Blueberry coconut muffin mug cake

6Tbs plain flour 

0.5 tsp baking powder

Pinch salt

1.5Tbs sugar (I use raw but whatever is fine)

3Tbs dessicated coconut

1 tsp vanilla extract

2Tbs oil (I use rice bran or canola)

3 Tbs non dairy milk

3-4Tbs frozen blueberries 

Mix dry ingredients in a mug with a butter knife or silicone spatula. Add in wet ingredients except berries; mix until just combined, then fold in berries. Microwave on high for two minutes. 

lemon chickn chicken

Not sure why, but I NEEDED lemon chickn. Fry's nuggets (from the frozen aisle in Coles or Woolworths, also some independent grocers) either baked or microwaved for 30-60 seconds then panfried for 5 mins or so. Serve with this sauce, steamed rice, and salad or stir fry!

1 cup cold water 

2tsp chicken flavoured stock powder (I use massel)

1.5Tbs cornstarch
2Tbs lemon juice

0.5 cup sugar
3 slices of lemon
0.5tsp ground white pepper

In a small saucepan, mix the stock powder and cornstarch into the cold water (must be cold otherwise the starch will clump and the sauce will be lumpy). Mix in the sugar, lemon juice, and pepper. On medium heat, whisk continuously (or use a fork if you don't have a whisk) until the sauce thickens (about 2-3 mins). Adjust seasoning (you might like more sugar or pepper). Add the lemon slices and pour into a bowl for serving. 

okonomiyaki, okonomiyaki, okonomiyaki

i got a bee in my bonnet about okonomiyaki. say it out loud in your best, terrible Japanese accent and i'm sure the  decision to make these will shortly overpower you. 

makes three serves. 

1c flour of choice

0.5tsp baking powder

0.5tsp sugar

0.25tsp salt

1tsp vegetable stock powder (i like massel)

175ml (12Tbs) aquafaba- drained liquid from tinned beans such as chickpeas OR 3 egg equivalent of egg replacer

3c finely shredded cabbage (and/or other veg, like carrot, spinach)

2 spring onions, finely chopped

0.75c cold water

serving suggestions: steamed rice, salad, chopped spring onion, toasted sesame seeds, pickled or fresh ginger, tonkatsu or other sweet bbq type sauce, and mayonnaise- this is my favourite http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12119/a-homemade-vegan-mayo-recipe-that-will-blow-your-mind.html

in a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients with a whisk. add the aquafaba; whisk gently, then add the water and mix for a few minutes until combined and no big lumps remain. mix in the shredded veg and the spring onion. 

heat a frying pan to medium and add a small amount of oil (I use a pump spray and a non sick on for ultimate ease). use a ladle to dish out a generous, fist-sized scoop of mixture. do not flatten; cover the frying pan with a lid for five minutes before flipping the okonomiyaki and cooking covered for another five minutes. flip back to the original side and cook, uncovered for a few more minutes. 

serve with whatever toppings and sides you like!

lemon bliss balls

just gorgeous, and so simple!! amazing lemon bliss balls: nutty and sweet and rich. happy father's day!

1.5c almond meal

0.5c coconut flour (not desiccated coconut)

0.5tsp salt

4Tbs brown sugar

juice of 3 lemons (about a third of a cup)

2tsp lemon zest

3tsp vanilla extract

0.25c melted nuttelex or coconut oil or a blend

mix all ingredients in a food processor (or in a large bowl by hand); roll into 2cm balls, and roll in coconut before refrigerating. 

hazelnut chocolate mousse pie. bam!

this is incredibly delicious and decadent. if you love someone, feed it to them as a show of gratitude. if you dislike someone, feed it to them to build a bridge. 

crust

2c roasted hazelnuts

1c oats

2Tbs chia seeds

4Tbs flax meal

2Tbs nuttelex (coconut oil would probably work too)

pinch of salt

2Tbs brown sugar

mousse

450g silken tofu 

1 Tbs cocoa powder

200g chocolate- I use dark but anything works

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

0.25tsp salt

3Tbs sweetener- I use rice malt syrup or brown sugar

80ml strong espresso or brewed coffee (approx 2 shots)

1Tbs agar powder

food process the hazelnuts into a fine meal, then do the same for the oats; mix these together in a medium bowl then mix in the chia and flax. melt the nuttelex/coconut oil, add to the nut mix and stir in the salt and sugar until well combined. press firmly into the base and up the sides of a 20-25cm springform tin or pie dish; cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. 

gently melt chocolate in microwave or in a bain marie on stove top. in a small saucepan, whisk the coffee and agar over low-medium heat for a minute or so until gel starts to form. add all ingredients to the bowl of a food processor and blend until very smooth. pour into prepared crust, decorate with roasted whole hazelnuts, berries, shaved chocolate, or cocoa powder, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (best overnight). 

Iceberg fabulousness

You may not think it possible, but this salad gets it's glory from iceberg lettuce's watery loveliness. 

Dress iceberg lettuce, chopped apple, and walnuts with: 

Olive oil

Grain mustard

Salt

White ground pepper

Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar

Crushed garlic

pesto, oh!

i've loved pesto my whole life but used to be entirely unimpressed by homemade versions. no idea why, but now it just works :) for a genovese-style meal, cook a medium potato and a handful of green beans and serve with pesto on top of spaghetti. if you don't have the roasted garlic (wrap a head of garlic in foil and bake at 180C for 30 mins), gently pan fry 4 cloves of minced garlic in a teaspoon of oil on low-medium heat for 2 minutes, being careful not to brown. raw garlic should be avoided in this recipe. 

1 oven roasted whole head of garlic

0.5c raw cashews (or pine nuts, walnuts, or soaked almonds, or a combination)

0.5c olive oil

0.25c nutritional yeast flakes (from health food store)

1Tbs apple cider (or white) vinegar 

0.25tsp salt and ground pepper, plus more to taste

3-4 bunches of fresh basil (try your local Asian grocer- usually fresher and cheaper than supermarket basil, though may taste slightly different to Italian basil)

rinse the basil and remove large stems- small stems are fine. 

blend all ingredients except the basil in a food processor until well blended but not entirely smooth. add basil a handful at a time to the processor and blend before adding another handful. adjust seasoning to taste. 

fat tony's greek veggies

this is a bit of an odd one: made for me many years ago in canada by an austrian hellenophile, i won't claim whether this dish has any greek authenticity. it is, however, incredibly delicious, and simple to make- plus the vegetables can be substituted for others (though these are my favourites). quantities are approximate- whatever fits into your dish (note: chunkier pieces will take up more room). 

cut into 1.5cm thick slices:

1 red capsicum

1 small aubergine

1 large zucchini

10 cherry tomatoes, pierce with knife 

5 cloves roasted garlic, peeled 

1-2 green spring onions, cut into 0.5cm rounds

juice of half a lemon; cut the other half into 3-4 slices 

1Tbs apple cider vinegar

1Tbs maple or agave syrup (or raw sugar)

1c olive oil

1tsp each salt and coarsely ground pepper

2Tbs dried oregano 

water

arrange the vegetables, garlic, onion and lemon slices into an oven proof dish at least 10-15cm deep. add the remaining ingredients and top with enough water to almost cover the vegetables and leave at least a centimetre from the top of the dish so it doesn't overflow. cover with foil, and bake for 40 minutes at 200C. 

serve with plain white rice or crusty bread. 

there will be lots of sauce left- either fish out the veggies and cool a new lot in the existing juice, or use it as part of a salad dressing!

salad of rubies

a stunning salad! beautiful for a substantial summer meal, or to impress friends as a gorgeous starter (or work lunch :) )

1 large tomato
1 cucumber

3-4 sprigs of fresh mint, finely sliced (substitute fresh parsley and dried mint if not available)

0.5tsp salt
2tsp lemon juice

1 tin kidney beans
1 pomegranate

0.3c pepitas (pumpkin seeds, shelled)
0.25tsp ground black pepper
3Tbs pomegranate molasses (available from delis and nut/spice provedores)
2Tbs olive oil

100g baby spinach or baby leaf mix

 
chop tomato into 2-3cm chunks, and slice cucumber; add to salad bowl with salt, lemon juice and mint; toss gently to combine. 

drain and rinse kidney beans; remove pomegranate jewels from the main fruit; add both to bowl. add all the other ingredients except greens; toss gently. add greens and toss before serving.

this can be made 6 hours or so ahead of time and refrigerated if greens are added right before serving.

the chocolate crackle gets more crack-like

here is a post for chocolate crackles that anyone with a mouth and a need for deliciousness must read. crackles contain the essentials of life: coconut in two forms, cocoa for strength and general hipness; and the crunch of a thousand rice puffs. somehow, no doubt in violation of some natural law, i have made them BETTER.

read on.

4c puffed rice cereal

0.5c icing sugar, sifted (or blitz some raw sugar in an electric spice/coffee grinder for 10 seconds)

1.5c desiccated coconut, toasted on low- medium til light golden brown in a dry frying pan

200g coconut oil

0.25c cocoa powder
1-1.5c raisins and pitted prunes, finely chopped 
150g dark chocolate, melted

0.5tsp salt

grated rind of one orange

in a large bowl, mix the rice cereal, sugar, cocoa and coconut. gently mix in the chopped fruit.

in a medium bowl, melt the coconut oil and dark chocolate in the microwave (60-90 seconds). add in the rind and salt. pour this into dry ingredients, stirring gently til well combined. spoon into a loaf or brownie tin (remember: silicone rocks!) and press firmly to level and refrigerate until firm, then slice into squares.