Beetroot Carpaccio

I’ve been detoxing now for three days, drinking only blended fruit and vegetables.  As an avid lover of all things sweet, this has been no easy task!  But I am beginning to feel more energetic and alert.

I’ve found that I really like beetroot.  Apart from its health benefits (beetroot can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, is good for the liver and can even help prevent cancer), it adds colour and sweetness to the smoothie.

Now I’m not suggesting we all resort to a liquid diet but I do recommend you try this yummy beetroot starter, above!  A nice change from the norm and healthy too.

Click here for the recipe

Via The Good Food Channel

Party Nibbles

I don’t know about you but when I am on a diet I seem to think about food more and ultimately eat more!  I always want to be nibbling something.  Rather than start on the biscuits, opt for something a little more healthy and satisfying such as these yummy dips, below.  Brilliant for parties, too!

Potato skins
Takes 5 min to make + 1 hr 30 min cooking

Preheat the oven to 200 deg., gas 6.
Prick 6 large baking potatoes with a fork and rub with olive oil.
Place directly on the oven shelf and bake for 45 min, until slightly soft. Leave to cool for 15 min.
Cut each potato in half lengthways and then cut in half again. Scoop out the flesh leaving a layer of potato at least 1cm (½in) thick.
Brush lightly with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and bake, skin side down, on a roasting dish, for 30 min, until crisp. Turn over after 15 min. Serve with the dips.

Chunky Mexican guacamole dip
Takes 5 min to make

Halve 1 large avocado, remove the stone and scoop out the flesh.
Mash with 1 crushed garlic clove, the juice of ½ lime, 1tbsp olive oil, ½ red chilli, deseeded and diced
Add 2 finely sliced spring onions, a handful of torn coriander leaves and a little salt.

Soured cream & chive dip
Takes 5 min to make

Combine 1 crushed garlic clove, 1tbsp snipped chives and a large pinch of cayenne pepper with a 142ml tub soured cream.  Season with salt.

Hot tomato & red onion salsa
Takes 5 min to make

De-seed and finely chop 2 medium tomatoes and ½ red chilli.
Combine with ¼ red onion, finely chopped.
Stir in 1tbsp olive oil and a good pinch of salt.

recipes via Ideal Home magazine

posted by Emily

Finger Food

Crostini with herb toppings would make great finger food at a party and it’s so easy to do.  In fact, I wouldn’t say no to munching these in front of the T.V in the evening!! 

I’m always interested in hearing about new ideas for party food… plain sandwiches and sausage sticks are so passé!  Have you any ideas you’d like to share?

For the crostini you will need:

1 loaf of ciabatta bread, cut into 1cm/½ inch slices
1 large clove of garlic, peeled and cut in half
Extra virgin olive oil

Method:

Grill your slices of ciabatta. While they’re still hot, rub them gently with the cut side of the garlic and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.  Finish with your favourite toppings…

Mixed Herbs topping:

• Get any mixture of soft herbs like fennel tops, green or purple basil, parsley, mint, chervil, thyme tips or sorrel and roughly chop them.
• Take 6 cherry tomatoes and halve them, then rub one of the halves into each of your hot crostini.
• Grate some pecorino or Parmesan over the top and season with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle over your chopped herbs.

recipe via Jamie Oliver.

posted by Emily

Garden Fruits

I’ve been picking raspberries in the garden- a full 4 punnets so far!  There’s only so much fruit salad I can eat, so I’ve been looking and ways to use them in a dessert recipe.  I quite fancy these Raspberry and Yoghurt Swirls, don’t you?!! Yum…

via Masterchef Magazine

Posted by Emily