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). 

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!

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.

my body is a temple: fried brown rice with greens

at this time of year, kitchen slavery and the excess of rich foods assault the palate and brain: this is your incredibly delicious saviour. 

per person:

1tsp olive or other oil 

50g firm tofu, in 1cm cubes

1c cooked brown rice (preferably refrigerated overnight)

1 bok choy, sliced in 1cm sections (separate white and green)

6-8 snowpeas

1 small clove garlic, finely minced

1cm piece fresh ginger, finely grated

soy sauce and sesame oil to taste

gently fry tofu on medium-high heat for 2 minutes before adding the rice. fry for a further 2 minutes, sautéing gently then adding garlic, bok choy white stem parts. cook for two minutes before adding bok choy greens and snowpeas. reduce to medium-low heat, cover with a lid for one minute, then add ginger, soy sauce and a  touch of sesame oil before removing from heat and serving. 

ahhhhhhhh :)

summer tacos

 

everybody needs tacos. much like vietnamese rice paper rolls, these are a party-in-your-mouth, nutritious, joy of a meal, and are pretty flexible as long as you have the outside wrapping and a couple of other bits. coming into summer, i'm not really into the idea of standing over the stove, and with the exception of heating the taco shells in the oven for 10-12 minutes (don't waste time and add heat to your kitchen by preheating- just whack them in and turn it on), this is a no heat recipe! i'm going to try to post a few more of these- as much as salad rocks, i will want more variety over the next few months without resorting to eating frozen mango cubes out of desperation (mmm, frozen mango...)

anyhoo, the tacos: the secret to this recipe is to not cook the beans. just mix in a medium-large bowl

a 400g tin of beans (black, kidney, or even canellini)

juice of a lime (or lemon)

good dash of olive oil

 

what will really kick this over the edge is a teaspoon of a spice mix which can be made ahead- either blend pre-ground spices, but if you can, grind them up fresh (with a mortar and pestle if you've got some issues to work out, or an electric spice/coffee grinder- best investment of $30, i promise!).

1Tbs coriander seeds

1Tbs cumin seeds

1tsp anise seeds

1tsp celery seeds

half a cinnamon stick (1tsp ground)

1Tbs marjoram

1tsp black peppercorns

 

grind to a fine powder, and store in an airtight container.

 

if nothing else, add just a teaspoon of ground cumin to the salad. then it's up to you and your cupboards- add any or all of these:

chopped jalapeños

fresh chopped coriander 

grated carrot 

sliced red onion 

roasted garlic, mashed 

finely chopped semi dried tomato 

toasted pepitas

baby spinach leaves

serve this bowl of salad with your taco shells, plus shredded lettuce, sliced tomato and cucumber, avocado, vegan cheese or sour cream, and salsa (or the cheat's combo- sriracha chilli sauce and tomato sauce).

it's tom kha tofu!

this has got to be one of my top ten meals of all time: hot, sweet, sour, salty and umami galore, fresh and quick and comforting. magic.

i think the proportions are very flexible, based on taste and what you have available. a litre of coconut milk makes a great soup, but less can be used without problems.

1L coconut milk

200ml water 

3cm knob of galangal or ginger (preferably young)

1 stalk lemongrass (cut and keep the top half for tea; chop the bottom half into 3cm lengths for the soup)

4 kaffir lime leaves

2-3 red chillis

3-4 tsp black/fried chilli paste

1 large piece kombu seaweed

300g firm tofu

1c mushrooms, quartered (tinned straw mushrooms are nice, too)

4-5tbs soy sauce

2tbs sugar (palm or brown sugar is best)

1 bunch bok choy or other asian greens

1 lime, juice and zest

bunch of coriander

jasmine rice to serve

put rice on to cook.

on low-medium heat, gently simmer coconut milk and water in a large saucepan. add galangal, lemongrass, lime leaves, half the chillis (you can always add more later!), kombu and chilli paste. stir and heat for 5-10 minutes. remove kombu and discard.

add tofu, mushrooms, soy sauce and sugar. cook for a further 10 minutes on medium heat without boiling. after the first 5 minutes, add the greens in to cook. finely grate lime zest into the saucepan. adjust seasoning, then remove from heat. 

serve in bowls: add a teaspoon of lime juice to each, and top with a few stalks of lightly chopped coriander.

all you need is... tiny carrot cake

0.25c plain gluten free flour

1tsp ground cinnamon

0.25tsp baking powder

0.125tsp bicarb soda

0.125tsp salt

1/2 egg substitute (i use 0.5tsp orgran no egg powder + 1Tbs water)

2Tbs sugar

0.3c grated carrot (about 1 medium carrot)

1Tbs raisins

1Tbs milk of choice

1Tbs oil (macadamia or other lightly flavoured oil is best)

1Tbs ground flax seeds

mix dry ingredients in a small bowl; mix in egg/water, then carrot and wet ingredients. lightly grease a microwave safe ramekin or coffee mug, and use a silicone spatula to fill the container. microwave on high for 1.5 minutes and allow to cool before eating. seriously, that’s it! or you could whip up some frosting in a food processor with

50g silken tofu

50g tofutti better than cream cheese

2tsp icing sugar

zest of 1 lemon

dash of vanilla essence

my gratitude to CCK for this one! http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/04/03/five-minute-carrot-cake-for-one/  

weeknight simple: something with roasted veggies

when it's not too hot and you want an easy but classy meal, preheat your oven to 250C and get

a baking tray
1 big zucchini
1 small aubergine
1 large red capsicum
2 medium tomatoes
olive oil
salt and pepper
oregano, thyme and/or rosemary

slice the veggies into 2cm thick chunks; cover with a drizzle of oil and seasoning. bake for 15 minutes, then jiggle the tray to turn the veg around, and bump the heat up to 280C for another 10 minutes or just til you start to get small spots of charring. when the veg is tender, splash a little balsamic vinegar over, and serve hot on pasta, brown rice or at room temperature on a bed of rocket or mesclun. great as a wrap filling for a quick but snazzy work lunch, too!

chocolate. crackles.

go crazy! these involve little heat (30 second in the microwave) and simple ingredients. i couldn't ask for more from a summer dessert that can take me back to my childhood in three seconds. not being made with copha (ick – hydrogenated freakishness!), these won’t stay super solid at room temperature (above 20 degrees) but are way tastier and healthier.

4c puffed rice cereal

0.75c icing sugar, sifted

1.5c desiccated coconut, toasted til light golden brown in a dry frying pan

250g coconut oil

0.25c cocoa powder

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

in a medium bowl, melt the coconut oil in the microwave (30-60 seconds). pour oil into dry ingredients, stirring gently til well combined. line muffin trays with patty cases, then poon mixture into cases and refrigerate until firm. 

weeknight simple: mini falafel burgers

it's been hot here for the last few days; unreasonably so. 40 degrees? i mean, come on!!

armed with forewarning of the doomy weather, i cooked a whole lot of food to fridge and eat with salad during the apocalypse. falafel is my all-time favourite vegetarian meal, and it's a doddle to prepare.

the powdered mix is available in most supermarkets, and all you have to do is combine roughly 200g of mix + a cup of water (i like to add a shredded carrot and some fresh herbs too). stir, shape into heaped teaspoon-sized balls and fry in as little oil as possible (using a non-stick pan helps, as much as i hate the things). 

if you're impatient (like me), you can squish the patties flat to speed cooking after you've flipped them over once.

serve with sauce of choice (tomato, hot chilli, relish, chutney, hummus, tahini, mayo) and salad, or wrap in flat bread for portability. these keep well in the fridge for a few days, can be eaten cold or reheated in no time.

hummus

o hummus, you are wonderful. so wonderful that you are all gone, and no photo will be taken of your unassuming deliciousness. here is a chickpea to tide me over:

blend 300g cooked chickpeas, 2tbs tahini, juice of 1 lemon, 4tbs olive oil, 1 clove crushed garlic, chilli powder, salt, cumin and paprika to taste. add water a tablespoon at a time, keep blending until smooth. 


serve with everything: falafel, crudités, on toast with chargrilled peppers, with BBQd meat, or eat plain with a spoon. 

bliss balls

1.5c pitted dates

.5c sultanas

.5c almonds, soaked overnight (this is my health preference, but is optional)

2tbs coconut oil, melted

3tbs cocoa

.75c dessicated coconut

1tbs coconut flour

process half the dates and half the almonds in a food processor. gradually add in the rest of the ingredients, and pulse until combined (the almonds will be about the size of sesame seeds). roll into balls and refrigerate; makes approx 20.

D thought these were chocolate truffles, and ate four before being told they contained dried fruit :) :)

bliss balls are forgiving to make, and infinitely variable: substitute in some portion of tahini; sesame, sunflower or poppy seeds; dried apples or cranberries...