Category Archives: Food Blog

Passion Fruit and Blood Orange Ponzu Salmon Poke Bowl

Seriously delicious POKE Bowls!

You can indulge in these hearty bowls of healthy goodness without any feeling of guilt. They’re simpleto make and very delicious.

Fun fact: Poke (pronounced POKE-AY, not POKE-EE), began with fishermen seasoning the cut-offs from their catch to serve as a snack. Traditional Poke seasonings have been influenced by Japanese and other Asian cuisines. These include soy sauce, green onions, and sesame oil. Others include furikake which is a mix of dried fish, sesame seeds, and dried seaweed, chili pepper, limu (seaweed), sea salt, inamona (roasted crushed candlenut), fish eggs, wasabi, and onions. Other variations of poke may include raw tuna and various kinds of shellfish.

This here is my version and of course, with my personal twist. I have added some tropical sweetness to give the Salmon extra Aloha flavour.

serves 4
INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb. sashimi grade salmon cubed into 3/4 inch pieces
• 3 cups steamed white jasmine rice
• 1 cup Spinach
• 1 cup shredded purple cabbage
• 1 cup sliced cucumber, lengthwise
• 1 cup carrot ribbons
• 1 Nori sheet, cut into little strips
• 4 green scallions cut into sticks and sliced lengthwise but not all the way thru, like little brooms.
• small bunch cilantro
• 2 avocados cut in half, skin removed and sliced thin
• 1 blood orange, sliced for decorating
• 1 lemon, quartered for decorating and serving
• 2 tbsp. toasted black sesame seeds for sprinkling on top.

For the dressing:
• 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
• 4 tbsp. blood orange juice
• 1 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tsp. Ketjap Manis
• 1 passion fruit pulp
• juice of 1 lime
• 1 clove garlic, peeled and grated
• 1 – 2 teaspoons fresh ginger grated

INSTRUCTIONS:

Make the dressing. Place the salmon in a bowl. Cover the salmon with the dressing and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator for a few hours, or up to 6.
Soak scallions in a medium bowl of cold water until they begin to curl, about 10 minutes. Drain and shake dry.
Cut the cucumber into ribbons and roll up.
Cut the peeled carrots into ribbons too.
Place Rice in a bowl, and basically add all the ingredients one by one, adding the salmon last, drizzle on some of the marinade.

You could also make a “Poke Bar” and let each person make their own bowl.

Enjoy!
Myra

Broccoli Salad

3 Replies

With Summer on its way, it’s great to have lots of salad recipes on hand. This Broccoli salad is so colorful and fun to make, and obviously fantastic to eat. The great thing about this particular salad is that you can even make it a day in advance, it holds up really well, making it perfect for Bbq’s and Picnics.

It’s very simple to make, start by soaking the cranberries in warm water.
Then you caramelize the pecan nuts with the butter and sugar.
As these cool, you steam the broccoli florets for just 3 minutes in the microwave. You rinse them under cold water and drain.
The rest of the ingredients are then added and tossed with the delicious simple dressing.

⏰ Prep time : 15 minutes
🍝 Cooking time : 15 minutes
🍴 Serves : 4 as a side dish or 2 as a main course

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 large head of Broccoli, cut into florets
• 1/2 cup of pecans
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter
• pinch of salt
• 1/3 cup dried cranberries
• 1/3 cup pomegranate arils, reserve some to scatter on top before serving
• 4 oz. chopped cooked ham
• 4 oz. grated aged cheddar, coarsely grated or finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. chopped chives
• 2 tbsp. chopped parsley, (1 tbsp. goes in and the other on top)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• a good squeeze of lime juice
• 2-3 tbsp. milk
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Start by soaking the cranberries in warm water.
2. Then heat a small pan on medium heat and melt the butter. Add the Pecans, salt and the tablespoon of sugar.
3. Keep stirring until sugar is caramelizing and the nuts are golden.
4. Transfer to a plate lined with a piece of parchment paper and make sure to separate the nuts or they will form clusters.
5. Steam the broccoli florets for three minutes, rinse under cold water and drain very well.
6. For the dressing mix the sour cream, mayonnaise, milk, lime juice, sugar and season with salt and pepper.
7. Drain the cranberries and pat dry with kitchen paper.
8. Toss all the remaining ingredients over the broccoli and mix carefully.
9. Add the dressing and toss again.
10. Place all on top of some salad leafs on a big platter to serve.
11. Sprinkle with the pomegranate arils and some parsley.

ENJOY!
MYRA

Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake Ice cream

5 Replies

This no churn ice cream is a dream come true.

You forgot to buy ice cream? Not to worry, you can make your own without all the fancy equipment. And fairly simple too…

You just mix the basic ingredients in a bowl then place it in a plastic ziplock bag and put it in the freezer for about 4 hours, laying it out flat.
Once it’s frozen, you take it out and bang it on the kitchen counter a few times to break it up, place in a food processor fitted with blades and processed for a few minutes. You end up with the most incredible smooth ice cream, then add the blueberry swirl and the condensed milk, and voila…Blueberry Swirl Cheesecake Ice cream.

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Prep time : 15 minutes plus freezing
Serves : 6
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INGREDIENTS:

• 2 C. Greek Yoghurt
• 1 C. Cream cheese
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 C. sweetened (coconut) condensed cream, save some to drizzle on top

• 3/4 frozen blueberries, SEE TIP
• 3 tbsp. honey or agave syrup (for the berries)

METHOD:

1. Put the greek yoghurt, the cream cheese, vanilla and condensed cream in a bowl and mix until smooth.
2. Place in a large ziplock bag and put it flat in the freezer.
3. Freeze for at least four hours or overnight.
4. Take the bag out of the freezer and bang it on the counter so it breaks into pieces.
5. Place the frozen ingredients in to the food processor fitted with the knife blades.
6. Blend until smooth for about four minutes.
7. Add a tablespoon cream or milk if necessary to get it going.
8. Meanwhile blend the frozen blueberries with the agave syrup in a blender. Add a tablespoon of water if necessary to get it going.
9. Transfer the ice cream to a container with lid, alternating spoonfuls of ice cream with drizzles of blueberry puree. Drizzle some condensed milk on top.
10. Put it in the freezer for at least 6 hours or overnight.
11. As soon as it sets cover with cling film.
12. To serve, take it out of the freezer and let it sit for about 10 minutes before scooping it out into bowls or cones.

TIP: you can take a short cut, omit blueberries and agave syrup and sub for your favourite jam.

Enjoy!

Myra XO

Mediterranean Roast Lamb with Mint Chimichurri

8 Replies

Mediterranean Roast Lamb with Mint Chimichurri, what’s not to love?

This recipe is simple, fuss-free and turns out perfect every time, lamb is very forgiving since it’s quit a fatty cut of meat so it will not dry out easily. However I do put a small baking dish at the bottom of the oven filled with water to humidify the oven.
If you can, buy a piece of lamb with the bone still in, and although carving without the bone may be easier, the bone adds a lot of flavour to the meat during cooking.
Also it adds so much flavour to the potatoes and onions on the bottom, they are basically being cooked in all the lamb juices and drippings.

Personal I prefer the lamb medium done with a hint of pink. But you may cook it longer if you prefer.
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Serves : 4-6
Total cooking time : ca. 2 hours
Roasting Temperature: First 20 minutes 200° C / 395° F.
Remaining time : 160° C / 320° F
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General cooking times:
Rare: about 15 minutes per pound
Medium-Rare: about 20 minutes per pound
Medium: about 25 minutes per pound
Well-Done: about 30 minutes per pound
These times are only guidelines. It is best to check with a thermometer since not all cuts cook the same.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 (4 pound) bone-in leg of lamb
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced or grated
• 1 tbsp. chopped parsley
• 2 tsp. chopped fine fresh rosemary
• 1 tsp. thyme leafs
• 1 tsp. mustard
• 1 glass of dry white wine
• 1/2 cup of stock
• 3 medium onions peeled and sliced in 1/4 inch / 1/2 cm.
• 5 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced in 1/2 inch / 1 cm
• 1 x Chimichurri sauce recipe

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take the leg of lamb out of the refrigerator about an hour before cooking to let it get to room temperature.
Pre heat the oven to 200° C / 395° F.
Remove any excess skin from the leg of lamb and discard. Pat dry with kitchen paper.
Cut incisions with a sharp knife all over the leg of lamb, just a few times to make cooking more even and so the herbs and flavouring can penetrate into the lamb.
Season the lamb liberally with salt and pepper all over.
In a small bowl mix the olive oil, mustard, chopped herbs and grated garlic.
Rub the lamb with the olive oil and herb mixture.
Cover your baking tray with parchment paper and drizzle with a little olive oil.
Prepare your onions and potatoes.
Place the slices of onion on the bottom and then top with the potato slices.
Place the lamb on top. Pour the remaining herb and olive oil mix over the potatoes.
Add the wine and stock and place the lamb in the middle of the oven.
Roast for 20 minutes then lower the heat to 160° C / 320° F and cook for another 100 minutes (1 hr and 40 min) .
If the lamb gets to dark cover loosely with foil. Make sure to baste the lamb with the juices every 30 minutes.
Uncover the lamb for the last 15 to 20 minutes for a crispy outside, if you used foil.
Depending on how you like your lamb done; Continue cooking the lamb until it has reaches your desired internal temperature, (if using a thermometer) , checking the temperature every 20 minutes. The other way to test is by pulling/cutting off a piece of meat.
Let the lamb rest for at least 15 minutes before carving.
To carve the lamb. Place the lamb on a cutting board. Turn it so the bone is parallel to the cutting board.
Cut the lamb off the bone by slicing with your knife parallel to the bone. Serve with the potatoes and onions.
Serve the Mint Chimichurri sauce along side.