Halloumi Wraps
Tuesday, January 12, 2021If you’re looking for a quick-fix, filling, deliciously comforting recipe, look no further than these halloumi wraps. With wholegrain tortillas, homemade hummus, mixed sweet bell peppers, beetroot, arugula and seeds to garnish, this wrap is a treat for your taste buds and makes a satiating protein-rich midweek meal. Substitute tofu for halloumi if you want to go vegan, but the wrap won't be quite the same without halloumi.
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- Toast the pumpkin seeds (if using regular) with the cumin seeds in a large frying pan until they begin to pop and smell fragrant, then transfer to a large bowl.
- Cut the halloumi into 12 strips or chunks or a mix of two. Wrap halloumi strip with a slice of prosciutto if using.
- Heat the olive oil in a pan and fry the halloumi strips or cubes until golden brown and crisp. Spread a layer of hummus on each flatbread and top with bell peppers, beetroots, halloumi, arugula and toasted seeds to serve.
Baharat Chicken with Chickpeas and Garlic Yoghurt
Saturday, January 09, 2021A quick and easy chicken supper using the Middle Eastern spice blend, baharat and a sprinkling of sesame seeds on bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
Baharat is a common spice blend widely used in Middle Eastern, Turkish, and Greek cuisines. Baharat is the Arabic word for "spices". The mixture of finely ground spices is often used to season meat, seafood, rice and soups or sprinkled over finished dishes as a condiment. It's warm, earthy, smokey and aromatic. If baharat is not readily available, use equal parts of paprika, cumin, black pepper and cinnamon instead. You can also make your own.
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- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F fan forced. Mix the baharat, salt with the olive oil in a small bowl.
- Put the chicken in a deep roasting tray, brush with the spice-glaze and scatter over the sesame seeds. Add the chickpeas and garlic and bake for 30–40 minutes.
- Remove the tray from the oven, take the garlic out and set aside. Brush the chicken with the oil that has gathered at the bottom of the tray. Return the chicken to the oven for a further 15–20 minutes.
- Blend together the garlic cloves and yoghurt until well combined.
- Serve the chicken on a bed of salad greens, chickpeas, pomegranate seeds with the garlic yoghurt drizzled over and the mint leaves scattered on top.
Buttermilk Honey Sandwich Bread
Thursday, January 07, 2021The bread, inspired by this recipe on All Recipes, rises beautifully thanks to the quality organic bread flour and buttermilk helps tenderize gluten, giving bread a softer, tenderer texture and more flavour too while the honey adds a mild sweetness. The bread tastes heavenly and makes a perfect slice for sandwiches and toast.
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- Dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Set aside for 5-10 minutes until bubbly.
- Place 50 grams of butter and buttermilk in a small saucepan. Heat slowly until butter has melted. Cool to lukewarm.
- Place honey, salt, baking soda, buttermilk mixture, and yeast in large mixing bowl. Add half of the bread flour, and mix with the dough hook attachment of an electric mixer. Gradually add the remaining flour while continuing to mix. When dough is not sticky, turn out on a lightly floured surface. Knead for several minutes, until the dough is soft and smooth. Place in a greased bowl, and turn once. Allow to rise until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and shape into a loaf. Place in a well greased 8 x 4 inch bread pan. Allow to rise until dough has risen one inch above pan.
- Bake in a preheated 190C/375F oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Bread is done when nicely brown and hollow sounding when thumped. Remove and brush the bread while still warm with the remaining butter.
4-Ingredient Keto Bread with Cashew Butter and Chocolate Chips
Tuesday, January 05, 2021Gluten-Free, grain-free, dairy-free, sugar-free and keto-friendly, this quick bread uses just 4 ingredients and has the perfect crumb, flavour and moisture. It is very easy to make and will be a hit with your family! You don't have to use cashew butter, any other natural nut or seed butter (tahini or almond butter) will work just super. Regular chocolate chips are perfect for this recipe too if you are not on a low-carb or keto diet.
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- Line a small loaf pan with parchment paper. Set aside. Preheat your oven to 180C/350F.
- Beat together eggs and baking soda until soft peaks form. Add in cashew butter and continue mixing until just combined. Fold in 75 grams of milk chocolate chips.
- Pour the bread batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the rest of milk chocolate chips on top.
- Bake for 25-28 minutes until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Remove and cool briefly. Turn out the bread and cool completely on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy!
Cabbage, Blueberry and Maple glazed Walnut Salad
Sunday, January 03, 2021Light, fruity, crisp and delicious, this cabbage salad with maple glazed walnuts and buttermilk dressing is insanely easy and quick to throw together. It's great alongside any meat (roasted duck or pork shoulder) or you can keep it simple and just add in some crispy bacon. Pointed cabbage is sweeter and more tender than ordinary cabbage. You can use savoy or Chinese cabbage instead.
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- Preheat oven to 180C/350F. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place the walnuts in a medium bowl and drizzle with maple syrup. Season with salt and cayenne pepper. Toss to coat. Spread evenly over the lined tray. Bake, turning occasionally, for 10 minutes or until walnuts are caramelised. Set aside to cool.
- Whisk the buttermilk, mayonnaise, vinegar and mustard in a small bowl until well combined. Season.
- Arrange shredded cabbages, caramelised walnuts, blueberries and mandarin on a large serving platter. Drizzle with the buttermilk drressing. Sprinkle with poppy seeds and serve immediately.
Smoked Rainbow Trout Salad
Thursday, December 31, 2020A healthy, convenient and super quick dinner with just a few of fresh and good-for-you ingredients. You may add some boiled potatoes if you're looking for a salad that's a little bit more filling. Give it a twist and use smoked mackerel instead of trout. Throw in some fruits and nuts if you wish.
Salad | Dressing |
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- Place all the ingredients for the dressing in a jar, cover tightly, and shake. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Pile the lamb lettuce on two plates and divide the cucumber, cherry tomatoes and red onion rings between them. Flake over the smoked trout.
- Shake the dressing again and drizzle over the salad. Sprinkle some pink peppercorn over. Serve with lemon wedges or slices aside.
Macadamia Tart
Monday, December 28, 2020Sweet buttery shortcrust pastry with a creamy nutty filling that's literally melts in the mouth. If you don't have macadamia, try some other nuts. Pecans and hazelnuts are great alternatives. Tarts like this can be served on their own but you can serve it with whipped cream or ice cream. Do not skip pre-baking the tart crust. Prebaking the tart shell keeps the crust from getting soggy.
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- To make the crust, in a large bowl whisk together the spelt flour, sugar, and salt. Add in diced butter and egg. Use your hand to mix everything until the dough comes together. Shape dough into a disc. Wrap the disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes or until the dough is firm.
- Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F fan forced. Roll the pastry dough between two sheets of baking paper. Roll out the dough to a 28cm circle and about 2mm thick. Remove the baking paper and place the dough over a 24cm tart pan with a removeable bottom. Lightly press the dough into the bottom and side of the pan. Trim the overhang. (I then shaped the rest of dough into a cookie)
- Line the crust with baking paper and fill with enough dried beans or pastry weights to cover the bottom and side of the crust. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Remove weights and paper, then bake for a further 5 minutes or until tart shell is light golden brown and the base is cooked.
- Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Cream butter, sugar, salt and nutmeg together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at time, then the molasses until fully combined. Add in finely ground macadamias and spelt flour. Fold to combine.
- Tip the filling into the crust and arrange the macadamia nuts on top. (the filling was a bit much, so I baked the rest in a tartlet paper liner.) Bake for 30 minutes until filling is firm to touch in centre. Cool for 15 minutes in the pan.
- Carefully remove the tart from the pan, then dust with icing sugar and serve warm or cold with whipped cream or ice cream if you wish.
May the New Year bless you all with health, wealth, and happiness!