A little nutty…

I am glad you enjoyed the 10 random facts about me!

It seems I am not alone in my huge fear of birds. It's quite strange - spiders, snakes, bugs...meh no problems at all. But put a pigeon near me and I will run a mile. I must admit that Conor's recent experience with a swooping magpie has left me feeling quite uneasy - given that I didn’t think swooping season started for another month or so! Hmmm note to self: must "invite" Mr BBB to accompany me on my next few runs....

Today's "workout" was in fact, a commute. I dropped my car off for a service this morning, and Mr BBB dropped me off at work with my bike. So, this afternoon, I rode the 15km or so, albeit in the rain, to the garage to collect my car.  Gotta love workouts that are both practical and time effective!

So, workout complete, the next question was what to have for dinner.

Tonight's Mystery Box ingredient was a little nutty:

Peanuts!

        

Did you know? Peanuts are rich in phytosterols, which can inhibit cancer growth and protect against heart disease. They are also a good source of monounsaturated fat, which has been linked to lowering blood cholesterol levels.

With such an awesome ingredient for inspiration, the dinner options were endless. However, my mind kept wandering then coming back to one idea,  Satay.

So Satay it was.

I processed a good amount of peanuts with chilli, until they formed a peanut butter, of sorts.

Then added it to a pan with garlic, coconut milk, lime juice and tamari, and cooked until fragrant.

Meanwhile I cut up a heap of veggies...

Stir fried with strips of organic beef.

            

When the beef had browned, I added the satay sauce mixture and cooked stirring for a few minutes.

Served atop a beg of brown rice.

Topped with coriander and crushed peanuts.

The satay flavours were light but tasty.

Next time I would probably add a little more chilli, because this girl likes her spice!

But overall, beats a packet mix any day!

A nutty way to end the day!

Sizzling Satay Sauce

• 100g peanuts
• 2 red chillies, chopped
• 1tbs olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 200ml coconut milk (light)
• 2 tbs tamari
• 1tbs lime juice

1. Process nuts and chilli in a food processor until a butter forms.
2. Heat oil in frypan over medium to high heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
3. Add milk, coconut milk, tamari and lime juice.
4. Simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Pour over vegetables / meat, or cook into a stir-fry.

Meanwhile, its time for a little dessert :)

What about you? How do you like to cook with peanuts?

Happy Baking :)

Let’s talk random…

This morning started with the standard 5am wake up call and a trip to the gym for lower body weights and run session. My shoulders are actually feeling a tad sore from last night's Body Balance class, which is a good thing. I really tried to focus on stretching deeply into the exercises during the class, so it is quite nice to feel that little post-workout reward. And, if the level of shakiness in my legs when going down the stairs after the gym this morning is anything to go by, I might just feel a tad sore in my legs tomorrow too!

The ever-inspiring runner, aka Matt, tagged me to post 10 random things about me.  So, let's talk random shall we?

1. I am so very scared of birds. Don't even get me started on magpie swooping season. I have been known to get Mr BBB to ride along beside me when I run during magpie swooping season as I figure he is a "bigger target" so to speak. Ever the loving wife I am......
2. I was in the army for 2 years. Fresh out of high school I joined the army and had an absolute blast (excuse the pun). In the end, however, I decided that a life of moving cities / postings was not for me, and perhaps khaki was not my colour, and I went to university instead.
3. I moved out of home, and to a new city, at age 17 (see no 2 above).  I miss my family terribly as they still live in Melbourne - and try to go see them as often as my bank balance allows.
4. My dream job would be to own GF bakery / patisserie in the country somewhere. One day Lisa, one day.... ;)
5. I feel most at peace when I am outdoors. I work in an office all day, so make the most of getting 'outside' when I can.
6. I hate the cold, but live in one of Australia's coldest cities. I still haven't quite worked this one out?!
7. I love reality tv - the trashier the better. Be it Masterchef, Big Brother, the Kardashians...you name it, I have probably spent too much time watching it!
8. Mr BBB and I knocked down old house and are building a new house in its place! This is currently a work in progress, and the slab has just been poured. We hope it will be finished by Christmas, or should I say, "it better be finished by Christmas" seeing as I have invited the entire family over for Christmas lunch.
9. I hate crunches / ab exercises. I do them, but I am hopeless at them (which is perhaps why I hate them?)
10. I was adopted when I was 6 weeks old. I am lucky enough to have wonderfully supportive adoptive parents who were so very open and honest with me from such a young age. They encouraged me to ask questions, and to openly discuss the adoption with them. I have also met my birth mother and family - who are now a big part of my life.

So there you have it! 10 random things about BBB! I am sure there are hundreds more, but we will just have to save those for another day...

And, in keeping with today's theme, tonight's dinner was also, well, random!

I was keen to try this black bean spaghetti which I picked up a few weeks ago.

          

Next question....what to make with it?

I popped the spaghetti on the stove to boil, then opened the fridge, pulled out a bunch of ingredients and randomly started throwing them into a pan.

Starting with zucchinis, grated and sautéed in a little olive oil with garlic, onion and semi dried tomatoes. Oh and a sprinkle of chilli flakes.

When the mixture had softened, I added the cooked and drained pasta and allowed it to cool slightly.

Meanwhile, I mixed together some ricotta, a couple of eggs and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Then poured it over the pasta mixture, stirring until well combined.

And poured into a lightly greased tin, topping with another sprinkle of parmesan and a couple tablespoons of GF breadcrumbs.

Into the oven for 30 minutes.

My oh my. It may not be the prettiest thing you will see on this blog, but talk about tasty!

     

The black bean pasta was so very wonderful, and in no way slimy like GF pasta can often be. Let’s just say I am super impressed, and will be going on missions to buy more of this pasta in the not too distant future!

Black Bean Spaghetti Pie

• 1pkt black bean spaghetti, cooked as per packet directions and drained.
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 2 zucchinis, grated
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 100g semi dried tomatoes
• 100g ricotta cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese + 2 tbs for topping
• 2tbs GF breadcrumbs

1. Preheat oven to 200C.
2. Heat oil in a frypan over a medium heat. Add zucchini, garlic, onion and semi dried tomatoes, and cook until softened. Remove from heat.
3. Combine pasta and zucchini mix in a large bowl until thoroughly combined.
4. In a separate bowl, combine ricotta, eggs and parmesan. Add to pasta and stir until well combined.
5. Pour mixture into a lightly greased casserole dish or cake tin.
6. Sprinkle with extra parmesan and breadcrumbs.
7. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the top has browned slightly.

And in other random news.....check out the forecast for Saturday's trail race:

• Saturday Possible shower. Windy. Min 5 Max 14

Hmmm - here's hoping the rain stays away, or it could end up a little muddy out there. Well, perhaps not as muddy as this race though....

Happy Baking :)

Cosy corn chowder

There were a few things that happened today which took me off guard. Nothing too serious, just a few things that left me feeing slightly anxious and unsettled. Our planned Tuesday night Body Balance class was, however, the perfect cure.

One hour of stretching and strength poses later, and I was feeling calmer and more 'balanced' if you will.  I even tried to use some of your wonderful tips from last week during the meditation section of the class.

Before class I set about getting tonight's dinner on the stove so that it would be ready for when we arrived home. The only downside to our class is that it doesn't finish until 8.  So prior preparation and planning is a must!

Tonight's Mystery Box ingredient....

            

Corn!

Did you know? Corn is a great source of fibre which can assist with lowering cholesterol and digestion problems. It is also rich in B1 (thiamin) and folate, and contains antioxidants, useful in fighting cancer causing free radicals.

With such a versatile ingredient for inspiration, the options for dinner were endless. However, to 'showcase' what is one of my all time favourite vegetables, I decided to make a corn chowder. Which, by its very nature, is really nothing but corn!

While a lot of corn chowders are heavy on cream or milk, I wanted to make a lighter version.

No cream, lots of herbs, and lots of flavour. That was the aim this evening.

Before class I prepped the chowder, and pureed it until smooth. Then, when we arrived home, it was simply a matter of stirring through the extra corn kernels and reheating....

Topped with a sprinkle of feta and parsley.

And, just in case the chowder was not enough to showcase this wonderful ingredient, I baked a stack of corn tortilla "chips".

Perfect for dipping into the warm and "cosy" bowl of chowder.

The "three C's" if you please....

Cosy Corn Chowder

• 6 large corn cobs
• 2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 red onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 1 tbs corn flour
• 2 cups vegetable stock
• 4 cups water
• 2 tsp coriander, ground
• 1 tsp cumin, ground
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• Parsley and feta to serve

1. Remove kernels from the corn cobs, and save 3 of the cobs.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pan and sautée the onion and garlic until translucent. Add cornflour and cook stirring for 1 minute.
3. Add stock, 3 cup of water, 3/4 of the kernels, 3 cobs, potatoes and herbs.
4. Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender. Season to taste.
5. Remove the cobs and cool the chowder slightly.
6. Blend in batches until smooth. Return to the heat and stir through the remaining corn kernels. Heat until thick and creamy.
7. Divide among serving bowls and top with parsley and feta.

Corn Tortilla Chips

1. Spray corn tortillas with olive oil and cut into "chips". Bake on a lined tray at 180C for 15 minutes, or until toasted, flipping once.

What about you? What is your favourite dish using corn?

Happy Baking :)

Muffin Monday

Hello there and welcome to the start of a new week!

I don’t know whether it was the trail run on Saturday or the afternoon of painting / renovating, or perhaps it was both, but I woke up yesterday with some delightfully sore leg / butt muscles. I say delightful because it was the kind of sore that you just know means you had a killer workout. I can only imagine how I will feel after 16kms of trail running next weekend ... but bring it on I say!

The weekend disappeared before I knew it - although Mr BBB and I did have time yesterday to fit in a 10km bike ride, a lovely lunch at a local cafe, and finish the weekend with a Sunday roast. Trail run + family time + biking + great food = a perfect weekend  really.

Tonight my legs asked for a rest, and although my mind was itching to head out for a run, I obliged and opted for a rest day. So, finding myself with some time to spare, I decided to indulge my other hobby....baking!

I had seen this recipe for Zucchini muffins a while ago on Ashley's blog, and knowing I had most of the ingredients on hand, set about making a batch.

 

I switched the wheat flour for spelt flour, and stevia for sucanat. I also used a combination of cashew nut and sunflower nut butter, together with rice milk.

I topped some with walnuts...

Some with sultanas...

And the remainder with shredded coconut.

Oh my - talk about light and moist!

A delightful muffin that will be sure to make another appearance, in some shape or form, sometime soon.

I must say that muffin making before dinner is quite dangerous. It seems the aroma of freshly baking muffins can test even the strongest of wills!

So, as soon as the muffins were out of the oven I set about making a quick and easy dinner to keep the hunger pangs at bay (and in an attempt to refrain from eating half the batch fresh out of the oven!).

During a pantry “raid” I came across this jar of goodness hiding up the back.

      

Mmmmm Chilli Jam. Smeared on tofu and baked for 40 minutes.

Spicy and sweet.

Served on a slice of GF olive bread, with some fresh basil and a slice of mozzarella.

With a good heap of sweet potato garlic mash.

And peas, carrots and brussels.

Another tasty, albeit random, dinner. The chilli jam tofu will certainly be repeated sometime soon.

But right now a muffin is calling my name!

Happy Baking :)

By numbers

Today I woke up to sunny skies and even a little warmth (dare I say Spring is coming?…..). Perfect conditions for a morning run.

I decided to hit up some ‘trails’ in anticipation of next week’s 16km race – which is all off road.

As you know, I am not a fan of treadmills. To me, a treadmill is a run “by numbers”. Kilometres run, time elapsed, kilometres to go, time to go, incline……you get the drift.

But as I discovered this morning, even an outdoor run can be “by numbers”.

“Around the mountain” trails intended to run: 1

Times getting lost whilst running the trail: 2

Summits intended to climb: 0

Summits actually climbed: 1

Gorgeous view to reward a geographical embarrassment: 1

(For perspective of the climb, my car was parked near the white building at the centre-bottom of the photo….)

Calves sore after tackling some crazy hills: 2

Kangaroos seen: 8

Gorgeous trails: too many to count

 

Kilometres run: around 10

While I may have gotten a little lost, resulting in an unintended climb to the summit, I had a wonderful time this morning. The trails, the bushland, the quiet –’twas  everything I love about outdoor running.

My workout did not stop there though. After a quick shower and lunch, I headed to my sister in laws house to help her paint her house!

Cornices painted: too many.

Staples removed from the old flooring: 1000s ….  (and if only I was joking ;)

Needless to say I feel like I have had a complete body workout today! Not to mention being starving for dinner.

I invited our fellow painters and home renovators over this evening – with the promise of burgers and rugby (the Wallabies were playing).

Two types of burgers were made.

Italian beef – with oregano and sundried tomatoes.

Chickpea and Vegetable – using Ashley’s wonderful recipe.

Salads were cut…

And a delightful burger evening was had!

Served with potato and sweet potato fries…

Must get back to the game…

Go Wallabies!

Happy Baking :)