Tag: BANANA CREAM

Spanish Octopus – Now 100% Trick Free

I’ve never been to Spain, so to what extent this is actually Spanish octopus, I can’t really say, but after having enjoyed this underrated seafood in more Spanish restaurants than I can remember, it has to be pretty close.

Above and beyond the ingredients, the cooking method, or should I say methods, couldn’t be easier. As long as you braise it gently on low heat, until just tender, and then give it a nice sear before serving, you should be in great shape. Which is why I’ve never understood all the crazy tips and tricks, for achieving the perfect texture.

Some say to beat it on rocks before braising, while others insist a few wine corks are the way to go. If you have one of these magical techniques, I’d love to hear about it, especially if it sounds extra nutty, but I have to admit, I am a skeptic.

You should be able to find frozen Spanish octopus at your finer markets, which is the only kind I’ve ever used, so I can’t say how much better it is fresh, but one day I would love to find out, preferably in Spain. Fresh or frozen, I really do hope you give this a try soon. Enjoy!

Ingredients for two portions:

1 pound piece Spanish octopus

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 yellow onion

3 cloves garlic

1 large or 2 small bay leaves

1 1/2 teaspoon Spanish paprika

1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup white wine

– Serve with crusty roasted potatoes

For the sauce:

About 1/3 cup reserve braising liquid (boiled, strained)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon freshly chopped Italian parsley

salt to taste

cayenne to taste

Refined Sugar Free Banana Poppy Muffins

Start your day the healthy way with these refined sugar-free banana and poppy muffins which you can freeze and defrost when needed.
Erythritol looks like sugar and tastes like sugar. It is 70% as sweet as sugar, yet it is virtually non-caloric, does not affect blood sugar, and does not cause tooth decay. Coconut flour, made from ground dried, defatted coconut meat, is high in fiber and low in sugar and digestible carbohydrates.

2 Very ripe bananas
100 g Erythritol granules
50 g Coconut oil, melted
150 ml Kefir, room-temperature
150 g Spelt pastry flour
40 g Coconut flour
5 g Baking powder
5 g Baking soda
1/3 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Cinnamon powder
30 g Poppy
Walnut halves

Preheat the oven to 190C/375F. Grease 6 maxi muffin cups and set aside.
Mash the bananas and erythritol until smooth. Add in coconut oil and kefir. Stir until well combined.
Whisk together the spelt, coconut flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add the banana mixture into the dry mixture until just incorporated. Now fold in poppy.
Divide the batter into the muffin cups and top with walnut halves. Bake in the hot oven for about 25-28 minutes until nicely golden brown and cooked when tested.

Eat,Drink And Be Merry!

Spring Salad with Flaxseed Oil Vinaigrette

Now that spring is in full swing and one of my favourite ways to enjoy all the spring produce is in fresh salads. This is a very simple yet delicious vegan springtime salad with tender lollo bionda, chickpeas, white asparagus tips, pine nuts and fresh berries tossed in a flaxseed oil dressing.

Salad	Flaxseed Oil Dressing
1/2 head Lollo bionda / leaf lettuce, chopped 150 g Chickpeas, cooked and drained 10 Strawberries, trimmed and halved 50 g Blueberries 50 g Raspberries 12 White asparagus tips A handful pine nuts, dry toasted Basil	60 ml Flaxseed oil Freshly pressed juice of 1 lemon 1 tbsp Maple syrup 1 clove Garlic, minced 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard Tri-colour peppercorns, freshly milled Sea salt

Place all the ingredients for the dressing in a glass jar, close the lid and shake vigorously to mix well. Either use immediately or store it in the fridge until ready to use. Keeps for up to 1 week. Shake well before using.
Place chopped lollo bionda leaves in two serving bowls. Add in cooked chickpeas and berries. Arrange the white asparagus tips on top and sprinkle the toasted pine nuts over. Garnish with basil leaves.
Drizzle enough of the dressing over and gently toss to combine. Serve!

Eat,Drink And Be Merry!