FRIDAY: Bills Influence

Last night I was looking for a simple, tasty meal when I remembered one of my favourite Bill Granger Recipes from an issue of Delicious Magazine.

Garlic, Chilli, Spinach and Wine Spaghetti



It fit the bill perfectly, super simple, fast and so full of flavour, which surprises you when you consider how few ingredients it contains.

Until next time (which will be soon, I promise)
Tamara xx

Detox Days

Well after our rather indulgent weekend, and the fact that the waistband seems to have tightened just a wee bit, this week was devoted to detoxing my body. So that pretty much meant only fruit, vege and legumes, which makes for mostly boring food, hence the lack of photos. Though Thursdays dinner was the exception, still meeting my detox plan, it was full of flavour, healthy and also looked good!

Roasted Vege with Quinoa



Pumpkin, kumara, yam, onion, courgette and asparagus, dusted with smoked paprika, salt and pepper, roasted and served upon a bed of quinoa, drizzled with some grassy extra virgin olive oil.

I certainly am feeling better for my detox, but i'm back to normal food now and just focusing on making healthy choices and having smaller portions.
Tamara xx

SUNDAY: 'Ave an Avocado

Yay its avocado season again. No more ridiculously expensive prices and more creamy, green Avocado. To celebrate I dined on Tomato & Avocado Toast for Sunday lunch. Mmm




One of my fave thing to do with avocado is make a salad of just avocado and feta. So good!
Tamara xx

THURSDAY: Dinner Out of a Packet??

At Moore Wilsons the other day, Shaun came across some packages ready made risottos and soups that looked rather tasty, especially for ready made meals. On the search for tasty lunch ideas that don't involve driving to McDonalds, or consuming curry five times a week, he decided to get one and see how it tasted. So last night we trialled it for dinner. Lemon, Pea & Cream Risotto.

The Results: Damn tasty, actually.



The Brand: Naked Organics. All ingredients 100% Organic and 100% Tasty
Tamara xx

SUNDAY: A Bowl of Warming Soup

After an 'fun' afternoon of severe stomach cramps and a trip to the busy Accident & Emergency, cooking up a scrummy dinner was not on the list of priority for me. Instead with still mild cramping, a headache and tiredness, all I wanted was a quick, healthy dinner that didn't need me to cook it and then to crawl into bed.




Luckily the day before, I had whipped up a big pot of Pumpkin Soup for lunches the coming week. So my darling fiancee heated me a bowl, dolloped it with greek yoghurt and served it to me with toast soldiers.

Great food for when you are down!
Tamara xx

WEDNESDAY: Takeaway Treats @ Home

Shaun and I both love kebabs, my favourite has always been Falafel, as has Shauns in more recent times. But realising our 'healthy' takeaway treat is in fact deep fried (the falafel that is), prompted us to make our own healthier version at home, which after all is really quite easy, with all the neccesary ingredients (including sauces) staple items in our household. So here is our homemade version of Falafel Kebabs:



(Not the best pic, sorry)

Falafel (dry fried in a pan) with lettuce, onion, carrots, sauced up with tahini, garlic yoghurt and sweet chilli, all wrapped up in a gourmet sundried tomato and basil wrap.

Thats a wrap.
Tamara xx

MONDAY: A Light Dinner

Shaun and I are both off work this day, just taking some time out to spend together and celebrate our 3 year anniversary, so we'll be a wee bit naughty this week, indulging in cooked breakfasts, and lunch and dinners out. Today to start off we had a bacon, mushroom and spinach omlette, followed by BK lunch (so naughty) and to fufill Shauns fatty craving, sausage rolls for afternoon tea. After all those calories, dinner needed to be a lighter affair with fresh tastes and some veges. Along comes Linguini Primavera.




I'm not sure how traditional this is, but I wanted a simple pasta dish to show off the new season spring produce.....and the very first of the ASPARAGUS! It is snow peas, courgette, asparagus with linguini, parmesan and pine nuts, drizzled with garlic infused oil.

A perfect meal for the beginning of spring, hurah!
Tamara xx

THURSDAY: A night at the Ballet

I had a lovely night last night, going to see the Ballet (Cinderella) with my Mum who has just got back from Europe. Beforehand we went out for Dinner to Zico, and italian restaurant in Wellington. I had the Quail on Truffled Tagliatelle while Mum had Lamb Cutlets on Parmesan Risotto. Our meals were nice, but nothing to wow about. Maybe we've both just become to fussy after dining with the real Italians in Rome. And also service in NZ in general is shocking compared to what you recieve in Europe, it can really ruin a good night out.

Anyway, apologies are due as I forgot to take my camera with me last night, so alas, no photos.

However to keep you going, here was my simple, yet delish lunch:



Toastie Sandwhich of Semi-dried tomato, courgette, baby spinach, mushroom, pesto & cheese.

And thats it for me,
Tamara xx

WEDNESDAY: Munching Curry

I absolutely adore curry! Just over a year ago I refused to eat it, until some friends made me try it.....and ever since then i've been a full blown curry adict!

So dinner tonight was curry. I've had a go at making my own, buts it is never as good as the real deal, so it was takeaways from my fave curry restaurant, Tulsi.



Saag Aloo (Potatoes cooked in a spinach sauce). Its another case of not the prettiest thing, but damn tasty. Its rather healthy too as it contains no dairy products (so no cream) and its no oily, yet it tastes creamy and delicious.

Accompanied by Basmati Rice and Garlic Naan.

Tamara xx

MONDAY: Italian Mama Style....

Chickpea and Leek Soup



A sofrito of onion, celery, leeks and garlic, slowly and lovingly cooked till translucent. Chickpeas and stock added and simmers until chickpeas are meltingly tender. Partially pureed, seasoned well and finished off with the addition of wilted spinach.

Drizzled with the best NZ extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkled with smoked paprika (after reading too many middle eastern cookbooks, where this is often the garnish)

Served with toasted Sourdough and 2006 Seifried Gewurztraminer (Nelson, New Zealand)

Recipe from Cuisine Magazine