More stories

  • in

    You Need To Make This Yummy Cauliflower Recipe With A South African Twist

    Looking for a delicious cauliflower recipe with some South African flair? You’ve come to the right place because this recipe delivers all of that goodness in spades!

    READ MORE: Try These Veggie Sosaties Even Meat Lovers Will Love

    This recipe is from Mokgadi Itsweng’s debut cookbook, Veggielicious, and it’s a cookbook worth investing in. Filled with tons of recipes that will help you eat more veggies and enjoy plant-based meals, you’re guaranteed to find some new faves.

    But now for the best part. Mokgadi uses indigenous ingredients that are often overlooked or forgotten (think: impepho in this recipe) and prioritises making affordable meals. We’re huge fans of hers and you will be too!

    READ MORE: This Braai Dessert Is So Simple Even Kids Can Make It

    The Secret SA Ingredient In This Cauliflower Recipe

    It’s Impepho, of course! “Impepho or wild sage is an indigenous African herb that is widely used by traditional healers in spiritual prayer rituals. The herb is also used as an antifungal, antiseptic and anti-anxiety medicine,” explains Itsweng.

    And seriously, Impepho adds so much flavour to any food it is smoked with. “I use a kettle braai for smoking, but you can follow the quick smoking hack that I have included in the recipe,” says Itsweng.

    3 Essentials You’ll Use In This Recipe

    Le Creuset Venus Basting Brush

    Nothing beats a good basting brush, and this one will serve you well for years to come because it’s very high quality.

    Severin Smoothie Mix & Go Blender

    We love this all-in-one smoothie maker and blender that you can use to blend red peppers for this recipe.

    Weber 37cm Smokey Joe Kettle Braai

    This kettle braai might be small but it packs a punch. So take it along for picnics, braais or camping trips.

    READ MORE: How To Braai Like A Pro

    Impepho Smoked Cauliflower With Red Pepper Sauce

    Mokgadi Itsweng

    Impepho adds so much flavour to any food it is smoked with. And it will seriously up the ante on this cauliflower that will be the stand-out side at your next gathering.

    Prep Time 20 minutes minsCook Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

    Course Side DishCuisine South African, Vegetarian

    Servings 6 people

    1 Kettle braai1 Saucepan1 Blender
    1 whole Cauliflower headHandful of dried impepho herb, for smoking the cauliflower1 clove Garlic, crushed¼ cup Olive oilSalt and pepper to tasteSauce2 Red peppers, left whole2 Tbsp Olive oil1 clove Garlic, crushed1 Tbsp Smoked paprika¼ cup Lemon juice1 Tbsp Brown sugarSalt and pepper to tasteHandful of fresh parsley or thyme, chopped
    Preheat the oven to 200 °C.Bring a saucepan of water with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt to a boil, then add the cauliflower head. Cook for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.Smoke the cauliflower by placing a hot charcoal disk inside a small foil container, then adding a handful of dried impepho herb. When the impepho starts smoking, place it inside a kettle braai with the cauliflower. Close the kettle braai lid and allow to smoke for at least 10-15 minutes. Remove from the kettle braai and set aside. Quick hack: Use your oven as a smoker. Place the impepho on an oven tray, light it and when it starts to smoke place the tray on the bottom rack of the oven. Then place the cauliflower on the rack directly above the impepho. Close the oven and allow to smoke for 5-10 minutes.Mix the garlic with the olive oil and brush over the whole cauliflower. Season with salt and pepper. Place on a baking tray and roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes until crisp on the outside.While the cauliflower is roasting, make the sauce by first roasting the peppers in the oven until the skins are blackened.Remove the peppers from the oven and place in a bowl, cover with clingwrap and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Once cooled, peel the skins off and blend the peppers, then set aside.Heat the oil, then add the garlic and paprika, and cook for 2 minutes on medium heat. Add the blended peppers and cook for 5 minutes, stirring continuously to ensure that the sauce doesn’t stick and burn.Add the lemon juice and brown sugar, cook for a further 2 minutes, then season with salt and pepper.To serve, slice the cauliflower into steaks or leave whole, then place on a platter. Pour the sauce over the cauliflower and top with chopped herbs.

    Keyword braai, dinner, starter, vegetarian

    Women’s Health participates in various affiliate marketing programmes, which means we may get commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. More

  • in

    Try These Veggie Sosaties Even Meat Lovers Will Love

    Delicious kebabs are a must-have at any South African braai. And these veggie sosaties from cookbook author Mynie Steffens, will impress vegetarians and meat lovers alike. So let’s get braaing!

    READ MORE: Exactly How To Make The Perfect Pizza On The Braai

    The recipe for these veggie sosaties is from Mynie Steffens, a self-confessed braai addict who has been cooking over coals since she was only 10!

    Whether you’re a braai newbie or a seasoned first-starter, you can still learn new tricks the Mynie way. Mynie Plays With Fire is jam-packed with easy recipes, curated braai-tasting menus, themed menus, playlists and fun facts. So you’ll definitely be the hostess with the mostess this Heritage Day. *Adds to cart*

    3 Must-Have Braai Essentials We Swear By

    Le Creuset Venus Basting Brush

    The bristles on this basting brush are designed to work like a real bristle brush. They hold liquids at the top and releasing them slowly towards the tip. This brush is heat resistant for up to 250°C. 

    Cast Iron Multi Grill

    Best for grilling meat, seafood or vegetables with minimal oil. Because of its extremely high heat retention, cast iron is a versatile material that can be used on almost any heat source. 

    Ripple Enamel Oval Roaster White

    You can easily store and serve wonderful warm meals with this grill-to-table roaster. Made of stainless steel and ceramic, it’s a must-have piece of kitchenware for every SA household. 

    READ MORE: This Braai Dessert Is So Simple Even Kids Can Make It

    Halloumi and Veggie Sosaties

    Mynie Steffens

    Delicious sosaties are a must-have at any South African braai. These veggie ones from self-confessed braai addict, Mynie Steffens, are guaranteed to impress vegetarians and meat lovers alike.

    Prep Time 5 minutes minsCook Time 7 minutes mins

    Course Side DishCuisine South African

    Servings 6 people

    6 Cherry tomatoes1 Red onion, halved from top to bottom and each half cut into 3 chunks1 Yellow pepper, cut into 3x3cm cubes6 Blocks firm halloumi cheese, cut into 5x5cm blocks6 Medium button mushrooms1 tbsp Salt2 tbsp Fresh rosemary, choppedOlive oil for drizzling
    Skewer one of each vegetable and 1 block of cheese onto a large sosatie stick. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and rosemary.Braai over hot coals for 5–7 minutes (or until the halloumi has browned all over).

    Keyword braai, healthy, kebab, starter, vegetarian More

  • in

    3 Comforting Soups That’ll Boost Your Immune System

    Cold weather begs for warm, steamy dishes and these comforting soups will give you enough variety in texture and flavour so you don’t feel bored. Also, you can whip up a couple and freeze them for work lunches. Score! Start with a good-quality chicken or vegetable stock (plus, some chilli, garlic and onion) and build up from there.

    Soup stars

    Get your kitchen tools ready and you’ll be off creating flavourful, comforting soups in no time.

    Smeg Hand Blender

    This retro-styled hand blender does it all, including mashing, blending and chopping.

    Haden Jug Blender

    Jug blenders make it easy to dump soups into and blend in a blitz.

    Kambrook Smartlife Soup Maker

    Blades whirr and break down veg, while a heating plate makes it easy to create your soups in one container.

    Comforting soups that boost immunity

    These vegetable soups are jam-packed with immune-boosting veggies. They’ll ward off illness and have you feeling like your strongest self. Here’s why.

    Cauliflower

    This white veg is high in nutrients, despite its lack of colour. And just one serving gives you 58% of your daily allowance of vitamin C. It’s also high in fibre, feeding your gut’s healthy bacteria and dialling up digestion.

    Spinach

    The benefits of spinach are so large that it’s considered a superfood. And for good reason: from flushing out the free radicals that lead to cancer to enhancing your body’s essential functions, spinach is an all-rounder queen.

    Butternut

    Butternut is a powerful source of vitamins, including vitamins A, C and E. From taking care of your hair, skin and nails to boosting immunity, butternut is great at souping up your meal’s nutritional profile.

    Cauli Soup

    This dreamy, creamy soup boosts immunity, thanks to healthful ingredients.

    Prep Time 5 minutes minsCook Time 40 minutes mins

    Course SoupCuisine Healthy

    1 large onion chopped1 clove garlic chopped1 red chilli finely chopped1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil1 head cauliflower chopped2-3 cups vegetable stockparsely for garnishing
    In a large saucepan, sauté the onion, garlic and chilli in the olive oil.Add the cauliflower, cover with stock and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes, until the cauliflower is soft.Blend with a hand blender until creamy. Garnish and serve.

    Keyword Cauliflower soup

    Spinach and broccoli soup

    Bitty and bright, this soup is a super-healthy dose of nutrients.

    Prep Time 5 minutes minsCook Time 35 minutes mins

    Course SoupCuisine Healthy

    1 large onion chopped1 clove garlic chopped1 red chilli finely chopped1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil1 head broccoli roughly chopped1 bag baby spinach divided in half3-4 cups vegetable stock1/2 handful fresh basil
    In a large saucepan, sauté the onion, garlic and chilli in the olive oil. Add the broccoli and half the bag of baby spinach then cover with vegetable stock. Cook over medium heat until broccoli is soft, about 30 minutes.Remove from the heat. Add the rest of the baby spinach and some basil and blend with a handheld blender. It’ll go bright green. Serve with some chopped spring onions and extra basil. Garnish with extra chilli (optional).

    Keyword miso soup, spinach and broccoli soup

    Spicy butternut soup

    Love butternut soup? The spicy kick in this one punches up the flavour even more.

    Prep Time 10 minutes minsCook Time 1 hour hr

    Course SoupCuisine Healthy

    1 medium-sized butternut chopped1 large onion chopped1 tbsp masala curry spice1 chilli chopped1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil1 cup vegetable stock1/2 tin coconut creamcoriander for garnishing
    Preheat the oven to 180° C. Place all the ingredients, besides the stock, coconut cream and coriander, in a roasting pan and roast for 40 minutes until cooked through and slightly charred. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.Squeeze the sweet, soft garlic flesh out of the cloves and place with the rest of the ingredients in a large saucepan. Add the cup of stock and coconut cream.Using a hand blender, blitz all the ingredients together and reheat until the desired temperature is reached. Garnish with coriander.

    Keyword butternut soup, healthy soup, miso soup More

  • in

    Serve This Tasty (Yet, Easy) Butternut Wellington At Your Next Dinner Party

    A beef wellington delivers a serious dose of wow factor on special occasions. But what about those of us who don’t eat meat or are trying to cut down? Well, this butternut vegetarian wellington from cookbook author Mokgadi Itsweng is guaranteed to hit the spot and steal the show.

    But First, What Is A Wellington?

    Everyone knows a steak dinner is special and a beef wellington takes it to a whole new level. Beef Wellington is a steak dish made out of fillet steak and coated with pâté and duxelles (sautéed mushrooms, onions, shallots, garlic, and parsley to make a stuffing). It’s then wrapped in puff pastry and baked. It’s a very famous English dish and some recipes call for you to wrap the coated meat in a crêpe or parma ham to retain the moisture and prevent it from making the pastry soggy.

    READ MORE: This Aubergine Curry Is The Ultimate Winter Comfort Meal

    So What’s Different About This Vegetarian Wellington?

    Well, firstly, it’s vegetarian and doesn’t include any beef. The butternut is the “steak” element. But other than that it’s pretty similar and delivers the same satisfied hums when you serve it at a dinner party. You still have your duxelles to give it delicious flavour and it’s wrapped in puff pastry for an amazing crispy crunch. Trust us on this one, it’s a real crowd-pleaser.

    READ MORE: This Creamy Kale Pasta Recipe Features Cottage Cheese As A Secret Ingredient

    Butternut Vegetarian Wellington

    Mokgadi Itsweng

    “This is a real showstopper of a main meal. I only serve it on really special occasions or when I am trying to impress! I love how easy it is to make and how fabulous it looks,” says author of Veggielicious, Mokgadi Itsweng.

    Prep Time 20 minutes minsCook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

    Course Main CourseCuisine Vegetarian

    Servings 6 people

    1 Butternut (1kg and over), halved and peeled3 Tbsp Olive oil1 Onion (large), finely chopped4 Garlic cloves, finely grated1 Tbsp Fresh rosemary, chopped1 Tbsp Fresh parsley, chopped250 g Mushrooms, cleaned and chopped300 g Morogo, washed and chopped¼ cup Dried cranberries, roughly chopped¼ cup Breadcrumbs, divided into 2 equal portions1 sheet Hot water crust pastry ¼ cup Herb pestoMilk, for the glazeSeasoning herb salt to taste
    Preheat the oven to 180°C.On a chopping board, cut off the hollow part of the butternut (chop this part up and freeze for later use) and leave the two solid parts of the butternut. Place the butternut on a roasting tray, drizzle 1 Tbsp olive oil over the butternut halves and roast uncovered for 20 minutes until tender. Remove from the heat and allow to cool.In a frying pan, heat the rest of the oil and fry the onion, garlic and herbs together for 5 minutes on medium heat, then add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes until nicely browned.Add the chopped morogo and dried cranberries and cook, closed, for 10 minutes. Season with herb salt. Allow the mixture to cool slightly; then once cooled, mix in one portion of the breadcrumbs.To assemble, roll out the pastry on a floured surface, then sprinkle half of the leftover breadcrumbs in the middle of the pastry (an area where the butternuts will go; this will ensure that the bottom pastry stays crispy).Spoon the cooled mushroom and morogo mix over the breadcrumbs, then place the roasted butternuts (side by side so the cut ends touch each other, creating one long butternut) over the mushroom mixture. Brush some herb pesto over the butternut and sprinkle the rest of the breadcrumbs over the top of the butternut.Once the filling is in place, fold the pastry flaps to cover the butternut, joining them together at the top. Use your fingers to pinch together a pattern to enclose the butternut and keep the filling inside. Make incisions along the top of the pastry, allowing the Wellington to release steam during cooking. Brush some milk over the pastry to create a glaze.Bake in the oven for 50 minutes, until pastry is golden and crispy.Serve as a main with your favourite sides and salads.

    Keyword comfort food, dinner, vegetarian More

  • in

    This Aubergine Curry Is The Ultimate Winter Comfort Meal

    Nothing beats the winter blues, quite like a delicious and comforting curry. And while South Africans are no strangers to making curries, we bet you’ve never tried this winter vegetable curry. Ahead, find cookbook author Mokadi Itsweng‘s recipe for an aubergine, tomato and tamarind curry that’s sure to become a winter staple.

    3 Benefits Of Aubergines & Why You Should Add Them To Any Winter Vegetable Curry

    Also known as brinjal, or eggplant, aubergines are actually berries by botanical definition. But these berrilicious babes have a host of benefits that will have you reaching for them in the supermarket.

    READ MORE: This Prawn Curry Hits The Spot When You’re Craving Take-Aways

    1. They’re a nutrient-dense food

    Dieticians will always emphasise the importance of eating nutrient-dense foods, especially if you’re trying to lose weight. One cup of raw aubergine contains 5g carbs, 3g fibre, 1g protein and 20 calories. It also contains 10% of your Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) of manganese, 5% of your RDI of folate, 5% of your RDI of potassium, 4% of your RDI of Vitamin K and 3% of your RDI of Vitamin C.

    2. They could help with weight loss

    Insider secret: nutrient-dense, high fibre and low-calorie ingredients are your best friend when it comes to trying to lose weight. Aubergines are high in fibre, nutrient-dense and low in calories. The reason fibre is so great for weight loss efforts is because it moves through your digestive tract slowly, promoting satiety and fullness, keeping you fuller for longer which therefore reduces how many calories you eat.

    READ MORE: This Creamy Kale Pasta Recipe Features Cottage Cheese As A Secret Ingredient

    3. They’re high in antioxidants

    Studies have shown that antioxidants could help prevent many types of chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. One 2011 study found that animals that were fed raw or grilled eggplant for 30 days improved heart function and reduced heart attack severity. So go on and enjoy a bowl of delicious curry and your heart will thank you.

    Aubergine, Tomato And Tamarind Curry

    Mokgadi Itsweng

    “The tamarind in this curry adds a sweet and sour taste that pairs very well with tomatoes. Tamarind is available at most supermarkets and Indian spice shops. If you buy a tamarind block, make sure to break off a tablespoon and soak it in half cup of water before using,” advises Mokgadi.

    Course Main CourseCuisine Indian

    Servings 4 people

    3 Tbsp Oil2 Tbsp Curry paste6 Curry leaves, finely sliced1 Onion, finely chopped3 Garlic cloves, finely grated1 tsp Fresh ginger, grated2 410g Tinned tomatoes, chopped 2 Tbsp 2 Tbsp Tamarind paste2 Tbsp 2 Tbsp Brown sugar4 AuberginesSeasoning herb salt to tasteHandful of fresh coriander, chopped
    Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the curry paste and leaves. Fry on medium heat for 2 minutes, then add the onion, garlic and ginger and cook for a further 5 minutes until the onion is soft.Add the tomatoes, tamarind and brown sugar. Cook the sauce for 30 minutes, stirring constantly and adding a little water should it get dry. When tasted, the sauce should be well reduced and full of flavour.While the sauce cooks, slice the aubergines into wedges and sprinkle some salt over. Leave them to stand with the salt for 10 minutes, covered, then squeeze the moisture out of them.Heat an extra 2 Tbsp oil in a pan and fry the aubergines on both sides, until lightly browned.When the sauce is halfway cooked, add the aubergines and cook for 15 minutes more. Season with herb salt and stir through the coriander.Serve warm with rice, dombolo (steamed bread) or roti.

    Keyword comfort food, curry, vegetarian More

  • in

    This Vegetarian Recipe Makes The Perfect Movie Night Snack

    There are many ways to enjoy this Boland water plant. This Asian-inspired vegetarian snack recipe wins every day. Here’s what you need to know about the South African delicacy.

    What Is A Waterblommetjie?

    Waterblommetjies (literally water flowers) are native to the Western Cape and grow in ponds. They grow in winter so if you’re eating seasonally like Ilse Van Der Merwe, creator of this recipe and author or Simply Seasonal, reserve this recipe for the cold, wet months.

    But how are these flowers actually eaten, you ask? Well, the most common way to use waterblommetjies is in the ultimate comfort food; a bredie. The delicate and earthy flavour of these little plants balance out the rich, fatty flavour of the lamb in the stew to make a tummy-warming meal.

    READ MORE: Try This Trendy And Delicious Vegetarian Orzo Pasta Recipe Now

    The Ultimate South African Vegetarian Snack Recipe Ahead

    And although bredie has been waterblommetjies’ claim to fame for centuries, this vegetarian snack recipe is sure to put it on the map as crispy, saucy, proudly South African snack. Now, all that’s left is to choose what you’ll be binge-watching tonight.

    Waterblommetjie Tempura With Aïoli And A Soy Dipping Sauce Recipe

    Chef’s Note: The two dipping sauces are a must, but if you’re only going to make one sauce, make the soy and ginger one.We all love a good shortcut and if you need one this is it: you can also use store-bought ponzu sauce as is, as a substitute.Want more proudly South African recipes? Get a copy of Simply Seasonal by Ilse Van Der Merwe.

    Prep Time 15 minsCook Time 20 mins

    Course Appetizer, SnackCuisine South African

    Servings 6 people

    1 Blender1 Whisk1 Small mixing bowl1 Wide pot
    Aioli2 Egg yolks30 ml Lemon juice10 ml Dijon mustard1 Clove Garlic125 ml Canola oilSalt and pepperSoy Dipping Sauce45 ml Soy sauce45 ml Fresh lemon juice15 ml Finely grated fresh ginger2.5 ml Sesame oil1-2 Whole Spring onions, finely slicedWaterblommetjie Tempura500 grams Fresh waterblommetjies70 grams Cake flour60 grams Cornflour±180 ml Soda waterCanola oil, for deep fryingSalt and pepper, to taste
    For the aÏoli, blend the yolks, lemon juice, mustard and garlic in a small blender with an open spout (or tall cup with a stick blender) and season with salt and pepper. Add the oil in a thin stream while blending continuously, until a thick mayonnaise is achieved. Set aside.For the soy dipping sauce, whisk all the ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Set aside.For the tempura, rinse the waterblommetjies under running tap water, then bring about 1 cm of water to a simmer in a wide pot.Add the rinsed waterblommetjies, cover with a lid, and steam for 10 minutes. Remove from the pot and drain off the excess water. Set aside to cool slightly.In a mixing bowl, mix the cake flour and cornflour, season with salt and pepper and add the soda water. Mix with a fork or whisk – some lumps should remain.Heat 4–5cm of oil in a wide pot to 180°C (most of us don’t have a thermometer for this, so test a few drops of tempura batter to see if it sizzles). Dip each waterblommetjie into the batter to cover all sides, then place carefully into the oil. Fry in batches on both sides until golden (they won’t get very dark because of the cornflour) and fully cooked, then remove with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Serve hot, with the aÏoli and the soy dipping sauce on the side.

    Keyword starter, vegetarian More

  • in

    This Tasty Super Greens Pie Is The Best Way To Sneak In Your Veggies

    Make this vegetarian pie and your body will defs thank you for including all these greens in your diet. Trust us! Plus, we’ll show you the ultimate time hack to get in a workout while you’re cooking.

    How To Maximise Your Meal Time Prep

    Has your week gotten off to a far more frantic start than you anticipated? Or maybe you’re struggling to find the hours or minutes to fit in some exercise? We’ve got just the solution for you!

    READ MORE: Here’s How To Make The Viral TikTok Green Goddess Salad

    While your pie bakes, you’ll have 40 minutes to get bendy with our ​​Hatha Yoga Class with yoga and pilates instructor Duduetsang Phele. You’ll just need a yoga mat or big towel, a pillow and a small towel. Easy as pie!

    Check out the video below:

    [embedded content]

    READ MORE: 10 Healthy Summer Recipes You Can Make In Under 20 Minutes

    Super Greens Pie

    Serves 8

    This vegetarian pie recipe was created by the amazing food and recipe writer, stylist and Instagram genie, Lucy Tweed. She is the creator of Every Night of the Week, an Instagram account full of recipes for people who don’t like recipes. We feel seen!

    And now she has a wildly entertaining and practical cookbook filled with shortcuts and permission to do it your own way. You can get your own copy of Every Night of the Week by Lucy Tweed here. It’s filled with tons of recipes that are just as easy and delicious as the one below.

    Ingredients

    1 Bunch rainbow chard, leaves removed and torn, stalks chopped into 1cm pieces

    6 Garlic cloves, chopped

    1 Onion, chopped

    2 tsp Ghee (olive oil is also fine)

    1 Bunch kale, chopped into 4cm pieces

    250g Frozen spinach, thawed, drained

    Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

    500g Fresh ricotta

    2 Eggs, lightly beaten (reserve 1 teaspoon for the egg wash)

    Handful of dill, chopped

    Handful of flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped

    Handful of mint leaves, chopped

    Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon

    250g Halloumi, grated

    1 tsp Dried oregano

    1 Rectangular sheet (or 2 squares) good quality shortcrust pastry

    1 Rectangular sheet (or 2 squares) good quality puff pastry

    1 Tbsp Black and white sesame seeds

    Optional Ingredients:

    Lemon wedges

    Sriracha and kewpie mayonnaise (yes, we know it defies tradition)

    Method

    Preheat the oven to 180°C.

    In a large frying pan over medium heat, fry the chard stalks, garlic and onion in the ghee for 10 minutes.

    Turn the heat to high, add the chard and kale leaves and fry for a further 5 Minutes

    Add the spinach and season with salt and pepper, then remove from the heat and allow to cool.

    In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, beaten egg (except the teaspoon you’ve remembered to keep back), dill, parsley, mint, lemon zest and juice, halloumi and dried oregano. Now stir in the chard mixture.

    On a large (50cm x 30 cm) baking tray lined with baking paper, place one rectangular sheet of shortcrust pastry or overlap two square sheets and seal at the centre.

    Spoon the ricotta and chard mixture on top.

    Top with the sheet of puff pastry, crimp the edges to seal completely and score using long diagonal slashes.

    Whisk together the reserved egg and 1 tablespoon water to make an egg wash. Brush over the pastry and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

    Bake for 40 minutes until golden and puffed, while you do some yoga. More

  • in

    Try This Trendy And Delicious Vegetarian Orzo Pasta Recipe Now

    Have you been seeing orzo pasta all over your TikTok FYP or being used in Insta Reels everywhere and not quite sure what this new trendy ingredient is? Well, you’re in luck! We’re here to explain and then give you a recipe that will have you firmly on the orzo train in no time.

    What Is Orzo?

    It may look similar to rice but it definitely isn’t (and it definitely isn’t gluten-free either). Orzo is a thin, oval rice-shaped pasta. It is traditionally made with semolina flour which is a type of flour made from Durum wheat, but it can also be made of whole grain.

    READ MORE: 10 Healthy Summer Recipes You Can Make In Under 20 Minutes

    When you’re looking to buy orzo, as with any store-bought pasta, you want to find a quality brand that uses quality ingredients. We’re talking about a brand that uses semolina with higher protein content. Not only is it important to hit your #proteingoals, but this creates a sturdier pasta that is better to cook with and won’t leave you eating a mushy meal.

    Now that you know what it is, it’s time to find out what it tastes like with this recipe!

    READ MORE: 2 Delicious, Nutritious Side Dishes That Work With Almost Any Meal

    Orzo Pasta With Roasted Pumpkin, Red Onion, Feta & Almonds

    Serves 4 as a main course and 6-8 as a side dish

    This dish is as good served at room temperature as it is served warm. It can certainly be a vegetarian main course, but also as a side dish as part of a bigger spread, says Ilse van Der Merwe, the creator of this delish recipe and author of cookbook Simply Seasonal.

    But hey, don’t just stop there! If you’re wanting to get ahead, you can meal prep this on Sunday and portion it out for lunches throughout the week. The great thing about it being vegetarian is that it will keep for longer than a meat dish.

    Want to make it vegan? Lose the feta!

    READ MORE: You’ve Got To Try These Super Simple Summer Rolls With Asian-Style Sauce

    Ingredients

    ±500g Pumpkin, peeled and cubed

    3 Large red onions, sliced into slim wedges

    ±45ml Olive oil, plus extra salt and pepper, to taste

    500g Orzo pasta (or rosmarino or risoni)

    60–125ml Flaked almonds, lightly toasted in a dry pan

    2–3 Rounds feta cheese, crumbled

    Small bunch fresh Italian parsley, finely chopped

    Small bunch fresh mint, finely chopped (or basil or dill)

    Squeeze of fresh lemon juice, to taste

    Method

    Preheat the oven to 220°C. On a large baking sheet lined with baking paper, spread out the pumpkin and red onions, drizzle evenly with olive oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 25 minutes until tender and golden brown.

    In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta for 7 minutes, then drain. Add a drizzle of olive oil to the pasta and stir to coat, then transfer the pasta to a large serving bowl, adding the roasted pumpkin and onions.

    Add the parsley, mint, feta and a squeeze of lemon juice, then season all over with salt and pepper and stir gently to mix well. Top with the toasted almonds and serve warm or at room temperature. More