Malt Loaf
Friday, August 02, 2024There's something very comforting and pleasurable about a cup of tea with a thick slice of sticky buttered malt loaf--an easy, favourite British teatime treat known for its rich, sticky texture and malty flavour. The key to a great malt loaf is in the fruit-soaking – overnight at room temperature. For maximum flavour and texture, wrap the finished loaf and leave it for a couple of days before tucking in.
Any dried fruit is fine for malt loaf. Chop larger fruits like dates, figs, prunes or apricots to the size of raisins before using. You can adjust the amount of malt extract according to your taste. For this recipe, I used 5 tablespoons.
Blackberry Tart
Thursday, August 01, 2024Finally blackberry time again - and therefore time for a delicious blackberry pastry. Perhaps you have some bushes in your garden or neighbourhood that bear lots of the delicious fruit. If that's the case, then you should definitely try baking this blackberry tart. And of course, you can always go get some from the supermarkets.
Somehow blackberries are always somewhat overshadowed by strawberries, blueberries or raspberries. Yet they are so pretty, flavourful and great for our health! In this cake / tart, I replaced the white sugar with sugar alcohol (you can use either xylitol or erythritol) to make it a less guilty treat. Both pastry and filling can be prepared separately one day ahead, then bake next day. Cool the tart thoroughly before slicing to get a nice clean slice. If you can wait, refrigerate the tart until the filling is set, 1-2 hours.
Tuna Pâté
Wednesday, July 31, 2024This creamy, rich tuna pâté, adapted from food&wine, is super simple and takes no time at all to prepare. They go well with raw vegetables, crackers or toasted baguette. It's a great way to turn a can of tuna into a healthy appetiser for entertaining, snack or a light lunch. My preference is for tuna in olive oil, but you could use the one in sunflower oil if preferred.
Salmon Salad
Tuesday, July 30, 2024Paprika Chicken
Monday, July 29, 2024One-pan paprika chicken recipe, adapted from Olive Magazine, bursting with colour and flavour - ready in just 30 minutes and a lifesaver when you need to get food on the table easily and quickly. Serve it with egg noodles, steamed rice or mashed potatoes. I used chicken thighs for the recipe, but drumsticks or even breast work too.
Aubergine Salad with Golden Raisins, Herbs and Pinenuts
Sunday, July 28, 2024Charred aubergine salad is easy to make, delicious, healthy and full of flavour. In order to fully bring out the natural sweetness of dry gold raisins, soak them in hot water mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white wine vinegar. For an even more filling salad, add some homemade croutons or cooked wholegrains, orzo, lentils or quinoa.
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.
Roasted Dutch Carrots with Nori Dressing
Friday, July 26, 2024Elevate this everyday humble roasted root vegetable into something spectacular and a holiday-worthy side dish with a unique nori dressing. Nori is a form of dried edible seaweed and so much more than just a sushi wrapper. You can use nori as a garnish, to enjoy as a snack, to flavour noodles or soups, and to make salad dressings. Nori offers incredible health benefits and contains a lot of vitamins and various essential minerals. Dutch carrots, aka baby carrots, are smaller, thinner and sweeter than regular carrots, and are usually sold with the greens still attached. If you can't find them, just use sliced regular one.
Meatloaf Gugelhupf
Thursday, July 25, 2024This bacon-covered meatloaf with feta cheese is made with a blend of pork and beef and cooked in an unusual kugelhupf pan. It is so flavourful and juicy and great as a warm starter or as a main course with salads, or vegetables. The bacon adds savory saltiness, smokiness and crunch on top and help retain the moisture. Keto or not, this upgraded meatloaf will be a huge hit with everyone who enjoys comfort food. If desired, boil the accumulated juice with 120 ml cream to make a gravy if desired.
Thai Pork Belly Curry
Wednesday, July 24, 2024This distinctive Thai red curry, adapted from taste, with fall-apart tender pork belly and broccolini is a pure food heaven. The combination of the melting texture of slow-roasted meat and the richness and creaminess of red curry sauce is absolutely irresistible. You can substitute red curry paste with green or yellow curry paste here. Use other vegetables, like green beans, spinach or sugar peas if you like. I don't have any kaffir lime leaves left, so I just used some lime wedges to add that typical Thai citrus flavour to the curry.
Lamb Chops With Blackberry Port Sauce
Tuesday, July 23, 2024This mouth watering pan-seared lamb chops with a tender, pinky center and a fruity blackberry port sauce is perfect on mashed potatoes or with a side of greens. Blackberries are delicious in savoury sauces, and this version is the ideal match for the rich lamb chop and many different meats. To get a nice crust on the lamb chops, use a cast-iron or stainless steel skillet. Non-stick just won't cut it.
Quinoa and Blueberry Power Bars
Monday, July 22, 2024A superfood-packed power bar, adapted from Donna Hay, these no-bake quinoa and blueberry power bars are naturally gluten-free, refined-sugar free and perfect for on-the-go. I used Davert organic 100% almond butter (no added sugar or sweeteners) for the recipes because it contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats as well as vitamins and minerals. Feel free to use natural peanut butter instead. Use regular dried blueberries if you don't have accesse to freeze-dried one. These bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.