Sauces, Dips & Spreads – Natural Nourishment

RECIPE: Kohlrabi & Black Bean Purée

If you were feeling in a childish mood & I said the word ‘beans’ where would your thoughts go…..

Honestly for many it doesn’t need to be a particularly childish day for this to be the connotation that comes to mind & that is because these wonderful foodstuffs can play absolute havoc with an inefficient digestive tract!

Now this is for a couple of reasons – the first being that they are fantastically fibrous – absolutely brilliant but also a flying leap for many if they don’t already consume a fibre rich diet. The second is the fact that they need to survive the digestive systems of animals in order to be spread far & wide so they coat themselves in anti-nutrient compounds that we really struggle to break down if we eat them.

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New Foodie Finds + RECIPE: Berry & Roasted Apricot Pancake Plate

I love discovering new things to experiment with, and I am also a strong believer in trying absolutely everything I suggest people use, which works pretty well and definitely keeps my army of taste testers VERY happy bunnies!

So on the menu today is this perfectly pretty pancake plate. Now I know there are many who literally leap out of bed at the weekend to whip up a batch, I probably wouldn’t class myself in this bracket being more of a savoury toothed person BUT there are definitely days where nothing else will do. I actually tend to snack on pancakes more than breakfasting on them so generally like to make a large batch, portion them up and freeze them to dip into later.

Oh and don’t worry if sweet really isn’t to your taste my sweet potato and black onion seed version are absolutely divine too!

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RECIPE: Simple Coconut Yoghurt

Beautifully thick, fluffy & tangy this was mine after 32 hours in a warm kitchen

Including more fermented foods in our diet is a fantastic way to support ongoing optimal health as the probiotic bacteria contained within them act as an integral part of our immune system.

Saying this however some can come with a pretty hefty price tag making daily inclusion a significant/unrealistic investment which is why I always encourage people to make their own if they can.

Now this is not to say you need to pack in the day job and stay home staring at bubbling jars forever more, and if you haven’t tried fermenting before then this incredibly simple recipe is a fantastic place to start. The ingredients are minimal, the effort minor but the result is divine….sounds like a pretty good state of affairs to me!

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Just Add Raw: A Campaign with RAW Health

I often get asked whether raw food is the be all and end all of healthy eating and my answer in short is always……no.

Nothing in immediate extremes is going to be the answer to all our ills unfortunately, and crashing into restrictive ways of eating is usually a recipe for disaster but there is definitely something to be said for including a range of different types of foods into our diets, as just like the myriad colours of fresh produce, each will hold its own benefits depending on how it has been prepared.

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RECIPE: Pea & Parsley Potato Toast

Toast is a marvellous thing, it provides the perfect vehicle for delicious toppings, and my slightly off beat version here is no exception.

I love to use vegetables in replacement for a bread base, no only dose it provide an extra boost of nutrients to a simple dish, but also encourages a pushing of culinary creativity which is something I just love to do.

This delicate beauty makes the best quick lunch, breakfast, brunch or canapé – simply adjust the size of your potato pieces to fit the social setting.

Serves 2

1 waxy potato
1c frozen peas
1 large handful fresh parsley
3 tbsp houmous
2 tsp lemon juice
2-3 radishes

Preheat your oven to 200C, line a flat tray with parchment.
Wash & slice the potato along its length, run with coconut oil, season & arrange on the tray. Bake for 15 mins, flip and bake for another 10 or until golden.
Place the peas in a bowl, cover with boiling water & leave to thaw for 2 mins. Drain.
Finely slice the parsley then tip over the peas roughly chopping them together.
Mix the houmous with the extra lemon to thin to a sauce.
Arrange your toasts on plates, top with your pea mix, drizzle over the houmous & top with slices of radish.

Hemp Days Are Happy Days

Life can be pretty taxing sometimes, with so many plates to juggle, places to be and things to do who would blame us if we turned to foods less beneficial to our health because of their convenience?! Well anyone who knows me and my ethos about healthy eating will know that I am 100% behind convenience, making the foods we eat work for us, and generally taking the hassle out of healthful food choices.

And it’s with this is mind that I turn my focus today to the wonderful food stuff that is hemp. An absolute powerhouse of nutritional excellence, a culinary delight, and a hugely versatile ingredient, I will also just confirm at this point that I’m not talking about marijuana here, and the recipes I include at the end won’t have you meandering around the place in a slight daze!

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