Being from South Africa I have been raised on BBQ’d meat, fish and vegetables. That charred flavor remind me of Sunday lunches, holidays by the beach and camping trips with my family.
Later in life I learned that roasting (or caramelizing as they say in restaurants) is equally important when adding flavor to a dish. It’s when the sugars start to ‘burn’ that beautiful flavor is born and that all meals can be turned into spectacularly delicious creations when you learn the art of caramelizing.
White fish and vegetable noodles in a Chardonnay sauce
After a week on holiday and constantly eating out we felt like something homemade, clean and uncomplicated for dinner tonight. That, of course, doesn’t mean it has to be boring, or lacking flavor.
There are always ways to make a dish come to life however healthy and simple it may be.
And, after an incredibly busy first day back I certainly didn’t want to be cooking for too long. Pasta and noodles are my go-to options after a long day and can be done in minutes.
However: if you feel like zushing the whole thing up, by all means incorporate whatever it is you feel like. Green beans, salmon, capers, dill, lime juice or even something spicy like cayenne pepper or chili. Whatever you and your family feel like.
Seared Tuna Salad
A friend of mine once told me that putting a raw carrot in the earth will make it grow, but steaming it for 30 seconds will not. Now I’m not sure how accurate this is since I haven’t tried it, but the point was that even a short cooking time removes the ‘life’ from it. This stuck with me. Eating raw produce is the single best thing you can possibly do for your body.
Now don’t get me wrong. I love all food both cooked and raw. There’s nothing quite like slow roasted lamb shoulder with mashed potatoes and wilted spinach and your body really does need both, but it is essential to incorporate fresh, crunchy veggies regularly. The benefits are countless.
But what about flavor? How do we make these meals equally yummy?
There are many ways. Dressings, toasted nuts and seeds, flavored olive oils, fresh herbs and berries. That’s how.
Seared Teriyaki Tuna, Green Beans & Tomato
Asian flavors are sometimes tricky to get right, but with a few basic staple ingredients in your cupboard you too can create an astonishing dish.
Toasted sesame, soy sauce and coriander are three of my favorites and can easily be combined with ingredients from other parts the world. Don’t be afraid to experiment.
Cod with Fennel bulb and Snow peas
This meal is light, healthy and ever so quick to prepare. Fennel is one of the most underrated vegetables out there and is incredibly good for you. Steam your veggies before adding flavor to them to keep all the vitamins and minerals locked inside.
See full Recipe...