It's been quite sunny & thinking about burgers on the BBQ has begun! This healthy burger takes 15 minutes to make & cook - simple!
Although not the most healthy recipe on this blog, the 35%* magnesium and 80% B-12 with 15% B-6 makes this dish an aid to insomnia with a contribution to helping your emotional swings and memory problems. The niacin (B-3) at 70% also helps your relax & fall asleep more quickly, plus it eases migraines.
*Recommended Daily Allowance
Serves 4
Ingredients
85 g x wholemeal bread, torn into pieces
200 g tin x sweetcorn, drained
2 x 185 g tins tuna in water, drained well
25 g x cheddar, grated
3 x spring onions, finely chopped
1 x egg, beaten
2 tbsp x vegetable oil
4 x wholegrain bread rolls
Optional - salsa, mayonnaise, tomato ketchup, harissa for burger sauce
Instructions
1. Whizz the bread in a food processor to crumbs, tip into a bowl, then whizz half the sweetcorn until finely chopped.
2. Add the chopped corn, remaining whole corn, tuna, cheese, spring onions and some seasoning into the bowl with the bread and mix well.
3. Add the egg, bit by bit (you may not need it all), until the mixture is sticky enough to be shaped into four even-size burgers.
4. Heat the oil in a non-stick pan, then cook the burgers for 5 mins on each side until golden and hot through the middle.
5. Stuff into wholemeal buns with your favourite lettuce and a good dollop of salsa.
Sharing recipes and exercises to improve brain function with a focus on helping those with a brain injury. Please note I am not medically qualified and this blog is what I have learned through my own recovery, so is personal experience only. If you have any health issues please make sure you seek your doctor's advice.
Showing posts with label B6. Show all posts
Showing posts with label B6. Show all posts
Thursday, 17 April 2014
Monday, 14 April 2014
Sweet Potato & Chickpea Tacos
A dish only takes 30 minutes to make & is loved by everyone I cook it for. It freezes really well if you make extra & then defrost it for 12 hours before reheating it on the hob for 10 minutes.
With roughly 100%* of vitamin C and manganese, and 60% B-6 this dish really helps with dizziness. With 40% magnesium, some turmeric, 10% B-12 & 30% vitamin B-2 it will aid your memory, but also these levels of nutrients will also aid insomnia, emotional issues and a bit of fatigue.
*Recommended Daily Allowance
Serves 4
Ingredients
300 g x sweet potatoes, cubed
400 g tin x chopped tomatoes
400 g tin x chickpeas (pre-cooked)
1/2 tsp x chilli flakes
2 tbsp x curry paste* (buy pre-made or make your own with recipe below)
100 g x spinach (frozen or fresh)
6 x tacos
Topping either:
2 tbsp x plain yoghurt
50 g x mature cheddar, grated
Instructions
1. Heat oven to 180C. Meanwhile, over medium heat, boil sweet potatoes for 10-12 minutes & drain.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat add curry paste, tomatoes, chickpeas & chilli flakes together & cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add drained sweet potatoes to saucepan with tomato mix.
4. Add spinach & let it wilt (approx. 3 minutes).
5. While spinach wilts (or melts if frozen), place tacos in the hot oven & cook for 3 minutes.
6. Serve as separate components for each person to stuff tacos with filling & add preferred topping.
*Curry paste can be made by grinding or blending the following together:
1 x garlic clove
1 tsp x curry powder
1 x bay leaf
1/2 tsp x fennel seeds
1 tsp x coriander (ground or seeds)
1 tsp x cumin (ground or seeds)
1/2 tsp x turmeric
1 tbsp x tomato puree
1 tbsp x ghee
You can keep the curry paste in a fridge for up to a week.
With roughly 100%* of vitamin C and manganese, and 60% B-6 this dish really helps with dizziness. With 40% magnesium, some turmeric, 10% B-12 & 30% vitamin B-2 it will aid your memory, but also these levels of nutrients will also aid insomnia, emotional issues and a bit of fatigue.
*Recommended Daily Allowance
Serves 4
Ingredients
300 g x sweet potatoes, cubed
400 g tin x chopped tomatoes
400 g tin x chickpeas (pre-cooked)
1/2 tsp x chilli flakes
2 tbsp x curry paste* (buy pre-made or make your own with recipe below)
100 g x spinach (frozen or fresh)
6 x tacos
Topping either:
2 tbsp x plain yoghurt
50 g x mature cheddar, grated
Instructions
1. Heat oven to 180C. Meanwhile, over medium heat, boil sweet potatoes for 10-12 minutes & drain.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat add curry paste, tomatoes, chickpeas & chilli flakes together & cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add drained sweet potatoes to saucepan with tomato mix.
4. Add spinach & let it wilt (approx. 3 minutes).
5. While spinach wilts (or melts if frozen), place tacos in the hot oven & cook for 3 minutes.
6. Serve as separate components for each person to stuff tacos with filling & add preferred topping.
*Curry paste can be made by grinding or blending the following together:
1 x garlic clove
1 tsp x curry powder
1 x bay leaf
1/2 tsp x fennel seeds
1 tsp x coriander (ground or seeds)
1 tsp x cumin (ground or seeds)
1/2 tsp x turmeric
1 tbsp x tomato puree
1 tbsp x ghee
You can keep the curry paste in a fridge for up to a week.
Thursday, 10 April 2014
Kale, Eggs & Beans
This one can make a healthy breakfast, but you don't have to. It takes 12-15 minutes to make.
This dish has over 200%* vitamin C, and manganese, plus 100% of your magnesium and almost 70% B-6 making this dish great for helping co-ordination & dizziness, emotional issues and insomnia. The 21% vitamin D in the eggs & 12% vitamin E in dried chillies will go towards reducing fatigue, whilst the barlotti beans provide 25% B-1 and 90% folate that support your B-12 and nerve function in the brain, increasing effectiveness of B-12 in your diet.
*Recommended Daily Allowance
This dish has over 200%* vitamin C, and manganese, plus 100% of your magnesium and almost 70% B-6 making this dish great for helping co-ordination & dizziness, emotional issues and insomnia. The 21% vitamin D in the eggs & 12% vitamin E in dried chillies will go towards reducing fatigue, whilst the barlotti beans provide 25% B-1 and 90% folate that support your B-12 and nerve function in the brain, increasing effectiveness of B-12 in your diet.
*Recommended Daily Allowance
Serves 2
Ingredients
100 g x kale, cut up without spines
1 x onion, diced
2 x garlic cloves, diced
2 x eggs
1/2 tin x barlotti beans, pre-cooked and drained
1 cup x vegetable stock
1 tsp x paprika
1/2 tsp x fennel seeds
1/2 tsp x dried chillies
1/2 tsp x fennel seeds
1/2 tsp x dried chillies
Instructions
1. In deep frying pan over medium heat, cook onion & garlic for 1-2 minutes. Add SPICES and leave to cook for further 2 minutes.
2. Add half the kale to the frying pan & let it wilt (approx. 2 mins). Add other half of kale & leave to wilt.
3. Add barlotti beans and vegetable stock to pan, & leave to cook for 6 mins, stirring occasionally.
4. Make little indents in the cooked kale & break eggs into these gaps. Leave to cook the eggs (approx. 2 mins).
5. Serve and enjoy!
Monday, 7 April 2014
Sausage, Kale & White Bean Pasta
This is a hearty filling meal for those who enjoy a more meaty dish. It works better with a thinner pasta like spaghetti. It takes about 15 minutes to make.
Kale and lemon juice give this dish over 200%* vitamin C and 45% manganese from kale and barlotti beans and 25% B-6 from the kale, sausage and lemon juice. Kale also has 11% magnesium and 6% B-2. The barlotti beans also contain 25% B-1 that improves memory and concentration, and 90% folate which supports B-12 function in reducing emotional issues. This recipe is great for co-ordination & dizziness issues. It will also go part way to aid your emotional stability, light sensitivity, insomnia, memory and fatigue.
*Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
Serves 2
Ingredients
2 nests (120 g) x spaghetti (or other pasta you like, I had penne handy)
200 g x Pork sausages with herbs
1 tbsp x olive oil
100 ml x dry white wine
1 clove x garlic, crushed
2 tsp x butter
50 g x curly kale, chopped
200 g x barlotti beans, rinsed
1 tsp x lemon juice
25 g x parmesan, finely grated
Instructions
1. Bring a large pan salted water to the boil & add pasta. Cook for 4 mins or until tender.
2. Grill sausages until browned, then slice into chunks.
3. In deep frying pan over medium-low heat add wine, garlic, butter & kale. Cover & simmer for 5 mins until kale is tender. Remove from heat.
4. Add beans & lemon juice to frying pan. Then add chunks of sausage to the frying pan.
5. Transfer pasta from water to frying pan & add 4 tablespoons of cooking water to frying pan to create sauce.
Serve with extra parmesan!
Kale and lemon juice give this dish over 200%* vitamin C and 45% manganese from kale and barlotti beans and 25% B-6 from the kale, sausage and lemon juice. Kale also has 11% magnesium and 6% B-2. The barlotti beans also contain 25% B-1 that improves memory and concentration, and 90% folate which supports B-12 function in reducing emotional issues. This recipe is great for co-ordination & dizziness issues. It will also go part way to aid your emotional stability, light sensitivity, insomnia, memory and fatigue.
*Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA)
Serves 2
Ingredients
2 nests (120 g) x spaghetti (or other pasta you like, I had penne handy)
200 g x Pork sausages with herbs
1 tbsp x olive oil
100 ml x dry white wine
1 clove x garlic, crushed
2 tsp x butter
50 g x curly kale, chopped
200 g x barlotti beans, rinsed
1 tsp x lemon juice
25 g x parmesan, finely grated
Instructions
1. Bring a large pan salted water to the boil & add pasta. Cook for 4 mins or until tender.
2. Grill sausages until browned, then slice into chunks.
3. In deep frying pan over medium-low heat add wine, garlic, butter & kale. Cover & simmer for 5 mins until kale is tender. Remove from heat.
4. Add beans & lemon juice to frying pan. Then add chunks of sausage to the frying pan.
5. Transfer pasta from water to frying pan & add 4 tablespoons of cooking water to frying pan to create sauce.
Serve with extra parmesan!
Wednesday, 2 April 2014
Japanese style Salmon & Avocado Rice
The only cooking required for this dish is the rice, the other ingredients just marinade in the fridge for 12 minutes. It makes a lovely refreshing dish.
The salmon provides over 200%* B-12, over 100% Vitamin D, and 50% Omega 3s. The combined ingredients then give you 100% B-6, over 400% Vitamin C, 100% magnesium and some manganese. This dish can assist with insomnia, memory, dizziness, fatigue and emotional issues, with the B-6 aiding your confusion and light sensitivity.
As a bonus there is over 90% calcium and 80% iron in this dish - this helps the brain in a couple of ways. The calcium is used to help transmit messages to the inside of the brain cells aiding with memory, it also helps the body absorb vitamin D, so it is best to have vitamin D with calcium in your meal. Iron is important for haemoglobin & carrying oxygen around the body, which in turn makes you feel more energised.
*Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA)
Serves 2
Ingredients
300 g x sushi rice or white basmati rice
100 g x smoked salmon, sliced
2 small, ripe avocados, cubed
1 x lemon, juice
4 tsp x light soy sauce
4 tsp x toasted sesame seeds
2 x spring onions, thinly sliced
1 x red chilli, deseeded and thinly sliced
small handful coriander leaves
Instructions
1. Boil rice in a saucepan for 10-12 mins until the rice is almost cooked, then remove from the heat & leave for 5-10 mins.
2. Place salmon & avocado in a shallow bowl. Drizzle over the lemon juice, soy, chilli, spring onions & sesame seeds then mix in well, making sure everything is evenly covered. Leave in the fridge to marinate for 10 mins.
3. Serve salmon & avocado mix on top of rice & sprinkle coriander over the dish (omitted in photo as I had run out).
The salmon provides over 200%* B-12, over 100% Vitamin D, and 50% Omega 3s. The combined ingredients then give you 100% B-6, over 400% Vitamin C, 100% magnesium and some manganese. This dish can assist with insomnia, memory, dizziness, fatigue and emotional issues, with the B-6 aiding your confusion and light sensitivity.
As a bonus there is over 90% calcium and 80% iron in this dish - this helps the brain in a couple of ways. The calcium is used to help transmit messages to the inside of the brain cells aiding with memory, it also helps the body absorb vitamin D, so it is best to have vitamin D with calcium in your meal. Iron is important for haemoglobin & carrying oxygen around the body, which in turn makes you feel more energised.
*Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA)
Serves 2
Ingredients
300 g x sushi rice or white basmati rice
100 g x smoked salmon, sliced
2 small, ripe avocados, cubed
1 x lemon, juice
4 tsp x light soy sauce
4 tsp x toasted sesame seeds
2 x spring onions, thinly sliced
1 x red chilli, deseeded and thinly sliced
small handful coriander leaves
Instructions
1. Boil rice in a saucepan for 10-12 mins until the rice is almost cooked, then remove from the heat & leave for 5-10 mins.
2. Place salmon & avocado in a shallow bowl. Drizzle over the lemon juice, soy, chilli, spring onions & sesame seeds then mix in well, making sure everything is evenly covered. Leave in the fridge to marinate for 10 mins.
3. Serve salmon & avocado mix on top of rice & sprinkle coriander over the dish (omitted in photo as I had run out).
Sunday, 30 March 2014
Not Greek Salad with sardines and chickpeas
Based on a Greek Salad this has sardines, chickpeas & pepper added to it. These additional ingredients really help with providing nutrients for the brain. As I don't like raw red onion I used spring onion, but pick your preference. No cooking means it's super quick to make!
The sardines are packed with over 100%* B-12, 60% Omega 3s, 48% Vitamin D and some B-6 too. The chickpeas contain 28% magnesium and 25% B-6. For a high vitamin C kick the bell pepper, tomatoes and coriander contribute over 200% Vitamin C, plus some help from feta cheese that also contains 28% B-12 and 20% B-6. This dish should really help with dizziness, emotional issues, insomnia, fatigue, memory and to some extent confusion and light sensitivity.
* Percentages are of your Recommended Daily Amount (RDA).
Serves 4 or 2 giant lunches
Ingredients
1 x Red bell pepper, diced
1 x Spring onion (or red onion), diced
1 tin x chickpeas (pre-cooked), drained
1 tin x sardines (pre-prepared), roughly chopped
8 x cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp x coriander, chopped
1/2 x cucumber, skinned & diced
100 g x feta cheese, cubed
75 g x olives (green or black as you prefer)
Instructions
1. Compile all in a bowl & enjoy!
The sardines are packed with over 100%* B-12, 60% Omega 3s, 48% Vitamin D and some B-6 too. The chickpeas contain 28% magnesium and 25% B-6. For a high vitamin C kick the bell pepper, tomatoes and coriander contribute over 200% Vitamin C, plus some help from feta cheese that also contains 28% B-12 and 20% B-6. This dish should really help with dizziness, emotional issues, insomnia, fatigue, memory and to some extent confusion and light sensitivity.
* Percentages are of your Recommended Daily Amount (RDA).
Serves 4 or 2 giant lunches
Ingredients
1 x Red bell pepper, diced
1 x Spring onion (or red onion), diced
1 tin x chickpeas (pre-cooked), drained
1 tin x sardines (pre-prepared), roughly chopped
8 x cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp x coriander, chopped
1/2 x cucumber, skinned & diced
100 g x feta cheese, cubed
75 g x olives (green or black as you prefer)
Instructions
1. Compile all in a bowl & enjoy!
Thursday, 27 March 2014
Peppers stuffed with Baby Beetroot
Oops! I'd eaten it all before I remembered to take a photo - so delicious! This makes a yummy snack! Takes 5-10 minutes depending your grill.
Bell peppers have well over 100% of your RDA for Vitamin C plus 10% RDA of B-6, whilst baby beetroot is rich in B-6 with lots of magnesium and manganese. This makes this dish great for insomnia, depression, anxiety and dizziness.
Serves 2
Ingredients
2 x bell peppers, halved
150 g x baby beetroot (pre-cooked), sliced
Instructions
1. Grill the peppers until they are soft & slightly golden on the edges.
2. Place the beetroot inside the peppers & enjoy!
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
Oyster Pork Stir Fry
This dish has over 300% of your RDA for vitamin C thanks to garlic, mange tout, peppers and broccoli, and even the mange tout are trying to claim some benefit of vitamin C! Vitamin C helps not only with your immune system but also depression & anxiety, and supports the co-ordination/dizziness symptoms.
The baby sweet corn, soya sauce, ginger, broccoli and pork combine to over 35% of your RDA for magnesium to help with migraines, memory issues, insomnia and depression. Broccoli added Q10 helps the migraine relief too.
B6 can be found in the pork and garlic, making up 80% of your RDA with some extra coming from the broccoli, peppers and ginger. Insomnia, depression, confusion, exhaustion, light sensitivity & dizziness.
There is a touch of B12 in the milk and pork to help dizziness, memory and insomnia & exhaustion.
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 cup x broccoli, chopped into bite sized chunks
1/2 x bell pepper, chopped into strips
1/2 cup x mange tout
1/2 cup x baby sweet corn
1 cup x pork tenderloin, cubed
1 tbsp x milk
1 tbsp x soya sauce
3 tbsp x oyster sauce
1 tbsp x sesame oil
3 x garlic cloves, minced
1 inch x ginger, finely chopped
Instructions
1. In a bowl, place pork pieces with milk, soya sauce, garlic & ginger. Cover the bowl with cling film & put in fridge to marinade for 15-20 minutes.
2. When the pork has marinaded, heat a large rounded frying pan or wok on medium high heat. Add sesame oil until hot then add pork & sauce, cook until meat is no longer pink.
3. Add vegetables & oyster sauce, cook until vegetables are softened to your liking.
4. Remove from heat & serve.
Monday, 3 March 2014
Chorizo, Pepper & White Beans
Another simple & tasty dish for when you just need some meat!
Chorizo has 25%* vitamin B6 and 33% vitamin B12, and white beans give you 20% magnesium, 40% manganese & 16% B6. The dried herbs and spices add B6, manganese & vitamin E - so this dish helps if you have insomnia, exhaustion & dizziness or co-ordination issues. It will also help depression & anxiety a bit too.
*Percentages are of your Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).
Remember to check out the beginner posts about symptom nutrients and which foods contain those nutrients to help you pick your recipes.
It should take you 10-15 minutes to make, so it's good when you're hungry.
Serves 2
Ingredients
100g x chorizo sausage, cut into mouth-sized chunks (spicy or not depends on your taste)
1 x red pepper, cubed
1 x red onion, diced
1 tin x white beans (pre-cooked cannellini is my preference)
1 tsp x cumin
1 tsp x oregano
1/2 tsp x chilli powder (or fresh diced)
1/2 tbsp x olive oil
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in frying pan & add red onion for 2 minutes.
2. Add cumin, oregano & chill powder, stir in & cook for a further 2 minutes.
3. Add the chorizo & pepper to the pan, stir it in & let it cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add white beans to the pan & stir through for 2 minutes.
Chorizo has 25%* vitamin B6 and 33% vitamin B12, and white beans give you 20% magnesium, 40% manganese & 16% B6. The dried herbs and spices add B6, manganese & vitamin E - so this dish helps if you have insomnia, exhaustion & dizziness or co-ordination issues. It will also help depression & anxiety a bit too.
*Percentages are of your Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA).
Remember to check out the beginner posts about symptom nutrients and which foods contain those nutrients to help you pick your recipes.
It should take you 10-15 minutes to make, so it's good when you're hungry.
Serves 2
Ingredients
100g x chorizo sausage, cut into mouth-sized chunks (spicy or not depends on your taste)
1 x red pepper, cubed
1 x red onion, diced
1 tin x white beans (pre-cooked cannellini is my preference)
1 tsp x cumin
1 tsp x oregano
1/2 tsp x chilli powder (or fresh diced)
1/2 tbsp x olive oil
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil over medium heat in frying pan & add red onion for 2 minutes.
2. Add cumin, oregano & chill powder, stir in & cook for a further 2 minutes.
3. Add the chorizo & pepper to the pan, stir it in & let it cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add white beans to the pan & stir through for 2 minutes.
Friday, 28 February 2014
Sweet Potato & Salmon Cakes with Poached Egg
It's really important to feed your brain well in the mornings so it has a good chance to get you through the day, making this recipe is a winner! I like to accompany this with steamed asparagus too. Allow 30 minutes to make this so that you're not rushed.
If you find it easier to cook at night then pre-prepare the cakes & leave them in a fridge overnight. Then you only need 10 minutes to cook them in the morning!
Loads of vitamin C in this dish thanks to sweet potatoes, red peppers, chill and coriander, plus the salmon packs it's B-complex and vitamin D high. There is a nice touch (18%*) of magnesium from all the ingredients. This dish will help with insomnia, emotional issues, fatigue, memory & confusion, alongside dizziness, migraines & light sensitivity - basically a winner!
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 x large sweet potatoes, peeled & chopped into large chunks
1/2 x red pepper, deseeded, pith removed & chopped
200 g x sliced smoked salmon or flaked smoked salmon
1 x small red chilli, deseeded, pith removed & minced
1 x spring onion, finely chopped
2-3 tbsp chopped coriander [optional]
1 tsp x salt freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp x oil (canola is best)
1 x egg yolk
4 x eggs, out of shells in cups
1 tbsp x white wine vinegar
Salt & pepper
Instructions
1. Boil sweet potatoes in lightly salted water until tender. Drain and allow to cool.
2. Mash sweet potatoes coarsely. Mix in red pepper, salmon, chilli, spring onions, coriander & egg yolk. Season to taste.
3. Divide mixture into small balls and flatten each slightly to form thick disks. Heat oil in large heavy frypan.
4. Fry cakes over medium heat for 8 - 10 minutes on each side, until golden and crisp.
5. Meanwhile, heat water and 1 tbsp white wine vinegar in large saucepan until boiling. Then pour in eggs, keeping them separate, & cook for 3-4 minutes or until whites are opaque.
6. Serve eggs on top of the cakes. Season to taste.
If you find it easier to cook at night then pre-prepare the cakes & leave them in a fridge overnight. Then you only need 10 minutes to cook them in the morning!
Loads of vitamin C in this dish thanks to sweet potatoes, red peppers, chill and coriander, plus the salmon packs it's B-complex and vitamin D high. There is a nice touch (18%*) of magnesium from all the ingredients. This dish will help with insomnia, emotional issues, fatigue, memory & confusion, alongside dizziness, migraines & light sensitivity - basically a winner!
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 x large sweet potatoes, peeled & chopped into large chunks
1/2 x red pepper, deseeded, pith removed & chopped
200 g x sliced smoked salmon or flaked smoked salmon
1 x small red chilli, deseeded, pith removed & minced
1 x spring onion, finely chopped
2-3 tbsp chopped coriander [optional]
1 tsp x salt freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp x oil (canola is best)
1 x egg yolk
4 x eggs, out of shells in cups
1 tbsp x white wine vinegar
Salt & pepper
Instructions
1. Boil sweet potatoes in lightly salted water until tender. Drain and allow to cool.
2. Mash sweet potatoes coarsely. Mix in red pepper, salmon, chilli, spring onions, coriander & egg yolk. Season to taste.
3. Divide mixture into small balls and flatten each slightly to form thick disks. Heat oil in large heavy frypan.
4. Fry cakes over medium heat for 8 - 10 minutes on each side, until golden and crisp.
5. Meanwhile, heat water and 1 tbsp white wine vinegar in large saucepan until boiling. Then pour in eggs, keeping them separate, & cook for 3-4 minutes or until whites are opaque.
6. Serve eggs on top of the cakes. Season to taste.
Wednesday, 26 February 2014
Courgette & Broccoli Soup aka 'Green soup'
A simple and tasty soup full of healthy greens. If you want to make it less healthy you can add in some stilton or parmesan cheese!
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 x medium courgettes, diced
1 x broccoli head, chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
1 x garlic clove, chopped finely
1 cup x frozen peas
1 tin x cannellini beans, drained
2 tsp x basil pesto
500ml x vegetable stock
1 tsp x olive oil
Salt & pepper
Instructions
1. In large sauce pan, heat the olive oil over a medium heat & add the garlic for 2 minutes until you can smell the aroma.
2. Add the courgette & broccoli to the sauce pan for 1 minute.
3. Add the stock and cannellini beans, bring to the boil & then let it simmer for 12 minutes.
4. Pour in the frozen peas & let it cook for a further 3 minutes.
5. Turn off the heat, add the pesto & puree until smooth texture.
6. Reheat when you want to eat it with some crusty bread. If you want to add cheese, do it on the reheat phase & allow it enough time to melt into the soup (approximately 3 minutes). Season with salt & pepper to taste.
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 x medium courgettes, diced
1 x broccoli head, chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
1 x garlic clove, chopped finely
1 cup x frozen peas
1 tin x cannellini beans, drained
2 tsp x basil pesto
500ml x vegetable stock
1 tsp x olive oil
Salt & pepper
Instructions
1. In large sauce pan, heat the olive oil over a medium heat & add the garlic for 2 minutes until you can smell the aroma.
2. Add the courgette & broccoli to the sauce pan for 1 minute.
3. Add the stock and cannellini beans, bring to the boil & then let it simmer for 12 minutes.
4. Pour in the frozen peas & let it cook for a further 3 minutes.
5. Turn off the heat, add the pesto & puree until smooth texture.
6. Reheat when you want to eat it with some crusty bread. If you want to add cheese, do it on the reheat phase & allow it enough time to melt into the soup (approximately 3 minutes). Season with salt & pepper to taste.
Monday, 24 February 2014
Mackerel (or Ham) & Leek Tart
You can make this with mackerel or ham, depending on your preference. Just substitute the mackerel with ham below - you'll need about 1/2 cup of ham.
This is a simple recipe but does require you to watch the oven.
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 x sheet shortcrust pastry rolled out with flour (pre-made helps keep it simple)
3 x eggs, beaten
dash of milk (to go with eggs)
2 x medium leeks, chopped small
2 fillets x mackerel (pre-smoked or tinned), chopped into chunks **or 1/2 cup ham
1/2 tbsp x chives, chopped finely
Margarine to butter baking dish
Salt & pepper to season
Instructions
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180c. Butter baking dish on all sides where pastry will meet the edges.
2. Lay pastry out in buttered dish so it is flat & comes up around the edges of the tray. Place an oven-proof dish over the pastry to stop it rising & cook in the oven for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, steam the leeks for 5 minutes (you can boil them but then they will probably be too wet for the dish).
4. Beat the eggs & milk in a bowl, then add in the broken mackerel with chives into the eggs.
5. When the pastry has cooked for 15 minutes, take it out of the oven & lay the leeks evenly over the base of the pastry. Pour the egg-mackerel mix over the leeks & spread the mackerel pieces out. Cook for a further 25 minutes in the oven.
6. Enjoy with a salad!
Friday, 21 February 2014
Beetroot, Feta & Lentil Salad
Another salad for a busy day moving around & a standard salad recipe that is nutritious for the brain!
Serves 2
Ingredients
4 x beetroot bulbs aka beets (pre-cooked in vacuum sealed pack), chopped into cubes
170 g x feta cheese, cut into small cubes
1 cup x raw spinach
1/2 cup x green or brown lentils (pre-cooked in a tin saves you boiling them)
Squeeze x lemon juice
Pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Boil lentils in water for 20 minutes until tender (unless pre-cooked in a tin, then just combine with 2).
2. Combine beets, feta, spinach lentils into bowl. Squeeze lemon juice & season with pepper.
Serves 2
Ingredients
4 x beetroot bulbs aka beets (pre-cooked in vacuum sealed pack), chopped into cubes
170 g x feta cheese, cut into small cubes
1 cup x raw spinach
1/2 cup x green or brown lentils (pre-cooked in a tin saves you boiling them)
Squeeze x lemon juice
Pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Boil lentils in water for 20 minutes until tender (unless pre-cooked in a tin, then just combine with 2).
2. Combine beets, feta, spinach lentils into bowl. Squeeze lemon juice & season with pepper.
Wednesday, 19 February 2014
Okra and Tomato Stir fry
My sister made this for me to accompany a roast chicken & I'd eaten most of it before I remembered to take a photo!
Okra is high in vitamin C, magnesium and is 10% of your RDA for manganese (some B6 and lots of vitamin K), so combined with the garlic and tomatoes this makes the blog.
Serves 2
Ingredients
300 g x okra
2 tbsp x olive oil
4 x garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 lemon, juice
200 g x cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 tbsp x chopped coriander
2 tbsp x water
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Over a high heat DRY fry the okra until it begins to blister (almost popping seeds).
2. Reduce heat to medium and add olive oil & garlic for 2 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes, lemon juice & coriander for a further 2-3 minutes, so tomatoes warm through. Season to taste.
Okra is high in vitamin C, magnesium and is 10% of your RDA for manganese (some B6 and lots of vitamin K), so combined with the garlic and tomatoes this makes the blog.
Serves 2
Ingredients
300 g x okra
2 tbsp x olive oil
4 x garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 lemon, juice
200 g x cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 tbsp x chopped coriander
2 tbsp x water
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Over a high heat DRY fry the okra until it begins to blister (almost popping seeds).
2. Reduce heat to medium and add olive oil & garlic for 2 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes, lemon juice & coriander for a further 2-3 minutes, so tomatoes warm through. Season to taste.
Monday, 17 February 2014
Sweet Potato Lentils & Mackerel
This is a staple dish for me as you can keep frozen spinach, lentils, tinned mackerel & a squash (supplements the sweet potato) in your kitchen for ages. Then one night when there's little in the cupboards, you can make this yummy dish!
Everyone who has tasted this has been inspired to go home & cook it!
P.s. If you're a non fish eater, just don't add the mackerel. It still tastes yummy.
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 x mackerel fillets (smoked or tinned can work fine)
1 x onion, chopped finely
1 inch x ginger, chopped finely
2 x cloves garlic, chopped finely
1-2 tsp x cumin, ground (or powder)
1-2 tsp x coriander powder
500ml x vegetable stock
1/2 cup x red or yellow lentils
2 x sweet potatoes, chopped into small cubes (can substitute with squash)
1 cup x spinach (frozen or fresh)
Pepper to taste
1 tbsp x olive oil
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a sauce pan, add the onion & garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened.
2. Add the sweet potato (or squash), coriander, cumin & ginger and cook for a further 2 minutes.
3. Stir in the stock, bring to the boil and add the lentils.
4. Cover and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender and the stock has been absorbed. Add a little more stock if necessary throughout. Season with sea salt and black pepper and add the spinach, heat for 1 minute (allow 10 minutes if frozen spinach).
5. EITHER:
(a) FRESH Mackerel - Heat the 1 tsp of oil in a large frying pan, place the mackerel fillets skin-side down in the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp. Turn over, season with black pepper and cook for a further 4-5 minutes until just beginning to flake.
(b) TINNED or Smoked Mackerel - chop into chunks and add to lentil pan for 1 minute to heat through.
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
Broccoli, Green Bean & Cherry Tomato Salad
Veg salad to accompany the crustless tofu quiches.
Serves 3
Ingredients
1 x Broccoli head, chopped into mouth sized chunks
50 g x Green beans, ends removed & chopped in half
12 x Cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp x Sesame seeds
Instructions
1. You can have this all raw, so combine all ingredients into a bowl & enjoy OR
2. Steam the broccoli & beans for 5-8 minutes. Then combine with cherry tomatoes & sesame seeds.
Serves 3
Ingredients
1 x Broccoli head, chopped into mouth sized chunks
50 g x Green beans, ends removed & chopped in half
12 x Cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tbsp x Sesame seeds
Instructions
1. You can have this all raw, so combine all ingredients into a bowl & enjoy OR
2. Steam the broccoli & beans for 5-8 minutes. Then combine with cherry tomatoes & sesame seeds.
Crustless Tofu Quiches
Super yummy & brain food! I made these to accompany the green bean, broccoli & tomato salad also posted on the blog.
Serves 3
Ingredients
1/2 tbsp x olive oil
1 tsp x garlic, minced
1/2 cup x bell pepper, chopped
1 cup x mushrooms, chopped
1 tsp fresh chives (or one green onion), minced
1 tsp minced fresh rosemary (or 1/2 tsp. dried, crushed)
black pepper to taste
350g firm silken tofu, drained of water
1/4 cup x plain soymilk
2 tbsp x nutritional yeast
1 tbps x cornstarch (may sub another thickener such as arrowroot or potato starch)
1 tsp x tahini (preferred) or cashew butter
1/4 tsp x onion powder
1/4 tsp x turmeric powder
1/2-3/4 tsp x salt
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 190 C. Grease muffin cups/tray with butter or non-stick spay.
2. In frying pan heat oil over moderate heat & sauté the garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms over medium heat until the mushrooms just begin to exude their juices. Stir in the chives, rosemary, and freshly ground black pepper, and remove from the heat.
3. Place the tofu, soya milk, yeast, tahini, onion powder, turmeric & cornstarch into a food processor or blender. Process until completely smooth and silky.
4. Add the tofu mixture to the vegetables and stir to combine. Spoon equally into the muffin cups: it will fill regular muffin cups about halfway.
4. Put the muffin pan into the oven and immediately reduce the heat to 175 C. Bake for approximately 25-35 minutes depending on your oven, until the tops are golden and a knife inserted into the middle of a quiche comes out clean.
5. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool for about 10 minutes.
Ingredients
1/2 tbsp x olive oil
1 tsp x garlic, minced
1/2 cup x bell pepper, chopped
1 cup x mushrooms, chopped
1 tsp fresh chives (or one green onion), minced
1 tsp minced fresh rosemary (or 1/2 tsp. dried, crushed)
black pepper to taste
350g firm silken tofu, drained of water
1/4 cup x plain soymilk
2 tbsp x nutritional yeast
1 tbps x cornstarch (may sub another thickener such as arrowroot or potato starch)
1 tsp x tahini (preferred) or cashew butter
1/4 tsp x onion powder
1/4 tsp x turmeric powder
1/2-3/4 tsp x salt
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 190 C. Grease muffin cups/tray with butter or non-stick spay.
2. In frying pan heat oil over moderate heat & sauté the garlic, bell peppers, and mushrooms over medium heat until the mushrooms just begin to exude their juices. Stir in the chives, rosemary, and freshly ground black pepper, and remove from the heat.
3. Place the tofu, soya milk, yeast, tahini, onion powder, turmeric & cornstarch into a food processor or blender. Process until completely smooth and silky.
4. Add the tofu mixture to the vegetables and stir to combine. Spoon equally into the muffin cups: it will fill regular muffin cups about halfway.
4. Put the muffin pan into the oven and immediately reduce the heat to 175 C. Bake for approximately 25-35 minutes depending on your oven, until the tops are golden and a knife inserted into the middle of a quiche comes out clean.
5. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool for about 10 minutes.
Friday, 7 February 2014
Detox Soup
This is a simple soup that you can eat tonnes of & never seem full! Sometimes I like to add in jerusalem artichokes if they're in season.
You can forget the parsley & lime juice if you don't have them in stock. I'm posting 2 photos to show it with and without broccoli.
Serves 4
Ingredients
2 bunches x spring onions or 1 x large leek, finely chopped
1 x small cauliflower, chopped to bite sized chunks
1 x small broccoli, chopped to bite sized chunks
1-2 tsp x cumin powder
1-2 tsp x coriander powder
4-5 large ripe tomatoes or 400g tinned
2 x garlic cloves, crushed
1/4 tsp x cayenne pepper
1 litre x vegetable stock
1 tbsp x olive oil
1 x lime, juice
Handful x Flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add cauliflower, spring onion/leek & garlic with coriander, cumin & cayenne pepper for 3 minutes.
2. Add vegetable stock & bring to boil. Reduce to simmer & cover for 20 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes & lime juice to saucepan & simmer for 10 minutes.
Tuesday, 4 February 2014
Chickpeas with Spinach & Tomatoes
If you stock up your cupboards with tins and dried foods, and your freezer with frozen vegetables, you can save yourself the dreaded grocery shop on bad days when all those lights, items, people & decisions will turn you into the babbling wreck in the corner ('flooding').
This is basically a chuck it in a pan & let it cook for 15 minutes recipe. Simple & healthy, but simple to make on your bad days.
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 x tin chickpeas (pre-boiled)
1 x tin of chopped tomatoes
50 g frozen spinach (fresh if you have it)
1 tspn x cumin powder
1 tspn x coriander powder
1/2 tspn x chilli powder (optional)
1 x garlic cloved, crushed
1 tbsp x olive oil
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in saucepan & add crushed garlic until lightly browned.
2. Pour in chickpeas, tomatoes, spices & spinach and stir. Heat it to boiling & then simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Eat with wholemeal bread if you need something a bit more energy.
This is basically a chuck it in a pan & let it cook for 15 minutes recipe. Simple & healthy, but simple to make on your bad days.
Serves 2
Ingredients
1 x tin chickpeas (pre-boiled)
1 x tin of chopped tomatoes
50 g frozen spinach (fresh if you have it)
1 tspn x cumin powder
1 tspn x coriander powder
1/2 tspn x chilli powder (optional)
1 x garlic cloved, crushed
1 tbsp x olive oil
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in saucepan & add crushed garlic until lightly browned.
2. Pour in chickpeas, tomatoes, spices & spinach and stir. Heat it to boiling & then simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Eat with wholemeal bread if you need something a bit more energy.
Sunday, 2 February 2014
Broccoli, Artichoke & Sardine Salad
This recipe doesn't require too many fresh ingredients, so can be quite good if you're on the move.
Ingredients
1 x broccoli head, chopped into mouth sized chunks
1/2 jar x artichoke hearts in olive oil, chopped into quarters
1 tin x sardines in tomato sauce, chopped
10 - 15 chilli olives (plain if you prefer is fine), chopped in half
Handful x lettuce leaves (optional)
1/2 lemon, juice
1 tspn x paprika
Instructions
1. Combine broccoli, artichoke hearts, sardines, olives & lettuce leaves into a bowl.
2. Pour over lemon juice, paprika & olive oil from artichoke hearts. Mix in well.
1 x broccoli head, chopped into mouth sized chunks
1/2 jar x artichoke hearts in olive oil, chopped into quarters
1 tin x sardines in tomato sauce, chopped
10 - 15 chilli olives (plain if you prefer is fine), chopped in half
Handful x lettuce leaves (optional)
1/2 lemon, juice
1 tspn x paprika
Instructions
1. Combine broccoli, artichoke hearts, sardines, olives & lettuce leaves into a bowl.
2. Pour over lemon juice, paprika & olive oil from artichoke hearts. Mix in well.
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