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FOODIE FABULOUS

Smoked Salmon Dip

This dip is so versatile and easy to make. It's great with some vegetables or crackers, or if you want to add some to pasta it also makes a great sauce.

Here are the ingredients:

- 120g smoked salmon
- 500g ricotta
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- handful flat leaf parsley
- cracked black pepper

Method:

Simply slice all you smoked salmon, and then add this with all your other ingredients to a food processor. blend until smooth with only small chunks of smoked salmon. 

Gluten Free

I love doughnuts - pink doughnuts are my favourite. Also the plain kind from crispy cream. Because however I am trying to change my diet for the better I wondered if there could be a healthier version.

I decided to see what I could find when I typed in gluten free doughnut, and I found what I think will be an interesting recipe to try. The ingredients are all simple and I have them all. The only problem being I did not have a doughnut mold. So I ebayed doughnut molds and I will have to order them.

I also found a terrific gluten free bread recipe book. So when I get full time work I will be purchasing that when I get my first pay check.

Anyway here is the recipe for the basic gluten free doughnut recipe I found.

Cabbage, Kale and Caramelised Onion Rice Salad

I found a recipe for caramelised onion in delicious magazine recently and it was so good.
 However I didn't get to use it all for the original recipe so I wondered how I could use it.

I decided to use it in a brown rice salad of my own. I am trying to lose weight and find the right diet/lifestyle change because I am too much of a foodie to cope with a restrictive diet and plain bland foods. Also I don't believe in calorie control as life is too short to do math every time I eat. I am going to try and practice portion control. Therefore I am trying the whole gluten free/ food combining rules, as when I went meat free and gluten free I lost some weight, however I went back to eating meat, which is ok if you just have a little but fell of the gluten free diet.

Anyway here are the ingredients;

Ingredients:

- Caremelised onion ( it's kind of like a sweet chutney, I am sure you can find your own recipe on the internet, or google it on the delicious magazine website, or buy it if you really can't be bothered).
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
- 1/8th shredded red cabbage
- 8 leaves of kale finely chopped
- 1/4 of a large cucumber finely diced
- 2 small chili's finely chopped and diced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- black pepper to taste
- Large handful of coriander, chopped



Method:
Basically all you have to do is mix everything together, you can add more chili's if you want it hotter. It's a great simple salad that you can add other ingredients to or adjust. You can add more of the greens or cabbage if you wish.

XX J

Cashew Pesto

This is a delicious substitute for normal pesto, it's also cheaper too as pistachio nuts are really expensive.
You'll need:

- 200g roasted cashew nuts
- Large bunch of basil, 
- 3/4 cup robust olive oil 
- Salt to taste 

Method: 

In a food processor blend together until all ingredients until nuts have been chopped and all basil blended and it resembles normal pesto. Remember not to blend to much, you're not making sauce!

Gluten Free Bruschetta with Cashew Pesto, Rocket, Spinach and Fresh Basil!

This is what I am planning on making as one of my favourite afternoon teas.

The gluten free bread is sooo low in calories it's unbelievable, and when you whack it under the grill and toast it each side for a couple of minutes it perfectly toasted and ready for your toppings. i

I used the following on mine:

- Fresh Basil
- Rocket
- Baby Spinach
- Diced Tomato
- Diced Cucumber
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Cashew nut Pesto
- Gluten free bread ( i used sliced loaf, but you could use a roll cut in half)
I will post my recipe for a cashew nut pesto later on, but basically it's a mixture of cashew nuts, olive oil and basil with salt and pepper.

 

Health Kick !

I am trying to do a health kick to prep my body and wardrobe for my trip to the UK next year.

I have bought myself a cold press slow juicer from kogan, it was super cheap ( so all I could afford really).

I have also been looking for more work to help ease the strain of only working two days a week AND saving up for the UK!

http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/cold-press-slow-juicer/?utm_campaign=website&utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email

I am also trying to dramatically reduce me gluten intake ( I love me some sweet, sweet bread) and I have been feeling like lately I need to lay back on the meat eating. Don't get me wrong, I don't eat meat every day, probably about 2 or 3 times a week. But lately my body has just been giving me this feeling of, take a break from this Jane.

Anyway I will be trying to post more gluten free and vegetarian recipes.

I wonder how long I can go with no meat ( wait I lie, I'll eat seafood)

xx Jane

Really Jane, It's been THAT long????

Wow, I htink to myself. It's been forever. I keep promising to make this a scheduled regular thing, but I just keep letting the weeks which turn into months pass.

I watched the Julie/Julia project movie last night. I hadn't seen it before and I know that I am like 5 years late but I have recently been busy with many thigns happening in my life. I know no one really reads this, especially family or friends so I suppose it is safe to spill my guts.

Well dear existant/non existant reads, here is the latest goss in 5 months!!!!

I temporarily overcame my fear of flying after my first overseas holiday to Vanuatu. You want to know the trick for flying without fear? It involves red wine. Complimentary unlimited drinks!

My Best Friends of ten years are no longer friends. Together we were the three amigos, the three blind mice, charlies angels, See no evil, hear no evil, do no evil monkies! Not anymore. Not a lot upsets me when it comes to relationships, but this definitely does!

I am still writing for bespoke ( yay) I must up my game for recipes though I think. I have one involving a soup for the next winter edition and I have another sweet idea in mind too!

My fear of flying came back as the Malaysian flight was /Hijacked/crashed. So for a week now I have been having mini panic attack because...............

NEXT YEAR I GO TO THE UK!

I am hoping to live in England ( probably Manchester to save funds) and travel throughout all of Europe and the UK while working as well

I am also currently completing my Certificate IV in Business Administration, and after hoping for like 6 months to complete a Diploma I have come to the conclusion I will not be able to pay $7000 off in a year while saving up for the UK and working only 2 days a week. Besides I am planning on going into Human Resources for University when I come back from the UK and will make that my main career so why rack up a debt on something that I am not even going to be doing for more than a few years.

Oh yes, I should also mention I am job hunting for another part time job.

Well I hope that justifies the quietness of my writing, but seriously I should commit to writing, like ever Thursday night or something ( TV is never good on a thursday night now anyway) and blog recipes more often.

Pea and Corn Quinoa Salad

This is a lovely salad hot or cold, as a main or side.

Ingredients:

- can of peas, liquid drained

- can of corn, liquid drained

- small bunch of coriander ( or as much as you like) chopped finely

- small bunch of mint ( or as much as you like) chopped finely

- 4 Shallots, chopped
- 2 cups cooked quinoa

- Juice of 1 lemon

- cracked pepper and rock salt.

Method:

It's simple really, cook your quinoa and place into a bowl with your can of peas, corn, mint, coriander and shallots and mix together. Then drizzle all of your lemon juice on top with enough salt and pepper to taste and mix thoroughly together.

Sugar Free Health Muffins - #1

In my quest to become fit and fabulous, I have come up with a super healthy version of the regular muffins.

I have several health muffin recipes, so the is recipe #1.

These muffins are sugar free, using only natural ingredients such as cinnamon, banana, honey and apple to sweeten the mixture. It also loaded with fibre and super foods.

Try them and let me know what you think?

Ingredients:

- 1 very large very ripe Banana

- 1 Tablespoon of Chia Seeds

- 70g of Dried Whole Cranberries, then chop them in half after measuring

- 4 Tablespoons of Honey

- 1 large red apple, skinned and diced

- 3 Tablespoons of Organic Quinoa Flakes

- 100g Wholemeal Plain flour

- 250g Wholemeal Self Raising Flour

- 1/2 Tablespoon of Cinnamon

- 70g of Walnuts, roughly chopped after measuring

- 1 Teaspoon of Baking Powder

- 1 Organic Egg

- 3 Tablespoons of Grapeseed Oil

- 150ml of Milk

Method:

Mix your flours, chia seeds, cinnamon, walnuts and baking powder together in a bowl.

Then take your cut cranberries and add 3 tablespoons of water to them and microwave for 30 seconds, to moisten and re-hydrate them.

Then take your banana and mash with your honey, place this with your dry mixture and add your cranberries ( with any water that did not evaporate with them ), oil, milk, chopped apple and egg and mix together.

If you find your mixture is a bit dry you could add a little  more milk.


Place the mixture evenly in 12 muffin cases, and drizzle honey on each one.


Place into an oven set at 180C for 15-20 minutes or until they have risen and look golden.

Enjoy xoxo 

SPICY CAJUN MEATBALLS

These are amazing.... have them on their own with salad or veggies, add them to soup, turn them into a stew and they even make a great party snack.

 You could even make them into burger patties!

Ingredients:

-          2 Tablespoons of Cajun Spice mix

-          ½ teaspoon of smoked paprika

-          410g crushed or diced tinned tomatoes

-          50g grated carrot

-          ½ brown onion

-          500g of organic minced beef

-          1 egg

-          Pepper to taste

-          ¼ teaspoon vegetable salt (from health food store, made from dried herbs & natural salt)

-          Chilli flakes (optional)

Method:

Mix everything but the meat and the egg together. Once you have mixed everything together into a sauce have a quick taste and add more spice or pepper if you like. You could even add chilli flakes if you wanted an extra kick.

Once you are happy with the sauce then add the meat and egg and mix all together until properly combined.

Take mixture and place into the palm of your hands and roll into balls and place in a tray in the oven or cook in a fry pan or casserole dish.

Foodie Fabulous Tip #2

Foodie Fabulous Tip #2

Try grating some nutmeg over your favourite tea 

( I prefer black with milk for this ). 

It's delicious and makes for something a little different . 

Food Tip

I am starting a new thing called Foodie Fabulous Tips.... anything that is food related but is not really a recipe! 

Here is the first one!

Foodie Fabulous Tip #1

Try adding chia seeds to your scrambled eggs, not only is it a great way to add this wonderful super food to your diet but it tastes great too, and surprisingly it doesn't affect the eggs that much ! 

It makes for a wonderful protein filled breakfast ! 

Strawberry Rice Milk Smoothie

Not all food on my blog has to be unhealthy, I have a favourite Strawberry smoothie recipe. 

It it light on the dairy side, but if you are lactose intolerant you can leave the yoghurt out and top it up with some more rice milk or chia seeds.  

Ingredients:

- 1 tsp chia Seeds

- 3 tbsp yoghurt

- 1 punnet strawberries

- 1 tsp honey

- 1 cup rice milk

Blend all together and enjoy xoxo

After dinner mint biscuits

I should be doing my assessment work for TAFE, so naturally I am online looking at calorie laden recipes. I saw this in my inbox from Gourmet Traveller, my new favourite foodie magazine. 

They just look divine!

I must try them soon. 

After dinner mint biscuits

Squires Baking Magazine - Visual Candy - Literally!

As I was walking around my local newsagent today I happened to stumble upon a beautiful baking book from the UK.

It is published by Squires baking school in England and has the most beautiful recipes, pictures and creataive ideas about baking I have ever seen. I bought the 3rd issue for spring and I loved it so much I have now created an account with them and plan to buy the first 2 issues as well as some of their other products.
Oh yeah their list of products sold online is amaziiiing!

They have everything from 5 kg of Bridal icing paste to icing colours, sugar decorations, moulds, cookie cutters, kitchen scales and really everything you could want or need for baking!

Check out the website here 

Cooking classes

I am looking to expand my skills and knowledge and hope to take up some cooking classes.

I have started compiling a list of cooking genres I would like to master, now I just have to find places in Sydney that hold them. 

Cooking Class to do list

-          Pasta making classes

-          Dessert making classes

-          Traditional asian classes

-          Savoury making classes

-          Bread making class

-          Cheese making class

Turkish Delight Hot Chocolate

I have a deep love for the flavour of turkish delight.

Good turkish delight is amazing to cook with and of course we all know it goes well with chocolate, so why not drink it?

So here is my recipe for a beautiful turkish delight hot chocolate

Serves 2

Ingredients:
- 1 Tablespoon of the softest best Turkish delight you can get ( I prefer the kind you can get from traditional lolly shops at the markets) 
- 4 Teaspoons of Rosewater ( not essence)
- 1 teaspoon raw sugar
- 2 Tablespoons the best coco powder you can get
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1 1/2 Cup of milk

Method:

Place all ingredients in a saucepan on a medium heat and stir until all dissolved, do not let boil.
You can add any little chunks of turkish delight left over that didn't get time to melt into each glass if you like.


Enjoy xoxo 

STUDY SNACKS!!!

I have recently taken up a TAFE course, so you know what that means - STUDY SNACKS!

I promise I will post some this week, I have just been so busy.

xoxo Jane 

Eggplant Pizza

This is a great recipe for those of you who are eating gluten free or trying to stay away from bread.

It also is a much healthier way to try and get your pizza like fix without eating the real thing!

This recipe creates 4 slices!

Ingredients:

1 Eggplant
Cheese ( light tasty cheese or a parmesan )
chopped tinned tomatoes ( use this as your tomato base, not a tomato paste as that has to much salt and sugar)
your favourite choice of pizza toppings
Oven set to 180'C

Method: 

Simply wash and cut the top of your eggplant, then cut into 4 from top to bottom length ways.
Put each slice on a tray to put in the oven and place a decent amount of tinned tomato on each slice of your eggplant then place your toppings on top then your cheese, basically your doing the same thing as you would normally for a pizza.
Then place in the oven to cook, take it out when your eggplant is sizzling and all the cheese has melted nicely.

Enjoy and let me know what you think!