Skip to main content

Courgette & Toasted Cashew Nut Salad with Tahini Dressing

This was a dish I prepared during one of those evenings when the thought of rustling up a meal seemed a total chore and the prospect of ordering a takeaway was the most tempting of options but the willpower remained strong (thank goodness!).

I know what my husband would reply to "here you go darling, have your tasteless bowl of leaves after a hard days work" and it's not suitable for this respectable food blog although is probably grounds for separation or divorce somewhere in the world I'm sure! *wink wink*


The simple green leafy salad can be so boring more times than not so here is something with masses of flavour, oh and before I forget you'll need a spiraliser for it. 



Ingredients:
(Serves Two)
  • 2 courgettes, spiralised 
  • 1 ripe avocado, sliced
  • 1 tin of sweetcorn (130g)
  • 1 handful of cooked tenderstem broccoli
  • 2 handfuls of cashew nuts 
  • 2 tsp. smoked paprika
  • pinch of salt 
  • black pepper
  • 2 tbsp. tahini
  • Juice of 1 lemon 
  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 
  • 1 tbsp tamari  
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup

Method:

Mix the spiralised courgettes, sweetcorn, cooked tenderstems and sliced avocado in a bowl.

Toast the cashew nuts in a pan for approximately 5 minutes with a sprinkling of salt, black pepper and smoked paprika - stirring often. Add to the salad.

Combine the tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, tamari and maple syrup - I like to use an empty jam jar so to shake vigorously however a glass and teaspoon will do - now dress the salad.

Voila!




Like It? Tried It? Tweaked It? Let me know!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Chickpea Burgers

I am conscious of what I eat during the week and that variety is important so not to get bored and reach for the biscuit tin, time is also a big constraint on what goes on the menu. The last thing I want to do after a long day’s work is sweat over a hot stove for hours on end, so I am always looking for simple, quick and more importantly TASTY options to bring to the dining table. Ingredients: 1 can of chickpeas 1 carrot 2 shallots 1 large egg 2 tbsp breadcrumbs Salt & pepper Ground Cumin Cayenne Pepper Grate the carrots and chop the shallots finely (or whizz in a food processor with the grater attachment), transfer to a pan with a little olive oil and sweat for a few minutes to sweeten the shallots slightly, set aside.         Drain and rinse the chickpeas and put them into a food processor with all the spices, salt and pepper. Slightly pulse for a rough and chunky paste. Stir in the carrot, shallots, egg, and breadcrumbs unt...

Feta & Spinach Pizza Rustica

This recipe is a take on the "Matonella Materana", a fast food snack filled with ham and cheese that I adore when I visit my fatherland. My version is slightly healthier and by no means less tasty; it will be love at first bite !   Ingredients: (Serves Four-Six) Jus-Roll Puff Pastry  (x2 250g) Flour for dusting Tomato Puree 350g Feta Cheese 250g Spinach Leaves 1 Egg, beaten   Preheat Oven to 190C. You will need a standard oven baking tray approx: 36cm x 34cm Dust a clean surface with flour before placing the puff pastry pieces down for rolling, roll to the dimensions of your baking tray ensuring each piece fits snugly. Dust the baking tray with flour and lie the base piece of puff pastry onto the tray. Spread a generous amount of tomato puree on the pastry leaving a 1cm border all the way round the base. Crumble 200g of feta cheese onto the base, add the spinach keeping the 1cm border clear, then scatter the remaining 150g of feta cheese...

Beetroot & Coconut Muffins

I must admit that this recipe is a one hit wonder... taking the basis of another of my staple ones which I will share another time, this one was put together on a whim and worked a treat! This recipe can be  easily transformed to become gluten free and vegan with just a couple of swaps. Made with freshly picked beetroot from the garden these muffins turned out to be a total hit with the family...  INGREDIENTS  200g Wholemeal Spelt Flour  80g C oconut Sugar 1 tablespoon Organic Cacao Powder 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda  Pinch of Salt 150g cooked Beetroot 1 Free Range Egg (use the equivalent measurement of egg replacer if vegan)  100ml Almond Milk 40g Vegetable Oil 1 large Banana (mashed) 5 tablespoons Unsweetened Desiccated Coconut  Preheat your oven to 180°C and line the muffin moulds with paper cases. Combine all the dry ingredients and mix well: f lour, c oconut sugar, c aca...