Initially I was going to call this a taco but then after researching the difference between taco, burrito, tortilla it seems that tortilla (in Mexican cookery a thin, flat maize pancake, eaten hot or cold, typically with a savoury filling) is more correct. I think the ‘wrap’ or ‘tortilla’ is more transportable and easier to eat than the taco shell so they’re great for taking on a picnic or in the boat for a fishing trip! If you make the pineapple salsa and the avocado cream the night before the flavours will develop more and so your tortilla will be extra tasty.

PINEAPPLE SALSA
1 fresh pineapple, diced
1/2 a fresh chilli, finely chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
3 mint leaves, finely chopped
A small handful of coriander, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Juice of one lime
Salt and pepper
Combine all ingredients and refrigerate. Your salsa will stay fresh for 2 – 3 days.

AVOCADO CORIANDER CREAM
1 avocado
Juice of one lemon
A good handful of fresh coriander

Whiz with a stick blender and refrigerate. Your avo cream will stay green and fresh for 2 – 3 days due to the lemon juice content.

SNAPPER TORTILLA
Makes 6

3 fresh snapper fillets
1 tablespoon of flour
1/2 teaspoon of cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper

Shake all together in a plastic bag to coat the fish fillets evenly. Pan fry your fish over a medium-high heat in a little olive oil and a knob of butter until golden brown on both sides. Set aside.

6 wraps or tortillas, I use the smaller ones, about bread and butter plate size
1/4 of a red cabbage, finely sliced
A good handful of snowpea sprouts (I always chop the ends of them so they are not quite so long and more manageable)
Olive oil

ASSEMBLE TORTILLA
Brush a frypan with olive oil and heat over a medium-high heat, add your tortillas one at a time and cook on both sides till golden. Along the centre of each tortilla add some sliced red cabbage and some snow pea sprouts. Chope the snapper fillets into bite sized chunks and add a few of these to each tortilla. Spoon over pineapple salsa and dollop with the avocado cream. Season with salt and pepper, wrap and serve or wrap and pack.

The great thing about this type of food is it’s very mix and match, use what you have on hand eg. instead of pineapple salsa make a cucumber – tomato salsa or add mango to the pineapple. Layer with lettuce and grated carrot rather than cabbage and sprouts.

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At the moment I’m working on a new book with Janine Tait (dermo nutrition guru) which is for the Janesce skincare Vital Cleanse menu. The Vital Cleanse has been part of the Janesce program for many years and so Janine and I decided to present it in a lovely book with new recipes and a meal planner. I especially loved this fish bake beacause it’s seafood and the crust is really good as an alternative to breadcrumbs! The Vital Cleanse book will be launched early next year.

Serves 2 to 3

Crust
¼ cup of pumpkin seeds
¼ cup of sunflower seeds
2 tablespoons of sesame seeds
Zest of a lemon
Himalayan or sea salt to taste
Pepper to taste
¼ cup of parsley, finely chopped
1 tablespoon of olive oil

Fish
500 grams of fresh fish
3 medium sized tomatoes, sliced
1 clove of garlic, chopped
¼ cup of parsley, chopped
Juice of one lemon
Himalayan salt and pepper

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees celsius. Pulse the pumpkin and sunflower seeds in your food processor until they resemble coarse breadcrumbs. Place in a medium sized bowl and add the sesame seeds, lemon zest, salt, pepper, olive oil and parsley.

Place your fish fillets in an oiled, shallow baking dish. Layer the sliced tomatoes on top of the fish and sprinkle with parsley and garlic. Add salt and pepper and the lemon juice.

Cover with the crust and place in the oven for 20 minutes until crust is golden brown and fish is cooked. Serve with fresh salad and brown rice.

HEALTHYME SHOPPING ESSENTIALS

500 grams of fresh fish (I’ve used snapper)
Tomatoes x 3
Italian parsley
Lemons x 1
Olive oil
Pumpkin seeds
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds

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It’s all very well deciding to eat healthy but unless you have some ideas on what to create and the ingredients on hand, it can prove to be a challenge! I thought I would start a ‘HEALTHYME‘ series to share with you what sort of food I create regularly so that I can eat healthy more easily. In the ‘HEALTHYME‘ series I will cover simple breakfast, lunch, dinner, sauces and dressing recipes that I use often to help me keep on track.

I try to use organic ingredients whenever possible or at least source local ingredients because I know where they are grown and how fresh they are :). I always use fresh herbs, can’t imagine a meal without them to be honest and they are the easiest plants to grow. At then end of each ‘HEALTHYME‘ recipe I will list the essential items you need in your fridge and pantry. These meals are created out of ingredients that are always really useful to have on hand. That way once you are used to making more healthy food for yourself you will find it easier to know what to buy when you do your food shopping – it’s about developing some new habits.

Frittata is an awesome meal in one, in this one the sweetness of the buttercup is delicious with cumin and fennel. Feel free to add any of your favourite veg to your frittata. I often eat vegetarian because I believe it’s better for you and I like the creativity and flavours that go into making a vegetarian meal.

RECIPE

Serves 2-3
1/4 pumpkin, sliced into wedges (I’ve used buttercup)
1 teaspoon of fennel seeds
1 teaspoon of cumin powder
3 tablespoons of olive oil
1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
6 organic eggs
1 large courgette, sliced
5 button mushrooms, sliced
8 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 spring onions, sliced
100 grams of feta, crumbled
A good handful of fresh basil leaves
A good handful of italian parsley, roughly chopped

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius.

Line two small baking dishes with baking paper. In one, place the sliced pumpkin, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, sprinkle with the fennel seeds and cumin powder, season with salt and pepper. Place in the oven and bake for 30 – 40 minutes until soft and golden brown. In the other baking dish place the tomatoes and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, the balsamic vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Place in the oven and bake for 30 – 40 minutes until soft and golden brown. Chop the pumpkin into chunks, I leave the skin on but you may prefer to remove it. The tomatoes may be ready sooner so just remove from the oven and set aside.

Whisk the eggs together in a bowl.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frypan and add the sliced courgette and mushrooms, cook for a few minutes on a high heat until golden brown. Add the pumpkin chunks and pour over the whisked eggs. Turn the heat down to low, add the roast tomatoes, spring onion and crumbled feta. Cook gently until the egg starts to firm up on the surface (about 10 minutes). Place under a hot grill to brown for a few minutes. Season with salt and cracked pepper. Serve in wedges for lunch or dinner with the fresh basil and parsley.

Leftover frittata is great served cold the following day.

HEALTHYME SHOPPING ESSENTIALS

Pumpkin or buttercup
Organic eggs
Courgette
Mushrooms
Tomatoes
Feta
Fennel seeds
Cumin powder
Basil
Italian parsley
Balsamic vinegar
Olive oil

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It’s been awhile between blog posts. April was a month where ‘life happened’, it was tough. A good friend lost her beautiful daughter in a tragic accident, bearing witness to this has been heartbreaking. Then a nasty flu virus hit me and it was hard to overcome. Now it’s May and my youngest son and I have been staying in a remote part of New Zealand (by the sea) for ten days of R&R. It’s been very peaceful and we are ready to head home again in a couple of days.

This morning I felt like eggs with a difference for breakfast so decided to try eggs en cocette with spinach and mushrooms. This was so delicate and beautiful to eat – undoubtedly the best eggy breakfast!

INGREDIENTS (for two servings)
2 organic eggs
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 large mushrooms, chopped
120g of baby spinach leaves
4 tablespoons of cream
2 tablespoons of parmesan, grated
2 tablespoons of parsley, finely chopped
Pinch of nutmeg
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Knob of butter
Salt and pepper

RECIPE
Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees celsius. Grease 2 ramekins with butter. Gently pan fry the onion, garlic and mushrooms in olive oil and butter until the onion is soft. Add the spinach leaves and stir through til wilted (about a minute). Remove from the heat add the nutmeg and cool. Once cool, drain off any excess liquid and chop. Add half of the spinach mixture to each ramekin. With a spoon press the spinach to make a well in the middle and spread up the sides of the ramekin. Break an egg into each one. Add two tablespoons of cream to each ramekin, sprinkle each with one tablespoon of parmesan. Sprinkle each with half the parsley then season with salt and pepper.

Place the egg ramekins in a larger oven proof dish, pour boiling water into the dish till the level is half way up the sides of the ramekin. Place carefully in the oven and bake for 15 minutes for soft eggs. Remove carefully, garnish with parsley and serve. So tasty.

Beautiful bougainvillea in flower where we are staying.

Waihau Bay, East Cape, New Zealand.

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I love rustic, simple food it’s no secret. And living in the western bay of plenty, New Zealand means I am surrounded by avocado trees. They become a staple diet here especially when funds run a little low! They’re a whole meal in one, can’t beat them. When my children were babies I always had a ripe avo in my bag that I could just mash and spoon feed to quickly fill hungry tummies.

Toast a handful of whole pistachio nuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. Toast 2 slices of lovely wholemeal bread – I’ve used a locally made 5-grain one. Squish 1/4 a ripe avocado on each one, sprinkle with seeds and nuts, drizzle with balsamic vinegar (or lemon juice), avocado oil (or olive oil). Garnish with chopped parsley or coriander, season with freshly ground salt and pepper.

INGREDIENTS
1/2 ripe avocado
Pistachio nuts
Sunflower seeds
Pumpkin seeds
Balsamic vinegar or lemon juice
Avocado oil or olive oil
wholemeal or wholegrain rustic bread
Chopped flat leaf parsley or coriander
Salt and pepper

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Chana Dahl is a split and husked relative of the chickpea, I first tried it in an indian restaurant and loved it so here goes my first attempt. Mine turned out less ‘soupy’ than the other ones I have seen online, probably more like a stew. The flavours are great though.

1 cup Chana Dahl
1/2 onion finely chopped
2 bay leaves
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp black mustard seeds
1 tsp dry red chilli powder
1 dry red chilli
1 lge garlic clover, finely chopped
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp garam masala
1/2 tsp paprika
small handful chopped coriander leaves
1 tin of tomatoes (400g)
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp of ghee or butter
2 whole cloves

Rinse and wash the dahl twice, cover in water and soak for 2 – 3 hours (this will reduce the cooking time). Rinse and strain then add to a saucepan with 4 cups of salted water. Add half of the turmeric and bring to the boil. Turn down to a simmer until quite soft (takes about 30 – 45mins). You may need to add more water so keep an eye on it. When it’s cooked, strain and set aside.

Meanwhile heat the oil and butter in a frying pan, add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, bay leaves and the dry red chilli. When the seeds start to splutter turn the heat down and add the onion, garlic, red chilli powder, turmeric and coriander. When the onion is soft add the tinned tomatoes, cloves and the Chana Dahl. Add another cup of water, the garam masala and the paprika. Bring to a simmer for another 15 minutes adding more water if needed. Add salt and pepper to taste (I found it needed quite a bit of salt but I love salt). Remove the cloves and bay leaves. Garnish with coriander leaves.

Serve with naan bread and salad. I also though some spicy fried lamb pieces with be yummy with it and a dollop of natural yoghurt.

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Here’s one for the vegetarians, so easy and tasty. Mix it up a bit by adding other topping items like sliced mushrooms, red onion, sliced capsicum.

2 aubergines, sliced in half lengthways
2 vine tomatoes thickly sliced
100g feta (goat or cow)
8 sprigs of thyme
Handful of rocket leaves
8 fresh basil leaves
Olive oil
1/2 a lemon
Tablespoon of sesame seeds, toasted
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 200 degrees celsius.
Grind himalayan salt all over the cut aubergine and leave to rest for 30 mins. Wipe the collected liquid off the surface of the aubergine with a paper towel – this gets rid of any bitterness. Cut the aubergine flesh in a diamond pattern almost right through but not quite. Drizzle over olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven til the flesh is soft and golden, about 25 mins.

Remove from the oven and add the topping of tomato slices, feta and some of the thyme sprigs. Roast for another 15-20 mins.

Serve with fresh basil, rocket, toasted sesame seeds (pine nuts would also be yummy). Drizzle a little more olive oil and squeeze a good anmount of lemon juice over each half.

To eat them I kind of mush the topping and the aubergine flesh together then scoop it out – delicious!

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There’s something about mussel fritters that’s very addictive and very New Zealand. I couldn’t imagine life without New Zealand seafood or life without my mum! I’ve watched her make these countless time and I think the trick really is in the prep (see recipe).

RECIPE
12 fresh mussels
1/2 brown onion
a good handful of parsley, chopped finely (I also add some fresh coriander)
1 egg
1 tablespoon of flour
1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of curry powder
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons of olive oil for frying

You need to place the unopened mussels in a bowl or the kitchen sink and pour hot water over them, this makes them easier to open. Then open the shells, discard the nasty hairy bit (haha), remove the mussel from the shell and place the mussels into a food processor. Add all the other ingredients and pulse to mix. The batter should still be a little on the chunky side. Refrigerate for at least an hour.

Heat the olive oil in a fry pan. Fry large tablespoons of mixture gently in the oil until golden brown. Serve with lemon wedges. Because the mussels are not pre-cooked the result is very delicate, fresh tasting fritters!

Other variations may include adding half a grated courgette to the mix and serving with a lemon mayonnaise (see below).

LEMON MAYONNAISE
2 egg yolks (your eggs must be fresh otherwise the mayo won’t thicken)
1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup of oil (olive or rice bran or canola)
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon of parsley, chopped

Using a stick blender or whisk, mix together the egg yolks and lemon juice. While the blender is going slowly trickle in the oil, the emulsion will gradually thicken to a smooth mayonnaise consistency. Place into a small bowl, stir in the parsley and season to taste with salt and pepper.

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This is nice and easy, the dill and fennel add some great flavours. When I was cleaning up I accidentally dropped my vintage glass eggcup and silver teaspoon (see photo below) into the insinkerator while it was going! Glass splinters all over the kitchen. Sad about the loss of my treasured eggcup though

For the salmon:
300g to 500g fresh salmon cut into pieces
1/2 fennel bulb
1/2 beetroot
1/2 telegraph cucumber
1 tablespoon olive oil
Small handful of dill, chopped
Himalayan or sea salt & pepper to taste
1/2 lemon
2 spring onions, sliced

Pan fry the salmon in the olive oil till golden on the outside and just cooked on the inside. Thinly slice the fennel bulb, beetroot and cucumber (use a mandolin if you have one). Mix the salmon and vegetables gently together, squeeze over the lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, garnish with half of the dill – save the other half for the mayo. Dollop with the home made mayo.

For the mayonnaise:
2 egg yolks
1⁄2 teaspoon of mustard powder
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
1⁄2 cup of olive oil
Chopped dill (optional)
Himalayan or sea salt & pepper to taste

In a blender add egg yolk, mustard, lemon juice, vinegar and salt/pepper. Blend to combine. With blender running, very slowly add the oil into the mixture. Continue blending until the mixture is thick and forms an emulsion. Season to taste, stir in the leftover dill from the salmon recipe. Will keep up to 2 weeks if stored in a sealed jar in the fridge.

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This is very easy and tasty, the chilli adds a bit of extra flavour burst. It also looks so impressive and colourful when served.

RECIPE
For the salad:
2 eye fillet or 1 sirloin or 1 scotch fillet steak
1 large handful of rocket
2 large handfuls of salad leaves
2 spring onions, chopped
1/2 red capsicum, sliced
6 cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup of toasted sesame seeds
1 small handful of fresh coriander leaves
Zest of 1 lime
1/2 cup of mung bean sprouts (optional)
Freshly ground salt and pepper

For the dressing:
Zest and juice of 2 limes
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 small red chilli, chopped finely
1 teaspoon sugar
1 clove garlic, minced or diced
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander
Freshly ground salt and pepper

Whisk all the dressing ingredients together and place in a lidded jar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Marinate the steak for 1 – 2 hours in a little of the dressing.

Barbecue or pan fry your steak till medium rare. Set aside and rest for 5 minutes. Meanwhile mix all the salad ingredients together except the lime zest and 1/2 of the sesame seeds. Serve on to a platter.

Thinly slice the steak and add to the top of the salad. Shake up the dressing and pour some over the beef salad and some into a dipping saucer. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with the rest of the sesame seeds and the lime zest.

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