble tartstrawberry jam crumble tartstrawberry jam crumble tartIf you like this post give it some likes and shares to spread the joy. Don’t forget to like marmite et ponpon facebook page and follow on twitter. More interesting posts are yet to come.