A new blog calls for a new recipe

Well this online blogger world is taking up some decent hours in my day.  But I can't seem to withdraw my attention away from it - oh except when I'm caring for my 5, 3 and 9 month old but I tell you what, they are becoming independent quickly. Joking.

So to celebrate the launch of my website & blog I thought I'd put my baking skills to the test and create a healthy slice.  Truth be known I have a big appetite.  Not sure if it is because food is always on my mind, if you are a mum you'll know how you are continuously ticking off the daily food intake for each member of the family.  And growing kids ask for food all day long, which makes me think I'm hungry too.  

I've had my fair share of sweet treats over the years so for now I'm embracing the 'sugar alternative' phase.  This should see me keep my teeth for a few more years yet. 

I've been trialing all of my signature baking with healthier ingredients. And I will share these recipes with you. 

I'll be honest, not all of the 'trials' have been a success.  But this one I was quite happy with. It was inspired from the life changing bread recipe of Sarah Britton's @mynewroots. Once you have a good base recipe anything is possible.

For this you'll need:

1 and a half cups of water

3 tbs of coconut oil - melted

1tbs of organic maple syrup

1 and a half cups of quick oats

1/2 cup of flaxseed meal

1/4 cup of sesame seeds

4 tbs of psyllium husks

1 tsp of cinnamon

8 medjool dates - chopped 

Combine the first three ingredients then add the rest and mix until it forms a soft dough. Cover and allow to sit anywhere between 2-8 hours.  Overnight would be ideal so that the oats are easier digested and the phytic acid and any other anti nutrients are removed. 

Place into a slice tin lined with baking paper and cook in a moderate fan forced oven for approximately 45 minutes.

Enjoy with a cuppa - Rooibos is my favourite at the moment.

Jacinta x 

Life changing bread @mynewroots

This one is a keeper especially if you are concerned that you have too much bread in your diet.  And if you have already transitioned to a 'healthier' way of eating you will most definitely appreciate this bread for what it is.  It is extremely easy to make and it does wonders for your digestive tract in similar ways a broom sweeps the floor this bread sweeps your colon. Sorry for the 'too much' information.

To make this you'll need:-

1.5 cups of oats

1/2 cup of flaxseed meal

3tbs of psyllium husks

2tbs of chia seeds

2tbs of sesame seeds

1/2 cup of sunflower seeds

1/2cup of pepitas

Handful of activated almonds

1tsp of cinnamon

1tbs of maple syrup

3tbs of melted coconut butter

1.5 cups of water

Melt the coconut butter, stir in water and maple syrup.  Add all other ingredients and mix until combined.

Sit on bench top in a covered bowl for a minimum of 2 hours or even overnight.  Press into a loaf pan that has been lined with baking paper greased in coconut oil.

Cook in moderate oven for approximately 45 minutes or until golden and cooked through.

This stuff is delicious toasted, coated butter, honey, or peanut butter.

Thanks Sarah Britton @mynewroots. There are some slight changes to the original version but it's just such a lovely loaf to have baking in the oven as your friends arrive for afternoon tea.  And later served as a side to dinner.

Vegetable fritter burgers vs sausages

I have a confession. I have always loved food, it's the first thing I think about in the morning and the last thing before I sleep.  That's normal right?! In fact I like it so much I have created this blog, it may be the only way I overcome this condition - and yes I'm also into self diagnosis, have you heard of orthorexia nervosa? 

Vegetable fritter burger

Actually, to be honest I don't like to boast about food and I really wish I didn't focus on it so much.  Especially considering that most of the world eats for sustenance and I often get a feeling of guilt for posting recipes of beautiful organic food that is so readily available for us.  And have you noticed the online movement of people doing the same thing. Posting beautiful healthy meals to motivate and inspire others to eat well.  

I waste countless hours a day checking out these posts, and it does inspire me to keep focusing on posting my recipes as well.  I still have this underlying feeling of guilt but I want to show people how easy it is to prepare healthy meals and how unnecessary it is to eat 'fast' food, which unfortunately is what the majority of products offered in supermarkets are.  Packaged and processed rot.  Limited or no nutritional value and we feed it to our growing children because it is marketed that well we often believe the claims of 'high in fibre' and 'wholegrains'.  Being a mum of three children under 6 I know how much they eat and how hard it is to continuously find wholesome food that they willingly eat.  But I have committed my days to doing this and will share my ideas through this blog.

Do you ever wonder how something as natural as eating has become so confusing?  Why do we need to be reminded to eat vegetables, fruit, protein, carbs and good fats.  Really that's it.  It isn't so hard.  But then we have advertising leaking into our subconscious each and every day telling us to eat more sugar, bad fats, take some supplements so you can continue to do this. My o my.

I still believe the famous saying 'everything in moderation'.  Which is why I cooked  'Bangers and Mash' as requested to satisfy the grumbling stomachs of the men in the house.  Sausages are on my personal banned list but that doesn't mean I will refuse the other family members who truly enjoy them, I just make mental notes of the very limited times that they will be on the 'menu'.

Instead of sausages I whipped up this vegetable fritter burger. And I'm no fool.  I realise that if I had of said no to the sausages and dished this up for the rest of the family, they would not have enjoyed it and the serotonin kick in wouldn't have happened for them.  Not me though, this is my idea of a perfect meal. So we all had our serotonin levels working a treat. Happy people all around the dinner table.  Winning.

   

If you'd like to try these you'll need:

1 grated zuchinni

1 grated carrot

Kernals from a fresh cob of corn

1 egg

1tbs of chia seeds - soaked in 1/4 cup of water

1 small sweet potato - cooked and mashed

2 tbs of coconut flour

2 tbs of buckwheat flakes

Freshly grated pecorino cheese (optional)

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, make into fritters and then cook in a fry pan that has been heated with one tablespoon of olive oil. 

To serve place one fritter on a plate, place a cooked mushroom, red onions, mini roma tomoatoes and fresh baby spinach leaves then place another fritter on top. Garnish with avocado, herbs, pesto and relish.

Jacinta x