Example - Spinach
Not really something I would eat by itself, or in a salad, or raw; however, when combined with udon noodles, chicken, carrots and some homemade broth (well partly) it is something that I can eat quiet well. As long as I don't think about it and swallow down. I'm not at the chewing stage just yet.
Here is the recipe which feeds about 6 people
Chicken Breasts x 2 - cut into thin strips
One Large Carrot - cut into matchsticks
Shallots - just pick a stalk thingy, slice all the green parts and leave the white bit for later (you can use chives as well, if you wanted)
Bag of Baby Spinach leaves - no prep, and you can put as little or as much as you want
Udon noodles - I used three 200g packets
Soy Sauce - I used a couple of splashes (several tablespoons)
Mirin Sauce - just one splash since I've never used it before (couple of teaspoons)
Chicken broth - not that much maybe 1/3 cup, however you can add more
Lemon Juice - I used a lemon, so I cut a slice and just added it in. Probably a couple of tablespoons, though it can be to taste
Method
After cutting the carrot and chicken, get a pot or saucepan of water to boil.
Carefully put some of the strips of chicken into the water. Let them cook for about a minute then put them in a bowl (have several bowls). Keep doing this till all the chicken is cooked.
Then you can pour the water into a big pot, no idea what it's called. I have one for stew. Then put the udon noodles in, the carrot, the sliced green parts of the shallot and as much as you want of spinach.
Now comes the saucy stock part. Add the soy sauce, mirin sauce, squeeze of lemon and then the chicken broth. You can add all of them to various degrees or just have the chicken broth, but I liked the combination of them all.
Let it boil and simmer for 15-18 minutes, stirring gently every couple of minutes.
To serve, have one scoop and dump it right on top of the chicken and then add the white sliced part of the shallots. Add a bit of the broth, or a lot and enjoy!
If you're using chives I recommend to just add them at the end here so they don't lose their flavour. If you wanted you could add the lemon juice here as well, I guess.
It turns out really well and is very filling.
And now for the other experiment.
Almonds
A few days ago I came across a blog talking about almond milk. I was intrigued and curious so I did an internet search. Turns out it's very easy to make. As a byproduct it creates almond meal.
So I combined them together to see if some of my treats are just as good, but more healthy (for a given number of health).
Pikelets
1 cup self raising flour - I changed to 3/4 cup and 1/4 cup of almond meal
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 tablespoons sugar - I used a mixture of organic and raw castor sugar
1 egg - room temperature
2 teaspoons butter, melted - we just have margarine which I heated in the microwave
1/2 cup milk - I substituted the almond milk
I also added a heaped teaspoon of honey which smells fantastic when cooking in the pan
Method
Sift the flour and baking soda. Add the sugar (which I sifted as well, I'm just like that), then add the almond meal and mix together.
Add the egg (I normally just beat them in the bowl with the rest of the ingredients around) and butter. I usually like to mix all the ingredients in, so it doesn't clump strangely when I add the milk.
Add the milk and mix through, getting rid of any big lumps of flour and such. Then lastly the honey.
Turn on the stove top to a low heat. Then just use a pan and put a tablespoon of the batter in. Flip when bubbles appear and then flip again after a minute or so. The first one will look a bit monged and pale instead of a nice goldeny brown colour because the temperature won't be quiet right, but after that (still good) pikelet the rest will be fine.
Serve hot and fresh like pancakes or let them cool down. They taste awesome with a bit of butter (margarine) and honey, or maple syrup, or cream and jam - if you wanted.
The experiment turned out very good. Much better than oats which soak up the milk in a strange way (though they are delicious as well).
Here are some photos of batter and the end products.
Batter
Nearly ready to flip
Golden brown goodness
End product, so good ^_^
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