Lightened Up Greek Yogurt Lemon Pasta

November 30, 2021November 30, 2021 Belinda1 Comment

This Lightened Up Greek Yogurt Lemon Pasta is the perfect, quick weeknight meal that will leave you feeling warm and toasty without being weighed down!

1lb spaghetti, linguine or any other pasta of your choice
3 tbsp unsalted butter
6 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 large lemon juiced
2 cups full fat plain Greek yogurt
2 tsp lemon zest
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup of chopped Italian parsley and basil to stir through at the end
Parmigiano Reggiano, grated

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook pasta according to it’s package until al dente.
In a large non-stick pan, melt butter over medium-low heat.
Stir in the garlic for 30 seconds, or until fragrant.
Whisk in lemon juice.
Remove from the heat and whisk in greek yogurt, lemon zest, salt and pepper to taste.
Place back on low heat to warm.
Pour in the (drained) cooked pasta and stir to combine. Sprinkle over more herbs and grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
Serve immediately.

Easy, heavenly lemon cheesecake on a ginger crust

February 28, 2019September 7, 2022 Belinda

Mary Berry of “The Great British Bake-off” fame, is one of those incredible foolproof recipe writers. This is a really quick, easy and scrumptious recipe that will be in your repertoire over and over and it only takes 10 minutes to make!!

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3 ½ oz ginger cookies, crushed
1 ¾ oz butter, melted
2 x 8oz tubs mascarpone
12oz jar good quality lemon curd
Juice of 1 small lemon
Fresh raspberries and blueberries, to decorate
Icing sugar, to dust

1 x 8in round loose-bottomed cake tin, greased and base-lined with baking parchment

Serves: 8

Mix the cookies with the butter in a bowl, then press into the base of the tin (but not up the sides)

Put the mascarpone, lemon curd, and lemon juice in a bowl and beat with a spatula until smooth

Spoon on to the cookie base and level the top. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours to firm up

To serve, remove the cheesecake form the tin, peel off the baking parchment, and arrange on a platter.
Decorate with the fruit and dust with icing sugar.

GREAT FOR A CROWD
You can make up to three cheesecakes in one go (but take care not to over-beat the mixture at step 2). If you’re making more cheesecakes than that, prepare them in separate batches.

PREPARE AHEAD
The cheesecake can be made up to the end of step 3 up to 1 day ahead. Not suitable for freezing.

Baking · Dairy-free · Dessert · Do-ahead · Gluten Free

Paleo Lemon Bars

April 13, 2018September 7, 2022 Belinda

Everyone wants a gluten-free, sugar-free, healthy dessert bar and this one promises all and more. Recipe c/o George Bryant of “Civilized caveman cooking”

Yields 12 bars

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Topping
6 whole eggs
1/2 cup raw organic honey
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 cup lemon juice (8 lemons)
unsweetened shredded coconut

Crust
1 cup of raw almonds
1 cup of raw macadamia nuts
1/4 cup raw organic honey
1/2 cup of melted coconut oil
2 eggs

Topping
Whisk your eggs, honey, and lemon juice together in a small sauce pan
Place on your stove over medium/high heat and add coconut oil
Stir until coconut oil melts and then continue stirring until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble
Once thick, remove from the heat and place in a bowl in your refrigerator to cool

Crust
Preheat your oven to 400 F
Place your almonds and macadamia nuts in a food processor and blend until in small chunks, you do not want a flour consistency, you want little chunks
In a mixing bowl, combine nuts with the honey, melted coconut oil, and eggs and mix well
Grease an 8×12 inch baking pan, I used coconut oil and then spread your nut mixture over the entire pan
Bake for 15-18 minutes or until your crust is done, it will pass the toothpick test
Cool your crust completely before applying your topping
Once your crust is cool, spread your lemon topping over your crust, sprinkle as much unsweetened shredded coconut as you want over the topping, and then return to the refrigerator or freezer, I like mine better frozen
Keep it refrigerated or frozen until you serve it and then return the remaining to the fridge/freezer
Enjoy!

Gluten Free · Salad · Vegetable-related

Lentil and Garbanzo Bean Salad with Feta and Tahini

August 16, 2015February 8, 2016 Belinda

Another lovely tasty and healthy meatless salad. Enjoy!

Lentils

Scant 1 cup dried green lentils (Puy or Casteluccio, if you can find them) picked and rinsed over. (or buy the vacuum packed cooked lentils in the supermarket and skip this whole cooking stage)
2 large garlic cloves, halved lengthwise
2 fresh sage sprigs
2 tbsp olive oil

For the dressing and salad
2 tsp coriander seeds, toasted and ground
1 tsp cumin seeds, toasted and ground
1/2 large garlic clove
Salt (Maldon or another flaky sea salt if you’ve got it)
2 tbsp well-stirred tahini paste
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus more to taste
2 tbsp plus 2 teaspoons olive oil

1 and 3/4 cups drained garbanzo beans (chickpeas,from a 15-ounce can)
1/2 small preserved lemon, pith and flesh discarded, rind finely diced (optional)
1 small red onion, thinly sliced into half-moons
A handful of cilantro or flat-leaf parsley sprigs
1/4 cup Greek feta cheese
1 1/2 tbsp raw sesame seeds, toasted in a dry pan until a shade or two darker

Make the lentils: Put the lentils, garlic, sage, and olive oil in a small pot, along with 2 cups cold water, and set it over medium heat. Let the water come to a simmer (not boiling), then turn the heat to low and cook the lentils in a very gentle simmer just until they are tender (about 25 to 30 mins and you might need some extra liquid near the end) Take the pan off the heat and let the lentils cool a bit before draining them. Pick out and discard the sage and garlic. You’ll have about 2 cups cooked lentils.

Make the dressing: Mix together the ground coriander and cumin in a small bowl. Mash the garlic clove to a paste with 1 tsp salt (use half as much Kosher salt, even less table salt) on a cutting board or in a mortar. In a small bowl for your dressing, combined the mashed garlic, tahini, 3 tablespoons of the lemon juice, 2 tbsp of the olive oil, 1 tsp of the ground coriander-and-cumin mixture and 2 tbsp water. Stir well, then taste. Add more lemon if desired.

Assemble the salad: Place onion slices in a medium bowl and break them up with your fingers. Sprinkle in two good pinches of salt, then two teaspoons of lemon juice, two remaining teaspoons of olive oil and the cilantro or parsley. Toss well, then crumble in the cheese and gently toss again.

Toss the lentils with the drained chickpeas, preserved lemon rind (if using), and 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt (use half as much Kosher salt, even less table salt) in a large mixing bowl. Pour in the tahini dressing and toss it all together really well, then stir in the onion-feta mixture.

Arrange the salad in bowl or platter. Sprinkle the mixture with the sesame seeds and some of the remaining spices. Serve

Gluten Free · Grains

Spanakorizo (Greek spinach rice)

May 4, 2015February 8, 2016 Belinda

I happen to adore all rice dishes, but this one is especially lovely served with meat, fish or poultry. The combination of spinach, fresh dill and lemon is so perfect.

Serves 4

2 tbsp olive oil
½ cup chopped onion
1 tbsp garlic, minced
Zest from one lemon
1/2 tsp ground cumin (I use roasted ground cumin)
1/2 lb baby spinach, coarsely chopped
1 cup long grain white rice
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
4 tbsp fresh dill, chopped and divided
1/2 tsp salt
A few grinds freshly ground black pepper
Juice from one lemon

Heat olive oil in a medium pan with a tightly fitting cover over medium high heat. Sauté onions until translucent (about 5-7 minutes). Add garlic and sauté for another minute.
Add the lemon zest, cumin and spinach and cover the pan. Cook until the spinach wilts down (about 3-5 minutes).
Stir the rice, stock, 2 tbsp of the dill, salt and pepper into the spinach mixture and stir to combine. Bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to a simmer, replacing the lid on the pan, and cook until the rice is tender (about 15 to 20 minutes –follow your rice’s package instructions).
Stir in the lemon juice and the remaining fresh dill before serving.

Dairy-free · Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Poultry

Slow roasted garlic and lemon chicken

March 29, 2015September 7, 2022 Belinda

There is nothing nicer than throwing everything into a roasting pan and watching it caramelize slowly, turning each ingredient into a mouthful of sweetness. The beauty of this dish is that the lemon turns sweet and incredibly tender and you can pop the chunks straight into your mouth, skin, pith and all! Thanks to the irrepressible Nigella Lawson.

Serves 4 but can easily be augmented

1 chicken (approx 4½lbs) cut into 10 pieces
A bulb of garlic separated into unpeeled cloves
2 unwaxed lemons (preferably thin-skinned) cut into chunky eighths
1 handful fresh thyme
3 tablespoons olive oil
2/3 cup white wine
black pepper

Preheat the oven to 325ºF.
Put the chicken pieces into a roasting tin and add the garlic cloves, lemon chunks and the thyme; just roughly pull the leaves off the stalks, leaving some intact for strewing over later. Add the oil and using your hands mix everything together, then spread the mixture out, making sure all the chicken pieces are skin side up.
Sprinkle over the white wine and grind on some pepper, then cover tightly with foil and put in the oven to cook, at flavor-intensifyingly low heat, for 2 hours.
Remove the foil from the roasting tin, and turn up the oven to 400ºF. Cook the uncovered chicken for another 30-45 minutes, by which time the skin on the meat will have turned golden brown and the lemons will have begun to scorch and caramelize at the edges.

I like to serve this as it is, straight from the roasting tin: so just strew over some thyme sprigs, warm some lovely bread and make a quick green salad and Bob’s your uncle!

Dessert · Do-ahead

Beet panna cotta with Meyer lemon mousse

March 2, 2015September 7, 2022 Belinda

What a surprise to see this recipe! It is sensational and the sweetness of the beets is perfect in the panna cotta, especially when slowly simmered in the cream, producing the most wonderful deep purple color. Do try it!!

Servings: 6
Beet Panna Cotta

½ lb red beets, peeled, cut into ½” pieces
2 cups heavy cream
½ tsp kosher salt
1 tsp unflavored powdered gelatin
3 tbsp honey
½ tsp vanilla extract

Meyer Lemon Mousse

1 tbsp finely grated Meyer lemon zest
½ cup fresh Meyer lemon juice
½ cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces, divided
½ cup sugar, divided
4 large egg yolks
1 large egg
½ cup chilled heavy cream

You will need six 8 oz glasses or ramekins

Bring the beets, cream, and salt to a simmer over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Cover, reduce the heat and simmer very gently until the beets are tender, 25–30 minutes. Let cool slightly.
Meanwhile, combine the gelatin and 2 Tbsp cold water in a blender; let sit 5 minutes for the gelatin to soften.
Transfer the beets and their cooking liquid to blender; add the honey and vanilla and purée until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl; discard the solids.
Divide the purée among the glass dishes and chill until set, 3½–4 hours.

Do Ahead: Panna cotta can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.

Meyer lemon mousse

Bring the lemon zest and juice, ¼ cup butter, and ¼ cup sugar to a simmer over medium heat in a medium saucepan, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat.
Whisk the egg yolks, egg, and remaining ¼ cup sugar in a small bowl until pale and thick, about 2 minutes. Whisking constantly, slowly pour the hot lemon mixture into the egg mixture.
Transfer back to the saucepan and cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, until the curd is thickened and the whisk leaves a trail, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the remaining ¼ cup butter, whisking until melted and the curd is smooth.
Transfer the curd to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing directly onto the surface. Chill until cold, at least 2 hours.
When ready to serve, whisk the cream in a small bowl to soft peaks and gently fold into the curd. Spoon the mousse over the panna cotta.

Do Ahead: The lemon curd can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Nuts · Pasta · Vegetarian pasta

Easy lemon pesto sauce

March 2, 2015September 7, 2022 Belinda

A light, lemony and more refreshing version of a traditional pesto sauce is delicious tossed with hot pasta for a quick meal or side dish with roasted or grilled meats and fish.

2 garlic cloves
3 Tbs. toasted pine nuts (to toast the pine nuts, place them on a baking sheet and bake in a 350°F oven until golden, 8 to 10 minutes.)
1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/4 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 tsp. lemon zest
1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 to 1 1/2 cups extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

In a food processor, combine the garlic, pine nuts, basil, parsley, cheese, lemon zest and lemon juice. Pulse until ground to a fine paste, about 1 minute. With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the desired consistency is reached. Season with salt and pepper.

Makes 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 cups.

Gluten Free · Vegetable sides

Wilted spinach with creamy lemon and ginger sauce

December 31, 2014 Belinda

This is a real beauty with the tangy flavor of the lemon, the slight heat from the ginger and the smooth creaminess of the sauce. Super served with grilled or roasted meats and fish.

Serves 2, but can easily be augmented

For the sauce
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, peeled and diced
1 glass of white wine
1 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into julienne strips
1 lemon, zested
9 oz heavy cream
For the spinach
2 tbsp olive oil
9 oz fresh baby spinach
pinch sea salt

Heat the oil in a pan and saute the onion for 3 to 5 minutes until soft but not colored.
Add the ginger and lemon zest and cook for a further minute
Pour in the cream and white wine, stirring to combine
Simmer gently for 4 to 5 minutes until the sauce is reduced and thickened and coats the back of a spoon. At this point you can remove the ginger pieces. Set aside.
For the spinach
Heat the oil in a saute pan and add the fresh spinach, cooking to wilt, about 2 minutes.
Season with the sea salt.
Spoon the spinach gently into the cream mixture, mixing gently or what is also nice, is to put the spinach into 2 x 3 inch chef’s rings on serving plates, pour the sauce around and over the spinach and remove the ring, leaving this lovely mound of green and the pretty sauce floating around it.

Gluten Free · Poultry · Whole30 compliant

Chicken, green olive and lemon tagine with ginger and coriander

November 30, 2014January 5, 2017 Belinda

This is a beautiful tagine, especially as it also has ginger and coriander which complements the chicken so well.

SERVES 6

3 tbsp. olive oil
6 whole chicken legs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 large yellow onions, sliced
2 tbsp. ground coriander
2 tsp. ground white pepper
2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. ground turmeric
½ tsp. crushed saffron threads
1½ cups chicken stock
6 oz. green olives, cracked
2 tbsp. unsalted butter, ghee or clarified butter
1 tbsp. finely chopped parsley
2 tsp. finely chopped cilantro
2 jarred preserved lemons, cut into slices

Heat the oven to 350° F

Heat the oil in an 8–qt. Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, add to the pot and cook, turning, until browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
Add the onions to the pot, cook until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the spices, cook for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pot with the stock and boil.
Bake the chicken, covered, until tender, 35 to 40 minutes. Stir in the olives, butter, parsley, cilantro and lemons into the pot, and cook for 6 minutes.
Serve with rice or flatbread.