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.