Marrakech Food Diary

Another food diary from a trip to Marrakech, Morocco. What an amazing place and the good is out of this world! The spices and herbs used on all the dishes are just heaven...

Courgette Fritters

These fritters are my new go to for lunch and dinner! So tasty and go with many other dishes such as houmous and ratatouille. I top my fritters with slices of avocado and a squeeze of lemon and the combination is absolutely delicious! I even love them cold (but others prefer them as a hot meal!).

                          

These are a great vegetarian meal with high levels of protein that you will get from the ground almond and eggs.

Beetroot and Spinach Tortilla Wraps

This is my favourite recipe in a long while! These tortilla wraps are a dream! Perfect lunchtime inspiration or for when you are feeding a crowd. The colours are just glorious when eating and the flavour tastes just like you have bought a pack of wraps from the supermarket- but better (okay Im slightly biased).

Before you think that they are going to taste strongly of beetroot and spinach you would be mistaken as you can struggle to taste those flavours at all actually!

Little fact: Did you know beetroot and spinach are often added to foods as a natural food colouring without impacting the taste! Healthy and colourful foods- whats not to love! 

The wraps are gluten free and refined sugar free. 

Makes around 5-7 wraps depending on how thick and big you make them.

Ingredients:

Rice Porridge

I have been looking for a new breakfast that I can have that is gluten and refined sugar free, filling, nutritious and something different. Enter Rice Porridge! 
The best thing is with this breakfast is that you prep it the night before (which takes 5 minutes) and it is slow cooked all night so is ready and waiting for you in the morning whenever you are ready! What’s not to love about that!?

The only thing you need for this (apart from the ingredients) is a slow cooker. They are so useful for us busy people that can prepare 6-11 hours before you want it (timings depending on the recipe) and don’t require you standing over a hob for an hour a day.

I love this creamy rice porridge so much, it is basically having healthy rice pudding for breakfast!

Avocado Toast

This is such an easy and filling breakfast. For the toast I use Biona bread Quinoa and Amaranth. This bread is great protein so perfect for breakfast.

I use half an avocado and 1 piece of bread as it is so filling but by all means add another half avocado or extra slice of bread.

Warming Vegetable Bolognese

The most famous pasta dish is Spaghetti Bolognese, everyone knows and loves it (well almost everyone!). Warming, nourishing, filling and the rich tomato, garlic and herb flavours combined creates a quick dish for anyone to enjoy. But for all you vegetarians and vegans out there, here is a recipe for you! 

The bolognese can be combined with many different options! The lightest meal would be to add it to a base of my marinated kale and spinach salad (click here for the recipe). In contrast for a more comfort food dish that is still clean, is on a bed of spaghetti rice pasta (gluten free)! This is the closest to the 'traditional' Spaghetti Bolognese and tastes amazing! 

Quinoa, Almond and Mint Salad

I am feeling really inspired at the moment with Moroccan food! The mix of flavours are amazing and create an unbelievable combination. This salad is inspired by a Moroccan couscous salad, that includes sweet raisins, crunchy salted almonds and fresh herbs!

This dish is not only gluten free it is also vegan too! I cannot get over the taste of this salad, the quinoa makes it so filling, as well as the avocado. No green leaves are this recipe so it is very much a hearty salad.

The Trick to a Great Kale Salad

A portion of kale is hard to beat when talking about the number of nutrients and minerals it contains. It is great to include if you want a healthy and balanced diet. There are so many benefits of eating the green stuff including a high source of vitamins A, C and K, as well as improve blood glucose control in diabetics, lowering the risk of cancer and blood pressure and improving bone healthy!

So that leads me on to introducing a trick to creating a great Kale Salad.

Sweet Potato, Lentil and Coconut Curry

If you are looking for the perfect winter warming dish then look no further! Such a healthy dish with no added nasties like your shop brought curry. Filling and nourishing ingredients like the sweet potato and lentils, that are also great for your overall health- what's not to love!

I served it on a bed of steaming brown rice, but alternatively you can use quinoa or just on its own if you want!

Spinach and Nutmeg Gratin

If you are hosting a meal for a group this is an excellent choice as you can prep this meal before and once it is cooked it is ready to serve! Crowd pleaser indeed- I have been asked for repeat of this ever since I brought it out the first dinner party.

The nutmeg spice in the gratin really compliments the egg and cheese in the recipe. Gluten free and sugar free recipe of course. Try and see for yourself. I serve it with a full salad and you will hear rave reviews- trust me!

Serves 4-6 depending on appetites.

First time Sushi Making

It was only a matter of time before I had to try and make my own sushi because I love the stuff! Where I live now there is no where to get any 'real' fresh sushi that doesn't come pre-packaged. 

This is was the last resort so I tried it and it was such a success!! In fact I was loving it so much that I didn't even realise one of family was asking me a question while I was eating it (official food heaven! Ha.)

I decided to stick with my favourite basic ingredients in hand rolls- avocado and salmon! The rice that I used was also brown rice. I know this is not traditional to use brown rather white but brown is a lot better for you than the sticky white rice.

Roasted Herbed Carrot Ribbon Spaghetti

I am constantly looking for quick and tasty dinner ideas that are not to heavy. I love carrot at the moment and thought how can I mix up the taste and cooking method, instead of the traditional chopped streamed carrots. Enter carrot ribbons!

So easy to do and the same prep time to make the ribbons than the normal steamed vegetables.

Perfect for all of you gluten- free and vegans out there who are looking for an alternative to spaghetti pasta. Here is the recipe!

Chocolate Quinoa Porridge

If you are like me and a massive chocolate lover then look no further because this is the breakfast for you! 

Quinoa, almond milk and cacao powder- all of these superfoods are included in this breakfast meal which make this such a nutritious and filling way to start the day. High in protein and antioxidants! Read below for recipe...

Makes porridge for 2 people