There’s no greater feeling than starting the new year on a great note. Why not begin it on a delicious note with these recipes from Chef Nono?
Meat, beans, and cheese nachos
Recipe
Mince meat
Red speckled or kidney beans
Cheddar cheese
Method:
To start, cook minced meat, and when you’re done, drain any excess grease.
Next, add the beans, seasoning and then stir together until combined.
Add the cheese.
Finally, bake the dish at 180° for 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through and all the cheese is melted.
To serve, spoon the mixture over a plate of nachos.
Serving these beef and bean nachos is super simple.
Just spoon a heaping portion on top of your favourite nacho chips.
For added flavour, you can top the nachos with sour cream, jalapenos, more cheese, salsa or guacamole.
Crispy vegetarian fried balls
Ingredients
300g can @imbo_beans red speckled beans
2 cups mashed potato
80g (2/3 cup) pre-grated pizza cheese
1 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg, whisked
Cooking oil, to deep-fry
Chutney sauce, to serve (you can use any)
Method
Place the boiled potato boiled beans in a bowl and mash with a masher.
Add the 1/2 cup breadcrumbs to the bowl. Season well with salt. Roll 2 tablespoonsful of the mixture into a ball and transfer to the tray. Repeat.
Place the whisked egg in a bowl. Place the remaining breadcrumbs on a plate. Dip a potato ball into the egg, allowing the excess to run off. Roll in breadcrumbs, pressing well to coat, then return to tray. Repeat with the remaining potato balls.
Pour oil into a deep frying pan/pot. Place over high heat. Add the balls. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until golden. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a plate lined with paper towel. Repeat with the remaining balls.
Arrange bean balls on a serving dish and enjoy with the sauce.
One pot chicken and rice
Ingredients
Chicken pieces
3 tbsp cajun spice / chicken spice, 4 tbsp cooking oil
1 onion, diced
1 sprig fresh thyme (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups uncooked basmati rice
2 cups @imbo_beans red speckled beans, boiled and drained
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 cups chicken stock (or water)
2 cups mixed veges
Method
Preheat the oven to 180℃.
Rub chicken with a generous amount of spice.
Boil beans until soft and drain water.
Add about 2 tablespoons oil to a pan (oven-safe pan). Then add chicken and brown for about 3 minutes on each side; be very careful with the chicken, it shouldn’t burn. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Add another 2 tablespoons oil in the same pan, followed by onions, thyme and garlic and sauté until soft, 2-3 minutes. Then add rice, mixed veges and beans.
And all the remaining ingredients; chicken stock/water, cajun spice, salt and pepper. Add chicken and bring to a boil.
Place in the oven and cook, uncovered, for 30- 35 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked.
Remove, let it cool, and serve!
Bean ‘pot’ pie
Ingredients
2 cups @imbo_beans red speckled beans
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp curry powder
1 tbsp cajun spice
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 big potato, quartered
2 tomatoes, chopped
puff pastry dough (homemade/ store bought)
Method
Boil beans until soft, drain some water and set aside. On the side, fry the onions until soft add the garlic and the curry powder.
Once the garlic is soft add the potato and tomato. Add beans and spice and cook until cooked through.
Shortcrust base: Make and blind bake using a pie pastry in a pie dish.
Preheat oven to 200°C
Fill pie: Bring bean curry to room temp. Fill pie dish with bean curry.
Puff pastry lid: Close the pie dish with puff pastry sheet. Trim excess with scissors, press to with fork to close the edges.
Egg wash: Brush top with whisked egg, then make an incision in middle to allow steam to escape.
Bake: Bake 45 – 50 minutes until top is super golden. Rest 5 minutes and serve!
What’s your favourite recipe from Chef Nono?
Connect with chef Nono on:
Facebook: Facebook.com
Instagram: Instagram
Be sure to get her cookbook. You can order it from her social media account.
Source and images: Instagram
