August 2015 - Emma's Little Kitchen

August 28, 2015

Blackberry Basil Chia Jam

This sweet-tart blackberry chia jam is quick and easy to prepare, and healthy too! Blackberries are always a fruit I associate with the beginning of the school year. That time in late August to early September when the long summer days draw to a close, …

Condiments

by Emma

8 Comments

August 21, 2015

Watermelon Raspberry Mint Smoothie

This watermelon raspberry mint smoothie is outrageously refreshing and hydrating! A couple of weekends ago, my darling husband woke up feeling under the weather. Some sort of mysterious Summer “Flu” (I use air quotes because, isn’t it always “flu” when husbands are concerned?). Anyway, he …

Breakfast, Drinks

by Emma

8 Comments

August 17, 2015

Simple Spicy Quinoa Bean Salad

This ridiculously easy spicy quinoa bean salad is perfect for Summer!

I don’t know about you, but I’m always a little flummoxed when asked to bring a “dish to pass” to a social gathering. I overthink it. I scan pinterest looking for a showstopping recipe, I integrate my poor husband, I over analyze, I get flustered. Nobody wants the to be the bringer of the dreaded “untouched” salad, but why do I torture myself so?! Usually the most popular dish at any potluck is simple, delicious, and easy to prepare. So relax, I’ve got you (and myself!) covered with this ridiculously easy and tasty spicy quinoa bean salad.

Enjoy!

Simple Spicy Quinoa Bean Salad

Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

Total time

20 mins

Ridiculously easy spicy quinoa bean salad, perfect for Summer!

Author: Emma

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

½ sweet onion or red onion, finely chopped
Juice of 1 lime
½ cup quinoa
1 red pepper, finely chopped
1 tin kidney beans/2 cups cooked kidney beans (or any other bean you have to hand!)
2 cups frozen sweetcorn (no need to thaw)
1-2 tbsp hot sauce depending on how spicy you like it
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp cumin

Method

Place the chopped onions in a large bowl, squeeze in the lime juice, and place in the fridge while you prepare the other ingredients
Cook the quinoa, and add to the onion-lime mix
Chop the pepper, and add to the onion-lime mix
Add the beans, sweetcorn, hot sauce, olive oil and cumin. Give everything a good mix, and pop back in the fridge for half an hour or so to let the flavours mingle!

Mains, Salads

by Emma

9 Comments

August 12, 2015

A Week On My Plate

Greetings Friends! I’m changing things up a little with todays post. Instead of a new recipe, I thought it might be fun to share what a weeks worth of meals really look like in Emma’s Little Kitchen. ELK Stripped, if you will. When I first …

Uncategorized

by Emma

3 Comments

August 7, 2015

Healthy Whole Wheat Greek Yoghurt Blueberry Pancakes

These healthy whole wheat greek yoghurt blueberry pancakes are light, fluffy and totally luscious. Maple syrup not optional!! Remember I said I had one last blueberry recipe for you? Here you go! These pancakes are so worth the wait, and so worthy of that seven-word-long-title. …

Breakfast, Dessert

by Emma

19 Comments

August 3, 2015

Cashew Blue Banana Bread

Make the most of blueberry season with this whole wheat cashew blue banana bread!

I know, I know. It is not like me to post a sweet treat immediately after a dessert recipe, BUT I was in a pinch, friends! Blueberry season is drawing to a close (sob!), and I have not one, but TWO recipes to share with you before it does. Will you forgive me? Of course you will, because I come bearing banana bread. Special banana bread, made with crunchy cashew nuts, beautiful sweet blueberries, healthy whole wheat flour and just a smidge of sugar.

The inspiration for this cashew blue banana bread came from my favourite breakfast spot back in my old Michigan stomping ground. I would normally order the vegetarian breakfast burrito, but if I was in the mood for something sweeter, I would always opt for their cashew blue pancakes.

I’m not sure what gave my the idea to throw them in my banana bread batter one day, but I’m ever so happy I did! The cashew nuts are a beautiful compliment to the sweet blueberries. Mixed into banana bread, the cashews provide a satisfying texture, and the blueberries offer a pop of sweet tang. Perfect for a cheeky sweet breakfast, dessert or a snack. This cashew-blue banana bread is something you need in your life before blueberry season ends!

Enjoy!!

Cashew Blue Banana Bread

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

60 mins

Total time

1 10 mins

Make the most of blueberry season with this whole wheat cashew blue banana bread!

Author: Emma

Serves: 8

Ingredients

6 tbsp olive oil
¼ cup maple syrup
¼ cup brown sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup milk (regular, almond, whatever you like)
2 eggs
3 medium very ripe bananas, mashed
1¾ cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt
½ cup finely chopped cashews
1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen, if frozen don't bother defrosting)

Method

Preheat your oven to 350F/180C
Line and grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan, ser aside
In a medium bowl, whisk together the oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla and milk until well combined. Mix in the eggs, and then the mashed bananas. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and stir until *just* combined.
Add the cashews and blueberries to the mix, and fold in gently in as few movements as possible. You want to be especially careful if you are using frozen blueberries, as you may end up with grey banana bread!
Pour the batter into the tin and bake in the center of the oven for 50-60 minutes until a knife comes out clean. Check the bread at about 40 minutes, if the top appears to be browning but the center is still uncooked, lay some foil over the top of your bread and continue baking

Notes

Substitute melted coconut oil with the olive oil if you prefer

Substitute honey for maple syrup if you prefer

Bonus Tip! Buy extra bananas next time you are at the shop, and freeze half when they get ripe. Defrost when you are ready to bake into your favourite banana baked good (have you tried these?!), or smoothie!