Smoked Salmon, Avocado and Beetroot on Spelt Loaf

This is so simple it doesn't really warrant a 'recipe' - it was just such a delicious lunch that I felt it would be a shame not to share it on here. It also raked in a fair few likes on our Instagram page so I thought it was only fair to share the dish in full! It only takes a few minutes to throw together and - ta dah - you have yourself a colourful, fresh, healthy and tasty plateful. This would make an ideal lunch, brunch or light supper that also provides a welcome contrast to the grey January days!

For one generous portion you will need…

2 slices smoked salmon

2 slices spelt loaf or another good crusty loaf e.g. rye or sourdough 

Soft cheese (I used Philadelphia)

1/2 an avocado

1 small pre-cooked beetroot (I use the vacuum packed ones sold in most supermarkets)

Fresh dill

Black pepper

1 wedge of fresh lemon

You will need to…

- Pop your slices of crusty bread into the toaster.

- Once toasted, spread each slice with a generous layer of soft cheese.

- Top with your smoked salmon and then scatter over sliced avocado and cubed beetroot.

- Sprinkle some fresh dill and ground black pepper on top.

- Squeeze over the fresh lemon wedge and serve.

Enjoy! C x

Beetroot and Orzo Salad

A bit of experimentation with beetroots last week resulted in this colourful creation - an Orzo and Beetroot Salad, or risotto if you prefer to eat it hot. It is the perfect student dish - healthy, cheap and you can store it in the fridge for a few days to reheat or eat cold. Although not readily available, I managed to find some fresh beetroots in the supermarket, however to save time cooking it would also work with pre-cooked vacuum packed ones. 

To serve four you will need... 

6-8 fresh or vacuum packed beetroots

One onion

250g orzo

100g spinach

A splash of red wine

-To speed up cooking time, trim peel and chop the beetroots into 1cm thick discs, place on a baking tray in the oven for 1 hour at 180C or until soft.

-If using pre-cooked beetroot cut into small chunks.

-Dice the onion and sweat in a pan for 10 mins.

-Boil a pan of water and add the orzo cook for approx 5 minutes and then drain.

-Once the orzo is cooked add it to the onions along with the beetroot pieces, add a splash of red wine and stir over a low heat until the orzo is a vibrant pink colour then season to taste.

- Add the spinach to the pan at the last minute, or serve with a handful of fresh spinach

Enjoy Z x

Quinoa Superfood Salad

If you have found yourself falling off the January detox bandwagon (or Zoe's Apple Strudel led you astray) then this salad is the ideal tasty-yet-virtuous dish to get you back on the straight and narrow. This is my simplified student-friendly version of Gizzi Erskine's Superfood Salad recipe, and is as packed with colour and flavour as it is with healthy, nutritious goodness. I've seen quinoa recipes popping up all over the place for ages now, and after trying it in this dish I am converted. When cooked properly it is totally delicious, satisfyingly filling, and full of flavour, not bland in the slightest as I have found before. The key is toasting it in a dry pan before simmering in water, as it adds a rich nutty taste that I think is difficult to get with alternatives such as couscous. Great for lunch or as a light supper, this salad can be served solo, or for something a little more substantial top with shredded chicken or some flaked trout or salmon. 

To serve one person you will need...

Dressing

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp Dijon mustard

Seasoning

Salad

60g quinoa

1 strip of lemon peel

A pinch of dried mixed herbs

Salt & pepper

1 large chopped handful kale, blanched for 30 seconds in boiling water (substitute with broccoli if you can't find kale)

1/2 avocado, chopped

1 spring onion, sliced

1 cooked beetroot, (I buy the pre-cooked vacuum packed ones from any supermarket) chopped

4 radishes, thinly sliced

1 chicken breast (cooked and shredded) or 1 fillet salmon/trout (cooked, skinned and flaked) 

You will need to...

- Put the quinoa into a small, dry saucepan and toast on a fairly high heat for a few minutes until golden brown. Keep shaking it around the pan to stop it burning.

- Pour over roughly 120ml water, add in your lemon peel, herbs and seasoning and cover with a lid. Bring to the boil and simmer for ten minutes, then remove from the heat but keep the lid on and leave to steam for a further five minutes.

- To make the dressing, combine the mustard, oil and lemon juice - season to taste. 

- Drain the blanched kale well with kitchen paper and stir into the cooked quinoa. Stir in the avocado, spring onion, beetroot, radishes and dressing, ensuring everything is well combined and coated with the mustardy dressing. 

- Serve with your chicken or fish ontop.

Enjoy! C x