Ginger Beef Stir-fry with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Throw out the bottle and make your own stir-fry sauce from fresh ingredients - taste the love :)

Sauce:
2 Cups of water

1 Cube of chicken stock (veg or beef)
1 1/2 Tsp corn starch
2 Inches of finely graded ginger root
1 Clove finely graded garlic
1/2 Tsp red pepper flakes
1/3 Cup of peanut butter
1 Tbsp of Tamari (or soya sauce)
Wisk and add veg to cook

Beef marinade:
1 Tbsp tamari
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Finely graded garlic clove
1 Inch finely graded ginger root
Leave in fridge for a couple hours then thinly slice and cook in a little oil.

Veg:
1/3 Head of cauliflower
1 Carrot
2 Stalks of celery
3 Branches of kale
6 Mushrooms

Serve on rice with peas! I aded a chicken stock cube when cooking rice to add flavour. Add desired amount of peas after the rice is cooked.

Avocado Kale Hummus

This recipe is from an old blog I wrote "Live wheat free" but it'll fit in nicely here too! Plus, the presentation is so simple and attractive I thought the readers of this blog would enjoy the idea.

1 Can of chick peas
1 Ripe avocado
2 Cloves of roasted garlic
1 Tbsp tahini
1 Lemon juiced
1 Handful of kale
Salt and pepper to taste
1/4 - 1/3 Cup of olive oil

Blend to a smooth consistency!
Add some warm water until it's smooth.

Roasting garlic: Chop the tips off, drizzle a drop of oil over open part and scrunch in tin foil. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. This will make your whole house smell lovely.

Chicken No-Noodle Stew

Aka "Sunday in a bowl!"

I've always wanted to make my own chicken stock but  found the idea of the task overwhelming so haven't until now! I bought one of those whole roasted chickens  from the grocery store for an easy protein addition to meals during my busy week. I googled how to make a simple stock - then did what I wanted.

Stock:
Chicken carcass that has with the meat picked off (mostly)
Canola Oil
1 carrot peeled
1 celery stalk
1/2 yellow onion
Salt & pepper to taste
1/2 tsp italian seasoning blend

Directions: browned the carcass in oil for a bit, added the veg chopped in big chunks, add seasoning and topped with enough water to just cover the ingredients. Bring to a boil then leave at a slight simmer for a half hour, check and let simmer for another half hour. Strain the liquid into a pot and throw away the rest. It should taste decent, I was nervous it was a bit light tasting but it all came together when I made the soup so trust the process!

Soup:
1 Small yellow onion finely diced
2 Peeled carrots thicker dice
2 Celery stalks thicker dice
1 Tbsp dried parsley
Salt & Pepper to taste
1/3 Cup of green lentils cooked separately
Chicken - I added all the remaining chicken which ended up not really including the breast (because it's so good on salad)! Truth be told, grocery chicken darker meat can be a bit greasy so I guess it's good for soup!

Directions: Soften the diced onion in oil, salt and pepper until translucent and sweet. Add carrot and celery then cover with the homemade stock. Bring to a boil with seasoning but not for too long. Let the veg keep its integrity, it'll soften anyways but you're not making baby food! Add the lentils and desired amount of chicken. This ends up being not a huge pot but it's a hearty portion. You want to work with the amount of stock you made and don't try to stretch it out.

Happy Sunday!

The Good Chocolate Milkshake

OMG! That is how I have to start this entry because I just tried this. I've been daydreaming about it for two weeks now and finally got some chocolate almond milk from the store to make it. You're welcome!

1 Banana

1 Tbsp of slivered almonds

1 Tbsp natural peanut butter

1 Cup of chocolate almond milk

Blend!

Maybe use your frozen bananas to give this shake more of a chilled temp. 

There goes your muffin supplies!

Peanut Butter Banana Snack Wrap

 It's not one of those meals that you eat with your eyes first - but if you give this ugly duckling a go I guarantee it'll be a staple!

It's the quickest breakfast or packed lunch that'll keep you going. AND THERE"S PEANUT BUTTER IN IT so who cares what it looks like!

Ingredients:
1 Banana
1 Small whole wheat tortilla
However much peanut butter you want!

I took this tasty treat hiking last week - so it travels well :)

Try throwing in some nuts, seeds, shredded coconut or chopped dates! I never have but maybe you're not as lazy/rushed as I am when this item comes into my meal planning.

The Simple Smoothie

Refuel post work-out or or between meals and feel satisfied (with slivered almonds slipped in).


1/2 Banana
1/3 Cup frozen raspberries
3/4 Cup strawberries
1 Tsp honey
1 Tbsp slivered almonds
3 Dried dates
1/2 Cup milk (or almond milk)


Blend! The frozen raspberries chill the drink and the almonds add nice texture with the banana.

Garnish like a fancy restaurant bartender and impress yourself. Cheers to you!

Apple Craisin Coleslaw

So satisfying! It's got crunch, sweet and acid components.


1 Bag of chopped cabbage
1 Carrot julienned
1 Apple julienned
4 Stalks of celery thinly sliced
1 Cup of craisins
1/2 Cup sunflower seeds (roasted)
1/3 Pumpkin seeds



Really you can put how much of whatever you want. I was using half a bag of cabbage at a time for myself at home. This would be great for summer BBQ's or potlucks. Different then the typical heavy creamy slaw that is delicious but expected and not really that good for you.

This recipe can be tweaked and modified. As a side dish I would put the seeds in. If this is a light meal serve with a simple quinoa salad on top (diced orange pepper, cucumber, celery) or with your choice of protein.

Dressing: Dijon Balsamic
1 Lemon juiced
2/3 Cup balsamic vinegar
1/3 Cup olive oil
1 Tbsp dijon mustard
1 Tsp honey

I'm no expert but I hear that dressings should be two parts acid and one part olive oil - the rest is really at your discretion.