Vegetarian Chili (Tomato Lentil Soup)

Date Published: Sept 9th, 2021 | Last Updated: Sept 9th, 2021
Author: Abby |Category: soups, mains, vegetarian, healthy, easy
Serves: 4-6 | Prep time: 20 mins | Cook time: 1 hr

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This soup may not look like much, but it’s SO good, healthy and really filling! The softened texture of the blended lentils resembles a minced meat texture and the combination of spices in this soup makes it taste kind of like a southern chilli – but vegetarian. The lentils pack a load of nutrients and fibre which makes this a really filling soup, perfect to keep you full when you have a busy day at work.

This recipe is adapted from RecipeTinEats with a few minor adjustments.

Anyways, without further ado, here’s the recipe! If you have any comments or suggestions, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section! You can follow me on instagram, youtube and facebook to see all the recipes I post!

Happy cooking!

Ingredients you’ll need:

2 Tbsps olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 large carrot, diced
3 stalks of celery, diced
1.5 litres (6 cups) chicken stock
400g (1 can/14oz) crushed tomato
2 cups (400g) green lentils, rinsed
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander seed
1.5 tsp ground paprika
2 dried bay leaves
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: lemon zest, lemon juice and chopped parsley for serving

Directions:

In a large pot over MED heat, sauté the garlic and onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until fragrant (~30 seconds).

Next, add in the carrot and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and easy to break with a spoon. You can put a pot lid on to help quicken this step so the veggies steam and cook faster.

Once the vegetables are soft, add in the rest of the ingredients to the pot: chicken stock, crushed tomato, lentils, cumin, coriander seed, paprika, and bay leaves. Bring the soup to a boil on high heat, then turn the heat down to low and cover the pot with a lid. Let it simmer until the lentils are cooked (30-45mins).

Once the lentils are cooked, remove the the bay leaves and use a stick blender to blend the soup a few times until you get a chunky consistency (or more if you prefer a smoother soup). Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Optional: before serving, drizzle some lemon juice and lemon zest over the bowl with chopped parsley. Serve with bread or on its own.

Summarized Recipe:

Tomato Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

2 Tbsps olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 large carrot, diced
3 stalks of celery, diced
1.5 litres (6 cups) chicken stock
400g (1 can/14oz) crushed tomato
2 cups (400g) green lentils, rinsed
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground coriander seed
1.5 tsp ground paprika
2 dried bay leaves
Salt & pepper to taste
Optional: lemon zest, lemon juice and chopped parsley for serving

Directions:

In a large pot over MED heat, sauté the garlic and onion in 2 tablespoons of olive oil until fragrant (~30 seconds).
Next, add in the carrot and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and easy to break with a spoon. You can put a pot lid on to help quicken this step so the veggies steam and cook faster.
Once the vegetables are soft, add in the rest of the ingredients to the pot: chicken stock, crushed tomato, lentils, cumin, coriander seed, paprika, and bay leaves. Bring the soup to a boil on high heat, then turn the heat down to low and cover the pot with a lid. Let it simmer until the lentils are cooked (30-45mins).
Once the lentils are cooked, remove the bay leaves and use a stick blender to blend the soup a few times until you get a chunky consistency (or more if you prefer a smoother soup). Salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!
Optional: before serving, drizzle some lemon juice and lemon zest over the bowl with chopped parsley. Serve with bread or on its own.

September 9, 2021

Abby1 Comment

Mulligatawny Soup

Date Published: Aug 28th, 2021 | Last Updated: Aug 28th, 2021
Author: Abby |Category: main, soups, easy, healthy, low-cal, healthy
Serves: 6 (as a main) | Prep time: 25 mins | Cook time: 1 hour

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This is my absolute favourite soup to make. It’s simple, delicious and filling. This soup is also low in calories if you use oil instead of butter, and milk instead of heavy cream (last I counted it was less than 400 calories per serving with the substitutions). You can make this as a runny soup or cook it down longer for a chunky heartier meal. It’s like a creamy chicken soup but with flavours of curry and a hint of apples. Sounds strange but trust me it’s SO good!

This soup is actually one of the first soups I learned how to make and has been a part of my meal prep routine ever since. I must’ve made it at least 20-30 times by now – and it never gets old! I like to make a big batch ahead of time and just portion it out for the entire week so this recipe will make one big pot (I usually get about 6 portions as a main dish out of it). Feel free to halve the recipe for a smaller serving.

You can make this as runny or as chunky as you like. This is what it usually looks like after I finish making it. The photos below is what it can look like the next day after the rice absorbs more moisture.

Full disclaimer: I’ve never had authentic mulligatawny soup before so I’m not sure how close or how far away this recipe is to “the real thing”. I came upon this recipe originally from AllRecipes.com. Back in the university days when I was teaching myself how to cook, I would browse through that website and pick top-rated recipes that looked simple enough for me to attempt (there was a lot of experimenting going on in my mom’s kitchen during those days). I had no idea what Mulligatawny soup was when I first saw the recipe, but it had over 1000 reviews and a 5-star rating, so I knew it had to be something special. As you can guess, the soup turned out SO DAMN GOOD and surprisingly easy. I made the full fat version back then with butter and full cream so it was extra luxe. Over the years I’ve dialled down the calories and replaced the butter and cream with olive oil and milk. It’s not as indulgent, but still just as delicious. I brought it for lunch one day during vet school and needless to say, this recipe circulated around a few groups 😄. So to end my disclaimer: I’ve never had mulligatawny soup outside of this recipe (I’ve actually never seen it on a menu before), but this soup is damn delicious so you should try it anyway.
(From my research there are many variations of this soup – some people use coconut cream, others don’t include meat and the spices can vary depending on the recipe, so maybe this version isn’t so far away from what’s “authentic” since there are so many variations? 🤷🏻‍♀️)

Happy cooking!

Ingredients you’ll need:

1/2 cup (114g) butter (or vegetable oil to cut down the calories. You can do half oil half butter)
1 large onion, diced
Half a celery bunch (5-6 stalks), diced
2 large carrots, diced
1 package (500g/8oz) of white button mushrooms, sliced or diced
3 Tbps flour
3 tsps curry powder
8 cups (2L) chicken broth
1 apple, sliced thinly (2-3mm)
1/2 cup white rice, washed
2 chicken breasts, cubed
2 pinches of dried thyme
Salt to taste
Ground black pepper to taste
1 cup heavy cream (or 2 cups milk) – optional

Tip: Slice the apples as thin as you can so it softens easily in the soup (a mandolin would be helpful if you’ve got one). The apples are meant to fragrance the soup with flavour and soften up while cooking.

Directions:

Melt the butter in a big pot and sauté the onion, celery, carrots and mushrooms until they’re soft enough to break with a wooden spoon. You can put the lid on to soften the veggies quicker, stirring occasionally.

Add flour and curry powder to the pot and mix until combined. Sauté for 1-2 minutes (scrape the bottom of the pot while you stir to ensure nothing sticks to the pot).

Add chicken stock to the pot. Turn to heat up to bring it to a boil, then simmer on LOW heat for 30mins, occasionally stirring to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.

Add apple, rice, chicken, thyme, salt, pepper and simmer until the rice is cooked (~15-20mins).

Once ready, turn off the heat and pour in the heavy cream or milk. Serve!

Notes:

This soup tastes even better the next day! Something magical happens in the fridge overnight that makes all the flavours come together beautifully.
The soup gets thicker overnight and becomes more like a “chowder” rather than a runny soup (which I think tastes even better and heartier).

Summarized Recipe:

Mulligatawny Soup

Date Published: Aug 28th, 2021 | Last Updated: Aug 28th, 2021
Author: Abby |Category: soups, mains, low cal, easy, healthy
Serves: 6 (as a main) | Prep time: 25 mins | Cook time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (114g) butter (or vegetable oil to cut down the calories. You can do half oil half butter)
1 large onion, diced
Half a celery bunch (5-6 stalks), diced
2 large carrots, diced
1 package (500g/8oz) of white button mushrooms, sliced or diced
3 Tbps flour
3 tsps curry powder
8 cups (2L) chicken broth
1 apple, sliced thinly (2-3mm)
1/2 cup white rice, washed
2 chicken breasts, cubed
2 pinches of dried thyme
Salt to taste
Ground black pepper to taste
1 cup heavy cream (or 2 cups milk) – optional

Directions:

Melt the butter in a big pot and sauté the onion, celery, carrots and mushrooms until they’re soft enough to break with a wooden spoon. You can put the lid on to soften the veggies quicker, stirring occasionally.
Add flour and curry powder to the pot and mix until combined. Sauté for 1-2 minutes (scrape the bottom of the pot while you stir to ensure nothing sticks to the bottom).
Add chicken stock to the pot. Turn to heat up to bring it to a boil, then simmer on LOW heat for 30mins, occasionally stirring to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot.
Add apple, rice, chicken, thyme, salt, pepper and simmer until the rice is cooked (~15-20mins).
Once ready, turn off the heat and pour in the heavy cream or milk. Serve!

Notes:

This soup tastes even better the next day! Something magical happens in the fridge overnight that makes all the flavours come together beautifully.
The soup may get thicker overnight and become more like a “chowder” rather than a runny soup (which I think tastes even better and heartier).

August 28, 2021September 26, 2021

AbbyLeave a comment

Chicken Shawarma

Date Published: Aug 23rd, 2021 | Last Updated: Aug 23rd, 2021
Author: Abby |Category: mains, healthy, quick and easy, low cal
Serves: 4 | Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 20 mins

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Get ready for a SUPER easy and SUPER flavourful chicken shawarma. This is one of our favourite go-to easy and healthy meals during the work week that is not only ridiculously easy, but also packs so much flavour. The recipe for the spice mix is originally from RecipeTinEats.

Easy, Healthy and Damn Delicious

The chicken and its flavourful spices are the star of the dish and its so quick to prepare. Marinade the chicken the night before – although there are lots of spices involved, it takes less than 5 minutes to throw it all together in a container and mix it around. Use a garlic crusher to make it even easier. When you get home after work the next day, all you have to do is grill it!

Healthy? There are so many ways you can serve this, but my favourite is over a bed of salad. If I’m feeling lazy or stressed for time, I’ll just buy a bag of pre-washed mixed salad leaves from Woolies or Coles and throw in a few cherry tomatoes and place the sliced chicken overtop served with a dollop of greek yoghurt. It seems basic, but the loud flavours of the chicken will make this plate of food sing – you don’t even need a dressing on top, the yoghurt will be enough to bring it all together. If you’ve got some leftover hummus or tabbouleh in the fridge, chuck it in to bulk it up further.

Toby was too impatient to wait for me to take a photo 😅

What is Shawarma?

Shawarma is a popular middle eastern dish classically served as a wrap made up of veggies, meat, and a sauce. The meat is marinaded in a unique blend of spices that smells incredible as it cooks. You’ll often see the meat stacked on a rotating spit and carved intermittently throughout the day as the outside layer cooks. The meat choices are usually either chicken or lamb – I always go for a mix of both, topped with a generous amount of garlic sauce and yoghurt.

In Australia there are kebab shops everywhere and the doner kebab that is served in these shops are very similar to a shawarma, if not the same. I tried to google the differences between a shawarma and a doner kebab and the main difference seems to be the country of origin but otherwise made very similarly.

How to Serve Chicken Shawarma?

There are many ways you can serve a chicken shawarma. Of course, the classic is to wrap it up in a flat bread with some veggies and a garlic sauce or greek yoghurt with hummus. I prefer to serve mine over a bed of veggies to make it an open plate shawarma salad. I’ve tried it with a few combinations and they’ve all been delicious so feel free to mix it up to what you prefer! If you’re serving this at a party, you can make it a DIY table with multiple toppings for everyone to make it themselves. Here are a few combinations we’ve had:

Wrapped in flat bread with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, red peppers, greek yoghurt and hummus (classic)
Over a bed of kale and roast pumpkin with greek yoghurt
Over a bed of lettuce, tabbouleh, and greek yoghurt

Happy cooking!

Ingredients you’ll need:

2 large chicken breasts, butterflied or 1kg chicken thighs (I estimate roughly half a breast per serve)
Spice Blend Marinade:
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 Tbsp ground coriander
- 1 Tbsp ground cumin
- 1 Tbsp ground cardamon
- 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsps lemon juice
- 3 Tbsps olive oil
Greek yoghurt
Diced pumpkin (optional)
Salad greens to your preference (see above for some ideas on how to serve this)

Directions:

Butterfly the chicken breasts (see tutorial) and pound them down until they’re an even thickness. Skip this step if using chicken thighs.

Combine all the ingredients of the spice blend in a bowl (or into the container you’re going to marinade the chicken in to save washing). Add the chicken to the marinade and rub it around the chicken ensuring you’re covering every part of the chicken. Let the chicken marinade in the fridge overnight.

Cook the chicken on a grill or skillet on MED heat 4-5 minutes per side until it’s lightly charred on the outside. Remove from heat and rest on a chopping board for a few minutes before slicing. Once rested, slice the chicken into strips and serve to your preference (see above for some ideas on how to serve it). Add a dollop of Greek yoghurt to the plate or drizzled over the warm chicken. Enjoy!

Optional step: If you’ve got leftover marinade in the container after removing the chicken breasts, toss some diced pumpkin into the container and roast it in the oven or air-fryer at 180˚C for 10-15 mins until cooked through then serve it with the chicken.

Summarized Recipe:

Chicken Shawarma

Ingredients:

2 large chicken breasts, butterflied or 1kg chicken thighs
Spice Blend Marinade:
- 1 large garlic clove, minced
- 1 Tbsp ground coriander
- 1 Tbsp ground cumin
- 1 Tbsp ground cardamon
- 1 tsp ground cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsps lemon juice
- 3 Tbsps olive oil
Greek yoghurt
Diced pumpkin (optional)
Salad greens to your preference (see above for some ideas on how to serve this)

Directions:

Butterfly the chicken breasts (see tutorial) and pound them down until they’re an even thickness. Skip this step if using chicken thighs.
Combine all the ingredients of the spice blend in a bowl (or into the container you’re going to marinade the chicken in to save washing). Add the chicken to the marinade and rub it around the chicken ensuring you’re covering every part of the chicken. Let the chicken marinade in the fridge overnight.
Cook the chicken on a grill or skillet on MED heat 4-5 minutes per side until it’s lightly charred on the outside. Remove from heat and rest on a chopping board for a few minutes before slicing. Once rested, slice the chicken into strips and serve to your preference (see above for some ideas on how to serve it). Add a dollop of Greek yoghurt to the plate or drizzled over the warm chicken. Enjoy!
Optional step: If you’ve got leftover marinade in the container after removing the chicken breasts, toss some diced pumpkin into the container and roast it in the oven or air-fryer at 180˚C for 10-15 mins until cooked through then serve it with the chicken.

August 23, 2021August 23, 2021

Abby2 Comments

Corn Egg Drop Soup (玉米蛋花湯)

Date Published: June 28th, 2021 | Last Updated: June 28th, 2021
Author: Abby |Category: asian, soup, healthy, vegetarian, easy, <15mins, appetizers, low calorie
Serves: 6 | Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 15 mins

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Egg drop soup is a Chinese dish commonly served in restaurants as an appetizer or a side with your meal. The Chinese name translates to “egg flower soup” because the way the egg disseminates in the soup makes beautiful swirls that resemble a floral pattern. The english name relates to the fact that the egg is “dropped” into the soup at the end to make the swirls – a little less poetic, eh?

The most basic version of the soup is just the swirly egg and broth. You’ll probably see this version most often in Asia because it’s a quick and cheap addition to a meal. Another common version (and my favourite) has added corn for extra crunch and sweetness. Some places will bulk it up with chopped ham, tofu or even chicken to make it a full meal.

This soup is so ridiculously quick and easy – all you need are a few basic ingredients and 15 minutes to whip this up. It’s also super cheap and satisfying if you’re cooking on a budget. The egg-laced chicken broth based soup with the fresh sweet crunch of the corn makes this one of my favourite classic Asian soups!

Happy cooking!

Ingredients you’ll need:

6 cups chicken broth
1 tsp sesame oil
1/8 tsp ground white pepper (or more to your liking)
1/4 tsp sugar
1 can (420g) of corn kernels, drained (or kernels cut off of 2 husks of corn)
4 Tbsps cornstarch
salt & pepper to taste
4 eggs
2 spring onions, chopped for garnish

Add-ins to consider: ham, chicken, tofu

Directions:

In a pot on MED heat, bring the chicken broth to a simmer then add in sesame oil, white pepper, sugar and corn. Let it come to a simmer again, then taste the soup and adjust seasonings as needed, salt & pepper to taste.

Take out a few ladles of soup into a bowl and add in the cornstarch. Mix it around until smooth then drizzle it into the soup while stirring continuously (if you don’t stir, the corn starch will clump together). Feel free to add more cornstarch if you prefer a thicker consistency (remember to mix it with soup first in a small bowl, never add cornstarch directly into the soup or else it will clump).

Once the taste and consistency of the soup is to your liking, turn off the heat.

Scramble the eggs in a separate bowl, then slowly add it to the soup while stirring. The faster you stir, the more disseminated the eggs will be. The slower you stir the soup, the bigger egg pieces you’ll get.

Serve garnished with spring onions on top. Enjoy!

Summarized Recipe:

Corn Egg Drop Soup (玉米蛋花湯)

Ingredients:

6 cups chicken broth
1 tsp sesame oil
1/8 tsp ground white pepper (or more to your liking)
1/4 tsp sugar
1 can (420g) of corn kernels, drained (or kernels cut off of 2 husks of corn)
4 Tbsps cornstarch
salt & pepper to taste
4 eggs
2 spring onions, chopped for garnish

Directions:

In a pot on MED heat, bring the chicken broth to a simmer then add in sesame oil, white pepper, sugar and corn. Let it come to a simmer again, then taste the soup and adjust seasonings as needed, salt & pepper to taste.
Take out a few ladles of soup into a bowl and add in the cornstarch. Mix it around until smooth then drizzle it into the soup while stirring continuously (if you don’t stir, the corn starch will clump together). Feel free to add more cornstarch if you prefer a thicker consistency (remember to mix it with soup first in a small bowl, never add cornstarch directly into the soup or else it will clump).
Once the taste and consistency of the soup is to your liking, turn off the heat. Scramble the eggs in a separate bowl, then slowly add it to the soup while stirring. The faster you stir, the more disseminated the eggs will be. The slower you stir the soup, the bigger egg pieces you’ll get.
Serve garnished with spring onions on top. Enjoy!

June 28, 2021June 28, 2021

AbbyLeave a comment

Malaysian Satay Sauce

Date Published: June 28th, 2021 | Last Updated: June 28th, 2021
Author: Abby |Category: asian, sauces, <15mins, quick and easy
Serves: ~1.5 cups | Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 7 mins

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This recipe is from Sarah Tiong, one of my favourite contestants on Masterchef Australia. I’d strongly recommend everyone to check out her cookbook which is full of amazing flavourful Southeast Asian dishes.

What is Satay?

Satay is a very popular dish in Southeast Asia (especially Malaysia and Indonesia) made of skewered meat marinated and grilled in a savoury peanut sauce. The flavourful sauce is what makes the dish and there are so many variations of it. In its essence, the sauce base is made of ground roasted peanuts and the mix of different spices and aromatics are what takes it to the next level.

This recipe uses curry powder and tamarind paste for its robust flavour. It’s quick any easy to make, with minimal ingredients. You can use this as a marinade or dipping sauce for whatever you like. I’ve even tossed this sauce with some roasted cauliflower for a quick savoury side dish!

If you’re a fan of satay, check out my other satay recipe that uses red chilli paste and coconut milk: Red Curry Satay Sauce.

Happy cooking!

Ingredients you’ll need:

1 cup (150 g) roasted salted peanuts, finely ground or blended
1 Tbsp (9 g) curry powder
1 Tbsp (15 g) tamarind paste
1 1/2 Tbsp (14 g) brown sugar
1/2 cup (125 ml) water (or more if you want a runnier sauce)

Directions:

Heat a dry small skillet or saucepan over LOW heat.

Add the ground peanuts and curry powder to the pan and stir together for 1 minute until fragrant. Mix in the tamarind paste, brown sugar and water and let it simmer for 5 mins or until it reduces to a thick sauce. If you prefer a runnier sauce, add more water. Done!

Summarized Recipe:

Malaysian Satay Sauce

Ingredients:

1 cup (150 g) roasted salted peanuts, finely ground or blended
1 Tbsp (9 g) curry powder
1 Tbsp (15 g) tamarind paste
1 1/2 Tbsp (14 g) brown sugar
1/2 cup (125 ml) water (or more if you want a runnier sauce)

Directions:

Heat a dry small skillet or saucepan over LOW heat.
Add the ground peanuts and curry powder to the pan and stir together for 1 minute until fragrant. Mix in the tamarind paste, brown sugar and water and let it simmer for 5 mins or until it reduces to a thick sauce. If you prefer a runnier sauce, add more water. Done!

June 28, 2021

AbbyLeave a comment

Curried Lemon-y Roasted Cauliflower

Date Published: June 27th, 2021 | Last Updated: June 27th, 2021
Author: Abby |Category: sides, easy, <30mins, healthy, low cal, vegetarian
Serves: 4 (as a side) | Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 15 mins

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Lemon and curry sounded like a weird combination to me at first, but when I made this recipe for the first time from SimplyRecipes, I instantly fell in love with it and quickly jotted down all my notes to share here.

This is an easy side dish that is packed full of flavour. The robust curry spices and the tangy lemon are the main flavours of this dish. You can serve this as a side dish or add some greens to make it a warm salad. This recipe is so simple and quick to make, perfect for an easy late night dinner or an impressive side dish for guests! The recipe is written for the oven, but I make this often in the air fryer for a quicker dinner and easier clean up.

Happy cooking!

Ingredients you’ll need:

Seasoning mix:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsps lemon juice
- 1/3 cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1.5 tsp yellow curry powder
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp sea salt (cooking salt)
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 large cauliflower, cut in into florets
1 medium red onion, sliced

Directions:

Preheat oven to 220˚C (425˚F).

Mix all the seasoning ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until combined: garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, curry powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.

In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower and sliced red onions. Pour the seasoning mixture over and mix until all the cauliflower is coated. Pour the mixture onto a baking tray and roast until edges are golden brown and the cauliflower is tender. Check the cauliflower halfway through and flip it around for even cooking. Serve!

(Air fryer cooking instructions: pour cauliflower mixture into the air fryer and roast at 180˚C for 15 minutes, mixing halfway through to ensure even cooking.)

Tip: I like to cook my cauliflower a little longer to get a little char on the edges for extra depth of flavour.

Summarized Recipe:

Curried Lemon-y Roasted Cauliflower

Ingredients:

Seasoning mix:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsps lemon juice
- 1/3 cup (80ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 1.5 tsp yellow curry powder
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp sea salt (cooking salt)
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 large cauliflower, cut in into florets
1 medium red onion, sliced

Directions:

Preheat oven to 220˚C (425˚F).
Mix all the seasoning ingredients in a bowl and whisk together until combined: garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, curry powder, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
In a large bowl, combine the cauliflower and sliced red onions. Pour the seasoning mixture over and mix until all the cauliflower is coated. Pour the mixture onto a baking tray and roast until edges are golden brown and the cauliflower is tender. Check the cauliflower halfway through and flip it around for even cooking. Serve!

(Air fryer cooking instructions: pour cauliflower mixture into the air fryer and roast at 180˚C for 15 minutes, mixing halfway through to ensure even cooking.)

Tip: I like to cook my cauliflower a little longer to get a little char on the edges for extra depth of flavour.

June 27, 2021

AbbyLeave a comment

Easy Classic Falafel

Date Published: June 27th, 2021 | Last Updated: June 27th, 2021
Author: Abby |Category: mains, sides, easy, vegetarian, healthy
Serves: 10 falafels | Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 20 mins

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This quick and easy falafel recipe is fantastic and so versatile. You can serve it as an appetizer, a part of a salad, inside a wrap with veg, or even on its own as a quick snack. My favourite way is to put it in a pita pocket with some iceberg lettuce, diced tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, and hummus. It pairs perfectly with any yogurt-based sauce such as a tzatziki or a creamy mint yogurt sauce, or better yet a garlicky hummus.

Falafel is a popular middle eastern dish made of chickpeas and spices then deep fried – think of it as a chickpea fritter. Falafel is commonly deep fried in kebab/shawarma shops for an extra crunch, but you can make it healthier by either pan-frying it, air frying it, or even baking it in the oven. This recipe is pretty easy. The most laborious part is mashing the chickpeas but microwaving them first to soften it or pulsing it in a food processor first makes it much quicker. The rest is just mixing and forming them into patties. Toby and I ate them all in one sitting with a small side salad for lunch the other day, so I’d recommend doubling the recipe if you’re serving a few people or stash them in the freezer for a quick weekday meal or snack.

Happy cooking!

Ingredients you’ll need:

1 can (400g) chickpeas, drained
1 onion, roughly chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 egg
2 tsps ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander seed
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup dry bread crumbs (panko or regular)

Directions:

In a large bowl, mash the chickpeas until they’re all crushed and pastey. I like to use the back of a ladle. You can also microwave them first to soften it to make it easier to mash. Do not use a blender – the consistency will be too thin and you’ll end up with mushy falafels. (You can also put it in the food processor and pulse it a few times then mash it to quicken the process.)

In a food processor, add in the onion, parsley, and garlic. Pulse until chopped into small pieces. Add it to the mashed chickpeas.

Add the rest of the ingredients except the bread crumbs to the chickpea mixture: egg, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, baking powder, and olive oil. Mix until everything is combined.

Add the breadcrumbs into the mixture half cup at a time until you get a thick paste, thick enough to form patties. If the mixture is too wet, add more breadcrumbs. If you add too much breadcrumbs the mixture will be too dry and crumble while cooking. If this happens to you, add in another egg.

Form the mixture into large golf ball sizes then slightly flatten them. You want about a 2cm thick patty. (Tip: If you want more texture and crunch, roll them in more breadcrumbs before cooking.).

Warm a skillet on MED-HIGH heat and pan fry the falafel in a drizzle of oil until golden brown on both sides (~3-4 minutes per side). You can also bake them at 180˚C (350˚F) for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy! Serve on its own, in a wrap, or tzatziki.

Summarized Recipe:

Easy Classic Falafel

Ingredients:

1 can (400g) chickpeas, drained
1 onion, roughly chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 egg
2 tsps ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander seed
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp baking powder
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 cup dry bread crumbs (panko or regular)

Directions:

In a large bowl, mash the chickpeas until they’re all crushed and pastey. I like to use the back of a ladle. You can also microwave them first to soften it to make it easier to mash. Do not use a blender – the consistency will be too thin and you’ll end up with mushy falafels. (You can also put it in the food processor and pulse it a few times then mash it to quicken to process.)
In a food processor, add in the onion, parsley, and garlic. Pulse until chopped into small pieces. Add it to the mashed chickpeas.
Add the rest of the ingredients except the bread crumbs to the chickpea mixture: egg, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, lemon juice, baking powder, and olive oil. Mix until everything is combined.
Add the breadcrumbs into the mixture half cup at a time until you get a thick paste, thick enough to form patties. If the mixture is too wet, add more breadcrumbs. If you add too much breadcrumbs, the mixture will be too dry and crumble when you cook it. If this happen to you, add in another egg.
Form the mixture into large golf ball sizes then slightly flatten them. You want about a 2cm thick patty. (Tip: If you want more texture and crunch, roll them in more breadcrumbs before cooking.)
Warm a skillet on MED-HIGH heat and pan fry the falafel in a drizzle of oil until golden brown on both sides (~3-4 minutes per side). You can also bake them at 180˚C (350˚F) for 15-20 minutes. Enjoy! Serve on its own, in a wrap, or tzatziki.

Feel free to make these ahead of time and freeze them!

June 27, 2021

AbbyLeave a comment

Not KFC: KBC – Korean Baked Cauliflower in a Sticky Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Date Published: June 24th, 2021 | Last Updated: June 24th, 2021
Author: Abby |Category: sides, main, snacks, vegetarian, healthy, appetizer, asian
Serves: 4 | Prep time: 60 mins | Cook time: 30 mins

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In an attempt to eat healthier, I stumbled across this recipe by Chez Jorge. Toby has an undying love for Korean Fried Chicken so of course we had to try this recipe as soon as we saw it. The recipe turned out fantastic and the flavours were just like classic Korean fried chicken except we felt guilt-free eating the whole batch in one sitting. Even Toby’s parents were raving about it and asked for the recipe. I’ve made this a handful of times since and always find I run out of the breading ingredients way too early, so I’ve adjusted the recipe to double the coating, but the main recipe is essentially the same. I’d recommend checking out Chez Jorge’s original recipe and the beautiful food photography.

This recipe is on the spicy side so if you’re not a fan of spice, either get a mild gochujang or lessen the amount of it in the sauce. You can serve this as a side dish or eat it as a main with a small side of rice or cold noodles to break up the bold flavours.

I will warn you, this recipe does take some time to prepare and you’ll probably get really tired of breading all the cauliflower florets, but I promise it’s worth it! This recipe is also air fryer-friendly so you can get in a little extra crunch!

Happy cooking!

Ingredients you’ll need:

1 large cauliflower, cut into florets
2 cups all purpose flour
2 Tbsps potato starch or corn starch
2 cups raw almonds
3 cups Panko breadcrumbs
3 Tbsps white sesame seeds, to finish (optional)
Buttermilk Brine
- 3 cups milk or any non-dairy milk (ie. soy milk, almond milk)
- 3 Tbsps lemon juice
- 3 tsps cayenne pepper
- 3 tsps white pepper
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
- 3 tsps garlic powder
- 3 tsps fine sea salt
Sticky Spicy Sauce
- 2 tsps sesame oil
- 1.5 tsps ginger, grated
- 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sriracha
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 4 tsps rice wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chilli paste)

Directions:

Make the brine: In a large wide-based bowl or pan, mix all the ingredients for the brine (milk, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, white pepper, ginger powder, garlic powder, salt) and add the cauliflower florets in and mix it around. Cover and refrigerate for 45 minutes.

Place the raw almonds in a food processor and pulse until you get small coarse almonds pieces (do not blend – you don’t want it too fine or else you lose the crunch). Transfer the almonds to a bowl and mix with panko and set aside.

In another bowl, mix together the flour and cornstarch. Set aside.

Make the sauce: In a medium skillet on medium heat, fry the garlic and ginger in the sesame oil for 30 seconds then add in the rest of the ingredients (mirin, sriracha, light soy sauce, maple syrup, rice wine vinegar, gochujang). Simmer for a few minutes or until the desired consistency. You should have a sticky sauce. Tip: Don’t make it too thick or else it will be hard to evenly coat all the cauliflower.

Preheat oven to 215˚C (420˚F) and prepare two baking trays lined with parchment paper. You can also do this in an air fryer at 180˚C for 15 minutes.

Bread the cauliflower: Separate the cauliflower from the brine. Bread your cauliflower in this order, making sure to cover all sides:

Dip into the flour/cornstarch mixture. Shake off excess.
Dip into the brine. Shake off excess.
Dip into the almond/panko and gently press it into the cauliflower to help it stick.

Place the breaded cauliflower on the baking trays and drizzle a bit of olive oil over the top. Bake at 215˚C for roughly 30mins or until golden brown. You can also do this in an air fryer at 180˚C for 15 minutes.

When the cauliflower is almost done, heat up the sauce until it’s hot and immediately toss the cauliflower in the sauce when it comes out the oven. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve!

Summarized Recipe:

Not KFC: KBC – Korean Baked Cauliflower in a Sticky Sweet & Spicy Sauce

Ingredients:

1 large cauliflower, cut into florets
2 cups all purpose flour
2 Tbsps potato starch or corn starch
2 cups raw almonds
3 cups Panko breadcrumbs
3 Tbsps white sesame seeds, to finish (optional)
Buttermilk Brine
- 3 cups milk or any non-dairy milk (ie. soy milk, almond milk)
- 3 Tbsps lemon juice
- 3 tsps cayenne pepper
- 3 tsps white pepper
- 1/2 tsp ginger powder
- 3 tsps garlic powder
- 3 tsps fine sea salt
Sticky Spicy Sauce
- 2 tsps sesame oil
- 1.5 tsps ginger, grated
- 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sriracha
- 1/4 cup light soy sauce
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 4 tsps rice wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup gochujang (Korean chilli paste)

Directions:

Make the brine: In a large wide-based bowl or pan, mix all the ingredients for the brine (milk, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, white pepper, ginger powder, garlic powder, salt) and add the cauliflower florets in and mix it around. Cover and refrigerate for 45 minutes.
Place the raw almonds in a food processor and pulse until you get small coarse almonds pieces (do not blend – you don’t want it too fine or else you lose the crunch). Transfer the almonds to a bowl and mix with panko and set aside.
In another bowl, mix together the flour and cornstarch. Set aside.
Make the sauce: In a medium skillet on medium heat, fry the garlic and ginger in the sesame oil for 30 seconds then add in the rest of the ingredients (mirin, sriracha, light soy sauce, maple syrup, rice wine vinegar, gochujang). Simmer for a few minutes or until the desired consistency. You should have a sticky sauce. Tip: Don’t make it too thick or else it will be hard to evenly coat all the cauliflower.
Preheat oven to 215˚C (420˚F) and prepare two baking trays lined with parchment paper. You can also do this in an air fryer at 180˚C for 15 minutes.
Bread the cauliflower: Separate the cauliflower from the brine. Bread your cauliflower in this order, making sure to cover all sides:
1. Dip into the flour/cornstarch mixture. Shake off excess.
2. Dip into the brine. Shake off excess.
3. Dip into the almond/panko and gently press it into the cauliflower to help it stick.
Place the breaded cauliflower on the baking trays and drizzle a bit of olive oil over the top. Bake at 215˚C for roughly 30mins or until golden brown. You can also do this in an air fryer at 180˚C for 15 minutes.
When the cauliflower is almost done, heat up the sauce until it’s hot and immediately toss the cauliflower in the sauce when it comes out the oven. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve!

June 24, 2021

AbbyLeave a comment

Simple One Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Date Published: June 24th, 2021 | Last Updated: June 24th, 2021
Author: Abby |Category: soups, easy, mains, healthy
Serves: 4 | Prep time: 20 mins | Cook time: 45 mins

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I LOVE chicken noodle soup. It’s so delicious and warms you right up on a cold day. Growing up in an Asian household, I never heard of chicken noodle soup until we moved to Canada and I would always see it on tv or referred to by someone as something that everyone would eat when they’re sick. Of course my mom had no idea what it was so I never got to have it until one day I saw it at the grocery store in a Campbell’s soup can and got my mom to buy it for me. I instantly fell in love with it – it actually reminds me of my mom’s Asian chicken soup but without the rice, shiitake mushrooms and different vegetables. I never knew how easy it would be to make until I came across a recipe on AllRecipes.

This recipe is easy and warming. The best part is, it’s also low in calories! I always end up eating half the pot every time I make this soup because it’s so damn good. You can choose any time of pasta noodles you like, but I prefer the classic spirals. You can also use leftover shredded roast chicken for this soup instead of chicken breast.

Happy cooking!

Ingredients you’ll need:

2 Tbsps olive oil (or butter)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
Half a bunch (4-5 stalks) of celery, diced
1 cup of mushrooms, diced (optional)
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 pinch of dried thyme
8 cups (2L) chicken or vegetable broth (try a low sodium one)*
1 chicken breast, diced
1.5 cups of uncooked pasta noodles (whichever kind you like)
salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Sauté the garlic and onion in olive oil (or butter) in a pot over MED heat until fragrant (~30 seconds). Then add the carrots, celery, and mushrooms (if using). Cook until the vegetables are tender and easy to break with a spoon. You can put a lid on to quicken this cooking time.

Add the oregano, basil, thyme and chicken/vegetable broth. Bring it to a boil, then simmer on low heat for at least 20 mins to let the flavours infuse.

Add diced chicken and noodles to the pot. Continue to simmer until the noodles and chicken are cooked. Turn off the heat, salt and pepper to taste. Serve!

Summarized Recipe:

Simple One Pot Chicken Noodle Soup

Date Published: June 24th, 2021 | Last Updated: June 24th, 2021
Author: Abby |Category: soups, easy, mains, healthy
Serves: 4 | Prep time: 20 mins | Cook time: 45 mins

Ingredients:

2 Tbsps olive oil (or butter)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
Half a bunch (4-5 stalks) of celery, diced
1 cup of mushrooms, diced (optional)
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 pinch of dried thyme
8 cups (2L) chicken or vegetable broth (try a low sodium one)*
1 chicken breast, diced
1.5 cups of uncooked pasta noodles (whichever kind you like)
salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

Sauté the garlic and onion in olive oil (or butter) in a pot over MED heat until fragrant (~30 seconds). Then add the carrots, celery, and mushrooms (if using). Cook until the vegetables are tender and easy to break with a spoon. You can put a lid on to quicken this cooking time.
Add the oregano, basil, thyme and chicken/vegetable broth. Bring it to a boil, then simmer on low heat for at least 20 mins to let the flavours infuse.
Add diced chicken and noodles to the pot. Continue to simmer until the noodles and chicken are cooked. Turn off the heat, salt and pepper to taste. Serve!

June 24, 2021June 24, 2021

Abby1 Comment

Okonomiyaki

Date Published: June 24th, 2021 | Last Updated: June 24th, 2021
Author: Abby |Category: Asian, easy, healthy, low calorie, mains, vegetarian, sides, appetizer
Serves: 4-6 large pancakes | Prep time: 15 mins | Cook time: 10 mins per pancake

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I LOVE okonomiyaki. I can’t remember when I had my first one, but my latest trip to Japan a few years ago reignited my love for them. They’re widely available in Japan but my favourite one was in Osaka at a little hidden place called Dan recommended by our Airbnb host. There are many variations of okonomiyaki around different regions of Japan but the basic recipe is typically similar.

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savoury pancake made of mainly shredded cabbage and a flour batter then topped with a variety of sauces and toppings such as kewpie mayo, okonomiyaki sauce, and bonito flakes. The pancake is cooked on a flat top and covered with a lid to steam and soften the cabbage. The result is a beautiful golden brown pancake with a slightly crunchy texture. It’s filling and satisfying as a main dish or quick snack.

You can experiment and add different toppings into your batter such as corn, ham, shrimp…etc. Just be careful not to add too many toppings and change the texture of your pancake.

Happy cooking!

Ingredients you’ll need:

Okonomiyaki flour, bonito flakes and seaweed flakes/seasoning

200g okonomiyaki flour
300ml water
4 eggs, lightly beaten
10 cups cabbage (~1 small cabbage), sliced thinly
1 onion, diced
Toppings:
- Okonomiyaki sauce
- Kewpie mayo
- Seaweed flakes
- Bonito flakes

Directions:

What your batter should look like – not too runny

In a large bowl mix the okonomiyaki flour with water until you get a smooth paste. Then add in beaten eggs, cabbage and onion. Mix until everything is combined.

(See photo above for the consistency of what your batter should be. There should be enough batter mixture to cover all the cabbage pieces. It may differ depending on how thin you sliced your cabbage. Add more batter mixture if it doesn’t look like there’s enough.)

Heat a flat pan/skillet on MED and add a drizzle of oil. Ladle your batter onto the heated pan to size of your liking. You want it roughly 2.5cm thick. Flatten slightly with your spatula and push in the sides so you have a circle. Cook for 5 mins on each side covered with a lid. It should be golden brown on both sides.

Serve drizzled with okonomiyaki sauce, kewpie mayo, and a sprinkling of bonito flakes and seaweed. Enjoy!

Summarized Recipe:

Okonomiyaki

Ingredients:

200g okonomiyaki flour
300ml water
4 eggs, lightly beaten
10 cups cabbage (~1 small cabbage), sliced thinly
1 onion, diced
Toppings:
- Okonomiyaki sauce
- Kewpie mayo
- Seaweed flakes
- Bonito flakes

Directions:

In a large bowl mix the okonomiyaki flour with water until you get a smooth paste. Then add in beaten eggs, cabbage and onion. Mix until everything is combined. (See photo above on what your batter should look like.)
Heat a flat pan/skillet on MED and add a drizzle of oil. Ladle your batter onto the heated pan to size of your liking. You want it roughly 2.5cm thick. Flatten slightly with your spatula and push in the sides so you have a circle. Cook for 5 mins on each side covered with a lid. It should be golden brown on both sides.
Serve drizzled with okonomiyaki sauce, kewpie mayo, and a sprinkling of bonito flakes and seaweed. Enjoy!

June 24, 2021

AbbyLeave a comment