Courgetti with Green Herb Pistachio Pesto, Feta and Lemon

This is simple to make and really impressive as a starter or for lunch with friends.  Courgettes are a good source of soluble fibre which helps to keep your digestive system in good health.  The feta provides protein and a lovely sharp tang.  I'll be making this tonight!

You will need:

200g feta

2 unwaxed lemons, 1 zested.

a good pinch of chilli flakes

60g shelled pistachios

extra virgin olive oil

a small bunch fresh mint

small bunch fresh basil

4 large courgettes

Put the pistachios in the oven to toast for 3-5 mins. Heat a frying pan and thinly slice a lemon, add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pan and fry the lemon slices until they are sticky and starting to brown.

Put the toasted pistachios into the food processor, adding the leaves from the basil and mint, add the juice of half a lemon and a good pinch of sea salt.  Add 4 tablespoons of olive oil and a tablespoon of cold water and pulse until you have a textured pesto and transfer to a bowl.  Once cool, chop the fried lemon slices and add to the pesto.

Use a julienne peeler or a spiralizer to make the courgetti.  Toss the pesto through the courgetti.  Crumble over the feta, adding lemon zest and chilli flakes.

 

 

 

 

Amazing Quinoa Burgers with Tomato Relish and Tahini Dressing

These are so delicious that I want to keep making them, probably a good idea to make double the quantity and freeze.  Serve this dish to any friends who are cynical about vegetarian food - you will blow their minds!

ingredients:

100g quinoa (200g ready cooked quinoa)

200g frozen peas

1 x 400g tin chickpeas

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

half tsp smoked paprika

4 dates

large bunch fresh parsley

1 tablespoon harissa

1 tsp Dijon mustard

50g sesame seeds

 

1 red onion, finely sliced

200g cherry tomatoes, chopped

balsamic vinegar

fresh coriander, chopped

 

salad leaves

 

dressing:

2 tablespoons tahini

6-8 tbsp boiling water

half a small garlic, finely chopped

150g natural yoghurt

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

3 tablespoons olive oil

half tsp sea salt

quarter tsp black pepper

(this makes twice as much as you will need – but good to have in fridge)

 

Toast the quinoa in a pan until it starts to pop and then add twice the volume of boiling water.  Cook until all the water has been absorbed and the quinoa grains have released their curly ‘tails’.

 

Cover the peas with boiling water and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

 

Add the drained chickpeas to a frying pan with the ground cumin, coriander and paprika and toast until all the moisture has gone.

 

Drain the peas and put in a dry bowl.  Tip in half the chickpeas and half the cooked quinoa, add the dates, parsley, harissa and mustard and use a hand blender to blitz the mixture until combined.  Stir in the remaining chickpeas and quinoa and mix well.  Form the mixture into 6 burgers and place on an oiled baking tray in the fridge whilst you make the relish.

 

Heat a little olive oil in a pan and fry the onion slowly for about 8 mins.  Add the cherry tomatoes and cook for a further 5 mins. Add a dash of balsamic vinegar.  Transfer to a bowl and add some coriander leaves.

 

Sprinkle the burgers with sesame seeds and bake in a hot oven for 20 mins.

 

To make the dressing whisk the tahini and water together to form a smooth paste.  Whisk in rest of ingredients.

Serve the burgers on a bed of salad leaves with the tahini dressing and relish - they are AMAZING!!!