Right, so I had a bit of a slip-up last week on the Ten in 10 Challenge. Trying too hard to keep up with the challenge on top of work and life was leaving me exhausted and stressed.
But one small change I made this week has made a massive difference, and has put me back on track to healthdom...
Switching off my laptop to get a proper night's sleep!
Yes, I'm still rushing around a bit too much like a crazy lady and working loads but by having an actual 'cut-off' point, it forces me to STOP.
Despite eating relatively healthily and doing regular exercise, my skin was getting inflamed, my brain feeling constantly fried and I was getting stressed too quickly and too often. Even exercise was leaving me tired and aching the next day rather than pumping up my energy levels and releasing all those happy endorphins.
It took me a silly amount of time to work out that the main culprit of all this was the early starts for exercising and late nights of web surfing (not like that you filthy so!). I've been seriously sleep-deprived.
A simple lesson I learned here - any effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle can pretty much be undone if you start to overdo it and don't allow your mind and body time to rest.
So listen to your body - and don't ignore the warning signals.
You might be interested to read my other posts on the Ten in 10 Challenge.
Other Hungry Jenny healthy food thoughts you might be interested in
Continue reading this post..
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Saturday, 30 January 2010
Friday, 29 January 2010
Friday Pie-Day: A Kinda-Healthy Funny-Looking Quiche
Quiche.
Quiche has always confused me.
It's never been a part of my life. In fact, I've only ever ordered it at a restaurant once. It's the unknown that I fear. I mean, I just don't get what it is.
Is it a pie?
Is it a tart?
Is it an egg custardy thing?
So I decided to make one to find out.
And it came out a bit funny-looking...
Eh? So it looks a bit like a demented pizza. *sigh* Another puzzler to add to the quiche equation.
Despite appearances though, I chomped on, and found that it was actually rather tasty.
I think I've always been a bit put off them because of the egg-custardy look. Then there's the whole question about whether they're actually healthy or not. For some reason, I was always under the impression that it's a healthy choice to have. Then you remember it's got pastry with all that butter and flour, and a filling that's often quite creamy or cheesy. Hm.
So, I used cottage cheese, with hope that the low fat, high protein content would make this a little healthier. It didn't seem to mix very well with the eggs and slopped out onto the filling in lumps but it did solidify in the end :-)
Right, so - do you fancy a slice of this cottage-cheesed, er, pizza?
I sell them well, don't I?
Pie out.
Read my other Friday Pie-Day adventures. Continue reading this post..
Quiche has always confused me.
It's never been a part of my life. In fact, I've only ever ordered it at a restaurant once. It's the unknown that I fear. I mean, I just don't get what it is.
Is it a pie?
Is it a tart?
Is it an egg custardy thing?
So I decided to make one to find out.
And it came out a bit funny-looking...
Eh? So it looks a bit like a demented pizza. *sigh* Another puzzler to add to the quiche equation.Despite appearances though, I chomped on, and found that it was actually rather tasty.
I think I've always been a bit put off them because of the egg-custardy look. Then there's the whole question about whether they're actually healthy or not. For some reason, I was always under the impression that it's a healthy choice to have. Then you remember it's got pastry with all that butter and flour, and a filling that's often quite creamy or cheesy. Hm.
So, I used cottage cheese, with hope that the low fat, high protein content would make this a little healthier. It didn't seem to mix very well with the eggs and slopped out onto the filling in lumps but it did solidify in the end :-)
Right, so - do you fancy a slice of this cottage-cheesed, er, pizza?
Low Fat Salmon and Broccoli Quiche
For an 8" pie dish:
1 salmon fillet
1 tbsp lemon juice
6 broccoli florets, chopped
3 mushrooms
Half a small red onion, chopped
250g shortcrust pastry
1 egg
1 egg white
150g low fat cottage cheese
2 tbsp grated cheese
1 tsp mint
1) Roll out the pastry and place into an 8" pie dish, pushing it up the sides. Prick the base with a fork.
2) Bake blind (cover with foil and sit dried beans or rice in it) for about 10 minutes at 200 degrees C.
3) Meanwhile, brush the salmon with lemon juice and grill (or poach) til cooked through. Use a fork to flake into pieces.
4) Gently fry the veg, mixing in the salmon towards the end.
5) In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and cottage cheese. Mix in the cheese and mint.
6) Tip the salmon filling into the pastry base, then pour in the cottage cheese mix.
7) Bake for about 40-45 minutes til the top is solid.
For an 8" pie dish:
1 salmon fillet
1 tbsp lemon juice
6 broccoli florets, chopped
3 mushrooms
Half a small red onion, chopped
250g shortcrust pastry
1 egg
1 egg white
150g low fat cottage cheese
2 tbsp grated cheese
1 tsp mint
1) Roll out the pastry and place into an 8" pie dish, pushing it up the sides. Prick the base with a fork.
2) Bake blind (cover with foil and sit dried beans or rice in it) for about 10 minutes at 200 degrees C.
3) Meanwhile, brush the salmon with lemon juice and grill (or poach) til cooked through. Use a fork to flake into pieces.
4) Gently fry the veg, mixing in the salmon towards the end.
5) In a separate bowl, beat the eggs and cottage cheese. Mix in the cheese and mint.
6) Tip the salmon filling into the pastry base, then pour in the cottage cheese mix.
7) Bake for about 40-45 minutes til the top is solid.
I sell them well, don't I?
Pie out.
Read my other Friday Pie-Day adventures. Continue reading this post..
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Cranberry Orange Cookie Bites of Delight
Oops, I accidentally made 60 of these...You know how cookies tend to spread outwards as you bake them? Well, as a novice cookie baker, I just expected them to do this. But they didn't. And why?
Well, I should have been able to work that out from the start, really.
These little bites of delight are butter-free. Butter is a major factor of cookies spreadage. But me being dim, I rolled tiny little cookie balls out of half of the dough (I only have one oven shelf), set them apart to give them space, put them in the oven and waited.
Ten minutes later, the cranberry and orange flavours were wafting out deliciously and I eagerly opened the oven, to find that they were still the exact same shape and size.
Looking at the massive wodge of cookie dough still left to bake, I suddenly realised I had a rather large baking issue on my hands. Three oven shelf worths of baking later, and 60-odd cookie bites were finally complete:
It turned out to be a good thing in the end. Luckily, there always seem to be people around happy to sample my baking (they haven't yet run a mile from it...).
Healthy Cranberry Orange Cookie Bites
Makes 60 mini cookies (tsp size) or 30 'normal' cookies!
350g oats
200g plain flour
100g cranberry
100ml honey
100ml orange juice concentrate
Zest of half an orange
2 egg whites
1 ripe banana, mashed
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1) Beat the egg whites with the banana and orange juice.
2) Stir in the honey, oats and flour, followed by the soda and cinnamon.
3) Mix in the cranberries and orange zest.
4) Place whatever size blobs of the mixture you want on a baking sheet.
5) Bake at 180 degrees C for about 10 minutes.
Makes 60 mini cookies (tsp size) or 30 'normal' cookies!
350g oats
200g plain flour
100g cranberry
100ml honey
100ml orange juice concentrate
Zest of half an orange
2 egg whites
1 ripe banana, mashed
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1) Beat the egg whites with the banana and orange juice.
2) Stir in the honey, oats and flour, followed by the soda and cinnamon.
3) Mix in the cranberries and orange zest.
4) Place whatever size blobs of the mixture you want on a baking sheet.
5) Bake at 180 degrees C for about 10 minutes.
These taste best fresh out of the oven but keep well for a few days, they just go a little chewier. But best of all, they're pretty healthy! Which is why it's ok to eat six of these at once ;-)
More Hungry Jenny cakes and cookies! Continue reading this post..
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
3 Quick Dishes to Boost Your Energy
Right, so I've finally been working on some proper meals to have before my evening exercise classes. Three nights a week of randomly scoffing toast, brioche or croissants to avoid having a heavy meal is just no good. Especially now that I have given up bread-like foods!
Perhaps you might suggest that the easiest option is to gradually get into the habit of eating lighter meals in general? Well, no, frankly, because I still want to eat pies. Sorry.
So, I've been looking up particular foods that boost your energy and have found ways to pack them into light dishes that are very simple to put together. They are ridiculously quick to make and because each dish has a variety of flavours, they are very enjoyable to eat.
Of course, these aren't just for having before exercise, they are great to have for any light lunch. You'll have a little spring in your step afterwards for eating these happy meals..!
This is by no means a definitive list of energy foods. It's just something I've started to experiment with recently so make sure you check back regularly for more new recipes if you like these ones :-)
Salmon + Butterbeans + Avocado + Leafy Greens =
A steady, slow-burning energising salad, packed with Popeye-worthy iron goodness to stop lethargic-ness and keep your bones strong with all of those greens.
Or, if you don't fancy that, then you could try this...
Asparagus + Egg + Carrot + Kidney beans + Sesame seeds + Natural yoghurt =
Good mix of dairy and veg to turn fats into energy plus some solid protein and fibre from the kidney beans to make sure that energy is released steadily.
Or, you can have a bit more substance and meat if you need to, as long as you keep it lean with something like this:
Chicken + Sweet potato + Pumpkin seeds + Courgette + Honey =
Metabolism-boosting, high fibre potato without the starchiness and heavy dip it leaves in your stomach, uplifting seeds to keep you happy and of course, some much needed high protein from the chicken for your body to use when you're exercising away.
If none of these take your fancy, come back and visit soon, as I'm going to be hunting down more recipes like this.
Go on, make time to try them all out. You'll be bouncing off the walls.
Other Hungry Jenny healthy food thoughts you might be interested in Continue reading this post..
Perhaps you might suggest that the easiest option is to gradually get into the habit of eating lighter meals in general? Well, no, frankly, because I still want to eat pies. Sorry.
So, I've been looking up particular foods that boost your energy and have found ways to pack them into light dishes that are very simple to put together. They are ridiculously quick to make and because each dish has a variety of flavours, they are very enjoyable to eat.
Of course, these aren't just for having before exercise, they are great to have for any light lunch. You'll have a little spring in your step afterwards for eating these happy meals..!This is by no means a definitive list of energy foods. It's just something I've started to experiment with recently so make sure you check back regularly for more new recipes if you like these ones :-)
Salmon + Butterbeans + Avocado + Leafy Greens =
A steady, slow-burning energising salad, packed with Popeye-worthy iron goodness to stop lethargic-ness and keep your bones strong with all of those greens.
Or, if you don't fancy that, then you could try this...
Asparagus + Egg + Carrot + Kidney beans + Sesame seeds + Natural yoghurt =Good mix of dairy and veg to turn fats into energy plus some solid protein and fibre from the kidney beans to make sure that energy is released steadily.
Or, you can have a bit more substance and meat if you need to, as long as you keep it lean with something like this:
Chicken + Sweet potato + Pumpkin seeds + Courgette + Honey =Metabolism-boosting, high fibre potato without the starchiness and heavy dip it leaves in your stomach, uplifting seeds to keep you happy and of course, some much needed high protein from the chicken for your body to use when you're exercising away.
If none of these take your fancy, come back and visit soon, as I'm going to be hunting down more recipes like this.
Go on, make time to try them all out. You'll be bouncing off the walls.
Other Hungry Jenny healthy food thoughts you might be interested in Continue reading this post..
Saturday, 23 January 2010
Ten in 10 Week 3: Help!
Don't worry, I'm not about to give up the Ten in 10 Challenge. But it's barely even the halfway point yet and...I'm exhausted.
Funnily enough, this week, I think I've been keeping up with my four main goals quite well. Most days of the week I find myself stretching and exercising all over the place - that's goals 1 and 2 ticked. I even accidentally did some man-press-ups instead of the usual lady-ones the other day - I was half-asleep and went straight into it from a plank. Of course, when I realised I was doing man-ones, I immediately got overexcited and fell flat on my face.
The third and fourth food-related goals are proving a little trickier. My bread-junkie tendencies have been dealt with a bit better this week, though they still lead me to cheating alternatives (this week it was scones, sorry).
On the healthier baking side, not bad. I'll blog soon about some yummy oatmeal cookies I made this week. (Here's a preview...)
BUT. In my efforts to keep up these goals I'm: constantly searching for healthy cake and recipe ideas, researching pre- and post-training food so as not to negate the workouts, getting up early to do a good amount of stretching, doing three 2-hour fitness classes a week (including aikido) and all crammed inbetween long hours of work in the office and at home, because it's super busy at the mo...*melting*
There is actually quite a simple solution to this (and no, it's not giving up the challenge!). So what is it?
Switch off the laptop and get more rest!
Despite all my other efforts to maintain a healthier lifestyle, this is what ultimately fails me. The early mornings and late nights. They don't do my skin any good, they give me eye bags after particularly long hours of working, make me more easily irritated, and are often the result of making me feel guilty at the idea of allowing myself a proper break.
There's always so much stuff I feel I need to do which involves using the net, that I all-too-easily get absorbed into the screen for hours, even when I know I should shut down (quite literally). Even right now. The online world has a weird pull doesn't it?
So, right now, I'm saying goodbye to late-night internet madness (currently writing this in the early hours of Saturday morning) and am setting a fifth goal:
Shut down by 11pm.
Still sounds latish I know, but this is going to be a particularly tough goal.
Wish me luck.
You might be interested to read my other posts on the Ten in 10 Challenge.
Other Hungry Jenny healthy food thoughts you might be interested in
Continue reading this post..
Funnily enough, this week, I think I've been keeping up with my four main goals quite well. Most days of the week I find myself stretching and exercising all over the place - that's goals 1 and 2 ticked. I even accidentally did some man-press-ups instead of the usual lady-ones the other day - I was half-asleep and went straight into it from a plank. Of course, when I realised I was doing man-ones, I immediately got overexcited and fell flat on my face.
The third and fourth food-related goals are proving a little trickier. My bread-junkie tendencies have been dealt with a bit better this week, though they still lead me to cheating alternatives (this week it was scones, sorry).
On the healthier baking side, not bad. I'll blog soon about some yummy oatmeal cookies I made this week. (Here's a preview...)
BUT. In my efforts to keep up these goals I'm: constantly searching for healthy cake and recipe ideas, researching pre- and post-training food so as not to negate the workouts, getting up early to do a good amount of stretching, doing three 2-hour fitness classes a week (including aikido) and all crammed inbetween long hours of work in the office and at home, because it's super busy at the mo...*melting*There is actually quite a simple solution to this (and no, it's not giving up the challenge!). So what is it?
Switch off the laptop and get more rest!
Despite all my other efforts to maintain a healthier lifestyle, this is what ultimately fails me. The early mornings and late nights. They don't do my skin any good, they give me eye bags after particularly long hours of working, make me more easily irritated, and are often the result of making me feel guilty at the idea of allowing myself a proper break.
There's always so much stuff I feel I need to do which involves using the net, that I all-too-easily get absorbed into the screen for hours, even when I know I should shut down (quite literally). Even right now. The online world has a weird pull doesn't it?
So, right now, I'm saying goodbye to late-night internet madness (currently writing this in the early hours of Saturday morning) and am setting a fifth goal:
Shut down by 11pm.
Still sounds latish I know, but this is going to be a particularly tough goal.
Wish me luck.
You might be interested to read my other posts on the Ten in 10 Challenge.
Other Hungry Jenny healthy food thoughts you might be interested in
Continue reading this post..
Friday, 22 January 2010
Friday Pie-Day: Orange Asparagus Pie - with a warning
I can't remember for the life of me how I randomly put this pie together. I just saw some reduced asparagus at the supermarket and thought ooh, I'll have that. After using a few spears in a salad, I suddenly felt panicked about having to use the rest up since they were already past their peak quality. Yes, bad I know, I never buy reduced veg but for some reason, I was drawn to those green spears.Then I thought, hey, wouldn't they look cool all arranged around like spokes? A bit of rummaging through the rest of my veg and I managed to cobble this surprisingly tasty pie together.
However - this might not be the best one to make for guests though, (although it's perfectly adequate for yourself) - let me explain.
Actually, I don't really want to because it might put you off making it altogether..!
...Ah, never mind, I'll tell you anyway, in the most delicate way possible.
Asparagus +
Sweet Potato +
Broccoli +
= something not to be sniffed at (quite literally)
Sorry. Did I lower the tone too much? I had to warn you! I'm usually well posh.
Orange Asparagus Pie with Sweet Potato Mash
For an 8" pie dish (serves 3-4):
1 large sweet potato, in chunks
8 asparagus spears, chopped in half
6 broccoli florets, chopped
4 mushrooms, sliced
1 spring onion, sliced
Small handful of dwarf beans, chopped
200g kidney beans
Sauce:
Juice of 1 orange
1 tsp orange zest
1 tsp ginger
1 tbsp honey
1) Boil the potato til soft. Drain and mash.
2) Meanwhile, blanche the asparagus in a bowl. Fry the broccoli, mushrooms, dwarf beans, spring onion and dwarf beans.
3) Pour over a mixture of orange juice, zest, honey and ginger. Simmer for 5 mins.
4) Transfer to pie dish and arrange asparagus spears on top.
5) Spoon over mashed sweet potato and bake at 180 degrees C for 30 mins.
For an 8" pie dish (serves 3-4):
1 large sweet potato, in chunks
8 asparagus spears, chopped in half
6 broccoli florets, chopped
4 mushrooms, sliced
1 spring onion, sliced
Small handful of dwarf beans, chopped
200g kidney beans
Sauce:
Juice of 1 orange
1 tsp orange zest
1 tsp ginger
1 tbsp honey
1) Boil the potato til soft. Drain and mash.
2) Meanwhile, blanche the asparagus in a bowl. Fry the broccoli, mushrooms, dwarf beans, spring onion and dwarf beans.
3) Pour over a mixture of orange juice, zest, honey and ginger. Simmer for 5 mins.
4) Transfer to pie dish and arrange asparagus spears on top.
5) Spoon over mashed sweet potato and bake at 180 degrees C for 30 mins.
Pie out.Read my other Friday Pie-Day adventures. Continue reading this post..
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
A Tasty Butterless, Sugarless Cake
Well, it's a banana loaf to be honest.
Don't call me a cheat. This is a legitimate cake. It goes well with a cup of tea anyway so that includes it in the cake mix.
Ok, ok. The real reason I'm saying this is that I'm supposed to have given up bread. You might have seen previously that I'm not doing too well with that. So let me have this last one and I absolutely promise not to find other ways to sneak in a bread fix. For now, let's enjoy this CAKE...
Read here if you're curious to know why I've given up bread.
Other butter free and sugar free baking recipes that might take your fancy. Continue reading this post..
Don't call me a cheat. This is a legitimate cake. It goes well with a cup of tea anyway so that includes it in the cake mix.Ok, ok. The real reason I'm saying this is that I'm supposed to have given up bread. You might have seen previously that I'm not doing too well with that. So let me have this last one and I absolutely promise not to find other ways to sneak in a bread fix. For now, let's enjoy this CAKE...
Banana and Sesame Seed Loaf (butter and sugar free)
Makes 1 loaf:
2 large bananas
2 eggs, beaten
100g sesame seeds
100 ml orange juice
75ml grapeseed oil
300g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger
1) Mash banana with eggs, grapeseed oil and orange juice.
2) Sift and fold in plain flour, bicarb of soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
3) Mix in sesame seeds and pour into a loaf tin.
4) Bake at 170 degrees C for about 45 minutes.
Makes 1 loaf:
2 large bananas
2 eggs, beaten
100g sesame seeds
100 ml orange juice
75ml grapeseed oil
300g plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
Dash of cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger
1) Mash banana with eggs, grapeseed oil and orange juice.
2) Sift and fold in plain flour, bicarb of soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
3) Mix in sesame seeds and pour into a loaf tin.
4) Bake at 170 degrees C for about 45 minutes.
Read here if you're curious to know why I've given up bread.
Other butter free and sugar free baking recipes that might take your fancy. Continue reading this post..
Monday, 18 January 2010
Is this what you'd call a Happy Family?
Hmm, I'm not sure either.
This is a meat and seafood stir fry, so basically everything all mixed together to make one 'Happy Family'. There's probably different variations of this across different recipes and restaurants, I'm sure. This one I had recently during a friend's birthday at a Chinese restaurant in Chichester.
I'm still undecided about whether I actually liked it or not. The ingredients were kinda fresh, but not of the best quality. This restaurant offers one of those 'fresh' all-you-can-eat buffets. So you order whatever you want for a set price, but instead of going up and helping yourself, it is all made fresh to order. You have to finish the dish before you can order your next plate which is a clever way to encourage people to pay a set price and serve them the same amount that they'd normally eat.
There was about 15 of us there which was hilarious as a few people ordered the same thing so half of our table was filled with duplicates! It was good to be able to try out other people's dishes but perhaps not the most ideal way to enjoy a meal. There are some things that just don't go well together. You can't have a mouthful of kung po followed by some sweet and sour. It's just weird.
There was no point ordering that Happy Family actually. With such a mixture of food on the table anyway, I think I probably made my own family! Don't think it was particularly happy though.
Ick, never again.
Continue reading this post..
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Ten in 10 Week 2: Bread Junkie Confession
So it's officially week 2 of the Ten in 10 Challenge. One of my goals was to cut out bread, namely sliced bread. I've done well on that front.
But.
Towards the end of the week, I realised that I had unwittingly picked up a rather bad replacement...
At first, I didn't think anything of it. A bag of 8 mini chocolate brioches is a common spontaneous purchase for me from the shop next door. As you do.
After going through two bags of these (the last of which I'm finishing right now, I must admit), plus two packs of 4 pain au chocolat over the last couple of weeks, I sat down, looked in the mirror and announced, "You really are a bread junkie."
Ok, so I didn't actually look in the mirror and say that out loud to myself but it's what I was thinking. I suddenly felt dirty for being so sneaky, trying to find a way around my bread addiction.
This must stop.
I tend to buy these as a quick snack before aikido or the gym actually. So here is the New Plan - plan and make proper pre-exercise dishes. Surely this will cure my bread addiction...
You might be interested to read my other posts on the Ten in 10 Challenge.
Other Hungry Jenny healthy food thoughts you might be interested in
Continue reading this post..
But.
Towards the end of the week, I realised that I had unwittingly picked up a rather bad replacement...
The Chocolate Brioche.
At first, I didn't think anything of it. A bag of 8 mini chocolate brioches is a common spontaneous purchase for me from the shop next door. As you do.
After going through two bags of these (the last of which I'm finishing right now, I must admit), plus two packs of 4 pain au chocolat over the last couple of weeks, I sat down, looked in the mirror and announced, "You really are a bread junkie."
Ok, so I didn't actually look in the mirror and say that out loud to myself but it's what I was thinking. I suddenly felt dirty for being so sneaky, trying to find a way around my bread addiction.
This must stop.
I tend to buy these as a quick snack before aikido or the gym actually. So here is the New Plan - plan and make proper pre-exercise dishes. Surely this will cure my bread addiction...
You might be interested to read my other posts on the Ten in 10 Challenge.
Other Hungry Jenny healthy food thoughts you might be interested in
Continue reading this post..
Friday, 15 January 2010
Friday Pie-Day: Tomato Sandwich Pie
Well, where is it?
First, wholegrain mustard and olive oil...
Second, tomatoes...
Courgettes...
Aubergines...
More tomatoes...
Ping!
Tomato Sandwich Pie!
Second, tomatoes...
Courgettes...
Aubergines...
More tomatoes...
Ping!
Tomato Sandwich Pie!Pie out.
Read my other Friday Pie-Day adventures. Continue reading this post..
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Say NO to Takeaway: Try this Easy Hoisin Duck Salad instead!
I surprised myself the other day with this dish because it tasted a lot better than I thought it was going to be. Yay, I like it when that happens!This has been on my list of things to make for a while. I was a bit put off actually because last weekend I went to a Chinese restaurant, had some crispy duck and it was a bit manky to be honest. Dry and crusty. Very disappointed.
But I got myself some good quality duck breast for this. You might as well get the good version if you're buying duck. Yes, making duck at home is a treat for me ;-)
This dish only takes 15 minutes and you can have a stab at making the hoisin sauce as well. All it takes is a bit of soy sauce and peanut butter (and a few other bits as well but nothing strange, don't worry). You can easily change the quantities of the ingredients to suit your own taste.
Easy Hoisin Duck with Sesame Noodle Salad
For 2:
2 duck breasts, skin on
150g dry Shanghai noodles (or any other quick-cook noodles you have)
1 carrot, chopped into matchsticks
1 celery stalk, chopped into matchsticks
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp sesame oil
Salt and pepper
Hoisin sauce (or use 2 tbsp prebought sauce if preferred):
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tbsp peanut butter
1/2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp sesame oil
Splash of honey
Bit of garlic powder
1) Season the duck and quickly seal on both sides in a hot pan.
2) Transfer to an oven and roast at 200 degrees C for about 10 minutes.
3) Meanwhile, gently boil the noodles with carrots and celery. Drain and toss with sesame oil and seeds.
4) Slice the duck and serve with the noodle salad, spooning some hoisin sauce over to serve.
For 2:
2 duck breasts, skin on
150g dry Shanghai noodles (or any other quick-cook noodles you have)
1 carrot, chopped into matchsticks
1 celery stalk, chopped into matchsticks
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp sesame oil
Salt and pepper
Hoisin sauce (or use 2 tbsp prebought sauce if preferred):
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tbsp peanut butter
1/2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp sesame oil
Splash of honey
Bit of garlic powder
1) Season the duck and quickly seal on both sides in a hot pan.
2) Transfer to an oven and roast at 200 degrees C for about 10 minutes.
3) Meanwhile, gently boil the noodles with carrots and celery. Drain and toss with sesame oil and seeds.
4) Slice the duck and serve with the noodle salad, spooning some hoisin sauce over to serve.
If you liked this, you might want to try making these other takeaway alternatives too. Continue reading this post..
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
3 Easy Lamb Recipes to try
Lamb mince, lamb chops, lamb chunks?
Here's an idea for each...
First, with lamb mince - try this lamb boiger, which is so ridiculously quick and easy that it barely needs instructions ;-)
Next is a more substantial meal for your lamb chops. This has a lovely sweet sauce complemented with a kick of mustard. My one here doesn't look too saucy because I accidentally overheated it ever-so-slightly. Ha, you really learn from the best, don't you? You can also grill the chops instead of putting them in the oven, if you want to speed things up a little more.
This would also serve well with some sweet potato mash.
Finally, with your lamb chunks, there really is nothing better than a hearty stew. I personally don't like my stews to be swimming completely in sauce but you can obviously add as much stock as you like.
If you liked this, you might also be interested in my takeaway alternative for a simple lamb biryani. Continue reading this post..
Here's an idea for each...First, with lamb mince - try this lamb boiger, which is so ridiculously quick and easy that it barely needs instructions ;-)
Lamb and Goat's Cheese Boiger (above)
Makes 2:
200g lean minced lamb
10g goat's cheese
Large handful of spinach, ripped
A few mushrooms, diced
2 nice bread rolls
1) Mix the lamb, cheese, spinach and mushrooms in a bowl. Shape into two boiger shapes.
2) Fry or grill on each side for 3-5 minutes until cooked through.
3) Serve in the burger buns!
Makes 2:
200g lean minced lamb
10g goat's cheese
Large handful of spinach, ripped
A few mushrooms, diced
2 nice bread rolls
1) Mix the lamb, cheese, spinach and mushrooms in a bowl. Shape into two boiger shapes.
2) Fry or grill on each side for 3-5 minutes until cooked through.
3) Serve in the burger buns!
Next is a more substantial meal for your lamb chops. This has a lovely sweet sauce complemented with a kick of mustard. My one here doesn't look too saucy because I accidentally overheated it ever-so-slightly. Ha, you really learn from the best, don't you? You can also grill the chops instead of putting them in the oven, if you want to speed things up a little more.
Lemon Cranberry Lamb
For 2:
4-6 lamb chops
2 tsp Chinese five-spice
Salt n pepper
Bit of olive oil
100g couscous
150ml boiling stock
100g butterbeans
2 tbsp cooked peas
2 tbsp lemon juice
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Zest and juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
2 tbsp dried cranberries
1) Season the chops in a bowl with the lemon and lime juice, zest and mustard.
2) Shake off the excess (keeping juice aside) and quickly seal chops in a hot pan.
3) Transfer to the oven at 190 degrees C for 10-20 minutes.
4) Meanwhile, put the couscous into a bowl, pour over the stock and cover for 5 minutes. Add the butterbeans, peas, and 2 tbsp lemon juice.
5) Gently heat the excess juice mixture, adding in the cranberries towards the end. Pour over the chops and serve with the butterbean couscous.
For 2:4-6 lamb chops
2 tsp Chinese five-spice
Salt n pepper
Bit of olive oil
100g couscous
150ml boiling stock
100g butterbeans
2 tbsp cooked peas
2 tbsp lemon juice
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Zest and juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
2 tbsp dried cranberries
1) Season the chops in a bowl with the lemon and lime juice, zest and mustard.
2) Shake off the excess (keeping juice aside) and quickly seal chops in a hot pan.
3) Transfer to the oven at 190 degrees C for 10-20 minutes.
4) Meanwhile, put the couscous into a bowl, pour over the stock and cover for 5 minutes. Add the butterbeans, peas, and 2 tbsp lemon juice.
5) Gently heat the excess juice mixture, adding in the cranberries towards the end. Pour over the chops and serve with the butterbean couscous.
This would also serve well with some sweet potato mash.
Finally, with your lamb chunks, there really is nothing better than a hearty stew. I personally don't like my stews to be swimming completely in sauce but you can obviously add as much stock as you like.
Hearty Lamb and Haricot Bean Stew
For 2:
250g lamb shoulder or leg, in chunks
200g haricot beans
200ml hot beef or lamb stock
6-8 broccoli florets, halved
1 small onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
Fresh parsley
1 large baking potato, cut into chunks (peeled if you prefer)
Bit of butter
Dash of milk
1) Fry the onion and lamb in a deep saucepan to brown.
2) Add haricot beans, carrot and broccoli. Pour in the stock and slowly bring to the boil. Turn heat down, cover and leave to simmer for half an hour.
3) Meanwhile, boil potatoes til soft, then drain and mash well with butter and milk.
For 2:250g lamb shoulder or leg, in chunks
200g haricot beans
200ml hot beef or lamb stock
6-8 broccoli florets, halved
1 small onion, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
Fresh parsley
1 large baking potato, cut into chunks (peeled if you prefer)
Bit of butter
Dash of milk
1) Fry the onion and lamb in a deep saucepan to brown.
2) Add haricot beans, carrot and broccoli. Pour in the stock and slowly bring to the boil. Turn heat down, cover and leave to simmer for half an hour.
3) Meanwhile, boil potatoes til soft, then drain and mash well with butter and milk.
If you liked this, you might also be interested in my takeaway alternative for a simple lamb biryani. Continue reading this post..
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Ten Weeks to Kickstart a Healthy 2010
Wow, I've just found a fantastic way to get those healthy resolutions moving for 2010:
This is a 10-week challenge started up by Lori Lange (aka RecipeGirl) for anyone who wants to make a conscious effort to lead a healthier lifestyle. So it's not just about losing weight, but anything you feel you could change to become healthier. Could even be, shock horror, putting on weight, if that's what you want to do.
The great thing about this challenge is that you're encouraged to really think about some specifc measurable goals - it's really interesting to scan through the current list of participants and their goals. Signing up to this alongside such an open group of like-minded people will be really motivating and inspiring as well. Recipe Girl will be posting about it every Saturday and there are tweets and other bloggers all over the place commenting on updates and experiences of the challenge.
Just before Christmas, I randomly made up a list actually of Stuff-I-Should-Try-And-Do-More-Regularly, alot of which is health-related. Of course, then came Christmas itself and all the chocolates. But now there's no excuse not to give this a go and make a real, proper commitment.
So, here are my goals...
Regular stretching and toning exercises
I don't know why but people are always surprised to hear that I'm not that flexible. Do I seem like a bendy person or something? Over the last few years I've been cycling pretty much every day and it was only a few months ago that I learnt that this shortens the muscles. Aaah, I'm shrinking...
Cycling is my way of getting around though and don't particularly want to reduce it so I need to counter the effects as it were, I suppose.
So, I'm gonna start pilates up again and do stretches for half an hour, at least 5 times a week.
Regular upper body exercises
Now that probably sounds weird on the outset - like I want to have massive shoulders or something. But no, I mean I want to increase my upper body strength, namely my arms and stomach. Ok, ok, stomach is not quite upper but it's near enough.
So, I'll be doing a daily variety of crunches, planks and (girlie) press-ups. Eek.
Find healthier baking recipes
Specifically, this is primarily with cakes. (I'll work on the pie obsession later this year perhaps...) I want to find ones that are sugar-free, butter-free, flour-free, gluten-free, wheat-free, vegan friendly (or all of the above, haha - the SUPER healthy cake!), you name the healthy alternative, I want to try it!
If you've been following my cake baking rampage over the last 3 months, you'll know that I have a weekly window to test them out on my fellow aikido guys. Another reason to be a bit healthier on this front - I do feel a bit bad feeding so much sugar and butter in cake-form to them every Tuesday!
So, I will find and bake healthy cakes every other week at least.
Reduce bread intake
Bread is like Pringles to me. Once I pop that bag of bread open, I just can't stop. Well, it's not THAT bad. But I'm a serious bread junkie. Now I'm specifically talking sliced bread here. (Though weirdly, if I buy the bread, I overdose on it, but if someone else buys it, I'm able consume it at a 'normal' level). I say I'm focussing on sliced bread because I'm making banana bread next week ;-)
So, I'm cutting OUT sliced bread, rolls and the like. Including Subways. Gulp. For the challenge at least, then after that, I could do a mighty reduced level allowance like once a week.
Sorry that this post was particularly long but hope you found it interesting and has maybe got you thinking about your own healthier lifestyle goals. We all have our vices, so this 10-week challenge is a great way to finally do something about it!
Other Hungry Jenny healthy food thoughts you might be interested in
Continue reading this post..
This is a 10-week challenge started up by Lori Lange (aka RecipeGirl) for anyone who wants to make a conscious effort to lead a healthier lifestyle. So it's not just about losing weight, but anything you feel you could change to become healthier. Could even be, shock horror, putting on weight, if that's what you want to do.The great thing about this challenge is that you're encouraged to really think about some specifc measurable goals - it's really interesting to scan through the current list of participants and their goals. Signing up to this alongside such an open group of like-minded people will be really motivating and inspiring as well. Recipe Girl will be posting about it every Saturday and there are tweets and other bloggers all over the place commenting on updates and experiences of the challenge.
Just before Christmas, I randomly made up a list actually of Stuff-I-Should-Try-And-Do-More-Regularly, alot of which is health-related. Of course, then came Christmas itself and all the chocolates. But now there's no excuse not to give this a go and make a real, proper commitment.
So, here are my goals...
Regular stretching and toning exercises
I don't know why but people are always surprised to hear that I'm not that flexible. Do I seem like a bendy person or something? Over the last few years I've been cycling pretty much every day and it was only a few months ago that I learnt that this shortens the muscles. Aaah, I'm shrinking...
Cycling is my way of getting around though and don't particularly want to reduce it so I need to counter the effects as it were, I suppose.
So, I'm gonna start pilates up again and do stretches for half an hour, at least 5 times a week.
Regular upper body exercises
Now that probably sounds weird on the outset - like I want to have massive shoulders or something. But no, I mean I want to increase my upper body strength, namely my arms and stomach. Ok, ok, stomach is not quite upper but it's near enough.
So, I'll be doing a daily variety of crunches, planks and (girlie) press-ups. Eek.
Find healthier baking recipes
Specifically, this is primarily with cakes. (I'll work on the pie obsession later this year perhaps...) I want to find ones that are sugar-free, butter-free, flour-free, gluten-free, wheat-free, vegan friendly (or all of the above, haha - the SUPER healthy cake!), you name the healthy alternative, I want to try it!
If you've been following my cake baking rampage over the last 3 months, you'll know that I have a weekly window to test them out on my fellow aikido guys. Another reason to be a bit healthier on this front - I do feel a bit bad feeding so much sugar and butter in cake-form to them every Tuesday!
So, I will find and bake healthy cakes every other week at least.
Reduce bread intake
Bread is like Pringles to me. Once I pop that bag of bread open, I just can't stop. Well, it's not THAT bad. But I'm a serious bread junkie. Now I'm specifically talking sliced bread here. (Though weirdly, if I buy the bread, I overdose on it, but if someone else buys it, I'm able consume it at a 'normal' level). I say I'm focussing on sliced bread because I'm making banana bread next week ;-)
So, I'm cutting OUT sliced bread, rolls and the like. Including Subways. Gulp. For the challenge at least, then after that, I could do a mighty reduced level allowance like once a week.
Sorry that this post was particularly long but hope you found it interesting and has maybe got you thinking about your own healthier lifestyle goals. We all have our vices, so this 10-week challenge is a great way to finally do something about it!
Other Hungry Jenny healthy food thoughts you might be interested in
Continue reading this post..
Friday, 8 January 2010
Friday Pie-Day: Turkey-Bottomed Macaroni-Topped Pie
Sound appealing?
So this is basically a shepherd's pie, but with turkey instead of lamb, and macaroni cheese on top instead of mashed potato. The macaroni cheese I made is not as creamy as what you'd normally expect because I used creme fraiche instead of double cream as a less fatty alternative. Slightly less anyway. It's the thought that counts, eh? I go a little funny if I have too much dairy, don't want to be scaring you with that now.
You can add more breadcrumbs to the top to make it really crispy and leave in the oven as long as you dare to get the cheese most bubbly. I did crouch a short while infront of the oven towards the end to watch this spectacle.
Mmm!
Turkey-Bottomed Macaroni-Topped Pie
For an 8" pie dish:
250g lean turkey mince
200g cooked macaroni (100g dry)
200g low fat creme fraiche
100g low fat grated cheese
100ml chicken or veggie stock
2 celery sticks
1 large carrot
1 egg yolk
Small red onion
2 tbsp breadcrumbs
1 tsp wholegrain mustard
The Turkey Bottom
1) Fry onion and mince in a pan for 5 minutes.
2) Add celery, carrot and stock. Leave to simmer for 15 minutes.
The Macaroni Top
1) Gently boil creme fraiche. Take off heat and stir in mustard and cheese. Spoon a little into a small bowl.
2) Add cooked macaroni to the bulk of the sauce.
3) Beat the egg yolk into the remaining sauce, ready for the pie stage.
The Pie
1) Tip turkey mixture into a pie dish, followed by the macaroni cheese, then the egg yolk sauce.
2) Mix breadcrumbs with more cheese and sprinkle on top.
3) Bake at 200 degrees C for 20-30 minutes until bubbly hot.
Turkey-Bottomed Macaroni-Topped Pie
For an 8" pie dish:
250g lean turkey mince
200g cooked macaroni (100g dry)
200g low fat creme fraiche
100g low fat grated cheese
100ml chicken or veggie stock
2 celery sticks
1 large carrot
1 egg yolk
Small red onion
2 tbsp breadcrumbs
1 tsp wholegrain mustard
The Turkey Bottom
1) Fry onion and mince in a pan for 5 minutes.
2) Add celery, carrot and stock. Leave to simmer for 15 minutes.
The Macaroni Top
1) Gently boil creme fraiche. Take off heat and stir in mustard and cheese. Spoon a little into a small bowl.
2) Add cooked macaroni to the bulk of the sauce.
3) Beat the egg yolk into the remaining sauce, ready for the pie stage.
The Pie
1) Tip turkey mixture into a pie dish, followed by the macaroni cheese, then the egg yolk sauce.
2) Mix breadcrumbs with more cheese and sprinkle on top.
3) Bake at 200 degrees C for 20-30 minutes until bubbly hot.
This was meant to make about 3 or 4 portions but with me eating it? Two Hungry Jenny sized portions. Be warned, this pie is very moreish!
Pie out.
Read my other Friday Pie-Day adventures. Continue reading this post..
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
A Raspberry Cake with Zest to Impress
This is easily one of the simplest cake recipes I've come across of late. A good one to do if you want to bake a light cake for a dinner or tea party, or um, to feed some hungry aikido guys.
I have to admit something though about this one...
It was exceedingly yummy and everything, but I kinda forgot to do one step. The bit that gives the cake the zesty part of its name, in fact. You see, after baking the cake, you're supposed to prick it all over and pour some preheated orange and lemon juices over, just to give it that extra citrus flavour. But I er, forgot. Needless to say, I'm giving you the 'right' recipe so that you don't follow my mistake!
Yes, now I'm a cake fraud.
If you liked the look of this cake, you'll probably appreciate these Peach and Raspberry Squares too!
More Hungry Jenny cakes here. Continue reading this post..
I have to admit something though about this one...It was exceedingly yummy and everything, but I kinda forgot to do one step. The bit that gives the cake the zesty part of its name, in fact. You see, after baking the cake, you're supposed to prick it all over and pour some preheated orange and lemon juices over, just to give it that extra citrus flavour. But I er, forgot. Needless to say, I'm giving you the 'right' recipe so that you don't follow my mistake!
Yes, now I'm a cake fraud.
Zesty Raspberry Cake
Makes 1 loaf:
225g self raising flour
225g sugar
170g softened butter
150g raspberries
3 beaten eggs
Juice of half lemon
Juice of half an orange
Zest of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 orange
1) Mix together the butter, zests and about two thirds of the sugar.
2) Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a bit of flour to the last of the egg as well.
3) Sift in the rest of the flour and fold in, adding the raspberries carefully.
4) Pour into a loaf tin and bake for an hour at 180 degrees C.
5) Meanwhile, heat the fruit juices and last third of the sugar gently.
6) Prick the baked cake all over while still warm and pour over the syrup.
Makes 1 loaf:
225g self raising flour
225g sugar
170g softened butter
150g raspberries
3 beaten eggs
Juice of half lemon
Juice of half an orange
Zest of 1 lemon
Zest of 1 orange
1) Mix together the butter, zests and about two thirds of the sugar.
2) Beat in the eggs one at a time, adding a bit of flour to the last of the egg as well.
3) Sift in the rest of the flour and fold in, adding the raspberries carefully.
4) Pour into a loaf tin and bake for an hour at 180 degrees C.
5) Meanwhile, heat the fruit juices and last third of the sugar gently.
6) Prick the baked cake all over while still warm and pour over the syrup.
If you liked the look of this cake, you'll probably appreciate these Peach and Raspberry Squares too!
More Hungry Jenny cakes here. Continue reading this post..
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Earthworm Lard (3): A new start
Earthworm Lard sighed. He knew that fifth cup of spiced apple juice last night was a mistake. Rolling out of his leafy hammock onto the muddy ground with a flump, he caught sight of his reflection in the puddle beside him.
"Hmmph", he grunted. With cheeks the size of grapes, a chin with more layers than a puff pastry, and a rock-heavy stomach large enough to scare a small bird, Earthworm Lard was not too pleased with what he saw. The result of eating too many apple houses he'd attempted to make himself this past year, no doubt.
"That's IT", thought Earthworm Lard, "It's a new year, so a new start is in order." And thus, with a chafing wriggle over to his little treehouse, he hoisted out his twig pencil to write down his big 2010 plan...
"Hmmph", he grunted. With cheeks the size of grapes, a chin with more layers than a puff pastry, and a rock-heavy stomach large enough to scare a small bird, Earthworm Lard was not too pleased with what he saw. The result of eating too many apple houses he'd attempted to make himself this past year, no doubt.
"That's IT", thought Earthworm Lard, "It's a new year, so a new start is in order." And thus, with a chafing wriggle over to his little treehouse, he hoisted out his twig pencil to write down his big 2010 plan...
"I shall be a real earthworm size again - I shall go on the Fatkins diet."
Earthworm Lard leaned back to take in the resolution he had just etched onto his wall. Already, his stiff shoulders had dropped down, a wide smile pressed around his face - yes, he was going to do this. Craning his neck up towards the sky, he breathed in the fresh, crisp air - and instantly spluttered, as his wheezy chest hiccuped uncomfortably.
Slumping back to the ground, Earthworm Lard sighed again. Deep down, he knew this would be the extremest of battles. Which is why he knew that Fatkins, the most extremest of eating plans, was the only way to go. He didn't know the nitty details of this diet. But Earthworm Lard would have to visit someone in particular for the answers, someone he thought he'd never admit to himself that he needed to see - Earthworm Slim...
Earthworm Lard leaned back to take in the resolution he had just etched onto his wall. Already, his stiff shoulders had dropped down, a wide smile pressed around his face - yes, he was going to do this. Craning his neck up towards the sky, he breathed in the fresh, crisp air - and instantly spluttered, as his wheezy chest hiccuped uncomfortably.
Slumping back to the ground, Earthworm Lard sighed again. Deep down, he knew this would be the extremest of battles. Which is why he knew that Fatkins, the most extremest of eating plans, was the only way to go. He didn't know the nitty details of this diet. But Earthworm Lard would have to visit someone in particular for the answers, someone he thought he'd never admit to himself that he needed to see - Earthworm Slim...
You'll have to wait 'til next time to see what happens next, but in the meantime, read Earthworm Lard's previous adventures:
Earthworm Lard (1)
Earthworm Lard (2): What happened next?
Continue reading this post..
Friday, 1 January 2010
Friday Pukka Pie-Day
Behold the Pukka pie, the only shop-bought pie that does pastry any justice:
If you haven't tried one yet, head down to the nearest chippy that does them.
They are unbelievably good. So good, that I can't believe I didn't eat more of these as I was growing up - we used to live in a fish and chip shop. Ah, fond memories of steak and chip-shop chips with my mum's gravy...
Anyway, my parents don't live there anymore but my dad owns a fish and chip shop now, so my sis and I baked these chicken and mushroom Pukka pies in the oven along with some leftover Christmas roast potatoes. I was meant to take a photo of the inside of the pie to show you the flaky goodness of this pastry, but I was er, too busy eating it, sorry.
Pie out.
Read my other Friday Pie-Day adventures.
Continue reading this post..
If you haven't tried one yet, head down to the nearest chippy that does them. They are unbelievably good. So good, that I can't believe I didn't eat more of these as I was growing up - we used to live in a fish and chip shop. Ah, fond memories of steak and chip-shop chips with my mum's gravy...
Anyway, my parents don't live there anymore but my dad owns a fish and chip shop now, so my sis and I baked these chicken and mushroom Pukka pies in the oven along with some leftover Christmas roast potatoes. I was meant to take a photo of the inside of the pie to show you the flaky goodness of this pastry, but I was er, too busy eating it, sorry.
Pie out.
Read my other Friday Pie-Day adventures.
Continue reading this post..
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