All posts by Genevieve

Sago

Glossary, ,

Sago

Sago is a starch extracted from the spongy centre, or pith, of various tropical palm stems. It is a major staple food for the lowland peoples of New Guinea and the Moluccas, where it is called saksak, rabia and sagu. A type of flour, called sago flour, is made from sago.

The largest supply of sago comes from the East Indies. Large quantities of sago are sent to Europe and North America for cooking purposes.

It is traditionally cooked and eaten in various forms, such as rolled into balls, mixed with boiling water to form a paste, or as a pancake. Sago is often produced commercially in the form of “pearls”. Sago pearls can be boiled with water or milk and sugar to make a sweet sago pudding.

Sago pearls are similar in appearance to tapioca pearls and the two may be used interchangeably in some dishes.

Garlic Aioli with Sweet Potato Fries

Snacks, , , ,

Garlic Aioli with sweet potato fries

Sweet potato chips (fries) cooked in our Air Fryer has become a regular feature of our meals. This weekend we were looking for something different to spice them up, and decided to make Garlic Aioli at home using all natural ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 3 garlic cloves (less if you like it less garlicky)
  • 1 large egg (preferably organic)
  • 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 150ml extra virgin olive oil
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Coconut Oil
  • Pinch of Sea Salt

Directions

  1. Cut the Sweet Potatoes into chips (fries) shapes and put into a bowl.
  2. Sprinkle 1 tsp of coconut oil over the bowl of fries and toss them to coat in the coconut oil.
  3. Add to the Air Fryer basket and cook at 200 degrees C for 15 minutes until golden and cooked through.
  4. Meanwhile, place the garlic, egg, lemon juice, sea salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender
  5. Using the metal blade of the foodprocessor (rather than the plastic one) blend all of the ingredients
  6. Add the olive oil while the blender or foodprocessor is running in a slow stream. You will probably need to take the shoot out of the foodprocessor, or leave the cap off the blender in order to be able to add the oil while the foodprocessor is running.
  7. Blend the aioli until it has formed into thickened emulsion.
  8. Serve the sweet potato fries, with the Garlic Aioli.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Intergalactic Lovers – Little Heavy Burdens

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coconut oil

Glossary, , ,

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains short term medium-chain saturated fatty acids (MCFAs), which is a “healthy” form saturated fat compared to trans fat. Because coconut oil is a medium-chain saturated fatty acid, it gives it a higher smoking temperature than most polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oils. If you’re preparing recipes that require high temperatures you should consider Virgin Coconut Oil for this type of cooking. Unlike olive oil which will oxidise at high temperatures, creating free radicals. Olive oil is better as a dressing or on salads (not heated).

The Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (whose members produce 80% of the world’s coconut oil) defines Virgin Coconut Oil as being “obtained from fresh and mature kernel (12 months old from pollination) of the coconut by mechanical or natural means with or without the application of heat, which does not lead to alteration of the nature of the oil. VCO has not undergone chemical refining, bleaching or deodorizing. It can be consumed in its natural state without the need
for further processing. Virgin coconut oil consists mainly of medium chain tryglycerides, which are resistant to peroxidation. The fatty acids in virgin coconut oil are distinct from animal fats which contain mainly of long chain saturated fatty acids. Virgin coconut oil is colorless, free of sediment with natural fresh coconut scent. It is free from rancid odor or taste.”
 
We suggest you look for a “Virgin Coconut Oil”, rather than only “Coconut Oil” on the label as it is regulated by the above code of practice for labeling.

 

 

Stuffed Courgettes with Minced Lamb

Lunch and Light Meals, , , , , , , , , ,

Stuffed courgette with lamb mince

While this recipe reads like a side dish, if you use large enough courgettes, it can also be the main dish. Add a simple lettuce for a full meal.

Ingredients

  • 1 green courgette (zucchini)
  • 1 yellow courgette (zucchini)
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped finely
  • 2 slices parma ham, chopped
  • 500g minced lamb
  • 100g mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 red chilli, finely chopped, seeds discarded.
  • 1/2 Tbsp Lebanese seven spice powder
  • salt and pepper
  • handful of fresh mint
  • handful of fresh oregano
  • handful of pine nuts
  • coconut oil

Directions

  1. Scoop the meat of the courgette. Place it into a tea towel and squeeze out the excess moisture. 
  2. Heat a frying pan with a little coconut oil. Fry the onion and garlic over a moderate heat until it is golden brown and fragrant. 
  3. Add the parma ham and cook for a couple of minutes until crispy. 
  4. Add the minced lamb to the pan and cook it until it is all brown – about 5 minutes. 
  5. Add the mushrooms and chopped courgette meat (removed from the courgettes) to the pan and cook them through – about 5 minutes. 
  6. Add the Lebanese seven spice powder, salt and pepper to the pan and cook for a couple of minutes until fragrant. 
  7. Fill the courgettes with the mince mixture, top with the pine nuts, and place on an oven tray, and cook in the oven at 180 degrees C for 8-10 minutes until the courgettes have softened.
  8. Garnish the filled courgettes with the pine nuts, fresh herbs and a little freshly ground black pepper.
  9. Serve with a simple salad to make a complete meal. 

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Damien Jurado – Brothers and Sisters of the Eternal Son

 

 

 

 

 

Ras el Hanout

Glossary, , , , , , , , , ,

Ras El Hanout

Ras el Hanout is a spice mix from Northern Africa which translates as “top of the shop” – a reference to the relatively expensive ingredients that are used in the mix.

There is no definitive composition of spices that makes up Ras el Hanout. Each shop, company, or family may have their own blend.

Commonly used ingredients include cardamom, cumin, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, dry ginger, chili peppers, coriander seed, peppercorn, sweet and hot paprika, fenugreek, and dry turmeric.

We have also included a Ras El Hanout spice mix recipe so that you can make your own if you are unable to find it in your supermarket or local asian speciality stores.  

Lebanese Seven Spice Powder

Glossary, , , , , , , ,

Lebanese 7 spice powder

A staple in any Lebanese kitchen, Lebanese seven spice powder is to the Lebanese kitchen what Garam Masala is to the Indian kitchen – a ubiquitous spice mix. The aromatic blend is very versatile and works wonders as a dry rub on fish, chicken and especially meats such as lamb.

Lebanese 7 spice powder is a blend of allspice, black pepper, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ground fenugreek, and ginger. All of these spices are readily available in most supermarkets.

We have included a recipe for Lebanese Seven Spice Mix so that you can make it at home.

Coconut Aminos

Glossary, , , ,

Coconut Aminos

Coconut Aminos is a Gluten Free replacement for Soy Sauce. It often comes as a shock for people who are new to their Gluten Free lifestyles that Soy Sauce contains Gluten (wheat is often the first ingredient), but not all soy sauces are created equal. There are Gluten Free Soy Sauces available (including from popular Soy Sauce brand Kikkoman), but Coconut Aminos is also a useful replacement and has the added advantage of also being Soya free. It is available from good Health Stores.

Cardamon

Glossary, , ,

Cardamon

Cardamon (also known as cardamom) is a spice native to India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan. They are recognised by their small seed pods, triangular in cross-section, with a thin outer shell and filled with small black seeds. Cardamom has a strong, unique taste, with an intensely aromatic fragrance. Black cardamom has a distinctly more smokey, though not bitter, aroma. Cardamon is used in both sweet and savoury dishes, and can also be added to tea as is commonly done in India when making Masala Chai (tea).

 

Turnip and Pumkin hash with Chorizo

Lunch and Light Meals, , , , , ,

Turnip and pumkin hash with chorizo

This is a variation of the Sweet Potato Hash with Fried Egg and Avocado. Instead of using sweet potatoes it used turnip and pumpkin with Chorizo for a light meal that is full of flavours. 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 turnip, grated and with excess liquid squeezed out
  • 150g pumpkin, grated and with excess liquid squeezed out
  • 5 spring onions, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 100g quality chorizo, chopped
  • 3 mushrooms, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp kashmiri chilli powder
  • 1/2 Tbsp ground coriander
  • 1/2 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp salt
  • black pepper
  • salad leaves
  • avocado
  • 1 fried egg, sunny side up
  • avocado or olive oil
  • ghee for cooking

Directions

  1. Place the turnip in a tea towel and wring strongly to remove the excess water.
  2. Place the grated pumpkin in a tea towel and wring strongly to remove the excess water.
  3. Combine the turnip, grated pumpkin, spring onions, garlic, chorizo, spices, salt and pepper in a bowl and stir to combine.
  4. Add a little ghee in a pan and add enough of the turnip and pumpkin mixture to the pan to cover the bottom. Stir fry 1 minute and then cover and cook for 5-10 minutes until the bottom becomes crispy.
  5. In the meantime fry an egg
  6. When the hash is ready transfer to a plate.
  7. Place an egg on top. Serve with avocado and salad leaves.
  8. Sprinkle with a little olive or avocado oil and garnish with a sprinkle of extra salt and pepper.

About Chorizo
Chorizo (Spanish) or chouriço (Portuguese) is a term originating in the Iberian Peninsula encompassing several types of pork sausages. Chorizo can be a fresh sausage, in which case it must be cooked before eating. In Europe, it is more frequently a fermented, cured,smoked sausage, in which case it is often sliced and eaten without cooking, and can be added as an ingredient to add flavour to other dishes. Chorizo gets its distinctive smokiness and deep red color from dried smoked red peppers.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Timber Timbre – Hot Dreams