Author Archives: The Cooking spoon

Vegan Magnum Ice Cream Bars

This is my healthy take on the decadent Magnum Ice Cream pops. So good and so easy, and a lot healthier than the original, using a cashew and coconut base for the ice cream, date caramel, and a raw cacao shell.

Prep time : 20 minutes plus freezing
Makes : 6

INGREDIENTS ICE CREAM:

1 ¼ cup cashew nuts, raw and soaked preferably overnight, or at least four hours
1 cup full fat coconut milk *
3 tbsp. Light Agave syrup **
1 tsp. vanilla extract

INGREDIENTS CARAMEL LAYER:

1 cups pitted Medjool Dates, soaked for 1 hour
2 tbsp. almond butter
¾ – 1 cup unsweetened Almond Milk ***
1/2 tsp. Vanilla extract
1/8 tsp. Himalayan Salt

INGREDIENTS CHOCOLATE LAYER:

1/3 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled back to room temperature
1/3 cup maple syrup or more Agave syrup
1/3 cup (raw) cacao
½ tsp vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS:

Drain the nuts thoroughly, mix all the ingredients for the ice cream in a high speed blender until very smooth. You can add a little more coconut milk if it is too thick.
Pour into ice cream molds and add a wooden stick, freeze for at least 4-5 hours.

Mix the ingredients for the caramel in the high speed blender and blend until you have a thick past. Prepare a tray and cover with cling film or parchment paper.
Remove the ice cream bars from the molds and place them carefully on the lined tray.
With a butter knife or small spatula spread a tablespoon of caramel paste on one side of the ice cream bars and place back on the tray. Keep them in the freezer until you have done each one.
Freeze for an hour and then repeat with the other side.

Make the chocolate;

melt the coconut oil and whisk together with the sweetener, vanilla and cacao. Put the chocolate dip in a mug or other deep glass so you can dip the ice cream pops into the chocolate

Take out the ice cream bars and dip them in chocolate until all covered and lay down on a baking sheet. I also used a spoon to pour the chocolate over the ice cream bars. Sprinkle with some chopped nuts if you like. The chocolate will set immediately so work quickly. Keep them in the freezer, well wrapped.

Enjoy!

Myra XO

*NOTE 1 : do not shake the can of coconut milk before opening and try to scoop out as much of the coconut fat as you can to use for the ice cream, fill up the remainder of the measure with the coconut water.
** NOTE 2: Use more Agave syrup if you like it really sweet.
*** NOTE 3: start with using just ¾ cup of almond milk and look at the consistency. It should be a smooth paste. The more liquid you add, the harder the caramel will freeze. You want the caramel layer gooey.

Chinese Spring Rolls with three dipping sauces

13 Replies

春捲
chūn juǎn

These are great as a party food or also as a finger food for movie night. We even have them for dinner and serve them with some cucumber sticks or salad. Either way they’re delicious and a real crowd pleaser too. And really not as difficult as they may seem.
The vegetables are adjustable to whatever you may have lying around in your fridge or whatever is in season, add any of the following, the total should come up to one pound of vegetables approximately for this recipe. At least 4 or 5 different kinds is best. The ones marked with an asterix are the vegetables I have used in my Spring Rolls.

carrots*, shredded or cut into sticks
bamboo shoots
shiitake (soaked and stem removed)
chestnut mushrooms*
cabbage, shredded*
paksoi*
sugar snap peas*,
green beans
finely sliced red bell pepper
onions*,
beans sprouts*,
peanuts,
basil,
cilantro*,

PREP TIME : 30 MINUTES
COOKING TIME: 15 MINUTES
MAKES : 10 MEDIUM OR 20 SMALL

INGREDIENTS SPRING ROLLS:
4 oz. rice noodles soaked
1 tbsp. vegetable oil for frying, divided
1 lb. mixed vegetables
1 tsp. grated ginger
2 cloves garlic, sliced
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or dry white wine
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp. Ketjap Manis
1 tsp. Sambal Oelek or more
1 teaspoon sesame oil
black pepper, to taste
2 tsp. Boemboe Sate (sate seasoning)

For the meat or tofu:
• 8 ounces ground pork/chicken or scrambled tofu
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine or white wine
• 1 tbsp. black bean sauce
• ¼ teaspoon white pepper

FOR WRAPPING:
1 package 8″ square spring roll wrappers
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch, dissolved in 1 tablespoon water for sealing the spring rolls
• Canola, peanut or vegetable oil, for frying

DIPPING SAUCES;
Sate Sauce:
• Sate sauce see Chicken Saté (Saté Ajam)

Sticky Red Chili Sauce:
• 1 tbsp. Lemon juice
• 1 tbsp. honey or agave if vegan
• 1 tbsp. sambal oelek
• 4 tbsp. Ketchup
• 1 tsp. sesame oil
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.

Garlic Lime Cashew Sauce:
• 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked in boiling water for one hour, drained
• 1/4 cup water or more
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lime juice, or to taste
• 1 tbsp. aple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp. maple syrup
• 1 heaping teaspoon tahini
• 1 small garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• salt and pepper, or to taste
Mix in a high speed blender until smooth.

INSTRUCTIONS SPRING ROLLS:
1. Place the noodles in a large bowl, cover with boiling water and leave for 2 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water, then set aside.
2. Heat a large frying pan or wok, add half the oil.
3. When hot, add the meat or tofu to the pan and fry for a few minutes, adding the seasoning after the first minute, cook until cooked thru. Transfer to a large bowl.
4. Put the pan back on the heat and add the remaining oil.
5. Add the vegetables when hot and stir fry for 5 minutes approximately. After the first minute of cooking you add the spice mix and the remaining ingredients. Tossing to coat everything.
6. Place into the bowl with the rice noodles.
7. Toss everything together.
8. In a small bowl, blend the cornflour and 2 tablespoons of cold water.
9. Next, lay two spring-roll wrapper, smooth-side down, on a clean surface as a diamond shape, with one corner pointing down towards you.
10. Spoon 3 tablespoons of the filling on the bottom corner of the double wrapper. Brush each corner with the cornflour mixture, then start rolling up from the bottom. When the filling is covered, pull the corners in from each side (to seal the ends as you go). Continue rolling until the filling is tightly covered, then press to seal the top corner.
11. Lay the finished rolls on a large plate that has been oiled lightly and cover with a damp tea towel. Continue until you’ve filled all the wrappers.
12. Heat the oil in a large wok or saucepan over a medium heat.
13. Carefully lower the spring rolls into the oil and deep-fry for 2–3 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.
14. Serve with the dipping sauces.

Enjoy!
Myra XO

Peach and Berry Crumble

11 Replies

Since it is pretty much Fall here… yes, this soon. I’m thinking we can all use a little extra comfort.
In the form and shape of crumble, lots of clumpy crunchy comforting lumps of cookie flavoured morsels covering juicy peaches and berries.
To me that is comfort at it’s best.
You can serve it either warm or let it cool and serve it with whipped cream or even ice cream.

It’s simply one of our favourite desserts and we make it all the time with all kinds of fruit, depending on the season, but this particular combo has me running back for more each time, not to mention the cookie like smell coming from the oven during baking.
I actually also love to have this in the morning, if there are any leftovers and serve it with a dollop of Greek yoghurt. I mean it’s healthy right? Fruit, fibre, yes, I think so.

INGREDIENTS:

Fruit mixture:

2 cups of fresh or frozen berries and/or blueberries
2 -3 roughly chopped fresh peaches, (skin removed)
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tablespoon flour

Crumble Layer:

1 1/4 cup rolled oats
1 cup (spelt) flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup almonds, roughly chopped
pinch of cinnamon
pinch of salt
6 tablespoons almond butter, soft
6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small piece (or grated)
1/2 cup maple syrup or light brown sugar

Extra:
1 tbsp of butter for pan or baking dish
whipped cream to serve

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F / 175 C .

2. Butter a 10-12 inch skillet or a similar baking dish and set a side. This step just adds flavor.

3. Peel the peaches (as best as you can) and remove the stone, cut them into bite size pieces and place them in the skillet.

4. Add the honey and vanilla and stir to combine.

5. Add the raspberries/blueberries and corn starch and stir carefully until all is just combined.

3. To make the topping, combine the oats, flour, cinnamon, almonds, salt and baking powder in a medium-size mixing bowl. Add the maple syrup or brown sugar. Add the butter and almond butter and use your hands to work the butter into the dry ingredients until everything is combined and lumps form. Sprinkle the topping over the fruit.

4. Transfer to the oven and bake for 40 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbling. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream. Enjoy!

Myra

Lemongrass and Ginger Grilled Chicken Banh Mi with Ginger Lime Sriracha Mayo

14 Replies

…AND CRUNCHY VIETNAMESE MANGO SLAW!

Don’t let the long list of ingredients put you off, this is actually very easy, there are just a few steps that need to be taken, and believe me you won’t be sorry. Because these Lemon grass and Ginger grilled Chicken Banh Mi are the business!
The smell in my kitchen when I was grilling the chicken was incredible…
Grilling the chicken gives it an amazing caramelized crispy sticky outside. Serve on a warm baguette with crunchy Vietnamese Slaw and drizzle with the ginger lime Sriracha mayo. Full of sweet, savoury, sour and spicy notes
Good times, I promise!
________________________________________
SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS BANH MI:

• 4 Baguettes
• Grilled Chicken, sliced
• Vietnamese Slaw
• Ginger Lime Sriracha Mayo
• Cucumber, about half, sliced
• Cilantro (Koriander) , a handful. Roughly chopped
• Lots of paper napkins!

CHICKEN:
• 1 pounds chicken breasts or thighs, de-boned

MARINADE:
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 tbsp. fish sauce
• 1 tbsp. coconut sugar
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 2 tbsp. chopped cilantro
• 2 tsp. fresh peeled and grated ginger
• 1 lemongrass stalk, bashed with the side of a meat hammer
• 1 tablespoon chopped Thai (or Sweet) basil
• 1 tsp. hot sauce
• Zest and juice of 1 medium lime
• 1 garlic clove , minced (about 1 teaspoon)
• Cooking oil spray
• Freshly ground black pepper

METHOD:
1. Whisk all marinade ingredients together in a measuring cup. Pour over chicken thighs or breasts and seal bag or place in a large dish and cover.
2. Marinate for at one hour or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
3. Remove from fridge and bring to room temperature one hour before grilling.
4. Heat your griddle pan.
5. Remove chicken from bag. Pat dry with kitchen paper. Discard marinade.
6. Spray both sides of thighs with oil. Place on griddle pan.
7. Season generously with black pepper.
8. Grill for about 2 minutes on each side on high.
9. Lower the heat.
10. Continue grilling until thighs are done, about 7 to 10 minutes more. Chicken will feel firm to the touch. Let rest for 5 minutes before cutting.

VIETNAMESE MANGO SLAW:
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 4 spring onions, finely sliced
• 2 medium carrots, cut in to julienne
• 1/2 Mango, peeled and cut in to julienne
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1/2 bunch coriander, washed
• 1/2 bunch Thai basil
• 1 long red chili, de-seeded
• 1/2 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 1 tsp. ginger, peeled and grated
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 2 tbsp. ginger syrup (from the jar of candied stem ginger)

METHOD SLAW:
1. Place cabbage in a bowl with the spring onions, bean sprouts and carrots. Roughly chop the coriander and Thai basil and add to the bowl. Cut the chilli in half then cut across into fine strips.
2. Add the chilli to the bowl.
3. Place the remaining ingredients into a small jar and shake well until the sugar has dissolved. Dress the salad.
4. Put on some plastic disposable gloves and start mixing well with your hands – make sure it all gets covered in dressing or it will taste bland.

GINGER LIME SRIRACHA MAYO:
• 3/4 cup Mayo
• 1 piece candied stem ginger in syrup, finely chopped or grated
• 2 tsp. Sriracha sauce
• Juice of half a lime
METHOD MAYO:
1. Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix with a spoon.

TO ASSEMBLE THE BANH MI:
Pre heat the oven to 200° C / 400° F
1. Slightly dampen the baguettes with a little water. Wrap them in foil and heat them in the oven for about 10 minutes.
2. Remove from oven. Remove foil and discard.
3. Carefully slice open. Hot!
4. Spread a generous amount of the Ginger Lime Sriracha mayo on the bottom of the baguette.
5. Then a layer of sliced cucumber.
6. Then the grilled chicken.
7. Top with Vietnamese Slaw
8. Sprinkle over some cilantro
9. Drizzle over some more mayo
10. Put the top of the Baguette on.