All posts tagged: Coriander

Sweet Potato Chilli with Chunky Guacamole

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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 …

Beetroot & Lentil Salad with Goat’s Cheese Dressing

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This ‘go to’ salad is perfect for a super quick lunch and is substantial too, so will keep you full through the afternoon, but it doesn’t end there!! It makes a great vegetarian starter and could be served as one of a selection of salads for a larger meal.  Why not spoon some into a container when you want to take lunch on the go!  It’s so quick to make and for a great short-cut, I often use the little pouches of cooked organic beetroot you can buy, they’re such a good stand-by, just be sure not to pick up pickled beetroot by mistake! The goat’s cheese dressing is so delicious, you don’t need to keep it just for this recipe.  With the warmer weather and longer days our thoughts change to summer foods, lighter dishes and the anticipation of all the new seasons produce that spring and summer can bring. Try the dressing on barbecued or griddled vegetables, such as aubergine, peppers and courgettes. It would make a perfect accompaniment to steamed or barbecued asparagus, look out for fresh British asparagus coming into season …

Spiced Spinach Dal with Aubergine

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As the days get a little shorter and the weather a little cooler, I find it quite exciting to turn to more comforting, nourishing and warming meals.  This meal feels like its packed with goodness to give the body a generous boost of nutrients, helping to support the body’s defences to keep the winter bugs at bay!  The chilli, garlic and ginger are known to help the immune system, garlic has antiviral properties and ginger helps reduce inflammation. Food has the power to harm or heal the body and by making a few changes to our diet we can make a profound effect on the health of our body and well-being. The ingredients in this recipe are also amazing for supporting the health of the heart and circulatory system. Read on after the recipe to discover how these every day ingredients can support heart health. I love a quick and easy recipe that I can cook for the family when they all arrive home starving hungry! This fits the bill perfectly and leaves us all feeling so good. The flavours are …

Mango Salsa

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Keep the feeling and flavours of summer going a little longer with this delicious Mango Salsa!! I was planning to marinate and barbecue some pork fillet for dinner and wanted to serve something with it! Looking around my kitchen, I spotted four ripe mangoes sitting in the fruit bowl, (sounds like the start to a joke!!) having bought a box of eight, I was keen to use up the rest before they became over ripe!  My plan was to make mango salsa to go with the pork. Searching through the fridge, I luckily found what I wanted and quickly put it together! It was so good we had the same again the next day!! And now there’s only 2 very ripe mangoes sitting in my fruit bowl!! Hopefully tomorrow there’ll be another flash of inspiration as to what to do with those!! Its really so very easy to make and can turn any grilled meat, fish or deliciously juicy grilled prawns into a very impressive meal!  For a vegetarian option, try serving alongside some chargrilled aubergine, courgette, pepper and halloumi cheese. …

Lime & Coriander Salmon Salad

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This colourful salad is just perfect as a light summer lunch or supper. Packed with gorgeous flavours based on the traditional dish, Ceviche, from Latin America, where fish is marinated in lime juice and flavoured with chilli. Here, the salmon is cooked, flavoured with lime rind and combined with cucumber, avocado, pepper, red onion and fresh herbs, resulting in an amazingly refreshing dish. A glass of crisp white or rosé wine on the side, finishes this off beautifully!! If you’d like a non-alcoholic drink, try adding slices of lime and sprigs of mint to a jug of iced water, its deliciously fresh!! This recipe was developed as the lunchtime dish for a day’s menu  supporting the heart and circulatory system. Read on for details as to how each ingredient can benefit the body. Serves 2   2 salmon fillets grated rind and juice of 2 limes sea salt and freshly ground black pepper ½ cucumber 1 red pepper ½ red onion 1 ripe avocado 1 red chilli 1tbsp olive oil 4tbsp chopped fresh coriander 1tbsp chopped …

Chicken & Avocado Quinoa Salad

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Serves 2 I love this salad, its my new favourite!! A classic combination of chicken and avocado flavoured with all the great tastes that burst out of a guacamole!! Not being a great avocado fan, (I know….isn’t everyone supposed to love them!!) but knowing how good they are for me, I am so happy to discover a way I can really enjoy eating them.  The flavour is so fresh and clean, I’ll be enjoying this one all year round!! A complete meal, packed full of goodness, this is the second recipe that formed part of the first module on my Diploma in Culinary Medicine and again I have included the supporting information to show the health benefits of the main ingredients in supporting the body against diabetes, obesity & metabolic syndrome. This salad is easy to transport so you can take it with you for a healthy lunch on the go which beats a sandwich and has the advantage of being gluten free! I’ve also made it without chicken and added a good handful of pumpkin …

Herby Baked Mushrooms

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If you’re looking for a quick lunch or supper recipe that takes about 30 minutes to make then try this! These Herby Baked Mushrooms are a real family favourite whether served as a meal or an accompanient. They tend to vary a little each time I make them, depending on what is in the fridge and store cupboard and, to be honest, I don’t really measure everything out accurately for this one, as it really doesn’t matter! So, take the quantities as a guide and don’t be afraid to take the basic recipe and run with whatever you find or fancy! I’ve given a few of our favourite variations at the end of the recipe. 4 large flat mushrooms 4tbsp houmous 1/2  red pepper 4tbsp finely chopped fresh coriander 4tsp finely chopped fresh chives handful baby spinach leaves, finely chopped juicer of 1/2 lemon 1tbsp balsamic vinegar freshly ground black pepper 4tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese a generous pinch chilli flakes Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Wipe the mushrooms with a damp piece of kitchen paper …

Broad Bean & Radish Salad

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This summery salad is so deliciously fresh, using broad beans and radishes which are in plentiful supply at this time of year. I love broad beans, although I do remember a time when the little shrivelled grey offerings on my school dinner plate quickly got pushed to the side!  When I discovered the transformation a broad bean takes on when popped out of its outer rubbery shell, it took on a whole new life. Firstly the colour is so amazing, a vibrant lime green, the texture, smooth and tender, and the taste is so good. I generally use them in salads rather than as a vegetable accompaniment. I love the process of popping them out of the pods, opening each one to discover the beans nestled inside the fur linings, but then I am a bit of a softy! Removing the outer skin once cooked is also a great family job, especially when they ping across the work surface! The only disappointment with broad beans is the yield. A 500g bag full of broad bean …

Chargrilled Vegetables with Tahini Dressing, Pomegranate & Coriander

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This has been one of my favourite things to cook on the barbecue so far this year. I love simple chargrilled vegetables, the flavours are amazing. The smokiness of the vegetables with the fresh tahini dressing and pomegranate seeds are a great combination. You can enjoy this as a salad on its own or as part of a bigger feast! I’ve served it with chunks of seared beef or lamb accompanied by a green leafy salad and a big bowl of herby quinoa. I seem to be really drawn to pomegranate at the moment, I’m loving the little bursts of colour and flavour they give a meal, as well as the health benefits of being a good source of fibre, vitamins, iron and rich in antioxidants. This recipe is so easy , if you prepare a large bowl of quinoa, roast plenty of vegetables and make the dressing you can store all these in the fridge and assemble an easy lunch or supper in minutes…perfect! Don’t worry if you’re not into barbecuing or want to eat this when …

Thai Aubergine, Squash & Spinach Dal

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Monday 15th June is World Meat Free Day, so I thought it would be great to post this recipe today! The idea is to encourage people to give up meat for just one day to raise awareness of the benefits of eating less meat for a healthier, balanced diet thats better for the planet and food systems. Naming this dish was tricky! It’s kind of like a soup but more so! Its kind of like a Thai curry but not!! This is another of my go to quick suppers, a complete meal in a bowl! Everytime I make this dish, which I’ve been doing for quite a long time now, its different! I see what I have in the fridge and if I think it will work, in it goes. Finally I’ve got around to writing down the recipe of my favourite version.  That is not to say a few mushrooms or chunks of courgette may still creep in from time to time! I absolutely love Thai food, the flavours are so exciting and the smell intoxicating. …