Friends of mine told me about this, they had visited Graceland and ate this in a local café, who swore that these were one of the King’s favourite dishes. I don’t know how much truth there is in this, but I like to imagine Elvis eating these in a white jumpsuit.
A fried Banana and peanut butter sandwich is a pretty scrummy combination, but on occasion I’ve also tried swapping out the peanut butter for chocolate spread which is also delicious.
This isn’t the healthiest sandwich, but is a nice treat occasionally if you fancy something quick and tasty.
Ingredients
2 Slices of white bread
1 Banana (Mashed)
1-2 Tbsp Peanut butter
1/2 Tbsp Oil
1 Tbsp Melted butter (If you’re vegan you can substitute this with coconut oil)
Method
Heat the oil and butter in a frying pan over a medium heat
Spread the mashed banana on one slice of bread, and spread peanut butter on the other before sandwiching together
Place the sandwich in the pan, and gently push down with a spatula, Cook for 2-3 minutes until sandwich has browned, before gently turning the sandwich to brown on the other side
I love a good curry, and this is a really tasty and satisfying curry that can be enjoyed by vegans and meat lovers alike.
Coconut milk adds a lovely creaminess to this and I serve with rice or flat bread, to make it even better sweet potatoes and spinach are full of flavour and vitamins. I top this with some toasted cashew nuts for some extra crunch and protein, but it will still be delicious without them.
It’s also quick enough to be a great midweek meal and is packed full of lovely spices without being hot (unless you love chillies, in which case add as many as you like).
Ingredients
500 Grams Orange sweet potatoes (cut into 3-4 cm chucks, I leave the skins but peel if you prefer)
250 Grams Spinach (you can use frozen spinach if this is what you have)
2 Onions (roughly chopped)
1 Red chilli (cut in half, and seeds removed, add more if you like a hot curry)
3 Cloves of garlic (peeled)
Thumb sized piece of ginger (peeled and roughly chopped)
1 Tbsp Oil
1 Tsp Ground Cumin
1 Tsp Ground Tumeric
1 Tsp Ground Coriander
1 Tsp Salt
Juice of 1 lime, or half a lemon
400 ml Tin of coconut milk
400 ml water
2 Tbsp Fresh coriander (chopped, optional)
2-3 Tbsp Cashew nuts (toasted, optional)
Method
In a food processor, add your onions, chilli, garlic and ginger, and blitz until it makes a smooth(ish) paste
Heat the oil in a large pan and add the paste you just blitzed in the food processor, and cook for 5-10 minutes
Add the spices to the pot and cook for another 5 minutes before adding the sweet potatoes, coconut milk and water. Cook for another 10 minutes (or until the chunks of sweet potato are soft)
Add the lime juice, and spinach and cover until the spinach has wilted. When the spinach has wilted check the seasoning, adding salt if needed, and sprinkle with copped coriander, cook uncovered for another 5-10 minutes if you prefer a thicker curry
If you’re adding cashew nuts, toast them in a dry pan for 2 minutes (it will make them even more delicious)
People still argue about if super foods actually exist. Regardless of this, everything in this salad is good for you, and tastes delicious.
It’s packed full of protein, flavour and different tastes and texture. I enjoy this with hummus, (so ideal for vegans and vegetarians). It’s also great in wraps with holoumi or as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish.
Ingredients
For the salad
50 Grams Endamame beans (I used frozen ones that I thawed)
100 Grams Quinoa (dried weight), cook as instructed on the packet
50 Grams Almonds (toasted and chopped)
2 handfuls Rocket/Arugula (or other peppery salad leaf)
1 large Carrot (grated)
1 Red pepper (cut in into 1cm chuncks)
400 Gram Tin of cannellini beans (use what ever type of beans you like, just drain them first)
2 Tbsp Pumpkin seeds
1 Large avocado (chopped)
Juice of one lime
For the dressing
2 Tbsp Olive oil
Zest and juice of 2 limes
2 Tbsp Corriander (chopped, you can use other herbs like mint or parsley if prefer)
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Cook the quinoa as instructed on the packet and allow to cool
In a dry frying pan, toast the almonds and allow to cool before chopping (you don’t need to do this but it really does help improve the flavour)
Chop the avocado and cover with the juice of one of the limes to prevent it from discolouring
Add all the salad ingredients (except the rocket) to a bowl and mix well
Add the dressing and check the seasoning, mix in the rocket just before serving
I love the spring rolls I usually get from my local Chinese take away, but am conscious that they are deep fried and probably not great for my first waistline.
I wanted to make a slightly healthier version, so these are packed with vegetables and using filo pastry which can be baked rather than deep fried. This version is vegan, but you could also add cooked chicken or prawns if you wanted to add more protein. I used shop bought filo pastry which makes things quicker (anyone who makes their own probably needs to get out more), and is a great way to use up left over veggies.
Stir fried veggies
The dipping sauce was a bit of store cupboard throw together, (my favourite dip is usually shop bought sweet chilli sauce). I have a friend who is much more experienced cooking Asian cuisine and she told me that all good dipping suaces should include sweet, sour, salt, and heat. I’m definately making this again. These are great as a starter or side dish, but I enjoy them as a snack along with a cold beer.
Ingredients
For the spring rolls
270 Gram Pack Filo pastry
1 Onion (finely sliced)
1 Carrot (cut into matchsticks)
1 Red Pepper (finely sliced)
2 Handfuls Cabbage or any greens you prefer (I used some left over cooked cabbage I had, but if using raw cabbage make sure it’s very finely sliced)
4-6 cm Knob of ginger (grated)
2 Cloves of garlic (grated or finely chopped)
1 Tsp Chinese 5 spice powder
2 Tbsp Oil
1 Tbsp Sesame seeds (optional)
For the dipping sauce
1 Tbsp Sesame oil
1 Tsp Chilli flakes/fresh chilli
1 Clove of garlic (grated or finely chopped)
1 Tsp Honey
1 Tsp Soy sauce
1 Tbsp Warm water
1 Tbsp Vinegar (if you have rice wine vinegar is probably best, I didn’t have this so used red wine vinegar and it was fine)
Tuck and roll
Method
Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan/wok, and add the vegetables, cook lightly for a few minutes and add the Chinese 5 spice powder, garlic and ginger, fry for another minute or two until the vegetables start to soften. Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely before trying to assemble the spring rolls
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees. Open your packet of pastry, most packs recommend that you cover the pastry with a slightly damp tea towel if you are not able to work quickly. This prevents the pastry from drying out and becoming brittle and difficult to work with
I cut sheets of around 8-10 cm long and 6-8 cm wide (you can make smaller rolls if you prefer). Lay a sheet on your work surface and brush or spray with oil (those low cal oil sprays now a available are really handy, but just brush lightly with oil if you don’t have this) and top with another sheet of pastry, and repeat until you have 3 layers of filo pastry
With the pastry lengthways in front of you, lay a good heaped tablesoon of your vegetable filling and place near the right hand corner of the pastry. Tuck short corner of the pastry over the vegetables and tuck on the sides and roll (as shown in the photo)
Brush/spray the rolls with oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds if you are using them and place on a baking tray. Place in your heated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until crisp and golden
The dipping sauce is strainght forward, simply combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir before checking the taste (you mighy want more heat, sweetness etc). Put into separate serving bowls, Serve along side the spring rolls
Autumn sometimes sees a glut of great vegetables as growing season comes to end.
I love to roast these vegetables up to bring out their sweetness. Then it’s time to decide if I’m making a soup with them or a side dish like this.
If like me you like roast big batches of vegetables this can be even quicker to make as you’ll have these made already. This is really versatile, you can swap out different vegetables as they come in season.
If you’re vegan, you can enjoy this along with roasted chickpeas. I like it with griddled halloumi, or roast chicken and Greek yoghurt. It can be served hot or cold, and it’s ideal for lunch boxes.
Halloumi with roast vegetable couscous
Ingredients
200 Grams Couscous
Vegetable stock
1 Large courgette (Sliced)
100 Grams Cherry tomatoes
1 Red pepper (Sliced)
2 Tbsps Olive oil
3-4 Cloves of garlic
1 Tbsp Red wine vinegar or lemon juice
1/2 Tsp Cumin
1 Tsp Dried mint, or 2 Tsps fresh mint (chopped)
50 Grams Pomegranate seeds
Salt and pepper
Method
Add the oil, sliced courgette and pepper to an oven proof dish, mix to make sure they are coated and bake in an oven pre-heated to 200 degrees. Include the garlic gloves (left whole with their skins on)
After 20 mins remove from the oven. Stir and add the cherry tomatoes and sprinkle over the vinegar. Bake for another 15 mins (or until the edges of the peppers starts catch)
In a heat proof bowl add the couscous cumin and mint. I recommend checking the instructions on the packet about how much liquid to add. (Then add the corresponding amount of vegetable stock)
Once you have removed the vegetables from the oven, take the roasted garlic and squeeze out the soft centre and stir into the couscous
Like a lot of people I’m prone to getting stuck in food ruts. You buy the same thing every week, and you cook the same thing all the time, it’s easy but it is boring.
I started getting vegetable box deliveries and sometime I choose an option that’s a bit of a luck dip so that I’m forced to make something different, and you’re forced to work with new ingredients. (This week’s box came with a packet of sauerkraut!, but that’s a whole other recipe).
I had been over indulging in the “pure filth” recipes lately and wanted to feel I was eating something good for me for a change. So with a box full of lovely colourful ingredients I made this fresh crunchy salad with a dressing made with creamy tahini, tangy ginger and a little bit of chilli heat. I like to sprinkle it with nuts, for extra protein.
This is a great vegan dish ( I eat big bowls of this on its own), but is also a great side dish. I used the vegetables I had in a vegetable box, but the beautiful thing about this is that you can adapt the vegetables depending on availability and what’s in season.
Do yourself some good and enjoy a delicious crunchy multi-coloured big bowl of fibre and vitamins.
Ingredients
2 Carrots (grated)
1/2 Red pepper (finely sliced)
1 Large gold beetroot (grated)
2-3 Radishes (finely sliced)
4-5 Stalks of Rainbow chard (finely sliced)
1 Small Celeriac (grated)
For the dressing
1 Red chilli (finely sliced)
2 inch piece of ginger (grated)
3 Tbsp Tahini
Juice of one lemon
Method
I was lazy and used a food processor to grate many of the ingredients. If you don’t have one a box grater does the same job, it will just take a little longer
If you’re using celeriac make sure to cover this with the lemon juice as soon as you grate it to prevent it from discolouring
Combine all your ingredients in a bowl (once you have grated or sliced your vegetables).
In a separate bowl add the dressing ingredients and mix well. You want to add a little water to loosen the dressing, depending on how thick your tahini is.
Add the dressing to the salad and mix thoroughly
Top with walnuts, or toasted cashews or pine nuts also work well.
I’ve mentioned before that when I was a kid, my Mum wasn’t a great cook (I love you Mo, but we both know the truth). Dessert in my house was usually shop bought, and when I was really young one of favourites was tinned creamed rice with a big spoonful of jam.
Fast forward God knows how many years, and I taught myself how to cook. I was also lucky enough to go out into the world and try some amazing flavours. So I decided to try and experiment with some of my favourites. Coconut, ginger and lemon grass gives a new twist on this traditional dessert.
I like this chilled and served with mango or pineapple, but it’s also really good warm, and you can enjoy it with whatever fruit you prefer.
I used milk in this recipe, but you can substitute some of this with cream if want to make a really indulgent dessert. If you want to make a vegan version, swap cow’s milk for almond milk. I’ve tried both versions and they’re both delicious.
Coconut and spices bring a new twist to an old classic
Ingredients
400 ml Can Coconut milk
250 Grams Pudding rice
40 Grams Sugar
500 ml Milk
1 Large stalk of lemon grass (kept whole but bruised)
1 Thumb sized piece of ginger
Method
Cut your piece of ginger in half length ways, then smack your lemon grass with the back of a knife (or pot if you want get some frustration out). Bruising the lemongrass helps release the flavour. The ginger and lemon grass are kept big to make it easier to fish out when the rice pudding is cooked
Put all the ingredients in a pot with a lid and heat until just before the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer over a low heat stirring regularly. Each type of rice is different, so cook until the rice is soft. (mine took about 30 minutes). Different rices will absorb different amounts of liquid so if you think the mix is looking too dry add a little milk/water
When the rice is cooked you can scoop out the ginger and lemon grass. The rice pudding can be served hot or cold. I like it served with fruit
Light crispy pastry, with a soft well flavoured filling, I like these served with mango chutney.
I was doing another scan around my kitchen cupboards for something to make, and decided on samosas.
Potato and pea filling
I love a samosa, those delicious little Indian flavour bombs are usually deep fried, but these are baked to make them a little healthier. This recipe is vegan, but you can use spiced lamb as a filling. I’ve used potatoes and peas, but you swap out the peas for green beans or spinach.
Roll your divided dough into a circle and cut in half
The first couple of samosas will probably look a bit wonky until you get into the way of making them. Don’t panic these will still taste great, and if you don’t want to serve them then they will be the cook’s perk!
Wet the edges and press together to form a cone
Makes 16
For the pastry
225 Grams Plain Flour
2 Tbsp Oil or ghee
1 Tsp Onion (Nigella) seeds (optional)
Seal the edges to make a cone that you can filk
For the filling
3 Large potatoes (peeled and cut into small cubes)
1 Large onion (finely chopped)
2 Cloves of Garlic (finely chopped)
Thumb sized piece of ginger (grated)
2 Chillies, (finely chopped, you can add more or less depending on how much heat you like)
4 Tbsp Oil
100 Grams Peas (I use frozen, and let them thaw)
2 Tbsp Coriander (finely chopped)
1 Tsp Salt
Yummy hot or cold
Method
Add the oil, onion seeds, and flour to a bowl and gradually add luke warm water until you have a dough. Knead for 5 minutes, and then wrap in cling film and rest in the fridge
Add 2 tablespoons of oil to a large frying pan, and add the shopped onion. Fry over a medium heat for 5 minutes, and then add the garlic, ginger, and chillies
Lower the heat and add the cubed potatoes, and a little water and simmer until potatoes are soft (you might need to add a little water as it cooks, but it should be a runny mix)
Add the peas, salt and coriander and check the seasoning before allowing to cool
Preheat your oven to 200 degrees, and line a baking sheet with parchment
Once the pastry has rested, divide it into 8 balls. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the ball into a thin circle. Cut the circle in half.
Pick up the half moon shape and wet the edges with a little water. Make a cone by pressing the edges together and fill the cone with potato mixture. Press the remaining edges together to seal the samosa, ending up with a triangle shape
Continue rolling out the pastry and filling the samosas until you are finished, placing the samosas on the baking sheet. Brush them with the remaining oil and bake for 20 minutes until golden and crispy
I’m challenging myself to try and make better versions of stuff I haven’t been 100% happy with before, and use what’s in the house, (yes, I’m going stir crazy already).
I tried to make spicy carrot soups before and always thought the consistency was a bit weird. I think I have now cracked it. Adding a potato to the soup helps make it a much nicer creamier consistency. It’s still really healthy, and delicious served with big slabs of buttered soda bread (not as healthy given how much I enjoy butter).
Ingredients
1 Potato (cut into cubes)
4 Carrots (sliced)
1 Stalk of celery (chopped)
1 Onion (chopped)
1Tbsp Oil
1 Stock cube
1 Clove of garlic
1 Tsp Ground cumin
4-5 cm Piece of fresh ginger (grated), or 1 Tsp of ground ginger
1/2 Tsp Chilli powder (optional)
750 ml water
Salt & pepper
Method
Heat the oil in a pot, and add the vegetables and dried spices, cook over a medium heat until the onion begin to turn clear
Crumble in the stock cube and add the water. Bring the soup to a simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes, add the garlic and fresh ginger if you are using it
Simmer for another 5 minutes, and check the seasoning
Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a blender, or do what I did and use a hand blender to blitz the soup until you have a smooth soup
I’m not a vegan or even vegetarian, but still enjoy a good meat free recipe.
This is a good way to get your 5 a day, and is quick and tasty, with a nice range of flavours and textures. I served mine with some avocado on top, and corn bread, but it’s also really good with rice or tortillas. You can also top it with sour cream or grated cheese if you’re not vegan.
Ingredients
1 Red pepper
1 Onion
2 Stalks celery
150 Grams Sweetcorn
400 Grams Cannelli beans (you can use whatever beans you have)
400 ml Passata
1 Tsp Ground cumin
1 Tsp Smoked paprika
1 Tsp chilli powder
2 Cloves of garlic (finely chopped)
1 Tbsp Tomato puree
1 Tbsp Olive oil
Method
Chop the vegetables into equal sizes (I like to keep mine pretty chunky)
Heat the oil in a pan, and gently fry the vegetables for 5-10 minutes until they have softened
Add the garlic, spices and tomato puree to the pan and cook for a few minutes before adding the beans and passata
Simmer over a low heat for another 10-15 minutes, until the sauce has thickened
Seaneen's Sunnyside Kitchen 