Month: July 2014

Appetizer Vegetarian · Appetizers · Do-ahead · Vegetable-related

Eggplant rolls with spinach and ricotta

Belinda

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This is a glorious dish for those days you just can’t be bothered to cook meat and you won’t miss it at all.
It also works well as a starter for a dinner party, followed by a light main course.

Serves 4
2 eggplants, cut into thin slices lengthways
2 tbsp olive oil
1lb (500g)fresh spinach
8oz (250g) tub ricotta
a good grating of fresh nutmeg
350 g (0r 13 oz) jar of good marinara sauce
5 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs
5 tbsp good parmesan cheese, grated

Heat the oven to 400 F.
Brush both sides of the eggplant with oil, then lay on a large baking sheet. bake for 15 to 20 minutes until tender, turning once.
Meanwhile, put the spinach in a large colander and pour over a kettle of boiling water to wilt.
Cool, then squeeze out the excess water, so that it is dry. Mix with the ricotta, nutmeg and plenty of seasoning.
Dollop a spoonful of the cheesy spinach mixture in the center of each eggplant slice, fold over to make a parcel and lay, sealed-side down, in an ovenproof dish.
Pour over the marinara sauce, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and cheese and bake for 20 to 30 mins until golden and piping hot

 

Asian flavors · Curry · Dessert · Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Nuts

Spiced mango and pistachio ice cream

Belinda

You’re thinking, “She’s mad!” Well, she might be, but it’s worth it.I adore making ice cream and with my little Cuisinart 1.5 quart ice cream maker, this is so easy and so different! You’ll be hooked if you like curry. Let me know what you think.

 

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Serves 8
1 cup dried mango, cut into small dice
3/4 cup boiling water
1 cup whole milk
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cardamon
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cayenne powder
1 cup heavy cream
1 tbsp dark rum
1/2 cup chopped pistachios

In a small mixing bowl, combine the dried mangoes and boiling water. Set aside to rehydrate for about 30 minutes, or until the mango pieces are soft and plump. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan set over medium heat, combine the milk, sugar, curry, cinnamon, ginger, cardamon, salt and cayenne. Heat until wisps of steam start to rise from the surface of the milk, then remove from the heat and let stand to cool off and allow the flavors to blend.
Once the mangoes are rehydrated and the milk is cooled to room temperature, set up your ice cream maker as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Stir the cream and rum into the cooled, spiced milk then pour the mixture into the bowl of the ice cream maker.
Prepare as per the directions of your ice cream maker, adding the rehydrated mangoes and chopped pistachios once the mixture is almost completely frozen (it should be roughly the texture of a very thick milkshake)
Transfer the finished ice cream to a freezer-safe container and chill for 3 hours or more to allow the ice cream to harden to a scoopable texture

 

 

 

Gluten Free · Salad · Vegan

Lemony lentils and chickpea salad with radishes and herbs

Belinda

I love those main course salads you can serve for lunch or dinner on a hot summers day. This is a fresh and filling salad flavored with lemon, fresh mint and dill. Use the ready-cooked vacuum packed lentils you can buy and canned chickpeas for a meal ready in under 20 minutes. This salad keeps well for a few days in the fridge too.

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1 x 17 oz vacuum pack steamed Puy lentils
2 large garlic cloves, halved lengthwise
2 tablespoons olive oil

Lemon dressing
¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 medium lemons’ worth)
3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey or agave nectar
3 cloves garlic,minced
¼ teaspoon fine-grain sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Salad
1 (14 ounce) can cooked garbanzo beans (chickpeas), rinsed and drained
1/2 small-ish red onion, finely chopped
1 big bunch of radishes, sliced thin and roughly chopped
¼ cup packed fresh, leafy herbs, chopped (combination of mint and dill recommended)
Optional garnishes: sliced avocado, crumbled feta or goat cheese, handful of fresh leafy greens, like baby arugula

To make the dressing: Whisk together the ingredients in a small bowl.
In a microwaveable container, heat the lentils in a microwave for 3 to 4 minutes. When heated through, throw them into a large serving  bowl along with the garbanzo beans (chickpeas), chopped radishes, red onion and herbs. Drizzle in the dressing and toss to combine. Serve with avocado, crumbled cheese or fresh greens if you’d like.