Predictability of the Food Blogger | Raspberry Rooibos Jam

Raspberry Rooibos Jam

It recently occurred to me - as a food blogger - how predictable gifts from loved ones have suddenly become. I mean opening up last Christmas presents almost felt like a walk through John Lewis' kitchen department....all foods, gadgets and utensils. I really appreciated them all and still working my way through them. Don't misunderstand what I am trying to say as some form of ingratitude, but just me wondering if this is how it's going to be henceforth. And my answer to myself was "I don't mind at all!!!".

Baking || Banana and Walnut Chocolate Bread

A couple of months back, I posted a recipe of one of my all time favourites - Banana Bread. Since that post, I have made Banana Bread countless times for myself, friends and colleagues. So effortlessly quick and easy to put together, I have worked on several variations trying to add some character to the current package. And I think I finally nailed it with the help of some staple ingredients in my kitchen.

Banana and Walnut Chocolate Bread

In trying to incorporate the walnuts and chocolate chips into the recipe, I quickly realised that I had to make some slight variations to my original recipe. Of course the bonus of the recipe trials was the discovery of the hit show House of Cards.

Apple & Avocado Slaw

Apple & Avocado Slaw

Ever since I came across a recipe on a fellow Google Plusser's (+Shinae Choi Robinson) blog a couple of months ago I haven't stopped waxing lyrical about it. I even made it for Christmas dinner. I have made it several times since then and along the line, I have also made some variations here and there.Which brings me to today's recipe. You see I figured incorporating avocado into the original recipe would make an interesting texture combination. Verdict = It works!!!

Post Valentine Shake - Blueberry Banana Mix Smoothie Milkshake

All the chocolates and vino from the Valentine's day indulgence are probably still coursing through your veins, hence I thought it'd be a good idea to upload a post about one of my many smoothie shake recipes. I have already posted a few of my plain smoothie recipes which went down a treat with alot of my readers - Thank you so much for your warm feedbacks!!!

Roselle (Sorrel) + Strawberry Jam

Jams have always been a hard sell for me, mainly due to my reservations about the preservatives in most of the shop bought varieties and my indecisiveness in settling for a flavour preference with the home made ones I have tried. Hence I have always had it in the back of my mind to find that one flavour that would finally "hit the spot" with me.
Now enter in today's offering; which is a no-brainer really.
This is the third time that roselle has come up on this blog. So I decided to try out using the roselle I had left in my stock to try out this idea.

Easy Courgette Crisps

So while now gradually truding further into February, I am beginning to realise that the pace with which I started the year was on full blast. In hindsight, January was such a busy month for me as I had alot going on on my plate at the same time. Thankfully, I am able to now pause, even if for a moment, to appreciate, take stock and slow down a little.
Therefore in the spirit of all things slowed down , my culinary foray has been a translation of my recent laid back approach.

Ingredients:: Roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa)

This is a follow up to my Sorrel Juice post a few months back when I promised to highlight the benefits associated with them.
To be honest, I have been putting off writing this for a while now, just because I am wary of my approach towards food being translated into some kind of health freakishness since my love for food and eating probably makes me the unlikeliest candidate for such a label. I mean health benefits would be the last thing on my mind if I came across a serving of meatloaf that has my name written all over it. Having said that though, the benefits of foods to our health and well-being is something that is now a part of our daily consciousness (and sub conscious) which is alright as long as food and eating is not treated as some form of self medication.

For the sake of clarification: Sorrel (Rumex Acetosa) is not the same as Roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa). So even though the beverage is usually referred to as Sorrel Juice/Tea, it is actually made from the flowery waxy calyces of the Roselle and not the leafy Sorrel plant.The plant is native to a broad demograph of the world tropical regions, which spans across Australia, Nepal, Thailand, Africa, Middle East, Caribbean and even Latin America.

Health Benefits of Sorrel (Roselle) Juice:
While there are just loads and loads of health claims floating about about this amazing plant I am going to be minimalistic and stick with the basic scientifically proven facts.

1. Antioxidants - It has high levels of flavonoids which controls harmful free radicals in the body. Your heart will thank you for this!
2. Lowers Cholesterol 
3. Antihypertensive 
4. Reduces the symptoms of Cystitis and other Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) - Alot of women already vouch for the potency of cranberry juice to achieve this, but Sorrel Juice has been proven to be more effective
5. Weight Loss - The production of amylase is inhibited; which is the enzyme that breaks down complex sugars and starches
6. Mild Diuretic for water retention
7. Vitamin C boost - It actually contains 3 times more Vitamin C than blackcurrant and 9 times more than other citrus fruits (Citrus Sinensis L)

Sources
McKay D.L., Chen C.Y., Saltzman E., Blumberg J.B. "Hibiscus Sabdariffa L tea lowers blood pressure in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults". Journal of Nutrition, 2010 Feb: 140(2): 298-303.
Hausawadi C., Kawabata J., Kasai T. "Hibiscus acid as an inhibitor of starch digestion in the Caco-2 cell model system". Bioscience Biotechnology Biochemistry, 2001: 65: 2087-2089.
Carvajal-Zarrabal O., Haywood-Jones P.M., Orta-Flores Z., Nolasco-Hipolito C., Barradas-Dermitz D.M., Aguilar-Usang M.G., Pedroza-Hernandez M.F. "Effect of Hibiscus Sabdariffa L dried ethanol extract on fat absorption - excretion, and body weight implication in rats.
Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation.

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January 2014 | Round Up

Well the "longest" month of the year is finally over. It was a pretty quiet month all round but with a lot of activity in my kitchen.
So as a way of looking over what I got up to, I decided to put it all together as a video montage of sorts. All foods highlighted in it are on the blog, so if you see something that catches your fancy, don't hesitate to go on my blog grab the recipe and have a go for yourself.

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