The festive season has begun and we are all excited for the upcoming festivities and holidays. It starts to feel christmassy as soon we start choosing gifts, purchasing them and then spending an evening wrapping them. My favorite time is watching christmas television, enjoying a drink and a mince pie whilst wrapping presents.
Being teetotaller I don't drink alcohol but that does not mean I can't enjoy a festive drink. I am sure many people like myself for various reasons, choose not to drink but would like to enjoy a celebratory drink. I would highly recommend a chilled glass of Real Kombucha vegan fermented sparkling tea. I am a tea lover so when I discovered these drinks I was intrigued to sample the different flavours. I was also excited that I could enjoy a drink, being assured that is is non alcoholic
What is REAL Kombucha?
REAL Kombucha is a non alcoholic fermented sparkling tea. It is brewed from handpicked loose tea from small gardens around the world. It is low in sugar, suitable for vegans and is the perfect substitute for sparkling wine. It pairs really well with different foods such as these Tandoori Cauliflower Bites, this delicious Vegetarian Paella or these Vegan Samosas.
How is Kombucha made?
Kombucha is thought to originate from China. It is made by adding yeast, sugar and specific bacteria to black or green tea,The tea is ferment for a few days causing the bacteria and the yeast to form a film on the surface which is known as Scoby, This is used to ferment new batches of Kombucha. During the fermentation process Acetic acid is produced which makes the Kombucha carbonated.
How to store the Kombucha?
Since Kombucha is a live product, it is best to store it in a cool environment at approximately 15-20 degrees C
These non alcoholic christmas drinks can be made in several different flavours to suit all palates. REAL Kombucha comes in three different flavours , they are Royal Flush, Dry Dragon and a Limited Edition Iron Goddess
Royal Flush, this is the first flush Darjeeling Tea which has aromatic notes of rhubarb and white peach, It's very refreshing and smooth on the palate. I enjoy this one with savoury dishes.
Dry Dragon, this is made from Dragon Well Green Tea, it is light and citrusy with nutty notes and perfect for enjoying with some nuts and snacks.
Iron Goddess, this is made from Tie Guan Yin Oolong Tea, the tea is really smooth with notes of honey, nuts and apricots. I love this tea as it really pairs well.with any sort of desserts.
This year I am also going to be serving these awesome teas with my Christmas meal and for the new year celebrations too. I can do this knowing that Kombucha is also very beneficial for good gut health too. You can purchase REAL Kombucha from Kombucha UK. Have you tried Kombucha before, do share your thoughts in the comments below.
Spanish Warm Courgette Salad is a lovely and tasty salad that is delicious as main dish or as a side dish. Its packed with healthy ingredients such as courgettes, peppers, cucumber and tossed in olive oil and a crunchy topping of coarsely ground almonds.
What are Courgettes?
Courgettes are also known as Zucchini , they are available the whole year around but in abundance in the summer months. It is part of the marrow family and also recognised as a summer squash. there are different varieties of courgettes , they come in long cylindrical shapes and round too, The courgettes come in the green variety as well as the yellow variety.
They can be eaten raw in salads and also can be baked, fried and cooked and added to sauces and soups. Zucchini is very versatile and although does not really have a strong favour of its own it is great to add to dishes as it takes on otHer flavours really well. It is really low in fat and cholesterol and has a good source of protein, vitamin A, C and K
It is best to eat Zucchini that are young with very tender flesh as the more mature ones tend have a very spongy flesh and seeds. Occasionally tey can be bitter but this is rare.
What are Warm Salads?
Warm salads are vegetables that are only partly cooked and still retain their crunch. They are a nice alternative to raw salads especially in the winter months.
What can I substitute instead of Almonds?
You can add any kind of nut such as walnuts or cashew nuts, if you are allergic to nuts you can add pine nuts instead or sunflower seeds.
Dietary Tips
Vegan
Gluten free
Vegetarian
What other recipes can I make with Courgettes?
What not try these delicious Greek Fried Zucchini known as Kolokythakia Tiganita, This is a Greek appetiser dish that is served in taverns. It is usually part of a meze platter, served with tzatziki a cucumber yogurt sauce.
I had this salad on a recent trip to Palma. I went to an Olive farm where they grow and harvest olives. I had the opportunity to sample their olive oils that they used to prepare the lunch dishes. Since I am a vegetarian the chef made me this warm courgette salad, it was so delicious that I had to recreate it at home.
Coming back to this Spanish Warm Courgette Salad here is the complete recipe below. If you don't have the special courgette shredding/ julienne knife you can grate the courgette instead.
Spanish Warm Courgette Saladhttps://youtu.be/UitTR5mAGlgA delicious warm salad packed with healthy vegetables and protein from the almonds.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmLQZyumrmsCUW_rZ9tv_WvHxibtGaIKGhIGjqhaRAIkBNr1_BvtUl6n2MoOQc1jLTTwrifx9VWfngJKX2qKlmZD7y2sbT_IYSWpA2-6cy-XxSx5idsY55Q-mbuOoqATZedlPy4HyioFvnxV-jJMSrSyEe1R3Z3BoiOcxfhnQiT_er43nk2mFU5XTHCA=s320" width="320"2021-12-09
Yield: 2
Author: Nayna Kanabar
Spanish Warm Courgette Salad
This delicious vegan and gluten free Spanish warm courgette salad is super delicious, healthy and full of delicious flavours.
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 3 MinTotal time: 13 Min
Ingredients
1 courgette
50g Almonds
50g Yellow Capsicum
50g Orange Capsicum
50g Cucumber
2-3 Tbsp Olive oil (for whole recipe)
6 Cherry Tomatoes
1 Tbsp fresh Parsley finely chopped
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/4 Black Pepper
1/4 Tsp Dried Mint
1/4 Tsp Dried Oregano
2 Cloves Garlic finely chopped
2 Tbsps Lemon Juice
Instructions
Coarsely grind the almonds
Finely chop the garlic
Finely chop the parsley
Dice the yellow and orange peppers
Dice the cucumber
Julienne the courgettes
In a pan add the oil and warm it up.
Add the garlic and saute for a few seconds
Add the courgettes and saute for 1 minute
Add the peppers, tomatoes and saute for 1-2 minutes.
Add the cucumber and toss together
Add the ground almonds toss everything together.
Add the salt, pepper, dried mint, dried oregano and lemon juice.
Add the parsley
Add a drizzle of olive oil
Toss everything together, Serve the salad by drizzling some more olive oil and garnish with more parsley, ground almonds and a lemon wedge.
Notes:
You can substitute the Almonds with any other nuts.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
366.93
Fat (grams)
30.70
Sat. Fat (grams)
3.49
Carbs (grams)
20.76
Fiber (grams)
6.13
Net carbs
14.63
Sugar (grams)
9.52
Protein (grams)
8.54
Sodium (milligrams)
721.33
Cholesterol (grams)
0.00
The nutritional information provided is an approximation calculated by an online calculator. Please consult a professional dietitian for nutritional advice.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @simplyf00d on instagram and hashtag it #cookwithsimplyf00d
Here is the video version of the recipe.
If you make this recipe don't forget to tag me @simplyf00d
Do you have a favorite courgette recipe? Why not share it in the comments below.
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Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.Eating a good breakfast keeps you going till lunch time without getting mid morning hunger pangs. It helps you to concentrate and keeps your blood sugar levels constant. Most people skip breakfast and grab a chocolate bar or a coffee on the way. This is really unhealthy and does not do your body any good. My go to breakfast for my family is overnight oats.
What are overnight oats?
Overnight oats are a no cook method of making oatmeal. They are prepared overnight and generally consumed cold. They are time saving, quick and super healthy and as they can be prepared the night before they make the perfect on the go breakfast. You can add any toppings of your choice, the combinations re endless.
I always make a basic plain batch of overnight oats and then let my family choose their own favorite toppings to add to them. Before I share the recipe, I will answer some questions that are often asked about overnight oats.
What type of oats can you use ?
You can use rolled oats or gluten free oats
What type of milk can you use?
Any type of milk, full cream, skimmed, semi skimmed or plant based milk such as almond milk, hazelnut milk, coconut milk or soya milk
What toppings can you add ?
You can add fruits, nuts, sauces, seeds, syrups or just eat them plain.
What can I serve overnight oats in?
The best way to serve overnight oats is a screw top mason jar, however you can serve them in any type of container, there is no hard and fast rule.
Can I eat overnight oats cold or hot.
Normally they are eaten cold but there is no reason why you cannot warm them for a few seconds in the microwave, however I recommend you don't add yoghurt in the oats if you are going to warm the oats up.
Are overnight oats unhealthy.
Overnight oats are not unhealthy if you keep your topping light. Of course if you overload the oats with sugary topping then they will be high in calories.
How can I make overnight oats gluten free and vegan?
You can use gluten free oats and plant based milk and yoghurts to make vegan and gluten free overnight oats.
In this recipe, I am making peanut butter overnight oats with banana and vegan salted caramel sauce. I made the peanut butter in my froothie Optimum 9200 blender and the vegan salted caramel sauce was sent to me by the Bad Brownie
The Vegan Salted Caramel sauce had a lovely texture and complimented the oats and banana combination really well.
The Vegan Salted Caramel sauce is really versatile, it can be added as a topping for oats, ice cream, porridge, fruits, brownies, cupcakes and cookies too.
You can batch makes these and keep in the fridge for a couple of days. I keep mine in individual serving mason jars so that my family can take one to work, school and college and can be eaten on the go. Just attach a spoon to the side of the jar and breakfast on the go is ready.
Yield: 2 Servings
Author: Nayna Kanabar
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats with Banana and Vegan Salted Caramel Sauce
Overnight Oats with banana, peanut butter and vegan salted caramel sauce, This is the perfect vegan, gluten free healthy breakfast, that is super tasty and delicious.
Prep time: 10 MinInactive time: 8 HourTotal time: 8 H & 10 M
Ingredients
125g Gluten free Oats
200g Almond Milk
50g Soya Yoghurt
1 Tbsp Maple Syrup
1 Tsp Vanilla
1 Tbsp Chia Seeds
1 Banana
2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter
2 Tbsps Vegan Sated Caramel Sauce
2 Walnuts
1 Tbsp Flaked Almonds
Mint Leaves for Garnish
Instructions
In a Jar add the oats, almond milk, soya yoghurt, vanilla essence, maple syrup and chia seeds.
Mix everything together, cover with lid and keep in the refrigerator overnight
In the morning mix the oats mixture and dive into two serving jars.
Add a tablespoon of peanut butter on top pf the oats mixture.
Slice the banana and place a few slices on top of the peanut butter.
Drizzle with the vegan salted caramel sauce and top with flaked almonds and a walnut. Garnish with a mint leaf.
Notes:
You can add any type of plant based milk and yoghurt in this recipe.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
677.64
Fat (grams)
29.45
Sat. Fat (grams)
4.72
Carbs (grams)
83.62
Fiber (grams)
14.32
Net carbs
69.31
Sugar (grams)
25.37
Protein (grams)
25.91
Sodium (milligrams)
170.20
Cholesterol (grams)
5.10
The nutritional information provided is an approximation calculated by an online calculator. Please consult a professional dietitian for nutritional advice.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @simplyf00d on instagram and hashtag it #cookwithsimplyf00d
There are many overnight oat options, you can make them chocolate flavoured by adding cocoa, coffee by adding coffee powder. Flavoured milks such as strawberry, butterscotch or toffee are great flavours to add too. Have you tried overnight oats? What is your favorite flavour, do share in the comments below.
Churma Ladoo are an Indian sweet dish usually shaped into
round balls called ladoos. They are very popular in all Hindu households as
they are commonly made on special occasions and as an offering to Lord Ganesh
on the Festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.
What is Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi is also known as Vinayaka Chavithi. It is
an auspicious Hindu festival which is celebrated for 10 days every year. The
festival is celebrated in the Bhadra month as per the Hindu calendar which
generally falls in mid-August to September. It marks the birthday of the elephant-headed
Lord Ganesha.
How is it Celebrated?
There are four main rituals which are performed during the
10-day long festival.
Pranapratishhtha- Devotees install Lord Ganesh Idols in
decorated pandals in their homes or temples and decorate them with flowers,
garlands and lights. A priest then chants prayers to invoke life in the deity.
Shhodashopachara- During the 10 days 16 different types of prayers
are offered to the lord Ganesh by singing chanting dancing and drum beating and
lighting divas (oil candles)
Uttarpuja-On the 10th day a farewell ritual is then
performed to Lord Ganesha
Ganpati Visarjan – This is the final ceremony where the Lord
Ganesh Idol is immersed in the sea or flowing water. During this ceremony
prayers are offer to the Lord to return again the following year.
Many delicious dishes are served during this time, however
Churma ladoo, Modak and Boondi ladoos are commonly offered to Lord Ganesh as
these are classed as his favorite sweet dishes.
I am sharing the Churma Ladoos here as these are my families
favorite.
Before I share the recipe let me answer some questions about these ladoos.
What flour is used?
You can use any type of wheat flour, however the whole wheat coarse flour achieves best results.
Are there different ways to make the muthias (dough balls)?
You can bake the muthias as I have done to make them a little healthier, the authentic way is to deep fry them on a low heat until crispy. You can also roll out round chapatis and cook them on a griddle until crispy if you prefer
Can I use another sweetening agent?
Yes you can, you can add sugar instead of jaggery , however you do not need to make a syrup you just add powdered sugar and melted ghee to the churma and form ladoos.
Can I add dry fruits to the ladoos?
Adding finally copped dry fruits like almonds, pistachios and cashew nuts can be added if desired.
I don't have a ladoo mould how can I form the ladoos?
You can just make lime sized balls of the mixture and roll the ladoos in poppy seeds if you don't have a ladoo mould or use a mini icecream scoop
How to store the ladoos?
The ladoos will last up to a week in an air tight container, if you wish to store them longer keep them in the refrigerator and take them out and eat at room temperature.
Tips
Do not skimp on the ghee quantity or oil as it is necessary to use this quantity for achieving the texture.
Do not over cook the jaggery, only cook it enough to melt it, otherwise the ladoos will turn hard.
You can also check out my video showing how to make these Churma Ladoos below:
Churma Ladoohttps://youtu.be/PuMQ_4kyZ-kChurma Ladoos are a very special ladoo made in many households all over hindu households. They are made as an offering to the Elephant God Ganesh and served as an offering. This prasad is a firm favorite of Lordhttps://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigPReQKEYRQJi1BAzxi5Wgb5NJokRjBi4P9YOOAF9RDUdVaVWvjppOaptau7n2wiLuKbxZ4gDoOUbwXTNrHoK5PzsdyQSWWFGNDLGgCm6LvFaf2E9gXJyER3g9FwgKzsHDFbV_lL1h-QE6/s1280/Churma+Ladoo+without+Frying.png
Yield: 24 mini bite sized ladoos
Author: Nayna Kanabar
Churma Ladoo without frying
Churma Ladoo is an Indian sweet dish that is traditionally made to offer as a prasad to Lord Ganesh for the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi.
Prep time: 45 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 1 H & 15 M
Ingredients
200g Coarse Whole Wheat Flour
30g Chickpea Flour
30g Coarse Semolina
4 Tbsps Sunflower Oil
100 ml Warm Water
100g Ghee/ Clarified Butter
100g Jaggery
1 Tsp Cardamom Powder
1 Tsp Nutmeg Powder
1 Tbsp Poppy Seeds
Instructions
In a bowl add the whole wheat flour, semolina and chickpea flour
Add the oil and mix into the flour to form a crumb mixture.
Add approx 100 ml water little by little to form a very firm/tight dough
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C/360F
Pinch lime sized balls of the dough and pinch them in your fist making indentations in the dough ball with the tips of your fingers.
Repeat for all the dough.
Place the dough balls (traditionally calle muthis) on a baking tray and bake for 30 mins until firm, crisp and slightly browned. Remember t turn them over after 15 minutes.
After 30 minutes remove the baked muthias from the oven and transfer to a plate to cool down.
After muthias have cooled down fully, grind them in a food processor to a fine powder. Transfer the powder to a bowl. and add 1 Tsp Cardamom powder and 1 Tsp Nutmeg powder. Mix and keep aside. This is called Churma
Ina heavy duty pan add the ghee and heat on medium heat until it melts.
Add the jaggery and cook the mixture until jaggery fully melts. Remove from the heat and pour the melted jaggery mixture to the prepared churma and mix it well.
Grease a ladoo mould with a little ghee and add some poppy seeds in the bottom of the mould.
Tightly pack the mould with the churma mixture and smooth the surface.
Turn the mould spoon over and tap it in the palm of your hand 2-3 times to de mould the ladoo.
Repeat the process for remaining churma.
Notes:
The churma dough balls can be deep fried on a very low heat, this is the traditional way for making the muthia.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
97.34
Fat (grams)
5.17
Sat. Fat (grams)
3.00
Carbs (grams)
11.92
Fiber (grams)
1.19
Net carbs
10.73
Sugar (grams)
4.23
Protein (grams)
1.64
Sodium (milligrams)
2.37
Cholesterol (grams)
12.03
The nutritional information provided is an approximation calculated by an online calculator. Please consult a professional dietitian for nutritional advice.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @simplyf00d on instagram and hashtag it #cookwithsimplyf00d
How do you celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, I would love to know about the way its celebrated in different households. Please do share in the comments below.
I love food photography and you will have read in my previous post about my new InstagramBag.The Instagram Bag is a special bag for those who have both a love of food and a passion for photography.
The bag is a complete solution for a portable photography Kit. It consists of a zipped bag with, 8 postcards with photography tips, reflectors and 4 photography backdrops .
I am really excited to share that I have two Instagram Bags RRP £39.95 to giveaway (1 per winner) courtesy of the Paper Bag Co
How to Enter:
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Baked Onion Bhajihttps://youtu.be/HZUquIztHgcBaked Onion Bhajis are a healthier version of the traditional fried onion bhajis that are typically served as a teatime treat in India.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigpVDqp75B4O6pLPUXktP82vubdgsQuBSipIbj2nTMNZ_9YVCXWi2t_2ugHdJbkX04TYtQLQY2-KgG5OoRJivHy0F4_b4AxjiI_o440U_l15N4Q6R6VjTjsTcHmf2TwEC2TtfHH4k06PLv/s1280/baked+onion+bhajis+recipe.png2021-04-15
Yield: 12 piecs
Author: Nayna Kanabar
Baked Onion Bhaji
Baked Onion Bhajis are a healthier version of the traditional fried onion bhajis that are typically served as a teatime treat in India. Often known as pakoras, bhajiyas and also bbhajis, they are normally deep fried so they are crispy on the outside and soft inside. They are served with chutneys as a appetiser.
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 35 Min
Ingredients
Baked Onion Bhaji
2 medium onions 300g peeled and sliced
180g Chickpea Flour
30g Rice Flour
1 Tsp finely chopped garlic
1 Tsp ginger paste
1 Tsp finely chopped green chilli
2 Tbsps Fresh coriander finely chopped
1 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder
1 Tsp Chilli Powder
1/3 Tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp sunflower oil for batter
2 Tbsps sunflower oil for brushing the muffin pan and top of bhajis
3 Tbsps Water ( may need a little more or less depending on flour)
Instructions
Peel and slice the onions into very thin strips and keep aside
In a bowl add the chickpea flour, rice flour, garlic, ginger, finely chopped chillies, coriander, salt, chilli powder, turmeric powder, bicarbonate of soda and 1 tablespoon of oil and mix together to combine.
Separate the onion slices and add them to the flour mixture and toss together the onions and the flour mixture.
Add three tablespoons water and mix, the spice mixture should stick to the onions but it should not be too wet.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C/375 Degrees F
Brush a muffin pan generously with oil using a pastry brush.
Pinch lime sized balls of the bhaji mixture and fill each cavity in the pan with the mixture.
Brush the tops of the onion bhajis with oil and bake in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, turning the bhajis after 10 minutes of baking.
Once cooked transfer the bhajis to a serving platter and serve with green coriander chutney.
Notes:
You can deep fry or shallow fry these onion bhajis.
Calories
153.10
Fat (grams)
6.94
Sat. Fat (grams)
0.87
Carbs (grams)
18.35
Fiber (grams)
2.16
Net carbs
16.19
Sugar (grams)
5.54
Protein (grams)
4.41
Sodium (milligrams)
240.06
Cholesterol (grams)
3.27
The nutritional information provided is an approximation calculated by an online calculator. Please consult a professional dietitian for nutritional advice.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @simplyf00d on instagram and hashtag it #cookwithsimplyf00d