Tag: FreshIngredients

California Roll

California Roll

There’s a reason why the California roll is so popular- you can’t go wrong with crab and avocado wrapped up with creamy mayo and cucumber slices! If you’ve ever wanted to try making sushi at home, this is the perfect recipe to start out with. 

Tropi-Cobb Salad

Tropi-Cobb Salad

Tender lettuces get topped with juicy spiced chicken, ripe mangos, soft avocado, and cherry tomatoes. There’s so much flavor and texture going on that there’s barely a need for a dressing: just a hit of lime juice, salt, and EVOO, and dinner is done.   

Carrot Salad

Carrot Salad

Low calorie, full flavour, everything you want in a salad! I started making this as a cool meal on a hot day, it’s simple, refreshing and has that bit of crunch in it we all want.

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes mins
Servings: 4 serves

Ingredients 

  • ▢ 7 Carrots medium, peeled
  • ▢ 1 1/2 tbsp sugar Natvia is recommended as a substitute but see notes below for further steps
  • ▢ 1 lemon zest and juiced
  • ▢ 1 lime zest and juiced
  • ▢ 3 tbsp mirin seasoning
  • ▢ 1 tbsp dijon mustard
  • ▢ 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • ▢ 1/2 tbsp soy sauce
  • ▢ 1 red chili finely chopped
  • ▢ 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • ▢ 2 tsp ginger grated
  • ▢ 1 tbsp coriander chopped
  • ▢ 1 green onion finely chopped
  • ▢ 1/4 cup roasted peanuts chopped

Instructions 

  • peel carrots and slice into thin ribbons using a peeler or mandoline.
  • in a bowl, whisk sugar with lemon and lime juice, mirin seasoning, mustard, sesame oil, and soy sauce until sugar dissolves.
  • add chopped chili, lemon and lime zest, garlic, ginger, and coriander. Mix well.
  • toss carrot ribbons in dressing until evenly coated.
  • plate and sprinkle with peanuts and green onion.
  • serve immediately or chill slightly.

Notes

  • Sugar Substitute (Keto / Low Carb): You can swap the sugar for Natvia or Erythritol (1:1 ratio).
    • Important: Granular sweeteners don’t dissolve well in cold liquid. Microwave the sweetener with the lime juice for 10-15 seconds until warm, whisk to dissolve, then add the remaining ingredients.
  • Carrot Cutting Tip: For the prettiest presentation, use a Y-peeler or mandoline to create long, even ribbons or use the Karoto carrot sharpener to make cute curls.
  • Make Ahead: This salad is actually better after sitting for 15-20 minutes as the carrots soften slightly and absorb the flavors. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • Sweetness Level: Mirin and sugar add balance to the citrus and mustard. If you prefer less sweetness, start with 1 tablespoon of sugar and taste before adding more.
  • Nut-Free Option: Skip the peanuts or replace them with toasted sesame seeds or crispy fried shallots for crunch.
  • Extra Tang: Add a splash of rice vinegar or a little extra lime juice if you prefer a sharper dressing.
  • Oil Swap: Sesame oil gives a distinct nutty flavour, but you can use olive oil or avocado oil if preferred.
  • Herb Options: Try swapping coriander for mint or basil for a different flavour profile.

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 476mg | Potassium: 536mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 17984IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Avocado Cucumber Sushi Roll

Avocado Cucumber Sushi Roll

Avocado Cucumber Sushi Rolls are fresh, light, and effortlessly satisfying. Creamy avocado and crisp cucumber are wrapped in tender sushi rice and nori, making them a simple yet elegant bite that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or a healthy snack. Prep time 30 minsCook time 45 

calzone

calzone

This calzone features a quick pizza dough recipe that needs minimal time to prepare, and a bolognese filling that’s as easy as it is delicious. The result is a tasty, generously filled calzone with a perfectly thin crust, spicy beef and rich tomato sauce. Prep Time20 minutes minsCook 

Sunlit Chicken & Rice Medley

Sunlit Chicken & Rice Medley

Charred chicken takes center stage in this vibrant bowl, smoky and tender, surrounded by a symphony of textures and flavors. Each bite is bright, comforting, and layered with subtle richness a feast that feels as lively as it is satisfying.

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 15 mins | plus 1 hr marinating
Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 100g Greek-style yogurt
  • 1 lemon , zested and juiced
  • 3 garlic cloves , crushed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs , cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 350g cabbage & corn slaw (see recipe below)
  • 600g brown butter pilaf (see recipe below)
  • 100ml tahini dressing (see recipe below)
  • 50g harissa sticky onions (see recipe below)
  • 4 tbsp seedy gremolata (see recipe below)

Method

  1. Combine the yogurt, lemon zest and juice, the garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, cumin and paprika, and season well. Mix in the chicken thighs and leave to marinate for at least 1 hr or overnight.
  2. When ready to cook, heat the grill to high. Thread the chicken onto metal skewers, shaking off any excess marinade, and arrange on a baking tray. Grill for 12-15 mins, turning often until charred slightly and cooked through.
  3. Meanwhile, combine the slaw, pilaf, dressing and onions in a large bowl, then divide between plates. Remove the chicken from the skewers, then scatter over the salad. Top with the gremolata.

Nutrition per serving

  • kcal686
  • fat35g
  • saturates10g
  • carbs61g
  • sugars0g
  • fibre6g
  • protein27g
  • salt1.3g
Caprese Salad

Caprese Salad

Caprese salad (a.k.a. Insalata Caprese or “salad from Capri”) is a classic, crowd-pleasing appetizer, side dish, or light lunch that’s as refreshing as it is easy to prepare. The recipe originated in the 1950s at the Trattoria da Vincenzo for lunchtime regulars they’d simply order 

Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry Sauce

Made from 5 ingredients, this easy sauce is ready after 20 minutes on the stove. It thickens as it cools. You can use fresh or frozen cranberries. See notes. Prep Time: 5 minutesCook Time: 20 minutesYield: 2 cups Ingredients Instructions Notes

Stuffed Hatch Chiles

Stuffed Hatch Chiles

A spicy sweet stuffed Hatch chile with quinoa and corn topped with cheese and served with a cilantro yogurt honey sauce that will awaken your taste buds.

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Serves 2

Ingredients  

  • 1 cup cooked quinoa
  • 4 Hatch Chiles
  • 1 TBS olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red onions (diced)
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/4 tsp chipotle chile powder
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 TBS brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 3/4 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese

For the cilantro yogurt sauce:

  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 TBS lemon juice
  • 2 TBS minced cilantro
  • 2 tsp honey

Instructions

  • Cook the quinoa according to the directions on the package. (I used chicken broth instead of plain water to add some flavor.)
  • Preheat broiler on high and place the Hatch Chiles on a roasting pan or cooking sheet.
  • Place under the broiler for 2 to 4 minutes until the chiles are blistering. Watch carefully. (Mine blistered about 3 minutes.)
  • Remove from the oven and put peppers in a ziplock bag. Seal and let cool.
  • Carefully peel the skin off the roasted peppers.
  • In a medium sauce pan, heat the olive oil on medium heat.
  • Add the onions and saute until translucent, about 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Add the corn and saute an additional 3 to 4 minutes.
  • In a small bowl, add all the spices, pepper, salt, and brown sugar. And stir in the water.
  • Pour the spices and water in with the onions and corn and stir until combined.
  • Cook for a minute or two, until the water is absorbed by the corn and onions
  • Add the cooked quinoa and heat an additional 2 minutes until it is hot.
  • Slice the length of the Hatch chiles to open and scrape away the seeds with a small spoon.
  • Stuff each chile with 1/4 of the onion/corn/quinoa mixture.
  • Top with 1/4 of the shredded cheese.
  • Set under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes to melt cheese.

For the cilantro yogurt sauce:

  • In a small bowl, add the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, cilantro, and honey.
  • Stir to mix.
  • Serve with the stuffed chiles.
A collage of step by step photos showing how to make stuffed hatch chiles.

Nutrition

Calories: 236kcal
Carbohydrates: 31g
Protein: 10g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 14mg
Sodium: 617mg
Potassium: 286mg
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 9g
Vitamin A: 394IU
Vitamin C: 11mg
Calcium: 277mg
Iron: 1mg

Malaga Salad Recipe (Ensalada Malagueña)

Malaga Salad Recipe (Ensalada Malagueña)

Malaga salad (ensalada malagueña) is a popular, refreshing summer salad that’s made with potato, and we add salt cod, olives, and oranges to make a delicious and colorful salad! Prep Time: 10 minutes minutesCook Time: 25 minutes minutesSoaking Time: 1 day dayServings: 6 servings Ingredients Instructions Notes