Pork and Fennel Sausages with Tomato Pasta

No need to call everyone to dinner – the aromas from this dinner will have them gathered at the table eager and ready.  It is so handy to have a standby recipe with generous comforting, hearty flavours and easy to cook with staple ingredients.  I love the flavours of fennel, celery and aniseed so I find any excuse to cook with them as often as possible.  The Passata softens the fennel flavour and chilli adds a mild heat. 

Winter or Summer this is a winner!

Pork and Fennel Sausages with Tomato Pasta by Feed Your Inner Cook

I like to cook this recipe with fresh sausages but also keep some on standby in the freezer as they defrost easily along with my frozen tubs of cooked roasted sweet potato. A few herbs from the garden add a burst of freshness and most of the other ingredients are fridge and pantry staples.  I like to start the sausages cooking, prepare the chopped veggies and keep an eye on the sausages.  Then it is just a matter of cooking the pasta, stirring the sauce and adding bits and pieces along the way.  Wilbur assures me it is even better the next day for a delicious workday lunch. Hope you enjoy it just as much!

Serves                5 generous servings

Preparation      15 minutes to get started plus I continue to chop etc during cooking time

Cooking             30 minutes approx

Ingredients

6 Fresh good quality pork and fennel sausages (one each and one for leftovers maybe!)

Pasta – enough for 5 people – cook in large pot of boiling salted water. I like to use Penne

Splash of Australian extra virgin olive oil

2 onions – sliced

3 stalks celery – sliced and some of the soft celery leaves – chopped to add at end

2 cloves garlic – crushed

2 rashers bacon – finely chopped

½ teaspoon dried chilli flakes

1 tablespoon fennel seeds

2 teaspoons dried fennel

2 tablespoons Tomato paste

700 ml bottled Passata

200 ml water – to rinse the bottle and add into the pan

1 cup of cooked roasted sweet potato diced   (optional – I often cook and freeze pumpkin and sweet potato to add to these sorts of meals)

Good handful green beans – trimmed and sliced about 2 cm pieces

6 or so fresh sage leaves - torn

3 big handfuls of green leaves mix – baby spinach, baby green kale, baby purple kale – finely chopped

1 – 2 cups of reserved pasta cooking water (save just before draining pasta) to add into sauce

Salt and pepper to taste (I usually don’t need to add but your preference)

For serving

A few fresh cherry tomatoes - halved

Dozen or so Basil leaves – torn

1 fresh fennel frond – use the fine green leaves removing the tough stem

Freshly grated parmesan

Method

Once the sausages are cooked (see below) – start cooking the pasta

Use a kettle to boil water and then add water to large pot. Add a small pinch of salt and your pasta. Stir well to separate.  Return to boil and cook to packet time.  A wooden spoon placed across the pan prevents boil over.  Just prior to draining the pasta, reserve 2 cups of the hot pasta water to add to the final sauce.  You might not need all the water – but good to have extra if needed.

Sausages and Sauce

Heat a small splash of Olive oil to a wide deep frypan.

Add the sausages and turn regularly to brown on all sides.

Also add the sliced onions and bacon – stir on one side of pan away from sausages.

When onions soften, add the celery, garlic, fennel seeds, dried fennel and chilli flakes. Stir through the onions. Continue browning the sausages. 

Now is the time to start cooking the pasta in a separate pan

Make a space in the onions and add the tomato paste.  Allow to cook out – you will smell the tomato in a minute or two whilst simmering.

Add the Passata and the bottle rinse water to the pan and combine through all the onion mixture and the sausages. Allow the sausage onion sauce to continue simmering.

Add the already cooked sweet potato cubes and stir into the simmering sauce.

Stir in the sliced green beans and chopped sage leaves.

Toss in the green leaves and allow to wilt. Continue simmering until pasta is cooked.

When the pasta is ready, reserve 2 cups of the hot pasta water then drain the pasta.

Pour about 1 cup of the pasta water into the sauce and stir well.  If the sauce is stir too thick add a little more of the pasta water until sauce is right consistency.

Toss through the reserved chopped soft green celery leaves.

Taste and if necessary add salt or pepper – probably not needed as parmesan still to be added.

Stir the drained pasta into the sausage sauce.

Just prior to serving

Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes and torn basil leaves.

Grate a little parmesan cheese over the servings and sprinkle a little of the fresh fennel.

Enjoy!   Colleen

Flourless Brownies with Whipped Ricotta

When you need a brownie with a difference, try this walnut, chocolate brownie with a delicious topping of whipped ricotta and cream.  It doesn't overdue the sweet so a pleasant dessert or treat.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups (250g) walnuts
1 cup (220g) caster sugar
150g dark chocolate and 150 g milk chocolate, melted and cooled
6 free range or organic eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Finely grated zest of 1 orange.

Ricotta Icing
500g ricotta (drained) obtain from a delicatessen, not a pre-packaged tub
300ml thickened cream
1/3 cup (40g) pure icing sugar, sifted
1 vanilla bean, split seeds scraped or 1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius
Grease and line a 20cm square cake pan with baking paper.
Place walnuts and sugar in a food processor, whiz until walnuts are crushed but not dust.
Add melted chocolate and pulse to combine.
With the motor running add eggs one at a time.
Then add the spices, pinch of salt and orange zest.
Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake for 30-40 minutes until just  cooked through but still soft in the centre.
Cool in pan for 20 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Icing
Place ricotta in a food processor and whiz until smooth.
Add cream, icing sugar and vanilla seeds, whiz until combined.
Slice the brownie into 12 squares and top with ricotta icing.

Yum!

Mamma Marmalade

Jam Sponge Pudding

Now we have a return of winter weather, it's time for a little comfort food. A warm dessert is a small indulgence guaranteed to pop a smile on your face.

Ingredients

1/2 cup Jam - not too sweet, try raspberry or marmalade (I had some of my Davidson Plum jam in the fridge)
125g butter, softened
1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon rind
1 teaspoon vanilla paste
2 organic/free range eggs
1 1/2 half cups (225g) self raising flour
1/2 cup (125ml) milk

Method

Grease a 4 cup (1 litre) pudding basin.
Spoon jam onto the base of the basin.
With an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar, lemon rind and vanilla in a bowl until pale and creamy.
Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add flour and milk in alternating batches and stir until just combined.
Spoon into the basin and smooth the surface.
Cut a 30cm square of baking paper and a 30cm square of alfoil.  Place paper on top of the foil.  Fold the centre to pleat, place over the basin, foil side up.
Use a lid or tie string twice around top to secure.  Scrunch paper and foil tightly around the rim of the basin.

Place an upturned saucer in the base of a slow cooker. Place the basin on top of the saucer.
Pour enough boiling water to come half way up the side of the slow cooker.
Cook on high for 3-4 hours (or low for 6 hours).
Set aside for 10 minutes before turning out onto a serving platter.

Delicious

Mamma Marmalade

Gluten free Coconut & Lemon Macarons

This recipe recently featured in "Delicious" Magazine from the amazing Christine Mansfield. My middle son's girlfriend and I made these together a very enjoyable bonding exercise.  The lemon curd is something you can make on it's own.

Ingredients

2 eggwhites
2 1/4 cup (150g) shredded coconut
100g caster sugar
20g chopped pistachios
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

Lemon Curd
3 large egg yolks
1/4 cup (55g) caster sugar
1/4 cup (60ml) lemon juice
100g cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Method

To make the lemon curd, place the egg yolks and sugar in a heatproof bowl, whisk until pale and thick.  Add lemon juice, then place bowl over a saucepan of simmering water.  Remember the bottom of the bowl must not touch the water.
Cook, stirring with a spatula for approximately 2 minutes or until thick.  Add cold butter a piece at a time, store to combine ensuring each piece is incorporated before adding the next.
Cook, stirring constantly for 8 minutes or more until the curd is very thick and coats the back of the spatula.  Cool and cover surface with plastic wrap so not to have a skin form.
Chill for 2 hours.

To make macaron
Preheat oven to 160 degrees Celsius
Line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
Place eggwhites in a very clean bowl and whisk to soft peaks.
Gently fold in the remaining ingredients.
Working with 2 teaspoons of mixture roll into balls and place on baking tray a few centimetres apart.
Bake for 15 minutes or until firm, but not completed coloured.

Cool completely

To serve, spread the lemon curd over half the biscuit, then sandwich curd with the remaining biscuit to form macarons.

Very Nice !

Mamma Marmalade

Pork and Fennel Meatballs with pasta

Meatballs are a classic family favourite and numerous recipe variations attest to their popularity.  Add extra veggies to the simmering sauce - some baby spinach leaves or celery works well. Different pasta shapes add variety too. Perhaps you like a super thick sauce or prefer a softer consistency - just adjust the amount of stock you add.  This recipe also makes for great leftovers the next day - if you manage to keep any aside!

Pork and Fennel Meatballs by Feed Your Inner Cook

Preparation      20 minutes

Cooking            40 – 50 minutes

Serves               4 - 5

Ingredients

500 gram Pork mince

3 teaspoons fennel seeds

1 onion – very finely diced

1 egg – beaten

½ cup – ¾ cup of breadcrumbs.   Add gradually. Might not need all.

¼ cup parmesan cheese – grated

Pepper and a little salt.     More will be added later in the sauce.

Splash Olive Oil 

2 cloves garlic – crushed

2 onions – finely diced

400 gram can Tomato puree

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 1/2 -  2 cups Salt reduced chicken stock. (add 1 cup to start then add rest as needed)

1 teaspoon ground Fennel

Freshly ground Pepper and a little salt to taste.  I like adding lots of pepper to this!!

50 gram grated parmesan

Handful flat-leaf parsley – chopped

1 lemon –  zest    NB   only   ½   of this lemon is needed for juice

A few basil leaves if available

2 cups pasta  - cooked in separate saucepan (or more – depends on preferred serving size)

Method

To make meatballs:

In a deep bowl -  Use your hands to combine mince, fennel seeds, onion, breadcrumbs, parmesan, salt, pepper and egg.  Only add ½ cup breadcrumbs to start.  If mixture still too wet – add another ¼ cup.  Depends on the wateriness of the mince.  NB Use a light movement, compressing the mixture would result in hard tough meatballs.

Lightly roll the mixture into balls, about the shape of a walnut. Put on a plate and refrigerate for 15 minutes if possible

Heat a little olive oil in a large wide frypan (you will use it later to cook the sauce and meatballs together)

Add the meatballs and brown on all sides.  Remove and set aside while you start cooking the sauce.

Add the onions and garlic to the pan and gently cook until onions soften

Stir in the tomato puree, chicken stock (1 cup to start), ground fennel and balsamic vinegar and simmer.  Add a little more of the stock as it simmers.

Return the meatballs to the pan and coat gently in the sauce.

Taste the sauce and add pepper and salt to your taste.

Gently simmer for 20 – 30 minutes until sauce has thickened.  If sauce becomes too thick, thin with a little of the pasta cooking water. The starch from the pasta will help thicken the sauce if needed.

In the meantime, cook the pasta according to packet directions.  Use a kettle to boil the water, then add to a saucepan for cooking the pasta.  This speeds up the water boiling time.  Allow 15 min or less.

When cooked, drain the pasta and reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water for the sauce if necessary.

Return the cooked pasta to the saucepan – toss over the juice of ½ a lemon and some of the parsley.

Serve the cooked meatballs and sauce with the lemony pasta.

Garnish as desired with the grated parmesan, lemon zest and a few chopped parsley or basil leaves.

                                                     Enjoy!   Colleen

Curried Cauliflower Soup - Fast, Fresh,Fabulous

My local Greengrocer had some large beautiful cauliflowers for just over a dollar each - a great bargain. Perfect for some great recipe ideas starring these fabulous versatile veggies.

Some soups are so easy to make - this is a winner that ticks all the boxes!  Simple ingredients, "souper" easy and quick to make and utterly delicious!  This amount of curry powder gives a little 'warmth' - not too much, if you want it hotter or milder just adjust the amount to your preference. Add a little cooked chicken if you want it 'meatier' -  Yum!

Curried Cauliflower Soup by Feed Your Inner Cook

Preparation  5 minutes

Cooking       30 minutes

Ingredients

1 litre salt reduced stock – vegetable or chicken

½ large cauliflower – cut into small florets

2 large potatoes – chopped into small cubes

2 teaspoons Curry Powder

1 teaspoon ground coriander

100 ml cream     OR    Coconut milk if you prefer Dairy-Free option

¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg

Ground white pepper and pinch salt – Taste first before adding

Small handful chopped coriander – some for stirring through at end, some for garnish

Toasted cumin seeds to sprinkle for garnish

or Toasted Stale sourdough bread cut into cubes

Option

Handful cooked chicken – into bite size pieces

Method

Use a large deep saucepan – will be using it to blitz the soup later

Bring the stock and potatoes to the boil and add the cauliflower, ground coriander and curry powder.

Simmer for 20 minutes approx until vegetables are tender.

Remove pan from heat and use a stick blender to puree.  I like to leave a few chunks for texture.

Return pan to heat.  Add the cream, nutmeg and some of the chopped coriander. 

Heat but do not boil, or the cream will curdle.

Taste.  Add pepper and salt if needed.

   OPTION

   Stir through a handful of sliced cooked chicken and warm through.

Serve sprinkled with cumin seeds, a little chopped coriander and toasted bread cubes if desired.

                                         Enjoy!   Colleen

Lemon coconut slice

Election Day is almost here.
Around Australia, thousands of volunteers are preparing jams and cakes to raise funds at Polling Booth Community Stalls for their schools, swim clubs and community groups.  We want to thank these wonderful people and share our recipe which incorporates that most coveted Election Stall winner - lemon curds and passionfruit butters.  These bottles of golden sunshine give a tangy layer which oozes when you bite in - a small square of this indulgence is all you need and it best shared over a cuppa with friends. Variations of this recipe fill so many cookbooks with good reason - an enduring crowd favourite and always delicious. Enjoy!

Lemon Coconut Slice by Feed Your Inner Cook

Preparation    15 minutes

Cooking          15 minutes, then let cool then 30 minutes cooking then cool before serving

Ingredients

90 gram butter – cubed

½ cup sugar

1 egg

¾ cup Plain Flour - sifted

¼ cup SR Flour   - sifted

350 – 400 ml Lemon Butter or Passionfruit Butter – whisked with a fork to soften and smooth.  I like to combine both as I love them so much

Topping

¼ cup caster sugar

1 ½ cups Desiccated Coconut

½ cup Shredded Coconut  plus additional small amount to sprinkle over topping

OR  use 2 cups Desiccated Coconut

Method

Preheat oven to 180˚C  and line pan (approx. 30cm x 22cm x 4cm deep)  with baking paper

In the bowl of electric mixer – beat the butter, sugar and eggs until fluffy

Then mix in by hand the sifted flours

Dot the mixture across the base of lined pan. Use a small piece of baking paper to gently push the mixture across the base.  Mixture is sticky and paper helps.

Place pan in fridge 10 minutes to cool.

Then bake the base for approx. 12 – 15 minutes until golden.

Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack.  Needs to be cool before topping.

Once cool, pour over the Lemon Butter.  About 1 cm depth is good if possible

Dollop the topping over the Lemon Butter layer. Don’t push down heavily. It is ok to have a few spaces with Lemon Butter peeking through.

Gently sprinkle over a little of the Shredded Coconut

Bake for approx. 25 – 30 minutes until golden.

Allow to cool in pan.

Remove from pan and cut into squares.

Can be served at room temperature or slightly chilled.
Keeps well (if you hide it!) in an airtight container either chilled or at cool room temperature.

                                           Enjoy!  Colleen

Lemon Coconut Slice by Feed Your Inner Cook

                                  

Chicken and Kaffir Lime Leaf Stir-Fry

The colours in this dish are eye-popping and vibrant - you just know it must be delicious and good for you!  Aromatic and tastes divine – yet so easy to prepare! No need to say more - Delish!

Chicken and Kaffir Lime Leaf Stirfry by Feed Your Inner Cook

Preparation    10 minutes

Cooking          10 minutes

Serves             3 – 4

Ingredients

3 – 4 chicken thigh fillets, finely sliced and some fat removed

Splash Sesame Oil

2 onions – finely sliced

3 stalks celery – sliced

2 – 3 shallots. Sliced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger – finely sliced

5 Kaffir lime leaves.  For 3 – remove middle vein and very very finely shred the leaves.  Leave 2 whole – crush lightly in your hand to release aroma  (to remove later)

1 red chilli – sliced   OR  1 teaspoon dried chilli flakes  - adjust to your preference

¼ - 1/3 red cabbage.  Finely shredded

Handful cashews

2 tablespoons Soy Sauce

2 tablespoons Mirin

2 teaspoons white Miso paste  OR  red miso paste is ok instead

2 tablespoons Thai Basil – small leaves if possible

Noodles to serve

Method

Heat the oil in a large pan.  Add the onion and cook until softened

Add celery and shallots.

Stir in the ginger, chilli and shredded Lime leaves and well as the 2 whole leaves.

Add chicken pieces and cook. Stir well

Stir in the shredded cabbage and cook until just starts to wilt.

Whisk the soy sauce, mirin and Miso paste in a cup with a fork until combined.

Add to the pan and stir to thoroughly coat with the sauce mixture.

Toss in the cashews.

Remove the 2 whole Kaffir lime leaves and discard.

Top with the Thai Basil leaves and serve with noodles.

                                Enjoy!  Colleen

Sweet Potato and Ginger Soup

Aaah Winter!!!  Soups are so versatile and satisfying. This soup has a deep warm flavour from the fresh and ground ginger - and ginger is so good for you!  Whenever I make a big pot of soup I always try and squirrel away a few containers into the freezer for those crazy days which seem to happen quite regularly in my life!  Lovely people pop in to visit and it is so easy to whip up a steaming bowl of warming soup - "here's one I prepared earlier!" . Best of all, many of my homemade soups do double-duty to form the sauce for a quick stir-fry or curry. So satisfying and better for you than take-away and it's on the table in no time! 

For a change, instead of boiling, try roasting the sweet potato before adding to the soup - this deepens and intensifies the flavour.  If I have the oven on, I often toss a tray of sweet potato or pumpkin on to roast, store it in the fridge and use in a recipe later in the week. You can even freeze the cooked veg in containers ready for your next soup making adventure! 

 

sweet potato and ginger soup by Feed Your Inner Cook

Preparation    10 minutes

Cooking          30 minutes

Serves             6 -8

Ingredients

3 large sweet potatoes – peeled and cut into chunks  (TIPS AND HINTS – see below) This is approx 2.5 kg  un-peeled 

Splash of Olive Oil

2 onions – chopped

3 tablespoons Fresh ginger – finely sliced.  Plus 1 extra tablespoon to add at the end

1 teaspoon ground ginger

3 – 4 teaspoons cumin seeds  (plus extra to toast for optional garnish)

1 teaspoon ground Cumin

1 red chilli – chopped  OR  approx. 1 teaspoon chilli flakes  -  adjust to your preference

1 teaspoon ground Turmeric

3 stems Lemongrass .  Tough outer leaves removed.  Finely slice the white portions

1 – 2 Kaffir Lime leaves – leave the leaf whole, but partially snip the leaves to release flavours

1 litre Salt reduced Vegetable stock

400 ml tin coconut milk

400 ml water (re-using and rinse the coconut milk tin)

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Ground white pepper to add at end

Salt to taste (because you used salt-reduced stock)

½ cup coriander leaves – chopped.   Some for stirring through at end, and a little for garnish

Method

Use a very large deep saucepan (one pot makes it easier to blitz the soup later and saves on washing up!)

Bring a kettle of water to the boil.  Transfer the water into the saucepan and add the sweet potato chunks. Boil for 5 minutes and drain well.  Set sweet potato aside and return pan to stove-top.

Gently heat the oil in pan and add onion, ginger, cumin, chilli, turmeric and lemongrass. Cook for a few minutes to release aromas.

Add the whole lime leaf (it will be pulled out prior to blitzing)

Stir in the vegetable stock and the chunks of sweet potato.  Simmer 15 minutes

Remove the lime leaf

Take pan off the stove.  Using a electric stick blender, gently blitz the soup until smooth.

Return the saucepan of soup to the stove and reheat to simmer.

Add the coconut milk, the water and brown sugar.  Stir through without boiling.

Taste and add a little extra very finely grated fresh ginger and some of the chopped coriander.

Taste and add some ground white pepper and perhaps some salt.

To serve

Sprinkle with some dry toasted cumin seeds  and some fresh coriander leaves.

TIPS AND HINTS

Option – Roast the sweet potato chunks and refrigerate overnight if desired or use immediately.  Omit the boiling method and add the roasted sweet potato and continue recipe as above.

Freezing

This soup freezes and defrosts really well! I like to freeze it in small containers which later defrost quickly - makes a great standby for unexpected hungry visitors

TIPS AND HINTS

THAI INSPIRED SAUCE OPTION

This soup is super! It can do double duty as a quick sauce for a Thai flavour curry or stir-fry.  Simply brown your meat, add some chunky vegetables, cook, stir through some of this soup like a sauce, adjust the seasonings if required and serve with rice or noodles.  Easy!
                                                     Enjoy!   Colleen

Quick Egg Curry and Rice

Eggs are such a great standby when you need to whip up dinner in 30 minutes or less. There are so many variations of egg curry recipes -  I enjoy sharing this gentle curry flavoured dish and it's creamy golden sauce that envelops the eggs with chunks of crunchy green beans and fresh red tomato peeking through. Change the amount of curry powder to suit your taste, add some cauliflower for variety or even a handful of leftover cooked chicken - endless variations - all delicious!

Quick Egg Curry and Rice by Feed Your Inner Cook

Preparation     10 minutes

Cooking           20 minutes

Serves 4 - 5

Ingredients

8 eggs  –  2 each.    Add a couple more if you want

Splash oil

2 onions – finely chopped

1 red chilli – seeded and finely sliced (or use some dried chilli flakes)

2 – 3 cloves garlic – crushed

Good size 4 – 5 cm chunk fresh ginger – peeled and grated

12 fresh curry leaves – removed from stem

1 tablespoon Curry Powder.  I used Madras.   Use less or more depending on your taste.

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

1 teaspoon ground fennel

½ teaspoon Fish Sauce  (could add a little more instead of salt if you prefer)

½ teaspoon Soy sauce  

Handful fresh green beans – trimmed and cut in 1/3rds

3 – 4   ripe Roma Tomatoes. Chopped roughly – not too small

400 ml tin coconut milk

White pepper and salt – Taste first and add accordingly

Fresh coriander for garnish and stir through at end

Cooked rice to serve.

Option

Any leftover cooked chicken meat – roughly chopped.

Method

Have eggs at room temperature.  Place in a large saucepan and cover with water.  Bring to boil.

Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 5 minutes.   Cool in bowl of water and then peel.

Using a wide large frypan, heat oil and stir in onion.  Simmer and stir until soft and golden.

Add chilli, garlic, ginger, curry powder, curry leaves, turmeric and fennel. Cook for a few minutes.

Add coconut milk and bring to boil. Then reduce heat to low.

Simmer for 5 minutes or so until sauce thickens a little.

Toss in the beans and cook for a few minutes.

Stir in the tomato and simmer for about 3 minutes.

Taste and add Fish sauce and soy sauce and a little of the coriander.

Add the eggs and warm through.

Taste sauce and add extra pepper and salt to taste.

Serve over rice and garnish with some fresh chopped coriander.

OPTION

If you have a little leftover cooked chicken meat

Stir through to warm when adding the eggs.

                                               Enjoy!  Colleen

Cauliflower and Lemony Tuna Pasta

I love having a few recipes on hand that can be on the table in less than 30 minutes using ingredients I usually have in the pantry and fridge.  This easy dinner is inspired by a Donna Hay recipe - feel free to add a few more veggies  - spinach leaves, kale or broccoli would work well.  Play with the type of pasta you serve too! Spaghetti, Linguine and lots of different pasta shapes easily add variety and textural change - Enjoy!

Cauliflower Tuna Pasta by Feed your Inner Cook

Preparation     10 minutes
Cooking           20 minutes .  Pasta cooks within this time-frame approx 10 - 12 min.
Serves              4  (might even be leftovers!)

Ingredients

Pasta - approx 300 - 400 gram cooked.  Reserve a cup of the pasta cooking water.

splash Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 onions - sliced
1/2 cauliflower - chopped into bite size florets.    add a bit more if you like
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/4 teaspoon celery seeds (optional)
1 clove garlic - crushed
1/4 cup Greek yoghurt
1/2 cup frozen peas - thawed a little
425 gram tinned good quality Tuna - well drained

1 lemon - zest,  and later juice of 1/2 the lemon
1 tablespoon baby capers
6 sprigs fresh tarragon - leaves only
2 sprigs flat leaf parsley - chopped finely
Pepper and Salt - to your taste

a little freshly grated parmesan
optional - a little lemon balm to garnish

Method

Boil water in a kettle and pour into a large saucepan. Return to boil.
Add the pasta and cook for packet recommended time.  

Heat the oil in a wide frypan that has a lid.
Add the cauliflower florets and the onion.  Stir well over a medium heat. Cover and stir from time to time until starts to soften.
Add the dried tarragon, celery seeds, garlic and stir again.  Only cover with the lid again if cauliflower taking a long time to soften.
Reduce heat to low-medium. Add the greek yoghurt and stir through the cauliflower.

About now, drain the pasta and reserve some of the cooking water.

Add the baby capers, peas, drained tuna and lemon zest. Do not over stir or the tuna will become mushy.
Add in and stir in the drained pasta. 
Sprinkle over the tarragon, parsley and lemon juice and lightly mix through.
Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.  I like to add some pepper.

To loosen the sauce if necessary, add a little of the reserved pasta cooking water and gently stir through.

To serve - sprinkle with a little grated parmesan and a few lemon balm fronds.

                                                  Enjoy!   Colleen

Spicy Carrot Soup

This soup is packed full of vegetables and packed full of flavour. I guarantee you will get rave reviews.  If your not a chilli addict, cut down the amount of fresh chilli.  The addition of the fried curry leaves, ginger and garlic adds even more flavour.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
1 long red chilli, seeds removed, chopped
2 teaspoons mild curry powder
2 tablespoons tomato paste
750g carrots, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
400g can diced tomatoes
4 cups (1 litre) Vegetable stock
Juice of one lemon
Fried - curry leaves, garlic slices, shredded finer
Lime wedges to serve

Method

In a large saucepan, heat oil.
Add onion, garlic, finer and chilli, cook for 3-4 minutes until soft.
Add curry powder and tomato paste, cook for a further minute.
Add carrot, lentils, stir then add tomatoes and stock. Season
Increase the heat and bring to the boil.
Reduce heat to low, cover with a lid and simmer for 35-40 minutes until carrot is tender.  (This may vary depending how large the carrots were cut)
Cool slightly then blend with a stick blender until smooth, if too thick add some boiling water to achieve desired consistency.
Stir in lemon juice.

Serve soup and top with fried curry leaves, garlic and ginger.

Spicy!!

Mamma Marmalade

Very easy Ciabatta

This is so easy and super impressive, you must give it a go.  Because saying to people that you make your own bread lifts your status as a cook to a new height.  As an added bonus it tastes delicious, even the next day when toasted on the grill.  Thank you Silvia Colleca !

Ingredients

1 x 7g sachet dried yeast
4 cups of strong flour (bread and pizza flour)
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt


Method

Place yeast and 3 cups flour, 360ml water and 2 teaspoon salt in an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook.

 Beat on medium high speed for 3-4 minutes until the dough comes away form the sides of the bowl (the dough will be quite wet) I did add extra flour at this stage to achieve this consistency.

Tip into a greased bowl and cover with a clean tea towel, leave at room temperature for 2-3 hours until doubled in size.

Preheat oven to 220 degrees Celsius.
NB: Place a metal baking dish on the bottom of the oven with the rack above it.
Flour a baking paper lined baking tray with 1/2 cup flour.
Gently turn the dough straight onto the tray.
Top with remaining 1/2 cup flour.  Shape dough into a long oval.
Carefully pour cold water into the hot pan in the oven to create steam (this very important step helps the bread to rise and expand before forming a crust)
Place the tray with Ciabatta onto the rack above the pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes until bread is risen, golden and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped.

Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour IF you can resist.

Mamma Mia

Pear and Pecan Puddy Cake

I have been searching for desserts to share with friends who require Dairy-Free recipes. In addition, the desserts needed to be transported easily and had limited fridge opportunities.  So, I hunted through my books in search of a "Puddy Cake" - my name for a cake that tastes equally delicious as a dessert or a cake - a pudding cake!

The incomparable Belinda Jeffery always seems to have the solution to these dessert dilemmas! This cake is rich, sturdy but not too heavy, keeps well, delicious served either warm or room temperature, tastes even better the day after it is cooked and best of all for my Dairy-Free friends - uses olive oil instead of butter!

PS Thank you to my super clever friend Jenna who surprised me with the"Eat Up" plates plus my "feed your inner cook" engraved silver spoon that appears in some of my photo posts! Brilliant and perfect! 

Pear and Pecan Puddy Cake from Feed Your Inner Cook

Pear and Pecan Puddy Cake from Feed Your Inner Cook

Preparation      20 minutes

Cook                1 hour

Cool                 15 – 20 minutes

Serves             10 – 12   (keeps well, can freeze remaining slices)

Ingredients

2 cups Plain Flour

2 teaspoons ground Cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground Nutmeg

½ teaspoon ground Cloves

1 teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda

½ teaspoon Salt

1 cup Pecans – roasted and chopped +  plus some extras for decorating cake

                           (dry roast the pecans on a tray for a few minutes in the preheating oven)

3 eggs

1 ½ cups brown sugar

¼ cup castor sugar

½ cup Light Olive Oil  (TIPS AND HINTS: this only means ‘lighter flavour’ – it has a much milder taste than Extra Virgin Olive Oil, so will not overpower the taste of the cake -  “Moro” brand make a ‘light oil’ that is usually available in many supermarkets. ‘Light oil’ has the same calories as regular olive oils)

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

¼ cup water

5 just-ripe small-medium pears.  Peeled, cored and cut into chunks  OR  825 gram canned Pears in natural juice (if possible)  - drained and chopped. 
TIPS AND HINTS: 
Hayden's Adventures  recommended : Don’t chop too small. If too tiny the chunks will not hold their juice that keeps the cake moist and it gives variety in the cake texture.  Plus it is nice to see the chunks dotted through the cake. A rough guide -  About 1 - 1 ½ cm cubes approximately. 

Decoration Options:

The reserved roasted pecans – either glazed with a little reduced apricot jam  OR thick honey

And / or  a dusting of icing sugar

Method

Preheat oven 150 °C

Butter and flour (OR   if DAIRY Free – use a food spray)  26 cm fluted non-stick Bundt tin.

In a large bowl – using a whisk – combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, bicarb and salt.

Toss the nuts in and ensure they are well coated in the flour mixture.

In a separate medium large bowl (I use a large pyrex jug)  add the eggs and whisk to just combine.

Add the brown sugar and castor sugar, oil, vanilla and water.  Mix thoroughly to combine.

Pour this wet mixture – 1/3^rd  first, then the remainder – into the dry ingredients.  Stir until just combined. Do not overwork the mixture.

Add the pear pieces and gently fold through.

Pour the batter into prepared tin and ensure top is evenly spread out.

Bake for approx. 55 min – 1 hour.  Check at 50 minutes.

Cake is cooked when fine skewer inserted into middle bits comes out clean.

Cool on a cake rack for 10 – 15 minutes whilst still in the pan.

Gently invert cake onto rack to cool.   or  onto a serving platter if serving warm.

Decorate with the glazed nut options and/or icing sugar dusting.

Serving Options  (omit creams / ice creams, caramel sauces for Dairy-Free diners)

Delicious served at room temperature as a cake with cream

OR

Perfect as a dessert option – served warm with ice-cream or cream.

Even better dessert with a little drizzle of caramel sauce on top of that cream!

(can also serve at room temp for dessert).

Slices can be gently reheated in microwave if you want. 

And

Store remaining cake in an airtight container (NOT in fridge) – keeps well for 3 -5 days

Any left-overs freeze well.   Use within 2 weeks.

Please NOTE 

Disclaimer: The Feed Your Inner Cooks are not nutritionists or dietitians. We recommend people with specific dietary requirements seek appropriate professional advice for their dietary needs.  This recipe is provided as a general guide to assist with recipe ideas.

If you are searching for dietary cookbooks, we suggest:

Dr Sue Shepherd  Recipe books and website  are an excellent resource especially for low FODMAP books.

                             Enjoy!   Colleen

Indian roasted cauliflower pineapple, chilli, with coronation dressing

Another winner from Jamie Oliver, looking out for our health and vegetable intake.  This makes eating your veges a taste and look sensation.  Give it a try.



Ingredients

2 heads of cauliflower
1/2 a medium pineapple
Olive oil
1 heaped teaspoon each of fennel seeds, black mustard seeds
30g flaked almonds
1 x 400g tin of chickpeas
1 level teaspoon ground turmeric
2 level teaspoons medium curry powder
1/2 bunch of fresh coriander
3cm piece of ginger
1 lemon
2 teaspoons mango chutney
200g natural yoghurt
1 fresh red chilli


Method

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
Chop the cauliflower into large florets. Cook in a large pot of boiling salted water fro 6 to 8 minutes.
Drain and tip into a roasting pan.
Peel, core and chop pineapple into 3cm pieces, add to the roasting pan with 1 tablespoon of oil, fennel and mustard seeds and a pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss together to combine and roast for 30 minutes.

Turn everything over and then add flaked almonds, drained tin chickpeas and cook for another 10 minutes, or until cauliflower is slightly charred.

Toast turmeric and curry powder in a dry pan on a low heat for a few minutes until you can smell the spices.  Tip into a blender with coriander stalks, ginger, lemon juice, mango chutney and half the yoghurt.  Whiz until smooth add remaining yoghurt until you achieve a consistency you like.

Pour onto a large platter, top with the cauliflower combination, garnish with sliced chilli and coriander leaves.

Serve with chapattis or other flat bread.

Veg never tasted so good!

Mamma Marmalade