Dinner Ideas

Caribbean Rice and Peas

Caribbean Rice and Peas

A staple in Caribbean cuisine, this dish combines fluffy rice and tender peas cooked in coconut milk. Infused with thyme, garlic, and pepper, it’s a flavorful side dish that pairs well with any protein.

Ingredients

• 2 cups long grain rice

• 1 can of kidney beans

• 1 can of coconut milk

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon thyme

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Saute onion and garlic in the Ventray SM600 Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with the saute attachment.

2. Add rice, beans, coconut milk, thyme, salt, and pepper.

3. Cook on medium heat until rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed.

4. Serve hot with your choice of protein.

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Fruitcake Recipe

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Fruitcake Recipe

Experience the delight of baking a rich, moist fruitcake, packed with colorful dried fruits and nuts, perfect for any festive occasion!

For more fruitcake recipes, view more.

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 4 large eggs

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1/4 tsp nutmeg

• 1/4 tsp allspice

• 1/2 cup orange juice

• 2 cups mixed dried fruit (raisins, currants, chopped dates, and candied cherries)

• 1 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)

Directions

1. Preheat your Ventray oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.

2. In your Ventray mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.

4. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and allspice.

5. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the Ventray mixer, alternating with the orange juice.

6. Fold in the mixed dried fruit and nuts, then pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake in the Ventray oven for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

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10 Stay-at-home Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas

10 Stay-at-home Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas

Going out for a fancy dinner is a popular Valentine’s Day activity without a doubt, but it is also a pricy one! This year, skip the restaurant scene, and instead, plan a special and romantic Valentine’s Day dinner for two right at home. Food is the fastest way to the heart. You will be able to easily create a delicious and romantic meal to wow your sweetheart with these thoughtful Valentine’s Day dinner ideas, from a simple dinner for two to impressive feasts. Plus, cooking with your Valentine turns dinner into a fun and romantic activity. This has gradually become some people’s favorite Valentine’s Day activity year after year: stay at home, eat an easy but special dinner, and watch an amazing Valentine’s Day movie.

Here, you will find the best Valentine’s Day dinner ideas that include elegant seafood, succulent steaks, sophisticated drinks, and more comfort food dishes to be sure to impress. All of these delicious valentine’s Day recipes are easy enough and suitable for the home chef of all skill levels. Whichever dish you choose to prepare, you will be sure to make your date night meal to remember.

1. Spaghetti Squash Shrimp Scampi

About the cuisine-

Seafood is a natural for a romantic meal to show your love. Try this lighter take on shrimp scampi using spaghetti squash, seasoned with lemon, white wine, and parsley. A delicious and healthy dinner idea for two on this Valentine’s Day.

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2. Seared Scallops

About the cuisine-

Valentine’s Day offers a special opportunity to show your love through food. Your loved one will love these delicious scallops. This recipe is easy to cook at home by following these step-by-step instructions. You will love how simple it is!

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3. Oven-Baked Salmon

About the cuisine-

No one wants to spend hours cleaning up on Valentine’s Day evening. That is why this oven-baked salmon is such a great choice. You will serve perfectly cooked salmon rather than overcooked fish again through the parchment paper technique.

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4. Grilled Moroccan Steak and Carrots

About the cuisine-

This Grilled Moroccan Steak and Carrots will wow your loved one and is a perfect hearty meal for two to remember.

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5. Grilled Chicken with Lemony Roasted Broccoli

About the cuisine-

This grilled chicken dish is delicious, healthy, easy to make, and involves everyday ingredients. This recipe will be appreciated by couples who are trying to eat healthier in the new year.

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6. Roasted Pork Chops and Pears

About the cuisine-

Try to tuck pork chops in between maple syrup-seasoned pears and roast for a special-flavored Valentine’s Day dinner winner to impress your date night.

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7. Chipotle Carne Asada Tacos

About the cuisine-

Hosting an intimate dinner for two on this Valentine’s Day? There is no better way to start your celebration than with these chipotle-seasoned steak tacos. Nothing needs to be expensive or difficult to prepare.

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8. Ham and Spinach Two-Cheese Pasta

About the cuisine-

Make a warm and hearty pasta casserole with the mix of Parmesan, ham, and spinach for your Valentine’s Day dinner. Your loved one will be sure to wow. Serve this hearty yet healthy ham and pasta bake for two in individual-size ramekins to dress it up for the romantic occasion.

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9. Blueberry Mint Cocktail

About the cuisine-

It is a good time to hoist a deliciously romantic fruity cocktail in a toast on February 14. These sweet blueberries make this flavorful cocktail sweet and dress it up with gorgeous deep-pink color.

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10. Floating on Cloud Nine

About the cuisine-

Create the perfect atmosphere for an unforgettable evening and include a great drink in your Valentine’s Day dinner plans. This floating on cloud nine recipe is a creamy smoothie that is spiked with whipped cream vodka and strawberry liqueur. It is simple to make and is a sweet, dreamy drink that is equally suitable for romantic occasions.

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One of the best ways to a person’s heart is through their stomach. So, if you are planning to treat your loved one to a romantic dinner for two at home, try your hand with these delicious and special recipes from our thoughtful Valentine’s Day dinner ideas list.

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13 Recipes to Celebrate Lunar New Year

13 Recipes to Celebrate Lunar New Year

As the Year of the Ox comes to an end, it’s time to ring in the Year of the Tiger! Lunar New Year is a time for celebration and family reunions. Here are 10 recipes that will help you celebrate in style. From dumplings to Kung Pao Chicken, there’s something for everyone in this roundup. So get cooking and enjoy the festivities!

1. Chow Mein

Chow mein is a quick and simple dish to prepare, perfect for adding to any meal. It can be served hot or cold, so you can make it ahead of time if necessary. And because it’s delicious on its own, it’s also great for packed lunches!

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2. Nian Gao (Sticky Rice Cake)

Nian Gao is a traditional Chinese New Year cake that symbolizes growth and prosperity. It’s also tasty as a snack with your favorite dipping sauce! And as with the chow mein, it’s easy to make ahead of time so you can focus on being with family this Lunar New Year.

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3. Mapo Tofu

After an indulgent holiday season, Mapo Tofu makes a great dish for keeping it light. It might seem intimidating to cook with Sichuan peppercorns, but they are easily found in most Asian markets.

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4. Steamed Whole Fish

Fish is a popular dish in Chinese cuisine. At Lunar New Year, when the family gets together to celebrate with fish, it has to be the Year of the Tiger Fish for good luck. This recipe uses a whole fish, so it’s a little more work than usual, but the rich flavor and creamy texture are worth every step.

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5. Cantonese Roast Duck

Roast duck is another popular dish in the Cantonese cuisine of southern China. This recipe uses traditional Chinese flavors to enhance your new year’s celebration meal.  

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6. Yu Sheng

Yu Sheng is a super easy salad to whip up, but the key is placing the yu sheng in this wonderful sauce for just long enough that it absorbs all that flavor.

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7. Dumplings

Dumplings or wontons are a staple in northern and central China. These simple dumplings can be filled with meat and vegetables and quickly steamed or boiled to make an easy appetizer for any celebration meal.

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8. Kung Pao Chicken

Kung pao chicken is a classic dish that symbolizes prosperity, traditionally served at celebratory banquets for Chinese New Year. This Quick Kung Pao Chicken Recipe is much better than takeout.

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9. Dragon Fruit Salad

The Dragon Fruit’s scales and red “fruit armor” make for a powerful Chinese New Year dish. The fruit itself is also rich in antioxidants, beta carotene, vitamin C, and lycopene. This salad is light and sweet with the perfect balance of textures from crunchy pear, soft dragon fruit, and crispy wonton chips.

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10. Mini Egg Rolls

Tiny, bite-sized treats that will disappear in a flash! Egg rolls are the perfect finger food for party appetizers. At Lunar New Year celebrations they can be found stuffed with pork and shrimp, but this version is made smaller so you get more of the crunchy delights.

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11. Basic Fried Rice

You can’t celebrate Lunar New Year without rice! We try to make the dish as traditional as possible, but variations like crab-fried rice and vegetable fried rice are also delicious. The eggs here let you play with your food – crack open the top and fry sunny side up, or leave it on top of the rice until it cooks through.

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12. Sweet and Sour Pork

We also believe in not wasting leftovers – any leftover pork can be turned into this dish. The sauce is made with pineapple (high in Vitamin C), orange (prevents stroke), and tomatoes (boosts skin’s collagen production.) 

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13. Mandarin Orange Magarita

This festive twist on a margarita brings some Asian flair to your table. Made with mandarin oranges, it’s a great accompaniment to any Chinese dishes you might be serving up!

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We hope you’ve enjoyed our roundup of 10 Lunar New Year recipes. Do you have any other great dishes to share with us? Tag @ventraykitchen on Instagram so we can see what’s going down in the kitchen!

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Christmas Dinner Ideas 2020

Christmas Dinner Ideas 2020

How to create a lovely Christmas Dinner and make the most out of this holiday season (locked down or stuck at home)
#holidayseason #holidaydinner #familytime #christmasdinner

Ingredients

  • Spinach Dip 
  • Soup of the night 
  • Dinner Rolls

  • BBQ ribs 
  • Baked Chicken 
  • Alfredo Pasta 
  • Ranch Salad 

  • Holiday Chocolate Cake 
  • Christmas Fruit Cake 
  • Egg Nog

Here are some of our favourite holiday season must try recipes

Directions

  1. Bring lots of love before you begin your Christmas day meal prepping
  2. Turn on holiday jams and dance with the music
  3. Put on that ugly holiday sweater, top it off with your holiday apron
  4. Sip a hot cup of cocoa or egg nog before digging in
  5. If your family and friends can’t join you, make sure to turn on Zoom, facetime, whatever is convenient to share the love
  6. Enjoy, and find good things to be grateful about
  7. Know that next Christmas will be better, send loved ones your best
  8. Stay safe and healthy is the most important thing for this Christmas

Equipments

  1. Blender
  2. Mixer

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