Cheese Burgers is one of those great snacks that everyone loves. Though I am not too sure that we like what it does to our waist line!!

I make cheese burgers for my family about three times a month in summer and about once a month the rest of the year.

They go really well with some chips or onion rings and take very little time to prepare. In fact I don’t think it has ever taken me more than an hour and that includes adding the salad to the buns.

I prefer to have Cheese Burgers with Pork Mince just because it is a drier meat and as a result it is easier for making the burgers and they never fall apart and taste so amazing when they are cooked.

So let’s get cooking and here is my Pork Cheese Burger Recipe.

Ingredients:

500g Pork Mince

4 Burger Buns

Salad (to go in your burger if required)

½ Egg

1 Small Onion

Handful Breadcrumbs

Handful Chopped Basil

Pinch Mixed Herbs

Teaspoon Tomato Paste

Pinch Chives

4 Slices Cheddar

Method

First of all you need to mix your meat in a mixing bowl until it is nice and soft and easy to mix up. Then you need to dice your onion and add it to your mixture along with a handful of breadcrumbs.

You then add your fresh basil, mixed herbs and chives. Then add the tomato paste. Along with salt and pepper, once you have done this mixed together in your hands and form the mixture into 4 large burgers.

Then place the burgers on a baking tray and grill for 12 minutes for until cooked through.

Once they are done cook for a further minute under the grill with a slice of cheddar on top.

When you are done add them to the burger buns and add some salad if you wish. I love my burgers with a little lettuce, a slice of tomato, some red onions and a small spoonful of mayonnaise.

But we all have a different opinion of what works for us and how we like our garnish.

Enjoy your cheeseburgers I know I will be tonight!!

As a family we can not resist regular trips to McDonalds especially for one of the burgers as they taste so nice when you want your quick fix of naughty food. Not to mention the fact that the children absolutely love it and my son gets very excited for a nice yummy burger.

When we lived in England before relocating to the Algarve in Portugal we used to have a McDonalds once a month. But since moving to Portugal there isn’t a McDonalds as close by and we have adapted a much more healthier attitude so we have decided to challenge ourselves to some lovely homemade burgers that we can enjoy as a family.

Homemade Cheese Burgers

Plus I decided to experiment with cost as we are all looking for a fantastic Saturday night meal on a budget. So lets crack on and let me guide you through the ultimate night in with your family.

Ingredients

1 Pack of Minced Beef

1/2 Slice of breadcrumbs

1 Medium Onion

Handful of Fresh Basil

1 Teaspoon of Pepper

2 Teaspoons of Plain Flour

1 Small Egg

Other Herbs to Taste

Method:

1. First of all in a medium mixing bowl, add the mince beef and cut it into pieces so that it is easy to mix together. Then on your chopping board chop up your onion and add it to the bowl. Now also chop up your fresh basil and add this along with your mixed herbs and breadcrumbs.

2. In a small bowl add your egg and mix it until smooth and on a space in your worktop add your plain flour so that you can use it for binding.

3. Now go back to your bowl, add any herbs that you prefer (I always use my jar of mixed herbs) and combine it into the size of burgers. Once you combine it place a coating of egg around it and roll it in the plain flour. Then stick each one on a large oven tray and once they are all completed place them in the fridge for four hours. The idea behind this is that they will then be well formed and they are less likely to break when you are cooking them later. I find that it is easiest if you make them first thing in the morning and then you know they are done and it always helps to be a little organised.

Half an hour before you want to eat

Now is the time to head back into the kitchen to make your dinner, I recommend that you do so with your children as it so important for them to learn how to cook and they have a lovely time helping you. First of all you want to get your burgers into the oven to cook. I always make mine in the oven though you can always use the grill. Put the oven on a medium heat and cook your burgers for 25-35 minutes or until they are cooked through.

Homemade Cheeseburgers With A Beautiful Homemade Sauce

In the meantime make yourself some homemade chips, you can spice them up with some Paprika on top if that is your fancy. Or like me with some melted cheese on top.

After you have prepared your chips and they are cooking you can prepare your burger buns, add some nice lettuce, tomatoes, onions and mayonnaise to your buns.

You can also make yourself a side sauce from scratch that will taste just as nice as a McDonalds one. I prefer to do a Spanish Aloli which is mayonnaise with garlic and lime and tastes fantastic.

Then once your burgers are cooked stick them in the buns with a slice of cheese and serve all your food together at the table. If you are looking for a healthier version say if you are on a diet what you would do is:

- Have oven chips instead of fried ones

- Make a diet mayonnaise

I hope you enjoy your burgers and enjoy the saving you have made. It has cost me five euros to make for a family of three. For the same portions and nice food it would have cost me 30 Euros including petrol at my local McDonalds so I am extremely happy with the savings I have made.

Thanks for reading my blog post and in the meantime if you would like to read more of my fantastic healthy eating cooking tips and food recipes you can subscribe to my RSS feed or join my free online Ezine.

To your food heaven

Dominic

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What could be a better way of enjoying cooking than inviting your children into your cooking workspace. As well as being a fun activity it will also mean that your children will feel comfortable in the kitchen which will leave them well equipped for looking after themselves when they leave home in years to come.

Unfortunately it is often the case that if children venture into their cooking parents workspace they end up getting shouted at and told to leave things alone. Imagine the difference if they are actually welcomed into the cooking workspace and actively encouraged to get involved.

I find that a great way to invite your children into your cooking workspace is to buy them their own apron to wear whilst they are getting involved in the cooking. If you have a little boy who doesn’t want to wear an apron you could buy them one with a cartoon character printed on the front or perhaps their favourite football team, you will find that an apron like this usually does the trick.

You should then start to think of a simple recipe that your children can get started on so that there cooking experience is not just watching you. By letting them take an active part you will find that it gives them a great deal of confidence but they must also be made aware of the dangers within the cooking workspace such as hot pans and sharp knives.

The great thing is, as they are getting actively involved they will not feel the need to touch things that they shouldn’t and they will also act with responsibility when faced with situations that they are not used to.

To start your children off in their cooking adventures you could look at recipes for biscuits which are easy to prepare but also involve the oven which will again go to demonstrate the need to respect the appliances within the kitchen.

The biscuits could the be decorated with sweets for example, and then it is important that the whole family sit down and eat the end product and congratulate the children on how well they have done, and how proud you are of them. You can see how much better this is for the family rather than telling the children to stay out of the cooking workspace and not to touch anything.

For a fantastic selection of free food recipes please visit my website:

http://www.dsmfoodlimited.com

Thanks for reading my blog post and in the meantime if you would like to read more of my fantastic cooking tips and food recipes you can subscribe to my RSS feed or join my free online Ezine.

To your food heaven

Dominic

If there is one traditional tart that I have loved year after year it will have to be the traditional bakewell tart and this is my personal take on the recipe that I used to make many times as a kid in my Grandma’s kitchen.

If you want to create new memories for your kids or grandkids then this is your chance…

Ingredients:

6oz shortcrust pastry
2 tbsp raspberry jam
2oz margarine
2oz caster sugar
1 egg
1oz self-raising flour
2oz ground almonds
1 tbsp milk
Few drops of almond essence
flaked almonds to sprinkle on top

Method:

1. Pre heat the oven to 375°F

2. Roll out the pastry. Line a 20cm (8in) pie dish. Trim the edges and reserve some pastry. Bake blind at: 375°F for 15 – 20 mins. Spread the jam over the base of the pastry. Cream together the margarine and sugar then Beat in the egg, fold in the flour, ground almonds, milk and essence.

3. Sprinkle the flaked almonds on top before you put it in the oven.

4. Cook in a cool oven 325°F until firm to touch and golden brown on the top.

Thanks for reading my blog post and in the meantime if you would like to read more of my fantastic cooking tips and food recipes you can subscribe to my RSS feed or join my free online Ezine.

To your food heaven

Dominic

I personally love eating chicken nuggets and having a child means I have the chance to eat them even more. I prefer not to buy them pre-made though because the salt levels are sky high and they do not offer anything for a growing child.

However whenever you make your own they taste simply amazing and melt in your mouth as you take a bite. Though I should warn you now once you have sampled home made chicken nuggets you will never want to go back to the McDonalds chicken nuggets range again!!!

I love chicken nuggets from McDonalds but these homemade beauties below are in a different league and is so much fun to make them with the kids and watch their faces light up when they see what they have personally made with you!

So here is my golden chicken nuggets recipe:

Ingredients:

4 whole chicken breasts, skinned & boned
1/2 c. unseasoned fine bread crumbs
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. thyme (or 1/4 tsp. powdered thyme)
1 tsp. basil
1/2 c. butter, melted

Method:

1. Cut the chicken into bite-size pieces. Mix the dry ingredients.

2. Dip the chicken into the butter, then into the crumb mixture.

3. Bake on foil-lined cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 10 minutes. Serves 8 to 10.

I hope you enjoy making them as much as I did!

Thanks for reading my blog post and in the meantime if you would like to read more of my fantastic cooking tips and food recipes you can subscribe to my RSS feed or join my free online Ezine.

To your food heaven

Dominic

If you are ever fancying a naughty treat that is all dairy free you will love these cranberry cherry freeze pops. They are very easy to make yet good for you at the same time.

Ingredients:

 3 oz Soft Tofu

3 oz Soy Cream Cheese

1/3 Cup Light Corn Syrup

1 Can (16oz) Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce

1 Jar (10oz) Maraschino Cherries, Drained, Cut In Half

1 Can (8oz) Crushed Pineapple, Well Drained

Zest Of One Orange

Juice Of ½ Fresh Orange

8 oz Non-Dairy Whipped Topping

15 (5oz) Dixie Cups

15 Popsicle Sticks

Method:

1. Place tofu in strainer, drain excess liquid.In a large mixing bowl, add cream cheese and tofu. Using an electric mixer, cream together. Add corn syrup and cranberry sauce, mix until combined. Stir in cherries, pineapple, zest, and orange juice. Add whipped topping, fold in until combined. Place 15 (5oz) dixie cups on 9 x 13 inch pan. Spoon mixture evenly cups until ¾ of the way full.

 2. Place plastic wrap tightly over cups. Make small slits in plastic over middle of cups to snuggly fit in popsicle sticks. Freeze for at least 6 hours before serving. Before serving let sit at room temperature for several minutes, remove plastic wrap, gently twist out of cups to serve. Serve immediately.

Thanks for reading my blog post and in the meantime if you would like to read more of my fantastic cooking tips and food recipes you can subscribe to my RSS feed or join my free online Ezine.

To your food heaven

Dominic

]]> http://simplyfoodndrink.com/silky-cranberry-cherry-freeze-pops/feed/ 0 http://simplyfoodndrink.com/easy-baking-with-the-kids-during-the-february-break/ http://simplyfoodndrink.com/easy-baking-with-the-kids-during-the-february-break/#comments Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:51:24 +0000 Dominic http://simplyfoodndrink.com/?p=417

It is now that time of year again and the kids are breaking up for what will be february half term. My son will be off school with his carnival festival and will dress up as a superhero and have lots of fun with his fellow friends.

One thing that should be on every parents agenda during half term is to find some lovely things to do with your kids that don’t cost the earth but are still great fun.

One of my personal favourites is baking and I love cooking up a storm in the kitchen with my eight year old son. However we all hate the mess of the cooker so I have put together a great alternative.

It is my half term mints and they don’t even involve any actual cooking so it is perfect for your little ones. So get reading and plan your time with the kids when you can make these lovely mints.

Ingredients:

 1/3 c Soft butter

1/3 c Light corn syrup

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Flavouring

3 1/2 c (1 lb ) sifted confectioner’s sugar

Large bowl

Wooden spoon

Paper plates

Pencils

Method:

This is a no-cook recipe the children can mix with their hands. Flavour it with any of the liquid flavourings in the supermarket, such as strawberry and lemon. If you want, you can instead divide it into three portions and add a few drops of food colouring to tint it yellow, red, and green.

Then knead a small amount of flavouring into each one. This recipe makes about 1 1/2 lbs of candy. Help the children measure all the ingredients into the large bowl. They can take turns stirring it with the wooden spoon until it becomes too stiff. Then they can knead it with their hands.

They should continue kneading until the dough is smooth. Give each child a paper plate and a pencil. Tell them to turn their plates OVER and write their names on the Bottom to prevent pencil lead from getting on their mints. Help them hold their pencils correctly.

Make sure they use upper and lower case letters. Give each child a portion of dough on his or her plate. The children can pinch off pieces, roll them into balls, and press them lightly with a fork

to make a fancy butter mint. Children who cannot roll the candy into balls can make snakes, cut the snakes into pieces, and press the pieces with a fork.

They might eat the pieces with the fork, but that’s ok too. Leave the mints on the plates and refrigerate them for 30 minutes, until they become firm. Easter Mints taste even better the second day, if you can keep everyone from eating them all on the first day. Cover with plastic wrap and keep them in the refrigerator.

Thanks for reading my blog post and in the meantime if you would like to read more of my fantastic cooking tips and food recipes you can subscribe to my RSS feed or join my free online Ezine.

To your food heaven

Dominic

If you are anything like me you will love something sweet to eat during the hot summer months. Whether it is something warm or cold we have to have our treats especially when it involves making them with our kids. Think of all the times when you were little and you did the baking with your mum or grandma it is such a lovely memory isn’t it?

So carrying on with my summer baking theme here is a lovely recipe for baked jam roly poly.

Ingredients:

8 oz self raising flour
4 oz shredded suet
1 tsp salt
Water
Jam

Method

In a medium bowl rub in the suet and flour until you have a mixture similar to coarse breadcrumbs. Gradually add water, a little bit at a time until you have a rather stiff dough. Then let the suet pastry rest for approximately 15 minutes.

Now roll the pastry into a rectangle and spread the jam leaving a small gap around the edges. Wet the edges with water and roll until it forms a fat sausage shape. Bake in the oven for 40 minutes on a gas mark 4.

Once it has cooled you can enjoy your baked jam roly poly with family or be naughty and save it all for yourself!

Thanks for reading my blog post and in the meantime if you would like to read more of my fantastic cooking tips and food recipes you can subscribe to my RSS feed or join my free online Ezine.

To your food heaven

Dominic

We all love chocolate chip cookies and I must admit I am no different. Whether it was the easy chocolate chip cookies that I ate as a child or the ones I have enjoyed making with my son they are incredibly naughty but extremely nice.

Here is my recipe for easy chocolate chip cookies that I hope you will love as much as I do:

Ingredients:

125g Butter
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Teaspoon Vanilla Essence
125g Chocolate Chips
1 Medium Egg
1 3/4 Cups Self Raising Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Salt

Method:

In a bowl cream the butter with a wooden spoon, then mix in the white and brown sugar. Once it is mixed together add the vanilla essence until it has dissolved. Mix in the medium egg stirring constantly into it the mixture is soft.

Now mix in the sifted self raising flour and the salt along with the chocolate chips. Now roll the mixture into medium sized balls and spread out evenly on a greased baking tray. Cook in the oven at 180c for 10-12 minutes then leave to cool.

Once they have cooled enjoy your lovely easy chocolate chip cookies warm or cold.

Thanks for reading my blog post and in the meantime if you would like to read more of my fantastic cooking tips and food recipes you can subscribe to my RSS feed or join my free online Ezine.

To your food heaven

Dominic

This is a lovely quick pudding that takes less than five minutes to make and is perfect for eating after a family meal. Both kids and adults will love my five minute chocolate mug cake.

Ingredients:
1 coffee mug
4 tablespoons of plain flour
4 tablespoons of sugar
4 tablespoons of baking cocoa
1 medium egg
1 tablespoon of milk
3 tablespoons of oil
3 tablespoons of chocolate chips

Method:
Add the dry ingredients into the mug and mix them together well. Add the egg and mix it in thoroughly then pour in the milk and oil making sure that you continue to mix it well.

Add the chocolate chips and mix it again. Now you need to place the mug in the microwave for three minutes on 1000 watts. You can now serve it and I promise you the kids will love you forever and the parents will love it just as much.

Thanks for reading my blog post and in the meantime if you would like to read more of my fantastic cooking tips and food recipes you can subscribe to my RSS feed or join my free online Ezine.

To your food heaven

Dominic