Tag Archives: #wholefood

Avocado Vinaigrette Dressing

Condiments and Dips, , , , , , , ,

Avocado Vinaigrette dressing

In Singapore it is always salad weather, which means that we tend to eat them a lot. But continuing to get variation into our diet is important to us, we don’t like to eat boring! Last night I decided to spice up a chicken and lettuce salad with a little Avocado Vinaigrette. This looks a lot like a mayonnaise when it is finished, but has the tartness of a vinaigrette.

Ingredients

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar
  • juice of half a lemon
  • sea salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions

  1. In a blender combine the avocado, vinegar, lemon juice, sea salt, and freshly ground pepper. Blend together
  2. Lift the lid of the blender just enough that you are able to pour in the olive oil in a continuous stream while the blender is still running. Note: do not take the lid off completely as you will end up with avocado all around your kitchen and that is not a pretty sight…
  3. Pour the olive oil into the blender in a slow steady stream so that it all combines together. The dressing will be a little bit runnier than mayonnaise, but with a similar consistency. Please don’t expect that it will taste like a mayonnaise though, because it has the tartness of a vinaigrette instead.
  4. Use as a dressing on a salad to make a Caesar style salad. We added lettuce leaves, sliced chicken, sliced cucumber, sliced radishes and mint leaves for a refreshing dinner salad.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Breaks Co-op – Sounds Familiar

Zucchini Pappardelle with Avocado sauce and Mushrooms

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

Zucchini Pappardelle with avocado nut sauce and mushrooms

This is a light, healthy, lunch that gives you a lot of vegetables in one meal. Is made more substantial through the avocado sauce, and given a little bite through the chilli, which you can leave off if you are not a chilli fan. It is enough for 2 people, but for bigger eaters you might like to add an additional zucchini.

Ingredients

  • 2 zucchinis (1 per person)
  • 50g soft nuts (Brazil, almonds, walnuts, cashew or a mix)
  • 2 avocados
  • juice of half a lemon
  • handful mint leaves
  • 50ml olive oil
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • 150g mushrooms
  • chilli flakes
  • coconut oil to cook

Directions

  1. Using a flat peeler or grater shave slices of the zucchini (courgette) to make the pasta
  2. Slice the mushrooms into 1-2mm slices
  3. Take a blender jar or food processor bowl. Add the nuts and blend for 15-20 seconds to chop the nuts roughly.
  4. Cut open the avocados and remove the pits. Scoop out the flesh and add it to the blender. Add the lemon juice, mint leaves, olive oil, a pinch of sea salt and a few grinds of freshly ground black pepper.
  5. Blend the mix to a smooth mix. There might still be some nut chunks, and that is ok. It adds texture.
  6. Pan fry the mushrooms in a pan with a little coconut oil, sea salt and freshly ground pepper for 2-3 minutes until softened. Remove from the pan.
  7. in the same pa, heat a little more coconut oil, add the zucchini pasta and quickly pan fry for about 2 minutes. You are only trying to soften and warm them through, not to cook them until golden. 
  8. Pile the zucchini pasta onto 2 plates. Top with half the avocado mix on each plate. Top with the mushroom mix. Garnish with some chili flakes, freshly ground black pepper and some olive oil. 

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Gin Wigmore – Gravel & Wine

Duck Breast with Pomegranate Sauce

Dinner, , , , , , , ,

Duck Breast with pomegranate sauce

Duck is a flavorsome meat, and this powerfully flavoured sauce makes a rich combination, that is quite impressive to serve. The ingredients can be a little expensive to buy, but it does make a wonderful dish for a special occasion. Serve with a salad and sweet potato chips.

Ingredients

  • 2 large duck breasts, skin on
  • coconut oil
  • sea salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • Pomegranate seeds to garnish
  • Fresh coriander to garnish

Sauce ingredients

  • 2 spring onions, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 cm fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
  • 100 ml organic pomegranate juice (check the label carefully to avoid added sugar and additives. The one we found was in a glass jar, and imported from America.)
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1 tsp manuka honey
  • 50 ml fresh orange juice
  • pinch of ground cloves
  • 5 thyme sprigs

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celcius (350 degrees Fahrenheit)
  2. Make a few cuts in the fat / skin of the duck breast. Brush with a little coconut oil and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. 
  3. Fry in an oven proof pan for 5 minutes skin side down on a moderate heat. Turn the duck over and cook for a further 2 minutes. 
  4. Put all of the sauce ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
  5. Pour the sauce over the duck, and put the pan with duck and sauce into the oven to cook for around 5 minutes (depending on the size of the duck breast it might take a little more or less time). 
  6. Garnish with fresh coriander and pomegranate seeds to serve. 

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Burning Spear – Marcus Garvey / Garvey’s Ghost

 

 

Pumpkin Zucchini Omelette with Lamb and Spinach

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

Pumpkin Zucchini Omelette with Lamb and Spinach

Lunch does not have to be boring, but it also does not have to take an hour to cook. This pumpkin and zucchini omelette is sweet and delicious, but won’t take you all morning to prepare. We paired it with lamb tenderloins and a salad of spinach leaves to complete the meal.

Ingredients

  • 3 eggs
  • Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 tsp dried herbs like oregano, thyme, rosemary
  • 50 ml coconut milk
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 3 Garlic cloves, sliced
  • 100 gr pumpkin, cut into small cubes
  • 1/2 large Zucchini (courgette), cut into small cubes
  • 3 mushrooms, sliced
  • Handful of fresh mint leaves
  • Large handful baby spinach
  • Splash of good quality red wine vinegar
  • Splash of olive oil
  • 1 x 250 gr lamb tenderloin

Directions

  1. Beat the eggs with salt, pepper, dried herbs and coconut milk. Set aside.
  2. Chop up the pumpkin, onion, garlic, mushrooms, zucchini.
  3. Heat a little coconut oil in a oven proof frying pan and fry the chopped vegetables for a few minutes until they are getting soft.
  4. Add the egg mixture and cook until it starts to set.
  5. Transfer the pan to a preheated oven and grill for around 5 minutes or until the top start to brown.
  6. Take the pan from the oven and let cool off a little.
  7. Garnish with a few mint leaves and sprinkle with olive oil
  8. Season the lamb and fry for 2 minutes on both side for medium – rare. Let the meat rest for 10 minutes, slice and serve with the omelette

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Gregory Isaacs – Night Nurse

Fried Spinach with Garlic and Pine Nuts

Dinner, , , , , , , , ,

Fried spinach with garlic and pine nuts

An easy to prepare side dish, that goes well with Lebanese Lamb burgers and sweet potato fries with aioli to create a meal. Pine nuts are available in most supermarkets these days, try the nuts aisle or a middle eastern goods section.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. First toast the pine nuts in 1 tsp of coconut oil with a good pinch of sea salt.
  2. When the pine nuts are ready, set them aside and wash the spinach.
  3. Transfer the spinach to a large pan and cook with the lid on for 10 minutes until done.
  4. Drain the spinach but do not squeeze it.
  5. Heat 3 tbsp of coconut oil in a large frying pan and fry the garlic until they turn brown.
  6. Discard the garlic
  7. Add the cooked spinach. Fry for about two minutes, transfer to a bowl and sprinkle with the toasted pine nuts.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Woods – With light and love

Chrysanthemum, Plum, Goji Berry tea

Drinks, , , ,

Chrysanthemum plum yoji berry tea

Living in Asia is a great way to learn about the tea cultures that exist around the region. This is a simplified version of the Chinese Eight Treasures tea, and substitutes the rock sugar for honey to give it a lovely mellow taste that avoids processed sugars.  

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp Chrysanthemum
  • 1 Tbsp green tea leaves (or 1 tea bag)
  • 1 Tbsp goji berries
  • 2 dried plums
  • 4 slices fresh ginger

Directions

  1. Place all of the ingredients into a tea pot with a wire mesh barrier in it to hold the ingredients when you pour the tea (alternatively you can strain the tea from the tea pot with a strainer when you pour it).
  2. Pour over hot water, preferably at 80 degrees Celsius (170 degrees Fahrenheit), or boil the water and let it cool a little first.
  3. Let the tea steep for at least 10 minutes before you drink it.
  4. Strain the tea into a glass or cup and enjoy

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Atlas – Real Estate

 

 

 

 

Rucola Mint Pesto

Condiments and Dips, , , , , , , , ,

Rucola and Mint pesto

This is a very versatile pesto sauce that can be used as a dip for sweet potatoes, as a topping on fish or chicken, or even to stuff chicken wrapped in prosciutto. We’d love to hear how you have used what has become one of our favorites. 

Ingredients

  • Large handful of rucola lettuce leaves
  • 10-15 mint leaves
  • 1 Tbsp tahini
  • juice of half a large lime
  • 1 Tbsp pine nuts
  • 1 garlic clove, peeled and roughly chopped
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Few grinds of freshly ground black pepper
  • 50ml olive oil

Directions

  1. Put all of the ingredients into a blender, and blend until smooth.
  2. It should be a bit of a thick sauce, so be careful with the amount of olive oil that you add. If it is too thick then you can add a little more olive oil.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Sola Rosa – Get it together

Spinach coconut curry with meatballs

Dinner, , , , , , ,

Spinach meatball curry

This is a substantial and warming meal that is great paired with cauliflower rice or rice. You can adapt it to your own level of preferred spiciness by adapting how much chili powder you include. This is a slightly spicy version.

Ingredients:

For the meatballs

  • 500 gr lamb mince
  • 1/2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 1 onion, grated
  • 1 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp ghee or coconut oil

For the curry

  • 220ml coconut milk
  • 100 ml water
  • 5 green cardamon pods
  • 15 fresh curry leaves
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
  • 2 tsp ginger-garlic paste
  • 500 gr baby spinach (or similar green vegetables)
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

  1. First make the meatballs. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
  2. Now, make around 15 golf ball sized meatballs. Wet your hands before making a ball so they won’t stick to your hands.
  3. Put them on a plate and let them firm up in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
  4. Heat the ghee or oil in a large frying pan and brown the meatballs on all sides. When ready, put them on a plate and set aside.
  5. When all the meatballs are done, fry the curry leaves and cardamom pods for a few seconds until fragrant.
  6. Add the onion and fry until soft.
  7. Add the spices and the ginger-garlic paste and fry for a minute more.
  8. Then add the coconut milk and water and bring to the boil.
  9. When boiling, add the spinach, cover and cook until wilted.
  10. Take the lid of, add the meatballs, season with salt and pepper and cook until the sauce thickens a little and the meatballs are heated through.
  11. Serve with rice or cauliflower rice

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Hindi Zhara – Homeland

 

 

Almond Milk and Flour

Condiments and Dips, , , ,

Almond Milk and Flour

Almond Milk is a great substitute for milk in cooking and baking. This is an easy way to make it at home, and also gives you almond flour as a very welcome by-product of the cooking process.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups almonds
  • 1 litre water, plus extra for soaking
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes

Directions for Almond Milk

  1. Place the almonds in a large bowl and cover with enough water to sit 2cm above the almonds. Allow to stand at room temperature for 12 hours.
  2. Drain, discarding the soaking liquid and rinse well under cold running water.
  3. Put the almonds, water and sea salt into a blender and blend at a high speed for 3-4 minutes until fully mixed. (Depending on the size of your blender you might need to blend it in two batches of 500ml and 1 cup of almonds)
  4. Pour the mixture through a fine sieve to remove the almond pulp. You may need to work in batches to strain the almonds.
  5. Press the almond pulp with the back of a spoon to extract as much milk as possible. It should end up quite dry. The more moisture you leave in, the more you will have to dry out to get the Almond Flour.
  6. Retain the Almond pulp in the strainer to use in the Almond Flour (below). 
  7. Pour the milk into glass jars or bottles and seal well. Refrigerates for up to 3-4 days. Can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Makes approximately 1 litre of almond milk.

Directions for Almond Flour

  1. Preheat the oven to 100 degrees Celcius.
  2. Spread the almond pulp thinly and evenly over a lightly greased baking tray lined with baking paper.
  3. Bake for 1 hour.
  4. Toss the almond pulp, re-spread it out over the baking paper and cook for another 1 hour.
  5. Allow to cool completely.
  6. Place the almond mixture into a food processor and process using the knife blade until finely ground.
  7. Store the almond flour in a air tight container in the refridgerator for up to 1 week, or use immediately to make Dried fig and Cranberry Almond Loaf.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: Eternal Summers – The Drop Beneath

 

 

 

Shakarkandi Gobi – Indian sweet potato and cauliflower

Dinner, , , , , , , , , ,

Aloo Shakarkandi

During our time living in India we became really big fans of Indian food. One of the greatest parts of traveling there was tasting all the different types of food around the country. In India this is normally made with potatoes, but we have substituted them for sweet potatoes in this dish for the extra nutrition.

Ingredients

  • 400g cauliflower, cut into portions / florets
  • 300g sweet potato, peeled and cu into 3cm chips
  • coconut oil
  • pinch of asafoetida
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 3cm fresh ginger, peeled and grated
  • 1/2 large green chilli, finely chopped
  • 1/4 tsp tumeric
  • 1/4 tsp chilli powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • 1/4 tsp amchur (mango powder)
  • handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped
  • 120ml water

Directions

  1. Heat 1 Tbsp of coconut oil in a large frying pan over a high heat. Add the asafoetida, cumin seeds, ginger, chilli and turmeric. Mix and fry for a few seconds.
  2. Add cauliflower, sweet potato, water, and salt, cover and cook on a medium high heat until the water is evaporated. This will take about 10 minutes. Stir once in a while to avoid it catching on the bottom of the pan.
  3. Check that the sweet potatoes are cooked through. If they are not you may need to cook them for a little while longer, and add a little more water to create the steam to cook them in.
  4. Add the garam masala, coriander and mango powder. Mix and serve.
  5. Can be served as a side dish with Chicken Cardamon Curry with Papaya or another curry dish.

Music to go with it…
Listen on Spotify: The War on Drugs – Lost in the Dream