The perfect family bug killer Ginger Tea

this tea is the best thing in the universe,
for stomach upsets
digestive aid
as a kill bugs in your system
boost your circulation and can even help ease period pains...

you can make this as strong as you like by changing the amount of ginger you add...
I like to add lots so I get a face burning feeling,,,  then I know that no little bugs will survive inside...

you need to grate some fresh ginger root into a small sauce pan (add as much as you like, start small by using just a tablespoons for a large cup full) then add some boiling water over this and bring it to the boil on the stove... leave it to brew on low for a while
get yourself a big teaspoon of honey and add that to your cup then squish a lemon and half it ready to add the juice of a quater to a half a lemon to each cup

strain the ginger water into the cup over the honey then add the lemon juice to this and stir and then wait till it is cooled a little as not to literally burn your face and then drink... This is a good alternative to getting the benefits of ginger without having to actually just chew on ginger root...

Salsa and Goooowaock

So the latest obsession to have thrown together for a quick snack when we can not bear to wait for dinner... salsa guacamole,,, one day I will learn to make my own corn tortillas to use but for now simple pack of plain corn chips from the store makes me happy...

so you need
a lemon
fresh coriander
salt and pepper to taste
a tomato
an avocado
garlic
red onion

take two bowls and squish the lemon on the table top and cut it in half, then squeeze half in each bowl, add the avocado flesh to the first bowl and mash it with a fork (the avocado should be quite soft, and for more flavor the softer the better, without being bruised) add salt and pepper to taste,,,
then chop the tomato and a portion of the red onion into small chunks, the coriander leaves into large rough bits and add this all to the second bowl. then chop the cleaned roots and stalk of the coriander if you have any as well as as much garlic as you like maybe a few cloves this part can be divided between the two bowls... add a dash of olive oil to the salsa and mix them and thats it... you can use a little chilli in them if you want it hot or a touch of mint in the salsa or use mango if your feeling fruity...
yum dip in

Shroom Storg

Basically this was an accident one day when we felt like a rich dinner but didn't want the messy meat business...
so I am still not sure what makes a stroganoff and I am sure the beef version tastes fine but here is a great vegetarian alternative that is now a favourite in our home, and so damn easy to make,

fry some
garlic (and a little ginger if you like, needs to be fresh and diced)
and
shallots (or just finely sliced onions)

add in some sliced
Portobello mushrooms ( or any mushrooms but the big flat ones are best, mushrooms hold a lot of water so dependent on how many your serving you will still need a good amount for example three mushrooms per person )

to this a decent dash of paprika and braggs (Yum I like smoked paprika )
then add about a cup of vegetable stock and leave to simmer
salt and pepper to taste
before adding the stock to lift the mushrooms and shallots from the pan you can add some wine if you have some lying around

then you need to cook some pasta or some rice to serve it on
We once made this recipe while camping and ate it with japanese soba noodles, it was delicious...
then when about to serve the magic ingredient is a big spoonful of quality sour cream mixed into the mushroom mixture, to match the creaminess you desire...
then I suppose you serve and eat, if your feeling fancy and if you have any a sprinkling of fresh diced parsley is nice...

Veg! Stock

You may need to save up your plastic containers to keep this in the freezer, and use it for all things including obviously soup or savory rice, lentils and whatever else you cook that absorbs water and you want a little extra ooomph of flavour...
This is a fine affair if it is a cold rainy day and you want to keep the house warm, because your stove needs to be on for at least three hours to extract all the flavour...

you will need water
salt
peppercorns
bay leaf
garlic
leeks

basically this is fun if you have a cleaver handy, or a big knife and chopping board to whack away at all these veggies, mind your fingers do not get in the way, which could include any mix of the following
celery
carrot
pumpkin
radish
fresh herbs, basil or parsley thyme and rosemary
ginger for bite
onion
best to keep it simple and flavoured to your taste which means your own choice of vegetables and herbs or chilli added if you wish.
get a very large pot and lightly fry the leeks and celery and then add all the roughly chopped ingredients and fill with water to boil, watch it doesn't overflow then leave it to simmer with a lid on for a few hours until everything inside looks a little dead and drowned... basically you want to steal all the goodness (flavour and nutrients) from the ingredients... I tend to enjoy letting it sit until it has completely cooled and then pouring it into old plastic containers to put in the freezer with enough room left on the top for expansion... and I like most the part of squeezing ever last drop of goodness and fluid out of the heap of leftovers of what used to be vegetables till I get an inedible mass ball that I can throw guilt free in the bin...
then one day it is rainy and cold and I have nothing in my fridge but some wilting sad vegetables that need to be eaten quickly they get chopped up into nice chunks and thrown into a pot with this stock from the freezer and a handful of beans or lentils or barley and voila ' vegetable soup :)

Delicious Messy Veggie Wraps

Whats for dinner tonight ???
This question always bugs me...
hmm eggs on toast
advocado and tomato on toast
thank lordy for having bread in the kitchen

Quick easy
But for tonight something more fun and still just as easy

slice into a long strips:
a red capsicum (bell pepper)
zucchini (courgette/squash)
a few mushrooms ( the delicious big field ones)
an onion


chop up to tiney tiny sized :
a few cloves of garlic
and some ginger
and a chilli

Braggs ( I suppose you could use soy sauce, but do your self a favour go buy some braggs, because braggs makes everything better and it is vegan)
Smoked Paprika ( or just paprika )


get some: wraps, pitta or whatever you have even tortillas

chop up whatever else you have and put in bowls:
lettuce
spinach
cucumber
tomato
salsa
advocado

also good to put in:
grated cheddar cheese
feta cheese
sour cream
pumpkin or sunflower seeds


place it all nicely on the table with some plates because this is messy eating
then dig in
dinner done
delicious fun eating

Simple Salmon Recipe with love from Krista

SALMON YUM.

1. In a greased glass pan, put salmon.
2. Put a bit of mayonaise on top.
3. Put Breton cracker crumbs (or any bread crumbs/cracker crumbs) on top, coated fairly well.
4. Put almost the same amount of parmesan cheese on top.
5. Spices too (I like DILL the best.)

Bake at about 400 F for 20 mins or until salmon is flaky and done. Don't forget to put a bit of water in the pan and cover with tin foil if you can.

SALMON YUM.

The Humble Choc-Chip Cookie

bless the humble chocolate chip biscuit, a sweet homey treat for any occasion...
secret to chewy choc chips is to add an egg or two

choc chips,,,
flour
butter
brown sugar
baking powder
twirl whirl mix blend till combined
spoon a BIG or small spoonful on your baking tray and bake for 15 minutes... the less time the more cookie dough consistency you keep and the longer you leave them the more crunchy and biscuity they will be ...

Give them a special touch with whatever you fancy
any type of nuts; maple syrup and walnut or white choc chips; macadamia nuts; oats; cranberries or blueberries