Our bodies benefit greatly from the ingestion of a multitude of spices, and what better way to do so than in the form of curry? A curry does not have to be too spicy or overwhelmingly hot, but there is no doubt that chilli peppers, once you have acquired a taste for them, contribute towards natural mood enhancement. The accompaniments for curry - yoghurt, coconut, banana, cucumber and avocado - should also form a regular part of our diets. To me, it constitutes an ideal meal!
Tonight I am making mince curry and will throw the rice into the same pot, as it saves on washing up afterwards!
Mince curry:
Heat a little coconut oil or butter/oil of choice and saute finely sliced onion, garlic and fresh ginger until transparent. Add 1Tbs each of cumin, coriander, turmeric, commercial curry powder and chutney, 1 teasp each of dried chilli (or however you like it) and salt, a bay leaf, stick of cinnamon or cassia, and stir constantly for about a minute. Do not allow to burn. If it is too hot, add a dash of hot water (not cold, you don't want to crack a pot), taking care not to burn yourself on the steam, and then add the mince. Break it up with a fork until all crumbly, add 1/2 cup water and simmer for about 15 minutes.
A can of beans or a cup of frozen peas are a nice addition to extend the dish. Add this when you add the rice - preferably basmati - if there is no liquid in the curry, add 2 cups hot water to 1 cup rice - give it a good stir and simmer on low for 15 minutes by which time the water should be absorbed and the rice cooked to perfection. Beware of burning if you have added baked beans, as the tomato/sugar content seems to sit on the bottom. If it only 'catches' slightly, this always enhances the flavour, I think, but this kind of timing only comes with practice!
Enjoy!
Monday 26 August 2013
Friday 16 August 2013
Homemade chocolates without the guilt!
It's been a long time since I posted a recipe! Today I want to share one of life's great treats - real chocolate - that's actually good for you!
The health benefits of many South American foods are being introduced to the rest of the world and in the main are referred to as superfoods for their extremely high nutritional content. It seems that the native peoples of South America needed an extra boost to compensate for the extremes of climate and altitude that they endured!
Raw cacao is said to have one of the highest antioxidant properties, as well as being conducive to happiness. This easy method of producing chocolate that hasn't been subjected to high temperatures or any additives is ideal for those seeking chocolate satisfaction without the guilt:
500g raw cacao paste
250g cacao butter
1/4 cup agave syrup or more if you really have a sweet tooth
Chopped raw almonds and cranberries
Melt the first three ingredients in a double boiler, or even just over hot water, making sure it melts but doesn't heat. Constant stirring ensures a speedy result. Add sufficient almonds and cranberries to make about double the mixture. This will extend the volume of chocolates and allow you to eat more than one at a time. Spoon the mixture into ice trays - takes a bit of practice as it is very thin and can be messy. Place in deep freeze or fridge to set, knock out of trays and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
You should try not to eat more than 20g of chocolate per day, simply for the caloric value. It might have a similar effect to caffeine and keep you awake.
Whatever the claims made with regard to the nutritive properties of any food, I can say with certainty that these delicious treats sure beat any commercial chocolate out there!
The health benefits of many South American foods are being introduced to the rest of the world and in the main are referred to as superfoods for their extremely high nutritional content. It seems that the native peoples of South America needed an extra boost to compensate for the extremes of climate and altitude that they endured!
Raw cacao is said to have one of the highest antioxidant properties, as well as being conducive to happiness. This easy method of producing chocolate that hasn't been subjected to high temperatures or any additives is ideal for those seeking chocolate satisfaction without the guilt:
500g raw cacao paste
250g cacao butter
1/4 cup agave syrup or more if you really have a sweet tooth
Chopped raw almonds and cranberries
Melt the first three ingredients in a double boiler, or even just over hot water, making sure it melts but doesn't heat. Constant stirring ensures a speedy result. Add sufficient almonds and cranberries to make about double the mixture. This will extend the volume of chocolates and allow you to eat more than one at a time. Spoon the mixture into ice trays - takes a bit of practice as it is very thin and can be messy. Place in deep freeze or fridge to set, knock out of trays and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
You should try not to eat more than 20g of chocolate per day, simply for the caloric value. It might have a similar effect to caffeine and keep you awake.
Whatever the claims made with regard to the nutritive properties of any food, I can say with certainty that these delicious treats sure beat any commercial chocolate out there!
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