Clam Chowder - so how do you make a healthier version? Broccoli chowder is the answer.
I had creamy clam chowder in the BA lounge the other day. It was lovely but not very healthy and very, very salty. Richard loves chowder so I made him some, a healthier version.
Finely chop 2-3 onions, coarsely chop the stalk and shred the heads of a couple of heads of broccoli. Put in a saucepan with some stock and close fitting lid to soften.
Pierce 2-3 med potatoes and pop in microwave for 10 mins then plunge in cold water to cool. Dry and slice. They should be almost cooked but not too soft.
In a high powered blender put 1 can of cannellini beans, a large pack of silken tofu, some soy or oat cream and 2 tablespoons of rice flour. Add some stock powder, some salt (or substitute) and pepper. Whiz till like thin cream. Pour into pan (not draining the onion and broccoli) and the sliced potatoes.
Bring gently to boil and stir till it thickens.
Adjust seasoning. You can add fresh tarragon too.
Monday, 21 February 2011
I've lost my noodles!
This is a version of Pad Thai, that has no noodles and is really a crunchy salad.
Wash a few (say 3) large courgettes. You could peel them but I am too lazy. Dry and julienne on a mandolin. It looks better if you do then lengthways so they resemble noodles Wash or peel some carrots and do the same. I also added some finely shredded red pepper.
To make the dressing, toss all the ingredients into a blender. As long as you have the basics - some soy or fish sauce, minced garlic, some lime juice, a couple of stoned dates or sugar substitute some grated fresh ginger if you have it (I didn't), I also added a shake of Thai spice powder, some hot sauce and the stalks from a bunch of coriander. Blitz until you have a slightly green Thai dressing. You can add a little oil, but I do not think it is necessary.
Finely chop the top of the washed bunch of coriander.
Pour the dressing over the shredded veggies, mix in a bag of ordinary or dry roasted peanuts and mix, then top with the coriander.
Leave for 15 - 20 mins for the flavours to mingle.
You could add finely chopped spring onion but I could not see the point, it is flavoursome enough without.
I got this idea from Nomi Shannon, the raw gourmet. It is a variation on her recipe, so not an original idea.
Wash a few (say 3) large courgettes. You could peel them but I am too lazy. Dry and julienne on a mandolin. It looks better if you do then lengthways so they resemble noodles Wash or peel some carrots and do the same. I also added some finely shredded red pepper.
To make the dressing, toss all the ingredients into a blender. As long as you have the basics - some soy or fish sauce, minced garlic, some lime juice, a couple of stoned dates or sugar substitute some grated fresh ginger if you have it (I didn't), I also added a shake of Thai spice powder, some hot sauce and the stalks from a bunch of coriander. Blitz until you have a slightly green Thai dressing. You can add a little oil, but I do not think it is necessary.
Finely chop the top of the washed bunch of coriander.
Pour the dressing over the shredded veggies, mix in a bag of ordinary or dry roasted peanuts and mix, then top with the coriander.
Leave for 15 - 20 mins for the flavours to mingle.
You could add finely chopped spring onion but I could not see the point, it is flavoursome enough without.
I got this idea from Nomi Shannon, the raw gourmet. It is a variation on her recipe, so not an original idea.
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
No cream and no sugar ice "cream"
I have blogged about a similar frozen dessert before, however this was so good and so healthy I had to tell you about it.
Ideally you'd have a vita mix blender (which I use 2-3 times daily, yes it was £400 but worth every penny). I think you could use a robust blender or a food processor instead.
pour a half a glass of coconut water into the blender (you could use ordinary water but the coconut water is interesting and health promoting. Throw in a handful of raw cashews or almonds and three pitted dates.
Blend on high until you have a sweetened nut milk. To this add two packs of frozen fruits (I used blendies from ocado - the ones with mango in but you could use fresh fruit or drained fruit in fruit juice and some ice cubes but the results would be more sorbet than ice cream. Blend until fruit is breaking down then add some soy vanilla yogurt (yes most of the brands do have sugar in them, aargh). To get the same creamy texture you could use coconut milk or coconut cream Let down with a splash more coconut water. Blend until smooth and resembling ice cream. Scoop out and serve or freeze for use later (although the texture goes very hard unless you churn/stir it every two hours).
Enjoy.
Ideally you'd have a vita mix blender (which I use 2-3 times daily, yes it was £400 but worth every penny). I think you could use a robust blender or a food processor instead.
pour a half a glass of coconut water into the blender (you could use ordinary water but the coconut water is interesting and health promoting. Throw in a handful of raw cashews or almonds and three pitted dates.
Blend on high until you have a sweetened nut milk. To this add two packs of frozen fruits (I used blendies from ocado - the ones with mango in but you could use fresh fruit or drained fruit in fruit juice and some ice cubes but the results would be more sorbet than ice cream. Blend until fruit is breaking down then add some soy vanilla yogurt (yes most of the brands do have sugar in them, aargh). To get the same creamy texture you could use coconut milk or coconut cream Let down with a splash more coconut water. Blend until smooth and resembling ice cream. Scoop out and serve or freeze for use later (although the texture goes very hard unless you churn/stir it every two hours).
Enjoy.
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Dal, dull? Not at all. Scrummy curried lentils and aubergines.
There are some foodstuffs that transform themselves into something so wonderfully delicious with so little effort. One of these for me is the red lentil. Little rock hard mini pebbles that turn into something magical when cooked.
So...pierce a 2 whole aubergines and pop in microwave to soften for 10-12 mins. (quicker and healthier than frying) Then dump them into a bowl of cold water. Rinse a large bag of red lentils under cold running water until water runs clear. Place in a pot. Add some veg stock powder and some chopped tomatoes or a pack of sieved tomatoes and water to cover. Add 2 finely chopped onions. Throw in a large tsp of curry powder and a splash of hot sauce (see liquid fire recipe). And 4 roughly chopped cloves of garlic. Drain the aubergines. Trim off the hairy end stalky bit and cut in half and then chop roughly and chuck in pot. Add a little salt and some coarsely ground black pepper or a few peppercorns Bring to boil and simmer for 20-30 mins until lentils are soft and sauce is creamy. You may need to add more water if needed and stir to prevent sticking You can add lemon juice at the end of cooking and chopped coriander (but I'd not got any to hand).
You can serve as is, with rice, bread, or with a salad. It actually tastes better if left overnight.
So...pierce a 2 whole aubergines and pop in microwave to soften for 10-12 mins. (quicker and healthier than frying) Then dump them into a bowl of cold water. Rinse a large bag of red lentils under cold running water until water runs clear. Place in a pot. Add some veg stock powder and some chopped tomatoes or a pack of sieved tomatoes and water to cover. Add 2 finely chopped onions. Throw in a large tsp of curry powder and a splash of hot sauce (see liquid fire recipe). And 4 roughly chopped cloves of garlic. Drain the aubergines. Trim off the hairy end stalky bit and cut in half and then chop roughly and chuck in pot. Add a little salt and some coarsely ground black pepper or a few peppercorns Bring to boil and simmer for 20-30 mins until lentils are soft and sauce is creamy. You may need to add more water if needed and stir to prevent sticking You can add lemon juice at the end of cooking and chopped coriander (but I'd not got any to hand).
You can serve as is, with rice, bread, or with a salad. It actually tastes better if left overnight.
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