Climate Week - Competition

Just in case you didn't already know, this week is climate week. YAAY! Big up the awareness raising. They've got loads going on, so check it out.

Kassie, who is one of the people organising the week, very kindly responded to my email and we are now on their list of blogs.

Something that may interest the free food fans amongst you is a competition to win a hamper of sustainable goodies from Tescos. Think of it like skipping, but without leaving the comfort of your own home...

What you need to do is register a meal that is low carbon. Low carbon meals include those made from locally sourced ingredients, those made from leftovers, or those which are low in meat and dairy. If you need inspiration just scroll down ;-)

Enter here:
http://www.climateweek.com/eat-low-carbon/register-your-low-carbon-meal/

And check out the other recommended blogs here:
http://www.climateweek.com/eat-low-carbon/food-blogs-we-like/

Thai Courgette and Cashew Nut Cous Cous

This is a wonderful dish, and not just because of the alliteration.

Dry roast a handful of cashews. No, dry roast several handfuls, then you can save some for later.

(Dry roast just means heat it without fat, either in a pan or in the oven / grill.) This will bring out the sweet nutty flavour of the cashews.

Fry up some Thai green curry paste and add some diced courgette. When it's nearly done pour in a load of boiling water then throw in the cous cous and stir. Keep doing this till you get a cous cousish texture. Add a load of cashews and mix in till it's pretty.

Thinly slice an onion or two, fry it up with a bit of sugar then add a load of chopped chard. When it's wilting throw in some tinned sweetcorn.

So!

Spoon the sweet vegetables on to a bed of fragrant cous cous and sprinkle with cashews. (Gastro speak-a-go-go.)

This can be prepared pretty quickly; I think it took me about 7.42 minutes.

Quick Potato Filling

I love food. The sleuths among you can probably tell that. I cannot understand people who eat entirely for sustainance, begrudgingly and without joy. I feel very lucky to be able to eat delicious food every day. However, I do spend a little too much time cooking. Sometimes it is necessary to make a quick meal. So, I am always looking for ways to make quick food, without compromising on taste. And so, this is one I rustled up today in about 15 minutes:

Baked Potatoes with Leek and Tomato filling

(I assure you there are two large potatoes under that mountain)

I suggest throwing on a couple of extra potatoes on anytime you're cooking something in the oven. They are always handy to have in the fridge. You can heat them up and add a filling to them for a quick meal, or slice them and fry them up with some garlic and onions (mmmm), or even throw them in a curry or soup. They won't go to waste anyway, so you might as well throw a few on just to have!

With this in mind, I pre-baked some spuds yesterday when I had the oven on. So, today I popped the oven on to heat them up, while I worked on a filling. I chopped up and fried two small leeks, half an onion, and some garlic. I threw in some chopped tomatoes and more oil, and fried it all up for a minute or so. Then it was time to cut open the now-hot spuds, and load those bad boys up. Top it all off with some cheese and black pepper and stick it in the oven to melt the cheese. And then BAM - 15 minute feast, with no taste compromise (maybe a bit with the presentation alright -it makes me feel dirty looking at it).

- Dara