the_information_nexus/food_related/random_recipes.md

# Recipes Collection

## 1. Homemade Lentil Soup Recipe
A flavorful soup with spices, caramelized vegetables, and green lentils.

### Servings
- 8

### Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, ghee, or clarified butter
- 2 peeled and medium diced yellow onions
- 2 peeled and medium diced carrots
- 2 peeled and medium diced ribs of celery
- 3 finely minced cloves of garlic
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 3 cups green lentils, rinsed
- 1 large peeled and medium diced potato
- 2 bay leaves
- 9 cups chicken stock
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste

### Instructions
1. Caramelize onions in olive oil over low to medium heat (up to 45 minutes).
2. Add carrots, celery, and garlic; cook until lightly browned (5-6 minutes).
3. Stir in cumin and coriander.
4. Add lentils, potatoes, bay leaves, and chicken stock; stir to combine.
5. Cook covered over low to medium heat until lentils are tender (35-45 minutes).
6. Remove bay leaves, blend half of the soup for thickness.
7. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley.

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## 2. Shakshuka Recipe
A blend of peppers, onions, spices, and tomatoes with poached eggs.

### Servings
- 6

### Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 peeled and small diced yellow onion
- 1 seeded and small diced red bell pepper
- 4 finely minced cloves garlic
- 2 28-ounce cans of whole peeled tomatoes, crushed
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 6 to 8 large eggs
- Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste

### Instructions
1. Sauté onions, peppers, and garlic in olive oil until lightly browned (5-7 minutes).
2. Add tomatoes, cumin, paprika, sugar, salt, and pepper; mix well.
3. Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.
4. Crack eggs into the sauce, cover, and simmer until eggs are set (8-12 minutes).
5. Garnish with chopped parsley; serve with sliced bread.

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## 3. Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits and Country Sausage Gravy
Classic Southern-style biscuits with rich sausage gravy.

### Servings
- 20

### Ingredients
#### For the Biscuits:
- 6 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons baking powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 2 ¾ cups ice-cold unsalted butter, shredded
- 5 large eggs
- 1 ¾ cups buttermilk

#### For the Country Sausage Gravy:
- 1 pound loose pork sausage
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups whole milk
- Sea salt and pepper to taste

### Instructions
#### Biscuits:
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and butter in a stand mixer with a hook attachment.
3. Whisk eggs and buttermilk; add to dry ingredients and mix.
4. Roll out dough on a floured surface to 1 ½” - 2” thick, cut with a circle cutter.
5. Place on cast-iron skillets or casserole dishes; bake for 26-30 minutes.

#### Gravy:
1. Cook pork sausage; set aside.
2. Melt butter, whisk in flour.
3. Add milk, cook until thick like alfredo sauce.
4. Add sausage back, season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve with biscuits.

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## 4. The Best Chicken Marinade Recipe
A soy, lemon, and herb marinade for a flavorful chicken.

### Servings
- 6

### Ingredients
- ½ peeled and finely grated yellow onion
- 5 finely grated garlic cloves
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2
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tablespoons sugar
- ½ cup neutral flavored oil
- 1/3 cup white wine
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup white distilled vinegar
- 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh thyme
- 2 teaspoons coarse salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 1/2 pound chicken, broken down into individual parts

### Instructions
1. Grate onion and garlic into a large bowl, add lemon juice.
2. Mix in mustard, sugar, oil, wine, soy sauce, vinegar, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Coat the chicken in the marinade, cover, and refrigerate for 12-48 hours.
4. Grill chicken skin side down on a medium-high heat grill, cook for 10-12 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
5. If needed, move chicken around on the grill to prevent charring.

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## 5. Oatmeal Scotchies Recipe
A delightful oatmeal cookie with butterscotch chips.

### Servings
- Varies

### Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 4 Tbsp butter, browned
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 egg + 1 egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 to 1 ½ cups butterscotch chips (addition for true Scotchies)

### Instructions
1. Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.
2. Brown butter, then add to a bowl with cinnamon and oil.
3. Mix in sugars, eggs, and vanilla.
4. Combine with flour mixture, then fold in oats, raisins, and butterscotch chips.
5. Portion dough onto a parchment-lined sheet, flatten to 2” diameter.
6. Bake at 375°F for 10 mins, cookies will be soft in the center.
7. Cool on the baking tray for 5 mins, then transfer to a wire rack.

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## 6. New Lentil Soup Recipe
A vegetarian lentil soup with tomatoes and a blend of spices.

### Servings
- Not specified

### Ingredients
- 1 large Onion, chopped
- 2 Celery stalks, chopped
- 2 medium Carrots, diced
- 2-3 Garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 can (14oz/400g) Diced tomatoes
- 8 cups (2L) Vegetable stock
- 2 cups (380g) Dried lentils, rinsed
- 2-3 tablespoons Parsley/coriander, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice

### Instructions
1. Sauté onion in olive oil until golden, then add celery, carrots, and garlic.
2. Cook for a few minutes, then add cumin, oregano, paprika.
3. Add tomatoes, lentils, stock, salt, and pepper; bring to boil, then simmer for 30-45 minutes.
4. Stir in parsley/coriander and lemon juice at the end.
5. Serve hot and enjoy.

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# Conclusion

Each of these recipes brings its own unique flavor and style to your kitchen. From hearty soups to sweet treats, they offer a range of options for different meals and occasions. By f

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# Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp

A quick and flavorful dish featuring succulent shrimp in a rich lemon garlic butter sauce.

## Ingredients

- 500g Large Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 tbsp Butter
- 4 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 Lemon, juiced and zested
- 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Optional: Red Pepper Flakes for heat

## Directions

1. **Cook Shrimp**: In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper, and cook until they turn pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp and set aside.

2. **Make Sauce**: In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add lemon juice, zest, and optional red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer.

3. **Combine**: Return the shrimp to the skillet. Toss to coat in the lemon garlic butter sauce. Cook for another 1-2 minutes.

4. **Garnish and Serve**: Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve immediately, perhaps with pasta or crusty bread.

# Classic Beef Stroganoff

A rich and creamy Russian dish with tender beef and mushrooms in a savory sour cream sauce.

## Ingredients

- 500g Beef Sirloin, thinly sliced
- 1 Onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups Mushrooms, sliced
- 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 cup Beef Broth
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Fresh Parsley, for garnish
- Egg Noodles, cooked, for serving

## Directions

1. **Brown Beef**: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper and brown it in batches. Set aside.

2. **Cook Vegetables**: In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil, then cook onions and mushrooms until soft. Add garlic and cook for another minute.

3. **Make Sauce**: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to combine. Add beef broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a simmer until the sauce thickens.

4. **Combine and Finish**: Reduce heat to low. Stir in sour cream and add the cooked beef back into the skillet. Warm through but do not boil. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

5. **Serve**: Serve over cooked egg noodles, garnished with fresh parsley.

# Baked Lemon Herb Salmon

A healthy and flavorful dish featuring salmon fillets baked with a lemon herb marinade.

## Ingredients

- 4 Salmon Fillets
- 2 Lemons, one juiced and one sliced
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 Garlic Cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp Fresh Dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped
- Salt and Pepper, to taste

## Directions

1. **Preheat Oven and Prepare Salmon**: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Arrange salmon fillets in a baking dish. Season with salt and pepper.

2. **Make Marinade**: In a bowl, mix together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, dill, and parsley. Pour over the salmon fillets.

3. **Bake**: Top each fillet with a slice of lemon. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily with a fork.

4. **Serve**: Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh herbs if desired.

Enjoy these delightful dishes that balance flavor and simplicity!

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