Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines

These Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines biscuits are so delicious that I actually made two batches before I managed to get the pictures of the finished article because I forgot on the first night  and by the next day they were nearly all gone!

If you have not had a Florentine before, then they are thin biscuits made with nuts and cherries and normally coated with chocolate on the flat underneath side. They are slightly crisp on the edges and then a fabulous chewy centre awaits!

I now coat half of the batch with chocolate and I leave half uncoated and I kid you not, they are both gorgeous.

The full recipe and directions are below and some handy photos here to reassure you of what it should look like at each stage.

 

Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines
The mixture as it should look just before baking.
Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines
You only need a teaspoon per biscuit!

Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines

It is best to temper the chocolate and I have written a quick reference post on how to do this the easy way if you are a home cook like me.

Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines
Coat as many as you like in the chocolate.
5 from 1 vote
Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines
Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 

These super elegant Florentines are a perfect easy bake which produce the most delicious crispy, chewy, mouth-watering biscuits.

Course: Sweet Treat
Servings: 24
Author: mainy - myrealfairy
Ingredients
  • 50 g Butter
  • 50 g Demerara sugar
  • 50 g Golden syrup
  • 50 g Plain flour
  • 50 g Flaked almonds
  • 25 g Glacé cherries
  • 200 g Dark chocolate
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4. 

    Prepare your baking trays with parchment paper/grease proof paper for baking

  2. Add the butter, sugar and the golden syrup to a small saucepan and heat gently until the butter has melted. 

    When this has melted down, remove from the heat and add the flour, glacé cherries and flaked almonds.

    Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines
  3. Mix well with a large wooden spoon.

  4. Using a teaspoon, put one level teaspoon onto the baking tray and space 6 spoonfuls evenly over the baking tray. Space well as the mixture spreads during baking.

    Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines
  5. Bake for between 8 and 10 minutes, or until golden-brown. Let them cool on the baking trays before transferring to a cooling rack to cool down completely.

    Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines
  6. Melt the chocolate and temper using the method from my link. On the flat side of the florentine, spread a little melted chocolate until it is evenly covered. Wait 30 seconds and using a fork or the tip of the teaspoon, create a zig zag engraved effect in the chocolate.

Recipe Notes

Only use a teaspoon per biscuit as they spread more than you think!

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How to Temper Chocolate the Easy Way

When I made my first recipe which needed me to temper the chocolate I was quite intimidated by the process and didn’t go too much further. Suffice to say that I had alot of split, grainy chocolate melting disasters!

So after doing some further research and trialing easy tempering methods I want to share the method that I use all the time now, with you.

Tempered chocolate has a glossy appearance to it and will have that snap to it that sounds just right. there is a science behind tempering chocolate which involves heating to the right temperature so that when the chocolate is heated and the fat molecules go out of alignment they need to be realigned correctly or the chocolate will ‘bloom’. This is when the chocolate looks grey and grainy and not as appealing as the glossy look we should go for. I’m sure there has been a time when you have left a chocolate bar in the car and it’s got warm and melted. The texture it then goes when it firms up is never quite the same is it? That’s because it has gone out of temper.

I use the method of heating in a heatproof dish over a pan of simmering water. I tried the microwave methods but I didn’t get on with it and prefer having more control by using the pan method.

Make sure the bowl can sit in the pan without touching the water. Also, the bowl must be kept very dry and not let any water inside.

Tempering Method

From a large bar of dark chocolate with a cocoa content of between 50-70%, break off three quarters of the bar and chop into small chunks.

Place these in the bowl and over the pan of simmering water.

Over the next 1-2 minutes these will melt.

When they have melted, take the bowl off the heat and stir quickly.

Put in the remaining chocolate.

Stir in continuously until it is all melted.

That’s it, you are now ready to dip or spread your chocolate onto your tasty treats.

how to temper chocolate the easy way

If you love chocolate recipes as much as I think you probably do then have a look at my Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Recipe and my Chocolate Vegan Cake. 

Enjoy and let me know what you think! I’d love to hear your ideas too.

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Best Baba Ganoush

I have been growing Eggplant or Aubergine as I know it better in my garden during the summer. I’ve loved growing them but they are quite labour intensive and the plants are really large. There are easier plants to grow but the results are so delicious that it is well worth the effort in the end.

I have managed to harvest these cute fruits. Yes they are fruits but are commonly used and eaten as a vegetable. Whatever they are classed as, these little gems are beautiful and sweet when roasted.

I wanted to make the Best Baba Ganoush dip that I could and have the perfect recipe that show off their sweet flavour.

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5 from 1 vote
Baba Ganoush
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 

A Silky Egg Plant Dip ideal for all occassions

Course: Snack
Servings: 6
Author: mainy - myrealfairy
Ingredients
  • 1 Egg Plant (Aubergine)
  • 2 tbsp Tahini Paste
  • 1 whole Garlic Clove
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 1 pinch Ground Cumin
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 200 oc

     Wipe clean the skin of the eggplant.

    Place the eggplant halves, flesh side down, on a lightly oiled baking sheet then drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the eggplant fully softens through. 

    Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.

    When it is cooled, scoop out the flesh out and transfer to a food processor. 





  2. Do not use the skins in the dip, just the flesh.

  3. Add the garlic, lemon juice, ground cumin, olive oil and tahini paste. 

  4. Process until you achieve a puree consistency. 

  5. Add salt and pepper to your personal taste.

Recipe Notes

Top with a little olive oil and fresh coriander for garnish and aroma.

Let me know what you think to this and have you tried to grow your own?

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Carrot and Gogi Berry Loaf Cake

I’ve been wanting to make a carrot cake for a little while now and I wanted to give it a bit of a twist, something to make it stand out from the crowd. Well I have done just that! Adding Gogi Berries to it has given it a lift and a flash of colour, I love it!

I’ve used Gogi berries before and was looking for other recipes I could adapt so that I could make even more use of this yummy fruit.

Carrot and Gogi Berry Loaf Cake
4 from 1 vote
Carrot and Gogi Berry Loaf Cake.
Carrot and Gogi Berry Loaf Cake
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
35 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

Add a twist of something special to this lovely Carrot cake with these super cool Gogi Berries

Course: Dessert
Servings: 10
Ingredients
  • 50 g Dark brown sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 125 ml Rapeseed Oil
  • 3 large Carrots
  • 50 g Gogi Berries
  • 150 g Plain Flour
  • half teaspoon Baking Powder
  • half teaspoon Bicarbonate of Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Mixed Spice
  • 30 ml Maple Syrup
Instructions
  1. Grate the carrots (these will be part of your wet ingredients)

  2. Mix all of the dry ingredients together apart from the Gogi Berries in one bowl then set aside.

  3. In a food mixer put all of the wet ingredients and mix until combined.

  4. Combine together and add the Gogi Berries.

  5. Pour into a medium loaf tin

  6. Bake for 35 mins on 170oc

This is great to use up some of those extra ingredients you might have around the store cupboard. Another easy recipe which big results is my Cheese Scones which are super quick. If you fancy a sweet treat try my Ultimate Chocolate Brownies!

Quick tip!

If you want to rehydrate dried Gogi berries then pop them in a bowl or cup, pour over boiling water and leave for 10 minutes. Drain well and then they are plump and juicy, ready to use.

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Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Recipe

Who fancies a brownie? If you are nodding away because you love them or if you are searching for that perfect ultimate chocolate brownie recipe then well done, you’ve just found it!

This Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Recipe produces brownies which are firm on the top and soft and almost chewy in the centre. Perfection itself!

They are also on the easy scale of baking so they can be whipped up very easily.

I use any excuse to get out my food mixer but these can very easily be made with a good old-fashioned wooden spoon.

When you have combined all the ingredients using the recipe below you spoon it into a baking tin up to around an inch high.

Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Recipe
This is the brownie mix when it has just gone into the oven.

 

5 from 1 vote
Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Recipe
Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Recipe
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
35 mins
 

The most amazing firm on the outside and moist in the middle chocolate brownies

Course: Dessert
Servings: 16
Author: mainy - myrealfairy
Ingredients
  • 200 g Dark Chocolate
  • 100 g Soft Butter
  • 250 g Caster Sugar
  • 4 Eggs
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Essence
  • 60 g Plain Flour
  • 60 g Cocoa Powder
Instructions
  1. Break Chocolate into chunks.

  2. Put into a heatproof bowl and melt over a pan of simmering water. When melted then leave to cool until needed.

  3. Put the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat together.

    Ultimate chocolate brownie recipe
  4. Add the eggs and beat in.

    Ultimate chocolate brownie recipe
  5. Add the vanilla essence.

  6. Spoon in the melted chocolate .

  7. Sift in the flour and the cocoa powder and gently stir in. When it is fully combined spoon it into a 15cm baking tin.

  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes

    Ultimate chocolate brownie recipe
Recipe Notes

These are lovely and rich so a jenga stick sized portion is plenty.

When it comes out of the oven you are faced with this wonderful slab of chocolate brownie. You then cut into pieces with a sharp knife and stack them up like jenga pieces for some fun.

 

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Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Recipe
Ultimate Chocolate Brownies

 

 

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Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3

Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3

Hello there and here I am with even more great christmas ideas and also another fab giveaway. This post is looking at stocking fillers and quirky ideas that you may not of seen before. It’s great to see a real look of surprise on peoples faces when you give them something, I think you’ll find these fit the bill!

You can also see my Bumper Gift Guide Part 1 and Bumper Gift Guide Part 2 where there are a more ideas and giveaways.

Splat

Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3

SPLAT ethically and scientifically, develops and manufactures professional oral care solutions for the whole family.

I bet you haven’t see anything like this before, it’s a Gold Toothpaste which is fluoride free. Splat Special Gold Toothpaste consists of Diamond Powder and Gold particles, developed specially to create a beautiful smile and maintain a healthy mouth. £16.95 This is the sort of present for a princess with a liking for the luxurious things in life! How cool!

Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3

Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3

This Blackwood Charcoal Toothpaste contains a cutting-edge combination of active ingredients that remove plaque formations and prevent them from re-occurring. Charcoal, the ingredient that gives Blackwood its black colour, whitens, absorbs smells and removes stains to leave teeth feeling fresh and clean. Juniper extract promotes gum health. The toothpaste significantly and safely whitens teeth, fights plaque buildup and maintains long-lasting fresh breath. £7.95

 

Magic Oral Care Magic Oral Care Foam for oral care on the go. Perfect for your child’s school bag or lunch box after those snacks, lunches and drinks, as it protects from tooth decay for when your little one is out and about. Doesn’t have a mint flavour as some kids don’t like it. £5.95Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3

Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3

Oral Care Foam – the adult version of the foam for busy people on the move. This one has a mint flavour and is to be used after food and drinks, convenient for travelling (50ml bottle) and especially loved by people who wear braces. Helps to protect against tooth decay and keeps your breath fresh. £5.95

Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3 splat_uk_official

Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3 splat.uk

You can win a bundle of 1 of each of the toothpastes featured here today. This is a great prize and I wish you the best of luck.

Enter using the rafflecopter below

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Galleoneers

Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3

Discover a cuisine each month with Galleoneers‘ exciting recipes from around the world. Learn about geography and explore new cultures with arts & crafts, fun and educational activities related to the month’s cuisine.

The recipe box comes with a free membership to the Galleoneers Cooking Club. That means subscribers receive by email a free eBook.

I have got a 3-month recipe box subscription box in the giveaway today from Galleoneers, how good is that?! Such a super prize and a great introduction to the range. See lower down for the giveaway.

The Recipe Box contains the following:

1. One 24-page Fully-illustrated Recipe and Activity Book that includes

• 3 child-friendly recipes for a full-course meal (Note: alternative substitutes for those with dietary restrictions are provided through the Galleoneers Cooking Club)

• Every recipe step is classified by age and cooking skills level

• Culinary lessons and kitchen learning aids for kids

• Cultural information, infographics and country trivia related to the month’s culinary theme

• Arts and crafts activities related to the month’s culinary theme

• Educational activities related to the month’s culinary theme

2. Kitchen tools and gadgets for your child to keep

3. Some of the food ingredients to be used in the recipe

4. Grocery shopping list (also emailed in advance)

5. Welcome letter to grown-ups

Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3

I love the idea of this gift as it’s such a creative present to give. So many different skills are used which will keep our younger ones entertained. You do have to carry out a fair bit of it with them but that too is great as its a bonding experience without any of the pressure of getting anything ready. Most of this is taken care of by Galleoneers!

Here we go for the giveaway of a 3-month recipe box subscription despatched by Galleoneers

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

TowelUP

 

Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3

TowelUp© is the brainchild of  Hannah who was fed up of her towel falling down every time she walked from the shower to the wardrobe, simple as that!  It has taken much research, time and effort to create what she hopes is a solution to that problem for men, women and children alike.

Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3

Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3Have you ever been caught short with your towel falling down? I never used to worry about this when I was young free and single but as I’ve grown up and either shared houses or been travelling it became a bit of a thing that I didn’t want to be worrying about. Yes, you can wrap it round you and tuck it in but there is always that risk of it falling!  TowelUp© will keep your towel securely in place for as long as you need it to and costs just £3.99 for one or £6.99 + P&P.  It simply slides over where you wrap your towel around you body and hey presto you are ready to move around! These are great for stocking fillers and they are a really different present to give.

Sweet Hearts

Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3

 

Lice are a hazard of the children going back to school in my experience so it’s good to see products that can help out with that. Also when my son was alot smaller he had longer hair which goes beautifully and curly the longer it gets. With the 2 in 1 – Detangler & Head Lice Defence Spray you can use it for detangling and styling. If your child does then come into contact with an infested head, the strong head lice repellent will deter them from even thinking about spreading. The detangler and head lice spray has Fragonia, Neem and Tea Tree oil which puts of the bugs but doesn’t smell horrid like some can.

The SweetHearts Hair Detangler Spray has been created by Beth Belshaw alongside Denise McGowan of Evanji to make a detangler that is soft enough to be used daily, yet leave hair feeling light and shiny. It is made from ethically sourced ingredients and is free from synthetic chemicals & parabens. Sweet hearts hair design have a strict no animal testing policy so you can rest assured when you are buying them that this has been upheld.

 

Follow on  here @sweetheartshair

Visit on Bumper Giveaways Christmas Gift Guide – Part 3 here sweetheartshairdesign

 

I would love to know which ones have really grabbed your attention. Have you seen any of these products before?


I have been given the products to review for you here today. Thanks to each of the brands and I am pleased with each of them. Delivery was good and all arrived in tip top condition!

The Best Butternut Squash Recipe

I like to try all the different vegetables on offer and this week I had an organic box delivery which had a great Butternut Squash nestled inside.

I wanted to make the most of what I could do with it so I have devised the best butternut squash supper recipe I can imagine which is great for all the family.

Luckily my boys and OH love their food and will try all the different dishes that I come up with. My eldest son loves sweet potatoes and I think that the butternut squash looks very similar. They have had it before but not like this, being made the star of the show!

The Best Butternut Squash Recipe
Quartered and with the seeds removed
4.8 from 5 votes
The Best Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe
The Best Butternut Squash Recipe
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 

The Best Butternut Squash Recipe. Great for all the family to enjoy.

Course: Main Course
Servings: 6 people
Author: mainy - myrealfairy
Ingredients
  • 1 Butternut Squash
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • Salt and Pepper To personal taste
  • 200 g Quinoa
  • 50 g Parmesan Cheese
Instructions
  1. Slice the Butternut Squash into 4 or 6 slices depending on how large it is.

    Place on a baking tray with lining paper

    Sprinkle on the olive oil

    Add salt and pepper to taste


    The Best Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe
  2. Roast in the over for 40 minutes

  3. Cook the Quinoa for the required time depending on pre cooked or part cooked.

  4. Take the Butternut Squash out of the oven and immediately grate over the parmesan cheese. 

  5. Serve straight away with the cooked Quinoa.

    The Best Roasted Butternut Squash Recipe
Recipe Notes

Tastes great with shredded cabbage!

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I’d love to know that you think of this supper dish and if you are a fan of butternut squash.

the best butternut squash recipe

If you like easy, delicious recipes then I think you will love my Easy Focaccia Bread. Try these two together and wow your friends and family.

the best butternut squash recipe

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Paleo Date and Chocolate Bites

Here is a lovely treat for you from Rachel who blogs over at austinpaleogrrl Rachel has guest posted here before when she brought us the tasty Cassava Banana Pancakes Rachel is a Paleo lifestyle blogger, foodie, and Primal Health Coach in training from Austin, Texas USA. Thanks for joining us again and I’ll hand over to her to tempt you with these scrummy Paleo Date and Chocolate Bites 
Hello, everyone! Who doesn’t love a delicious snack/dessert recipe, especially when it includes chocolate! Yummy! Being strict Paleo, I don’t consume grains, dairy, or soy. I still love to indulge once in a while though, so I came up with this awesome recipe for y’all (that’s what we say in Texas) 🙂 to try for yourselves! It calls for dairy/soy/gluten-free chocolate chips, which are easy to find in the U.S., but if you are in another country and can’t find them (usually available in health food stores), feel free to use regular chocolate chips. These are fairly simple and quick to prepare, and I think you’ll absolutely love them! When I make these, they are usually gone within a few days. Yes, they’re delicious! I’m so happy to be sharing this recipe with everyone through myrealfairy.
Now, let’s get started!
Ingredients
16-18 dates (Deglet or Medjool varieties works best) with pits removed
Approx. 1 – 1 1/3 cups raw, unsalted almonds
1 cup of dairy/soy/gluten-free chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life brand semi-sweet mini chips, sold in U.S. health food stores and on Amazon)
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons plain water
1 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut flakes
Tools
Food processor or high-powered food chopper
Mixing bowl
Spatula
Large plate
Smaller bowl for coconut shavings
Directions
Combine dates, almonds, chocolate chips, cinnamon and water and add to a food processor or high-powered food chopper (I use a small Ninja food chopper, as I find it crushes the almonds and dates more effectively).
Blend/chop until ingredients are crushed into a chunky mixture
Use a spatula, and scoop everything out of the food processor or chopper and place in a medium mixing bowl.
Paleo date and chocolate chip bites
Now this is where it gets a little messy! Use your hands to grab some of the mixture and roll it into medium sized balls (1.5 inches approx). Depending on how large you make each ball, you should end up with about 10-12 date bites. Place each ball on a large plate and grab the shredded coconut and place in a smaller bowl.
Roll each ball in the coconut flakes until it’s coated to your liking.
Place the finished balls/bites in a large glass or ceramic container and store in the refrigerator to firm. They tend to hold together better when chilled.
That’s it!
I hope you’ll enjoy making these as much as I do! Feel free to add cacao powder to the mixture too if you want a little extra chocolate flavor.
5 from 1 vote
Paleo date and chocolate chip bites copy
Paleo Dates and Chocolate Chip Bites

Who doesn't love a delicious snack/dessert recipe, especially when it includes chocolate! 

Course: Snack
Servings: 10 servings
Author: Austin Paleo Grrl for myrealfairy.com
Ingredients
  • 16-18 Dates Deglet or Medjool varieties works best with pits removed
  • 1 - 1 1/3 cups Raw unsalted almonds unsalted almonds
  • 1 cup Dairy/soy/gluten-free chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon Cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons Plain water
  • 1 cup Shredded unsweetened coconut flakes unsweetened coconut flakes
Instructions
  1. Combine dates, almonds, chocolate chips, cinnamon and water and add to a food processor or high-powered food chopper (I use a small Ninja food chopper, as I find it crushes the almonds and dates more effectively).
  2. Blend/chop until ingredients are crushed into a chunky mixture
  3. Use a spatula, and scoop everything out of the food processor or chopper and place in a medium mixing bowl
  4. Now this is where it gets a little messy! Use your hands to grab some of the mixture and roll it into medium sized balls (1.5 inches approx). Depending on how large you make each ball, you should end up with about 10-12 date bites. Place each ball on a large plate and grab the shredded coconut and place in a smaller bowl.
  5. Roll each ball in the coconut flakes until it's coated to your liking.
  6. Place the finished balls/bites in a large glass or ceramic container and store in the refrigerator to firm. They tend to hold together better when chilled.
Recipe Notes

Feel free to add cacao powder to the mixture too if you want a little extra chocolate flavor.

You can find Rachel on Facebook at: Austin Paleo Grrl 

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Cucumber, Gogi Berry and Quinoa Super Salad

Today I’ve got a packed post filled with a vegetarian recipe, pictures from the garden and stories of what we grew. It’s an eclectic mix that I’d love you all to enjoy.

Like most of us I am usually busy and on the go, either to work, dropping the kids off of having to run some errand or other. I love it like that, it keeps me busy and happy. What I do have to remember is to eat well and I like to make sure that all of us at home have good food to keep us fueled up and healthy.

We grew cucumbers on our patio garden this year and have been amazed at how well they grew and how huge a cucumber plant actually gets, it’s massive. They took ages to germinate but once they got going they grew so fast. I have been using them fresh off the plant and really enjoyed creating new dishes for them to go in.

The additional ingredients today have been supplied by Indigo Herbs who sell organic and quality assured products. They have a huge range of foods with which they wish to inspire and motivate you on a journey to a healthier lifestyle. I spent ages on the site looking at all they have on offer including; natural health guides, superfoods, wholefoods, herbal teas, aromatherapy and lots lots more.

Cucumber, Gogi Berry and Quinoa Super Salad
The cucumber plant that I’ve grown this year. It’s taking over the patio!

This Cucumber, Gogi Berry and Quinoa Super Salad that I am going to be showing you today is just the ticket to give a boost to your body that will help set you up for the rest of the day.

The Protein packed Tricolour Quinoa Grains are a great wheat free alternative to rice or pasta and I’m sure you’ll agree they give it a wonderful burst of colour.

Cucumber, Gogi Berry and Quinoa Super Salad
Uncooked tricolour quinoa

I love the sprinkle of pine nuts at the end. These nuts have a beautiful sweet flavour and are soft to bite into. If you have any left over from the packet then you can use them in my carrot tops pesto sauce which can be set aside for later in the week. Pine nuts are actually the seeds from the pine tree and they contain a wealth of antioxidants, including vitamins A, B, C, D, and E.


The recipe is vegetarian, vegan and super healthy!

5 from 1 vote
cucumber, gogi berries and quinoa super salad
Cucumber, Gogi Berry and Quinoa Super Salad
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 
A Vegetarian and Vegan Recipe
Course: Main Course
Servings: 4
Author: mainy - myrealfairy
Ingredients
  • 1 Medium cucumber
  • 50 g Gogi Berries
  • 150 g Tricolour Quinoa Grains
  • 1 Tablespoon Organic Pine Nuts
  • Half Teaspoon Coarse Pink Himalayan Salt
  • 1 juice Lemon
  • 50 ml Rapeseed Oil
  • 1 Clove of Garlic - minced
Instructions
  1. Rinse the quinoa grains, place in a saucepan with double the amount of water. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes.

    Cucumber, Gogi Berry and Quinoa Super Salad
  2. While the quinoa is cooking, chop your cucumber into big chunks
    Cucumber, Gogi Berry and Quinoa Super Salad
  3. Mix in the gogi berries
    Cucumber, Gogi Berry and Quinoa Super Salad
  4. Add the salt
  5. Mix together the lemon juice, Rapeseed oil and minced garlic.

  6. When the quinoa is ready, place in a large bowl and pour over the lemon, oil and garlic dressing while it is still warm.
  7. Mix in the cucumber and gogi berries.
  8. Sprinkle with pine nuts
    Cucumber, Gogi Berry and Quinoa Super Salad


Goji Berries 150g. Organic Royal Quinoa Grains 1kg. Organic Shelled Hemp seeds 250g 

Cucumber gogi berry and quinoa super salad

Disclaimer: I was supplied the ingredients by Indigo free of charge to use in my recipe. Everything you see is an honest view and use of the products and I was delighted by the products as you can see!

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Plantain and Mango Curry – Easy and Delicious

When I was travelling I enjoyed the taste and versatility of Plantain. If you have not come across or cooked with it before it looks like a large banana which it is but this type needs to be cooked before being eaten.

In this recipe I have paired it with mango and onion for a fruity light curry. I prefer a mild curry and my other half likes something with a bit more kick to it. This dish is perfect if you want to turn up the heat, just add more crushed chillies sprinkled on top as a garnish and then everyone is happy!

Plantain and Mango Curry
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
32 mins
Total Time
42 mins
 

A Fruity Curry which can be made to suit all levels of heat. A great source of energy and vitamins.

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Worldwide
Servings: 4 people
Author: Mainy - myrealfairy.com
Ingredients
  • 2 Plantains
  • 1 Tin of Mango in syrup
  • 1 medium Onion
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon Cumin
  • 2 cloves of Garlic
  • 0.5 teaspoon Dried crushed Chillies
  • 2 cups of water
  • 2 tablespoons Rapeseed Oil
Instructions
  1. Place the oil in a large frying pan with the spices and garlic
    Plantain and Mango Curry
  2. Cook for 2 minutes
  3. Add the onions and cook on a low heat for 5 minutes
  4. Add the Plantain and fry for 5 minutes
  5. Add the water and cook for a further 15 minutes on a low heat
  6. Add the mango and cook for 5 minutes
    Plantain and Mango Curry

Plantain and Mango Curry

The plantain takes longer than you would think to cook, it’s generally treated like a vegetable more than a fruit. You can cut it lengthways thinly and gently fry for a tasty snack.

Plantain and Mango Curry

The dish looks really vibrant when it is cooking. When the onions and plantain are just softening then it’s the time to add the mango with its syrup.

Plantain and Mango Curry

When serving, try it with a garlic yogurt dip. Place a small tub of unsweetened yoghurt in a bowl. Add 10 mint leaves – finely chopped. Then add 2 cloves of garlic that have been minced through a garlic press.

Sit back and enjoy! Let me know how you either like the idea – or – if you have tried it please send me a picture.

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