Pan seared Oregano Butter Prawns

When I want something that cooks fast and taste good, one of my choice will be prawns/shrimps. Simple seasoning and you will get tasty prawns.

While waiting for the bread to finish baking, I took out some prawns and was thinking how to prepare it since the main course for the evening is Wagyu beef stew. Looking through the spice cabinet, I took out 5 ingredients -

1 tsp onion powder 

1 tsp garlic powder 

1 tsp oregano flakes

Salt & black pepper, to taste 

Method

1. Remove the shell and deveined the prawns. Leave the tail on. 

2. Mix the onion powder, garlic powder and oregano flakes together. 

3. Coat the prawns well in this spice mixture.

4. Heat pan with 1 tbsp of butter and olive oil. Once pan is well heated, place the prawns in the pan. Do not overcrowd them in the pan. Once the prawns change colour, grind some salt and black pepper onto the prawns. When the prawns turns orange on the side facing down to the pan, turn the prawns to the other side. Remember not overcook it.  

5. Dish up and serve. 

It still taste good when it's cold.

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes is always my love. Oh...I just love the creamiest of this mashed potatoes.

I have tried a few times before Mr W concluded this recipe will be the one I will make in future. But I am still thinking of altering it. *Lol. We shall see how it goes.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

5 large russet potatoes, peeled & cubed

80 ml sour cream

3 cloves of garlic, finely minced.

1 cube of chicken bullion 

100g cream cheese

100g butter

Salt & pepper, to taste

Oregano flakes, to taste

Method

1. In a large pot of boiling water, cook the potatoes, garlic and bouillon until potatoes are soft.

2. Sieve the potatoes and garlic, place them in a large bowl. Reserve the water. 

3. Mash the potatoes. Add in the sour cream and cream cheese; incorporate them into the mashed potatoes. Add the reserved water to it, if needed. 

4. Add the butter and mix well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. 

5. Sprinkle the oregano flakes before serving. 

Simple and easy. 

Note: 
1. This dish can be prepared a day ahead. Place the mashed potatoes *without adding butter into a slow cooker and allow it to slow cooked on low. Before serving, add in the butter and season it with salt & pepper. 
2. To achieve a smoother mashed potatoes, you can whisk it.  

Bacon Baked Beans

This side dish is so simple. Transforming the ordinary can of baked beans to a yummilicious one. 

Ingredients
1 can baked beans
¼ cup brown sugar

¼ of a yellow onion, chopped

1 tbsp ketchup

1½ tsp English mustard

½ tsp Worchestire sauce

½ tsp red wine vinegar

Salt & pepper to taste

2-3 slices of bacon

Method

1. Combine the above except bacon in a baking dish. Bake it at 150°C for 30 minutes. Remove from oven. 

2. Bake the bacon separately. For crispy bacon, please refer here for the recipe. Once baked, remove from the oven and cut the bacon to smaller pieces. 

3. Sprinkle the crispy bacon on top of the oven baked beans.

You will love the savoury beans with a light crunch of the bacon. 

Sautéed Brown/White Shrooms

Mushrooms...my favourite!

Be it shiitake mushrooms, white mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, abalone mushrooms, brown mushroom....you named it, I love them all.

Sautéed mushrooms are simply delicious. Add a little garlic or cheese or just salt and pepper to sauté. They taste wonderful and most importantly, they are nutritious. 

Today we will be cooking white/brown mushrooms. 

Ingredients
200g fresh white/brown mushrooms
1 tsp of butter
1 tsp of olive oil
1 slice of cheddar cheese
Kosher salt, to taste

Coarsely ground black pepper, to taste

Method
1. Slice the fresh mushrooms. Note: Do not slice too thinly as the mushroom will shrink in size.
2. Heat pan and add the butter and olive oil. Once the butter is melted, add in the sliced mushroom.
3. Over medium heat, toss the mushrooms till golden brown and caramelized.
4. Season it with salt and pepper to taste. 
5. Remove from heat, tear the slice of cheddar cheese in to slips and stir it into the mushrooms. 
6. Once the cheddar is melted, dish up and serve.

Well this is how I prepared my mushrooms. Sometimes I add finely minced garlic. Do note that if you are using finely chopped garlic, give it a few quick toss (make sure you don't burn the garlic) and add in the mushrooms. Omit the cheddar if garlic is added. But it's up to you. Cheers!