‘Free-From’ Chocolate Ice Cream

Hi Everyone,

 Welcome back! I have another delicious recipe for you.

As some of you may know, I don’t really have a sweet tooth. When ice cream is on the scene it’s another story. However, since I haven’t been eating dairy I have been having a bit of an issue- funnily enough! I know there are brands out there that do sell 'dairy free' ice cream but it’s much more expensive and frankly, I can’t afford it right now. I have done some research and have created this delicious, chocolaty ice cream which is also vegan, dairy free and gluten free! 

You will need:

Food Processor or Blender

Sharp Knife

Measuring Spoons

Sealable Tub

Spatula

Ingredients: 

6 Bananas (Ripe bananas are better as they are sweeter but I personally don’t like the taste!)

½ Cup Almond Milk

1 ½ Cups Cacao Powder 

1 ½ Tbsp Agave Nectar or Honey (Do this to taste!)

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

Pinch of Salt

Step One

Put all of the ingredients into a food processor and blend until a smooth, creamy paste is formed. If you don’t have one then use a blender, however, add the ingredients in batches as it may have some issue due to the think texture.

Step Two

Pour the mixture into a plastic tub and put it in the freezer for at least 3 hours.

You’re done! Enjoy this with lots of different toppings, for example, crushed hazelnuts, peanut butter, strawberries… the list is endless. 

I hope you enjoy!

Isabel x

Tasty Thai Turkey Burgers

Hi Everyone,

I absolutely love the Thai cuisine. It is all so flavoursome and can also be incredibly simplistic to incorporate into everyday eating.

 I first had Thai turkey burgers at my ex-boyfriend’s house years ago and have loved them ever since. I re-created them at home with what I thought was inside them and they tasted pretty darn good (if I do say so myself) and have been making them ever since- a definite family favourite (especially when barbequed!)

(Serves 4)

You will need

Sharp Knife

Food Processor

Mixing Bowl

Ingredients

(400g) Turkey Mince

1 Large Onion

2 Garlic Cloves

1 Thai Red Chilli

Small Handful of Fresh Coriander

1 Lime (Zest)

Season with Salt & Pepper 

Step One

Roughly chop the onion and put it into the food processor alongside the garlic, chilli, coriander, lime zest, salt and pepper. Blend.

Step Two

In a separate bowl add the turkey mince and the paste that you’ve just created. Get your hands in there and mix it all together.

Step Three

Separate the mixture and make little burgers. Pop them on a tray or plate and put them in the fridge for half an hour or so if you’re cooking them that day.

Step Four

Heat a frying or griddle pan with a little bit of coconut oil and cook them on a medium heat for about 5 minutes on each side. Make sure the burger is piping hot in the centre before you eat it!

(I have paired mine with a mixture of quinoa, brown rice and some steamed broccoli. The burgers are so versatile. I love them with salad, sweet potato chips or even broken up and put on top of a homemade pizza!)

I hope you enjoy this lean, protein filled, yummy burger!

Love

Isabel x

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Hi Everyone,

I tend to get peckish midmorning and afternoon and I need to have a little something to satisfy my hunger until the next meal time. Something protein based is really good for slow release energy. Although I have more of 'savoury tooth' I do like a bit of chocolate now and again and I love peanut butter (Reese's Pieces are just dreamy). However, I wanted to create something that had a similar flavour but was much more nutritious, would give me energy and be cost effective in comparison to buying protein bars in the shops. So I did some research and food shopping and this is what I have created! (They have been tried and tested on my friends and family-I haven't had any negative response so far!)

You will need: 

Food Processor

Sharp Knife

Baking Sheet

Baking Parchment

Ingredients:

Organic Cruchy Peanut Butter (1 Cup)

Porridge Oats (I used gluten free) (1 Cup)

Chia Seeds (2 Tbsp)

Organic Dark Chocolate (1/2 Cup

Dates (Meduel Dates are best- I didn't have any this time and they are still yummy) (1 Cup)

Step 1:

Cut up the chocolate and dates into smaller pieces and then

blend all of the ingredients together, adding water gradually to change the consistency. It needs to be reasonably sticky so you can roll them into balls later on. Add more of the dry ingredients if its too wet and more water if it isn't binding. 

Step 2:

Line a baking tray with baking parchment and roll the mixture into bite size pieces. 

Step 3:

Put the balls in the fridge for half an hour to let them set. 

Step 4:

EAT!

I hope you enjoy these balls of yumminess! 

Speak soon

Isabel xx

Gluten & Dairy Free Basil Pesto

I absolutely love pesto, especially fresh pesto. So, when I altered my diet I then realised I could no longer eat normal pesto because of the cheese in it! I thought to myself, surely there is a dairy free one out there. I tried a jarred one, it was yummy, but I love a pungent basil pesto (basil is my favourite herb) and I feel like you can only get that if you make it from scratch... so that's what I did!

I had made traditional pesto before (basil, pine nuts, olive oil, parmesan cheese and garlic) so I kind of knew what I was doing... so I just chucked a few ingredients together and this is what I ended up with... 

Ingredients

Basil (2 cups)

Cashews (1 cup)

Garlic (2-3 gloves)

Olive Oil (1/2 cup)

Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Method

Pop the basil, cashews, garlic, salt and pepper into a food processor.

Put the lid on and gradually add the olive oil.

Feel free to add more or less of anything depending on the taste and consistency you prefer. 

This recipe is so easy to adapt, for example, change up the nuts to some pine nuts or walnuts. Personally I can't really tell a difference now there isn't any cheese in it!

I could eat this on its own, dip crackers into it or have it on toast. But I usually pop it in with some gluten free pasta with some chicken, bacon, onion, tomatoes. Such a quick and easy meal! The pesto lasts quite well too with the flavour intensifying everyday. I'm going to try it was some corgette spaghetti soon- I will let you know how that goes!

Enjoy!

Love 

Isabel x