Cooking With Indulgence

[Jen93]

So, three days ago my Mommy was sick with the flu (it was a one day thing) so I had to make dinner for myself! :eek: Since my Dad was really busy, (and he doesn't know how to use anything except the microwave) I made a smoothie instead!

Very Berry Chocolate Smoothie. (Makes 2 big cups and 4 small ones)

Ingredients

1) 2 green apples-cut out core, peel if you wish. I like the peel, gives fibre.

2) 15 strawberries-cut off the green things and throw the green things in the compost or garbage.

3) 40 blueberries

4) one bunch green grapes- take the grapes of the stems and cut the grapes in half.

5) white milk- yes! I used white milk! (The chocolate milk bag burst. :( )

6) a quarter bag of chocolate chips

7) maple syrup.

That gives you 7 servings of fruit and 1 serving of dairy products if you drink the whole thing. If you split it between two people it gives you 3 and a half servings of fruit and half a serving of dairy products (Canada's food guide).

It was yummy. Interesting dinner that's for sure.

 

[Kas_Can_Fly]

1 bunch of scallions,white and green parts thinly sliced and separated

It never ceases to amaze me how many words/terms/names there are for (what I know as) spring onions, here's a new one!!

 

[safenow]

I'm on a wheat-free diet for health reasons, so finding recipes is difficult, to say the least.

I recommend the book: Let Them Eat Vegan! by Dreena Burton. She has ways you can cook (in the microwave) food that is wheat free and very tasty as well.

She also does a lot of cooking in the normal way as well. I love all her recipes.

Thanks for this thread, amethist. Good stuff in here. Yummy.

 

[Jen93]

I'm on a wheat-free diet for health reasons, so finding recipes is difficult, to say the least. Add to that, that I really don't enjoy cooking, and you won't find me in the kitchen unless I am in the mood.

You don't need to actually cook. You could eat salad like I mentioned in your profile, or maybe even smoothies. Have you ever tried hummus? Dipping carrot sticks and celery sticks into hummus is really yummy.

The point I'm trying to make is, meals don't have to be big fancy stuff. Sometimes it's really great just to have a lot of little side dishes to make one big meal! :)

 

[Changing4Best]

I like those ideas, Jen, thanks for taking the time to make suggestions. I've been in a "mood" the last few days, feeling unloved and unwanted. When I get in these kinds of moods, even just making a salad seems an insurmountable task! None the less, I am going to try this hummus. I think I recall seeing some in our grocery, although their selections and choices are usually quite limited. (I live way out in the mountains). I think I had some of it once and I bet black olives would go great with it, I LOVE those!

 

[Jen93]

None the less, I am going to try this hummus. I think I recall seeing some in our grocery, although their selections and choices are usually quite limited. (I live way out in the mountains).

That reminds me!

Hummus (makes one large batch)

chickpeas-1 can
lemon juice-1 tbsp
tahini-1/3 cup

Put in food processor and blend. Some people also put garlic and olive oil in it)

 

[Changing4Best]

OOOOOOH! THANKYOU!!! This sounds absolutely delicious, now that I know what it is made of! I need more oil in my diet, so olive oil in there sounds great too.

 

[Changing4Best]

That reminds me!
Hummus chickpeas-1 can

I tried it; it's exotic! I had to get help finding the Tahini in the grocery, they only had one brand, but I am glad they did. It's good and hearty and I can tell it is healthy too. I bet it has lots of protien in it!

 

[amethist]

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE
A South African favourite ..........

This is the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night

Ingredients:
4 tbsp. flour
4 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. cocoa
1 egg
3 tbsp. milk
3 tbsp. oil
A small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

Method:
Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts (high). The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.

 

[KP the nut]

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

OMG. OMG, OMG. Okay, now I need to find which box I packed the ingredients into :eek:

Sounds wonderful

 

[KP the nut]

I'm going to try these as well. I'll cook them on Friday for Hubby coming home.

White chocolate and dried cranberry cookies
Ingredients
• 150 g butter
• 150 g plain flour
• 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
• 50 g ground almonds
• 50 g porridge oats
• 50 g dried cranberries, raisins, sultanas or currants
• 50 g brown sugar
• 50 g caster sugar, or 100g demerara sugar
• 100 g white chocolate, cut into chunks
• 1 large egg yolk, or 2 small egg yolks

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/gas 4.

2. Melt the butter, and allow to cool.

3. Sift the flour and the bicarbonate of soda into a mixing bowl.

4. Add the ground almonds, oats, dried fruit, soft brown sugar, caster sugar and the chocolate chunks and mix well.

5. Mix the cooled melted butter with the egg yolk and pour into the dry ingredients, stirring to combine.

6. With your hands, form into walnut-sized balls and arrange slightly apart from each other on 2 baking trays.

7. Gently flatten the biscuits slightly and place in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until golden.

8. Allow to cool a little on the trays before transferring them to a wire rack to finish cooling.

 

[KP the nut]

I also have some rhubarb which needs eating. I have a new neighbour, so I'll make and take some over to introduce myself.

Rhubarb, Cinnamon & Brown Sugar Muffins
• 300g rhubarb , chopped
• 3 tbsp golden caster sugar
• 300g plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 100g golden caster sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 eggs , beaten
• 200ml milk
• 100g butter , melted and cooled
• demerara sugar , to decorate

1) Mix rhubarb with golden caster sugar. Mix plain flour with baking powder. Beat eggs with milk and melted butter. Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6, line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases. Bake the rhubarb for about 10 minutes until just tender. Drain really well and cool on kitchen towel.
2) Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ones along with the rhubarb (don't overmix, it should be a bit lumpy). Divide between the muffin cases, sprinkle the tops with demerara sugar and bake for 25-30 minutes until risen and golden.