Cartofi acordeon “Hasselback” / Hasselback Potatoes

Ingrediente / Ingredients

• 5 cartofi de marime medie / 5 medium sized potatoes
• 1 ½  lingura pesmet  / 1 ½  tbsp breadcrumbs
• 2-3 linguri unt / 2-3 tbsp butter 
• sare de mare dupa gust / sea salt to taste
  

Mod de preparare / Method of preparation

1.Se incalzeste cuptorul.

Preheat the oven.
2. Se curata si se spala cartofii.

Peel and wash the potatoes.
3. Se feliaza cartofii la distante de 5 mm dar nu se taie pana jos. Se pune deasupra fiecarui cartof cate o bucatica de unt si se coc in cuptor timp de 25 de minute.

Slice into the potatoes about 5 mm apart but not all the way through. Top each potato with a small knob of butter and bake them in the oven for about 25 minutes.
4. Se scot din cuptor si se presara fiecare cartof cu pesmet si sare de mare. Din nou deasupra fiecarui cartof se pune cate o bucatica de unt.

Remove from the oven, and sprinkle each potato with breadcrumbs and sea salt. Again top each potato with a small knob of butter.

5. Se coc inca 35-40 de minute (in functie de marimea cartofilor) sau pana cand sunt aurii pe exterior si moi in interior.

Bake for another 35-40 minutes (depending on the size of the potatoes) or until golden on the outside and soft on the inside. 

Salata orientala de cartofi / Oriental potatoe salad

Ingrediente / Ingredients

• 1 ½ kg cartofi de marime mijlocie / 1 ½ kg medium size potatoes
• 7 oua fierte, tari/ 7 hard boiled eggs
• 2 cepe  de marime medie  + 2 lingurite sare / 2 medium size onions + 2 teaspoons salt
• 450 - 500 gr maioneza cu smantana (ca aici)  / 450 – 500 gr mayonnaise with sour cream (as here)
• sare dupa gust / salt to taste
• piper dupa gust (optional) / black pepper to taste (optional)

Method of preparation / Mod de preparare

1. Se spala cartofii si se pun la fiert in coaja la foc mediu aproximativ 30 de minute sau pana cand sunt fierti si facuti /Boil the washed and unpeeled potatoes over medium heat for 30 minutes or until are boiled and done.

 

2. Dupa 30 de minute cartofii se verifica cu o furculita iar cand acea furculita intra cu usurinta inseamna ca au fiert / After 30 minutes check the potatoes with a fork and when the fork enter easily in the potatoes means that are boiled.

3. In acest timp se pun ouale la fiert la foc mediu in jur de 10-15 minute dupa care se pun in apa rece pentru a se decoji usor / During this time put the eggs to boil over medium heat around 10 – 15 minutes, then put them in cold water so you  can peel them easily.

4. Ceapa o taiem juliene si o asezam pe o farfurie peste care se presara 2 lingurite de sare si se lasa sa stea 15 – 20 de minute / Cut the onion juliene, place it on a plate and sprinkle over it 2 teaspoons of salt then let it stay  15 – 20 minutes.

5. Cartofii raciti si ouale racite se taie in felii de grosime medie / Cut the cooled potatoes and cooled eggs into average  thickness.

6. Dupa 20 de minute ceapa taiat julienne se stoarce bine de zeama / After 20 minutes squeeze over the julien onion juice.

7. Intr-un vas mai mare se adauga cartofii feliati, ouale feliate si ceapa stroarsa / In a bigger bowl add the sliced potatoes, sliced eggs and squeezed onion.

8. La final se incorporeaza maioneza cu smantana  amestecand usor pentru a nu strica forma cartofilor si a oualor, sare si piper dupa gust / At the end incorporate the mayonnaise with sour cream, mixing slowly not to break the shape of the potatoes and eggs, salt and papper to taste.

Cartofi condimentati (iuti foc) / Fiery Spiced Potatoes

Ingrediente / Ingredients

• 12-14 cartofi noi, decojiti si injumatatiti / 12-14 baby new potatoes, peeled and halved
• ½ lingurita sare / ½ tsp salt
• 1 lingura ulei / 1 tbsp oil
• ½ lingurita ardei iuti rosii uscati si zdrobiti / ½ tsp crushed dried red chillies
• ½ lingurita seminte chimion / ½ tsp cumin seeds
• ½ lingurita seminte fenicul / ½ tsp fennel seeds
• ½ lingurita seminte coriandru zdrobite / ½ tsp crushed coriander seeds
• 1 ceapa marime medie, feliata / 1 medium onion, sliced
• 3-4 ardei iuti rosii proapeti, tocati / 3-4 fresh red chillies, chopped
• 1 lingura coriandru proaspat tocat / 1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)

 Mod de preparare / Method of preparation

1. Se fierb cartofii intr-o cratita cu apa sarata pana cand sunt fierti dar totusi fermi. Se iau pe foc si se scurg de apa.

Boil the potatoes in a pan of salted water until just cooked but still firm. Remove from the heat and drain off the water.

2. Intr-o karahi, wok sau tigaie adanca, se incinge rapid uleiul la foc mare, dupa care se da focul la mediu. Se adauga ardeii zdrobiti, semintele de chimion, fenicul, coriandru, putina sare si se prajeste (stir-fry) rapid in jur de 30-40 secunde.

In a karahi, wok or deep pan, heat the oil quickly over a high heat, then turn down the heat to medium. Add the crushed chillies, cumin, fennel and coriander seeds and a little salt and quickly stir-fry for about  30-40 seconds.

3. Se adauga ceapa si se prajeste usurel pana este auriu maro. Dupa, se adauga cartofii noi, ardeii rosii proaspeti si coriandrul proaspat.

Add the onion and fry gently until golden brown. Then add the new potatoes, fresh red chillies and fresh coriander.

4. Se acopera si se prajeste inca 5-7 minute la foc foarte mic. Se servesc calzi.

Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes over a very low heat. Serve hot.

Piure de cartofi si varza / Cabbage mashed potatoes

Ingrediente / Ingredients

• 500 g varza tocata fin / 500 g finely shredded cabbage
• 1 lingura unt / 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 ceapa mica tocata fin / 1 small finely chopped onion
• 700 g cartofi taiati cubulete / 700 g cubed potatoes
• 60 ml lapte / 60 ml milk
• sare dupa gust / salt to taste
• piper dupa gust / pepper to taste

Mod de preparare / Method of preparation

1. Intr-o cratita mare se incalzeste  varza in suficienta apa cat sa o acopere, pana apa incepe sa fiarba. Se acopera si se reduce focul la mediu. Se fierbe pana cand varza este moale. Se scurge apa si se acopera pentru a pastra varza calda.

In large pan heat cabbage and enough water to cover the cabbage until water boils. Cover, reduce heat to medium. Cook until cabbage is soft. Drain the water and cover the cabbage to keep warm.

 

2. Intr-o alta cratita se fierb cartofii cu o lingurita de sare pana cand sunt moi. Se scurg de apa si se zdrobesc.

In another pan boil the potatoes with 1 teaspoon of salt, until they are soft. Drain the water and mash them.

3. Intr-o cratita se topeste untul. Se adauga ceapa si se prajeste amestecand frecvent pana cand ceapa este moale si usor aurie.

In a saucepan melt butter. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft and lightly golden. 

 

4. Se adauga cartofii zdrobiti, varza fiarta, laptele si se amesteca pana cand totul este bine incorporat.

Stir in the mashed potatoes, cooked cabbage, milk and mix until everything is well combined.  

 

5. Se condimenteaza cu sare si piper si se servesc calzi.

Season with salt and pepper and serve them hot.

Franzela picanta din carne / Spicy meat loaf

Ingredients / Ingrediente

• 5 oua / 5 eggs
• 500 g carne de vita tocata sau amestec vita cu porc / 500 g minced beef or beef mixted with pork
• 30 g radacina proaspat rasa de ghimbir / 30 g grated fresh root ginger
• 30 g usturoi zdrobit / 30 g crushed garlic
• 6 ardei iuti verzi, tocati / 6 fresh green chillies, chopped
• 2 cepe mici, tocate marunt / 2 small onions, finely chopped
• ½ lingurita curcuma macinata / ½ tsp ground turmeric
• 50 g coriandru proaspat, tocat / 50 g fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
• 175 g cartofi, rasi / 175 g potatoes, grated
• sare dupa gust / salt, to taste

Mod de preparare / Method of preparation

1. Se preincalzeste cuprorul. Se bat 2 oua pana sunt pufoase si se toarna intr-o forma unsa pentru franzela.

Preheat the oven. Beat 2 eggs until fluffy and pour into the greased loaf pan.

2. Se amesteca carnea, ghimbirul si usturoiul, 4 ardei iuti verzi, o ceapa tocata, un ou batut, curcuma, coriandru proaspat, cartofii si sarea.

Mix together the meat, ginger and garlic, 4 green chillies, 1 chopped onion, 1 beaten egg, the turmeric, fresh coriander, potatoes and salt.

3. Se umple forma de franzela si se niveleaza suprafata.

Pack into the loaf pan and smooth the surface.

4. Se coace in cuptorul preincalzit pentru 45 de minute.

Cook in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.

5. Intre timp se bat ouale ramase si se amesteca cu ardeii verzi iuti ramasi si ceapa ramasa. Forma de franzela se scoate din cuptor si se toarna amestecul peste toata carnea.

Meanwhile beat the remaining eggs and fold in with the remaining green chillies and onion. Remove the loaf pan from the oven and pour the mixture all over the meat.

6. Se baga din nou in cuptor si se coace pana cand ouale se aseaza.

Return to the oven and cook until the eggs have set.

7. Se serveste calda.

Serve hot.