Falafel with Green Pea Hummus
Thursday, November 14, 2024Sure you can easily buy crispy falafel from any kebab shop, but you can also simply make them yourself at home! Whether served on their own, with hummus or in a wrap - these crispy falafel made with chickpea flour and oriental spices always work! They are easy and quick to prepare and taste super with pea hummus which has has an extra kick from chilli flakes.
Gluten Free Beetroot Chickpea Pancakes
Saturday, November 02, 2024Fancy a change and lots of colour in the morning? Then you should these beetroot pancakes for a vital start to the day. Not only are they beautiful to look at, they are also made with some healthy ingredients. You don't have to compromise on flavour and sweetness even if you are trying to cut back the consumption of refined white sugar. These pancakes are sweetened with honey and if you want it sweeter, then serve them with maple syrup. In case you want to avoid sugar completely, I would recommend using erythritol or xylitol, which gives a more natural sweetness and mouth feel.
Beetroot is very healthy and always looks great when used to colour food. The bright red colour is simply special. Any cooked beetroot works, use roasted beetroot if you prefer a deeper purple colour and richer flavour. I used chickpea flour as an alternative to wheat flour. This makes these pancakes lower in carbohydrates and richer in fibre, as well as being gluten-free.
Pumpkin Diane
Sunday, September 29, 2024In the 19th century, sauces made “a la Diane” were dedicated to Diana the Rome goddess and was originally served as an accompaniment to venison, giving it a luxurious and rich flavour. The sauce is mainly made with shallots, Dijon mustard, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, and cream. It was originally cooked tableside and sometimes flambéed. Though the sauce is a classic accompaniment to meat dishes, you can certainly use the sauce for vegetables too. This recipe, adapted from Taste, put a vegetarian spin on it with a carnival pumpkin (the skin of a carnival squash is entirely edible), lentils and oyster mushrooms. You can use other wild mushrooms like shiitake, chanterelles or just regular button mushrooms.
Sweet Potato and Beluga Lentil Salad with Poached Egg
Wednesday, August 28, 2024With this salad, you don't have to choose between nutrients-dense black lentils and sweet potatoes. Together with some fresh herbs and a poached egg, you can expect a real flavour experience. If you can't find beluga lentils, use French puy lentils. They both share the same size and texture and also hold their shape well when cooked. When poaching eggs, use the FRESH ones, ideally at room-temperature, as older eggs tend to have watery egg whites that won't closely surround the yolk when poached.
Chickpea Balls with Paprika Sauce
Friday, August 16, 2024Naturally gluten free chickpea balls are flavourful, made with basic pantry staples and all done under 30 minutes. Enjoy these vegetarian meatballs with roasted potatoes, garden salad, in a pita pocket, or simply with your favorite sauce! You can bake them or fry them, either way, they are delicious. If you don't have leftover rice, then use 80-110 grams of rolled oats instead.
Black Hummus
Thursday, August 08, 2024If you have a high speed blender, use it to make tahini. Otherwise use your food processor. Just keep in mind using a food processor will take lots of time, it took me almost two hours, because I took short breaks in between to prevent my food processor from overheating, and you should scrape down the sides every now and then. You don't have to toast the sesame seeds, but toasting process is what helps the seeds to release their oils, thus making them easier to blend.
Hummus, originating in the Middle East, has been gaining popularity all over the world as this dip is very delicious and versatile. You can make a chorizo hummus bowl, or a hummus using chickpea flour, or cauliflower hummus, or this beautiful pink beet hummus. So here is my new addtion: Black Tahini Hummus. Garnish with your favourite toppings and serve with crackers, pita or crudites. Leftover hummus will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Black tahini has a stronger flavour than the traditional white one, so when working with it, you need to add some sweetness to cut through that flavour. For this tahini, I added 2 teaspoons of maple syrup. Use black garlic if you can find them, otherwise, regular garlic works just fine.
Gluten Free Kidney Bean Brownies
Saturday, July 27, 2024These kidney bean brownies are perfect if you're looking for a healthy twist on the classic. They are super fudgy thanks to the kidney beans, grain-free and gluten-free. And in case you are wondering if they taste like beans, the answer is no. They actually taste like real brownies. The add of espresso powder gives these brownies even more intense chocolate flavour. Alternatively, use pure vanilla powder instead to provide a fully rounded flavour and enhance the sweetness.
Broad Bean and Snow Pea Salad with Almond and Feta
Saturday, July 13, 2024Green, fresh and flavour-packed, this simple salad is great to make at any occasion. Broad beans, aka fava beans, are a good source of protein, carbohydrates and vitamins. The rubbery skins of broad beans are edible, but I prefer the double podded ones for the salad. It does take a little bit of extra time and patience to remove the skin of each individual bean, but totally worth it! Use peas or edamame instead if you prefer.
Spicy Green Falafel with Tahini Sauce
Wednesday, July 10, 2024Crispy on the outside, soft and tender inside and spiked with spices, these green falafels can be eaten as a snack, with a salad or wrapped in warm pita bread. Falafel are traditionally made in the Middle East from dried chickpeas or/and broad beans but this recipe starts with a tin of drained chickpeas for speed.
Use chickpea flour to coat your hands when shaping your falafels or with a bowl of water on hand to keep your hands wet. Either technique works well to prevent your hands from becoming sticky with the falafel mixture.
Mercimek Köftesi Turkish Red Lentil Koftas
Sunday, July 07, 2024Prepared mainly with red lentils, fine bulgur and some spices and herbs, mercimek köftesi, aka Turkish red lentil koftas, are easy to make, and as comforting as they are delicious. They are great as a snack, breakfast or even as a main. Onion and spring onions are essential ingredients for mercimek köftesi, so don't skip them. Shape them any form you like, I just squeeze the mixture between the fingers and palm..easy peasy!
Broad Beans, Spring Onions and Cilantro Salad
Wednesday, July 03, 2024This broad bean salad is a simple and flavorful dish that uses blanched broad beans, spring onions, cilantro leaves, and a simple vinaigrette. It's nutritious and super easy to make, and can be enjoyed as a light yet satisfying plant-based meal, side dish, or appetizer when served with some homemade bread. It's a great addition to any meal.
Red Lentil Crackers
Saturday, June 22, 2024You only need a few ingredients and less than 10 minutes of preparation to make homemade lentil crackers / crisps. Your oven will do the rest for you and they are guaranteed to be crispy, and kept fresh for several days. They are naturally gluten-free, protein-rich and free of any grains. A fun and healthy way to enjoy some legumes. Feel free to experiment with other herbs and spices and have fun!
Broccolini with Blueberries and White Bean Purée
Saturday, June 08, 2024The mix of panfried broccolini, herbs, sprouts, and blueberries on a creamy white bean purée looks inviting and moreish. Broccolini, aka aspabroc, or baby broccoli, is a cross-breed of broccoli and Chinese kale or gailan. They have smaller florets, longer, firmer, thin stalks and much tender than broccoli and has a milder flavour, but more expensive.