My favourite recipes from around the blogosphere

I was definitely raised in a “pinch of this”, “handful of that” kind of kitchen. My mom would eyeball everything, make replacements on-the-fly and have a relaxed attitude about every recipe she created. To this day whenever I call her up to ask for a recipe it’s usually a version of “cut up some of this, sprinkle on some of this, stick it in the oven, and you’re done”. No measurements, no temperatures, not even any exact ingredients. Just a whole lot of creativity and heaps of faith that it will turn out edible.

I am very fortunate that as I have developed my skills in the kitchen I have maintained this relaxed attitude. I almost never follow a recipe to the letter. I’m constantly adding in more vegetables, different spices or trying a new cooking method.

I love being creative in the kitchen and making recipes my own. But there are some recipes that are just so flavourful, so yummy, so gosh-darn-PERFECT that I don’t alter a thing. I just make them as instructed time and time again. And love them. So today, rather than sharing a recipe I’ve created or adapted, I thought I’d let you know about a few incredible recipes that I couldn’t possibly improve if I tried. These recipes also happen to be from some incredible food bloggers with tons of other amazing recipes on their sites, so if you’re able, do take the time to peek around their sites and bookmark more yummy ideas for the future.

Now, without further ado, let’s get into the yumminess…

Breakfasts:

Oh breakfast, how I love thee. Some say it’s the most important meal of the day. I say, it’s the yummiest meal of the day. And that’s reason enough not to skip it! These are three of my favourite thoroughly tried and tested breakfasts. I have made each of them verging on a gazillion times (only a slight exaggeration) and I hope you love them as much as I do!

Masala Chai Squash Porridge

I first discovered this chai squash porridge from Leanne at Healthful Pursuit when I wanted to start eating more veggies for breakfast. If that’s a goal of yours I cannot recommend this recipe highly enough. It’s so yummy you’d never be able to tell you’re starting your day with a bowlful of vegetables! I’ve never had masala chai spice on hand so I just use pumpkin spice (cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and the teeniest bit of cloves) as Leanne recommends. You could also just use cinnamon and I’m sure it would be delicious.

“The Best” Toasted Oatmeal

They weren’t exaggerating when Sonja and Alex at A Couple Cooks decided to call this “the best” toasted oatmeal. Although I don’t always have time to make this wholesome recipe on busy mornings, when I have a little more time or a day off, this has definitely been a go-to. Because of my dairy sensitivity I sub-in almond milk for the regular milk and water and do coconut oil instead of butter, but I’m sure the original way is equally delicious! Top it with toasted walnuts as they suggest and enjoy!

Creamy Spiced Strawberry Coconut “Oatmeal”

A while ago I decided I wanted to start reducing my sugar intake and the hardest meal to do that for I found was breakfast. Fortunately, I stumbled across this spiced strawberry coconut “oatmeal” created by Gabby at The Veggie Nook (Update: Sorry – the link is no longer active but have a look around the web for a ground chia-banana-oatmeal concoction!) The banana and strawberries offer plenty of sweetness so you don’t need to add anything extra and the chia and coconut offer healthy fats to keep you nourished and satiated.

Main dishes:

When it comes to my main dishes, it’s important that whatever I make keep well for a few days because I prefer to cook one big batch of food and then be set for a little while. These recipes are incredibly satisfying, nutrient-dense, and of course, yummy!

Warm Lentil Salad with Sweet Potatoes and Olives

Lentils are little nutrient powerhouses so I try to incorporate them into my meals whenever I can. They’re loaded with protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. If you’ve never worked with them before, this warm lentil salad with sweet potatoes and olives from Emma at Coconut and Berries is sure to get you hooked.

Thai Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup

This Thai sweet potato and coconut soup from My Food Infatuation is loaded up with plenty of vegetables and is bursting with flavour. It’s such a comforting dish. It’s delicious with or without the shrimp so you can easily enjoy it either way.

Salmon Sweet Potato Cakes

Okay, apparently there’s a theme to my favourite main dishes — they all involve sweet potatoes. This does not surprise me. But seriously, these salmon sweet potato cakes from Amy at The Little Honey Bee are truly delicious (Update: Sorry, link is no longer active but these ones look similar!) They’re very easy to make, freeze really well, and pair nicely with roasted veggies or a salad of your choosing. And if you can’t eat eggs like me, just swap the egg with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flax seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons water and set aside to gel for 5-10 minutes).

Bonus recipes

Well, now you’ve got a few breakfasts and meals to keep you going through the week — but I didn’t want to leave it at that! What about your snacks and desserts? Here are two of my favourites.

Curried Red Lentil Flatbread

Bread made almost entirely out of super-nutritious lentils? That cannot possibly be a thing. Or at least that’s what I thought until I discovered Lauren at Oatmeal With a Fork‘s curried red lentil flatbread. I love this stuff so much, sometimes I make a double batch, cut it up and freeze half of it and then toast it and wrap up in tinfoil to take with me on-the-go in a pinch. I haven’t made the accompanying arugula pesto but knowing Lauren, I am sure it is amazing and worth trying as well.

“Eatmore” Fudge Squares

This is the perfect recipe to leave you with, I’d say! When you need a treat, these “Eatmore” fudge squares from Christal at Nutritionist in the Kitch will do the trick. The best part is they can be kept in the freezer so you can always have a sweet treat on hand when you need it!

Tell me:

Will you be trying any of these yummy recipes?

Or do you have a favourite recipe from the web you’d like to share?

Let me know in the comments below!