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Books & Spoons recipe for GARLIC MASHED CAULIFLOWER WITH COCONUT MILK

28/4/2017

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I have been on a cauliflower kick this winter and spring, you might have noticed it. I love the taste, it is versatile to use, and the preparations often take just a little time. What could be better, huh?!

This mashed cauliflower with garlic and coconut milk had such a smooth taste and texture. A dash of cardamom at the top of the mash gave it the 'last touch'. 


I paired it with carrots that I dusted with cinnamon, and a slice of pork loin heavily dusted with sea salt, black pepper, and paprika powder. It was a delicious meal that was prepared within 30 minutes. 
​
I have used the mashed cauliflowers also a side of other white meats and fish, and I believe it could go greatly with beef as well. 
I hope you enjoy it and have a great weekend! 
Till next time
~ Cheers!

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GARLIC MASHED CAULIFLOWER WITH COCONUT MILK


Ingredients: 
  • 1 Head of cauliflower
  • 2 shallots whole, peeled
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled, whole
  • 2 - 4 TBLS of coconut milk 
  • salt
  • pepper
  • cardamom
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  1. Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil. 
  2. Cook cauliflower in boiling water with the whole garlic cloves and shallots until soft, 15 to 20 minutes
  3. Drain and return cauliflower to the pot (remove the shallot and garlic)
  4. Pour coconut milk over the cauliflower and bring up to heat 
  5. Blend cauliflower with an immersion blender until smooth, add more coconut milk if not the desired consistency 
  6. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir to distribute spices.
  7. At service time add a dash of cardamom on the top
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FOOD TALK ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF THE RED FOODS

21/4/2017

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A steak with carrot and sweet potato purée and roasted red bell peppers & thyme
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Red, orange and yellow mini bell peppers, red onion, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower and chicken wok


​I had a lovely conversation with a friend the other day about the colors of the food, and how sometimes we don't necessarily crave a certain food, but a certain color of food. She was convinced that all red food were comfort food. 
And as I sat there and started to think about all the benefits of red foods, the minerals and vitamins they have, and how important they are to hold a balanced diet, I have to say that even though many of the foods that are red color can be comfort food, they are so much more for the function of our bodies and mind. 
So I pulled my book The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth' by Jonny Bowden and we had a blast looking at all the red foods that are available, and how good they are for our bodies to function well. 


"Many red fruits and veggies are loaded with powerful, healthy antioxidants -- such as lycopene and anthocyanins -- that may do everything from fight heart disease and prostate cancer to decrease the risk for stroke and macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in people aged 60 and older). Antioxidants soak up damaging free radicals."  says the WebMd.com 


Strawberries - a good source of folate, which helps heart health and is helpful for women in their childbearing years, a good source of the antioxidant and vitamin C

Tomatoes - potassium, vitamin C, lycopene, which is strongly connected with prostate cancer protection

Red pepper - a phenomenal source of vitamin A, which helps with skin, bones, and teeth.  they have as much vitamin C as an orange!

Carrots -  rich in beta-carotene, fiber, vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, vitamin B8, pantothenic acid, folate, potassium, iron, copper, and manganese

Sweet potatoes - vitamin A, vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid and vitamin B6, potassium, dietary fiber, niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 and phosphorus.

Beets - rich in folate, lycopene, and anthocyanins

Watermelon - a great source of lycopene that may decrease the risk of heart disease by decreasing LDL cholesterol

Cherries - fiber, vitamin C as well as potassium, which can help maintain a lower blood pressure

Cranberries - vitamin C, can stop bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract walls

Raspberries - fiber,  helps lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or 'bad' cholesterol

Pink Grapefruit - higher levels of antioxidants, such as vitamin C. It's also a good source of pectin, which helps lower cholesterol

The whole conversation got the start of a food picture and ended up in a lengthy research moment for our favorite ingredients and to a celebration of all the benefits, those favorites actually bring to our lives.It was a needed and necessary boost for us to 
  • pay more attention to what we eat
  • what benefits the food we eat have to our bodies
  • to increase the desire to eat a healthy and balanced diet
  • to clear out some misconceptions about the food we eat 

Sometimes our daily routines come such that we lose the taste or the appetite to the foods we normally eat. To get more information about the benefits the ingredients have, find new recipes to try or go out to eat and try something new and different might be the way to get your passion for food back and get the cravings for healthy and taste rich burning again.

Stay tuned for more food talk, meal ideas, and recipes with Spoons and have a flavor rich weekend y'all!
~ Cheers!
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Books & Spoons Recipe for SALMON & POTATO CASSEROLE

6/4/2017

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I don't know why, but this casserole always makes me think about my childhood Easter time, and spring in general. I love the ease of making it, the taste is fabulous, and it is one of those perfect dishes for a potluck dinner or a large family meal. All preparation is done ahead of the time, and you can concentrate on the people around you. 
I sometimes put some cheese on the top, for example, Gruyère cheese that melts so beautifully and gives lovely color on the top of the casserole. Just be careful with it in the oven so it doesn't turn too dark. Cover the dish for the last 30 minutes if necessary. 
I hope you all enjoy this, and if spring is the season you are having right now, enjoy the nature blooming around you, as well! Till next time
~ Cheers!

Salmon Casserole

  • 750 g  / 1,5 lb thinly sliced potatoes
  • 250 g / 0,5 lb thinly sliced onions
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp white or black pepper
  • 5 dl / 2 cups smoked salmon (cleaned) 
  • 1 dl dill, chopped fine
  • 400 g / 0,8 lb crème fraîche 
  • 1 dl  / 0,4 cups milk

  1. Pour half the mixture of potatoes and onions into a casserole dish. 
  2. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Add the salmon and dill, stir slightly. 
  4. Add rest of the potato and onion mix, season with salt and pepper, mix slightly again
  5. Add the creme fraiche and milk.
  6. Bake at 200°C / 390°F for about 1,5 hours or until the potatoes are cooked. 
  7. Press the surface a couple of times during cooking.
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