fritters

 Poppy cooks...

1. Place
   500g zucchini, roughly chopped,
   300g sweet potato, peeled and roughly chopped,
   carrot, peeled and roughly chopped with
   1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt in Thermomix bowl 7sec/speed 7.
   
   
   
2. Tip mixture into a fine mesh sieve over a bowl to drain for 15 minutes.
   
   
   
3. After discarding liquid, place mixture into mixing bowl, then add
   3 eggs and
   1/2 cup gluten free plain flour.
   
   
   
4. Mix together and then cook on a sandwich press (or frying pan) lightly coated with
   coconut oil until brown.

lasagne

Serves 4

This is a favourite of mine and Ella and is a family crowd pleaser. I love this reduced dairy version as we seem to be able to tolerate ghee and cheese in small doses.


Poppy cooks...

1. In a large pot add
   onion, diced,
   3 cloves of garlic, minced,
   1/2 teaspoon dried basil,
   1 teaspoon dried oregano,
   1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary,
   400g tin diced tomato,
   carrot, diced,
   3 celery stalks, diced,
   1/2 zucchini, diced,
   red capsicum, diced,
   500g mince (beef, pork, chicken, lamb or turkey),
   6 button mushrooms, sliced,
   100g tomato paste,
   1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar,
   1 teaspoon honey,
   1.5 teaspoons celtic sea salt,
   pepper to taste with
   2 tablespoons ghee, cooking on medium heat for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
   
   
2. In a small saucepan add
   750g rice milk,
   3 eggs,
   45g ghee,
   1.5 teaspoon dried onion powder,
   1.5 teaspoon garlic powder,
   0.75 teaspoon honey,
   1.5 teaspoon celtic sea salt and
   55g tapioca flour, stirring with a whisk until it thickens.
   
   
3. Preheat oven to 180ºC.
   
   
4. Grease a large lasagne dish with ghee and cover bottom with some of the bolognese sauce.
   
   
5. Place a layer of
   gluten free lasagne sheets on bottom of dish (I soak mine in water for just a few seconds to stop them curling), cover with half the bolognese sauce and a third of the white sauce.
   
   
6. Place a second layer of lasagne sheets, the remaining bolognese sauce and the second third of white sauce on top.
   
   
7. Place a third layer of lasagne sheets and the remaining third of white sauce on top. Sprinkle some
   grated cheese on top and cook in the oven for 30 minutes.
   
   
8. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Thermomix version...

1. Place
   onion, cut into chunks,
   3 cloves of garlic,
   1/2 teaspoon dried basil,
   1 teaspoon dried oregano,
   1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary in Thermomix bowl and chop 3 sec/speed 5.
   
   
   
2. Add
   400g tin diced tomato,
   carrot, cut into chunks,
   3 celery stalks, cut into chunks,
   1/2 zucchini, cut into chunks,
   red capsicum, cut into chunks, and chop 8 sec/speed 5.
   
   
   
3. Add
   500g beef mince and break up 3 sec/speed 5.
   
   
   
4. Add
   50g ghee,
   6 button mushrooms, chopped,
   100g tomato paste,
   1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar,
   1 teaspoon honey,
   1.5 teaspoons celtic sea salt,
   pepper to taste and cook 25 mins/Varoma/rev/speed soft.
   
   
   
5. Transfer bolognese to a dish and make white sauce by adding
   750g rice milk,
   3 eggs,
   45g ghee,
   1.5 teaspoon dried onion powder,
   1.5 teaspoon garlic powder,
   0.75 teaspoon honey,
   1.5 teaspoon celtic sea salt and
   55g tapioca flour to Thermomix bowl and cook 7 min/90C/speed 4.
   
   
6. Preheat oven to 180ºC.
   
   
7. Cover a large lasagne dish with a think layer of the bolognese sauce.
   
   
8. Place a layer of
   gluten free lasagne sheets, cover with half the bolognese sauce and a quarter of the white sauce.
   
   
9. Place a second layer of lasagne sheets, the remaining bolognese sauce and the second quarter of white sauce on top.
   
   
10. Place a third layer of lasagne sheets and the remaining white sauce on top. Sprinkle some
    grated cheese (optional) on top and cook in the oven for 30 minutes. If necessary, you can grill the top a bit longer to make it more crispy and golden.
    
    
11. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

frittata

Serves 24

A great easy dish to get a decent serve of vegetables into your (or your child's) diet. Whilst this is a Thermomix recipe, a food processor would do exactly the same job.

Poppy cooks...

1. Preheat oven to 170ºC and either line two small slice trays with baking paper, or oil two pie dishes (or one of each!).
   
   
2. Place
   onion, chopped and
   2 cloves of garlic, peeled in mixing bowl and chop 3 seconds / speed 7.
   
   
3. Scrape down bowl, add
   splash olive oil and saute 2 minutes / varoma / speed 2.
   
   
4. Add
   2 carrots, chopped,
   zucchini, chopped,
   small sweet potato and chop 5 seconds / speed 5.
   
   
5. Add
   400g corn kernels,
   100g bio cheese, grated,
   1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard,
   180g gluten free self raising flour,
   6 eggs,
   1 teaspoon baking powder,
   celtic sea salt and cracked black pepper and mix 20 seconds / reverse / speed 4.
   
   
6. Pour mixture into slice tins or pie dishes.
   
   
7. Sprinkle
   pepitas and
   sunflower seeds over the top.
   
   
8. Place in oven for 50 minutes or until golden brown.

raw broccoli salad

Serves 4

This is a variation on a Thermomix classic to make it dairy free. Love this recipe for its speed and healthiness.

Poppy cooks...

1. Place
   250g broccoli, cut into florets,
   100g carrot, cut into pieces,
   95g apple, quartered,
   1/4 red onion,
   100g coconut yoghurt,
   1/2  lemon, juiced,
   pinch of celtic sea salt + cracked black pepper and chop 8 seconds / speed 4.
   
   
2. Scrape down sides of bowl and chop 3 seconds / speed 4.

braised lamb shanks

Serves 4

Poppy cooks...

1. Heat
   1 tablespoon coconut oil in a large pan (with lid) and brown
   4 lamb shanks, then set aside.
   
   
2. Saute
   leek, cut lengthways in half and sliced,
   2 celery sticks, diced,
   3 carrots, diced and
   6 garlic cloves, sliced until soft.
   
   
3. Add lamb shanks back in with
   2 cups red wine,
   4 cups beef broth,
   10 sprigs thyme,
   4 sprigs of rosemary,
   teaspoon celtic sea salt and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for at least 2.5 hours with the lid on, or until meat falls off the bone.
   
   
4. In the meantime, boil
   2kg sweet potato, peeled and chopped, then drain and mash.
   
   
5. This stage is optional, but I like to remove the lamb shanks, shred the meat and return the meat to the sauce to mix through. If necessary, you can let the sauce reduce with the lid off while shredding the meat and add
   2 teaspoons cornflour to thicken the sauce too.

lentil ragu with cauliflower mash

Serves 4

Poppy cooks...

1. The day before you make this dish, soak
   1/2 cup puy lentils in
   filtered water.
   
   
2. Add to a pan
   onion, finely diced,
   carrot, finely diced,
   celery stick, finely diced,
   2 garlic cloves, minced,
   2 sprigs thyme,
   sprig rosemary,
   bay leaf with
   olive oil on medium heat.
   
   
3. Once the onion is translucent, add drained lentils and
   3 tablespoons tomato paste, cooking for 10 minutes.
   
   
4. Add
   tin crushed tomato,
   1.5 cups filtered water,
   1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt,
   cracked black pepper, to taste,
   1/4 teaspoon nutmeg,
   pinch of cinnamon, turning heat down and simmering (if ragu looks dry, add more filtered water at any point).
   
   
5. In a large pot, saute
   2 garlic cloves, sliced in
   3 tablespoons olive oil and
   sprig thyme.
   
   
6. Add
   cauliflower, cut into small florets coating in oil for 5 minutes then add
   1/2 cup filtered water and put a lid on pot until cauliflower is soft (add more filtered water if needed at any point).
   
   
7. Add
   1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar to ragu and stir.
   
   
8. Put cauliflower in thermomix with
   1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt and blend on speed 5, scraping bowl down and mixing as necessary to get an even consistency.
   
   
9. Serve
   handful rocket onto each plate, cauliflower mash next to that, then spoon ragu on top, and finish with
   flax seed oil, drizzled and
   cracked black pepper.

moroccan roast salad

Serves 2

Poppy cooks...

1. Preheat oven to 190ºC.
   
   
2. Place
   5 carrots, sliced into discs,
   1.5 tablespoons raw honey,
   1 tablespoon olive oil and
   pinch of celtic sea salt on a baking tray and bake for 30 minutes or until slightly caramelised.
   
   
3. In a freezer bag marinade chicken by combining
   500g chicken tenderloins,
   2 teaspoons ground sweet paprika,
   2 teaspoons ground coriander,
   2 teaspoons olive oil and
   pinch of celtic sea salt + cracked black pepper.
   
   
4. While carrots are still baking, make salsa verde by blending
   handful parsley,
   1/4 lemon, juiced,
   1.5 tablespoons olive oil,
   1.5 tablespoons filtered water,
   pinch of celtic sea salt + cracked black pepper in a small blender to ensure a smooth consistency.
   
5. Once the carrots are cooked, combine with
   two large handfuls of spinach,
   2 sprigs of parsley, minced,
   1/4 lemon, juiced.
   
   
6. Pan fry chicken until cooked, adding a little olive oil if necessary.
   
   
7. Serve carrot salad, place sliced or shredded chicken on top, then sprinkle
   2 teaspoons currants and
   2 teaspoons pepitas over each serve and drizzle with salsa verde.

paleo macaroni and cheese

Serves 4

For a non-paleo version that the kids will love, substitute the cauliflower (so, substitute the whole of step 1) for some brown rice pasta.

Poppy cooks…

1. Saute
   1.5 cauliflower, cut into florets in
   2 tablespoons nuttelex,
   1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt and
   1/4 cup filtered hot water until cauliflower is cooked and lightly caramelised, then set aside and keep warm.
   
   
2. Saute
   2 tablespoons nuttelex,
   3 squash, diced,
   carrot, diced,
   onion, diced,
   3 garlic cloves, minced,
   3/4 teaspoon ground mustard and
   1 teaspoon celtic sea salt.
   
   
3. Add
   165ml tin coconut cream and simmer until the coconut cream is slightly reduced.
   
   
4. Place in a blender and puree until smooth.
   
   
5. Add an
   egg yolk and blend well.
   
   
6. Return sauce to the pan, then add a
   bag of spinach and stir through until spinach is slightly wilted.
   
   
7. Add
   cracked black pepper to taste.
   
   
8. Serve cauliflower florets topped with sauce.

turkey + vegetable buckwheat pasta

Serves 6

Poppy cooks…

1. Saute
   onion, diced and
   4 garlic cloves, minced in
   olive oil.
   
   
2. Add
   3 carrot, diced,
   2 red capsicum, diced,
   2 zucchini, diced,
   1/2 cup semi sun-dried tomatoes, quartered and sauté until vegetables are softened then set aside. Feel free to add more olive oil if necessary. You can also use any seasonal or left over vegetables you might have.
   
   
3. Cook
   500g turkey mince until browned then add vegetables back in with
   700g passata,
   3 teaspoons dried oregano,
   1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes,
   handful basil leaves, torn,
   celtic sea salt and cracked black pepper, to taste and allow to simmer while cooking the pasta.
   
   
4. Cook
   500g buckwheat spiral pasta according to packet instructions.
   
   
5. Add pasta to sauce, combine, then serve with
   parmesan cheese (optional).

apple coleslaw

Serves 6

Poppy cooks…

1. In a mixing bowl, combine
   2 cups green cabbage, finely sliced,
   1.5 cups red cabbage, finely sliced,
   carrot, julienned and
   granny smith apple, julienned.
   
   
2. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together
   3 tablespoons mayonnaise,
   2 tablespoons olive oil,
   1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar,
   1 tablespoon lemon juice,
   2 teaspoons poppy seeds,
   celtic sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste.
   
   
3. Pour dressing over coleslaw and serve.

sushi bowl with teriyaki chicken

Serves 5

Poppy cooks…

1. Boil
   1 cup quinoa in
   2 cups filtered water until all the water is absorbed, then set aside.
   
   
2. Blanche
   1 cup frozen edamame beans until done, then set aside.
   
   
3. Finely slice or chop in a thermomix
   1 cup carrot and
   1 cup purple cabbage, then set aside.
   
   
4. Prepare the dressing by whisking together
   1 tablespoon tahini,
   1 tablespoon filtered water,
   2 teaspoons tamari sauce,
   1/2 teaspoon olive oil,
   2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar,
   1/2 teaspoon honey,
   1/4 teaspoon freshly grated ginger, then set aside.
   
   
5. Grill
   500g chicken tenderloins seasoned with
   celtic sea salt and
   cracked black pepper being careful not to overcook.
   
   
6. Shred chicken.
   
   
7. In a saucepan combine
   1/4 cup coconut amino sauce,
   1/4 cup manuka honey,
   1.5 tablespoons orange juice,
   1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar,
   1 teaspoon arrowroot flour,
   2 teaspoons grated ginger,
   garlic clove, minced,
   2 teaspoons olive oil and
   small pinch of chilli flakes over medium heat until it begins to boil, about 2-3 minutes.
   
   
8. Return shredded chicken to the pan with sauce and toss to coat chicken.
   
   
9. Assemble bowls by either combing or layering quinoa, carrot, purple cabbage, shelled edamame,
   avocado, diced, teriyaki chicken and tahini dressing.
   
   
10. Garnish with
    black and white sesame seeds and
    shredded seaweed.

chicken san choy bow

Serves 4

Poppy cooks…

1. Chop
   1 carrot and
   1/4 red cabbage in thermomix for 20 seconds at speed 4 then tip into a mixing bowl. Alternatively, julienne / thinly slice ingredients by hand.
   
   
2. Add to the mixing bowl
   1 lebanese cucumber, julienned and
   1 spring onion, thinly sliced then set aside.
   
   
3. Grill
   500g chicken tenderloins in
   olive oil with
   celtic sea salt and cracked black pepper.
   
   
4. While the chicken is cooking, in a small bowl mix together
   1/4 cup manuka honey,
   1 tablespoon gluten free soy sauce,
   2 teaspoon white wine vinegar and
   1/2 lime, juiced.
   
   
5. Shred the chicken, then add it to the vegetables. Pour dressing on top and mix together.
   
   
6. Prepare
   12 iceberg lettuce cups, spoon filling into cups and sprinkle with
   fried shallots.

healthy char kway teow

Serves 4

Poppy cooks…

1. Lightly beat
   5 eggs with a fork, pour into a lined brownie tray and cook in a 180ºC oven until done.
   
   
2. In a wok on high heat, saute
   red capsicum, thinly sliced,
   yellow capsicum, thinly sliced,
   3 garlic cloves, minced,
   carrot, finely julienned,
   1/2 zucchini, julienned in
   butter until cooked and slightly softened.
   
   
3. In the meantime, in a large pot, boil 
   400g thick rice noodles in accordance with packet instructions, then drain.
   
   
4. Return noodles to pot, then add
   2 handfuls of spinach, sliced,
   2 sprigs of coriander, minced, oven cooked eggs, sliced and stir fried veggies.
   
   
5. In a small mixing bowl, stir together
   3 teaspoons coconut sugar,
   4 tablespoons gluten-free soy sauce,
   6 tablespoons coconut amino sauce, and
   2 tablespoon olive oil and pour into pot.
   
   
6. Stir together on high heat until ready and serve with
   black and/or white sesame seeds sprinkled on top.

baked eggs in tomato kale

Serves 4

Poppy cooks…

1. In a large deep frying pan, heat a swig of
   olive oil over medium heat, then add
   onion, diced,
   2 carrots, finely diced,
   celery stick, finely diced and
   3 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley, chopped, stirring frequently until browned.
   
   
2. Stir through
   1 clove of garlic, minced,
   sprig of rosemary and
   2 sprigs thyme for one minute.
   
   
3. Add
   bunch kale, finely chopped and cook until the kale has softened.
   
   
4. Add
   1 tablespoon tomato paste,
   tin of diced tomatoes and
   celtic sea salt + cracked black pepper, to taste, simmering for 8 minutes.
   
   
5. Make four wells and crack
   4 eggs into each of the wells, either covering the pan or placing the pan in the oven until the egg whites are cooked.

mixed berry, carrot + zucchini cupcakes

Makes 12

Poppy bakes…

1. Heat oven to 190ºC.
   
   
2. In a bowl whisk together
   1 cup coconut sugar,
   1 cup olive oil,
   2 eggs and
   1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract.
   
   
3. Add and whisk together
   3/4 cup carrot, finely grated,
   3/4 cup zucchini, finely grated and
   1 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries.
   
   
4. Add and whisk together
   3/4 teaspoon celtic sea salt, and
   3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
   
   
5. Add
   2 cups gluten free self raising flour and gently fold into mixture without over mixing.
   
   
6. Divide batter among moulds and bake for 25 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

lamb stew

Serves 5

Poppy cooks…

1. Heat a drizzle of
   olive oil in a large pot or dutch oven.
   
   
2. Season
   700g lamb shoulder, diced with
   celtic sea salt and brown in batches, then set aside.
   
   
3. Add to the pot
   onion, diced,
   3 carrots, chopped and
   2 cloves garlic, minced and cook until the vegetables soften.
   
   
4. Add
   tin diced tomatoes,
   500ml beef stock,
   2 sprigs thyme,
   1 sprig rosemary and the lamb, bringing to a boil then reducing to a simmer before placing the lid on for 2 hours.
   
   
5. Stir through
   1.5 cups butternut pumpkin, cubed and cook for another 20 minutes or under the pumpkin is cooked.

zucchini + carrot cake

Serves 10

An easy recipe that doesn't require the use of an electric mixer. Also a great way of sneaking in some extra vegetables in the guise of something sweet.

Poppy bakes…

1. Preheat oven to 180ºC.
   
   
2. In a mixing bowl gently stir together
   250g gluten-free self-raising flour,
   2 teaspoons ground cinnamon and
   1 teaspoon mixed spice.
   
   
3. In a small mixing bowl stir together
   1/2 cup olive oil,
   1 cup coconut sugar,
   1 egg and
   1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
   
   
4. Grate
   1 small carrot and
   1 small zucchini, around 160g combined.
   
   
5. Add the wet ingredients from step 3 to the dry ingredients from step 2 and mix together using a spatula until well combined. Then add the carrot and zucchini and mix together until well combined.
   
   
6. Place the mixture in a lined cake tin and bake for 35 minutes, or until a skewer comes out clean.

asian fusion salad

Serves 4

Poppy cooks…

1. In a small pot bring to the boil
   3/4 cup quinoa in
   1.5 cups hot filtered water and simmer until liquid is absorbed.
   
   
2. In a salad bowl, place the quinoa with
   3/4 cup shelled edamame beans,
   red capsicum, diced,
   carrot, peeled into ribbons or grated,
   1 cup pineapple, cut into bite size pieces,
   1.5 cups purple cabbage, finely shredded and mix together.
   
   
3. In a small bowl, whisk together
   juice of 1/4 lime,
   1.5 tablespoons tamari sauce,
   tablespoon agave syrup and
   2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar.
   
   
4. Add dressing to salad and mix together.
   
   
5. Garnish with
   teaspoon sesame seeds.

osso bucco

Serves 4

Poppy cooks…

1. Heat
   olive oil in a large pan / french oven and brown
   4 osso bucco cuts on each side, and then set aside.
   
   
2. Saute
   2 carrots, finely chopped and
   3 celery sticks, finely chopped in olive oil for 2 minutes.
   
   
3. Place osso bucco on top of vegetables in a single layer.
   
   
4. In a separate bowl combine
   1 cup dry white wine,
   410g tin diced tomato,
   1 tablespoon tomato puree,
   celtic sea salt and cracked black pepper.
   
   
5. Pour over osso bucco - if the meat is not covered, add extra wine until it is submerged in liquid.
   
   
6. Bring to the boil then reduce to a simmer and leave covered for 1 hour.
   
   
7. Remove the lid and cook for another 30 minutes, or until the meet is falling off the bone.
   
   
8. Cook
   2 cups rice.
   
   
9. To make the gremolata, combine
   zest of 1 lemon,
   2 tablespoons parsley, chopped and
   garlic clove, minced.
   
   
10. Serve rice, topped with vegetables, osso bucco and sprinkled with gremolata.

noodle stir fry

Serves 4

Poppy cooks...

1. Blend
   juice of 1 lime,
   1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper,
   3/4 teaspoon ground ginger,
   4 tablespoons tamari sauce,
   2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar,
   3 tablespoons manuka honey and
   5 medjool dates, pitted in a food processor until dates are fully broken down and set aside.
   
   
2. In a wok or non-stick frying pan scramble
   4 eggs, whisked with a drop of olive oil and set aside.
   
   
3. In the same wok/pan, heat
   olive oil over medium heat before adding
   500g chicken tenderloins, diced with
   celtic sea salt + cracked black pepper for 3 minutes.
   
   
4. Add
   onion, thinly sliced and
   5 garlic cloves, minced until chicken is fully cooked and onion is browned. Drain any excess liquid.
   
   
5. Stir through
   1 packet of konjac or rice noodles, prepared according to instructions on packet,
   3 baby zucchini, julienned,
   2 carrots, julienned and
   2 spring onions, diagonally sliced tossing until ingredients start to stick to the pan.
   
   
6. Pour sauce over ingredients and stir to combine. Cook until sauce is absorbed/reduced.
   
   
7. Before serving, stir through egg and
   1/2 cup coriander, chopped.
   
   
8. Serve with
   lime wedge and garnish with
   coriander.

Notes
If you like spicy food, just increase the amount of cayenne pepper in the sauce. And if you aren't allergic to nuts like I am, then top this dish with some toasted cashews.