Watermelon and Labneh Salad with Pistachio Dukkah or Sumac
Wednesday, July 14, 2021Nothing screams summer quite like a juicy and sweet watermelon. Okay, maybe ice cream. But seriously, forget about vine-ripe tomatoes, sweet corn on the cob, and summer stone fruits, an ice cold slice of sweet watermelon in the hot afternoon is truly a summertime pleasure. This salad is the perfect side to some grilled chicken and brings a fresh sweetness that complements any grilled meat. You can even serve this as a breakfast, just swap some homemade granola for dukkah. Watermelon is considered a very healthy snack. Its high water content (92%) helps keep you hydrated.
Dukkah, a crunchy blend of roasted nuts, with sesame seeds, herbs and spices, can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, or in the fridge, for up to 2 months to spice up any vegetables, salads, meat and fish with Middle Eastern flavour.
Pistachio Dukkah | Watermelon Salad |
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- Dry toast the almonds and pistchios briefly over medium-high heat, tossing regularly, until the nuts have turned slightly browned and smlled aromatic. Set aside.
- Place the sesame seeds in the same skillet and return to the heat. Toast over medium heat, tossing regularly, until the sesame seeds turn golden brown.
- Place toasted almonds, pistachios, sesame seeds, spices and sea salt in a food processor. Pulse for a few seconds until the mixture is coarsely chopped.
- Place the watermelon into a mixing bowl, season with salt and add the fresh herbs. Gently mix to combine.
- When you are ready to serve, spread the labneh on a plate. Top with watermelon and sprinkle the prepared pistachio dukkah. Or simply sprinkle some sumac, lemon zest and pistachios over. Garnish with some extra fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately.
Green Pasta Salad with Pine Nuts
Monday, July 12, 2021A quick, easy green pasta salad chock full of the tasty, nutrient-rich ingredients with a creamy salad dressing. You can make this flavourful pasta ahead of time, then keep it in your fridge until time to serve. I use whole spelt pasta, but you can choose a variety that meets your nutritional requirements-regular wheat pasta or gluten-free pasta made from rice, lentils or beans.
Salad Dressing | |
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- Mix everything for the dressing in a bowl. Taste and season. Chill until ready for use.
- Fill a saucepan for the pasta with about 800ml of water. Place over high heat and bring it to a boil. Add 2 teaspoonfuls of salat to the boiling water. Add in pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes. In the last minute of cooking, add frozen peas. Drain the pasta and peas and return to the saucepan.
- Add in arugula, chives and two thirds of the dressing. Gently toss everything together. Season and taste. Place them on a large serving platter. Scatter the roasted pine nuts over and enjoy!
Beef Liver Salad with Arugula, Gooseberries and Apricots
Friday, July 09, 2021The beef liver is cooked to be really tender, wonderfully succulent and pairs perfectly with the arugula and fruit salad. The liver is really fantastic for you and filled with essential vitamins and minerals (Vitamin B12, Vitamin A, Iron, Copper and Choline) your body needs. If you aren’t a big fan of nutrient-dense superfood-beef liver like me, try lamb or chicken liver. They are milder in taste and have a softer texture. You can also soak beef liver in milk overnight to make the flavour milder.
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- Clean beef liver and cut roughly into 2-inch segments. Heat the ghee in a skillet over high heat until hot. Add the liver, garlic, and ginger and stir-fry until browned but interior is still pinkish, about 2 minutes. Add in pepper flakes, coriander powder and Brandy or Sherry. Stir everything together and cook for a minute. Season with salt.
- Place arugula, apricot wedges and gooseberries in two serving plates. Top with beef liver. Sprinkle some chopped parsley and pink peppercorns over.
Sirloin Steak with Garlic Bok Choy
Wednesday, July 07, 2021You can use any cut of steak for this recipe, but sirloin is naturally lean and more afforable. It's delicious on its own with a bold beefy flavour and firm texture, also cooks well with marinades and sauces. Using beef broth and brandy to the pan sauce not only enhances the flavour but makes the sauce rich and creamy. If you don't want to use alcohol, then simply leave it out.
Sirloin is taken from the hip of the cow and tends to be slightly chewy as it's on the leaner side. I would suggest to get top sirloin, which is more tender and suitable for high heat pan searing and grilling, but be careful not to overcook them since the meat can start to turn tough and dry beyond medium.
Biftekia Greek Meat Patties
Monday, July 05, 2021These Greek patties, Biftekia, are packed with the Mediterranean flavours, juicy and super delicious. They are great for picnics and garden grill parties.
Biftekia, also known as “Greek hamburger”, are very popular in Greece. The smaller meatball version is called keftedes. Traditionally, the ground meat (beef, pork or lamb are all fine) is marinated with herbs (thyme, oregano, dill, parsley or rosemary) and allow the mixture to marry in the fridge, the longer the better. Overnight would be ideal. If you want to keep it low-carb, substitute almond meal for breadcrumbs.