Italian style meatloaf

Italian Style freeform meatloaf

1Kg  (2lbs) minced (ground) Beef
1 Onion, finely chopped
1 cup finely grated zucchini    
I cup finely grated carrot     
1 Tbsp crushed Garlic 
 2 eggs, beaten    
1/2 cup breadcrumbs or oats 
1 tsp dried Italian herbs
1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning 
200g (4oz) feta cheese, crumbled - optional   
3 Tbsp tomato paste    
1/4 cup red wine

Place all ingredients except the meat and eggs in a large bowl and mix gently but thoroughly together.  Add extra salt and pepper if needed.  Add eggs and meat and mix again.  Form into an oblong shape and place on a baking paper lined cookie sheet.  Bake at 180*C 350*F for about 1 1/2 hrs.  I always roast some vegetables at the same time to serve alongside, and make full use of the oven.  Roasted mushroom, carrots, and potatoes are nice.

Curried chickpea stacks

Chick pea patties:

1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped

1 Tbs grated fresh ginger

½ cup finely grated carrot

½ cup finely grated pumpkin

1 tsp cumin

1 Tbs mild and spicy curry powder

400g tin chickpeas, rinsed and drained

½ cup regular oats

2 eggs.

Rice Pilaf:

½ cup basmati rice

½ cup yellow split peas

 1 tsp turmeric

1 cup vegetable stock

½ cup mixed dried cake fruit

1 large eggplant

1 cup baby spinach leaves, washed and dried

½  cup greek yoghurt

2 Tbs olive oil

For patties, blitz oats in food processor until finely chopped, add chickpeas and process until almost smooth.  Add in other pattie ingredients and blend until mixed together.  Form into 8 patties(using wet hands) and place in fridge for at least an hour to chill and firm.

For rice pilaf place rice, peas, turmeric and vegetable stock in rice cooker and start, or bring to the boil and then simmer in a pot for 30 – 40 minutes.  When cooked, fluff rice with a fork, and stir in dried fruit. Let sit covered for 10 minutes.

 Slice eggplant into 8 slices, then sauté in a little olive oil until crispy and brown.  Keep warm in oven.  Sauté on medium in a little olive oil for about 10 minutes each side, until firm and golden.

To assemble, divide the rice between plates, then add spinach on top, then eggplant, then pattie and finally a dollop of yoghurt.

Better than Chicken nuggets

500g ground chicken
1/2 onion, grated
1 carrot, finely grated
1/2 capsicum finely chopped
1 Tbs finely chopped herbs
1 Tbs greek yoghurt
2 eggs
1 potato, baked peeled and mashed
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all together and divide evenly between 12 greased muffin cups (I use the silicone ones).  Bake for 20 minutes at 200*C

Jamies stir fried vegetables

1tsp chopped garlic
1 tsp chopped chili
3 spring onions
1 red onion
1 handful snow peas
4 large mushrooms
1/4 head of cabbage
1 tin water chestnuts
rice bran oil
2 tsp soy sauc
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp sesame seeds

Heat rice bran oil in a wok, stir fry chili and garlic until fragrant, then add remaining vegetables.  Stir fry for a few minutes until tender crisp then add soy sauce, sesame oil and seeds.  Season with salt and pepper if desired. 

Life changing bread

Life Changing Bread

Mix together
2 cups sunflower seeds
1 cup ground linseed
1 cup chopped nuts
3 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup psyllum husks
4 Tbs chia seeds
1 tsp salt

In another bowl mix the liquids together
1/2 cup grape seed oil
1 Tbsp honey
2 cups water
1 cup whey or water

Mix the wet ingredients into the dry and then press firmly into 2 loaf pans.  Cover with cling wrap and leave on kitchen counter overnight.  The whey reacts with the grains, making them more digestible and gives a slightly sourdough flavour.  If you dont want that you can refrigerate overnight, but the grains need to thoroughly soak up the mositure and soften.
Bake at 180*C for 30 minutes.  Tip out of pans and then place them straight on the oven rack for a further 20 minutes or so until dry and firm.  Once cooled, it can be sliced and then stored in the freezer in a plastic bag.  I simply take out a slice as needed.
I make two loaves to make use of having the oven on for an hour, but you can halve it for one loaf.

Chocolate Date truffles

Chocolate date truffles

1 cup coconut milk (freeze the rest of the tin for use in curries)
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup chia seeds
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup dates, pits removed
1/2 cup coconut flour

Place in food processor until well chopped, If it is not sweet enough you could add some stevia, but I find the dates add enough sweetness. Roll into teaspoon sized balls and then roll in coconut if desired.  These freeeze very well.

Scones

Scones – to have with tea, under a willow tree


2 cups (500ml) flour
2 tsp (10ml) baking powder
1 egg
1/4 cup (65ml) oil
½ cup (125ml) milk



Lightly beat together the egg, oil and milk and pour into the flour and baking powder which have been sifted together. Gently knead together and flatten out on a floured board to about ½” thick. Cut into circles and lay on a baking tray, quite close together. Bake at 400°F (200ºC) for about 10 mins. Split in half and serve with jam and whipped cream.
Note: Lately I have been adding 1 tsp of baking soda and using whey or plain yoghurt in place of milk