Friday 20 February 2015

Slow cooker Donair Meat



We love donair meat, what I don't love is how full of preservatives and MSG the store bought stuff is. I really like to make two loaves in my slow cooker and freeze one for later.  Donair meat is pretty versatile, some of our favourite ways to eat it include: 
-In pitas with lettuce , cucumber, tomatoes, quick pickled onions and dill sauce.
- In a salad
- On pizza with a white sauce

I've tried many recipes of Donair meat and none were quite right. I started doing the dash of this, dash of that method and came up with a version I was happy with. Today I measured it to share with everyone. 





Method: 

Whisk spices together in bowl
Knead spices into meat
Meat before kneading

Form meat into a ball, 
Using a big bowl (metal preferably) raise meat to shoulder height and smack into the bowl, it should flatten into a pancake shape. 
Repeat 40 times, before forming into a loaf check meat fibre make sure they look like little strands. (See picture) 
In this picture the meat fibers are just starting to look like strands, I slaped/kneaded 20 more times to finish it.

It should be consistent throughout, if not knead some more. 


Form into loaf
Place into greased medium crockpot in high for at least 4 hours, depending on your crockpot it could take longer or shorter. 



I prefer to let chill before slicing but at the very least let it rest  for 15 minutes before slicing. 
This was only rested 15 minutes. 







Full recipe:

Slow cooker Donair Meat
Makes 4 servings 



1/2 tsp salt 
2 tsp oregano leaves
1/2 tsp ground black pepper 
2 tsp Italian seasoning 
1 tsp garlic powder 
2 tbsp onion flakes
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tbsp parsley
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp mustard powder
1 lb ground beef

Whisk spices together in bowl
Knead spices into meat
Form meat into a ball, 
Using a big bowl (metal preferably) raise meat to shoulder height and smack into the bowl, it should flatten into a pancake shape. 
Repeat 40 times, 
Before forming into a loaf check meat fibers to make sure they look like little strands. (See picture) It should be consistent throughout, if not knead some more. 

Form into loaf
Place into greased medium crockpot in high for at least 4 hours, depending on your crockpot it could take longer.
I prefer to let chill before slicing but at the very least let it rest  for 15 minutes before slicing. 

Wednesday 11 February 2015

Molasses Asian Crockpot beef


Lately many Asian style recipes have come across my feed, they look so tasty with their rich brown sauces, topped with crisp, sharp green onions, I can see why they are so popular. I can almost taste them when I look at the pictures. I click on them and am saddened by how much refined sugar they contain, I might as well be eating a cupcake! 
Planning my meal plan for the week I brainstormed how I could cut down the refined sugar and this recipe was born. It still has sugar content but atleast it isn't refined. 
I could go on about honey and molasses supposed health benefits but I'm not going to, they are being used as a sweetner is this recipe. 
Enjoy and leave me feedback if you make it :)
Thanks


Molasses Asian Beef
2 Tsp garlic powder
1 Tsp ginger powder
4 Tsp onion flakes
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp canola oil
1/4 cup Blackstrap Molasses 
1/4 cup Soy sauce
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tsp fish sauce
1/8 Tsp sircha sauce
1/3 cup chicken broth
1 Tbsp Unseasoned rice vinegar 


2 Tbsp whole wheat pastry flour
1 lb beef, cubed into 1.5 inch 

4 greens onions


Dredge meat in flour
Dump in crockpot
Whisk remaining ingrediants together,
Pour over top
Cook on low for at least 6 hours
When ready to serve, use a wooden spoon to shred meat, 
Top with green onions and serve with steamed broccoli and rice or noodles.
Enjoy!