Not really so much of a recipe… more of a “hey, let’s bring these things together, because it works!” Continue reading
Roasted Beetroot, Sweet Potato & Feta
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Category Archives: Vegetable Dishes
Fragrant Butternut Pumpkin Soup
Our youngest son went from eating all manner of pureed vegetables when he was an infant, to almost a complete aversion to them when he became a child. It’s only recently that we’re seeing a gradual shift in his mind state when it comes to the consumption of vegetables. There’s not quite a sense of joy just yet, as he takes a mouthful, but we’re getting there… it’s a start! Continue reading
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Polenta-Crusted Roast Potatoes
I’m somewhat reticent to admit it, but the side dishes I prepare to accompany our main meals are invariably a way-too-simple selection of vegetables. Boiled, steamed, fried or roasted… depending on the dish they are to supplement and how much time I have to spend on preparing them. They are sadly more of an afterthought, than a feature. Eyes glancing through the crisper drawer once the main meal is underway, to work out what will go well. More of a means for getting nutritious vegetables into our bodies each and every day, than for pure enjoyment. Continue reading
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Pumpkin, Chorizo and Kale Frittata
Life sometimes gets in the way of blogging… just as blogging sometimes gets in the way of life. My usual weekly post got strung out to just over two weeks and it’s been haunting me that I’ve not found the time and energy to put something new out there. Cooking? I’ve been plating up dishes every single day, but to feed my hungry family… instead of my hungry blog. The depths of winter are taking their toll… short days… where it’s too dark at dinner-time to shoot any photographs. The winter solstice, but a couple of days ago… the beginnings of lightness of mind, in the knowledge that our days will only get longer from now on, until the sun beats down with warmth once again. Continue reading
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Italian Zucchini & Parmesan Soup
There was a monster in my garden! My stomach turned as I contemplated how to get rid of him. Should I slash at him ruthlessly, cutting him off from his life-supply? Should I preserve and bottle him like a specimen in the museum? Or should I leave him in situ in the interests of science to see how truly monstrous he could actually become? I had turned my back for a week or two and he had swelled and distended himself to become the zucchini magnificent that he is today. Continue reading
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Roasted Vegetable & Feta Salad
Realising how futile it is to ignore the fact that winter is coming, I’m determined not to spend too much time bemoaning this irreversible certainty. Somehow I need to embrace the fact that jackets and boots will soon need to be unearthed from the depths of my wardrobe and casserole pots along with pudding tins, brought down from the top shelf of the pantry, finding a more easy to reach home. However before I do all of this, I’m determined to sneak this one last salad onto Gather and Graze – it’s a warm one, so perfectly suited to the autumn we are now enjoying! It goes beautifully with grilled meat from the BBQ and a loaf of crusty bread. Continue reading
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Chicken & Vegetable Sausage Rolls
The school which my children attend has a wonderful canteen that offers an extensive array of healthy and delicious lunch options. Though a couple of days ago when I stopped by to chat with the lovely lady who runs the canteen, she mentioned that there were 3 items on their menu that she would love to see removed, due to them being overly processed and shipped in, packed frozen in boxes ready for re-heating.
She asked whether I might help by coming up with a couple of home-made replacements that we could get the kids to sample over the next two weeks, with a view to adding them permanently to the menu when school goes back next year.
So this week, I’ve started playing around with a recipe for home-made Chicken Sausage Rolls, packed with a flavoursome range of veggies, to keep those dear little bodies and minds as healthy as possible. My fingers are crossed that the kids will all give them the thumbs up when we pass around some samples at lunchtime next week! I’ll be sure to let you know if they are a success… or if it’s back to the drawing board.
Chicken & Vegetable Sausage Rolls | Gather and Graze
- 1 Brown Onion
- 1-2 Cloves of Garlic
- 1 Leek
- 1 Medium Carrot
- 750g Free-Range Chicken Mince
- 70g/¾ Cup Dried Breadcrumbs
- 1 Free-Range Egg (lightly beaten)
- 2 Tablespoons Parsley (finely chopped)
- 1 Teaspoon Dried Mixed Herbs
- 1 Teaspoon Sea Salt
- Freshly Ground Pepper
- 4 Sheets of Puff Pastry
- Egg Wash (1 Free-Range Egg beaten together with 1 Tablespoon Milk)
- Sesame Seeds (optional)
In a food processor (or by hand), very finely chop the onion, garlic, carrot and leek. Place into a large mixing bowl with the chicken, breadcrumbs, egg, herbs and seasonings and mix until well combined. Separate mixture into roughly 6 portions.
Cut each sheet of puff pastry in half and using hands, form a long sausage of mixture lengthways down the middle of each piece of pastry. Roll the pastry around the sausage mixture and use a little egg wash to help seal the seam. Cut each roll into about 6 smaller rolls and then place them (seam-side down) on baking trays lined with baking paper/parchment. Allow the un-cooked sausage rolls to rest in the fridge for about 15 minutes.
At this stage, pre-heat your oven to 200°C.
Just before placing in the oven, cut a couple of slits in the top of each roll (to avoid filling bursting from each end) and brush with a little egg wash. Bake at 200ºC for the first 15 minutes and then reduce the temperature to 180°C for a further 15 minutes, or until golden brown and fully cooked through.
Cooking Notes:
- The onion, garlic and leek can be gently fried in a little olive oil and then cooled before adding to the rest of the ingredients. I find that this isn’t necessary if all vegetables are very finely chopped – a simple task with a food processor.
- A variety of other vegetables could be added to this recipe – I’ll be trying some grated zucchini/courgette next time in lieu of the leek.
- If the mixture feels too sticky, add another tablespoon or two of breadcrumbs.
Gather & Graze 