One Ingredient 5 ways: Oregano

Lifestyle Monday 02/May/2016 16:59 PM
By: Times News Service
One Ingredient 5 ways: Oregano

A pungent green herb, oregano is used in many dishes. Whether in lamb and chicken, or in cakes and smoothies, oregano adds a fresh flavour to any food. If fresh oregano is not available use dried ones, but remember to cut down on the amount by about half.
Oregano Lamb Chops
Take 2tbsp lemon juice, 1tsp olive oil, 1/2tsp dried oregano and 1 garlic clove and mince together. Take 8 lamb chops and marinate it with the mixture. Keep it for 15-20 minutes. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove the extra marinade from the lambs and add 1/2tsp salt and 1/2tsp pepper. Coat pan with cooking spray and place the lamb chops and cook each side from 5-8 minutes on medium heat.
Oregano Flavoured Chicken Breasts
Take 1tbsp fresh oregano, finely chopped, 2tsp grated lime rind, 1tsp ground cumin, 2tsp minced garlic, 1/2tsp salt, and 1/2tsp black pepper. Mix in a bowl. Take 4 chicken breast halves and rub the mixture on them. Keep it in the fridge for 5-6 hours. Preheat oven to 200°C. Heat 1tbsp of oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan, skin side down and cook for 5 minutes. Transfer it to the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes. Serve hot.

Read: Dining: The Mighty Mix Grill Challenge in Muscat

Oregano-Spiced Shortcake
Preheat oven to 200 degrees C and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Add 2tbsp lemon zest in 1/2 cup sugar and mix well. Add this mixture to 2 cups flour. Also add 4tsp baking powder, 1/2tsp salt, and 2tsp dried oregano and mix well. Take 4tbsp butter, 2tbsp heavy cream and 1/2 cup milk. Add them to the flour mixture and mix well. Shape them into shortcake and place them onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, until golden brown.
Oregano-Laced Salad
Cut 1 red bell pepper into vertical halves and discard the seeds. Broil for 10 minutes or so. Once cool cut into bite size pieces. Separately cook 1/2 cup soya beans in boiling water and drain. Combine the chopped bell pepper, cooked soya beans, 1tsp salt, and 1tsp pepper. Add 1/2 cup chopped onion, 2tbsp chopped parsley, and 2 cups of fresh oregano leaves, finely chopped. Drizzle with lemon juice and 1tbsp olive oil and mix well.
Oregano-Scented Smoothies
Take 5-6 cucumbers and peel off the skin. Cut into chunks and blend well. Take 2 cups fresh orange juice and pour it on the cucumber. Add 2tsp sugar and 1tsp dried oregano to the cucumber puree and blend. Chill it in the refrigerator and serve in tall [email protected]