Coriander Egg Chilli Corn and Snap Pea Fried Rice

So, I did it again… A mouthful of a title.

Yes, I know, everyone knows how to do a fried rice dish, but really they all can be so different ! This is so scrumptious, it can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  I added a couple eggs, but of course if you want this to be totally vegan, leave the eggs out. It is still so delicious, and you probably will want to stuff your face like I did…..straight from the pan!  I kid you not !!!. In fact, if you are on your own, go for it, grab a spoon and just eat…no one will see you….. and trust me, there is no judgement my side.  I have done this !!! Seriously, this kind of throw together thingy works like a dream.  Basically it is just a nice array of leftovers, so each time I have done it, it differs from the last time.  I don’t do a lot of flavours as then I find, I don’t know what I am tasting, so I just keep it simple.  That way for me, is the tastiest….and if you are wanting a bit of oomph, add some chilli flakes, fresh coriander and you are good to go. !

Coriander Egg Chilli Corn Sugar Snap Pea Fried Rice

Preparation time:  5 minutes

Cooking time:  3 – 4 minutes

Total time:  8 – 9 minutes

Serves 1

Ingredients:

a little oil for frying

1/4 cup (approximately 60 milliliters) uncooked chopped onion

1 garlic clove, chopped (I used a large fat clove)

1 fresh corn on the cob, corn (kernels) cut off

60 grams uncooked sugar snap peas, roughly chopped,

1 cup cooked rice

2 free range eggs

Salt and Pepper

Chilli Flakes – optional

Fresh Coriander to garnish

Instructions:

Using a small pan on medium heat add the onion and saute’ for a couple minutes.  Then add the garlic, corn, and snap peas.  Fry, stirring constantly to prevent sticking.  Then, scoop all the cooked ingredients to the side of the pan and on the opposite side of the pan break the eggs, and stir around, cooking the eggs. Once done, mix the eggs and veggies all together.  Season to taste.

Enjoy 🙂

 

Millet Vegetarian Fruit and Nut Loaf

Aren’t I slack !  This is the first post for 2018 ! And look at the date, it’s nearly half way through the month !!!  Happy 2018, to all who I have not wished already.

I have decided that I get top marks today for this 🙂 .  Seriously guys, this Millet Vegetarian Fruit and Nut Loaf totally overwhelms me every time I make it, but in such a good way.  I now regret not making a bigger one.  I now regret not having enough millet in my grocery cupboard !!!! Why? why? why?  Guess what I will be buying tomorrow…like a massive amount of millet !  I think millet is underrated !!!  This is such a great grain, and I am even at fault for not cooking more of it…  Today I switched this meatless meatloaf up a bit and added cranberries, just because I can.  This is such an awesome additive loaf !!!

I don’t usually do a sauce with this loaf, but today I did …I  threw together a quick cranberry sauce, to go with the whole cranberry vibe. No sugar added guys !!! I often have had cranberry sauce with other meals and just found it over the top too sweet and it kind of ruins the taste for me.  This one is all healthy…. Yay 🙂 and it is great, but honestly for me, I am not convinced it is totally necessary for this particular loaf…but then again, there is nothing wrong with a little on the side… I served this vegetarian loaf with a bunch of roasted vegetables and it was A-ma-zing !!! 🙂

Millet Vegetarian Fruit and Nut Loaf

Preparation time:  40 minutes (including roasting the butternut)

Cooking time:  30 – 40 minutes

Total time:  1 hour 10 minutes – 1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients:

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 large fat onion, diced

1 large fat garlic clove, minced

300 – 350 grams cubed butternut, roasted

1/2 cup finely chopped mushroom

Salt and Pepper to taste

A good helping of origanum – don’t be shy! (I used dried, but fresh is great! )

100 grams cooked millet

150 grams mixture of dried fruit, chopped (I used pear, apricots, prunes, apples and cranberries)

100 grams dry toasted almonds, chopped

The zest of 1 large orange (alternatively 1 Tablespoon of fresh fruit juice if oranges are not available)

50 grams rolled oats (I used Gluten-Free)

1 jumbo-sized egg

Instructions:

Preheat the oven at 180 degrees Celsius / 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Grease a loaf tin.

In a medium-sized pan on medium heat, saute’ the onion with a little oil.  Add the garlic and cook for a couple minutes.  Add a little more oil if needed, or water so it does not stick to the pan and add the roasted butternut (feel free to mash it up a bit if you want, I did) and mushrooms to the pan.  Stir around. (I felt I needed to add a bit more water at this point to avoid sticking) Season well.

Remove from the stove top and add the millet, fruit, nuts, zest, oats and egg.

Stir well until all the ingredients are combined.

Place in a greased loaf tin and bake for about 30 – 40 minutes or until golden and set.

Cranberry Sauce (Makes 1/2 cup)

100 grams dried cranberries

zest and juice from 1 large orange

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Place all the sauce ingredients into a small pot, on a low heat on top of the stove and let it gently cook for approximately 10 minutes.  The sauce will be thick.

 

Enjoy 🙂

Roasted Butternut Sage Spiral Noodles with Toasted Pecans and Cranberries

Okay, so …Roasted Butternut Sage Spiral Noodles with Toasted Pecans and Cranberries is a bit of a mouthful of a title to say the least….but guys….it is sooooo worth it.  At least you know what it really is, with no surprises!

This is beyond super easy…. and for me if a meal can be thrown together is less than half an hour, I am THERE !!!  Hello lazy days…and I have a lot of them. Especially this time of year…I mean, really where does the time go ?…. I cannot believe that we are literally a few days away from Christmas.

When I started this meal initially I thought it would be quite a heavy meal with the butternut and noodles together. I generally find pasta heavy, and am not really a fan …yes, I know I am an odd one, but that is me. I must say though since doing the whole gluten free thing and having gluten free pasta, I honestly have found pasta not so heavy and actually tolerable! That doesn’t mean I am going to eat it all day, everyday..no no no, but in all honestly, this meal is not heavy at all ! The roasted butternut and noodles actually compliment eachother, but then again the roasted butternut is more of a creamy sauce, ah, so good !!! and then there is that sage…  I couldn’t resist the sage.  Sage is awesome !!!  I just wish I had some fresh sage at the time, but the dried sage served its purpose. The pecans and cranberries is a no brainer….. I just had to ! Load them onto your plate, you will not be sorry. 🙂

So, I now present to you………

Roasted Butternut, Sage Spiral Noodles with Toasted Pecans and Cranberries

Preparation time:  15 minutes

Cooking time:  10 minutes

Total time:  25 minutes

Ingredients:

Gluten-Free Pasta Spirals

For the Butternut Sauce (Makes 3 cups)

A little Olive oil for sautee’ing

1 cup chopped onion

1 Tablespoon chopped garlic clove

2 teaspoons dried sage

2 cups Roasted Butternut

Salt and Pepper

Garnish:  Toasted Pecans and Dried Cranberries (the more the merrier)

Instructions:  

Cook pasta as per packet instructions.

In a pan with a little oil, saute’ the onion and garlic for a few minutes.  Then add in the roasted butternut cubes, sage and let it cook for a couple minutes until all is combined.  Add to a blender and blend.  Taste. Season with salt and pepper and a little more sage if necessary.

Place over pasta and mix through.  Garnish with dry toasted pecans and dried cranberries.

Enjoy 🙂

 

Quinoa Sundried Tomato Chilli Chia Patties

I have been such a disaster in the kitchen lately.  I honestly have no idea what has got into me…  I could blame ‘the utensils’ but then that would be like the man blaming his tools for his bad workmanship, so I will own this, I will take full responsibility.  I mean, what is with this…  I overcooked the quinoa the other day until it was literal mash !  Seriously, at times I swear my mind, leaves my body …  where the heck it goes, who knows !

These Quinoa Sundried Tomato Chilli Chia Patties are ridiculously tasty.  Annnnnd, finally I get to share them with you.  After a lot of failed attempts, consistency just not being right, taste lacking ….here they are in all their glory 🙂   Do you know the saying, practice makes perfect ???  It is true 🙂 !!! I have made them like a zillion times now (okay, that’s an exaggeration) but very very frequently. I can pretty much make them in my sleep now, and I just do not tire from them. There is something about these flavours that really work for me. The chilli is not overpowering at all, it is more of a mild twang in the after taste.  My ideal pattie needs to be moist inside, and not fall into crumbs when cutting into it. This is it. These are a pure winner and are fantastic with a salad or roasted veggies !

Quinoa Sundried Tomato Chilli Chia Patties

Preparation time:  15 minutes

Cooking time:  20 – 25 minutes

Total time:  35 – 40 minutes

Makes 6 – 9

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 cup cooked brown lentils

1 Tablespoon finely chopped garlic clove

2 Tablespoons chopped Sundried Tomatoes

1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds

1 heaped teaspoon dried Thyme

1/4 – 1/2 teaspoons dried chilli flakes

2 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast

1/2 teaspoon salt

30 cracks whole ground black peppercorns

1 Tablespoon white rice flour (Gluten Free)

1 whole free range egg plus 1 free range egg yolk

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius / 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Place all the ingredients into a food processor and pulse several times, until you are able to form a ball with the ingredients.

On a lined and greased baking tray, place the patties and gently flatten slightly. (I used a baking tray with a silicone baking sheet on it…worked like a dream)

Bake until golden brown.

Enjoy 🙂

 

 

Spiralized Zucchini, Green Bean, Pea Salad with Parsley Salad Dressing

This is my new favourite salad 🙂 .  It is raw, crunchy and highly nutritious.  When I first made this salad a few weeks ago I never made the dressing, instead just had the salad with some freshly squeezed lemon juice.  I am not really a salad dressing kind of a person, often I feel a dressing takes over the salad and covers up the actual taste of the salad.  But, this dressing is somewhat light and does add a little twist to this salad. FYI I have not tried this salad warmed.  I know some people feel the urge to warm up zucchini in a salad, but really I like it raw. I am loving the sugar snap peas at the moment and for some reason I just can’t get enough of green beans, but they must be the ‘fine’ ones …who knows why….just a thing I am going through right now…Anyhow, salads are going to become a huge thing in my life right now, thanks to summer on it’s way…Ha, I say that, but really this weather in this part of the world, does not know what it wants to do, so I will just do what I do in summer and eat salad…I will pretend it is hot…well at lunch-time anyway……

Spiralized Zucchini, Green Bean, Pea Salad with Parsley Salad Dressing

Total time:  20 minutes

Serves 2

Ingredients:

2 cups spiralized zucchini/courgettes/large marrow

75 grams fine green beans

75 grams sugar snap peas

For the Salad Dressing:

Makes about 100 milliliters

1/2 cup tightly packed fresh parsley, chopped

2 fat garlic cloves, minced and chopped finely (about 2 teaspoons)

1 teaspoon of Dijon Mustard (I did not use the grainy one)

2 – 4 teaspoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice

4 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil

4 Tablespoons water

Freshly cracked salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Blanch the beans in boiling water for about a minute, remove immediately and place in iced cold water to prevent any further cooking to take place.

Then, blanch the sugar snap peas for 30 seconds, remove immediately and place in a separate bowl of ice-cold water to prevent any further cooking to take place.

To make the dressing:

Add all the dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisk until all combined. Taste.  (If you feel the dressing needs a little more of anything, then add to get the taste to your liking.)

To assemble the salad:

Place the spiralized zucchini on a salad platter.

Cut some of the blanched beans and sugar snap peas up and add to the zucchini. Arrange some whole beans and sugar snap peas on top.  Drizzle the parsley dressing over and serve as a light meal or as a side salad. (I drizzled the dressing over the salad once plated up on separate plates.)

Enjoy 🙂

 

Berry and Chia Smoothie

I could not resist this !!! What is better than a quick throw together morning smoothie.  I feel like I have just discovered my blender again, and can’t resist playing with it !!! I literally have been making smoothies and juices all week….I know….quite sad hey, but I like playing in my kitchen, and I like just sprucing the breakfast ideas up, otherwise it gets a tad boring. Not only that, I scrapped together the last of the strawberries here, so I had to take full advantage.

I was really on the fence about the banana thing…I am weird, I have this thing about bananas.  I like them, and then sometimes I don’t.  I love them in a fruit salad, banana bread and even in muffins, but then sometimes the thought of putting a banana into say a smoothie…….it doesn’t gross me out, it is just like…do I have to? should I?  Then, I do, and I love the smoothie….  Yes, just bare with me, I have my moments.

Berry and Chia Smoothie

Preparation time:  5 minutes

Total time:  8 minutes

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients:

100 grams fresh strawberries, chopped

100 grams fresh blueberries

100 grams milk of your choice

1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds

1 banana (fresh or frozen)

Instructions:

Bomb all of the above ingredients into a blender and blend for about 2-3 minutes until nice and smooth. Pour or scoop into a glass.

Enjoy 🙂

Lentil and Nut Stuffed Roasted Peppers

Look I just added a liittttle cheese !!! We had such an onslaught of cheese the other week (which of course was divine), so I thought today I would just keep it simple, with a minimal amount of cheese.

These little guys are so awesome and really is such a versatile meal.  For as long as I can remember I have LOVED roasted peppers.  Hey, I am not even picky about which colour pepper I have.  I know some people do have their preferences, but not me…. So, I know stuffed peppers is not a new thing….but then it is all about the filling.  So if you want to go the ‘veggie way’ these I think will impress you !  These Lentil and Nut Stuffed Peppers can easily just be eaten as is. Don’t be shy, be like me and try all the colours and make it a meal. I served these little babies with a ton of roasted veggies…(yes, that is how I like them) but knock yourself out and serve them pretty much how ever you would like to serve them.  No matter what….I know you’ll enjoy  🙂 !

Lentil and Nut Stuffed Roasted Peppers

Preparation time:  15 minutes

Cooking time: 20 – 30 minutes

Total time:  35 – 45 minutes

Makes 8 – 9 whole peppers, depending on the size

Ingredients:

8 – 9 whole peppers

1 cup cooked lentils (I used brown)

1 cup grated carrots

approximately 3/4 cup diced white onion

1 clove garlic crushed and diced

a handful of grated matured cheddar cheese  – optional (for the cheese lovers, you can add one cup)

1/2 cup dry toasted nuts, slightly chopped (I used walnuts)

1/2 cup dry toasted sunflower seeds

100 grams tomato paste

2 teaspoons dried oregano

2 teaspoons dried parsley

2 teaspoons dried basil

Salt and Pepper

For the topping:  extra matured cheddar cheese – optional

extra dry toasted nuts (I used walnuts)

Instructions:

In a large bowl add all the above ingredients except for the extra cheese and nuts.

Cut the top off each pepper (so it acts like a lid or hat for the pepper LOL)

With a tablespoon generously fill each pepper.

Top with extra cheese and nuts.

Place in the oven (place some aluminium foil/tin foil over ovenproof dish) and allow to roast. Check peppers after 20 minutes.  Roast in oven until the cheese is bubbling. You may want to take the foil off from the ovenproof dish nearing the end of roasting time.

Remove from the oven.

Serve hot either with roasted vegetables or with a salad.

Enjoy 🙂

NB*

1)  To make it vegan,  omit the cheese.

2)  Preparation time can literally be cut in half with this meal if the cheese is already grated, and the nuts and seeds are already dry toasted.

3)  This recipe can easily be cut in half if wanted, as it does make a fair amount.  Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge and utilized again, even making alternative meals.

 

 

Red/Purple Cabbage and Berry Breakfast Smoothie

Okay, I did this…..I put cabbage in your smoothie.  I swear you probably think I have lost all my marbles even considering cabbage for a smoothie….Don’t stone me, trust me… And, I put in the nice cabbage, the pretty colourful red one….just for a change. Or is it purple?  Aubergine like colour? Burgundy? I don’t know, personally I don’t think it is red or purple, often it is called red….but whatever, just something in between, but who cares so long as it is super cool and super pretty. Sorry if the cabbage thing has put you off, but it is good for you.

So, the moral of the story is, if you have a bit of red/purple,burgundy or aubergine colour cabbage left or if you see those little baby ones in the store or at the market, bomb it into a smoothie, add an apple and a banana and some berries and you have this smoothie of note !!!!

Red/Purple Cabbage and Berry Breakfast Smoothie

Preparation time:  5 minutes

Total time:  8 minutes

Serves 1

Ingredients:

1 fresh or frozen banana

1 red apple, chopped

100 grams shredded red cabbage

100 grams  blueberries, fresh or frozen

1 cup milk of your choice

Instructions:

Place all the above ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth.  This takes approximately 3 minutes.

Pour into a glass.

Enjoy 🙂

 

Healthier Blueberry and Seed Muffins

Today is muffin day! and you have my full permission to eat as many as you want.  I am only saying that, as I am guilty of devouring one hot muffin just as they came out of the oven.  I know….I have no control.  I don’t know what it is about muffins, but for me they need to be HOT !!! and the best ones are straight from the oven. I just cannot resist them !!! I don’t even sit down to eat it, it is a matter of …tray out of oven, and my paw clutching one hot muffin from the tray….and need I say much more…..

So, anyway, I decided to post something a little different from my usual …. actually I was kind of feeling a little guilty, as I have not really baked in a while, and I was getting the impression that the hubby was starting to feel a bit deprived.  (Yes, let’s blame it on the hubby :-)) Anyway, so I opted for these ‘healthier’ muffins. Note, the operative word ‘healthier’, so in my mind they are ‘healthier’ but still not 100% healthy. There still are a few things which raise my eyebrows…but hey…it is all about balance. 🙂

Healthier Blueberry and Seed Muffins

Preparation time:  10 minutes

Cooking time:  20 minutes

Total time:  30 minutes

Makes 12

Ingredients:

2 jumbo-sized free-range eggs

45 grams apple sauce

45 grams vegetable oil/or butter, melted/or coconut oil, melted

1/2 cup lactose-free plain yoghurt

1 medium-sized banana

 

225 grams gluten-free plain all-purpose flour

3 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder

50 grams sugar

20 grams gluten-free oats

125 grams seeds (I did a mixture of 50 grams sunflower, 50 grams pumpkin, 25 grams combined sesame and poppy seeds)

125 grams blueberries (fresh or frozen)*

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius /350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lightly whisk eggs with a fork.

If using butter, melt it.  Whilst butter is melting, mash-up the banana.

In a large bowl, add the beaten eggs, applesauce, butter, yoghurt and banana. Mix well with a metal tablespoon.

In another bowl, combine all the dry ingredients together.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and fold in nicely.

Lastly, fold in the blueberries until just combined.

Spoon dollops of mixture into the muffin tin.

Cook for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy 🙂

NB*  If you are using frozen blueberries, allow the blueberries to defrost naturally overnight.

If you are not Gluten intolerant, I am sure these muffins will be equally as nice using another healthier flour option.

Blueberry, Spinach and Quinoa Smoothie Bowl

Yes, I am on a Quinoa thing at the moment…sorry, I know I posted a Quinoa salad last week, and it was for breakfast, and now I am posting a Quinoa Smoothie, probably also for breakfast too….but guys, I don’t know about you, but I definitely need my Quinoa fix, and this was just too good to pass up !

Porridge like ….. thick ….filling, and so so healthy.  What better than a quinoa smoothie bowl, loaded with fresh baby spinach and berries.  If you still have this ‘anti’ thing about spinach in your smoothies,  seriously, please try … even if you try firstly with a small quantity. Green equals Healthy.

You know, I shudder when I think of all those unhealthy, breakfast cereals out there, loaded with preservatives and such like.  It’s really scary.  And, this can be prepared in minimal time, just like those cereals.  Generally I like to have my grains cooked before hand, it really makes life so much easier or, if I am doing quinoa for dinner, just cook up a bit more, and that is the base for breakfast the next morning – boom, breakie is done !

Anyway, I feel I am rambling right now…. Lets get back to the real stuff…..and, look at the colour of this !!! Isn’t it A-M-A-Z-I-N-G !!!!!

Blueberry, Spinach and Quinoa Smoothie Bowl

Total time:  9 minutes

Serves 1-2

Ingredients:

150 grams (approx 3/4 cup/5.3 ounces) fresh strawberries

100 grams (approx 1 cup/7.1 ounces) fresh blueberries or frozen

100 grams rice milk (approx 1/2 cup/3.5 ounces) or milk of your choice. If using frozen blueberries use some of the juice, or a combination of both

2 Tablespoons chia seeds

1 handful of baby spinach

100 grams (approx 1/2 cup/3.5 ounces) cooked quinoa

1 banana

Instructions:

In your blender, add all of the above ingredients and blend until smooth. Blend for about 3 minutes or so.  Transfer into a bowl.

Enjoy 🙂

NB*  Don’t stress too much about getting ‘exact’ quantities.  What is great about smoothies is that you can blend together whatever quantities suit you, and you can really make them your own.  🙂