Spanish Goodness!

We love Spanish Food- the richness of flavours and the simplicity of the food is something else! We thought we'd share a favourite recipe that uses two pantry staples: Chorizo and Chickpeas.

Chorizo and Chickpea Hotpot ~ Chorizo (pronounced with a 'ch' like cherry) is a paprika and garlic infused Spanish pork sausage. You can buy them fresh or cured.

(serves 4)

Ingredients:

2 chorizo sausages roughly chopped

1 x 400g can chickpeas drained

1 small brown onion finely sliced

2 garlic cloves finely chopped

2 celery stalks roughly chopped

1 red capsicum roughly chopped

2 handfuls of baby spinach washed

1 x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes

1 cup chicken stock

2 small potatoes peeled and chopped into 2cm cubes

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/4 tsp chili flakes

Crusty bread to serve

Method:

Saute the chorizo in a medium saucepan with a little oil until brown. Once the chorizo is brown saute the onion, garlic, capsicum, celery and potatoes for about 5 minutes on medium heat. Add the tomatoes and the stock. Bring to the boil, add the paprika, chili, and spinach. Simmer for about 20 minutes with the lid ajar. Season with salt and pepper.

*Alternatively pre-heat the oven to 200 C, spoon the stew over individual ramekins and crack and egg on top. Bake until the white is set for about 10-12 minutes.

Enjoy our take on Spanish food and indulge in tasty comfort food!

It's not only delish but also very good for you!

Nutritional Facts:

• Capsicums are very high in anti-oxidants (prevent premature aging due to the environment, smoke etc) and an excellent source of vitamin C, they also provide Vitamin B6, folate and betacarotene.
• Eggs are ans excellent and inexpensive source of high quality protein, they provide many vitamins and minerals.
• Chickpeas are one of the most nutritious plant foods- high in protein, B vitamins, iron, potassium and fibre.
• Onions might make you cry but rejoice- they are very good for you. They are a super food that should be included in every savoury meal. They contain sulphur compounds and have anti-inflamatory properties.
• Spinach is rich in potassium and magnesium which are good for keeping your blood pressure in check. Rich in anti-oxidants that may have anticancer activity, good source of vitamin C, good source of lutein which is great for your eye health and vitamin K for bone health.

Fast, easy and absolutely delish!

TUNA PUTTANESCA

serves 4

One of our favourite ways to use tinned tuna! if there's only two of you, eat the leftovers as a pasta salad- delish!

Ingredients:

Enough spaghetti for 4 serves

1 x 400g tin of tuna in springwater drained

Handful of italian parsley or basil roughly chopped or both!

3 tbsp EVOO

Zest and juice of one lemon

10 anchovy fillets

Handful kalamata olives pitted

Small handful capers rinsed

2 garlic cloves crushed

2 vine ripe tomatoes roughly chopped

1 birds eye chilli finely chopped

Extra EVOO

Method:

Cook spaghetti to packet instructions. In the mean time marinade the tuna with the EVOO, the lemon zest and juice and the herbs. In a frying pan fry the anchovy fillets with a little EVOO until melted, add the capers, olives and garlic and cook over gentle heat until warm. Add the marinaded tuna, the tomatoes and the chilli- cook until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Drain spaghetti and mix with the sauce. Serve hot or cold.

EVOO= extra virgin olive oil

Food Facts:

• Chillies are rich in anti-oxidants
• Tuna has a high content of omega-3 (the heart healthy fatty acids essential for brain and heart health) it is also a rich source of protein
• Garlic reduces blood glucose levels - it is shown to help reverse diabetes
• Lemons are full of vitamin c and are rich in anti-oxidants
• Olive oil is liquid gold! (comes from olives so both are magic) it is a good source of fat, rich in healthy mono-unsaturated fats , it also contains an anti- inflammatory component so strong that researchers liken it to aspirin
• Pasta is a useful source of protein, B vitamins and fibre and is low in sodium and fat
• Parsley has useful amounts of vitamin C, calcium , iron and potassium
• Tomatoes are low in calories, they provide a lot of fibre, vitamins (especially C) and minerals- they are also rich in anti-oxidants

Incredible- a humble and tasty dish that is good for you!

Heart warming winter food!

Here is one of our favourite recipes... enjoy when its cold outside and all you want to do is rug up and eat something warm and delicious!

ROAST HONEY PUMPKIN SOUP
Serves 4 + leftovers for freezing

Ingredients:
1 kilo of butternut pumpkin peeled and seeded and cut into chunks
2 carrots peeled and cut into chunks
1 brown onion peeled and cut into chunks
2 tbsp of honey
1 lt. chicken stock (give or take)
Crusty bread to serve (like sourdough or pane di casa)

Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 190 C. In the meantime arrange your vegetables on a roasting tray and pour over the honey. Roast for 1 hour in the middle of the oven until golden brown.
Once the vegetables are cooked transfer to a saucepan and cover with the chicken stock, boil for 5 minutes then puree the soup, either in the blender or using a stick blender. You can adjust the consistency using chicken stock. Season to taste with salt and cracked pepper. Serve with crusty bread!
It is a delish and addictive soup!

Food Facts:

• Pumpkin has a low G, is high in fibre, a good source of potassium, a rich source of betacarotene and vitamin C.
• It's not just the flesh! try the seeds, toasted on muesli or as a snack

Other ways with Pumpkin:

• Try roasting butternut pumpkin chunks with a dash of olive oil, cracked pepper and fresh sprigs of thyme as a side dish that goes very well with a roast dinner!
• Layer your lasagna with thinly sliced roast butternut pumpkin. Even better if the pumpkin is roasted with cinnamon infused olive oil!
• Try putting roast pumpkin pieces in chicken Rogan Josh curry to add an element of sweetness(it's probably not authentic, but it sure is delicious!)