All posts tagged: Carrots

Sweet Potato Chilli with Chunky Guacamole

I was a little worried about posting this recipe in May, it seemed far too wintery, but as the rain comes down, I think I might just get away with it!! A great meal in a bowl, this veggie chilli is comfort food at its best.  Packed full of bright coloured vegetables, its a perfect midweek supper that helps to up your daily intake of veg.  The guacamole, written as a separate recipe here is the perfect, and in my mind essential, accompaniment to the chilli, to not only give balance of flavour but nutritional balance too.  Since I’ve been making my own guacamole I’ve become a complete convert.  This chunky version is a far cry from the tubs of smooth guacamole available in supermarkets and the flavour is so much fresher and really packs a punch!  Obviously the guacamole can be used aside from this recipe as a dip, served alongside summer barbecues, as an accompaniment to grilled fish, to top a big summer salad or as a filling for a wrap. The list could …

Autumn Slaw

I just love the colour of this salad but what I love even more, is that one of my children will eat bowls full of it and that makes me, and him feel really good!!  It’s good advice to try and eat the rainbow, as diverse a colour range of fresh fruit and vegetables as you possibly can, to feed our bodies the abundance of vitamins, minerals, phytochemical and antioxidants they contain. This will help reduce inflammation and give the immune system an all important boost, especially beneficial at this time of year. So, anything that gets the family diving into veggies, gets my vote! It could be the lovely fresh, tangy flavour as well as the colour that appeals but whatever it is, for now I will be making a lot of it! An incredibly simple dish to make with very few ingredients.  I’ve used white balsamic vinegar as part of the dressing which gives an amazing flavour, slightly more subtle than dark balsamic and with the advantage of not colouring everything brown! The one I use is actually labelled, White Condimento of …

Mackerel with Thyme Roasted Roots & Horseradish Dressing

Mackerel has a wonderful flavour, perfect with the punchy flavours of the roasted roots and horseradish. A fish in plentiful supply, that is so good for us, so tasty, but sadly under used. Ask your fishmonger to fillet and pin bone the mackerel for you, this is then such an easy recipe to cook and a big fat tick in the box for increasing fish intake in the diet! This is the third and final recipe developed for the Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome module of my Diploma in Culinary Medicine. I’ve included the nutritional information at the bottom of the recipe if you’re interested to read why I selected and used certain ingredients.   Serves 2 1 large parsnip 1 sweet potato 2 large carrots olive oil 2tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped salt and freshly ground black pepper 1tbsp natural Greek yogurt 1tsp grated hot horseradish 1tbsp fresh lemon juice 1 garlic clove, crushed 4 mackerel fillets chopped fresh chives to garnish, optional steamed green vegetables to accompany   Preheat the oven to 220ºC. Scrub the …

Curried Butternut Squash Soup

A deliciously smooth soup with a hint of spice and the creamy texture of coconut milk. I always think its amazing how few ingredients combined together can taste so amazing. All to often we add more and more thinking it will help the flavour when really a case of less is more often wins the day. I’m a big fan of recipes that don’t take too long to prepare and don’t have an ingredients list the length of your arm! I whizzed up a batch of this when some friends popped round and the temperature was still mild enough to stand in the garden with the help of a fire pit to gather around! Served in cups, everyone could sip the soup and keep warm inside and out! It went down so well that I made it for the family a few nights later and wrote the recipe up! Perfect for lunch or supper and if there’s any left it also freezes really well. This makes enough for 4-6 servings. 25g coconut oil 100g onion, finely chopped 350g carrots …

Speedy Salmon Parcels

These salmon parcels make a great family meal. Cooking in a parcel allows the fish and vegetables to gently steam, locking in all the delicious flavours and nutrients. The fish cooks to the point where it will just begin to fall away in lovely big flakes minimising the risk of overcooking. Seasoned with ginger, lemon and tamari, these were a hit with the family. Some went for the chilli, others decided not to eat it but I’d suggest cooking them in the parcel as it adds a little extra flavour. These would also make a perfect quick lunch. I’ve given enough ingredients to make 4 parcels but the recipe is very easy to adjust to make as many parcels as you like. about 200g carrots about 200g courgette Four 150g pieces salmon fillet, skinned sushi pickled ginger 1 red chilli 4tsp lemon juice 2tsp tamari salt and pepper Preheat the oven to 190ºC. Tear four large sheets of foil, each about 35cm square. Peel the carrots, cut the ends off the courgettes and spiralize into noodles. …

Spiralized Vegetable Noodles

This seems to be one of the latest buzz foods so I had to have a go to see what all the fuss was about!  Not being able to eat regular pasta and not a big fan of the high sugar gluten free alternatives I’m often slightly stumped over what to have for that quick midweek supper so I wanted to see if spiralized vegetable noodles would be a suitable option. Well I’m now converted!  I was given a handheld spiralizer, a bit like an oversized pencil sharpener and set about making some courgette noodles.  Its amazing how long a length of noodle you can make!  I stir fried my first batch in a little coconut oil and had them with a homemade pesto.  Not the most photogenic result but it tasted good.  The second batch I steamed for about 3-5 minutes, turning occasionally with a spaghetti spoon.  These noodles kept their gorgeous green colour and still retained a little bit of crunch.  I served them with sautéed prawns and my Thai Pesto, well suddenly my super quick mid …