CURRIED SWEET POTATO SOUP

I oven roasted 3 kgs of sweet potatoes , along with 3 onions and a bulb of garlic till tender .

I placed a whole chopped cauliflower, 3/4 cup of coconut flakes  and 2 zucchinis in 500ml of fish stock and 1 litre of vegetable stock into the soup pot .....bought this to the boil and then reduced to a slow simmer .

In a separate bowl I made  a paste with a some coconut milk , turmeric , cumin , chilli flakes and 3 skinned tomatoes

Stir to mix through the soup pot and then add the tender baked sweet potatoes , onions and garlic .
Continue to simmer over a gentle heat for 30 minutes .Season with salt and cracked pepper to taste .

Then turn off the heat , allow to cool slightly and then using a stick blender , process to a puree.
Finally , I combined a drained tin of chickpeas with 1 dsp of cumin over a medium heat with a little oil until the chickpeas were well coated and added this to the pureed soup .
Serve will a dollop of yoghurt on top  and crusty sourdough .

SAUTEED SILVER BEET STALKS

Heat a large pan over a medium heat that has been sprayed with cooking oil .
Add 4 cups of silver beet stalks that have been chopped along with 100 gm of trimmed snow peas .
Add  1 cup of cherry tomatoes that have been halved , 1 tbs of crushed ginger , 2 tbs of tamari , the juice of 1 lemon .
Simmer for 5 minutes .
Season with cracked black pepper and salt to taste .
Turn off the heat add 1 cup of fresh been shoots and sprinkle with 1 tbs of finely copped parsley .
Serve immediately se

POTATO BALLS

Combine 3 cups of mashed potatoes , 3 tbs of finely grated parmesan cheese , 1 dsp of curry powder , 1 tsp of Italian herbs with 4 tbs of finely chopped onion .
Shape the mixture into balls , about the size of large golf balls .
Beat 2 eggs well and dip the balls into the mixture and then roll in panko breadcrumbs and then spray each coated potato ball with cooking spray .
Then place on an oven tray lined with baking paper .
Bake in a preheated oven on 180 deg C for 40 minutes .
Serve in place of roast potatoes .
If you are going to use these in the lunch boxes or serving chilled , roll the balls in sesame or poppy seeds in place of the bread crumbs prior to baking .

INSPIRING WOMEN DINNER

I was honoured to be invited by Lisa Price to the Inspiring Women  Dinner at the Italian club in Morwell last night . It was hosted by Baw Baw Latrobe Learning and Employment Network .
The guest speaker Chelsea Caple delivered ` the letter to my 16 year old self `, speech .
Chelsea is an inspirational role model and her pathway is evidence of what can be achieved by application and hard work .Chelsea is currently the football development manager of AFL Gippsland .
The group consisted of approximately 50 young women ( 15 -17 year olds ) from across the La Trobe  secondary colleges and 50 inspiring women from the La Trobe region .
It proved to be a successful evening linking successful women in the community with young women seeking insight and information about specific careers and career journeys .
Thank you for the opportunity to meet with young inspiring women and answer some of your questions .

 

WHAT`S FOR TEA ?

Start  listening to your body .
I don`t think I am ever hungry for breakfast , but I drink tea , multiple cups .
I rarely eat lunch , preferring a coffee or three. I will eat lunch on special occasions .
The ordeal of the nightly  main meal excites me .
So often I hear people say ....I'm on my own , I don`t have any need to cook meals" .....that`s rubbish , you need to eat to live .
This morning I woke up knowing exactly what I was having for tea tonight .....

Tuna on a spinach and avocado  salad with oven roasted kumara and chips ( we all have our weakness..mine is chips   )

SUGARLESS EARL GREY AND CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE (V)

You need to start this recipe the day before you need it .
This cheesecake is based on nuts , that provide natural richness and flavour .
The first step is to place 4 cups of raw cashews in a large bowl with 8 earl grey tea bags , pour in enough cold water to just cover nuts and tea bags ....let stand for 24 hours .
Grease a 22 cm round spring form pan , line with baking paper .
THE BASE
Place in your processor 170 gm of quinoa , 80 gm of almonds and 35 gm of cacao powder .
Keep the motor running and add 230gm of fresh dates ( I use date paste ), 50gm of coconut oil , 2 tbs of warm water and 1 tsp of vanilla extract .
Process until the mixture sticks together when pressed .
Use the back of a wooden spoon to spread the mixture evenly over the base of your prepared pan .
Refrigerate till firm , it takes about 15 minutes .
FILLING
Drain the cashews and teabags , reserve  1/2 cup of the soaking liquid .
Place the cashews into the processor and empty the leaves from the tea bags over the cashews , now pour over the 1/2 cup of reserved soaking liquid , 25 gm of cacoa powder , 230gm of pitted dates , 200gm of coconut oil and 1 dsp of vanilla extract .
Process till the mixture is as smooth as possible .
Spread over the chilled base .
refrigerate until firm , about 4 hours .
Top cheesecake with pomegranate seeds and flaked almonds .

 

 

CHEESY POLENTA CHIPS

Spray a  ( 20 X 30 cm ) slice tray and set aside .
Bring 1 litre of vegetable stock to the boil .
Pour in 220gm of polenta and stir until thickened .
Remove from heat and mix in 100 gm of finely grated Parmesan cheese , a dsp of butter /marg and 1 tbs of Italian herbs .
Pour the mixture into the prepared pan , smooth over the top and cover with cling wrap.
Place the tray in the refrigerator till completely cool and set . ( allow for at least 3 hours )
This part of the preparation can be done the day before.

When completely set , turn out the polenta and slice into thick chips .
You can freeze the prepared and sliced polenta in an airtight container , separating the layers with baking paper to avoid them sticking together .
To cook ....place the chips on an oven tray that has been sprayed with oil .
Place in a preheated hot oven 200 deg C , and roast until golden and crisp ( 25-30 minutes )
I turn my polenta chips once through the cooking process .