Avocado, Banana Smoothie

So you know when you first have a baby and the first foods to wean them on are avocado and banana smashed together.  I never tried it until now! But I can see why  babies like it.  I incorporated these two wonderful superpower food ingredients into the smoothie for today with blueberries full of antioxidants but to add a slight kick with a strawberry cordial running through it!

Such a creamy consistency. Blend yourself one…sit back and enjoy your weekend! Much love D x

INGREDIENTS

Half an avocado
1 small banana
Handful of frozen blueberries
200ml diluted strawberry cordial drink

METHOD

Blitz well in a blender or smoothie maker. Add water if you like it more juice like

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Grilled Portobello Sandwich

I enjoy stuffing mushrooms with rice, garlic, cheese. However with the Portobello mushroom I wanted it to be the star of the dish.  This healthy and delectable sink in your teeth kind of loaded sandwich has to be my best sandwich creation to date.  The mushroom acts as a meaty substitute and the rest of the flavours are mellow untill you get glorious chunks of crumbly feta that brings a salty and sour taste to your tastebuds!  I could eat this sandwich over and over again!

Come join me, much love, D x

INGREDIENTS

2 Portobello mushroom cups
1 large tomato sliced
1 avocado sliced
Handful of baby spinach
Feta cheese
Chilli & garlic dry mix
Mayonnaise
Toast 4 slices seeded bread
Butter
Salt to taste
Olive oil

METHOD

With a brush lightly oil both sides of the mushroom, having taken out the stalks.  Grill for 7 to 10 minutes until soft and slightly shrivelled

Take out of the the grill and generously season with salt, chilli and garlic powder

Butter the 2 toasts liberally, place the mushroom along with the rest of the ingredients, layer, season and then crumble feta over the top.  and complete with the second piece of toast

(Optional, a peri peri mayonnaise can be made by mixing a peri peri spice mix with a dollop of mayonnaise)

Serve your loaded mushroom toasted sandwich with lots of french fries!

Waffling Away….

Finally I was able to get my hands on a waffle maker.  I saw it sitting pretty in my parents kitchen and I knew I had to borrow it.  My 4 year old loves sweet waffles so I thought why not try some savoury ones.  But they weren’t for him! However my husband and I, just couldn’t stop eating them!

I think what makes them so moreish is the melted butter that is added to the batter. Makes the waffles taste wonderful and crispy.  So simple to prepare but you will need a waffle maker.  Hope you enjoy them friends!

INGREDIENTS

1-3/4 cups plain flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter melted
3 eggs
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated

METHOD

Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl

Add the melted butter, milk and eggs. Combine well. Throw in the cheese and give a final stir

Cook waffles in the waffle maker upon instructions

Top with avocado, cherry tomatoes and more grated mature cheddar cheese!

An Instant Taste Of Mexico

Yesterday I ate the most creamiest silkiest avocado ever.  It scooped out of its shell so easily and made for a lovely healthy snack.  Tangy, salty and spicy all my favourite flavours! 

It’s so satisfying when you know you’re eating something you really like and is very good for you!  I just had to share this flavour combination with you all…

You’ll need…

An avocado just ripe
Lime
Piri piri chilli spice mix
Salt

Slice avocado into half, season with salt, sprinkle on the spice mix and then saturate in fresh lime juice!

Yup that’s it! It was sooooo delish!

I’ll be back with a funky flatbread recipe very soon! Until then, have a beautiful day!! Much love, D x

Tuesday’s Top Tips

This week is going to be very hectic for me so I will be sharing recipes from the archives and some new recipes from you all too! I should be writing up new blog post and recipes next week. I have got so much to share…

Have a lovely day! Much love, D x

☆ To avoid the avocado going black once sliced. Place a slice of lemon onto the avocado half

☆ Refreshing Lemon & Lime ice blocks for water

Fresh Salsa Nachos

Dinner was ready but my husband very cheekily made some fresh salsa with cheese nachos. As soon as I realised he was chopping the ingredients, my camera quickly made an appearance. I captured quite a few pictures to share with you all.

I was soo tempted to eat some of the yummy ingredients as he prepped! But didn’t! It was totally worth the wait. You really can’t beat tangy fresh salsa, the flavours are incredible and with the cheese and crispiness of the tortilla….ummmm I don’t think I will have much dinner now!

INGREDIENTS

1 onion finely diced
1 tomato finely diced
2 tbsp freshly chopped coriander
1 avocado diced
1 chilli deseeded finely chopped
1/2 juice of lime
Pinch of salt

Tortilla chips
Grated cheese

METHOD

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, mix slowly together

On a microwave safe plate, place a layer of tortilla chips with cheese, melt in the microwave oven for 1 minute

Transfer into a bowl and add the salsa

Now grab your favourite drink, sit back and munch away! Taking some over to Fiesta Friday…

Yellow & Green, Healthy Colour Foods!

Healing Foods

So many of us have been told! Well I have been!!! By my lovely Mum to eat this or that. Prepare this for when your ill! This will help! I have always been open to home remedies first as I never liked taking medicine.

Coming from an Indian background and a Mum and Dad that will always find the best solution to help us. I have always been exposed to using food, herbs, spices and fruits in a healing manner.

Sometimes your body requires certain vitamins and minerals and you are informed through cravings! I strongly believe this as I start eating certain foods due to a strong craving and then find out I’m lacking in that particular food component!

When women are pregnant, we do listen to our bodies more. It’s like our precious little one is letting us know what he or she needs from us, in the form of nourishment. I think we should, men and women should pay more attention to what are bodies are telling us.

I think it’s always great to add certain foods to our diet to help alleviate symptoms and heal our bodies. Alongside science we can co exist and aid the illness or deficiency!

I will be sharing information with you all that will help your in day to day life. Which indeed thoroughly supports me in the way I eat and to make life that bit easier. A healthy body, is a healthy mind and a happy soul! ♡

If you have any amazing food facts or home remedies that work for you and your family, please feel free to share them with all of us. Just send me a link or email and I will add them to this series! Referring to you and your wonderful blogs xxx

I really hope you enjoy my new addition to Shivaay Delights and look forward to hearing from you all and your experiences with food that heals you!
Have a healthy and peaceful day!
Much love D x

Lovely lunch courtesy of Yellowscone

Yesterday I came across a post by fellow foodie blogger Karine @ Yellowscone and I was extremely attracted to this poached egg, avocado & tomato dish
I had all the ingredients apart from the thick wholegrain bread so I made it more English by using traditional muffins as the base for this wonderful recipe

From start to finish it took less than 10 minutes and your left with something very special. The colours are first thing you see, the deep red of the cherry tomatoes, the vibrant green of the avocado and the most striking yellow yolk smothering the muffin

Thank you Karine! It was beautiful and your poaching egg technique superb! Can’t wait to read more of your work!

The HEALTHIEST Cake I’ve Ever Baked!!!

Two ripe avocados sitting in my fridge staring at me…”We don’t want to be turned into a standard guacomole or just eaten as a salad component…please turn us into something exciting!!!”
Yes your reading correctly, the avocados spoke to me… Lol! 😉

No! These were my thoughts that prompted me into doing something very different from what I have done before. I’ve heard and seen people baking with avocados so it was my turn now. Pleasantly surprised at how soft and moist the loaf turned out and how extremely healthy it is apart from the sugar content!

A Fatless, butterless cake wooo hooo!!! Everyone who tried it couldn’t tell the main ingredient and it went down a treat especially with the zingy lemon icing sugar that hits your palette as you take your first bite!

Soooo simple….sooo quick and easy…great for those who crave cake but may have cholesterol issues! My little one said it was very tasty and children do not lie! So give it a go friends…much love D x

INGREDIENTS

For the cake
200g self raising flour
150g caster sugar
4 free range eggs
2 ripe avocados

For the topping
juice of half a lemon
4-6 tbsp icing sugar
Handful of flaked almonds

METHOD

• Preheat oven to 180°c/350°f/gas mark 4. Line and grease a loaf tin

• Beat sugar and eggs in an electric mixer for 5-7 minutes on a medium speed. So that the initial ingredients have doubled in volume

• Meanwhile mash and smooth out Avocado flesh into a very silky consistency. Should be similar to a soft butter consistency

• Add the flour and avocado to the egg mixture and mix until combined well

• Transfer the batter into the loaf tin and bake for 35-45 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack

To make the icing ~
• Gradually stir the lemon juice into the icing sugar and beat to get a thick sticky white consistency

• Once the loaf has cooled spread over the lemon icing and sprinkle with the flaked almonds