Ten uses for chia

I have heard a lot about chia seeds in the past few months and it was with great excitement (and a bit of nervousness) that I finally bought a packet of chia seeds for my local supermarket.

Chia contains omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, protein, calcium, potassium, iron, fibre, minerals and nutrients, and is gluten and dairy-free.

I have heard that chia is good for a number of things including:

• reducing inflammation
• lowering cholesterol
• aiding in weight loss
• protecting the body from free radicals and cancer
• improving brain performance
• boosting strength and endurance
• reducing stress and
• aiding with digestive health

Just google “chia seeds” and you will see for yourself that it is being touted as nature’s wonder food with a wide range of uses and benefits.

Chia Gel

I decided to try the white seeds and started off with the simple chia gel, which can be made by mixing 1 cup of water with 2 tablespoons of chia seeds.

After stirring rapidly for about 2-3 minutes (you can use a hand whisk or shake the mixture in a bottle instead), the mix was ready.

This is what it looked like:

The chia gel can be eaten on its own, used in smoothies and drinks, mixed into juices, salad dressings, porridge or soups.  

You can also use chia gel as a substitute for eggs!

Chia seeds

You could also use the chia seeds on their own, and sprinkle them over salads, pastas, in cereals and stir-fries or add them to cakes, and desserts.

It is a simple and easy way to fill yourself up and add some nutrition to your meals.

I’m hoping to use a lot more chia in my cooking and would love to hear what your favourite chia recipes are? 

 

Rice Paper Rolls

On Tuesday I made some delicious rice paper rolls for the family for dinner.

I used tuna and shredded roast chicken with an assortment of vegetables and mint.

Here’s how they turned out:

Delicious AND healthy! What more could you ask for?

Heart-shaped Valentine’s Day Pizza

This Valentine’s Day I decided to get MC something a little different.

He had mentioned earlier that Valentine’s Day was a time for the “guy to get the girl stuff” so I had an excuse not to get him anything at all, but I decided to buy him a card, some chocolates and a heart-shaped pizza anyway 🙂

I thought I would try Crust Gourmet Pizza in Turramurra. I contacted them via email and Jarryd from HQ was great in helping me organise my order.

On the day I went in to the Turramurra store and was greeted by some excited staff members who had clearly never made a heart-shaped pizza before!

Their friendly and energetic personalities added to my own excitement as I waited to see how this pizza turned out. I ordered a large garlic prawn pizza for $22.00 and paid in store for it. When it was finished cooking, I had a quick peek in the box, and it had turned out perfectly!

MC loved the idea and reallly enjoyed eating it too 🙂 This was definitely a great idea and one that I think will become increasingly popular for future Valentines Days!

MC also surprised me with a beautiful rose, a gorgeous chocolate bouquet and some of my favourite treats!

 

Dinner tonight

Tonight’s food and drinks:

Lets eat cake!

Fantastic recipe for a simple cake!

Mums Moments

Although I’m not a professional, i make cakes for family and friends. I cook as part of my job as a teacher, so people just expect me to be good at making food!!!
It took me ages to find a recipe that was suitable for the cakes that I make. Some were too soft and didn’t hold up very well when decorated and others were too dry but provided a great texture for icing. There is two recipes that I use regularly now and I find that both of them work well. One provides a slighly firmer cake than the other, so I swap between the two depending on the design that I am creating.

This first recipe is a quick Madeira cake that is made using the all-in-one method. I make this in the food processor to get a consistant mixture. It can be made using the creaming method…

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How to Make Different Types of Coffee

Such a great chart, I am going to use this at work!

Red Velvet Brownies

Red velvet brownies

Penny's Food Blog

These are gorgeous and delicious!  Your eyes see red but your mouth tastes brownies!  How fun is that?  These are for the color red (obviously!) and the value Individual Worth.  The recipe is from a blog called Newlyweds and if I ever need a simple recipe to impress, I’ll use this one.

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

4 eggs, at room temperature

2 oz red food coloring

4 teaspoons vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1  Preheat oven to 350.  Butter and flour a 9 x 13″ clear glass baking pan.

2  In a mixing bowl, beat together butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Add eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in food coloring and vanilla, mixing until color is fully incorporated. …

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Perfect Pesto

Great idea- freezing pesto as ice cubes!

Passion for Family

Anyone looking for find a recipe to use up your fresh basil leaves?

I have an incredible recipe for pesto that can be refrigerated or frozen. You can use pesto as a dip or it can be added to spaghetti sauces or pasta dishes. It is simple and quick!

Ingredients:

4 cups packed fresh basil

6 sprigs of parsley

1/2 cup olive oil

Pinch of coarse salt

1/4 cup of pine nuts, toasted

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesean cheese

Instructions:

1. Toast pine nuts at 350C for 5 minutes until lightly browned.

2. Place all the ingredients in the food processor except the parmesean cheese.

3. Transfer to a bowl, stir in cheese, adjust with salt and serve! (It is delicious with crackers, or fresh baguette)

You can refrigerate for up to a week or store in the freezer. If you choose to freeze the pesto, do not add the cheese…

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Fudgey Brownies (makes about 24)

Everyone loves a good brownie. Warm, moist and deliciously chocolatey, brownies are great on their own or served with cream or ice cream as a dessert.

Here is an easy no chocolate brownie recipe which doesn’t require any beating. It literally took me less than an hour to make (including cooking time), and produced delicious fudgey brownies which I’m sure my brother will devour when he gets home from school!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1.5 cups caster sugar
• 1 Tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 Tsp vanilla essence
• 1 Tsp imitation chocolate essence
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2/3 cup cocoa powder or drinking chocolate
• 4 eggs
• 300g melted butter
• 1/3 cup marshmallows chopped into pieces
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup nuts (I used walnuts and peanuts)

Method:

1. Pre-heat oven to 180C and line a brownie pan with baking paper. Spray with oil.

2. Place all dry ingredients: rice flour, plain flour, sugars, cinnamon, cocoa powder, in a bowl.

3. Add wet ingredients: melted butter, eggs, vanilla and chocolate essence.

4. Mix until combined and then add nuts, marshmallows and chocolate chips.

5. Pour into the baking tray.

6. Bake for 25 min or until cooked through.

7. Let cool for 15 minutes then turn out of pan and slice into squares.

Chocolate ideas!

Getting some ideas!