Hello!
How are you? How was your week? I feel like I've eaten a house this weekend! I've been spending Eid with my in laws for the last few days and they seriously know how to put on a feast!
I'm sorry to be a pain but I didn't take any foodie pictures. I was so swept up with spending time with the family I just started eating... and carried on! Ooops!
I had a lovely time with the family though, however I am now stuffed and ready to burst! Back on the rebalance next week! :)
Asian Poached Salmon with Teriyaki Sprouting Broccoli and Mash Potato
So this was kind of the end of my long weekend but the beginning of my week - I don't think that really makes sense! Bank Holiday Monday dinner was this super comforting mash potato and poached salmon. I've not really poached salmon before (I'm usually into grilling my fish) but this tasted amazing. It was so soft and buttery almost, especially against the mash potato it was ah-mazing! Kind of like baby food ha ha!
I'm kind of obsessed with this new hot sauce with smokey chipotle. So it's my new thing and when it comes to avo toast, I swear it just makes it sing!
Falafel, Watercress and Coleslaw Beetroot Wrap
Another obsession I have had this week are these beetroot wraps from M & S. They also do a spinach one which I'm contemplating trying as well. I've been eating these every day (if you see my insta stories @foodlifeandem you will know how many I've been eating!) I've made them with falafel and salad and they taste fab. Almost a sweetness from the beetroot.
Vermicelli Noodles with Stir Fried Vegetables
I'm not a massive fan of stir fry packet foods as they can sometimes tastes a bit 'plastic'. However, this was actually quite nice. I find if I don't eat the carrots they don't taste bad at all. It's like something about the carrots makes it tastes a bit chemically. Anybody else get that or am I just being weird?
Strawberry, Banana & Avocado Smoothie Bowl with Granola and Superfood Topping
When I went to Hong Kong last, we went to Joe & The Juice for breakfast and I had this every time. It was so so good. The granola over there was another level, but I know that was only because it was stuffed with sugar! I have gone for a more healthy and homemade version for this bowl, but it still reminded me of that fabulous place every time!
Buckwheat Pasta with Sprouting Broccoli, Peas & Kale
I for some reason always like to do a 'green' pasta every week. I feel it's a great way of getting my veggies in plus it tastes great too. I did my usual basil dressing with this and just simply fried the veggies in a large pan first with some pepper. Then just assembled it altogether in one pan and added my dressing. It is all cooked in the same time the pasta takes to boil (which is only around 9 minutes) and so I know my belly will be filled almost as soon as I get in!
Acai Bowl with Homemade Granola & Superfoods
Gluten & Dairy `Free Baked Pancakes with Coyo, Raspberries and Maple Syrup
I wanted to try this experiment for so long. I have been thinking about trying baking pancakes for quite a while and so Saturday morning I decided to give it a go. It was a MEGA success and I will definitely be making them again! I will put the recipe up for these very soon.
Piccolinos | Hale - See the menu here
OLIVES - Marinated giant Apulian Cerignola olives
PANE DELLA CASA - Freshly baked Tuscan bread, garlic & rosemary focaccia, music bread, rosemary grissini & green basil pesto
Saturday night was date night for me and hubs after all the celebrations of Eid. I was seriously craving some kind of Italian food and so it was Piccolinos to the rescue! What I find with Italian food, is that although it tastes fab, it can be very rich. So, for example as much as I love the baked aubergine, I can't eat a whole portion to myself. So, I always like to share. I find you get lots of tastes and it's not too overwhelming. This I guess is my fav combination of food from Pic's. Maybe try it for a change sometime, it's like the Chinese in me coming out!
PARMIGIANA DI MELANZANE - Baked aubergine, buffalo mozzarella, Grana Padano, tomato & basil
LINGUINE AI GAMBERETTI - King prawns, courgette & chilli
ZUCCHINE FRITTE - Courgette fries
SPINACI - Buttered spinach
Homemade Porridge with Almond Milk, Berry Compote & Nut Butter
I have started making my porridge with soaked oats and it is so much nicer. Almost fluffier actually. I don't soak them for too long, maybe just 30 mins or so in warm water. Makes such a difference in cooking time too!
Finally, I made a very quick late lunch with some pad thai noodles and teriyaki veg. This is always like a weird comfort food for me, I can eat plates and plates of green veggies all day every day. Ah well, it's better than eating plates of cakes I guess! ha ha!
I hope you all had a lovely week and Eid Mubarak to anybody who was celebrating this weekend. I hope your belly is as full as mine!
Thanks so much for reading,
Big love,