July 2, 2020
Mediterranean Orzo Salad
This herby orzo salad is a crowd favourite and full of green flavours, bursting with fresh dill and mint, feta cheese and tangy lemon. It may look like rice, orzo is actually a small pasta and often used in Mediterranean recipes. INGREDIENTS
- 1 ¼ cup dry orzo pasta
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- ½ lemon, juice and zest (about 2 tablespoons juice)
- ¼ cup minced shallot or red onion
- ½ English cucumber (2 cups diced, or substitute a peeled standard cucumber)
- 2 roasted red peppers from a jar or ½ fresh red bell pepper (½ cup diced)
- 1/3 cup chopped dill, plus more for garnish
- 1/3 cup chopped mint
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbles
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, halved
- Black pepper
- Prepare the orzo according to the package instructions. Taste the orzo a few minutes before completion to ensure it’s ‘al dente’ (chewy, but with a little firmness in the centre). When it’s done, drain it and then rinse it under cold water until it comes to room temperature.
- Place the chickpeas in a bowl with the lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1/4-teaspoon kosher salt.
- Mince the red onion, and then place it in a bowl with water (this helps to remove the sharp onion taste). Dice the cucumber. Dice the roasted red pepper. Chop the herbs.
- Stir together the orzo, chickpeas and bowl of lemon juice, red onion, cucumber, red pepper, dill, mint, white wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, oregano, feta crumbles, black olives, and several grinds of black pepper. Taste and if necessary, season with more kosher salt.
Ingredients 400g organic free-range chicken thigh fillets, chopped into large pieces 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated (optional) 1 cup green beans, trimmed 1 cup broccolini, chopped 1 cup broccoli florets 1 cup snap peas ½ cup shelled edamame beans (fresh or frozen) 1–2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce Cracked black pepper, to taste Optional: squeeze of lemon or lime juice Wild Rice & Quinoa Base ½ cup wild rice½ cup quinoaWater as per packet instructions Pinch of salt2 tbsp hemp seeds (to finish) To Serve (optional) Sliced spring onion Sesame seedsExtra cracked pepper Instructions Step 1 - Cook the wild rice & quinoa Rinse both grains well. Cook separately or together according to packet instructions (wild rice takes longer). Once cooked, fluff and combine. Season lightly with salt and set aside. Step 2 - Cook the chicken Heat oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes, turning until lightly golden and mostly cooked through. Step 3 - Add aromatics Add garlic and ginger. Stir for 30–60 seconds until fragrant. Step 4 - Add the greens Add green beans, broccolini, broccoli, snap peas and edamame. Stir-fry for 3–5 minutes until vegetables are tender-crisp and bright green. Step 5 - Season Add tamari or soy sauce and cracked black pepper. Toss well to coat. Finish with a squeeze of lemon or lime if desired. Step 6 - Assemb le the bowls Spoon wild rice & quinoa into bowls. Top with chicken and greens. Sprinkle with hemp seeds, spring onion and sesame seeds if using. Nutrition and Cooking Times Prep time: 15 minutes | Cook time: 25 - 30 minutes Serves: 2 adult servings Nutrient Value: Calories: 680cal | Protein: 43g | Fat: 24g | Carbohydrates: 48g
Lower Body Push & Pull Workout
In this bulletin we discuss Fibres role in lowering LDL cholesterol. . .