Category: Dairy-free

Asian flavors · Dairy-free · Fish · Gluten Free · Uncategorized · Whole30 compliant

Easy Dijon salmon

Belinda

This is great for a party and can be doubled or trebled easily. It’s so simple to prepare and is so tasty!

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1 1/4lbs salmon fillet, preferably wild
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tbsp soy sauce (or if following the Whole 30, use Coconut Aminos)
3 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp ground ginger powder

Line a baking dish with aluminum foil.Coat the foil with cooking spray unless it’s non stick foil. Place the salmon on the foil. Mix the mustard through the ginger powder in a small bowl. Pour the marinade over the salmon and refrigerate the salmon for 30 mins.

Preheat the oven to 375 F and bake the salmon for 20 -25 mins or until just cooked through and flakes easily

Appetizer Vegetarian · Appetizers · Asian flavors · Dairy-free · Grains · Soup · Uncategorized · Vegan · Vegetarian pasta

A bowl of Asian goodness

Belinda

This is divine on a hot day when you don’t feel like cooking too much. It’s also a great starter for a dinner party

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Serves 4 as a starter

1/2 oz instant dashi granules
1/2 cup soy sauce
3 tbsp mirin
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp wasabi paste
1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger
10 1/2 oz soba noodles
1 nori sheet
3 1/4 inch piece of daikon radish, peeled and finely grated
3 scallions, finely sliced

Put the dashi granules in a bowl and pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over them.
Stir until the granules have dissolved, then add the soy sauce, mirin, sugar, wasabi paste and ginger. Stir to make a dressing.

Bring a large pot of water to the boil and add the noodles. Allow the water to return to the boil then add 1/2 cup cold water to drop the temperature a little.
Repeat this process three times, then drain the noodles.
Rinse the noodles with cold water to remove the starch, then divide between 4 bowls.

Toast the nori sheet over a high flame or in a hot oven, then slice into this strips. Pour the dressing over the noodles, toss lightly, then scatter with the daikon, scallions and nori strips.

Dairy-free · Gluten Free · Poultry · Whole30 compliant

Coconut-braised chicken quarters with chorizo and potatoes

Belinda

This is a beauty! I just love cooking with chicken quarters as they are so moist and flavorsome and with the addition of fresh ginger and crushed coffee beans in the gremalata, it’s definitely in a category of it’s own! Also the recipe is easy to judge for people as 1 good sized chicken quarter is enough per (normal) person!
The beauty of this recipe is that it is also a Whole30 recipe with the substitutions of olive oil instead on canola oil and ghee instead of butter.

Serves up 4 generously or 6 normally!

2 tbsp canola or olive oil
6 good sized whole chicken legs
Pepper
1/2lb fresh Mexican-style chorizo, but I have been known to use Spanish chorizo chopped small
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 tbsp minced peeled fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
1 dried chili de arbol, broken in half
3 cups unsweetened coconut milk
1lb baking or Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces lengthwise
2 tbsp fresh lime juice, plus lime wedges for serving
1 tbsp unsalted butter or ghee

Gremalata

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra sprigs
7 coffee beans, finely crushed (1/2 tsp)
2 tsp finely grated lime zest

Preheat the oven to 425 F
In a large enameled or cast-iron braising dish, heat the oil. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper.
Working in 2 batches, brown the chicken over moderate heat, turning occasionally, about 8 minutes per side.
Transfer the chicken to a large plate
Add the chorizo and onion to the pan and cook, stirring to break up the meat, until the onion is translucent, about 5 to 10 mins
Stir in the ginger, garlic and chili and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute
Add the coconut milk, potatoes and chicken to the pan and bring to a simmer.
Cover and braise in the oven for about 1 hour, until the chicken is cooked through.
Stir in the lime juice and butter and season with salt.

Meanwhile make the gremalata.
In a small bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix well.
Spoon the braised chicken and potatoes into shallow bowls.
Garnish with the gremalata and cilantro sprigs and serve with lime wedges

Make ahead
The braised chicken can be refrigerated overnight. Reheat gently.

Dairy-free · Gluten Free · Poultry

Roasted chicken quarters with dates, olives and capers

Belinda

Yet another Ottolenghi recipe that is beyond delicious. Take the two days to marinade the chicken to maximize the flavor and tenderize the meat.Don’t cut corners.

Serves 4 generously

8 whole chicken legs of a good size, skin on
6 large garlic cloves, crushed
About 1/2 oz fresh oregano, torn
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
4 tbsp olive oil
4 oz pitted green olives
2 oz capers, plus 2 tbsp of their juices
3 oz Medjool dates, pitted and quartered lengthways
2 bay leaves
5 fl oz dry white wine
1 tbsp date syrup or treacle
Salt and black pepper

Place the chicken in a large, non-reactive bowl and add all of the ingredients, apart from the wine and date syrup, along with 3/4 tsp salt and a good grind of black pepper.
Gently mix everything together, cover the bowl and leave in the fridge to marinate for 2 days, stirring the ingredients a few times during the process. (The other thing you can do is get a very large plastic bag that self seals and use that to marinate everything)

Preheat the oven to 350F

Spread the chicken quarters out on a large roasting dish along with all the marinade ingredients. Whisk together the wine and date syrup and pour over the meat.
Place in the oven and cook for 50 mins, basting 2 or 3 times, until the meat is golden brown on top and cooked through.
Remove from the oven, transfer everything to a large platter, sprinkle with some fresh oregano leaves and serve

Accompaniments · Appetizer Vegetarian · Dairy-free · Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Nuts · Sauces · Vegan · Whole30 compliant

Romesco Sauce

Belinda

This flavorsome Spanish sauce (or dip) is tremendously versatile. It’s wonderful served with boiled baby potatoes served warm or at room temp, that you dip into the sauce and eat. It’s great with grilled prawns or chicken too.
Whole 30 compliant, vegan, non dairy and grain free, it’s a winner. It also lasts for up to 1 week in the fridge and the whole thing is done in the food processor.

 

MAKES 3 CUPS

1 x 16oz jar of roasted bell peppers
2 large garlic cloves, crushed
1 cup slivered almonds, toasted lightly
1/3 cup tomato purée
4 heaped tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
4 tbsp Sherry vinegar
2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Pulse the first 8 ingredients in a food processor until very finely chopped. With the motor running, slowly add the oil; process until smooth.
Season with salt and pepper.

DO AHEAD: Romesco can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill.

Asian flavors · Dairy-free · Gluten Free · Poultry

Whole chicken legs braised in orange, sage, ginger and mustard

Belinda

My sister highly recommended this Mary Berry recipe and modified it so it wasn’t too sweet. It turned out to be delicious and so easy. Like Delia Smith, Mary Berry, now in her eighties, is a British “institution” in highly successful, fail-safe recipes, particularly baking and it’s well worth investing in some of her recipe books.

Serves 4 to 6

6 whole large organic chicken legs
3-4 tbsp clear honey
1 heaped tbsp cornflour
salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the marinade
20 fl oz freshly squeezed orange juice (don’t be lazy and use juice from cartons!)
6 fat garlic cloves, crushed
4 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp chopped fresh sage
2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
2 tbsp grated fresh ginger
2 tsp coarse grain Dijon mustard
4-5 tbsp Seville orange marmalade

Combine all the marinade ingredients, mix well and place in a large, resealable plastic bag with the whole chicken legs. Seal the bag making sure all the chicken is coated with the marinade then put in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

When you’re ready to cook, preheat the oven to 400 F or Gas Mk 6.
Take the chicken out of the plastic bag, reserving the marinade to make the sauce. Arrange the chicken legs, skin side up in a large roasting tin and drizzle with the honey.

Place in the oven to roast for about 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, lower the oven to 375F

Measure the cornflour into a pitcher, add the marinade and mix until smooth. Pour the marinade over the chicken and return to the oven for a further 40 – 45 mins.
Remove the tin from the oven. Taste for seasoning

Serve a whole chicken leg per person some some of the sauce and enjoy!

PS The marinade mixed with the cornflour thickens the sauce when it cooks in the oven

Appetizers · Dairy-free · Fish · Gluten Free · Whole30 compliant

Seared scallops with roasted cauliflower and olive puree

Belinda

This is a dish from the “Brooklyn Rustic” recipe book and is the perfect combination with scallops without overpowering them.

Serves 4

2 head cauliflower,cut into 1 inch florets
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
Fine sea salt
1/2 cup pitted Kalamata olives
1/2 cup vegetable stock or water
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, sliced
2 tbsp avocado or coconut oil
1 1/2 lbs jumbo scallops (about 12 to 16)
freshly ground black pepper
4 oz young pea shoots

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

Toss the cauliflower with the olive oil and 1/4 tsp salt in a bowl.
Pour the cauliflower into a preheated pan inn an even layer and roast until golden, about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through roasting.

In a blender, puree the olives, vegetable stock, lemon juice, and half the basil until smooth, about 2 minutes

Heat the cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the scallops dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides. Cooking in batches, if necessary, add the scallops to the skillet, leaving at least 1 1/2 inches between each scallop. Sear until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side.

Scatter the pea shoots on a serving platter. Sprinkle the roasted cauliflower over the pea shoots, then lay the scallops on top.
Drizzle the olive puree over everything and finish with a sprinkle of lemon zest, the remaining basil and a drizzle of olive oil

Dairy-free · Gluten Free · Salad · Vegan · Whole30 compliant

Roasted cauliflower with olives, currants and tahini dressing

Belinda

This is a really tasty and well balanced recipe with a lot of interesting flavors going on. It’s terrific for those on the Whole 30 program, as my husband and I are and is fairly simple to put together.

Serves 4

1 large cauliflower (about 3lbs), trimmed and cut into florets
6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil or more if you feel it needs it.
1 tbsp roasted ground cumin seed
Fine sea salt
1/3 cup currants
1/3 cup coarsely chopped Kalamata olives
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds

Tahini Dressing
1/3 cup tahini
3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp fine sea salt
2 tbsp water, plus more as needed

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Toss the cauliflower florets with the olive oil, cumin seed and a sprinkle of sea salt to taste. Arrange the cauliflower florets in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast for about 25-30 minutes, turning once, until the edges are brown and caramelized.

While the cauliflower roasts, make the dressing. Whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and salt until smooth and creamy. Add the water and whisk until combined. The sauce will be thick. Add more water to thin it slightly if you like. It will continue to thicken as it sits.

Keep aside some of the olives, currants and mint so you can decorate the top of the salad after tossing it in the dressing.
Toss the warm cauliflower with most of the dressing. Add most of the currants, almonds, olives and mint and toss to combine. Taste and add more dressing or salt, if desired.
Decorate with remaining olives, almonds, currants and mint

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Dairy-free · Gluten Free · Vegetable sides · Whole30 compliant

Crispy potato, olive and caper bake

Belinda

This is such a lovely mixture of flavors and again, really not difficult to make.
Paired with some grilled meat or poultry, you have a pretty gorgeous meal

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2lbs Jersey Royal or Baby Yukon potatoes
A handful small capers
2 x handfuls pitted black olives (Please, not those awful canned ones!)
1 tbsp thyme leaves
A medium bunch rosemary, broken into sprigs
6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp white wine vinegar

Heat oven to 450 F
Boil the potatoes until the softer side of cooked, about 12 mins.
Drain, slice in half, then tip into a bowl. Tip the capers, olives and herbs on top of the potatoes then add most of the oil and a some seasoning.
Stir together, lightly crushing the potatoes.
Line a medium Swiss roll-type tin with baking parchment, leaving some hanging over the sides.
Tip the potatoes into the tin and flatten down. Mix the vinegar and remaining oil, drizzle over the potatoes, then bake for 40 mins until golden.

Enjoy!

Accompaniments · Asian flavors · Dairy-free · Sauces

A really great and easy BBQ sauce

Belinda

This is a really simple and super BBQ sauce you can keep refrigerated for up to 1 week, so if you’re planning a BBQ party, this part of it, you can do well in advance. It’s easily doubled too.

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Makes about 2 1/2 cups

1/2 cup vegetable oil or any other oil ( don’t waste really good olive oil)
4 large cloves garlic, finely diced or minced
a good handful fresh rosemary leaves, stripped from the stalk, finely chopped (minced)
2 tbsp mustard powder
2 tbsp sweet paprika
1 tbsp curry powder
4 tbsp sesame oil(toasted is nice too)
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup red wine
1/2 cup store-bought BBQ sauce (yes, I really mean it!)
salt to taste

Place ALL the ingredients in a jar with a tightfitting lid and shake really well.
Use to brush on absolutely anything that you BBQ, mushrooms, chicken, meat, onions, fish…
Enjoy!