Quinoa FTW

I regularly chuck this Southamerican grain in salads, or eat it with mushrooms and mozzarella. It's healthy, filling, and has a nice bite and slightly bitter, nuttery taste. Had it not been for POD, I wouldn't have associated it with brekkie though. POD is my favourite London take away food place. Crunchy salads, yummy soups and thai curries that are to die for. And as a recent addition to their breakfast menu: quinoa mango pots. At £2 a piece a bit pricey to have on a regular basis, so I succesfully tried to copy it at home.

The 'recipe': an espresso cup of quinoa is enough for 2-3 days. Cook it and mix one part of the cooked quinoa with two parts Greek yoghurt (I like Rachel's Organic for this). Chop a mango in bigger chunks and really small chunks (puree would be best if you have a food processor). Add agave or maple syrup to taste and done. Keeps in the fridge for about 2 days. Yum!

Chili con carne

As it's pretty much November weatherwise, I decided to make a big bowl of chili con carne today. And it was the best I've ever had. Thanks to Jamie Oliver (basic recipe), mate JC (addition of chocolate) and myself (some changes to recipe). For six portions, here is what you need to do.

Chop two celery stalks, two bell peppers, two onions and two garlic cloves. Simmer in olive oil till soft. Add a tin of chick peas, a tin of kidney beans and two tins of tomatoes. Add 500 grams minced beef. Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, a teaspoon of cumin (I used garam masala instead as I'd run out of cumin) and a teaspoon of chili powder. Add some fresh chili and chili flakes as well if you like a bit of a bite. And finally add a little balsamic vinegar, some bay leaves, and a square of dark chocolate. Just let it simmer for an hour at least and serve with rice (I used wholegrain basmati) and some yoghurt, a wedge of lime and some coreander. Nom nom nom.

I will have some more tomorrow, as it's supposed to be even better the next day. The rest found its way to the freezer.

Fishy Friday

A recently rediscovered old Jamie Oliver recipe. Made it last week for my friend, and will cook it again tonight. Halibut works perfectly, haven't tried any of the other fish. All it needs is a nice glass of white (in my case, d'Arenberg's Hermit Crab Viognier), a salad and a piece of nice crispy bread (Wholefood, I worship thee). The only thing missing is a limoncello to have afterwards.

1 handful of fresh rosemary, leaves picked
extra virgin olive oil
4 x 200g brill, turbot, halibut or blue eye tranches/steaks
sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
2 large unwaxed lemons, finely sliced
1 large handful of salted capers, soaked
8 good anchovy fillers
a splash of white wine or prosecco

Preheat the oven to 200c. Bruise your rosemary in a pestle & mortar to bring out the flavour. Add 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil & scrunch together. Pat half of this flavoured oil round the fish, season well & put into an earthenware dish or roasting pan. Lay 4 or 5 thin slices of lemon over each steak, sprinkle over your capers & drape over the anchovies. Drizzle with remaining flavoured oil & bake for around 15 minutes off the bone or 25 minutes on the bone. Now you could splash the wine in if you like. Remove from the oven & allow to rest, like a steak for 5 minutes.