THE STUDENT CHEFS: SUBMISSION

ISYS100 - Assignment Two: Blog

Tutor: Kristi Ovsthus Prac: Class #1

- Zalah Hashemee - 42897564

- Jamie Ayob - 42442036

- Simone Stanton - 42442184

- Warren Yap - 42468108

- The Student Chefs

Food Blogger Appreciation: SORTED Food

As food bloggers we like to appreciate others with the same passion we have, and the guys at SORTED are exactly that!

The blog is run by four British blokes (Ben, Barry, Mike and Jamie), who also in addition to their blog make awesome YouTube videos. They show you how to make every dish in the easiest and simplest way possible, even the most difficult recipes aren't a challenge.

Blog: SORTED Food
YouTube: SORTED Food

These guys are such an inspiration to us, so be sure to check them out and subscribe!

- Z

For the love of NUTELLA!

This recipe is for all you die hard Nutella fans! It's quick and easy, with on four (that's right four!) ingredients.

Ingredients:

- 1 cup  Nutella 
- 1 large egg
- 5 Tbsp all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk

*Optional: m&ms, hundreds and thousands

Utensils:

- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Whisk
- 1 Mixing Spoon
- 1 Teaspoon
- 1 Mini Muffin Tray or Baking Tray
- 10 Mini Muffin Liners
- 1 Toothpick

Method:

- Heat oven to 180 degrees celcius
- Line 10 cups of a mini muffin pan with liners (or place the mini muffin liners on a normal baking tray)
- Mix together 1 cup of the Nutella and 1 large egg then whisk together.
- Add flour to the mixture and whisk all ingredients until the mixtue is smooth.
- Spoon batter into the muffin cups/liners, you can also add hundreds and thousands, m&ms (or whatever        else you can get your hands on) as decoration.
- Place them in the pre-heated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, checking every 5 to 7 minutes, until the      mixture has risen.
- Leave cupcakes to cool.

*Tip: By using a toothpick you can see whether the cupcakes are cooked if the toothpick comes out clean. 


Hope you guys enjoy this yummy recipe!!!

- Z

The Ultimate Green Smoothie

Now when I mention the term "green smoothie" my friends cringe and immediately shut me down, sure it isn't your average smoothie but I have a recipe that will blow your mind and your taste buds! Still with me? Here we go...

Ingredients:

- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup pineapple (sliced or fresh)
- 1 cup mango
- 2 small bananas

Utensils:

- 1 blender
- 2 tall glasses

- 1 can opener (if using canned pineapples)

Method:

- Blend spinach and water until smooth.

- Next add the remaining fruits and blend again.

* Optional: Use at least one frozen fruit to make the green smoothie cold.

This smoothie is a great way to ease into the world of green smoothies, don't be afraid to try this one out - it will surprise you!

- Z

Pretty Pita Pockets

Pita pockets have become a staple in my diet as a student, they're healthy, filling and super inexpensive. The best thing about them is you can change up the recipe depending on what you have left in your fridge and pantry! They also travel well, so you can definitely take them as lunch for uni or work the next day, if there are any left over.

Ingredients:

- 3 chicken breast slices
- 2 tablespoons hummus
- ½ pita (cut so as if a pita pocket)
- ½ cup lettuce mix
- 4 grape tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 sliced cucumber
- 2 tablespoons salt and pepper

Method:

- Cut the chicken slices each in half
- Slice up the cucumber into 1/2 cm pieces
- Open up the pita pocket and spread hummus throughout it
- Then add the lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and chicken pieces

*Optional: Toast the pita pocket for a crispy and warm pita!

And voila, you're done!- Z

Crispy Sweet PO-TAY-TOES!

Hey guys,

I have a mouth watering simple and cheap dish for you guys today!





Prep time 5-10 minutes
Cooking time 60 minutes (depending on how crispy you want them).

 Ingredients

• Sweet potatoes - One really big one, or two small ones will do
• Salt and Pepper - cayenne pepper can be a nice addition too
• Water

Cooking Instructions

• Cut the potatoes up into any shape you like. You can cut them into fries shapes or if you're lazy like I am, you can just slice it up. Make sure you peel the sweet potatoes too.

• Prepare a pot of boiling water then chuck your sweet potatoes in for around 10 minutes (this is depending on the proportion of water to sweet potatoes). A good indicator is if you grab a random utensil and attempt to scrape the sweet potato and if it flakes a little bit it's ready!

• Whilst you're boiling the Sweet potatoes preheat the oven at 190-210 fan forced. 

• filter the water out and put them into a bowl. Season according to your tastes (Salt and pepper) and pour some oil - enough to cover each slice of sweet potato. 

• Lay out the sweet potatoes nicely and evenly then put them into the oven for around 50 minutes. Flip each side after 25 minutes. Obviously at this stage, it depends on how crispy you want them. Just make sure you don't burn it because it is a slow cooking process. 

Enjoy y'all! 
 -W

Red-iculously Easy Pasta

As a university student pasta is one of my favourite dishes to make, its so easy and so so so versatile.
There are so many options and ways to make pasta, you can have it cold, hot, in a salad, with seafood or vegetables. The list is endless!
Today's recipe though is a simple, classic and super easy and efficient way to have pasta that is inexpensive and more importantly incredibly delicious.

Ingredients:

- 100 grams pasta (any kind)
- 2 tablespoons of canned pasta sauce
- 1/4 cup grated cheese (any kind)
- Pinch of salt

*Optional: 1/8 cup olives

Utensils:

- 1 pot
- 1 mixing spoon
- 1 serving plate or bowl
- 1 fork
- 1 tablespoon
- 1 strainer

Method:

- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Salt the water, and let it return to a boil.
- Add the pasta, and cook accordingly to package directions, stirring occasionally.
- When cooked, drain the pasta then add the pasta and the canned pasta sauce into the pot on low heat and mix the sauce through.
- Once the sauce has been combined with the pasta to your liking add the pasta to a plate.
- Sprinkle the grated cheese (and olives) over the pasta and serve hot.

bon appétit!!!

- Z

Beef Stroganoff

This is a meal that takes under 30 minutes to make and leave you and your guests both happy and very full. It also very affordable and will only cost you up to $20 to serve 5 people! 

Making this dish was quick and easy. I just ensured that the rice was cooking at the same time while cooking the rest of the ingredients for the stroganoff. 

Ingredients:
- 500g beef strips
- 300g Mushrooms
- 2 Onions
- 600g sour cream
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Salt
- Cracked black pepper
- 1 cup of rice
- 1 table spoon of olive oil

Method:
1. Soak the cup of rice and drain
2. For 1 cup of rice use 2 cups of water to boil the rice until the water evaporates
3. Add a teaspoon of salt in the rice
4. While the rice is boiling on low heat, slice the onions and mushrooms
5. Cook the beef strips in a table spoon of olive oil in a hot pot till they go brown
6. Add the onions and stir until the onions are half cooked
7. Add the mushrooms, sour cream, tomato paste, salt and pepper (to taste)
8. Let it simmer for approximately 20 minutes

NOTE: If you feel that it is not saucy enough feel free to add more sour cream and tomato paste :)

Hope you guys enjoy this meal. Its a very popular Russian dish. There are many different versions or ways to make this dish but I have found this way to be the easiest, quickest way that is also very delicious!

Enjoy. 

- J 

Healthy Mushrooms

Okay students. So we've given you some recipes to try but how about a nice and healthy one. 

The Stuffed Mushrooms. 

Ingredients:

- 2 Large Mushrooms

- 250g Cottage Cheese

- 1 Tomato

- Can of Tuna

- Almond meal 

- Lemon Juice

Method:

1. Dice the tomato and separate the tuna. Put the tuna and tomato in a bowl and add lemon juice. Mix together

2. Cut the stalk of the mushroom off. Stuff the mushrooms with the mixture

3. Add the cottage cheese on top of the mushrooms and sprinkle almond meal

4. Grill it until the cottage cheese begins to melt.

Time taken: 30 minutes (Nice and easy guys!)

A lot of you guys who like to keep fit and eat healthy will love this meal! Its a different way to spice things up when you're trying to diet, instead of eating grilled chicken and tuna 24/7. 

- J

Cookie Monster

Want to know what is a cheap, easy and yummy snack... BETTY CROCKER COOKIE MIXES!

All you need is:
- 1 cup of milk
- 2 eggs

1. Preheat the oven at 180 Degrees Celcius
2. Open the mix and pour into a large bowl
3. Add the milk and crack the eggs into the same bowl
4. Begin to stir the mix with the ingredients using a wooden spoon
5. Once moist, use your hands to mix it in even better so the dough becomes smooth
6. Layer a tray with baking paper
7. Roll balls of cookie dough to place onto the tray
8. Once they are all 5cm apart place the mini mnm's provided in the mix ontop of each cookie
9. Place cookies in the oven for about 20 minutes (you dont want them to go too hard)
10. Once cooked, take tray out and let cookies cool down before moving them
11. Once cooled down... EAT THEM!

Great snack to have when you have your mates coming over.

BURRITOS! YUM

Tip and Tricks #1

Hello everyone,

Today, I have a few tips and tricks for you guys. Your food will taste a lot better and easier for you to cook. You can use some of these tips and tricks to ensure that you get a good feed and for a good price too.

• Cook according to how you like it! - Simple as that! if you like your steak medium rare (best choice by the way) or well-done, then you should cook it that  way. Season it to the way you like it - more salt, or less salt?

• Timing isn't always everything because people may use variations of cooking - electrical/gas/oven etc. Use your other forms of senses to measure it.

• Price means absolutely nothing if you don't know how to cook and season it. You can get low quality low price ingredients which may taste the same or as good.

• Concentrate on a particular cooking method or style - for example baking cakes! Practicing will enhance your abilities and understanding of your cooking styles.

• Lastly, enjoy cooking! cook for your boyfriend, girlfriend, mum, dad, siblings, anyone. Honestly, cooking is not just a means of survival, it is a great stress relief and makes the world taste better

So guys, take some of these tips and tricks to become better cooks!

Easy to make Omelette

Tasty Omelette  

This omelette is a delicious breakfast that you can easily make :) You don't need to be a chef to make it which is why it's one of my favourites. 

Ingredients: 

- 4 Eggs

- Handful of shredded Tasty Cheese

- 2 Asparagus sticks 

- 3 Black olives 

- 1/2 Mushroom

- 3 slices of Ham 

- Capsicum 

- Pinch of Salt

- Pinch of White pepper

Method:

1.Chop up the capsicum, asparagus, mushrooms, ham and olives

2. Cook the asparagus and mushrooms for approximately 1 minute and take it off the pan

3. Crack the eggs into a bowl and whisk them with a fork until the eggs combine. Then add the tasty cheese

4. Gently pour the eggs into a non-stick fry pan 

5. Add the toppings into a line 

6. Add cheese, salt and pepper on top 

7. Fold the omelette in half to cover the toppings 

And enjoy your breakfast!

For a healthier alternative use egg whites only and ricotta cheese. 

- J 

ATTENTION STUDENTS: Here's the famous recipe for "The Ultimate Chicken Pie!"

This high-fibre chicken pie is a great rainy day recipe that's easy to make and serves up to 8 people. Just 35 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook, you'd be crazy not to try it!! 

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 3 (500g) chicken breast fillets, diced into 3cm pieces

• 5 middle bacon rashers, trimmed, thinly sliced

• 300g button mushrooms, sliced

• 1/2 cup plain flour

• 600ml thickened cream

• 1 cup fresh herbs, chopped (such as parsley, basil and chives)

• ½ pack of Chicken stock

• 1 bunch English spinach, trimmed, washed and chopped

• 6 sheets puff pastry, partially thawed

• 4 medium potatoes, unpeeled, boiled, thinly sliced

• 1 1/2 cups grated Colby cheese

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• 2 teaspoons milk

Method

Step 1
Preheat oven to 200C/180C fan-forced.

Step 2
Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken. Once cooked add in bacon and mushroom. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add flour. Cook, stirring, until a paste forms. Gradually stir in cream until a smooth sauce forms. Stir in herbs and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.

Step 3
Place spinach in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover. Microwave on HIGH (100%) for 3 to 4 minutes or until wilted. Drain.

Step 4
Greese the baking tray and cut pastry sheets to fit. Trim edges. Divide the potato evenly over pastry bases. Top with chicken mixture, spinach and cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Brush edge of pastry with combined egg and milk.

Step 5
Place 1 pastry square over 1 pie. Trim edge. Press edge together to secure. Using a small knife, make a small slit in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape during cooking. Place pies on hot baking trays in oven. Bake for 25 minutes or until pastry is golden and puffed. Stand for 5 minutes. 

Dig in and enjoy!

Quick reminder to make sure that the chicken is cooked before you add the bacon and mushroom. I may have almost given people salmonella when my friend found me cooking the chicken, bacon and mushroom all together to start. Luckily she caught me before it was too late and helped me take majority of the mushrooms and bacon out before they overcooked while the chicken was cooking. 

Moral of the story: ALWAYS COOK THE CHICKEN FIRST DESPITE WHAT YOU MAY READ!

:)

- J

Lazy Student Special: Cheese Triangles!

Here's a recipe for all you lazy students (you know who you are!) who want a "no fuss" meal, or a fun snack to have during study groups and the dreaded all nighters. 

The Ingredients:
(serves up to 4 people)
- 50g Feta Cheese
- 150g Ricotta Cheese
- 1 egg
- 2 sheets Puff Pastry

Utensils:

- Oven Tray (lined with baking paper)
- 2 Mixing Bowls
- Knife
- Pastry Brush (if you don't have one, you can use a clean kitchen towel or tissue)
- Fork
- Whisk
- Teaspoon

Method:

- Preheat oven to 180°C
- Place baking paper sheet on the oven tray and put aside
- Lightly beat 1 egg 
- In a separate mixing bowl mash the feta and ricotta cheese, then add the lightly beaten egg and mix
- Cut your puff pastry sheets into 9 squares (18 in total)
- Place 1 teaspoon of the mixture on the centre of each square
- Fold each square into a triangle shape, then press down the sides with a fork
- Brush the left over egg on the triangles for a nice glaze (optional)
- Cook for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown 

Enjoy!

- Z

Chicken Stir Fry with Hokkien Noodles ... Mmmm tastayyy.

Another meal that we suggest to make (for those of you who are planning on whipping up a delicious dinner) is the tasty Chicken Stir Fry with Hokkien Noodles. It's quick and easy to make and all you need to do is follow the steps below. 

The ingredients that you will need are:
- 1 kilo of Chicken thigh fillets 
- 2 x Capsicums 
- 4 x Carrots 
- 1 x onion 
- 8 x mushrooms
- 1 head chopped up brocolli
- 500g Hokkien noodles 
- vegetable oil
- piece of foil 
- Wok or deep pan
- 1/2 cup of Oyster sauce
- 1/2 cup of Soy sauce 

Steps:
1. Thinly chop the vegies up
2. Soak noodles in boiling water for 5 minutes 
3. Drain the noodles and leave them on the side 
4. Put a circle of oil in the wok
5. Start cooking the chicken up (a handful at a time) until they go white with a tinge of brown
6. Once the chickens cooked, cover it in a bowl with foil
7. Put the onions in
8. Add the carrots and once they are half soft, half hard..
9. Add in the capsicum and mushrooms
10. Stir fry for a few minutes
11. Add in the chicken and noodles
12. Add the brocolli
13. Add the oyster and soy cause in
14. Stir it all together for 2-3 minutes 



This dish may have taken me a while guys due to the lack of skills that I have in the kitchen. The preparation was a bit of a struggle. However.. for those of you who are handy in the kitchen and cook on a regular basis, you will find this dish quick and easy to make so bon appétit students!

- J

PANCAKES, PANCAKES... GET CHA PANCAKES.

HEY EVERYONE!!

Ok so our first student meal that we suggest to make is .... (drum roll)....PANCAKES! Everyone loves pancakes. It's simple, easy to make and most of all delicious.

The ingredients that you will need are:
- Pancake batter mix - $3.50
- Oil spray $3.70
- One packet of strawberries $2.60
- Ice-cream $ 2.47
- Maple syrup $ 2.39

Steps:
1. Add to water to the indicated level of the pancake mix packet
2. shake for your life, make sure the batter is smooth
3. Spray the pan with the oil spray to ensure the pancake does not stick to it
4. Pour as much as you like into the pan, depending on how big you want your pancake
5. Leave it there until bubbles start to appear throughout the whole pancake
6. Flip the pancake with a spatula
7. Cook the other side until golden
8. Your pancake is now complete.. Add your toppings and enjoy!

This meal is cheap and very filling! The pancake mix makes over 10 pancakes depending on the size :)

- S