Ultra sumptuous tray bake recipes

Tray Bake Chicken

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Tray bake chicken is one of those recipes that will light up the dinner table and make it look like a meal for an occasion; but it takes no effort to make it.

4-6 Chicken thighs on bone with skin
2 Onions
2 Chorizo sausages
2 Tomatoes
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Whole pods of garlic with skin
1 Tbsp Paprika
Olive oil
Salt

METHOD

1. Pre-heat oven to 200 Degrees C
2. Quarter the onions and tomatoes, halve garlic pods and add it to a bowl
3. Mix paprika, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt and olive oil
4. Rub the chicken lavishly with this mixture and toss the cut veg into the rest of the mixture.
5. Arrange on tray, add the chorizo.
6. Bake for one hour and serve with steamed veg and mashed potatoes.

Grilled fish and potatoes

Grilled fish is something we always order at restaurants but may be hesitant to make at home in fear of over cooking the fish. Try this recipe at Christmas and you will love it.

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1 Whole fish (about 750-800 gms)
6-8 Medium potatoes halved with skin
½ Tbsp Paprika
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper

For the fish and sauce
1 ½ Lemon (juice)
2 Tbsp Butter
1 Cup chopped coriander leaves
2 Tbsp chopped walnuts
Olive oil
Salt

METHOD

Potatoes:
1. Pre-heat oven to 250 Degree C
2. Quarter the potatoes and boil it in salted water for 10 minutes. Drain, fluff up by shaking with lid on and set aside.
3. Add generous glug of olive oil, salt and paprika and add it to the roasting tray.
4. Grill for 30 minutes.
5. To prepare your whole fish

Sauce:
1. In your Ultra Mixer Grinder, blend, 1 Tbsp of butter, juice of 1 lime, coriander and walnut to a paste.
2. Score your fish on both sides.
3. Add half this mixture to softened butter and mix well, salt and pepper and coat the fish on both sides.
4. Place the fish on the tray over the potatoes and roast for 10-12 minutes on either side
5. Serve with cooked kale and steamed veg with the sauce on the side.

Lasagna

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Lasagna always seems cumbersome to make. However, this is a simple recipe that makes a delicious lasagna. Try it this Christmas and be sure it will be enjoyed.

1 Box lasagna sheets
500 gms minced beef/chicken/lamb
2 Bay leaves
8 Large tomatoes
2 Onions
6 Cloves garlic
1 Tbsp Paprika
1 Tsp cumin powder
½ Tsp cinnamon powder
1 Tsp coriander powder
Salt

For the white sauce:
50 Gms Butter
40 Gms flour
500 ml milk
¼ Tsp nutmeg
Salt
Pepper
Cheddar cheese/ any cheese of choice (grated)

METHOD

1. Add the butter to a pan and melt on a gentle heat. Add the flour, use a whisk to combine it well.
2. Add the milk, season with salt and pepper and nutmeg, boil till it get slightly thick (like runny custard).
3. Add a cup of grated cheese and set aside covered.

For the lasagna:
1. Puree 4 tomatoes and dice the remaining tomatoes.
2. Add olive oil, finely diced onions, and garlic to a pan and brown, add the bay leaves and the minced meat and brown the meat on a high flame.
3. Add the tomatoes, puree all the spices and seasoning, and cook till the meat is done and the sauce is quite thick and not runny.
4. Assemble the lasagna by layering the baking tray with the sheets, meat, white sauce alternating each layer and finish the top layer with white sauce topped with grated cheese.
5. Bake for an hour at 200 Degree C.
6. Serve with garlic bread.

Broccoli pasta bake

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Pasta bake with assorted veg is a healthy and delicious way to get a lot of veg into one dish.

1 Cup chopped carrots
1 Cup green peas
1 Cup chopped beans
1 Cup cauliflower florets
1 Cup broccoli florets
2 Cup boiled pasta (par boiled)
2 Tbsp garlic
1 Tbsp butter
1 Leek sliced fine
1 Cup veg or chicken stock
Olive oil

For the white sauce:
50 Gms Butter
40 Gms flour
500 ml milk
¼ Tsp nutmeg
Salt
Pepper
Cheddar cheese/ any cheese of choice (grated)

METHOD

Method for white sauce:
1. Add the butter to a pan and melt on a gentle heat. Add the flour, use a whisk to combine it well.
2. Add the milk, season with salt and pepper and nutmeg, boil till it get slightly thick (like runny custard).
3. Add a cup of grated cheese and set aside covered.

Method for the veg:
1. In a pan, add butter, olive oil and garlic.
2. Add the sliced leek and the veg and sauté.
3. Season and add the stock and cook till done.
4. Add the pasta and mix in the white sauce.
5. Add it to a baking tray, top with grated cheese and bake for 45 minutes or till golden.
6. Serve with garlic bread.