Latest news with #JuanDeLaCruz
7NEWS
23-06-2025
- Health
- 7NEWS
How to use some everyday ingredients to make two delicious Argentinian delights
Juan De La Cruz is a recipe developer and content creator originally from Argentina. Today, Juan is cooking two recipes: Humita a la Olla – a creamy corn stew with grilled cheese on top Guiso de Lentejas – a hearty lentil and meat strew Recipe below: Quick guiso de lentejas Hearty, smoky, and ready in no time This comforting Argentine-style lentil stew comes together in under 15 minutes using canned lentils, smoky chorizo, and leftover meats. Perfect for rainy days or when you need a hug in a bowl. Ingredients For the stew: 2 tins brown lentils (drained and rinsed) 1 chorizo (Spanish or Argentine-style), sliced 100g bacon, chopped 1 cup leftover beef or chicken, shredded or cubed 1 onion, diced 1 red capsicum, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 large tomato, diced (or 1/2 tin diced tomatoes) 1 tbsp tomato paste 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp cumin 1 bay leaf 500ml vegetable or beef stock Olive oil Salt & pepper to taste Optional: A handful of pumpkin or potato cubes if you want extra bulk Fresh parsley or spring onion to garnish Steps 1. Build the base: In a large pot, heat a drizzle of olive oil. Sauté the bacon and chorizo until golden and releasing fat. Remove and set aside. 2. Sauté the veg: In the same pot, cook onion, garlic, and capsicum until soft. Add the tomato, tomato paste, paprika, cumin, and bay leaf. Stir and cook for 3–4 minutes. 3. Simmer: Add the lentils, leftover meat, cooked chorizo and bacon, and pour in the stock. Season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 15–20 minutes, uncovered, until thickened. Stir occasionally. 4. Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with parsley or chopped spring onion if you like. Tip: Even better the next day. Serve with crusty gluten-free bread, or a fried egg on top if you're feeling indulgent. Quick humita a la olla Subtitle: Fast, comforting, and full of flavour Description: This shortcut version of the traditional South American humita swaps out fresh corn and pumpkin for pantry staples — but keeps all the soul. Creamy, smoky, and ready in under 25 minutes. Difficulty: Easy Ingredients For the Humita: 1 tin creamed corn 1 tin corn kernels (drained) 1 red capsicum, diced 1 white onion, diced 4 garlic cloves, minced 1 large tomato, diced 1 tsp cumin 50ml vegetable stock 100ml full cream milk 2 tbsp olive oil 250g creamy cheese (like stracchino or bocconcini) Salt & pepper to taste For the Fritito (chilli oil): 2 tbsp olive oil 4 spring onions, finely sliced 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp chilli flakes (more if you like it hot) Salt & pepper to taste Optional Garnish: Extra corn kernels (charred in a pan if desired) Fresh parsley Steps 1. Cook the base: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion, garlic, and capsicum until softened and lightly golden. 2. Add flavour: Add tomato and cumin, cook until the tomato breaks down (about 3–4 min). Add the creamed corn, corn kernels, stock, milk, and season with salt and pepper. 3. Simmer: Lower the heat and let it gently bubble for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add a splash more milk if it starts to stick. 4. Make the fritito: In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add spring onions, paprika, and chilli flakes, then immediately remove from heat. Stir well and season. 5. Serve: Place cubes of cheese at the bottom of your bowl, spoon over the hot humita, and top with more cheese to melt. Drizzle with the fritito and garnish with charred corn or herbs if you like. Tip: Enjoy it with chipa (cheese bread), crusty gluten-free bread, or even on its own. Julie Goodwin shares her recipe for chicken and leek pie topped with a cheesy potato bake. Baker Brooke Bellamy responds to plagiarism allegations.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MasterChef Australia contestant reveals what REALLY happens to the show's leftover food
One of MasterChef Australia 's biggest mysteries has finally been solved as a former contestant has revealed what happens to the show's leftover food. Juan De La Cruz, a contestant from the 2024 series, shed light on the show's approach to minimising food waste behind the scenes. According to Juan, production is proactive in preventing food waste by employing various food preservation techniques. 'Lots of food is donated and also the staff behind the cameras takes some,' he told Chattr. He added at the end of each week, many excess food items were freely given to the cast and crew. 'Sometimes by the end of the week all the fresh food from the pantry such as veggies, fruits and even some meat was up for grabs,' Juan said. 'So we would take ingredients to practice ideas during the weekend,' he continued. Juan added there was a logical explanation behind each contestant using a brand new bottle of oil when competing in a kitchen challenge. 'Opening a new package gives a same start level to everyone. Think humidity in the flour, or even contamination from other ingredients that could ruin recipes,' he said. 'Ultimately the judges will eat this food and they want to prevent any type of contamination.' The 40-year-old board game designer was the seventh contestant to be eliminated on last year's season of the long-running cooking show. It comes after Celebrity chef Shannon Bennett made his long-awaited return to MasterChef Australia on Wednesday night and it was an emotional experience for viewers. The Melbourne-born culinary expert, 49, appeared on the popular Channel Ten cooking series for the first time since 2023 to help contestants prepare a pea purée. 'Just a little bit of cooking. Show you a couple of things!' Shannon said as he took them through the steps to prepare the dish. His top-notch culinary skills left the contestants in awe, with Callum Hann remarking: 'I'm loving watching Shannon cook! Every time you watch one of these guru chefs, you always learn something'. Emotional fans took to social media to share their excitement at seeing Shannon in the kitchen. 'I was so teary seeing him back in the studio. He is a hero and in my mind should have been one of the new judges last year,' one person wrote. 'He has all the skills and is empathetic. Hopefully he will be a judge one day if that is what he wants.' 'You learn from the legend,' a second person added. Last month, Shannon's ex-partner Madeleine West welcomed her seventh child - her first that he is not the father to.
