COOKS NOTES + SUBSTITUTES:
Almond Meal / Almond Flour – use whole nuts and blitz in a food processor.
Chickpea Burgers recipe here.
Dairy-Free Pesto recipe here.
Eggplant ‘Steaks’ – recipe here.
Fried Eggs recipe here.
Steamed Rice recipe here.
Poached Eggs recipe here.
Unless otherwise stated all cans are 400g / 14oz.
Standard bag of salad = approx 150g (5oz).
‘PREP AHEAD’ POSSIBILITIES
Here are suggestions for things you can possibly prepare ahead. They’re just suggestions though so please don’t feel like you need to devote your weekend to getting these steps done! It’s totally up to you.
[1] The Good Greens
GREENS (15 minutes)
Just cook the veg as per the recipe but keep the feta, olives and pesto separately. To serve, warm veg in a pan with a little oil before adding remaining ingredients.
[2] Supermoist Meat Loaf
MEATLOAF (60 minutes)
Just cook as per the recipe but keep the zucchini and mint separately. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or can be frozen. To serve, warm in the oven 200C (400F) for about 20 minutes or pan fry slices to warm more quickly.
[3] Spinach & Feta Burgers
BURGERS (15 minutes)
Just cook burger patties as per the recipe but keep the mayo and yoghurt separately. Burger patties will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or can be frozen. Don’t freeze the sauce. It will keep in the fridge for 2 weeks. To serve, cook in the oven 200C (400F) for 10 minutes from chilled or 15-20 minutes from frozen – you want the burgers to be well browned and warmed through.
[4] Pop’s Slow Cooker Magic Meal
MAGIC MEAL (6-12 hours)
Just cook as per the recipe but keep the almonds separately. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or can be frozen. To serve, warm in a saucepan or the oven and serve with the chopped almonds. When I make it for my Dad I just add the almonds because he would forget to add them – the almonds lose their crunch but still taste good!
[5] Baked Salmon with Crunchy Nut Crust
SALMON (20 minutes)
Just cook as per the recipe but keep the yoghurt and nuts separately. The yoghurt can be drained for up to 48 hours ahead. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 1 week. The drained yoghurt will keep for longer if you scoop it into an airtight jar. The cooked fish and veg can be frozen. Don’t freeze the yoghurt. Serve chilled or warm in the oven then top with yoghurt and nuts as per the recipe.
[6] Heavenly Chocolate Olive Oil Cake
CAKE (60 minutes)
Just cook as per the recipe. Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or can be frozen. To serve, allow to come to room temp.
INGREDIENT STORAGE Best Practices
Also see the WASTE AVOIDANCE STRATEGY with each recipe for tips on preserving ingredients for longer periods if required.
VEGGIES
asparagus / other green veg – in the fridge wrapped in a plastic bag.
green herbs – in the fridge wrapped in a plastic bag.
lemons – in the fridge wrapped in a plastic bag. Can be kept at room temp if you prefer but will last longer in the fridge.
onions – in a dark pantry.
zucchini (courgettes) – in the fridge wrapped in a plastic bag.
PROTEIN
eggs – I keep mine in the pantry because we eat a lot of eggs. Will last much longer in the fridge.
minced (ground) beef – in the fridge in the packaging it was purchased in.
lamb – in the fridge in the packaging they were purchased in.
salmon (other other fish) – in the fridge in the packaging it was purchased in. I get the fishmonger to wrap up a bag of ice to keep as cold as possible.
DAIRY
feta – in the fridge. Will keep for months in an unopened package.
yoghurt – in the fridge in the packaging it was purchased in.
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