Quick baked eggplant

For 3-4 servings:

3 large eggplants
1 head of garlic, finely chopped
1 can diced tomatoes (or 1/2 kg tomatoes, finely chopped)
2-3 tsp. oregano (dried or fresh)
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste

Wash the eggplants and slice them lengthwise, about 1 cm thick. Grill each slice about 2-3 minutes per side.

Grease an oven tray with a little olive oil and place a layer of eggplant, add on top some garlic, oregano, salt, pepper and tomatoes. Repeat the process until you get 3-4 layers.

Bake in the oven, on medium heat, about 1/2 hour.

Variation: the eggplants can be used without being  grilled, but you have to bake them longer in the oven.

Pentru 3-4 persoane:

3 vinete mari
1 capatana de usturoi, taiat fin
o conserva de rosii in sos (sau 1/2 kg de rosii, taiate marunt)
2-3 lingurite oregano (uscat sau proaspat)
2 linguri ulei de masline
sare si piper, dupa gust 

Vinetele se spala si se taie felii pe lung, cca 1 cm grosime. Se frig pe gratar aproximativ 2-3 minute pe fiecare parte.

Se unge o tava de cuptor cu putin ulei de masline si se aseaza un strat de vinete presarate cu usturoi, oregano, sare, piper, rosii. Se obtin cam 3-4 straturi in fuctie de dimensiunea tavii.

Se dau la cuptor, la foc potrivit, cca 1/2 ora.

Variatie: vinetele se pot pune in tava fara a mai fi coapte pe gratar dar vor trebui tinute mai mult timp in cuptor.

Cauliflower in tomato sauce

For 3-4 servings:

1 cauliflower
1 onion, finely chopped
1/2 kg tomatoes,  chopped or 1 can of chopped tomatoes or 2-3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon oil
parsley, finely chopped
salt and pepper, to taste

Wash the cauliflower and cut it into florets.

Heat the oil in a large pan and add the onion. Fry for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the cauliflower florets and a cup of water. Cover and simmer, on medium heat, for about 7-10 minutes.

Add the tomatoes (or the canned tomatoes or the tomato paste dissolved in a cup of water). Continue cooking on medium heat until cauliflower is done. Stir occasionally, taking care not to crush the cauliflower.

Finally add salt and pepper and garnish with parsley.

Variation: Together with the cauliflower you can add 3-4 potatoes, cut into pieces

Mancare de conopida

Pentru 3-4 portii:

1 conopida
1 ceapa, taiata fin
1/2 kg de rosii, taiate marunt sau 1 conserva de rosii taiate sau 2-3 linguri bulion de rosii
1 lingura ulei
patrunjel, taiat fin
sare si piper, dupa gust

Conopida se spala si se taie in buchetele.

Se incinge uleiul intr-o cratita si se adauga ceapa. Se celeste 3-4 minute, amestecand din cand in cand.

Se adauga buchetelele de conopida si o cana cu apa. Se lasa la fiert la foc mediu, timp de 7-10 minute.

Se adauga rosiile (sau conserva de rosii sau bulionul de rosii dizolvat intr-o cana cu apa). Se continua fierberea ,la foc mediu, pana cand conopida este patrunsa. Se amesteca din cand in cand, cu grija, sa nu zdrobim bucatile de conopida.

La final se potriveste de sare si piper si se orneaza cu patrunjel.

Variatie: O data cu conopida se pot adauga si 3-4 cartofi, taiati bucatele.

Celeriac & olives in tomato sauce

For 2-3 servings:

1 celeriac
1 onion, finely chopped
3 tablespoons tomato puree
150 g black olives
1 tablespoon oil
salt and pepper, to taste

Peel, wash and cut the celeriac in medium size pieces.

Stir fry the   onion in oil for about  1-2 minutes.  Add  the celeriac and cover with water.

When the celeriac is almost cooked add the olives, tomato puree, salt and pepper to taste. Continue cooking until the celery is done.

Mancare de telina cu masline

Pentru 2-3 porții:

1 rădăcină de țelină
1 ceapă
150 g masline negre
3 linguri bulion de roșii
1 lingură ulei
sare si  piper, dupa gust

Ceapa tăiată fin se călește, 1-2 minute, în ulei. Se adaugă țelina tăiată în bucățele potrivite și se acoperă cu apă.

Când țelina este aproape fiartă se adaugă maslinele, bulionul de roșii, sarea și piperul după gust.

Se continuă fierberea până când țelina este pătrunsă.

Spaghetti alla puttanesca

For 4 servings:

500 g spaghetti

750 ml tomato passata or 750 g ripe tomatoes, finely chopped
5-6  garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon capers
100 g black olives
2 teaspoons oregano
fresh chili, finely sliced ​​(or chili flakes), to taste
2-3 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste

Cook the spaghetti according to package directions. Drain.

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and add the garlic. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Add the tomato passata (or the chopped tomatoes), cover  and simmer  until the sauce reduces slightly. Stir occasionally.

Add the capers, olives, chili and oregano. Stir and continue cooking another 5-6 minutes.

Finally add  the salt, pepper,  spaghetti and mix.

Garnish with parsley.

Spaghetti alla puttanesca

Pentru 4 portii:

500 g spaghete

750 ml suc de rosii sau 750 g rosii foarte coapte,taiate marunt
5-6 catei de usturoi, taiati marunt
1 lingura capere
100 g masline negre
2 lingurite oregano
ardei iute, taiat rondele fine (sau fulgi de ardei iute), dupa gust
2-3 linguri patrunjel, taiat fin
1 lingura ulei de masline
sare si piper, dupa gust

Spaghetele se fierb conform indicatiilor de pe pachet. Se scurg de apa.

Intr-o cratita se incinge uleiul de masline si se adauga usturoiul. Se caleste timp de 2-3 minute, amestecand continuu. Se adauga sucul de rosii  (sau rosiile taiate marunt), se acopera cu un capac si se lasa la fiert pana cand sosul scade putin.  Amestecam din cand in cand.

Se adauga caperele, maslinele, ardeiul iute si oregano. Se amesteca si se continua fierberea inca 5-6 minute.

La final se potriveste de sare si piper, se adauga spaghetele fierte si se amesteca .

Se orneaza cu patrunjel.

Spaghetti alla puttanesca

Pasta alla Norma

For 4 servings:

500 g pasta (penne, rigatoni, spaghetti, etc.)

2-3 eggplants, sliced ​​approx.. 0.5 cm
750 ml tomato passata (or 1/2 kg ripe tomatoes, finely chopped)
1 head of garlic, finely cut
2 tablespoons olive oil
fresh basil, finely chopped (to taste)
salt and pepper, to taste

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain.

Grill the eggplant slices on the pre-heated grill, 2-3 minutes on each side.

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan and add the garlic. Stir fry for about 2-3 minutes. Add the tomato passata (or the chopped tomatoes), cover and simmer until the sauce has reduced slightly. Stir occasionally.

Add the eggplant slices, salt and pepper and cook for few minutes.

Put the pasta on a plate and add the sauce on top. Garnish with fresh basil.

Pasta alla Norma

Pentru 4 portii:

500 g paste (penne, rigatoni, spaghetti, etc.)

2-3 eggplants, sliced 0,5 cm
750 ml suc de rosii (sau 1/2 kg rosii foarte bine coapte)
1 capatana usturoi, foarte fin taiat
2 linguri ulei de masline
busuioc praspat, taiat fin (dupa gust)
sare si pipe, dupa gust

Pastele se fierb conform indicatiilor de pe pachet. Se scurg de apa.

Feliile de vinete se frig pe gratar, 2-3 minute pe fiecare parte.

Intr-o cratita se incinge uleiul de masline si se adauga usturoiul. Se celeste timp de 2-3 minute,amestecand continuu. Se adauga sucul de rosii  (sau rosiile taiate marunt), se acopera cu un Capac si se lasa la fiert pana cand sosul scade putin.  Amestecam din cand in cand.

Se adauga feliile de vinete, sarea si piperul si se mai fierbe cateva minute.

Se pun pastele in farfurii si se adauga sosul. Se orneaza cu busuioc proaspat.

Pasta alla Norma

Soybeans in tomato sauce

For 4 servings:

500 g soybeans
2 onions, finely chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
5-6 tomatoes, diced (or 2-3 tablespoons tomato paste dissolved in a cup of water)
2-3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon thyme
1 tablespoon oil
salt and pepper, to taste

Soak the soybeans overnight. Sort through them and discard any discolored kernels, then rinse them. Cook them in water (2 times the amount of soybeans) and add the bay leaves. If needed, add more water. Drain.

In a saucepan stir fry the onions in oil, for 2-3 minutes. Add the tomatoes (tomato paste), bell pepper and thyme. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until sauce has slightly reduced.

Add the cooked soy beans, salt and pepper, to taste. Cook for further 2-3 minutes.

Serve with pickles or cabbage salad.

Mancare de soia boabe

Pentru 4 portii:

500 g soia
2 cepe, taiate marunt
1 ardei gras, taiat marunt
5-6 rosii, taiate cubulete (sau 2-3 linguri bullion de rosii dizolvat intr-o cana de apa)
2-3 frunze de dafin
1 lingurita cimbru
1 lingura ulei
sare si piper, dupa gust

Soia se lasa la inmuiat peste noapte. Se alege de impuritati si se spala. Se pune la fiert intr-o oala cu apa (de 2 ori volumul boabelor de soia) si frunzele de dafin. Daca este nevoie se mai adauga apa. Dupa ce a fiert se scurge de apa.

Intr-o cratita se celeste ceapa in ulei, timp de 2-3 minute. Se adauga rosiile (bulionul de rosii), ardeiul gras si cimbrul. Se lasa la fiert, amestecand din cand in cand, pana cand sosul a scazut putin.

Se adauga boabele fierte de soia si se potriveste de sare si piper. Se lasa sa mai dea cateva clocote.

Se serveste cu muraturi sau cu salata de varza dulce/acra.

Seitan gyros

For 3-4 servings:

For the seitan:

1 kg flour
1 teaspoon paprika powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 bay leaves
10 peppercorns

The preperation of seitan is described here.

Cook the seitan, whole, in water with the bay leaves and peppercorns, for about 30-35 minutes. Drain well then cut into small pieces.

For the marinade:

6 cloves of garlic, mashed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon paprika powder
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1/4 teaspoon cumin powder
chili powder, to taste
salt and pepper, to taste

Mix all ingredients.

Pour the marinade over the pieces of seitan, mix well and leave to marinate for at least an hour (the longer, the better).

Fry the seitan gyros  in 1-2 tablespoons olive oil.

It can be served  with pita bread, fries, garlic sauce, tomatoes, onions and pickles.

Note: Gyros is a traditional Greek dish.

Pentru 3-4 portii:

Pentru seitan:

1 kg faina
1 lingurita boia dulce
1/2 lingurita ceapa pudra
1/2 lingurita usturoi pudra

2 frunze de dafin
10 boabe de piper

Se pregateste seitanul ca aici .

Se fierbe seitanul, bucata intrega, in apa cu frunzele de dafin si boabele de piper, timp de 30-35 minute. Se lasa la scurs apoi se taie in bucatile mici.

Pentru marinata:

6 catei de usturoi, pisati
2 linguri ulei de masline
2 lingurite cimbru
1 lingurita oregano
1 lingurita boia dulce
1 lingurita coriandru pudra
1/4 lingurita chimion pudra
boia iute, dupa gust
sare si piper, dupa gust

Se amesteca toate ingredientele.

Se toarna marinada peste bucatelele de seitan, se amesteca bine si se lasa la marinat pentru cel putin o ora (cu cat mai mult, cu atat mai bine).

Bucatelele de seitan se prajesc in 1-2 linguri ulei de masline.

Se poate servi impreuna in painici pita cu cartofi prajiti, sos de usturoi, rosii, ceapa si castraveti murati.

Nota: Gyros este un fel de mancare traditional grecesc.

For 4-6 servings:

1 kg potatoes, peeled and cubed (or cut into wedges) 
4 onions, finely chopped
5 tomatoes, diced
250 ml coconut milk (canned)
chili / chili flakes, to taste
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
1 teaspoon coriander powder
1 teaspoon garam masala
2-3 curry leaves (optional)
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
salt, to taste

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the mustard seeds. Stir fry for 2-3 minutes until they begin to pop. Add the onion, chili and curry leaves. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add the tomatoes and the rest of the spices. Cover  and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the potatoes and coconut milk. If needed, add some water so that the potatoes are covered.

When the potatoes are cooked add salt to taste.

Pentru 4-6 portii:

1 kg cartofi, taiati in cuburi sau pe lung
4 cepe, taiate marunt
5 rosii, taiate cubulete
250 ml lapte de cocos (la conserva)
ardei iute/ fulgi uscati de ardei iute, dupa gust
2 lingurite seminte de mustar
1 lingurita coriandru pudra
1 lingurita garam masala
2-3 frunze de curry (optional)
1/2 lingurita turmeric
sare, dupa gust

Se încinge uleiul într-o cratiță și se adaugă semințele de muștar. Se prăjesc  2-3 minute până când încep să “sară”. Se adaugă ceapa, ardeiul iute si frunzele de curry. Se caleste timp de 2-3 minute, amestecand continuu.

Se adauga rosiile si restul condimentelor. Se acopera cu un capac si se fierbe aprox. 5 minute, amestecand din cand in cand.

Se adauga cartofii si laptele de cocos. Daca este nevoie se adauga apa astfel incat cartofii sa fie acoperiti.

Cand cartofii au fiert se potriveste de sare.

Grilled seitan & vegetables skewers

For 6-8 servings:

seitan
2 zucchini
2-3 onions
2-3 sweet peppers

For the seitan:

1 kg flour
1 teaspoon paprika powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 bay leaves
10 peppercorns

The preparation of seitan is described here.

Cook the seitan, whole, in water with the bay leaves and peppercorns, for about 30-35 minutes. Drain well then cut into approx. 3 x 3 cm (1 x 1 inch) pieces.

For the marinade:

6 cloves of garlic, mashed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon paprika powder
salt and pepper, to taste

Mix all ingredients.

Wash the vegetables and cut into pieces.

Pour the marinade over the seitan and vegetables, mix well and leave to marinate for at least one hour (the longer, the better).

Thread the seitan pieces  and vegetables on skewers.

Grill the seitan and vegetables skewers, on each side, on a pre-heated grill pan.

Grilled seitan & vegetables skewers

Frigarui din seitan si legume

Pentru 6-8 portii:

seitan
2 dovlecei
2-3 cepe
2-3 ardei grasi

Pentru seitan:

1 kg faina
1 lingurita boia dulce
1/2 lingurita ceapa pudra
1/2 lingurita usturoi pudra

2 frunze de dafin
10 boabe de piper

Se pregateste seitanul ca aici .

Se fierbe seitanul, bucata intrega, in apa cu frunzele de dafin si boabele de piper, timp de 30-35 minute. Se lasa la scurs apoi se taie in bucatele de aprox. 3 x 3 cm.

Pentru marinata:

6 catei de usturoi, pisati
2 linguri ulei de masline
2 lingurite cimbru
1 lingurita oregano
1 lingurita boia dulce
sare si piper, dupa gust

Se amesteca toate ingredientele.

Legumele se spala si se taie in bucati potrivite ca marime.

Se toarna marinata peste seitan si legume, se amesteca bine si se lasa la marinat cel putin o ora (cu cat mai mult, cu atat mai bine).

Legumele se înfig pe bețișoare alternând cu bucațile de seitan.

Se frig pe gratarul incins in prelabil.

Frigarui din seitan si legume

Grilled seitan and vegetables

For 3-4 servings:

seitan
2 zucchini
2-3 onions
2-3 sweet peppers

For the seitan:

1 kg flour
1 teaspoon paprika powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 bay leaves
10 peppercorns

The preperation of seitan is described here.

Cook the seitan, whole, in water with the bay leaves and peppercorns, for about 30-35 minutes. Drain well then cut into four equal pieces.

For the marinade:

6 cloves of garlic, mashed
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon paprika powder
salt and pepper, to taste

Mix all ingredients.

Wash the vegetables and cut into pieces.

Pour the marinade over the seitan and vegetables, mix well and leave to marinate for at least one hour (the longer, the better).

Grill the seitan and vegetables on a pre-heated grill pan.

Grilled seitan and vegetables

Seitan cu legume la gratar

Pentru 3-4 portii:

seitan
2 dovlecei
2-3 cepe
2-3 ardei grasi

Pentru seitan:

1 kg faina
1 lingurita boia dulce
1/2 lingurita ceapa pudra
1/2 lingurita usturoi pudra

2 frunze de dafin
10 boabe de piper

Se pregateste seitanul ca aici .

Se fierbe seitanul, bucata intrega, in apa cu frunzele de dafin si boabele de piper, timp de 30-35 minute. Se lasa la scurs apoi se taie in 4 bucati egale.

Pentru marinata:

6 catei de usturoi, pisati
2 linguri ulei de masline
2 lingurite cimbru
1 lingurita oregano
1 lingurita boia dulce
sare si piper, dupa gust

Se amesteca toate ingredientele.

Legumele se spala si se taie in bucati potrivite ca marime.

Se toarna marinata peste seitan si legume, se amesteca bine si se lasa la marinat cel putin o ora (cu cat mai mult, cu atat mai bine).

Se frig pe gratarul incins in prelabil.

Seitan cu legume la gratar