Michael van de Elzen is well-known in NZ as the Food Truck guy. He’s an established chef who has spent time over the last few years driving around NZ in a Bedford van, recreating takeaway food into healthy, delicious alternatives. The two cook books that he’s produced on the back of those TV series have been good, but his recent release is really impressive. Named ‘Fast‘ it is filled with quick, healthy mid-week family meals that can be made in a hurry. I tried a few of these recipes and have to agree – they’re fast, but delicious.
SHREDDED CHICKEN, LEEK & LENTIL SOUP
Prep time 5 mins / Cooking time 20 mins
½ cup bulghur wheat, rinsed
1 cup Puy lentils, rinsed
1 onion, roughly chopped
3 bay leaves
3 cloves
1 chicken or vegetable stock cube
2 litres water
2 chicken breasts, skinless
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chopped Italian parsley, to garnish
1 leek, white part only, thinly sliced lengthways, to garnish
1. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to the boil, skim surface to remove impurities. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, skimming occasionally to avoid soup becoming cloudy. Remove chicken breasts and shred meat back into soup by hand.
SEEDED CHICKEN STRIPS
Prep time 10 mins / Cooking time 5 mins
4 free-range eggs
2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
½ tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp poppy seeds
2 tbsp sesame seeds
2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
2 tbsp sunflower seeds
2 cups Panko crumbs
2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 chicken breasts, skinless
1. Preheat oven to 180°C. To make eggwash, whisk together the eggs, mustard, salt and pepper. Crush all the seeds together in a mortar and pestle, and mix with Panko crumbs.
2. Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips, and pass through eggwash then seed mix. Repeat to double seed. Heat oil in a large frying pan and cook chicken pieces until golden. Finish cooking in the oven for 10 minutes.
I served the soup with crusty sourdough first, then served the chicken with a light green salad.
Fast by Michael van de Elzen is available in NZ from 15th August.
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