Steak salad with dukkah

My night to cook for the whanau and I was pretty excited about this one as we have recently acquired two new recipe books in the house! 

'Simple Pleasures' by Annabel Langbein (you can also catch her on TV, I really like her... She seems so down-to-earth and has a garden to die for!). And the second Revive Cafe cook book! I was so stoked to hear about this release!!!! The first Revive Cafe book literally changed the way I approached cooking and I have never looked back since - If you haven't heard about it.. GET INVOLVED! It is completely vegetarian but FULL of the most amazing recipes!

Anyway.. Tonight I took a recipe from 'Simple Pleasures' and added my own twist on it, purely because I lacked a few ingredients :)

I won't share the recipe here as I do believe that if you really want it you should buy her amazing recipe book - However if you want to cook it and you are broke like me you can email me and I will lend you a few secrets ;)

I first created a Dukkah mix which for me included: cashew nuts, almonds, sesame seeds, coriander seeds,  cumin seeds and fennel seeds. 

Then I made a balsamic glaze and marinated the sirloin steak in this for a few hours - I also added some extra salt&pepper and coriander. To add some depth and volume to the salad I prepared red peppers, eggplants and pumpkin to grill on the BBQ also.

Needless to say this meal was an absolute HIT with all members of the tribe and we ate well :)

Healthy eating everyone !!!!

Blogged by: Megan

Tumeric - My new Super Spice!

 So the last few days I have been experiencing dry skin on my upper cheeks and there is nothing that frustrates me more than having issues with my skin. So I did a bit of research on home remedies especially face masks and came across many articles that suggested Tumeric as a cure for not only dry skin but also (apparently) quote 'helps the treatment of acne blemishes, blackheads, dark spots and hyperpigmentation and other skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It helps heal and prevent dry skin, and to slow the skin aging process, and is used to diminish wrinkles, keep skin supple and improve skin’s elasticity. Tumeric is also being used as an ingredient in sunscreens. It is used daily by East Indian women as a facial cleanser and exfoliant.' http://multiculturalbeauty.about.com.

I am convinced immediately! PLUS my latest fad in cooking is highly South East Asian inspired (my 'boss' is from Pakistan and this influences me everyday more), so I love the fact that I can bring this spice into other areas of my life LOL. Apparently Thandie Newton places a sprinkle of Tumeric in her daily moisturiser and works a treat for her! SO I ignored all the warnings for white woman trying these face masks may cause yellow staining to skin HAHA and produced the following:

Tumeric face mask for dry skin & colour lift:

1 Tbsp of Rice flour (because I have become a normal flour snob as of late)
1/4 tsp of Tumeric powder
2 Tbsp of Coconut Oil

Method:

1. Mix flour and Tumeric together
2. Chuck in the Coconut Oil, which at first is hard so you need to mix this well till it creates a thick paste.
3. Apply to the skin CAREFULLY! The paste may crumble a bit so make sure you are doing it in a suitable place ie. not infront of the mirror in the garage with a white carpet underneath = yellow stains hmm NOT GOOD!
4. Leave on for 15 minutes and then wash off with a DARK coloured hot face cloth.

NB: Excuse the rank photo but this is just after taking the mask off and with no make up ;)

FEELING GOOD?

Blogged by: Megan