Recipe | Bacon Sprouts and Yam Feta Mash

My mother did not like brussels sprouts and therefore I never had them growing up. I was exposed to their negative image but had no real reason to hate them. Only in the last week have I actually plucked up the courage to try, and cook, the underrated (until recent times) little gems and I am totally converted. They're delicious, nutritious and everything in between. After talking about them for a few days with different people I coined up my own version of a very classic way to serve brussels sprouts. I hope you like it!

Serves 2

Ingredients

1 yam/purple sweet potato, roughly chopped into small pieces

150g short cut bacon, cut into strips and halved

1tsp  ground paprika 

11 approx. brussels sprouts, washed and sliced

1 lemon, juiced

small bunch of baby heirloom carrots 

50g lemon marinated feta 

salt and cracked pepper

olive oil

In  a small saucepan, place chopped yam and cover with water. Place on a medium to high heat, cover and bring to the boil. Remove lid and let it boil until soft to touch with a fork.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a non-stick fry pan over a medium to high heat. Coat the bacon with paprika and cook until crispy. 

In a bowl, toss sliced brussels sprouts with salt, pepper and lemon juice. Add to the fry pan with the bacon. The bacon grease and any remaining olive oil will replace the traditional butter used when cooking the sprouts.

Add the heirloom carrots to the pan and cook with the sprouts and bacon. 

Drain the boiled yams and transfer to a bowl. With a fork, smash the yams with most of the feta (leaving some for garnish) until they form a mash consistency. 

By now the brussels sprouts and carrots should be ready to serve. Plate up with the mash and garnish with your remaining feta. Season with salt and pepper.

Happy Sunday eating!

Erin xx

Mango, Chicken and Chorizo Salad

A while ago, a good friend of mine served me a delicious salad featuring mango, walnuts and avocado. I don't normally fancy fruit with savoury dishes but this was an eye opener. Since then (which, admittedly, was ages ago) I have been aching to try this recipe. 

Serves 5

Ingredients 

1 - 2 large handfuls of rocket
1 - 2 mangoes, diced 

1 bunch of spring onions, chopped

2 chicken breasts

extra virgin olive oil

2 chorizo sausages, finely sliced

1 red and 1 green capsicum, sliced

1 handful of snow peas or snap peas 

1 handful of mint and coriander combined 

Dressing

2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

juice of 1 lime

To get it out of the way, and to give it time to cool slightly, grill the chicken nice and slowly. While its cooking you can prepare your other ingredients. Don't forget to keep an eye on it though and turn it over as to prevent it burning. Place the rocket and spring onions in the bowl you want to serve the salad in (or just a large mixing bowl if you're going for individual servings).  When your chicken is ready, take it off the heat and set it aside to cool.

Sauté the chopped chorizo, capsicum and snow peas in a saucepan until all the ingredients are cooked - the vegetables should be beginning to bruise and wilt, and the chorizo slightly golden. While these are cooking you can begin to shred the chicken into bite-size strips and drizzle with olive oil. 

Put the lime juice and sweet chilli sauce in a jar, shut the lid tight, and shake until combined. Feel free to add flavours to taste... I think mine could have done with a bit more sweet chilli. Lightly shred the coriander and mint (not too much though as you don't want to lose too much of their texture)

Toss all the ingredients (leaving out a few sprigs of the herbs) together thoroughly. If serving in a salad bowl, present with the herbs on top, or if serving individually, place a small sprig of each herb on each serving. Season with salt and pepper as you like. 

Just like my truffles from last Sunday, don't underestimate the potential of this salad. It serves about five people as a substantial meal. Its super light and perfect for a hot summer day when you're craving a warm meal thats not going to heat up your house or your body.

Enjoy

Erin xx

PS If you're wondering when I'm going to post an update on my retro DIY pieces from earlier, they are coming. My parents bought me a new sewing machine for Christmas AND my Granny is visiting so she is teaching me some neater and better finishing techniques. 

PPS Just getting in on Jess's 'PS' trend ;)