Baked Aubergine Chilli Sauce

'Mistakes' are often how things are created in my kitchen, when I appear to have the most fabulous idea, then when on trial, it's turns entirely how I did not expect... but wait,  'maybe by adding this it could make this instead?'

And that's how my chilli sauce was created!... I started the 5:2 diet recently for health reasons (well 6:1 for the time being) and within one day it was already a game changer in terms of not using oils and being aware of lower calorie foods... I started baking things in the oven wrapped in foil without oil and turns out an oven baked pepper is just devine (trust me... all I can smell is pizza :D). Upon retrieval it comes with tasty juices that are perfect for mixing up a salad or using for sauce. I tried with a whole chillies and aubergine too wondering if it was going to be the same as a flame roast for babaganoush... turns out not so much... I also thought I'd run out of tahini which I gladly found later... so chucked it all in the blender with a few additions and the texture was just this devine sauce that I just couldn't wait to dip some left over tortilla chips in!! 

Check out the 'My Recipes' page for the method, scroll down to recipe no. 11...

Have a sauce-some day!

If you're interested in the 5:2 I will be posting my meal plans for inspiration :) 

See the 5:2 page for more info.

Sweetcorn, tahini + lime dip!

With an urge for roasted cauliflower and sweetcorn puree after catching an impromptu episode of Masterchef, this dip was created and already made it's way into various dishes...

Check out the 'My Recipes' page...no9.

#zinging #winning

Fruity, rooty lentil cakes!

New recipe added in 'My Recipes'! (No8) Winter meets summer with parsnip, pineapple and chipotle lentil cakes... bursting with tropical flavours! Created in this rather confused 'is it spring or winter?' weather we've been having. This delicious combo will do you for both just nicely :)

Mango Veggie Burgers!

Perhaps this is becoming quite a favourite of mine, but as I eat mostly veggie, burgers are always a winning choice! I've been enjoying mango rather a lot lately, perhaps I'm missing all the wonderfully fruity flavours of my trip to Bali earlier this year... well, whatever it is, it's doing wonders in the kitchen. So here we have it, mango veggie burgers, inspired by my brothers love for mango guacamole. Super simple and super delicious...

Ingredients:

1 onion
3 carrots, grated
1 tin kidney beans
1 mango, well chopped
bunch coriander, chopped
chilli
1 lime, juice + zest
salt to taste
flour

Gently fry the onions until soft, add the carrots for a good few minutes to soften aswell. Mash the kidney beans then stir into the mix with the chopped mango, cooking for a few more minutes as you bind it together with the lime, coriander, chilli + salt to your taste.

The lime makes the mix a little wet so cook out the juice a little then as you roll into burgers pat through a little flour to help absorb and give a strong edge for frying. Juice up you ran with some coconut oil and fry until golden!

Serve with a healthy portion of guacamole :D

Leftovers Veggie Burgers

I'm still totally in love with my recipe for beetroot veggie burgers, however sometimes you have to break the mould when there's a new tasty range of leftovers waiting for you... With a veg box arriving the next day and lots of bits to use up I created the MOST delicious veggie burgers which I want to share with you!!

Have a look on the 'Inventions' page for the recipe!

And happy nomzzzz....

The Veg Box - Highlight of the week!

We've wanted to get a weekly veg box for a while... living in an area of Bristol where good produce isn't on the doorstep this was a very exciting prospect. After seeing Plowright Organic at the local Sunday market it was an easy decision... we love the idea of being inspired to cook from the ingredients and this week has been far too delicious!! On that note I want to share what I've cooked this week, proving that point :)

Whats in the box...

Onions / Carrots / Potatoes / Runner Beans / Kale / Aubergine / Basil / Fennel / Cucumber 

What's for dinner...

- Fish, caramelised fennel, kale, mash

- Roasted aubergine, tomato, cucumber + mint salad, tzatziki

- Vine tomato and basil soup

- Roast dinner :) We had to add on and buy a cauliflower for epic cauli cheese - *recipe in favourites*

- Runner bean + lemon zest hummus 

I'm becoming so much more aware of the quality of produce I put into my body and the relationship between healthy gut, healthy mind. The veg box is a huge contribution to this, super grateful :)) 

New recipe posted!! Beetroot pizzas :D

Check out my beetroot pizza recipe in 'My Recipies'

https://beet-queen.blogspot.co.uk/p/my-recipies.html

I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the most colourful pizza!! Adding raw beetroot juice to dough is a delicious way to brighten up pizza night and a fab initiative to experiment with some new toppings!