RAINBOW VEGGIE PLATE:

Fall has finally hit, which means we are in search of more nurturing and comforting things to eat. We are start to cook a little more, start to introduce those delicious fall flavors, roast things and really embrace alllllll the delicious things more than ever. So what better time to ditch the beige food and embrace all the colorful things and give your metabolism a boost along the way. This dish can be a side for any lean protein shared for two or an entire meal for all those plant based foodies out there. Studies have shown that eating "rainbows" or colorful foods is amazing for your metabolism, so don't be shy, get experimental if you like, the more color the better with this one.

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INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cup cauliflower rice

4 rainbow carrots

20 asparagus spears

1/2 pomegranate

2 tbs tahini

Handful of fresh dill

35 g dry roasted almonds (handful )

1 pinch chilli flakes

 

HOW:

  • Pre heat the broiler on high.
  • Cut the bases off the asparagus spears and set aside
  • Peel carrots and cut into spears length ways, I would try and keep them a similar size to the asparagus, this will ensure things all cook at a similar rate.
  • Take two pans and spray lightly with coconut oil, place the asparagus in one, carrots in the other and lightly spray with coconut oil again then place under the broiler. Set a timer for 5 mins, once timer is up turn veggies over and repeat. The goal here is slightly roasted looking veggies so if they need another min or two on each side depending on the strength of your broiler.
  • While this is cooking get started on the rest of the Prep and the cauliflower mix. Start by chopping the almonds and taking the seed pods out of the pomegranate. Set these aside and now move on to the cauliflower.
  • Lightly spraying a pre heated fry pan with coconut oil, add cauliflower and chili flakes and lightly sauté for a couple of mins. Transfer to a small bowl, add the tahini, dill and stir throughly until combined.
  • Take the carrots and asparagus out from under the broiler and now you are ready to putting it all together!
  • Take the cauliflower mix and spread it about 1/2 inch thick on a plate to create a base, follow this with a layer of the carrots and the asparagus, followed by almonds, pomegranate and some fresh dill annnnnnd you've got yourself one impressive looking side for two or main meal.

 

Serves 2

Calories: 275

Fat: 17.5g

Carbs: 17g

Sugar: 11g

Protein: 10g

PALEO CAULIFLOWER DOLAMDES

Yup I'm still Mykonos dreaming 💭 and going to all lengths to create that little bit of Greece at home. I've played around and created a Paleo friendly, low carb version of the traditional Dolmade. Yes this may have my Greek friends looking at me in disgust however this recipe makes this classic guilt free and means I can eat them erry damn day if I want to.

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INGREDIENTS:

2 cups cauliflower heads

1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley

1/4 cup freshly chopped dill

1/4 tsp sumac

Juice of one lemon

2 tsp of lemon rind finely grated/

2 tbs Tahini

1 tbs olive oil

Pinch of black pepper

Pinch of Himalayan pink sea salt

10 vine leaves (you can get these on Amazon if you can find them in a grocery store, they usually come in a jar)


HOW:

- take the cauliflower and chop up super fine as if it were "rice". You can also use the pre packaged Cauliflower rice from Trader joes to save time of need be.

- Once rice is chopped, pre heat fry pan and lightly spray with coconut oil. Add the chopped cauliflower to the pan and sautée on a low heat with the lemon juice, sumac, salt and pepper. Remove from heat as the cauliflower begins to turn slightly transparent.

- Place cauliflower in a medium mixing bowl. Add the tahini, olive oil and herbs and mix thoroughly. You mix is now ready to rock!

- Take you vine leaves, rinse them thoroughly and lay flat shiny side down.

- Take 2 tbs of the cauliflower mix and place in the middle of the base of the vine leaf. And now it's time to roll!

- Bring the two sides into the center and begin to roll your Dolmade up tight, keeping it compact the entire time.

- Place the stuffed vine leaf opening down on a plate and move on to the next one. Repeat this until the mixture is gone.

- Now that they are rolled, lightly spray /or drizzle the Dolmades with olive oil, sprinkle with dill and the remaining lemon rind and you have yourself a delicious Greek treat.

- Store in the fridge in an air tight container.

- These can be served as an appetizer among friends or as a great snack.


Serves 8

Calories 50

Fat 4

Carbs 3

Protein 1

Sugar 0

GLUTEN FREE SAVORY SWEET POTATO PANCAKES

Pancakes are something I could literally eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner erry damn day. So as this obsession of mine has continued I've become quite creative with variations but this would by far have to be my savory favorite and once again like the theme you see in most of my recipes SUPER EASY!

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Pancake mix:

1/2 cup egg whites

1 cup sweet potato purée

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

2 tbs coconut flour

Pinch of Himalayan pink salt

Pinch of Black Pepper

Pinch of baking powder

1/4 cup of freshly chopped Dill

1/4 cup freshly chopped Chives

 

TOPPING:

4 Brussel sprouts quartered

4 mushrooms sliced

1/4 cup sliced almonds

4 chicken tenders poached and shredded

2-3 tbs of your Fav hot sauce

2 tbs tahini mixed with 2 tbs of water.

 

PANCAKE BATTER:

- start with the sweet potato purée. You can buy this pre puréed or do it yourself, I like to do it myself because it's simple but either works. If DYI it's as simple as boiling the sweet potato pieces in water until soft, draining and blending in your bullet /blender

- To the bullet/ blender add all the ingredients for the pancake mix minus the dill and chives and blend.

- Take half of the dill and chives and add to the mix but only stir through.

- Set aside.

 

While that is resting, this is where you prepare your toppings for these glorious pancakes. Remember you can have WHATEVER YOU LIKE on them, I went with the poached chicken option but your options are endless.

 

TOPPINGS:

- Pre heat pan and lightly spray with coconut oil, Cook mushrooms and sprouts until golden

- Add sliced almonds and cooked chicken to the veggies in the pan and cook for two mins, I like to add a couple of splashes(or more depending on how adventurous I'm feeling 😉) of my fav hot sauce to this bit for some extra kick, it also works to lightly coat all ingredients nicely.

- Set pan aside.

 

Cooking your Pancakes:

- Pre heat pan number 2, lightly spray with coconut oil and begin to cook your pancakes. spoon 3 tbs of batter per pancake, I usually try and do three pancakes per pan. Cooking time will vary from 5-7 mins

 

Putting it all together!

- It's all about the layers! I have a bit of a system.... Pancake, spread tahini, spoon Veggie and chicken mix, sprinkle with chives and dill, place pancake two on top and repeat!

 

Serves 2 

NUTRITION INFO: note this includes toppings etc

Calories 450

Carbs 38

Fats 16.5

Protein 44g

Sugar 1

CAULIFLOWER RICE SUSHI

Sushi has always been a favorite of mine, this recipe is one to certainly wow any guests, surprisingly filling, super fresh and one keep you looking lean in time for that beach getaway.

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1/2 Medium avocado

2 cups poached chicken breast (I poached it with some powdered ginger in the water) 

1 &1/2 cup cauliflower
1 &1/2 cup brocolli
1 purple carrot
1/2 yellow pepper
Handful of fresh dill
2 tbs tahini
1 lemon
1/2 tsp Chili flakes
Nori seaweed wraps
Bamboo Sushi rolling mat (or you could do what I did and use a wooden place mat as it has the exact same effect)

HOW:
Ok let's do this one thing at a time and then I'll explain how to put it together. Remember things are to be sliced thin and chopped up small because we have a lot going in to this sushi and we want to make sure it all fits in nicely.

CAULIFLOWER RICE:
- Blend the cauliflower in a bullet blender until it looks rice like.
- Take your cauliflower rice and sautée in a pan for about 4-5 mins. The goal here is to remove moisture not cook entirely.
- Take your rice off the heat and put in a small bowl, stir through the juice of half a lemon and chilli flakes.

BROCOLLI:
- Chop broccoli super fine and put in a small bowl. In a separate bowl or cup combine the tahini, 2tbs of lemon juice and a big pinch of black cracked pepper.
- Add the dressing mix to the broccoli and stir through until all of the broccoli is covered evenly
- 2 tbs of sesame seeds

CARROT:
- create thin ribbons with a mandolin slicer, if you don't have one of these then a vegetable peeler will also work.
- Cut eat ribbon in half lengthwise

CHICKEN:
- Take poached chicken and shred with a fork or slice up into thin inch long pieces

YELLOW PEPPER:
- Julienne the pepper lengthways as thin as you can

AVOCADO:
- Take the 1/2 avocado and slice it lengthways, remember to keep it quite thin.

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PUTTING IT TOGETHER:This is all about layers!! Make one at a time and don't try to over commit too much otherwise you might be in for a vey messy experience.
- Moisten Nori wrap with water and place on bamboo/ place mat wet side down. I did this by quickly running it under the facet as it was drizzling.
- Take 2-3 heaped tablespoons of the cauliflower mix and spread it on the bottom 2 inches of your nori. Make sure it goes right to the edges of the wrap and is roughly 1/2 an inch thick.
- Repeat previous step with the broccoli mix.
- Take 4 carrot ribbons and lay on top of the brocolli
- Follow with chicken, peppers, avocado and dill and you are ready to roll!
- Use your thumbs and forefingers to pick up the edge of the mat closest to you. Use your other fingers to hold the filling while rolling the mat over to form a roll. Make sure it is super tight and pull the mat as you go to create a firm roll.
- Put on a plate in the fridge and repeat this for a total of 5 rolls. Once all of the rolls are complete, refrigerate for 5-10mins
- Now with a super sharp knife, cut your rolls into pieces, I would keep them 1-1.5 inches thick.
- Serve with pickled ginger and wasabi and enjoy that guilt free sushi!

NUTRITIONAL INFO
SERVING: 5 rolls - 6 pieces per serve
CALORIES 153
CARBS 9
FAT 6
PROTEIN 16
SUGAR 2

SWB'S GUACAMOLE

Guac on erry God damn thing please!!! Why and how is it so incredibly magical?! This recipe will have you never heading out for GUAC again, it's THAT good.  

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INGREDIENTS:

1 Medium sized Avocado

1 tbs nutritional yeast

1 pinch of pink Himalayan salt

1 pinch of cracked black pepper

1 tomatillo (chopped roughly into small cubes) 

1 jalapeño (grated)

1 mini bell pepper (grated)

1 tsp tahini

 

HOW:

- Remove skin and seed from the avocado, place flesh in a small mixing bowl. Mash up with a fork. Don't go too crazy- I like to keep this quite "rustic" so it's texturally exciting.

- Once Avo is roughly mashed add in tahini, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper. Give it a stir.

- Add tomatillo, jalapeño and roughly stir through. Yes rustic is key! Top with nutritional yeast (yes vegan fairy dust) and a jalapeño annnnnnnnd Tadaaaaaa GUAC for daaaaaays! Serve with literally anything, veggies, chips, top your salads with it, bathe in it the options are endless really haha.

SMOKEY BABA GANOUSH

Still dreaming of being back in Turkey eating ALLLL the delicious things so continuing to recreate my favourites and this one ticks all the #healthy boxes! #Paleo, #glutenfree, #vegan annnnd #sugarfree.

INGREDIENTS:
1 large eggplant
1 tsp "liquid smoke"
3 tbs tahini
1 tbs Sumac
3 cloves of Garlic (grated)
Juice of 1 Lemon
1/2 tsp Cumin
1 pinch of chilli flakes
2 tbs olive oil
1 handful of roughly chopped Parsley
1/3 cup of chopped Pumpkin seeds
1 pinch Himalayan Pink Salt

HOW:

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Use a fork to pierce the eggplant skin multiple times all over. Using tongs or a fork hold the Eggplant over an open flame (I use the gas jet on my stove top, ahhhh why not?!) for around 5 minutes, turning constantly, until the skin is charred.

Place the Eggplant in a baking dish and continue to cook for a further 20mins, until soft. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Charring the eggplant over the flame first speeds up the cooking process and adds a charred flavour, you can opt to just roast it in the oven instead.

Cut the eggplant in half and scoop out the flesh into a large bowl. Add the tahini, sumac, 1 tbs chopped parsley, liquid smoke, salt, lemon juice, garlic, chilli flakes, cumin and pepper. Stir all ingredients in with a fork and leave to cool in the fridge.

Once cooled, transfer Baba Ganoush to a pretty presentable bowl, stir a circle with the fork in the top to make an indent. Add Olive oil drizzle, pumpkin seeds and parsley on top of "circle", add a pinch of chilli and Sumac to the middle and HOLY SHIT you are about to be transported to middle Eastern dip HEAVEN!

Serve with veggies, as a condiment for any protein or as a salad topper.