Within the past year my love for cooking and feeding my body the food it deserves has become a passion and a priority.
I've learned some of my favourite recipes from many places; Instagram, Cook Books, through trial and error and of course, family recipes.
With this change in passion I made the choice to eliminate Gluten from my diet, I used to have a Gluten Free diet several years ago which lasted for about two years. When I started that diet I found that I had more energy, I slept better and overall I felt more energized.
I felt that it was the right choice to return to my Gluten Free diet to try to return to a place where I have more energy as I'm constantly feeling both emotionally and physically drained of energy. This also will allow me a chance to learn if I do in fact have a gluten intolerance.
One of my favourite recipes for either a mid-day snack or lunch is a cucumber salad recipe that I learned from Jaclyn Hill on Instagram, you may know her as one of the most well known beauty YouTuber's of the 21st Century. I've made some changes to the recipe to suit my preferences but the great thing about it is you can change it to make it more to your liking.
Jac's Cucumber Salad - for 1 serving
1/2 of a large Cucumber
1 Green Onion
2 Tbsp of Sweet Chili Sauce
2 Tbsp of Soy Sauce
1/2 Tsp of Rice Vinegar
1-2 Cloves of Garlic
Thinly slice your cucumber and mince the garlic and green onions. Add the Sweet Chili Sauce, Soy Sauce, Rice Vinegar and Garlic to a shallow bowl and mix together.
Once combined add the cucumber and green onions to the mixture.
To top it off you can add 1/2 a Tsp of Sesame Seeds and a handful of fried onions or wonton slices.
Salmon Sushi Rice Bowl - for 2 servings
1/2 of a large cucumber
1/2 of an avocado (optional)
2 Salmon Fillets
1 cup of Sushi Rice
Sriracha
Mayonnaise
Soy Sauce
Sesame Seeds
Nori
2 Green Onions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and start your rice. Thinly slice the cucumber, avocado and green onions.
To prep your salmon you will need to add mayonnaise spread across the top and a squeeze of lemon over each and top with salt and pepper. The Salmon will cook for approximately 12 minutes until cooked through.
Once your rice has been cooked, divide between the bowls, add the Salmon and veggies on top and drizzle Mayonnaise, Sriracha, Soy Sauce and Sesame Seeds. Mix it all together and cut your Nori into smaller pieces to place spoonfuls of the mixture into and enjoy!
Lunch Time Pad Thai - for 1-2 servings
Rice Noodles
1/4 of a package of Medium-Firm Tofu
2 Mushrooms
1 Bell Pepper
2 Tbsp Pad Thai Sauce
1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
1 egg
Handful of Peanuts
Slice your tofu into small cubes, thinly slice your mushrooms and bell peppers and mince and then crush your peanuts. All of these will go into a pan together until cooked through with a dash of Soy Sauce and Pad Thai Sauce.
Once the Rice Noodles (This will not take long at all) are cooked through add to the Pan and add the remainder of the sauces until combined. Then adding the egg. And voila, a quick and simple lunch time recipe!
Shrimp Summer Rolls - for 2 servings
250 g of Black Tiger Prawns
2 Bell Peppers
1/2 of a cucumber
2 Tbsp of Sweet Chili Sauce
1/2 Tbsp of Soy Sauce
1 Garlic Clove
6-8 Rice Wraps
Handful of Parsley
1/4 of a head of lettuce
Remove the tail from your prawns and add to a pan with some olive oil, mince the garlic and add to the pan. Once you can smell the garlic and the shrimp is starting to change colour add the Sweet Chili Sauce and Soy Sauce.
Thinly slice the Bell Peppers and the cucumber and chop the lettuce.
Prepare a medium - large bowl with warm (not hot) water for the Rice Wraps and once the shrimp has fully cooked through put your first one in. Depending on the temperature of the water it can take 5-15 seconds for the wraps to soften, assemble and top with some parsley before rolling.
I like to eat mine with a mixture of the Sweet Chili and Soy Sauce for dipping!
What is your favourite recipe of the moment? Let me know down below!
Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more fashion and lifestyle related posts.
Hannah, The Secret Robin
