DRESS AND FLAVOUR UP YOUR GREENS (gluten, grain & dairy free)

I am a massive advocate of making your diet primarily plant-based – by which I mean loads of vegetables not loads of grains. Often times, eating good quality animal products and fats are necessary as a way to help heal and rebuild your system, but once healed a diet heavy on veges is hugely health enhancing. To learn more about how to heal and seal your gut (and therefore your immune system and ability to switch off genetic weaknesses) go to Dr Natasha Campbell McBride’s work with the GAPS diet.

Below are my really simple recipes for sauces, dips and dressings that enhance any vegetable dish.  For those of you who struggle to digest raw vegetables, stick with the lightly cooked vegetable options, these require far less digestive energy, and contrary to popular belief are still nutrient-dense.

 

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TOASTED NUTS AND SEEDS

Ingredients:

• One cup of sunflower seeds / pumpkin seeds / almonds (or a mixture of all three)
• Pinch of good quality salt

Directions:

Throw the seeds into a pan with some good quality salt and toast on a low heat until all the seeds are browned to your liking – stir every minute to toast evenly.

I sprinkle these seeds over salads, stir-fry vegetables and grilled salmon. The sweet variation below is delicious with full-fat yoghurt or coconut yoghurt, or simply sprinkled over a mashed banana!

Variations:

• Crispy – add up to one tablespoon of health enhancing coconut oil to the pan and mix in the nuts and seeds then toast
• Japanese style – after toasting, pour some tamari or coconut liquid aminos (soya and grain free) over the toasted seeds
• Sweet – after toasting mix in up to 1 tbsp of raw honey / maple syrup / rice malt syrup (and for an energy booster also add in 1/2 tbsp raw cacao powder)
• If you’re intolerant to nuts try toasting desiccated coconut – it’s delicious!

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SALAD DRESSING / STIR-FRY SAUCE

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp almond butter
• 1 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil
• 2 tsp apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp of tamari or coconut liquid aminos (optional)
• Pinch of good quality salt

 

Directions:

Depending on the temperature in your kitchen you may or may not need to melt down the almond butter and coconut oil before adding in the other ingredients and mixing very well.

Pour the mix over your salad leaves or prepared raw stir-fry vegetables then massage the mixture well into the salad or vegetables with your hands. Remember not use olive oil under high heats, so if stir-frying pour the olive oil over after the veges are cooked.

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SALAD DRESSING / DIP

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1/2 TBSP olive oil
• 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon
• Handful of finely chopped coriander
• Pinch of good quality salt

 

 

Directions:

Mash the avocado and mix in the rest of the ingredients – stir very well – if you have a hand blender then throw all of the ingredients in and blend until smooth.

Either pour the mix into a bowl and use as a dip with vegetable batons OR massage the mix into your favourite salad leaves or grated courgette/courgetti (as shown in the photo). Again, use your hands to properly massage the dressing in so it hits every leaf!

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Enjoy eating your greens and nourishing your body with the foods it most loves!