Baby Leaf Salad with Roasted Hokkaido and Herb Dressing
Sunday, December 31, 2023Crispy, tender baby leaves are gently tossed with chicken schmaltz roasted Hokkaido pumpkin wedges and aromatic toasted cashew nuts in this colourful and pretty salad. The lemon-and-herb vinaigrette gets a touch of sweetness from a teaspoon of honey and works beautifully with almost any salad. I used a mixture of flat parsley, oregano and thyme. If you can't find red chard and bull's blood, just use baby arugula, lamb's lettuce or young spinach instead.
Italian Sausage Terrine with Green Peppercorns and Pistachios
Friday, December 29, 2023Whet the appetite for the dinner party by serving your guests this rich pork terrine with Italian sausages, pistachio kernels and green peppercorns. It can be made up to two days ahead. I use spicy Italian sausages, but you can use regular one or any pork sausage of your choice. If you want to make it alcohol-free, replace it with apple juice or chicken stock. A terrine is always better served at room temperature or cold with crusty bread / crackers, pickles, mustard and fruit chutney or simply with a salad.
Minted Lamb and Feta Meatballs with Tomato Salad
Wednesday, December 27, 2023Easy Keto Three-Cheese Quiche
Monday, December 25, 2023This easy keto quiche recipe starts with a pork rind crust, but you can use a regular quiche crust if you ain't on keto or low carbs diet. It’s loaded with roasted pork belly, 3 different kinds of cheese (Spanish Manchego, Dutch Old Amsterdam, and English vintage Cheddar) and spring onions and is perfect for brunch or dinner! You can use other cheese (Cheddar, Gouda and Gorgonzola), add other seasonings and replace pork belly with leftover roasted chicken or ham.
Raspberry Streusel Cake with Greek Yoghurt and Almonds
Saturday, December 23, 2023You can't beat an old-fashioned tea treat or dessert like this delicious, buttery streusel / crumble cake, starring fresh plump raspberries, Greek yoghurt, almonds and spelt flour- wholemeal spelt flour gives them a fibre boost and adds to the overall nutty flavour. It is fantastic served with dollop of crème fraîche or custard for added indulgence and extra fresh berries that will make afternoon time with the family and friends all the more special.
Grilled Radicchio Salad with Goat Cheese and Candied Walnuts
Thursday, December 21, 2023Grilling radicchio helps temper the bitterness in this hearty and beautiful vegetable. Radicchio and fresh goat cheese pair well and compliment each other. Candied walnuts and juicy pomegranate seeds give a distinctive lift and touch of sweetness to this warm salad. It is simple and quick to prepare and makes an impressive and exciting side dish that will liven up any meal.
Cherry, Ginger and Macadamia Christmas Cake
Tuesday, December 19, 2023Good things take time, so start this recipe at least 1 day in advance to macerate the fruit and allow additional time for cooling. Traditional fruitcake is such a joy at Christmas time. Dense with brandy-soaked dried fruit and warming spices, this means a little goes a long way! This recipe adds a delicious yet modern twist on a classic fruitcake by using candied ginger, dried cherries, physalis, barberries, macadamias, coconut suguar and ginger shot to the batter. If you don't bake with alcohol, then replace it with apple or orange juice.
Pumpkin Walnut Pâté
Sunday, December 17, 2023This Pumpkin Walnut Pâtés is delicious, vegetarian-friendly and perfect for dipping into with slices of crusty bread, crackers, grissini or vegetable sticks. You can serve this as an appetizer for any of your holiday parties. I used homemade roasted hokkaido for this, but butternut squash or even canned pumpkin will work just as fine. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Peanut Butter Soup
Friday, December 15, 2023This hearty peanut soup recipe is made with simple ingredients like all natural peanut butter and tomato puree, but packed with flavour and nutrients. It's dairy-free, gluten-free and keto-friendly. Natural peanut butter works the best for the soup as it is made with just fresh roasted peanuts and a dash of salt and contains no other additives like sugar, preservatives and trans fat. If you have a high-powered blender or processor, then it's very easy to make your own. Simply roast the peanuts, add them to the food processor with a little sea salt, and process to a smooth paste.
Spiced Chicken Traybake with Pine Nuts
Wednesday, December 13, 2023There is just something so relaxing about throwing everything into a roasting pan and then popping into the oven where the chicken drumsticks bake merrily away until golden, juicy and tender without any input from you. Big on flavour, low on effort, ready in an hour and there is much less washing up at the end, too. If desired, add some chopped sweet potatoes or pumpkins at the bottom of the roasting pan, so they soak up all the juices from the spices, lemon and chicken as they cook.
Green Beans with Coconut Curry Dressing
Monday, December 11, 2023The creamy and flavourful Indian-inspired salad dressing with uniquely warming spices and coconut cream livens up the green beans and works great with other vegetables too. Nigella seeds add an herby-oniony flavour while pink pepperberries add a floral note and a gorgeous pop of colour and subtle crunch. This easy salad takes less than 30 minutes to pull together and makes a versatile side dish or starter. Feel free to add some crispy bacon or nuts if desired.
Salmon Tart
Saturday, December 09, 2023This savoury salmon tart is perfect for a light meal served with some bitter arugula salad and lemon wedges, to take to a picnic or as a lunch box filler. It transports well and can be enjoyed warm or cold. You can use ready-to-roll butter puff pastry in place of keto crust or shortcrust as the base for this quiche, though making your own pastry is far easier than you might think. If you use ready-made pastry, the tart can be ready in about 30 minutes.