Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

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Lemon poppyseed cakeWhen I caught up with my dearest friend from Singapore, she told me that it is illegal to take poppy seeds to their country. I was so surprised. Why??? The reason being is that every gram of seeds has about 33 micrograms of morphine and 14 micrograms of codeine. So…they are happy seeds? 🙂 That’s not enough to cause any ill effects from their use in baked goods, but it is enough to show up as a false positive result in drug tests. These seeds contain several vital minerals like zinc, calcium, magnesium, which is essential for the functioning of your body. They are an excellent source of carbs for energy and omega-3 fatty acids for healthy heart as well.

I just like looking at this cake – little dots of poppy seeds, moist inside and nicely browned outside of the loaf. Plus, it has the nuttiness, the crunchiness and the very distinct flavour from poppy seeds. Toasting these guys creates a nutty and sweet flavour. I think it needs more zingy lemon flavour and sweetness though. So if you have a sweet tooth, definitely add more sweetener or drizzle lemony icing on top. I packed a half of the loaf for my friend to take home. I’ve done so much baking recently and they are not disappearing quickly enough. Cakes, anyone? 🙂

Ingredients

200g self-raising flour
6 eggs
50g brown sugar
1 tbsp of honey
50g olive oil
1 lemon zest and juice
50g of poppy seeds
a pinch of salt

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and line a loaf pan with a baking paper. Toast poppy seeds in a pan for a couple of minutes until fragrant. Take it off the heat and set aside. Lightly beat the eggs in a mixing bowl. Add all ingredients in and stir to combine. Then pour the mixture into the pan and bake in the oven for 40-50 minutes or until cooked or a skewer comes out clean. Turn onto a wire rack to cool.

Posted in: Baking, Breakfast, Dessert, My recipes, Snack

Healthy Hot Chocolate

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Hot chocolateI have a long list of favorite comforting foods. Hot chocolate is one of them. Once you taste this healthy hot chocolate you won’t be able to order one at the cafe cause the cafe one is way too sweet. My version is made of raw cacao and almond milk, full of goodness and guilt-free. Raw cacao is full of antioxidants and happy hormone serotonin, boosting your immune system and mood. Almond milk has plant protein, healthy fats and vitamin E for healthy heart and glowing hair and skin. Trust me on this! It tastes incredible as good or even better than the conventional recipe.

Ingredients

1 cup of almond milk
1 tablespoon of coconut sugar (or any kind of sweetener you have)
2 tablespoons of raw cacao (not cocoa! don’t get confused >.<)
a pinch of sea salt
a pinch of cinnamon powder
a pinch of vanilla bean powder (paste or extract is fine)

Put all ingredients in a saucepan and heat gently. Stir and make sure all ingredients combine together. Pour into your favorite mug and enjoy x

Posted in: Drinks, Gluten Free, My recipes, Snack, Vegetarian

Spirulina Balls

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Spirulina is a natural “algae” (cyanbacteria) powder that is incredible high in protein and nutrients.

  • It is 65% protein and amino acids including the essential fatty acid which has gotten a lot of attention for ani-inflammatory properties
  • It contains Omega 3-,6 and 9s and is especially high in Omega-3s
  • It is extremely high in Chlorophyll, which helps remove toxins from the blood and boost the immune system
  • It has a very high concentration of bio-available iron and is excellent during pregnancy and for those with anemia and will not cause constipation
  • It is also incredibly high in calcium with over 26 times the calcium in milk
  • Some research has suggested that Spirulina may be helpful in allergies and allergic reactions
  • Spirulina can bind with heavy metals in the body and help remove them
  • It can increase fat burning during exercise
  • Spirulina contains more than 60% vegetable protein, which is much higher than fish, pork, or beef

Amazing! You can add a teaspoon in your smoothie, breakfast cereal bowl, yogurt, muffins or even make a salad dressing with it. Love this funky green powder 🙂 

SpirulinaA teaspoon of spirulina, bee pollen, goji berries and buckwheat on yogurt. Yummy breakfast or snack!
Spirulina BallsThese power balls are a great snack keeping you fueled and energised throughout the day.  It is simple, healthy and takes only 10 minutes to make. Keep them in the fridge and enjoy any time of the day!

Ingredients

100g nuts of your choice e.g. almonds, cashews, walnuts, pecans
1 small ripe banana
a pinch of Himalayan salt
a teaspoon of spirulina powder
a teaspoon of chia seeds
a teaspoon of bee pollen
a teaspoon of cinnamon powder
5 Medjool dates
a teaspoon of vanilla extract
cacao powder + chia seeds to roll

Blend all ingredients in a food processor until it comes together. Add a bit of water if too dry. Make little balls and roll in cacao powder and chia seeds. Keep them in an air-tight container in the fridge. You can change the recipe depending on what you have in your pantry – any nuts, dried fruits, coconut, etc. Have fun making them x

 

Posted in: Gluten Free, My recipes, Snack, Vegetarian

Chocolate Cake For Weekend Breakfast

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Chocolate CakeFrench press, or plunger, is an easy and consistent way to brew coffee at home. Here is what we do.

  • For one and a bit cups, you’ll need 20 grams (about two tablespoons of beans/ground coffee) and 300ml of boiled water.
  • Drop your freshly ground coffee (6-8g) into your plunger pot.
  • Let the boiling water stand for 1 minute – pouring boiling water over the coffee could burn it, which would give you a cup of coffee with a bitter taste.
  • Pour the boiling water into your coffee cup as well to warm it up.
  • Add the boiled water vigorously (or stir quickly) to wet all the grounds. Let it brew for three minutes. Use a timer or clock if you’re a perfectionist!
  • Plunge it down carefully. If you push the plunger down too quickly, the grains can come up the sides.
  • If you can’t push the plunger down with two fingers then you have ground your coffee too fine, and it may not taste as desired.
  • Pour the brewed coffee into the pre-warmed coffee cup and enjoy!

Chocolate Cake1Ingredients

1/3 cup melted coconut oil
3 tablespoons cacao powder
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup almond meal
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar
1 egg
a pinch of sea salt

Add all wet ingredients in a large bowl. Sift dry ingredients and add into wet ingredients. Stir and combine well with a spatula. Pour the mixture into a cake tin and bake in the preheated oven (180) for 30 minutes or until cooked. Let it cool before you remove from the tin.

Posted in: Baking, Breakfast, Dessert, Gluten Free, My recipes, Snack

Sweet and Spicy Edamame and Broad Beans

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Edamame1You might have tried edamame as an entree or side dish at the Japanese restaurant. It is just a fancy name for cooked green soybeans in the pod. Edamame are a powerhouse of nutrition. They’re low in fat and calories and high in protein (one of the few plant sources of complete protein), fiber and almost every other essential vitamin and mineral. Good news for ladies? Because soy is also a good source of calcium, it helps those with osteoporosis or osteopenia (decreased bone mass, which I’ve got unfortunately). Studies also have suggested that soy also helps alleviate symptoms of menopause. Don’t worry guys. It may have positive effects on preventing prostate cancer, too. So enough on nutrition facts! How do I use them? Make a great snack, of course, as the recipe below. Other suggestions are edamame hummus with healthy pita chips, mashed edamame on toast, in your casserole or stir-fry or salads. It all sounds yummy, right? I like cooking them in the pods. Then it is fun to peel them, pop the beans into your mouth and lick on your fingers. It is a fabulous appetiser or healthy snack. I hope you try this recipe x
EdamameIngredients

200g frozen edamame in shell
200g frozen broad beans
1 tsp of soy sauce
1/2 tsp of raw honey
1/2 tsp of minced garlic
1/2 tsp of chilli flakes
1/2 tsp of smoked paprika
1 tsp of sesame oil
1 tsp of sesame seeds
salt and pepper to taste

Boil frozen edamame pods and broad beans in a boiling water for 1-2 minutes and drain. In the meantime, mix other ingredients in a bowl. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add the soy mixture in. When it starts to bubble, stir in edamame and broad beans and cook for 5-10 minutes, keep stirring until the liquid is evaporated.

Posted in: Gluten Free, salads, Snack, Vegetarian