Roast Vegetable and Pomegranate Salad.

I don't know about you...but I LOVE to add pomegranate to salads. Not to sound like Jamie Oliver or Nigella and her sensual descriptions of food, BUT, they are little miracles when it comes to salad. They add a burst of colour and flavour. And thanks to Whole Foods, they come de-shelled in these neat packets. No muss, no fuss.

It might seem tricky at first, but trust yourself and you'll be fine.

Ingredients:
Half head cauliflower, cut into florets
Half head broccoli, cut into florets
10-15 Brusselsprouts, cut in half or quarters (depending on the size)
3 tbs maple syrup
1 tbs whole-grain mustard
4 tbs olive oil
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cayenne pepper/smoked paprika
salt and pepper, to season
3 tbs Balsamic glaze
1/2 block goats Feta, crumbled
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds

Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 250 degrees Celsius (400 Fahrenheit).
Line two baking trays with baking/parchment paper.
On one tray: place the broccoli and cauliflower florets (NB to save some cooking time, you can par-cook them in the microwave with a little bit of water for 5 minutes). Drizzle 2 tbs of olive oil. Sprinkle turmeric and cayenne over the vegetables.
In a small bowl, mix remaining olive oil, maple syrup, whole grain mustard.
On the second tray: scatter the Brussels. Pour the maple mix over. Shake to ensure that all have been covered.
Put the vegetables into the oven to cook for 40mins - keep an eye on them.
Once the veggies have cooled, pile into a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
Sprinkle over the Feta and pomegranates.
Drizzle with the Balsamic glaze.

Hungry now?

SWEETEST-SWEET POTATOES

I've unlocked the key to the perfect sweet potato dish! Mr. S is a HUGE fan of sweet potatoes, not regular potatoes, just sweet. Therefore, I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to cook them. On a Pinterest search I found it! Without much hint of a recipe, it was time to experiment.

So it was going to be just hubby and me for dinner, so it was time to put the picture to the test. I've now tested this a few times, and with a variety of guests, it was a hit, and I promise, not too complicated.

NB: When experimenting with a new/untested recipe, don't attempt to try it before six guests are walking through the front door, it's just less hassle to test it out a week before and then try the big reveal!

Ingredients (serves 4):
2 x large sweet potatoes, washed, with skin on
1/4 cup coconut flakes (you can use shredded if you have that)
1/4 coriander (cilantro), chopped
2 x shallots, chopped
1/4 pomegranate seeds
Salt and Pepper 
Alternative to pomegranate:
1/4 cup hazel nuts (and/or) almonds, roughly chopped
1 tsp maple syrup

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees celsius (405F). 
2. Cut bot ends off the potato.
3. Using a regular fork, poke holes in sweet potato (approx 20) around the whole potato.
4. Place the two potatoes on a lined baking tray and place in the oven for 45mins - 1hour (depending on your oven). The best way to tell if they're ready is use a skewer and feel how easy it is to go through - they should be soft but not mushy. 
5. While the potatoes are in the oven combine the coconut, coriander, shallots in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. 
6. When the potatoes are ready, cut an oval opening (use the side that was facing down), scrap off any of the sweet potato flesh into a bowl.
7. Using tongs, scoop out most of the sweet potato flesh (from both) into the bowl and mash with a fork. 
8. Gently place the mash back into the two whole-baked potatoes. 
9. Sprinkle over the coriander mix and pomegranate seeds. 

Alternative to pomegranates:

1. In a bowl mix nuts with the maple syrup. 
2. Spread the mix on a lined baking tray, and cook in the oven for 5 mins. 
3. Keep an eye on the nuts so they don't burn. 
4. Once cooled, add to the coriander mix.

Complete meal suggestion (comment below if you would like the recipe to any of these):
Grilled chicken breast
Green salad with feta cheese
Oven roasted Brusselsprouts