gingerbread cookies (paleo version)

Makes 16

Poppy bakes…

1. If you are unable to buy sunflower seed flour, you may want to start by milling sunflower seeds in a thermomix to create the sunflower seed flour required at step 8.
   
   
2. Soak
   5 dates in warm water until soft (a minimum of 30 minutes).
   
   
3. Blend dates until smooth to form a paste.
   
   
4. In a medium saucepan on medium heat, heat up
   1/3 cup manuka honey,
   1.5 tablespoons ground ginger,
   1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon,
   1/3 teaspoon ground nutmeg and date paste until the edges begin to bubble slightly.
   
   
5. Remove saucepan from the heat and stir through
   3 tablespoons coconut oil until combined.
   
   
6. Add
   1/2 teaspoon baking soda,
   1/4 teaspoon celtic sea salt, and slowly add
   1.75 cups sunflower seed flour.
   
   
7. Allow mixture to cool or place in the fridge.
   
   
8. Roll out dough between two pieces of baking paper to desired thickness, then cut into desired shapes.
   
   
9. Bake in a 180ºC oven for approximately 10 minutes or until they brown.
   
   
10. Allow to cool before eating.

gluten-free apple crumble

Serves 8

Poppy bakes…

1. Preheat oven to 180ºC.
   
   
2. In a mixing bowl place
   6 granny smith apples, cored and diced then squeeze a bit of
   lemon juice over the apples and toss to coat.
   
   
3. Stir through
   2 tablespoons agave syrup then dust with
   2 teaspoons tapioca flour and toss to coat.
   
   
4. Poor the apple mixture into your baking dish or ramekins.
   
   
5. In another mixing bowl combine
   1 cup quinoa flakes,
   3/4 cup gluten-free plain flour,
   1 cup coconut sugar,
   2 teaspoons ground cinnamon,
   1 teaspoon ground ginger and
   1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt and mix together.
   
   
6. Add
   3/4 cup coconut oil and combine.
   
   
7. Spoon crumble mixture over apple mixture and bake using bottom element only for 15 minutes, and then with both top and bottom elements on for another 20 minutes or until the crumble topping is crisp.

blueberry chutney

This blueberry chutney is so unique, tasty and healthy! We love eating it as a dipping sauce with sweet potato chips or homemade chicken nuggets. For a smoother sauce consistency, simply blitz with a stick blender.

Poppy cooks…

1. In a small saucepan, bring to the boil
   2 cups blueberries,
   4 teaspoons garlic, minced,
   1/4 cup red wine vinegar,
   1/2 teaspoon ground ginger,
   1/4 teaspoon onion powder,
   1/4 teaspoon celtic sea salt,
   2 tablespoons coconut sugar and then reduce to a simmer for 25 minutes.
   
   
2. Chill in the fridge and serve!

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.

roast pumpkin + cranberries with red quinoa

Serves 4

Poppy cooks...

1. Cook
   1 cup red quinoa with
   3 cups of filtered water in a rice cooker or on the cooktop.
   
   
2. Preheat oven to 180°C.
   
   
3. On a baking tray, combine
   2.5 cups pumpkin, diced,
   1/2 red onion, finely diced and
   2 cloves garlic, minced,
   olive oil (enough to coat vegetables),
   2 teaspoons manuka honey,
   generous pinch of celtic sea salt + cracked black pepper,1/8 teaspoon ground ginger and
   1/8 teaspoon curry powder.
   
   

   

   
   Preparing ingredients in the roasting tray
   

   
   

4. Place in the oven and roast for 30 minutes or until the pumpkin and garlic are golden.
   
   
5. To serve, combine roasted ingredients with the cooked quinoa,
   1/2 cup dried cranberries and
   2 tablespoons parsley, chopped.