Butternut squash and spinach curry

January 12, 2013September 13, 2018 Belinda

Serves about 4

2 tbsp vegetable oil or canola oil
1/4 tsp black mustard seeds (actually they look brown!)
1/2 tsp cumin seeds
6 curry leaves,optional
1 medium onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
5 tbsp good curry powder
4 cups peeled and cubed (1 1/2 inch cubes) butternut squash
2 cups of water, vegetable broth or chicken broth
1 cup coconut milk
3 cups tightly packed baby spinach

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and add the mustard seeds if using. When they start to pop, add the cumin seeds and curry leaves and stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds

Add the onions and cook till they are light brown, then throw in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds or till fragrant

Sprinkle 4 tbsp curry powder, stir then add the peeled and cubed squash and salt.

Pour in 2 cups of water or stock and bring to the boil. Then reduce the heat to a lively simmer, cover the pot and let the squash cook till it is fork tender, about 20 minutes.
If the water/stock is drying up before the pumpkin is cooked, add more. If there is too much liquid, boil it until it reduces down.

When the squash is cooked, add the coconut milk and remaining 1 tbsp curry powder. Stir and bring back to the boil.

When the curry boils, add the spinach and cook just till the spinach wilts, about 1 minutes.
Serve hot with rice, bread, roti or quinoa.

Optional – For added sweetness, garnish the curry with some dried cranberries.

Asian flavors · Gluten Free · Salad · Vegan · Vegetable-related

Szechwan Slaw (CleanCuisine)

December 16, 2012September 9, 2022 Belinda

I intend to make this as a side on Christmas Eve alongside the crown roast of pork This is delicious and tangy with the freshly grated ginger giving it a real fresh and clean taste. It’s also great with a piece of broiled salmon as a very low fat meal

Serves 8

The Szechwan Dressing

1/4 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1/4 tsp crushed red chile flakes
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
salt to taste

The salad

3 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
3 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
1 large red pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
4 scallions, thinly sliced diagonally
1 large carrot, coarsely grated
1/4 lb snow peas, sliced thinly and diagonally
1/8 cup black sesame seeds
1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds

To prepare the dressing

In a bowl combine the vinegar, canola, sugar, ginger, red chile flakes, cilantro and salt. Set aside

To prepare the salad

Toast the almonds until golden brown and they start to smell great! You can use a toaster oven or regular oven. It should take about 7 minutes at 350F. Set aside to cool or do in advance.

Combine the red and green cabbages, red pepper, scallions, carrot, snow peas and sesame seeds.

Fifteen minutes before serving time, toss the cabbage mixture with the dressing, as this allows the flavors to meld while keeping the crisp vegetables intact.

Gluten Free · Vegan · Vegetable-related

Sauteed caramelized fennel

December 15, 2012 Belinda

Serves 4 to 6

4 medium-sized heads fennel
1 oz butter
1 rounded tsp granulated sugar
10 fl oz medium cider (I use the non alcoholic, non sparkling cider)
2 fl oz cider vinegar
Salt

You will need a wide saucepan with a lid., about 9 to 10 inches in diameter into which the trimmed fennel will fit snuggly.

To prepare the fennel bulbs, first cut off the leafy fronds and reserve them for a garnish.
Now trim off the green shoot by cutting diagonally to make a V- shape.
Then slice off the root part at the other end, keeping the bulb intact and remove any tough or brown layers then slice across each bulb to cut it in half

Place the fennel in a fan steamer set in a saucepan with 1 inch of boiling water under it.
Cover and steam for 10 minutes then remove them from the steamer, throw out the water, wipe the inside of the pan with kitchen paper and return it to the heat.

Next, melt the butter and sugar in the saucepan and when it starts to foam, stir it around the pan until the sugar dissolves, then add the fennel, cut side down.
Keeping the heat fairly high, brown it for about 5 minutes then turn the pieces over and brown them on the other side for another 3 minutes.

Now combine the cider, cider vinegar and a little salt and pour this into the pan, then keeping the cut side of the fennel facing upwards, cover with a lid and simmer gently for about 20 minutes.
After that, turn the fennel over again, then continue to cook for a further 20 – 25 minutes. (this time uncovered)
Watch carefully during the last 10 minutes and test to see if it is cooked by inserting a skewer.

When the fennel is tender enough, raise the heat so that the remaining juices reduce to a glaze.
Shake the pan carefully to give an even coating of the caramel glaze.
Now transfer the whole lot to a warm serving dish with the cut surfaces upwards and scatter with the chopped fennel fronds as a garnish

Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Vegan

Roasted butternut squash hummus

December 2, 2012September 9, 2022 Belinda

This is a Gordon Ramsey recipe and is absolutely delicious!

Serves 8 to 10

1 butternut squash (about 1&1/2lbs) , peeled, deseeded and cubed
2 garlic cloves, bashed
1 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
olive oil
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp tahini
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 x 14 or 15 oz tin (the regular tin size) chickpeas drained and rinsed
Warmed or griddled pitta bread or flatbread, to serve

For the ras del hannout (for sprinkling over the butternut squash before roasting and sprinkling over prepared hummus at the end. Don’t miss this stage)

1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp whole cloves
1 tbsp coriander seeds
1/2 tbsp fenugreek seeds
1/2 tbsp fennel seeds
1 tbsp mustard seeds
1/2 tbsp cumin seeds
1 tsp paprika

1. First, make the ras del hannout spice blend. Break the cinnamon stick into pieces.
Place in a dry pan with the cloves and all the seeds (but not the paprika) and toast over medium heat for about 1 minute until aromatic and the seeds are popping (shake the spices in the pan as you heat them, to prevent burning)

2. Once toasted, remove from the heat and add the paprika. Place in a spice grinder, blender or pestle and mortar and grind until the mixture is a powder-sift it if necessary.
This spice blend will keep for up to 3 months if store in an airtight container

3. Preheat the oven to 350 F

4. Make the hummus. In a large bowl, mix the cubed squash, unpeeled garlic cloves and ginger with 2 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp of the Ras del hannout spice mix. Season with salt and pepper and scatter in a single layer in a roasting tray. Place in reheated oven and cook for about 30 mins until tender all the way through.

5. Once the squash is soft, add the contents of the tray to a blender or food processor, discarding the garlic skins first. Add the tahini, chickpeas and a squeeze of lemon juice along with 2 tbsp olive oil. Blend until smooth. taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary – you might need more lemon juice too.

6. Transfer the hummus to a nice bowl or dish and sprinkle with a little of the spice blend. Drizzle with olive oil and serve with warmed or griddled pitta bread

Vegan

A CleanCuisine breakfast

September 6, 2012February 11, 2016 Belinda

Let me explain the thought process behind my “CleanCuisine” series.

I am in my 50’s and start to notice physical changes. (very few I’m happy to see!)
It’s also the time of life when you start “wearing” anything you eat and health issues can start to arise.
I loathe diets as I don’t like to be so “nitpicky” about food so I started researching all the different diets and health benefits like low cholesterol, low sodium, low sugar, low fat, gluten free……..

My husband and I both need to start losing some weight, get our cholesterol and blood pressure down, generally try and do better maintenance and enjoy the next 20 to 30 years to the full. The children are grown and living independently and it’s OUR time.

CleanCuisine is to do with eating food that tastes and feels “clean” ie doesn’t give you that oily or buttery “slick” in your mouth, doesn’t make you wake up feeling lethargic and generally makes you feel good as you eat it. It’s not necessarily vegan or vegetarian, however it may lean that way at times. It must, however feel clean as you eat it.

This picture is one of the delicious breakfasts I have some mornings;

1 nectarine, sliced
1 toasted piece of Rudy’s Ancient Spelt Grain bread (Wholefoods have it and it’s non wheat)
1/2 small avocado, spread on to the toast instead of butter, then seasoned with salt and pepper
fresh basil leaves put on top of the avocado
slices of vine ripened tomatoes on top of the basil leaves, seasoned again with salt and pepper

I forgo the red onion and garlic at breakfast!

Gluten Free · Vegan · Whole30 compliant

Broiled asparagus, orange slices with olive oil and shallots

September 6, 2012January 7, 2017 Belinda

Another lovely, fragrant accompaniment with chicken, fish or just rice.

Serves 4 as a side dish

1lb asparagus, woody stem ends snapped off and discarded
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 shallots, thinly sliced and separated into rings
6 very thin orange slices, cut into quarters (unpeeled)
1/2 tsp grated orange zest

Adjust an oven rack to as close to the broiler as possible. Heat the broiler on high.
In a bowl, toss the asparagus with the oil to coat and season with salt and pepper.
Arrange the shallot slices in a thin layer on one side of a rimmed baking sheet.
Put the asparagus in a single layer on top of them.
Toss the orange slices with the leftover oil in the bowl you used for the asparagus.
Arrange them in a single layer alongside the asparagus.
Broil until the asparagus and the oranges start to char, 5 to 8 minutes.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle the asparagus with the orange zest.
Arrange the asparagus, shallots and oranges on a serving dish.
Serve hot, warm or at room temperature

Asian flavors · Gluten Free · Vegan · Vegetable sides

Lime and sweet chili broccoli with roasted almonds

September 5, 2012September 3, 2022 Belinda

This so light and delicious with the sweet chili sauce and lime giving it real balance and depth, the the almonds the crunch.

2lbs broccoli, chopped into large bite-sized florets
1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
2 tsp grated lime rind
2 tsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
A good pinch of sugar (optional)
1/3 cup roasted slivered almonds to sprinkle on the top

Boil or steam the broccoli until just tender. Meanwhile, roast the almonds for about 9 minutes at 350F (watching them closely, incase of burning) until golden brown.
Mix the sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, lime juice and grated rind, cilantro and sugar together in a small bowl. Drain the broccoli and put in a large serving bowl or platter
Pour the mixture over the hot broccoli, sprinkle with toasted almonds and serve.

Enjoy!

Asian flavors · Gluten Free · Vegan · Vegetable sides · Vegetable-related

Braised coconut spinach with chick peas and lemon

June 10, 2012February 8, 2016 Belinda

Poured over a roasted sweet potato, this is powerhouse vegan comfort food, with loads of flavor and solid sustenance from the chick peas and sweet potato.

Serves 4 s a main dish or 6 as a side

2 tsp oil or ghee
1 small yellow onion
4 large cloves of garlic, peeled and minced
1 heaped tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped. (If they’re in oil, drain them first.
1 large lemon, zested and juiced (about 2 tbsp juice)
1 dried hot red pepper or a dash of red pepper flakes (optional)
15 oz can chickpeas, drained
1lb baby spinach
15 oz can coconut milk
1 tsp salt, or more, to taste
1 tsp ground ginger

To serve

Whole roasted sweet potatoes
cilantro leaves, to garnish
toasted unsweetened coconut, to garnish

Directions

Heat the oil or ghee in a large deep Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium high heat.
Add the onion and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the onion is beginning to brown.
Add the garlic, ginger, sun dried tomatoes, lemon zest and red pepper, if using.
Cook for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.
Add the chick peas and cook ver high heat for a few minutes or until they are beginning to turn golden and they are coated with the onion/garlic mixture.
Toss in the spinach, one handful at a time, this will take about 5 minutes. Stir in a handful or two and wait for it to wilt down and make room in the pot before adding the next lot.
When all the spinach has been stirred in, pour in the coconut milk and stir in the salt, ground ginger and lemon juice.
Bring to a simmer then turn down the heat and cook for 10 minutes or until the chick peas are warm through.
Taste and add more salt and lemon juice if necessary.
Serve hot over roasted sweet potatoes with cilantro leaves and toasted coconut to garnish.

Note

This is thick enough on it’s own to eat with a fork, it’s not terribly soupy, but it’s saucy enough to eat over pasta, rice, brown rice, quinoa or any other grain.

Gluten Free · Vegan · Whole30 compliant

Roasted squished baby potatoes

June 5, 2012January 7, 2017 Belinda1 Comment

This is simply divine!! Try and just have one of these.

Makes 4 servings but can easily be doubled, trebled ……

12 whole new potatoes, or other small round ones
Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
Extra virgin olive oil
Minced fresh rosemary or other fresh herb to taste

Preheat the oven to 475
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, put the potatoes still in their skins in lightly salted water and boil for about 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain the potatoes in a colander and let them cool slightly. Working one at a time, place the potatoes on a clean dish towel, fold the towel over the spud and press down gently until you can hear the skin pop and it squishes down in the form of a disk.

Drizzle some olive oil on a baking sheet, lightly coating it and place the cooked potatoes on it.Roll the potato disks in the oil on the baking sheet so they are well coated on their bottoms then drizzle more oil over the tops of them and liberally sprinkle kosher salt and black pepper on each one.
If you want to add a fresh herb, do so halfway through the roasting, otherwise the herbs will burn in such a hot oven.

Roast for about 30 minutes, flipping the potatoes over after about 15 minutes, (adding the herbs at this point) so they crisp on each side.

Variations:

My dear friend Marilee read this recipe and suggested topping each one when serving with a dollop of sour cream then caviar, or was it sour cream and a dollop of caviar!? Outrageous!!
You can also put a pat of butter and grated sharp cheese or Parmesan cheese on top before baking.