In times of stress we tend to eat as it seems to soothe the soul. I have been busier than ever right now cooking constantly for everyone. It is very tempting to cook and bake sweet treats and deliciously fattening comfort foods, but I realised early on that we are going to be self isolating for quite some time then it probably would not be a good idea to just bake and eat.
So I exercise daily, whether it is a workout with weights and cardio, a yoga session from an app ,cleaning the house and walking the dog. We are fortunate to have so much available online and now there are a lot of apps that are free . We really have no excuse not to move our bodies. Now more than ever is the time to get yourself healthy or healthier .
So before you bake and eat, make sure that you are exercising your mind and your body and then bake and cook away but mix it up with healthy options too. I am going to share with you a few of our favourite quarantine recipes!
Banana bread I have seen so may recipes for banana bread, I guess it is a great way to use up old bananas. This recipe never lasts long in my house and has no eggs, no dairy yet is simple to make and still delicious.
You will need: 3 ripe bananas, 3 tbsp canola oil, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/2 cup honey. Mash the bananas and mix with the oil, vanilla and honey. If you do not have honey, I have used date syrup and it is just as good! Then add 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour and 1 1/2 tsp baking soda . Mix until just combined, do not over mix or it will be rubbery. Add a few handfuls of choc chips if you desire. Pour into a loaf tin and bake at 350f for about 50 mins or until a tester comes our clean.
- Fish is a great form of protein and the fish shop down the road from me delivers, nothing like supporting local business! Fish can be done in so many ways, but my favourite is a little oil and a lemon pepper salt seasoning and baking it. That’s it. Little lemon wedge and voila healthy and hearty . But this pistachio crusted salmon is always a hit in my house. This is for 4 salmon skinless fillets To make the crust which you can make the day before, simply mix 3/4 cup panko crumbs, 3/4 cup toasted and ground up pecans and fresh pepper. Then in a bowl, Mix 3 tbsp dijon, 3 tbsp maple syrup and 3 tbsp mayo and mix together. bush the salmon fillets all over with the mustard mixture then coat the fillet in the panko crumbs. lay in a greased baking dish spray with olive oil and bake until cooked about 20 mins on 350f.
- These RIBS take no time at all to prepare .simply marinate them then cook the in the oven for hours until sticky and flaky .Make sure you constantly turn the ribs and baste the marinade on them. Mix together for 12-16 ribs, 3/4 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup honey, 3/4 cup maple syrup or brown sugar, 1/4 cup worchestershire sauce and 5 tbsp soy sauce. marinate ribs for a while turning then bake in 350f oven until sticky and cooked, turning often.
- This Oreo Cheesecake really uses most of what you have in your fridge and I cannot guarantee that it will last very long, it never does in my house!
- Make the crust using 16 crushed oreos and 3 tbsp melted butter. mix together and pat down in bottom of springform pan. Mix together 3 250g packages of cream cheese, 3 eggs, 3/4 cup sugar and a tsp of vanilla until smooth and creamy, then add 6 chopped up oreos to batter and pour into the cake tin. sprinkle 3 crushed oreos on top and bake in a pre heated 350f oven for about 45 mins or until the centre is almost set. let cool, refrigerate and then gobble it up!
The recipes above come from various sources, feel free to add your own touch to them, I always do. The photos I got from online as the food has not stayed long enough in my house for me to take a photo!
Enjoy
What do you like to bake and cook?