Category Archives: Food Blog

Greek Bbq Tempeh Gyros with shoestring sweet potato oven fries

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Μπουκιά και συγχώριο(Boukia kai syghorio)

“One bite and all is forgiven.”

Greek style Bbq Tempeh Gyros with shoestring sweet potato oven fries.
This recipe is Greek inspired,  the basics are there but I’ve added my own Bbq-flavour twist to it.
Since I’m looking for new ways to enjoy delicious, nutritionally balanced plant-based meals, I make my favourite recipes and simply replace meat with Tempeh. So I was Wondering if I could pull of a tempeh Gyros that would be as a good as the real deal. Well I’m glad to report, yes I can and so can you!
The Gyros texture and flavor were spot on! And without an actual Bbq.

Tempeh is such a good meat substitute, not only is it high in protein but the texture is also very similar to meat and easily adaptable to many flavors and seasonings. Especially when marinated. In my opinion it is what resembles meat the most.
If you have the time, make the marinade a day in advance so it really penetrates the tempeh.

PREP TIME : 10 MINUTES
COOKING TIME : 10 MINUTES
SERVES : 4
________________________________________
INGREDIENTS:
• 8 oz tempeh
• 1 ½ tsp. fresh crushed garlic
• 2 tsp. Greek oregano
• 2 tsp. dried thyme
• juice of one small lemon
• 1 tbsp. soy sauce (not Greek but so good)
• ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 C. plain tomato sauce
• 1 tsp. liquid smoke (Bbq flavour)
• a pinch of cinnamon
• a pinch of ground clove (optional)
• 1/2 tsp dried crushed chili flakes
• 1 tsp. maple syrup
To serve:
Pita bread
lettuce
chopped cucumber
2 fresh tomatoes sliced
½ red onion thinly sliced
Tzatziki or Greek Yoghurt to serve
sweet potato oven fries with Greek oregano (see recipe)

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

  1. Make marinade by mixing the ingredients in a deep dish.
  2. Cut tempeh block in half. Bring a pot of water to a boil, place tempeh halves inside and boil gently for 5 minutes. This removes any bitter taste from the tempeh.
  3. Take tempeh out of the water, and after it has cooled slice it into ¼ inch slices or strips.
  4. Place slices in the marinade.Marinate overnight or at least a couple of hours.
  5. Make the shoe-string sweet potato fries.
  6. Pre heat oven to 200 C / 400 F
  7. Take two large sweet potatoes and peel them.
  8. Cut into thin shoestrings. Dry well on kitchen paper.
  9. Place in a bowl, toss in a two teaspoons of olive oil and add salt, pepper, sweet
  10. paprika and oregano tot taste.Toss to coat.
  11. Line an oven tray with parchment paper and spread out the fries and place in the middle of the oven.
  12. Bake for about 20 to 30 minutes until golden and crispy, depending on the thickness of the fries.
  13. Preheat a large griddle pan over high heat. Brush with a tablespoon of olive oil. Remove tempeh slices from the marinade and place in the pan.
  14. Grill for 7 – 10 minutes or until golden brown and beginning to crisp.
  15. Meanwhile warm the pita bread in the oven for 3-5 minutes, wrap them in aluminium foil (move the fries to one side and lay the pita bread next to them).
  16. Assemble Gyros by placing tempeh slices, fresh tomatoes, and red onions on pita bread. Cover with Tzatziki or yoghurt and top with a handful of the crispy shoe-string sweet potato fries.

Enjoy!

If you make the Greek Bbq Tempeh Gyros, be sure to leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you and if you love it, pin it. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! @thecookingspoonblog or hashtag it #thecookingspoonblog

wonder bread

10 most popular recipes of 2020

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2020 is coming to an end and what a challenging year it has been, to say the least. With one terrible event after the other. Heartbreaking, confusing and dispairing come to mind.
Am I the only one feeling a sense of relief that the year is almost over?

…but also hope, hope that next year will be better. It has to be and that’s we’ll hang on to for now.

Hopefully next year we can all go back to normal,  and live our lives to the fullest. 

Meanwhile… everyone has been on social media more than ever before,  so I wanted to share the most popular recipes of 2020, to inspire everyone to keep on cooking as much as we all did this past year.
I really noticed how everyone was baking more than usual so it comes as no surprise that the two most popular recipes this year were both bread.   Here are the top ten.

10.Pollo al Ajillo, Chicken in Garlic white wine Sauce .

An oldie but a goodie, we make this at home all the time, great for company too.

9. Homemade Spelt Tortilla

Nothing beats a home made tortilla and the are so simple and freeze well.

8. Whole Spelt Pizza with Chorizo, caramelized Onions and Basil

Chorizo with caramelized onions really can’t be beat:)

7. Chocolate Dulce de Leche mini Tarts

Mini buttery pastry crusts filled with gooey caramel and chocolate, a great dessert or tea-time treat

6. Smoky Chili con Carne with Pumpkin

Smokey Chili with the addition of Pumpkin, perfect for cold evenings plus you get extra veggies.

5. Chia Seed Bread

A protein packed loaf with a great bite and super healthy. Makes great toast.

4. Steak au Poivre, Steak in a creamy green peppercorn sauce

A classic that all meat lovers enjoy. Straight forward and so delicious with a non alcoholic green peppercorn sauce.

3. Cod and Shrimp in a Lemon cream sauce

This recipe has been a favorite for years and is the easiest recipe on the blog, pretty much fool proof and still kind of fancy.

2. Everyday Spelt Bread

Our go-to Spelt bread, I receive a ton of positive reviews on this loaf, it’s so easy and perfect for everyday baking.

1. Norwegian Health Bread

This is the most popular recipe on the blog and one of my personal favorites, so healthy and full of goodness. Perfect for a fresh and healthy start in the new year.

wonder bread

I hope you enjoyed the roundup, and if you make any of the most popular recipes of 2020 be sure to leave a comment and/or pin it to Pinterest. And of course, if you do make any of these recipes, don’t forget to post on instagram and tag me #thecookingspoonblog

Tiramisu Cream Puff Christmas Tree

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Ready to impress? A dramatic tower of cream puffs filled with Tiramisu cream, held together with melted chocolate. Then finally dusted with lots of confectioners sugar.

It is not as difficult as it looks, but it does require a few steps. I like to make the cream puffs the day before assembling to divide the work. You can also make the filling the day before, whatever works for you best.

Leftover cream puffs can be frozen for up to two months.

A stunning dessert for any special occasion!

INGREDIENTS:

Cream Puffs:

  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1-1/3 cups water
  • 1 cup butter, cubed
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature

FILLING:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1-2 tsp instant coffee granules
  • 2 tsp instant gelatine powder
  • 1 recipe pastry cream, home made or store bought (about 2 cups)


GLAZE:

  • 1/3 cup butter, cubed
  • 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. instant coffee granules
  • 3 to 6 tablespoons hot water
  • Additional confectioners’ sugar, optional

DIRECTIONS:

In a large saucepan, bring water, milk and butter to a boil. Add flour and salt all at once and stir until a smooth ball forms. Remove from the heat; let stand for 5 minutes to cool a little. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Continue beating until mixture is smooth and shiny. Place mixture in a piping bag fitted with a large nozzle and pipe puffs onto baking sheet, about the size of a ping pong ball. You can press the tip of the puffs down with a wet finger to make them nice and round. Bake at 200C / 400F for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to wire racks. Cut a small slit in the side of each puff to allow steam to escape. Cool puffs.
For filling, Prepare creme patisserie, see below if making home made.

In a large bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form add sugar, coffee and intant gelatine powder beat until stiff. Fold in creme patisserie. Place filling in piping bag fitted with a pointed tip and pipe about 1 tablespoon into each puff.

For glaze, in a small saucepan, combine butter and chocolate. Cook and stir over low heat until melted. Remove from the heat. Using a whisk, stir in the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and coffee granules and enough water to make desired consistency for dipping. Stir until smooth and no lumps appear.

To assemble tree: Dip the bottoms of the puffs into glaze to start building your tree. Start with four puffs in the middle and then form a circle around them That’s your first layer, now continue for the second layer by dipping puffs in chocolate and placing them on the first circle. Continue all the way up until you are at the top. Drizzle remaining glaze over the tree, dust with confectioners sugar just before serving.

Enjoy!

Creme Pattiserie:

  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1/4 cup caster sugar
  • 3 tbsp plain flour
  • 2 tsp cornflour
  • 1 1/4 cup milk

Method:

  • Beat the egg yolks and sugar for a few minutes until pale and slightly thickened.
  • Whisk in the flours.
  • Heat the milk in a saucepan until stating to boil.
  • Whisk the milk into the egg mix.
  • Put the whole lot back into the pan, stirring all the time until thick and boiling.
  • Take the pan off the heat – cover with cling-film to prevent a skin from forming.

Coconut curried Lentil Soup

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A hearty feel-good soup

A comforting and warming soup that is super healthy and very delicious. Packed with iron, vitamins and minerals, low in fat, high in fibre and perfect for during the hectic Holiday season.
The great thing is that Lentils cook relatively quick, all in one pot, so you could have dinner on the table in about half an hour. Finish the soup off with a little drizzle of coconut cream and you have yourself a fantastic budget friendly nutritious dinner that also happens to be suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

I can’t think of a better sidekick than my homemade Spelt bread to go with it to dunk into the soup. So good.


Prep time : 10 minutes
Cooking time 40 minutes
Serves : 4

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 tbsp. olive oil or coconut oil
  • 2 onions, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped fine
  • 4 celery stalks, chopped
  • 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
  • 2 leeks, sliced
  • 2 cups of roughly chopped kale
  • 2 cans of coconut milk, reserve a ¼ cup for serving
  • 2 cans of vegetable stock
  • 4 tbsp. madras curry paste
  • 2 cups / 400 gr. dried brown lentils
  • A good squeeze of lemon juice
  • A handful of coriander, chopped
  • Lemon wedges to serve
  • salt and pepper to taste

METHOD:


Take a large pot and heat on medium high, add the oil. Add the onion and garlic and sauté for a few minutes. Add the celery, carrots and leeks and cook for a few more minutes. Now add the curry paste and cook for a minute to release the flavor. Add the kale and the stock, coconut milk (reserve ¼ cup) and lentils. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until lentils have softened. Taste and correct seasoning with salt and pepper. You can cook the lentils a little longer if you want your soup to thicken or you could blend a bit with an immersion blender.
Add the squeeze of lemon juice and add almost all the coriander, reserving some to decorate when serving.
Serve piping hot, garnished with coriander, coconut cream and lemon wedges and plenty of fresh bread.

Enjoy!

If you make this Lentil soup be sure to leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you and if you love it, pin it. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! @thecookingspoonblog or hashtag it #thecookingspoonblog