Recipes
SPRING LEAFY GREENS AND RICOTTA BAKED SLICE
Delicious eaten warm or at room temperature. This slice is perfect for a light meal, a lunch box option, or as part of a picnic spread to share. It’s great way to have your leafy green fix too.
Recipe
Delicious eaten warm or at room temperature. This slice is perfect for a light meal, a lunch box option, or as part of a picnic spread to share. It’s great way to have your leafy green fix too.
Makes a 20cm X 20cm square slice.
Preheat oven to 180ºC (160ºC fan-forced). For all greens, roughly tear or chop the leaves. To prepare the stems; if using spinach or rapini, finely slice the soft stems. If using kale, remove the tough stems and discard. if using silverbeet, cut the stems finely.
Have ready a 20cm square cake tin or a 20cm round springform tin. Lightly brush the tin with a film of olive oil, then line the base and sides with baking paper. Scatter the breadcrumbs evenly over the base of the lined tin. Alternatively, for a gluten free option, omit the breadcrumbs, and scatter the base with some extra parmesan.
To prepare the filling, heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the leek, garlic and if using, the silverbeet stems. Cook for 8-10 minutes until softened, reducing heat if catching on the base of pan. Add the leaves and any soft stems, stirring with tongs occasionally, moving the leaves on the base to the top until all leaves are wilted. Transfer into a colander over a bowl. Set aside to drain and cool.
Meanwhile, whisk the eggs in a large bowl until lightly beaten. Season with the salt and a grind or two of pepper. Stir in the ricotta, parmesan and paprika to mix well until creamy and combined. Transfer a quarter of the mixture to a small bowl and set aside.
Squeeze the cooled wilted leaf-onion mixture to remove excess liquid. There’ll be about a cup of liquid in the base of the bowl to discard. Gently stir the leaf mixture and herbs into the egg-ricotta mix to combine well. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and spread out evenly. Take spoonfuls of the reserved egg-ricotta mix and dollop over the top in a random pattern, as you wish.
Bake for 40 minutes, or until the slice is golden and just firm to touch. Serve warm or at room temperature. If wanting to eat at room temperature, cool completely in the tin.
Cut into desired portion size. It’s delicious served with a spicy relish or chutney.
Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Ingredients
500g (about 2 bunches) leafy greens, such as Tuscan kale, silverbeet, rapini, or English spinach (choose a combination or the same leaves)
¼ cup olive oil, plus extra for greasing tin
30 (¼ cup) fresh sour dough breadcrumbs, blitzed finely in a food processor
1 leek, white part, finely chopped
2 garlic, finely chopped
4 eggs
1 teaspoon sea salt
black pepper
400g fresh ricotta, drained
½ cup finely grated parmesan, lightly packed
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 bunch dill leaves and soft stems chopped (or mint leaves)
½ bunch parsley, leaves and soft stems chopped
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FRESH PINEAPPLE AND BANANA HUMMINGBIRD CAKE WITH SWEET LABNE
A moist cake flavoured with the tropics of coconut and fresh banana and pineapple. It’s simple to make, an easy mixing of the wet ingredients into dry.
Recipe
A moist cake flavoured with the tropics of coconut and fresh banana and pineapple. It’s simple to make, an easy mixing of the wet ingredients into dry. The only thing to plan is draining the yoghurt the day before to create the beautiful sweet labne. This adds a layer of freshness and tangy-ness instead of the usual super sweet cream cheese icing. Layer the cakes for an impressive presentation or serve as a single cake to enjoy during your coffee breaks or lunch box fillers and freeze the other.
Makes two 20cm round cakes (serves 8)
Start making the sweet labne the day before. Line a sieve with muslin or a clean ‘chux’ cloth and sit comfortably over a deep bowl. Tip the yoghurt into the lined sieve and fold any overhanging cloth across the top of yoghurt. Transfer to the fridge and allow yoghurt to drain for 24 hours.
Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (fan-forced 160°C). Grease two 20cm round cake tins and line the base with baking paper.Pour over the lemon juice and hot stock. Arrange the chicken pieces skin side up and the quince wedges over the top nestling into the rice. Cover the baking dish or pan with a large piece of foil sealing around the edges.
Cut away the peel from the pineapple, remove the core and cut flesh into chunks. Place the pineapple flesh in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped (crushed), but do not puree. Measure 250g (1 cup) of the crushed pineapple including juice and set aside. Enjoy eating any remaining pineapple. Return the food processor bowl to the machine.
Sift the flour baking powder, spice and salt into a large bowl. Stir in the nuts and coconut. Set aside.
Place the oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla in the bowl of food processor and blend until well combined and creamy in texture, about 2 minutes.
Pour the egg mixture, banana and pineapple into the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly with a spatula to combine. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake tins. Bake for 35 minutes or until cooked when a skewer comes out clean when tested. Remove from the oven, set aside for 20 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
When ready to decorate, remove the drained yoghurt from the fridge. Tip the yoghurt into a bowl , sprinkle over the brown sugar and stir with a spatula to combine well, the sugar will dissolve while stirring. Discard the drained liquid and the cloth can be cleaned and dried for use again. Place one of the cake bases down on a serving platter. Spread about ¾ cup of the sweet labne evenly across the top, then sit the other cake on top. Spread the remaining labne over the top in a decorative pattern. Scatter over pineapple crisps or toasted coconut flakes, to decorate the top.
To store: The un-iced cake can be frozen for up to 3 months. The cake will keep for up to 4 days in a sealed container in the fridge. It is best served at room temperature. Note that the pineapple crips or coconut decor will soften while stored in the fridge..
Ingredients
½ ripe medium pineapple (about 500g)
250g (1 2/3 cups) plain flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground mixed spice
pinch sea salt
½ cup walnuts (or pecans, or macadamia nuts), roughly chopped
25g (1/3 cup) shredded coconut
185ml (3/4 cup) light olive oil (or sunflower oil, or rice bran oil), plus extra for greasing
220g (1 cup) raw caster sugar
2 eggs (size 70g)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ripe bananas (about 200g peeled), mashed
Sweet labne:
750g Greek natural yoghurt (full fat)
(75g) 1/3 cup brown sugar
Dehydrated pineapple chips (or ¼ cup toasted flaked coconut), for garnish
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ORANGE, ALMOND, POLENTA AND CARDAMOM FLOURLESS CAKE
A moist and textured citrus cake made with olive oil that is dairy and gluten free.
Recipe
A moist and textured citrus cake made with olive oil that is dairy and gluten free. Makes a 22cm round or 20cm square cake tin.
Place one orange in a saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil over a high heat. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 45 minutes, adding extra boiling water if necessary to keep covered. Drain and set aside to cool. Quarter the orange and remove any pips. Using a handheld blender or food processor, blend the fruit, including skin, until it becomes a finely chopped puree.
Preheat the oven to 175ºC (155°C fan-forced). Lightly brush oil around the sides and base of a 22cm spring-form round or 20cm square tin. Line the base with baking paper.
Finely grate the zest of the remaining two orange onto a small plate and set aside. Cut around the oranges to remove the peel and any pith. Slice each orange into thin rounds. Sprinkle the extra sugar evenly over the base of the prepared tin. Arrange the oranges slices to evenly cover the base.
Using an electric mixer, whisk the eggs, vanilla and sugar until pale, thick and doubled in volume. With the motor still running, slowly pour in the olive oil until it’s incorporated. Using a spatula, fold in the orange puree and reserved zest to mix through. Sift all the dry ingredients together over the cake batter and gently fold in to combine well. Pour the batter into the prepared tin. Bake for 45 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted.
Leave the cake to cool completely in the tin. Carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate and peel away the baking paper.
Cut into wedges and serve with cream or yoghurt.
Ingredients
3 oranges (about 160g each)
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
165g (¾ cup) caster sugar, plus extra 2 tablespoons
160ml extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for brushing
200g (1¾ cups) ground almonds
110g (2/3 cup) polenta
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
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ORANGE AND LEMON DELICIOUS PUDDING
A delicious, easy-to-prepare, warm self-saucing pudding for winter.
Recipe
A delicious, easy-to-prepare, warm self-saucing pudding for winter. The batter transforms into two layers as it cooks: a light, spongy, fluffy sponge over a citrus-y sauce underneath. For a lime and lemon pudding option, replace the orange zest and juice with lime instead.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Lightly grease a 1.5 litre capacity deep-sided ovenproof dish, or six 1 cup ramekins with the extra butter. Sit the dish or ramekins in a larger deep sided baking tray.
Using an electric mixer beat the butter, sugar and zest until combined and pale. Add the yolks one at a time, mixing well after each addition until creamy. Sift the flour and baking powder over the top, then stir in to combine, followed by the juice to mix together. Whisk in the milk to make a smooth thin batter.
In a separate clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until just stiff. Gently fold the whites into the batter until all incorporated, without big white lumps remaining. Carefully pour the mixture into the prepared dish or ramekins. Then carefully pour enough boiling water into the baking tray to come halfway up the sides of baking dish. This creates a water bath to gently cook the pudding in a humid environment (don’t skip this step).
Carefully transfer the tray to the pre-heated oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or 25 minutes for the ramekins, until the top is golden brown and slightly firm when pressed. Carefully remove the baking dish, or ramekins, from the water bath and set aside for five minutes.
Dust with icing sugar and serve hot with a dollop of cream, if desired.
Ingredients
75g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing
175g (3/4 cup) caster sugar
3 eggs, separated
75g (1/2 cup) plain flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
finely grated zest of a lemon
finely grated zest of an orange
60ml (¼ cup) freshly squeezed lemon juice
60ml (¼ cup) freshly squeezed orange juice
375ml (1½ cups) milk, warmed
icing sugar, for dusting
thick cream, to serve
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Chocolate Pots
Who among us does not love a deliciously creamy chocolate mousse!
Who among us does not love a deliciously creamy chocolate mousse! Well, these delightful and easy chocolate pots fit the bill. They are smooth and ever so chocolatey with a hint of chewy nougat. They are simply divine, take no time at all to make and look sensational in a jar or retro teacup to serve!
Recipe by Ang Quinlan from GH Nutrition
Ingredients
600 ml thickened cream
360-gram bar of Toblerone
Pinch of salt
Equipment
Saucepan
Serving Jars or Teacups
Recipe
Place cream and Toblerone in a saucepan over low heat mixing until thoroughly combined.
Add a tiny pinch of salt and mix well.
Pour mixture into serving jars or teacups as desired.
Refrigerate overnight.
Serving suggestions:
· Add whipped cream and chocolate chards
· A shot of coffee and top with chocolate-coated coffee beans
· Persian fairy floss or
· Hint of orange liqueur or Baileys Irish cream.
Smashed Meringue, Berries and Persian Fairy Floss
This smashed meringue is a quick and easy dessert with the WOW factor.
This smashed meringue is a quick and easy dessert with the WOW factor. Add a delicate flourish of Persian Fairy Floss to add sweetness and sensationalism!
Recipe by Ang Quinlan from GH Nutrition
Ingredients
1 tub strawberries, hulled and quartered
½ cup (combined) cherries, raspberries, and blueberries (for decoration)
1 tablespoon caster sugar
2 tablespoons caramelised balsamic dressing
600 ml thickened cream
Scraped seeds of ½ Vanilla Pod (or 2 teaspoons of good quality vanilla extract)
1 packet meringue kisses (available from Deli Planet)
1 Pack (180 g) Rose Pashmak (gourmet Persian Fairy Floss available from Deli Planet)
Equipment
Glasses or jars
Recipe
Place strawberries in a bowl, sprinkle with caster sugar and add caramelised balsamic dressing. Mix gently and set aside for 10 minutes or until strawberries have softened.
Combine cream and vanilla pod seeds and whip until soft peaks form.
Crumble meringue kisses and add to the cream mixture (leave some for decoration).
Layer your chosen glass or jar with the strawberries, then the cream mixture.
Top with extra meringue, strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blueberries, and a mint sprig.
Flourish with Persian fairy floss.
Nut Free Muesli Bars
Delicious and chewy, these nut-free muesli bars are the perfect healthy snack to add to the kid’s lunch boxes.
Delicious and chewy, these nut-free muesli bars are the perfect healthy snack to add to the kid’s lunch boxes. All ingredients sourced from Market Health Foods at Fyshwick Markets.
Recipe from GH Nutrition
Ingredients
Wet:
1 cup coconut oil
3/4 cup honey or rice malt syrup
1/4 water
Dry:
2 cups puffed brown rice
1 + 1/2 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup wholemeal flour
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup mixed seeds (sunflower seeds & pepitas)
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Equipment
SQUARE CAKE TIN
SMALL SAUCEPAN
Recipe
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius and line a square cake tin or slice pan with baking paper.
In a small saucepan over low heat, gently melt wet ingredients.
Add oats, puffed rice, flour, coconut, cranberries and seeds into a large mixing bowl and mix.
Pour melted mixture into a bowl and combine. Finally, stir in white chocolate chips.
Transfer into prepared baking dish. Using another piece of baking paper, push down firmly on the mixture to make as compact as possible. Bake for 20 minutes.
Once cooled, place in the fridge or freezer until ready to slice.
Choc Chip Zucchini Bread
This zucchini bread is a great way to sneak more veggies into your day!
This zucchini bread is a great way to sneak more veggies into your day! Grated zucchini, mixed into the batter, brings lovely moisture to this bread! Once you have a bite, you will be pleasantly surprised!
Recipe by GH Nutrition
Ingredients
2 cups wholemeal flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp bicarb soda
1 tsp cinnamon
Pinch sea salt
1 cup honey
3/4 extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 free-range eggs
3 medium zucchini, grated
1/2 cup choc chips
Equipment
LOAF TIN
Recipe
Pre-heat oven to 160 degrees. Line loaf tin with baking paper
Mix flour, baking powder, bicarb soda, cinnamon and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk honey, oil, vanilla and eggs.
Add zucchini and choc chips to flour mixture and toss to coat. Add wet ingredients and stir until well combined.
Pour into prepared tin and bake for approximately 50 minutes to 1 hour.
Let bread cool for 15 minutes in loaf tin, then transfer to cooling rack and serve warm or completely cool.
Healthy Apple Crumble
With apples in season and the temp a little colder, it makes for the perfect apple crumble weather.
With apples in season and the temp a little colder, it makes for the perfect apple crumble weather. This healthy version uses the sweetness of the apples so you don’t have to add any sugar! Prepare for the house to be filled with the sweet aromas of cinnamon and spice!
Ingredients
APPLE FILLING:
5 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, core removed, and sliced into small wedges
1/3 cup honey
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon allspice
4 x cloves
TOPPING:
1 cup oats
1/2 cup almond meal
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
Pinch sea salt
4 tbsp coconut oil, melted
Equipment
BAKING DISH
Recipe
Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees. Place prepared apples, honey and spices into a bowl and toss to coat. Pour into the baking dish and bake for approximately 20 minutes or until apples have softened.
Meanwhile, in a medium mixing bowl, stir together oats, almond meal, pecans, coconut and salt. Mix in melted coconut oil and stir until dry ingredients have moistened throughout.
Once apples have baked, give them a stir.
Evenly distribute the crumble topping over the apples. Note: no need to pack down.
Return to oven and bake for a further 30 minutes or until filling is bubbling around the edges and the top is golden brown.
Serve with Greek yoghurt and honey for a healthy breakfast option or with vanilla ice-cream for a crowd-pleaser dessert!
Christmas Rocky Road
Christmas Rocky Road
Recipe by Accredited Practising Dietitian Georgia Houston from GH Nutrition
Ingredients
12 large marshmallows, or enough to fill the base of the loaf tin
400g dark chocolate, melted
1/3 cup pistachios, crushed
1/3 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
1/4 cup dried strawberries, roughly chopped
Available at Market Health Foods at the Fyshwick Markets
Equipment
Heatproof bowl
Large saucepan
Loaf Tin
Recipe
Melt chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of simmering water, ensuring the water doesn’t touch the base of the bowl. Stir constantly.
Arrange the marshmallows side-by-side in a loaf tin lined with baking paper. Pour over the chocolate and gently tap the tin, so the chocolate seeps to the bottom.
Sprinkle over the crushed pistachios, cranberries and dried strawberries.
Freeze for 30 minutes or until set. Cut into slices to serve.
Coconut Rice with Orange Spiced Rhubarb
Rhubarb is in season during Australian winter and this recipe is a great way to make use of it.
Rhubarb is in season during Australian winter and this recipe is a great way to make use of it. However, feel free to replace it with any other stewed fruit such as apples or pears, or fresh strawberries.
This better-for-you coconut rice is delicately spiced with rhubarb and orange, making it a delicious partner to creamy rice. Enjoy it warm after dinner.
Recipe by Accredited Practising Dietitian Georgia Houston from GH Nutrition.
Ingredients
2 x 400mL light coconut milk
1/2 cup basmati rice
1 vanilla bean, split lengthways
1 bunch rhubarb, trimmed into 6cm lengths
1 orange, rind finely grated, juiced
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp Chinese five spice
Equipment
Large saucepan
BAKING TRAY
Recipe
Place the coconut milk, rice and vanilla bean in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 10-15 minutes or until the mixture comes to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring, for 15-20 minutes or until mixture thickens and rice is creamy. Remove from heat.
While the rice is simmering, preheat oven to 180C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place the rhubarb in a single layer on the prepared tray. Sprinkle with the orange rind and pour over the orange juice. Sprinkle with the spices. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until rhubarb is tender but still holds its shape.
Divide rice between bowls and top with rhubarb. Drizzle with maple syrup for some extra sweetness.
Blueberry, Lemon and Yoghurt Muffins
Muffins have the benefit of being suitable for breakfast or as a snack any time of the day.
Muffins have the benefit of being suitable for breakfast or as a snack any time of the day.
This basic muffin recipe has been made healthier by substituting for wholemeal flour for added fibre, oats for slow burning energy, yoghurt for a calcium boost, olive oil for healthy fats and the berries for added natural sweetness.
If not consumed within 3 days, wrap in glad wrap and freeze. Thaw out prior to eating.
Recipe by Accredited Practising Dietitian Georgia Houston from GH Nutrition
Ingredients
2 + 1/2 cups wholemeal self-raising flour
1/2 cup honey
3 eggs, lightly whisked
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup Greek yoghurt
1/3 cup rolled oats, plus extra for sprinkling
1 cup blueberries, frozen or fresh
1 lemon rind
Equipment
Muffin Tin
Recipe
Pre-heat oven to 180C. Place the flour, honey, eggs, oil and yoghurt in a bowl and mix until just combined.
Gently fold through oats, blueberries and lemon rind.
Divide the mixture between 12 x 1/2 capacity muffin tins lined with paper cases.
Sprinkle with extra oats and bake for 30 minutes or until golden and cooked through when tested with a skewer. Let cool on a wire rack.
Raw Oat and Nut Bars
Keep a batch of these bars in your freezer for when you need a nutritious snack option on-the-go.
Keep a batch of these bars in your freezer for when you need a nutritious snack option on-the-go.
Filled with healthy fats and fibre, these bars will keep you feeling satisfied between meals, without the sugar overload.
Recipe by Accredited Practising Dietitian Georgia Houston from GH Nutrition
Ingredients
1 + 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 + 1/2 cups puffed rice
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/3 cup raw almonds, slithered
200g dried cranberries
1/2 cup almond butter
1/2 cup honey
All ingredients sourced from Market Health Food at the Fyshwick Markets.
Equipment
20x30cm pan
Small Saucepan
Recipe
Line a 20x30cm pan with baking paper, ensuring that the paper extends above the edges of the pan.
Combine oats, puffed rice, coconut, almonds and dried cranberries in a medium mixing bowl.
Place almond butter and honey in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until mixture is combined. Add to dry mixture and stir well to combine.
Press mixture into pan and place in the freezer for 2 hours or until firm. When ready, cut into bars.