Chickpea, Tomato & Olive Stew

Stew is synonymous with rich and heavy dishes that keep you full when you’re in need of a bit of a “pick me up” but this dish completely breaks down that stereotype. Undeniably there is a background warmth to the dish with the smoked paprika but the star is the combination of tomato, basil and the olives. Adding the olives and the basil right at the end of the dish keep them fresh tasting and allows the flavour to come through as soon as it hits your tastebuds. The herby olive goodness will bring a big smile to your face (it certainly did for me!) and is a combination you don’t want to miss.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 can peeled plum tomatoes
• 4 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp ground cumin
• 400ml vegetable stock
• 17- 20 pitted green olives
• 4 basil leaves, roughly chopped
• Salt
• Pepper

Method:

1. Start by frying the chickpeas and garlic in the olive oil and cumin for 3-4 minutes on medium heat.
2. Add the tomatoes and the remaining seasonings and cook for a further 3 minutes.
3. Pour in the vegetable stock and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the liquid has reduced and the sauce has thickened.
4. Add the basil and the olives and cook for 5 minutes and then serve.

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Cucumber & Olive Salad

Nothing beats a simple salad, especially when the sun is shining and you have a chance to sit and savour a little bit of goodness. In my opinion the dressing is as important as the salad components – it brings the whole plate together and gives everything a satisfying lift. Here the saltiness of the olives paired with the lemon in the dressing keeps everything light and the crunch of the cucumber makes this a joy to eat.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cucumber, cut into thin rounds
• 10 pitted green olives, halved
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp oregano
• 1 dsp lemon
• A handful of parsley, finely chopped
• Ground black pepper

Method:

1. In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, oregano, lemon and season with the black pepper.
2. Using the dish you’re serving your salad in, evenly distribute the cucumber, olives and parsley.
3. Drizzle over the oil mixture and serve.

Enjoy 🙂

Basil Cannellini Dip

Let’s be honest, many of us have tins of beans in our cupboards at home but have little idea of what to do with them. Cannellini beans are full of fibre-y goodness and pack a punch of protein so this recipe is more than just good for your tastebuds. The fresh basil and background hint of lemon keeps the dish light and clean so is perfect for a picnic or a lunch in the sunshine.

Ingredients:

• I can (400g) cannellini beans (half drained)
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp tahini
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 9-10 leaves fresh basil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Salt
• Pepper

Method:

1. Place all ingredients in a food processor, season with salt and pepper and blitz until smooth.

Avocado Smoothie

The snow and the hail stones were certainly a surprise this week considering last weekend we had such glorious warm, sunny weather. The days are definitely feeling much brighter and longer and so I thought I’d share this avocado smoothie. Perfect to start the day or whenever you fancy a boost. An all in one recipe that packs a punch with the raw ginger spicing it up and the creaminess of the avocado giving that naughty satisfying taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 avocado, stoned, peeled and cut into rough chunks
• 1 tsbp lemon juice
• 1 inch piece of peeled fresh ginger
• 1 handful spinach
• 300ml soya milk
• 1 tbsp golden syrup

Method:

1. Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Garlic & Ginger Green Beans

A tasty way of getting some green beans in your diet and just by adding a few ingredients can really make this a special side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (400g) whole green beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• 1 inch piece of ginger, grated
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp light soy sauce
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp chilli flakes

Method:

1. Start by mixing all the ingredients (excluding the beans) in a small bowl.
2. In a frying pan, on medium-high heat cook the beans for 4-5 minutes.
3. Pour over the marinade and stirring occasionally, cook for another minute and then serve.

Harissa Sweet Pepper Bulgur

This recipe is perfect when you want something slightly lighter but something that also packs a punch. The harissa comes at you hard in this recipe but the sweet pepper and preserved lemons give such a contrast it’ll be a staple for when you want something quick, easy but (more importantly) extra delicious too.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 preserved lemon, chopped into small pieces
• 1 tsp harissa paste
• 1 spring onion, finely chopped
• 1 handful fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 sweet pointed red pepper, chopped into small pieces
• 4-5 mint leaves, finely chopped
• 80g fine bulgur wheat

Method:

1. Start by preparing the bulgur according to the packet and set aside.
2. Mix the harissa together with the olive oil in a small bowl and drizzle over the prepared bulgur.
3. Add all the remaining ingredients, mix thoroughly and serve.

Okra & Miso Soup

Okra, or bamia as it’s known in my family household, has been a staple in our cooking for as long as I can remember. Though the way that it is used in my mother’s cooking is different to this recipe, I wanted to mix it up and combine it with another delicious pantry staple: miso paste. Such a simple recipe and a great palate and body cleanser.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 40g okra, sliced
• 1 tsp miso paste
• 500ml vegetable stock
• 2 inch piece of ginger, sliced into small batons
• 1 garlic clove, roughly chopped
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 handful fresh spinach

Method:

1. Start by frying the garlic and ginger together for a couple minutes in the olive oil.
2. Add the miso paste and cook for a minute, stir occasionally.
3. Pour in the stock and leave for another minute.
4. Finally, add the spinach and okra, mix, cover and leave for 4 minutes.

Best served hot.

Lemon Broccoli Rice

This recipe is really handy if you have some leftover rice from a previous meal or if you have those stir fry rice pouches you can get from the supermarket. A brilliant way of having a good meal without it taking much time. Additionally with this recipe if you are using leftover rice you can keep it at room temperature instead of heating it up; otherwise cook until piping hot.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 250g cooked/ leftover rice
• 1 lemon
• Crushed black pepper
• 1 garlic clove, grated
• 1 broccoli head, cut into florets
• 1 tbsp pine nuts
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Method:

1. Start by toasting the pine nuts in a frying pan for a few minutes until lightly golden, then remove the nuts and place to one side.
2. In a small bowl, mix the garlic, the zest of the lemon and the juice, basil, 1 tbsp olive oil and season with pepper.
3. Place the broccoli in the pan along with the remaining olive oil. Cook for 4-5 minutes on medium- high heat, stirring occasionally. (Try to not over cook the vegetable as the added bite brings a delicious texture to this dish). Then remove the broccoli from the pan.
4. Add the rice and cook until piping hot.
5. Then put the broccoli back in the pan with the rice and drizzle over the lemon dressing, mix well and cook for 2 minutes.
6. Serve and sprinkle over the toasted pine nuts.

Enjoy ☺️

Lentil & Kale Stew

Some of you may have noticed that I accidentally published this a couple of days ago…this recipe article was no way near ready and was missing a fair few things…. Oops? Anyways, here is the completed version with pictures and all. A simple and easy way to have a healthy meal, balanced with veggies and delicious earthy and almost citrusy flavours; hope you all enjoy! ☺️

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 75g red split lentils
• 1 small carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery, finely chopped
• 50g kale
• 3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 3 dried bay leaves
• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 1 ltr vegetable stock
• 1 shallot finely sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Method:

1. Start by frying the garlic, shallot, carrot, celery and bay leaves in the oil on medium heat for 3-4 minutes.
2. Add the tomato purée, lentils and season with black pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Pour in the vegetable stock and cover. Leave to cook for 35 minutes or until the lentils are cooked through.
4. Add the kale, cover and leave for 5 minutes. Serve on its own or with a portion of rice or some sourdough bread.

Sticky Spicy Aubergine

Aubergine has been a constant in the kitchen, even as a child I grew up eating aubergine weekly. It’s such a beautiful and delicious vegetable that should be praised and given the credit it deserves. Though it has constantly been a winner in my family recipes I wanted to mix it up with these sweet and spicy flavours that really brings out the deliciousness of the aubergine.

Ingredients:

• 1 aubergine, halved and sliced into batons
• 1 tbsp golden syrup
• 3 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 garlic cloves, grated
• 1 birdseye chilli, finely chopped
• Sesame seeds, for serving

Method:

1. In a pan, fry the aubergine in two tablespoons of sesame oil on medium heat for 8-10 minutes or until softened and browned.
2. While the aubergine is frying, take a small bowl and mix the garlic, chilli, syrup and oil together thoroughly.
3. Pour the sweet and spicy mixture over the aubergine and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Delicious as a side dish or with some slow cooked meat.