Be Healthy even when you’re being Naughty!
Can you be Naughty and Healthy?
Being naughty is subjective. Really, it is.
You know what they say; a sin to you may be charity for me. Then again, I may have made that one up but you get what I mean.
The fact is many of us are looking to becoming healthier and for far too long now; fun cuisine and health have been on the opposite ends of a pogo stick.
But that’s all about to change.
Organic Foods are here to stay
Some of us may cringe at the thought of organic foods because in our mind it conjures up images of bland salads and vegetables with tofu cakes to follow a dismal meal, not a lot of people’s idea of fun.
I don’t blame you.
Organic foods can however, be a whole lot of scrumptious fun because they don’t just constitute boring greens, these individual raw ingredients when combined can make some killer meal plans.
Oh, and they do tend to taste better which has got to be a bonus.
Are Organic Food and Parties a Match made in Heaven?
Good food is also about letting loose a little and enjoying everything life has to offer, like chocolates and cakes, hot fries and sausages, but before it felt like partaking in taste bud glory meant listening to the devil on your right shoulder. Not anymore – yay for us and our angelic alter egos!
With a substantial increase in food allergies developing, more of us are looking at organic alternatives for what we put on our dining table, especially when entertaining guests. No one wants to be remembered for the catastrophic dinner that made Aunt Suzie look like Blowfish was on the menu. Which is why it’s a safer bet to use Organic foo
ds and better yet, maybe something you’ve actually grown and handpicked from the garden.
There are also a whole lot of options for Organic chocolates and sweets available nowadays which means that parents and kids are happy together. Try visiting your local health outlet and/or Cooperatives for some inspiration and now a simple Google search like this one can help you find caterers who revel in the natural option. Just target your search to suit your locality and needs and voila! You’re set.
Which brings us to the question, are Organic Foods and parties romantically compatible? We’d go one step further and declare them as soul mates.
Organic Party Food
Now we know you’re probably not going to believe us completely until we give you some handy hints for adopting the organic way of life.
So, here goes:
Try and stay seasonal.
Let’s face it, Mother Nature isn’t stupid. There’s got to be a reason why certain foods thrive in some seasons and lay dormant in others, why an organic tomato is so much smaller and “disfigured” in comparison to one of the perfectly shaped identical to one another tomatoes in the large supermarket store.
There’s a reason all strawberries aren’t created equally, why organically grown ones differ in colour, texture, shape and size. Even in taste. Is it really possible that all raspberries grown from the same plant look the same? Are we all identical, even when we’re siblings? Nope.
So why should our food be any different?
Frankly, it shouldn’t.
Stick to seasonal foods and your taste buds and body will thank you because you’re putting the exact nutrients your body needs at the time that you do into it, this is the true power of eating seasonal produce.
Now, if you’re strapped for some invigorating Gourmet Organic Food Recipes, don’t fret. We’ve got you covered:
Have we convinced you to take a trip down the Organic Highway?
Let us know about your experience with Organic Foods if you have any and if not, do you plan on trying this out? Why or Why Not? Share!
Know of someone who is thinking of organizing a party and is strapped for meal ideas? Why not share this article with them? They’re sure to thank you once their party hits it off!
Shorshe Chicken with Mustard Sauce
Serving Size: Approximately 4-6
Preparation and Cooking Time 1-1⅟₂ Hours
Ingredients
1 Kilogram Skinless Chicken Pieces with the bone
3 Tablespoons Nim-Véda Australia Extra Virgin Mustard Seed Oil
5 Large Raw Onions ground into a paste
2 Tablespoons freshly ground Ginger Paste
1 Tablespoon freshly ground Garlic Paste
4 large whole green chillies sliced in the centre
1 large tomato finely chopped
3 Tablespoons Yogurt
4 Whole Nim-Véda Australia Certified Organic Cloves
4 Dried Nim-Véda Australia Certified Organic Cardamom Pods
⅟₂ Inch Cinnamon Stick broken up into smaller bits
1⅟₂ Tablespoons Nim-Véda Australia Certified Organic Black Mustard Seeds
4 Tablespoons Nim-Véda Australia Certified Organic Yellow Mustard Seeds
Pinch of Nim-Véda Australia Certified Organic Turmeric Powder
1 Tablespoon Nim-Véda Australia Certified Organic Unbleached Sugar
⅓ – ⅟₂ cup fresh water
Finely chopped fresh coriander leaves for serving
Nim-Véda Australia Certified Organic Black mustard seeds for serving
Salt to taste
Method
First wash the chicken thoroughly and pat dry.
In a large mixing bowl add the onion paste, ginger paste, garlic paste, yogurt and mix well. Add the chicken and allow to sit for at least 1 hour. For best results, marinate and refrigerate overnight. In the meantime using a little water (1-3 teaspoons) grind the black and white mustard seeds until a paste forms.
In a large hot pan add the mustard oil, once the oil starts to smoke add the sugar and allow the sugar to caramelize. Add the cloves, dried cardamom pods, and cinnamon and cook until they release their aroma and crackle. Add the green chillies and cook for a further 1-2 minutes or until the chillies release a strong aroma.
Add the tomato to the pan and cook on low to medium heat for 1-2 minutes or until a thick gravy forms. Add the marinated chicken with all the remaining marination and cook for 20 minutes on low heat until the oil separates from the gravy and the chicken is a golden brown colour, making sure to toss the chicken at regular intervals. Add the turmeric powder and salt, and gently mix.
Add the water, (first add ⅓ cup – increase if you desire a thinner gravy). Cover the pan and cook for a further 20 minutes or until the chicken is completely cooked through, making sure to periodically stir the chicken to avoid burning.
Add the mustard seed paste and stir, allow to cook for a further 1-2 minutes. Serve on steamed Nim-Véda Australia Certified Organic basmati rice and top with black mustard seeds and freshly chopped coriander leaves.
Lemon, Honey and Turmeric Cake with Lemon Frosting
Preparation: 15- 20 Minutes
Cooking Time: 40 Minutes
Serves 8
Ingredients:
100gms unsalted butter at room temperature
2 tablespoons caster sugar
4 tablespoons Nim-Véda Australia Certified Organic Himalayan Honey with Turmeric
2 Eggs, beaten
175gms self-raising flour
1 teaspoon Nim-Véda Australia Certified Organic Cinnamon Powder
1 tablespoon water at room temperature
Zest of one Lemon
For Frosting
2 tablespoon lemon zest
125gms butter, cubed at room temperature
1½ cup sifted icing sugar
30mls milk
Method:
Preheat the oven to 190°C; grease and line a 20cm round tin with baking paper and set aside
In a large mixing bowl combine all the ingredients and mix with a wooden spoon until all the ingredients are combined completely and the mixture is a smooth consistency.
Spoon mixture into the prepared tin and bake in the Oven for 30 minutes or until the cake is springy to touch and a skewer inserted in comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to stand in the tin for 5 minutes.
Remove the cake from the tin and allow it to cool on a wire rack.
Place the butter in a large mixing bowl and beat on high until light and fluffy, add the icing sugar in parts and beat after each addition, continue to beat until the mixture is pale and fluffy.
Add the lemon zest and beat for a further 1 minute until completely combined. Gradually add the milk and beat until smooth and well combined.
When the cake is completely cool, frost cake with prepared lemon frosting and serve.
Have we convinced you to take a trip down the Organic Highway?
Let us know about your experience with Organic Foods if you have any and if not, do you plan on trying this out? Why or Why Not? Share!
Know of someone who is thinking of organizing a party and is strapped for meal ideas? Why not share this article with them? They’re sure to thank you once their party hits it off!
Guest blogger :
Mituri Pradip Sharma
Nim-Véda Australia
Website: http://www.nimveda.com
