Mixed Bean Casserole

Bean Casserole

I like bean casserole for Sunday brunch or light lunch. I made this for our lunch today. I forgot to soak beans this morning, so had to go down to the shops to get a canned bean 🙁 I try not to use canned foods but sometimes like today I have to. Boiling un-soaked beans can be a pain – taking way too long and not getting desired soft tender beans. Just make sure when you use canned beans, you need to drain and rinse thoroughly. Oh well.. I will be more prepared next time. My trick is to add cayenne pepper and preserved lemon in the casserole dishes, which gives nice kick and subtle lemony taste. It really makes a difference and gives much more flavour compared to when using just tomato based sauce. Runny egg right in the middle and melted brie cheese also adds creaminess to the dish as if I used butter to it. Delicious! Please don’t use a canned baked beans on toast for your breakfast, which is full of salt and preservatives. Make your own with your favorite ingredients!

1 can of mixed beans – Don’t be lazy like me. Soak your beans for a few hours or preferably over night. Any kinds of beans are good. Chick peas, broad beans, red kidney beans, black beans, etc
2 medium sized carrot
1/2 zucchini
1/3 green spring onion
1/2 preserved lemon, optional
basil
1 heap table spoon of tomato sauce
1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, optional
50g brie cheese
2 eggs
salt and pepper to taste

Cook your veggies and sauce in a wok or pan until they are cooked. Transfer to casserole dish. Make a little well and crack egg into it. Put brie cheese and spring onions on top. Microwave or bake in the preheated oven (180) until eggs are done to your liking. Drizzle e.v.o.o before serve. There is not really a rule making this bean casserole dish. Use whatever you like or you have in the fridge.

Coconut Almond Biscotti

Coconut biscotti

There are a few Italian treats I like. Crunchy biscotti with coffee, moist and sweet tiramisu, vanilla panna cotta and gelato. Especially having a cup of coffee and you feel like something with it.. biscotti is just perfect indulgence. You can even have for your breakfast. Nothing wrong with that! Have you tried with wine? Maybe you should! It’s super easy to make your own version at home. You can make gluten free, egg free and sugar free – it doesn’t mean you can have a whole jar of these yummy cookies though! I used coconut cream, dessicated coconut, rice flour, LSA, honey, a pinch of salt, baking soda, baking powder, vanilla extract, almonds and hazelnuts. I didn’t follow recipe or anything, so cannot remember exact amount of ingredients I put in there. When you make a healthier version of bread, muffins, cookies etc, you can use substitutes. Make your own spin on the basic recipe!

For example…
– coconut cream instead of heavy cream/ sour cream
– fruit puree (apple sauce, mashed banana), tofu, yogurt, cottage cheese instead of butter/ oil/ eggs
– stevia, honey, maple syrup, molasses, agave syrup instead of refined sugar
– almond milk, soy milk, rice milk, coconut milk instead of cow’s milk
– corn flour, rice flour, rye flour, buckwheat flour, coconut flour, spelt flour instead of all purpose flour

Personally I use coconut products, fruit, tofu and maple syrup in my baking. I find it tastes better for me (maybe worse if you like overly sweet and rich buttery flavour). It doesn’t sacrifice yummy taste, but heaps better for your body.

Examples of flavour combinations…
– pistachio and cranberries
– vanilla and almond
– chocolate and almonds
– orange, cranberry and white chocolate
– cinnamon, ginger and almond
– fig and orange
mmm…list goes on…You can add a bit of liquor for adult’s version as well.

Have fun baking biscotti x