Like most of you, every spring I pull myself up (off the floor, sometimes!!!) and think riiiiiiighhht, going to eat healthily, stop drinking and do more exercise. I ignore Dry July because winter is too depressing without a glass or two of wine to huddle over, and whatever else comes along, I think, yes, but not yet. Until Labour Weekend is in my sight and I remember once more, that flab is harder to shrug off than layers of warm winter wrapping. The swimsuit is tight. Damn. Got to address it. While I walk more and drink less (sometimes), I do eat less, and enjoy lighter foods. Bring on salads! I love them BIG, with lots of interesting stuff, and with enough substance so they make a meal. Here are two cool ways to make a salad feast, but there are no rules. You’ve got leftover chicken, meat or seafood, but not enough for a meal? Salad bowl it! A few spoonfuls of broad beans from the garden but not enough to serve as a side vegetable? Perfect. A few handfuls of herbs or salad leaves from the garden? Yes! Those first tiny tendrils of mini broccolini or a baby cucumber – into a salad bowl they go. Small amounts of food get lost in a big tossed salad, so ‘arrange’ the salad in a bowl, keeping ingredients separate. Add canned beans, hummus, eggs, avocado, labna, kasundi or chutney or pickle or anything else you can muster, and drizzle it all with fresh New Zealand extra virgin olive oil, a squirt of lemon and a good sprinkling of flaky sea salt. Delicious, and oh so good for you. Spring Salad Bowl Salmon Salad Bowl
I am often asked what to do with eggplants. They are notorious for soaking up oil when they are fried, but have a go at this easy way. They are magnificent, and easy, and use way less oil than if they were fried. Eggplant with Cucumber & Tomato Salad
There is a lot happening on Waiheke over the next month or two. We have just a few places left at the Te Matuku Cooking Class Thursday week. Check out the details here and get in quick if you are interested. Te Matuku Cooking Class
I also have spots available on my Spring Cooking Class Saturday 4th November. Check out the details here. And don’t forget, if you are interested in private classes for a group of friends during the summer months, or an event for Christmas, get in touch and book a date now. Shared Kitchen Cooking Classes
Waiheke Garden Festival takes place November 11th & 12th. There are all sorts of things happening over the weekend, including workshops and visits to some of Waiheke’s finest gardens, and there is the fabulous Garden Party at Sacred Blessing Sanctuary on Sunday. This garden is simply stunning. Linda Hallinan will be holding court, though she may be outshone by the resident tui who rules more than the roost, and I’ll be pumping out canapés. The Festival is the major fundraising event for the Jassy Dean Trust, a dedicated and spirited organisation that looks after sick children on the island. So come along, join in and feel good about feeling good! Here’s the link for all the information about getting here, what to see and how to get around Waiheke Garden Festival 2017.
Have a (healthy) week!
Julie
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