Wild Fermented Sauerkraut

Listening to the BBC the other night (the Food Chain), I heard of this recipe and it sounded too good to be true.  Cheap, simple and healthy...

From Sandor Katz's site:-

Timeframe: 1-4 weeks (or more)

Special Equipment:

• Ceramic crock or food-grade plastic bucket, one-gallon capacity or greater
• Plate that fits inside crock or bucket
• One-gallon jug filled with water (or a scrubbed and boiled rock)
• Cloth cover (like a pillowcase or towel)

Ingredients (for 1 gallon):

• 5 pounds cabbage
• 3 tablespoons sea salt

Process:

1. Chop or grate cabbage, finely or coarsely, with or without hearts, however you like it. I love to mix green and red cabbage to end up with bright pink kraut. Place cabbage in a large bowl as you chop it.
2. Sprinkle salt on the cabbage as you go. The salt pulls water out of the cabbage (through osmosis), and this creates the brine in which the cabbage can ferment and sour without rotting. The salt also has the effect of keeping the cabbage crunchy, by inhibiting organisms and enzymes that soften it. 3 tablespoons of salt is a rough guideline for 5 pounds of cabbage. I never measure the salt; I just shake some on after I chop up each cabbage. I use more salt in summer, less in winter.
3. Add other vegetables. Grate carrots for a coleslaw-like kraut. Other vegetables I’ve added include onions, garlic, seaweed, greens, Brussels sprouts, small whole heads of cabbage, turnips, beets, and burdock roots. You can also add fruits (apples, whole or sliced, are classic), and herbs and spices (caraway seeds, dill seeds, celery seeds, and juniper berries are classic, but anything you like will work). Experiment.
4. Mix ingredients together and pack into crock. Pack just a bit into the crock at a time and tamp it down hard using your fists or any (other) sturdy kitchen implement. The tamping packs the kraut tight in the crock and helps force water out of the cabbage.
5. Cover kraut with a plate or some other lid that fits snugly inside the crock. Place a clean weight (a glass jug filled with water) on the cover. This weight is to force water out of the cabbage and then keep the cabbage submerged under the brine. Cover the whole thing with a cloth to keep dust and flies out.
6. Press down on the weight to add pressure to the cabbage and help force water out of it. Continue doing this periodically (as often as you think of it, every few hours), until the brine rises above the cover. This can take up to about 24 hours, as the salt draws water out of the cabbage slowly. Some cabbage, particularly if it is old, simply contains less water. If the brine does not rise above the plate level by the next day, add enough salt water to bring the brine level above the plate. Add about a teaspoon of salt to a cup of water and stir until it’s completely dissolved.
7. Leave the crock to ferment. I generally store the crock in an unobtrusive corner of the kitchen where I won’t forget about it, but where it won’t be in anybody’s way. You could also store it in a cool basement if you want a slower fermentation that will preserve for longer.
8. Check the kraut every day or two. The volume reduces as the fermentation proceeds. Sometimes mold appears on the surface. Many books refer to this mold as “scum,” but I prefer to think of it as a bloom. Skim what you can off of the surface; it will break up and you will probably not be able to remove all of it. Don’t worry about this. It’s just a surface phenomenon, a result of contact with the air. The kraut itself is under the anaerobic protection of the brine. Rinse off the plate and the weight. Taste the kraut. Generally it starts to be tangy after a few days, and the taste gets stronger as time passes. In the cool temperatures of a cellar in winter, kraut can keep improving for months and months. In the summer or in a heated room, its life cycle is more rapid. Eventually it becomes soft and the flavor turns less pleasant.
9. Enjoy. I generally scoop out a bowl- or jarful at a time and keep it in the fridge. I start when the kraut is young and enjoy its evolving flavor over the course of a few weeks. Try the sauerkraut juice that will be left in the bowl after the kraut is eaten. Sauerkraut juice is a rare delicacy and unparalleled digestive tonic. Each time you scoop some kraut out of the crock, you have to repack it carefully. Make sure the kraut is packed tight in the crock, the surface is level, and the cover and weight are clean. Sometimes brine evaporates, so if the kraut is not submerged below brine just add salted water as necessary. Some people preserve kraut by canning and heat-processing it. This can be done; but so much of the power of sauerkraut is its aliveness that I wonder: Why kill it?
10. Develop a rhythm. I try to start a new batch before the previous batch runs out. I remove the remaining kraut from the crock, repack it with fresh salted cabbage, then pour the old kraut and its juices over the new kraut. This gives the new batch a boost with an active culture starter.

Source:  Wild Fermentation

Spicy Golden Hummus

This is my favourite houmous dish (curry spread), with a link to a site with a dozen other styles of hummus.

 

Ingredients

• 1 15-ounce (425 g) can chickpeas, drained*
• 1 lemon, juiced (3 Tbsp or 45 ml)
• 3 Tbsp (45 g) tahini
• 2 cloves garlic, minced, plus more to taste
• 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground corriander
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric, plus more to taste
• 1/4 tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
• 1-2 Tbsp (15-30 ml) olive oil (or sub water)
•  optional: pinch cayenne pepper
• Chilli (Optional)

Instructions

1. Add drained chickpeas and all other ingredients  to a blender or food processor and blend on high until creamy and smooth, scraping down sides if  needed.
2. To create a creamier texture, add a bit of oil and/or water. (I used 1 Tbsp oil and 2 Tbsp water).
3. I add milk kefir to help activate the tumeric (see Golden Milk)
4. Serve as is or garnish with pine nuts, sesame seeds, or more spices. Parsley would also be a nice addition. Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 3-4 days.

Source and Inspiration:  Minimalist Baker
                                       13 Different Ways to Make Hummus

13 Different Ways to Make Hummus

13 Different Ways to Make Hummus

Vegan, Gluten Free Bread

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sunflower seeds
• ½ cup ground flax seeds
• ½ cup hazelnuts or almonds
• 1 ½ cups gluten free oats
• 2 Tbsp. chia seeds
• 4 Tbsp. psyllium seed husks
• 1 tsp. fine grain sea salt
• 1 Tbsp. maple syrup (for sugar-free diets, use a pinch of stevia)
• 3 Tbsp. melted coconut oil
• 1 ½ cups water

 Method:

In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients together. Melt the coconut oil and combine with the maple syrup and water. Add to dry ingredients and mix well. The ‘dough’ should be moist but not sloppy.

Transfer the dough to the greased/lined pan and firmly press into the pan making sure it’s in all four corners.  Now we let it sit.  The chia seeds and psyllium husks will absorb the water and bind everything together. But this takes a bit of time. For at least two hours if possible, or up to overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F / 175°C.

Bake the bread for 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and carefully remove the bread from the pan. Either cook upside down directly on the rack or on a cookie sheet for an additional 40 minutes.

You’ll know it’s ready when you tap the bread and it sounds hollow.

Let cool entirely before cutting.  The bread will firm up and cut into magnificent slices!

Source: (and Video)  Gluten Free For All TV

Flourless Bread -Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 90 grams of sesame seeds
• 90 grams of sunflower seeds
• 90 grams of walnuts
• 90 grams of pumpkin seeds
• 90 grams of flaxseed
• ½ teaspoon of baking soda
• 100 ml of water
• a pinch of salt

Method of preparation:

First, whisk the egg whites with the salt, and then add the water and the baking soda. All the seeds should be ground into fine powder (flour). Add them to the mixture, and mix all well.
Bake the bread for 50 minutes at 180 C (350 F). The taste of the bread is simply delicious!

Source:  Healthy Food House

Oat and Yoghurt Bread

Ingredients:

300g Porridge Oats (use Gluten Free if needed)
500g Fat Free Natural Yogurt (you can use low fat or a dairy free like Alpro)
2 teaspoons Bread Soda, sifted
Pinch of salt (optional)
Variations of this recipe at the end.

Method:

Simply mix all the dry ingredients together first and then add the wet ones. It’s a sloppy consistency but make sure to mix really well so all the yoghurt is incorporated with the porridge oats and bread soda.

Prepare a 2lb loaf tin. I greased and floured mine but I’ve also used greaseproof paper with a lightly greased tin and the bought ones too.

The recipe originally stated you set the oven at 180C and bake for 55 mins. I have a Fan Oven and I found it worked better to lower the oven to 170C and bake for 50 mins to 1 hour. Use a skewer to check it’s cooked through. If you feel it’s going brown on top, then just cover with a little tin foil for the last 10 mins.

Once baked, leave to cool in tin for approximately 10 mins and then remove to wire rack to cool completely. It can break if you try to remove before this as it can be quite soft.
Here is a YouTube video showing how to make this recipe, the sweet and savoury variations and options for school lunches, healthy lunches, breakfast on the go and more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdUy9liygC0&feature=youtu.be

Variations:

I used half a tub of sundried tomatoes and used approx a teaspoon of dried rosemary to make a savoury one.

You could use black olives and oregano with a teaspoon of tomato puree, different types of mixed seeds, honey & cinnamon, sultanas, raisins, dried cranberries or dried blueberries, mixed spice, dates …. just remember that what you add will also increase the calorie count if that needs to be considered.

Source:  Cozebakes

Vegetarian Sushi Bowl

Prep time:  15 mins

Cook time:  45 mins

Total time:  1 hour

Serves: 2 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup short grain brown rice
• 2 cups water
• 1 Stash Organic Premium Green Tea bag
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown rice syrup (or honey)
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 
  
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced cucumbers
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced radishes
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons black sesame seeds
• 
  
• 1 small avocado
• 1/2 cup edamame
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red pepper
• 2 to 3 tablespoons pickled ginger
• 
  
• Sesame Seeds, for serving
• Soy Sauce, for serving
• Scallions, for serving

Instructions

1. Rinse the brown rice well. Combine with water in a medium pot. Cut open the green tea bag and sprinkle over the rice then give a stir to combine. Cover and let the rice cook until all the water has absorbed, 45 minutes. Whisk together the rice vinegar, rice syrup, and salt then stir into the cooked rice.
2. While the rice cooks, prepare the vegetables. Combine the cucumbers, carrots, radishes with the sesame oil and sesame seeds; let sit.
3. Once rice is done, assemble the bowls with all the vegetables and pickled ginger. Serve with extra sesame seeds and soy sauce.

Herbed Whole-Oat Salad

Yield

Serves 4 to 6 as a side dish

Ingredients

1. • 1 cup whole oats (also called oat groats)*
   • 1/2 cup minced onion
   • 1 large shallot if desired, minced
   • 1 1/8 teaspoons ground allspice
   • 1 teaspoon salt
   • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste
   • 2 tablespoons olive oil (preferably extra-virgin), or to taste
   • 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
   • 1/3 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves
   • 1 cucumber, peeled if desired, seeded, and chopped
   • 1 cup vine-ripened cherry tomatoes, quartered

Preparation

In a large saucepan of salted boiling water cook oats 25 minutes. Drain oats in a colander and rinse under cold water. Set colander over a kettle of boiling water (oats should not touch water) and steam oats, covered with a kitchen towel and lid, until fluffy and dry, 5 to 10 minutes (check water level in kettle occasionally, adding water if necessary).
      
While oats are cooking, in a large bowl stir together onion, shallot, allspice, and salt. Stir in hot oats and cool. Stir in lemon juice, oil, parsley, mint, and salt and pepper to taste. Add cucumber and tomatoes and toss gently. Salad may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered (herbs may discolor slightly).

Bring salad to room temperature before serving.

Source:  Epicurious

VEGAN CHICKPEA CURRY

Preparation Time: 5-10 minutes
Cooking Time: about 10 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
4 tbs oil (I used rice bran oil)
2 small onions, finely chopped
1 small piece of ginger, grated
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped or minced
4 tsp curry powder
2x 400g tin of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
10 tbs ketchup
1/2 cup of water or a tiny bit more if needed
juice of 1 lemon
a pinch of salt and pepper to taste
fresh coriander to serve

 Instructions:
Pour the oil into a large frying pan over a low-medium heat.
Add the onions and sweat them down until translucent, stirring them regularly (for about 5 minutes or so).
Once the onions are ready, add the ginger, garlic and curry powder briefly stirring them
Add the chickpeas, ketchup and some water.
Simmer and stir for about 5 minutes or so.
Add the lemon juice, a pinch of salt/pepper...........
Serve with fresh coriander and a portion of rice.

Consider keeping and using the chickpea water for baking  #aquafaba.

Source:- The Little Plantation

Slow Cooked Pulled Pork

A cheap cut of pork, or a good one at a sales price and a slow cooker is a combination for the lazy cooks ultimate comfort food.

Ingredients

• 3 Tablespoons fennel seeds, 
• 20 fresh sage leaves finely sliced, 
• Tablespoon fresh rosemary finely sliced, 
• pinch Celtic salt, 
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil 
• 2 cloves of crushed garlic 

•  1kg Free-range Pork Shoulder 

Method

Crush all the fennel seeds, sage, rosemary and salt in a mortar and pestel or a food processor until the fennel is powdery.

Add the garlic and oil and mix into a paste.

Score the pork and make a few incisions on either end (depending on cut) and insert the paste into the incisions and rub the rest all over the flesh and skin. 

Place in a covered tray and place in fridge for at least two ours, preferably overnight.

Add 50mls of water to slow cooker and add pork.  (I generally use a small trivet to keep the pork out of the water, but not essential).  Cook on low for about 9 hours (depending on cooker).

Cut skin off the joint and keep the joint covered and warm for 10 minutes before pulling with two forks.  Thicken the remaining liquid in the slow cooker if necessary and return the shredded pork to the slow cooker, and stir the meat into the juices.

Add salt and place in preheated over at 250dec C for 10 minutes.  (Again, I use a trivet to keep the underneath dry).

Voila!  Pulled pork and crackle.  Wack the pork in some fresh buns with slaw and crackle on the side, or serve on a plate with veggies.  

Source:  Natural Kitchen Adventures

Slow Cooked Baby Back Pork Ribs

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of bbq sauce
• 1/4 cup of brown sugar
• 4 Tbsp. of cider vinegar
• 3 tsp of oregano
• 1 tsp of Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tbsp. of cayenne pepper
• 1 Tbsp. of chili powder
• 3 lbs of baby back pork ribs
• Salt & pepper

• (1.5 kg Pork Baby Back Ribs)

Directions:

Combine bbq sauce, brown sugar, cider vinegar, oregano, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, and chili powder in a small bowl.

Salt and pepper the ribs. Place ribs in slow cooker, and cover in sauce. Cook low and slow for eight hours or high for four hours.
After the ribs are done, spoon the bbq sauce in the slow cooker over the ribs before removing. Cut the ribs, serve with bbq sauce.

Source:  BuzzFeed

Quinoa Masala Burgers

Food Babe’s Quinoa Masala Burgers

 

Print

Prep time: 15 mins  Cook time:  30 mins  Total time:  45 mins   Serves: 4

 

 

Ingredients

• ½ cup quinoa dry (cooked to package instructions)
• 1 baked sweet potato with skin removed
• 1 egg slightly beaten or 1 tbsp flax seed mixed with 2 tbsp water
• a few springs of fresh cilantro diced
• 1 small onion diced
• 2 inch piece of ginger minced
• 1 garlic clove minced
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp garam masala
• ½ tsp curry powder
• ¼ tsp mustard seed
• ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
• melted coconut oil for brushing burgers

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Combine all ingredients and mix in a large bowl
3. Form mixture into 8 patties
4. Place patties on a large baking sheet covered with parchment paper
5. Brush top of burgers with a small amount of coconut oil
6. Bake for 15 mins, then flip burgers and coat with coconut oil again
7. Bake for another 15 mins or until golden brown

Creamy Stovetop Polenta

This is by far the best polenta dish I have made.  A great alternative to rice and mashed potato as a bed on which to place a hearty meal.  Great accompaniment to snaggers and onion gravy or stewed beans.

(Serves 4)
150ml milk
½ tsp salt
150g coarse cornmeal
50g butter
25g grated parmesan (optional)

Put the milk in a large, heavy-based pan along with 600ml water and the salt, and bring to the boil. Meanwhile, measure out the cornmeal and put it near the hob.
It is vital to add the polenta very slowly, stirring constantly, or it will end up lumpy.
When the pan comes to the boil, add the cornmeal, letting it run in thin streams through your fingers, whisking continuously. Stir for a minute or two until it thickens.   Allowing it to thicken before you turn the heat down is also important.
Turn the heat right down and stir well, roughly every 4-5 minutes to prevent it sticking, for about 35-45 minutes, until the polenta begins to come away from the sides of the pan. Stir in the butter and cheese, if using, then put on a serving dish.

Reconstitute leftovers as below.

Source:  How to Make the Perfect Polenta

Here is a more traditional approach.

Makes about 4 cups

What You Need

Ingredients
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup polenta or yellow cornmeal
1 cup cheese (optional)
1-3 tablespoons butter (optional)
Equipment
2- to 3-quart pot with lid
Whisk
Long handled spoon or sturdy spatula

Instructions

1. Bring the water to a boil. Bring the water to a brisk boil over medium-high heat. Add the salt.
2. Pour the polenta into the boiling water. While whisking gently, pour the polenta into the boiling water in a steady stream.
3. Continue whisking until polenta is thickened. Turn down the heat to low and continue whisking until the polenta has thickened enough that it doesn't settle back on the bottom of the pan when you stop stirring.
4. Cook the polenta 30-40 minutes. Cover the polenta and continue cooking. Stir vigorously every 10 minutes or so, making sure to scrape the sides, bottom, and corners of the pan. Cook 30 minutes for softer porridge-like polenta or 40 minutes for thicker polenta.
5. Stir in cheese and butter, if using. Stir the cheese and butter into the polenta, if using. Serve immediately, or cover the pan and let it sit at the back of the stove for up to 15 minutes before serving.

Additional Notes:

• Leftover Polenta: Polenta will solidify into the shape of the container in which you store it. Leftover polenta can be sliced or cubed before being roasted, grilled, or deep-fried. To make it creamy again, warm it with a little broth, milk, or water, and stir vigorously. It won't be quite as creamy as it was originally, but it should still be pourable.

Source:  Creamy Stovetop Polenta

Slow Oven Roasted Rolled Beef Brisket

This was my first attempt at "low and slow cooking" albeit in an electric oven as opposed to a charcoal smoker.  It turned out exceptionally well.   A cheaper and tougher cut of meat turned out to be one of the most moist, tender and tasty roasts I have ever done.  The recipe is based on Texas Oven - Roasted Beef Brisket, and has been adapted to suit Aussie conditions and availability of the meat cut.

Beef Brisket is the breast of a cow and is normally ordered in large slabs in the States.   This type of cut has not been popular in Oz and is normally sold as a rolled pot roast.  The slab is available from good butchers as a pre-order, whereas the rolled version is freely available.

After much research, I have estimated the following times for oven roasting a rolled brisket, (the longer the bake, the better):-

100 degC  =  3.50    hours/kilo
110 degC  = 2.647   hours/kilo
120 degC =  2.20     hours/kilo

Many web pages state 1.5 hours per pound at 250 degF or 3.31 hours per kilo at 121 degC.

Serves:  10.  Preparation Time:  15mins.   Cooking Time:  7 hours.  Resting Time:  1 hour.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons salt
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 bay leaf, crushed
2 kilos/4 pounds rolled beef brisket

3 cups beef stock

Method

The original recipe asked to make a dry rub by combining chili powder, salt, garlic and onion powders, black pepper, sugar, dry mustard, and bay leaf and season the raw brisket on both sides with the rub.  I rubbed the brisket with just the salt and pepper only and made a jus with the remaining ingredients
.

Set aside jus and rubbed brisket in a roasting pan and let it sit uncovered for at least an hour.  The roast will need to be covered later, so a pan with a lid is beneficial otherwise have aluminum foil available.

Pre heat oven to 200 degC, then reduce it to 100 degC  and immediately place roast in the oven uncovered, for 2 hours.  The initial high temperature helps sear the outer roast and mold the rub to the meat.

Add jus to cover 1/2 inch of the roasting pan.  Don't let the jus contact the meat.   Place the lid or cover pan tightly and continue cooking for 5 hours, or until fork-tender.

Let the meat sit covered for at least thirty minutes ( I prefer an hour).  Slice meat thinly across the grain. Thicken the jus with maize flour if necessary and drizzle over the meat.

Other references:-

Kitchen Riffs

Hilah Cooking

Southwestern Chopped Salad

Southwestern Chopped Salad
(use organic ingredients)

Large head of Romaine 15 oz.
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 large orange bell pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes
2 cups corn (fresh or frozen, thawed)
5 green onions
Optional: avocado

Dressing

1 cup loosely packed cilantro, stems removed and roughly chopped
1/2 avocado (or 1/2 cup plain vegan yogurt or Greek yogurt)
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime), more to taste
1-2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. white wine vinegar
1/8 tsp. salt

Instructions

Making the dressing: puree all ingredients in a food processor/blender until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.

Making the salad: Finely chop romaine, bell pepper, tomatoes, and green onions.Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine.Toss with desired dressing.

Source:  The Garden Grazer

Sri Lankan Dhal

Sri Lankan Dhal with Flatbread

27/05/2015 , 7:37 AM by Brad McCahon

Recipe supplied by Marg Johnson.

The defining feature of any dhal is the 'Taka' or finishing flavours which are added at the end and  gives a good dhal its character. Just use whatever you have on hand and it will still be wonderful! Serve with warm flatbread.

Serves 4

Ingredients
 
1 cup red lentils
2 cups water
1 cup coconut milk or cream
1 red chilli, spilt or half tsp chilli powder
1/2 tsp salt

Taka or finishing oil

1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tsp garlic, crushed
2 tsp ginger, grated
1 red chilli, chopped or to your taste - though we want it hot here
1 branch curry leaves, optional but good
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp coriander seeds, ground
1 small cinnamon bark section
2 tsp mustard seeds
2 tomatoes, cut into slender wedges
1/2cup coriander leaves, very roughly chopped

Method

Simmer the lentils with the water, coconut milk, chilli and salt until tender and thick.
Then in a pan heat the oil and add the ingredients from the onion down to and including the mustard seeds.
When all is sizzling add the tomato sections and season well. Toss around for a minute and then add to the lentil mix along with the coriander leaves.

Avocado, Chick Pea and Green Been Salad **********

Back in my vegetarian days I used to cook a lot of Hare Krishna meals.  Kurma Das produced many western style meals based on ISKCON culinary philosophy.  One of my all time favorites and still is, is this refreshing salad.  I still prepare it for most Xmas dinners.

My original Kurma Das cook book (right) is frayed and soiled from over use, so I thought I would digitize it for prosperity.

Avocados combine well with cheese and beans. Dressed and served in lettuce leaves, this salad is substantial and tasty.

PREP TIME: 10 minutes    YIELD:  8 persons    RATED: 10/10

 Ingredients

2 teaspoons (10 ml) chopped fresh coriander leaves
¹/₂ teaspoon (1 ml) black pepper
1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
1 large Iceberg, Cos, or Mignonette lettuce
2 large ripe avocados, peeled and cut into 1¹/₂ cm (³/₄-inch) cubes
1 cup (250 ml) cooked and chilled green beans chopped into 2¹/₂ cm (1-inch) sections
1 cup (250 ml) cooked and chilled kidney beans
1 cup (250 ml) cooked and chilled chickpeas
1 cup (250 ml) cubed cheddar cheese
¹/₂ cup (125 ml) chopped green pepper
¹/₄ cup (60 ml) chopped pimiento (baby red peppers in brine or oil)
²/₃ cup (165 ml) olive oil
²/₃ cup (165 ml) fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons (60 ml) honey
2 teaspoons (10 ml) chopped fresh parsley

Method

1. Combine the avocados, beans, chickpeas, cheese, green pepper, and pimientos in a bowl.
2. Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, half the parsley, coriander, black pepper, and salt.
3. Fold the dressing carefully into the bean and avocado mixture. Serve individual portions of salad on lettuce leaves and garnish with the remaining chopped parsley.

Source:  Great Vegetarian Dishes 

Variations on a theme:  Avocado and Bean Salad in Lettuce Baskets  (Kid Freindly)

Cauliflower Chickpea Patties *******

 As is usually the case, I doubled this recipe tonight, this time due to the special on two slightly discolored cauliflowers and the size of the red capsicum.  Whilst the outcome was not the most beautiful of meals, it was not only tasty on the night, but worked well cold the next day for lunches.


As can be seen, I used a food processor instead of a fork which worked well.

Prep Time:  15 mins.   Baking Time:  45 mins Serves: About 10 patties

Ingredients:

    1 Head Cauliflower, florets broken apart
    1Can Chick Peas rinsed and drained
    1 Bell pepper/ red capsicum diced small
    1 Onion Diced small
    2 Cloves Garlic Minced
    1 Cup Panko (Japanese Bread Crumbs)
    1 tsp Turmeric
    1 tsp Cumin
    Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:

    Preheat oven to 190c/375f.
    Boil or steam cauliflower until soft.
    Saute onion and bell pepper over low heat until soft.
    Add garlic and saute for another minute or so.
    In a large bowl, smash chick peas up well with a fork or the bottom of a cup.
    Add cauliflower and smash up as well.
    Add all other ingredients and stir until combined.
    Mix should be wet but come together in a ball without falling apart.
    Carefully make a ball in your hands with the mix.
    Press ball between hands to make a patty.
    Place patty on oiled pan or baking dish.
    Continue with the rest of the mix.
    Bake for 25 Minutes, flip the patties. and bake for another 20 minutes or until browned.

Source:  Dora Daily

Some other Cauliflower recipes:- HuffPost

Baked Creamy Pumpkin Risotto

Prep time:  15 mins.  Cook time:  35 mins.  Total time:  50 mins.  Serves:  4

There are several ways to cook this tasty dish.  The pumpkin can be cooked to an aldente, so it remains in tact within the risotto, or cooked to a mush so that when stirred it becomes a pumpkin sauce in the risotto.  I like to bake the pumpkin to soft (extra taste) and add it in the mix just 10 minutes before the risotto is done and then stir it in with the parmesan et al, so that it is saucy with a few very soft chunks.  I generally start baking the pumpkin while setting up the rest of the ingredients.  Cooking the pumpkin until soft and stirring it in as a sauce, makes the risotto quite creamy like stove top cooked risotto.

If hands on time time is not on your side and you are not overly fussy, just throw everything into a heavy oven proof pot and bake for 70 minutes and enjoy a wine..  It will still come out great!

This dish is easily turned into vegan by using a vegetable butter and nutritional yeast in lieu of butter and parmesan cheese.


Ingredients:

Ingredients - Garlic is behind the onion :-)

    2 tbsp olive oil

    1 large brown onion, finely diced or 1 large leak thinly sliced crossways

    2 garlic cloves, minced

    12 sage leaves

    2 cups arborio rice (risotto rice)

    1 cup dry white wine or use stock/water

    5 cups vegetable or chicken stock/broth

    700g/25oz pumpkin, diced into 1.5cm/0.5" cubes

    3 tbsp butter

    ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

    Salt

    Black pepper

Ready to go...

To Garnish:


    Grated parmesan
    Finely chopped parsley

Options:

You may add all of or just some of:- 5 diced bacon rashers, 200g mushrooms, 100g crumbled feta and a packet of baby spinach to this for variety.  Fry the bacon before the onion, the mushrooms with the onion, add the feta with the stock and stir the spinach in with the parmesan and butter and the latent heat will wilt it without affecting its nutrition.


Instructions:

•     Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
•     If baking the pumpkin, place on a baking tray. Drizzle with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake on top shelf of the preheated oven for 30 minutes.  This may be cooked in tandem with the Risotto or prior, depending on oven size.
•     Heat olive oil in ovenproof pot (preferably with a lid) over medium high heat.
•     Add garlic and onion and cook until onion is translucent.
•     Add sage leaves and cook for 1 minute or until it is crispy, but not burnt.
•     Add rice and stir so all the rice grains are coated with the olive oil.
•     Add white wine and cook until the the liquid evaporates - about 1 minute.
•     Add pumpkin (if cooking in the Risotto) and stock, and bring to boil.  I use Massel vegetarian chicken stock in water boiled in the kettle which also speeds up the process.
•     Put lid on (or cover tightly with foil) and place in oven for 25 to 35 minutes.  Give it a quick stir around the 15 - 20 minute mark.  When finished the rice should be moist like porridge, not dry like a pilaff. Excess liquid will be utilized by the pumpkin when you stir it or let it sit for a minute or so with the lid off.
•     Add the roast pumpkin if you have cooked it in tandem with the Risotto.
•     Add butter and parmesan cheese.
•     Gently stir the risotto so that the pumpkin turns into a puree and blends into the risotto. If it's too thick then add a splash of boiled water.
•     Add salt and pepper to taste.
•     Serve, garnished with parsley, extra chopped sage leaves and extra parmesan if desired.

Sources:  Recipe Tine Eats, Best Recipes, TasteDotCom

Harissa

Harissa is Tunisian in origin but is used widely in Morocco and other North African countries.  It can be used as a condiment, paste or a sauce.  Rub it dry on a roast, coat a rack with a mix of paste and yoghurt or add it to your favorite veggie dish.   Use the paste as a replacement for mustard if you like your sandwiches hot.  The Yemeni spice Zhug is made by adding cloves and cardamon to this mix.

I have split the recipe in two parts, as I like to keep the dry mix and make a paste when required. 

Ingredients:-

Makes about 1 cup (250ml) of dry mix.    Preparation Time 15mins.    Cooking Time 4mins.

Dry Mix:-

A mild chilli mix.

4 tsp Coriander Seeds
4 tsp Cumin Seeds
2 tsp Caraway Seeds
16 Dried Chili , chopped or blended (8Tbs, 100g):  I like to mix the chillies.  Include seeds for hotter, for a milder version, use dried Red Peppers. 
1 tsp Mint Dried
4 tsp Paprika Smoked
2 tsp Salt Sea/Kosher
2 tsp Garlic Powder

Paste:-

3 Tbs Olive Oil
1 Lemon, Juice of
Water for consistency

Method:-

In a small fryingpan, heat over moderate heat, the Cumin, Coriander and Caraway seeds and toast until fragrant (4min).  Let the seeds cool down and add all the ingredients to a coffee grinder and grind.  If using a mortar and pestle, grind the seeds, finely chop the chillies and then mix all the ingredients together.

Store into an air tight container in your spice rack...

To make a paste of your premix, just add the the Olive Oil and Lemon Juice and mix.  Add water to adjust consistency if required.

A good article on Harissa and its uses can be found here.