Halloumi Muffins with Basil and Nigella Seeds
Tuesday, January 30, 2024A simple savoury muffin recipe made with spelt, nigella seeds, basil and Halloumi cheese. They are fantastic picnic food and perfect as a healthy lunch box treat, delicious eaten alongside a soup or a stew, or make a very tasty addition to a brunch table.
They are best eaten on the day they're baked – ideally fresh from the oven, but they will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container, or freeze for up to a month. As muffins need to be worked as little as possible so that the texture stays light and tender, keep the amount of stirring you do to a minimum.
Parmesan Leek Quiche
Sunday, January 28, 2024A spicy twist on the classic French Parmesan Leek quiche, this savoury tart is packed with rich flavours of leek and parmesan and the perfect treat for your family and guests! If desired, cook the sliced leeks briefly with a tablespoon of butter first before adding to the filling. I have topped the filling with a couple of chilli peppers and black seeds, but you can exercise your imagination adding other toppings (olives, mushrooms are great). Replace the Parmesan with Grana Padano if you like. Use your favorite store-bought crust or make your own like this keto crust or buttery Gruyere crust.
Roasted Pumpkin with Muhammara and Zhoug
Friday, January 26, 2024The combination of ingredients in this easy roasted pumpkin dish is a perfect balance of sweet, sour nutty and spicy. It's an absolute crowd-pleaser and I'm sure you guys will love it. Pair it with any protein you enjoy.
Muhammara is a Middle Eastern walnut and roasted red pepper dip that's nutty, tangy, and lightly spicy. Zhoug (aka zhug or skhug) is a hot green sauce originating in Yemeni cuisine. It's similar to chimichurri, chermoula, and salsa verde.
Miso Tahini Granola with Sriracha and Maple Syrup
Wednesday, January 24, 2024This miso tahini granola is the perfect balance of salty, sweet and spicy, with a note of mouth-filling umami from miso paste. Use other nuts, like pecans, hazelnuts, cashews or walnuts if you prefer. Enjoy it straight out of the jar, or serve it with Greek yoghurt, seasonal fruits and milk or use it top salads and soups.
Grilled Runner Beans with Lemon Dressing
Monday, January 22, 2024An easy, versatile vegetable side dish with plenty of crunch, tossed with a tangy dressing made with lemons, garlic, dill and fennel seeds. Long flat runner beans taste very much like green beans, but the broader surface area, stringless, and firm texture make them ideal for grilling. They take on char while retaining their shape. Add prosciutto, parmesan or nuts for the topping if you fancy.
Salmon Coconut Curry
Saturday, January 20, 2024This easy salmon coconut curry has tender succulent pan-seared salmon fillets in a creamy curry coconut milk gravy. It's nutritious, delicious and super flavourful. A perfectly healthy and delicious weeknight dinner that everyone will love! You can serve with a side of brown rice, flat bread or sourdough bread. Make this as mild or spicy as you desire and experiment with different vegetables - green beans and eggplants are excellent too.
Parsnip Chips with Chilli Salt
Thursday, January 18, 2024These parsnip chips make a great alternative to storebought potato chips and dip, and are irresistible with a sprinkling of chilli salt and homemade tzatziki sauce. Best eaten on the day they are made, as they can lose their crispiness. If you don't want to fry them, then toss the ribbons with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and bake at 180C/350F for 20-25 minutes. You might have to do this in a few batches.
Braised Fennel
Tuesday, January 16, 2024A simple but oh-so-yummy dish. Fennel wedges braised in white wine and stock until tender which really develops mild licorice flavours, then garnished with a mixture with Parmesan, parsley, lemon zest and toasted Brazil nuts for extra crunch and flavour. It’s a perfect accompaniment to roasted chicken, fish, sausages, steak or over a bed of hummus if you are a vegetarian. Make this recipe your own by adding capers, olives, fruit, or tomatoes togehter with wine and stock. Instead of Brazil nuts, you can also use hazelnuts, almonds or pine nuts for the topping.
Roasted Chicken Thighs with Almond Pangrattato
Sunday, January 14, 2024Pangrattato (literally 'grated bread' in Italian) is a mixture of fried breadcrumbs that are sprinkled over the juicy tender chicken thighs over a bed of roasted red onions with sweet flavour and creamy texture. It's easy to make and the perfect dinner any night of the week. Do make an extra batch of pangrattato, as they are great to sprinkle over the pasta, risotto and vegetables, or to top casseroles or even to stuff the poultry.
Zander and Leek Gratin with Provençal Crust
Friday, January 12, 2024A classic fish and leek bake with zander fish fillets, creamy leek and topped with a crunchy Provencal style crust, which can be used to top chicken, lamb and vegetables too. Traditionally, this crust is made with breadcrumbs and cheese, but using ground pork rind is another great alternative if you are on a low-carb or keto way of eating, plus it adds texture and flavour. It's perfect for a make-ahead meal. Just assemble the entire gratin in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to pop it in the oven.
Quick Rye Bread with Leftover Sugared Cranberries
Wednesday, January 10, 2024This tender and flavorful quick rye bread is packed with sweet tart cranberries and aromatic rosemary, topped with a simple sugar crunch. The bread is tasty as is, but if you want to dress up the quick bread, try a citrus glaze, or cream cheese frosting. If you are using fresh cranberries for the batter, coat them with a tablespoon of flour before adding to the batter, so they won't sink to the bottom.
Pumpkin Quiche with Gorgonzola and Pinenuts
Monday, January 08, 2024Packed with hearty, comforting flavour and a creamy texture, this easy keto, gluten-free pumpkin quiche makes a great option for a make-ahead meal. You could serve this elegant quiche as a weeknight dinner with a soup or salad and the leftovers make a great work lunch as well. Other nuts or seeds can be used for the topping too. If you're feeling fancy, you could sprinkle in some bacon or ham.