No need to stick to the rules

In our house we like to try new things. 

Although to be honest, when it comes to food I definitely know what I like and quite easily become a woman of culinary routine. We know which meals we particularly enjoy and certainly dine on such often (my breakfast staple of vogels and avo, plus good meat salads and ice cream are in plentiful supply). 

But, in saying so, we're happy to sample new foods, flavours and ideas and would not turn up noses at something previously un-ventured or not often tasted. 

Except for two specific foods; two ingredients which are not welcome on our premises.

Cauliflower and celery. 

They've been tried, they've been tested and we are not wanting. 

Cauliflower; I've never been a fan. No amount of cheesy sauce could rectify it for me. 

But I'll sheepishly admit I used to "like" celery, and that any "enjoyment" was perhaps an attempt to fool myself the snack was delicious after hearing the health benefits... A stage at which I believed this food item which apparently "burns more calories than it holds" was a good idea. Thankfully that stage is long past, replaced by the groundbreaking notion that I should enjoy what I eat. What a novel idea. 

Then as the great man I married declared a similar disdain for said pale green veges, it became official; no cauliflower or celery for us.

I'm not sure if its the flavour or the texture...maybe a tragic mix of both, but any placing such items in our pantry will occur the day after pigs fly. 

So, when I first spied this recipe which included BOTH cauliflower and celery, I grimaced and quickly turned the page - intent never to glance at it again let alone consider placing the meal on our table. However, watching a friend of mine produce the dish, seeing the other delicious ingredients, my resolve weakened and I realised I never stick perfectly to recipes anyway, so why not give this one a whirl and change it up a little?

Sub out the weaker team members and bring in the big guns - broccoli, and I found myself enjoying the flavours greatly, happily anticipating the "seconds" waiting patiently in the bowl. 

Here's my twist on the original recipe...

Curried Chicken and Chickpea Toss

Salad:

2 chicken breasts

1 lemon

1 tsp rosemary, chopped

1 tsp thyme, chopped

salt & pepper

1 red onion, sliced into thin wedges

1 head broccoli, cut into florets

2 spring onions, angle sliced

2 tbsp fresh coriander, chopped

400g tin chickpeas

Dressing:

1/3 cup mayo

3 tsp lime or lemon juice

1 tsp curry powder

1/2 tsp soft brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

Chop chicken horizontally and pound to equal thickness with meat hammer (or side of can)

Marinade in rosemary, thyme, lemon juice, salt and pepper (up to you how long you marinade, I ended up marinating them overnight *unplanned* and the flavour was amazing!) 

Cook on a medium to high heat, 4-5 minutes each side. Set aside to cool then angle slice horizontally

Chop broccoli into florets and place in boiling water for 5 minutes to soften slightly. Drain and set aside.

Angle slice spring onions and chop red onions into wedges. I like to cook these until softened (approx 5 mins) in a splash of olive oil to produce a more subtle onion flavour

Roughly chop coriander

Place all cooked and chopped ingredients in a bowl along with the drained and rinsed chickpeas

In a cup, mix together all ingredients for dressing

Toss dressing through the salad and enjoy!!

And so it begins....

"The years of famine have begun." 
That's what my husband jokingly remarked as we peered at our bank account. The final installment of my maternity pay had come in, it is now official; we're a one income family. 
Don't get me wrong, I have no regrets over the choice we have made. None at all! We always intended (and still do!) that I would be a stay-at-home mum. I LOVE being at home with my delightful new daughter. A lot of people are already asking me "do you miss work?", "will you miss having something to do?". I try not to sound overly eager as I think to myself "OF COURSE NOT! This is a million times better than work!" 
So here we are, entering a new phase of life. One of less "cushions" or material comforts. But more family time, more washing, more cuddles, more mess, more laughs, more sleepless hours, more discoveries and.. more time I get to spend in the kitchen (albeit segmented through the nap times of one lovely little lady). 

I love my kitchen. Not because any physical attributes it has or a particular design. But it's my space, my haven, my outlet, a creative workbench to produce new experiences. 
I don't consider myself a good cook. I stuff up often and there a many dishes I would never repeat (and those I try to forget). I'm not the kind of person who would make it far in any cooking competition, but I love food and I love the process of creating a dish then enjoying it with others. There's nothing like talking and laughing over a good homemade meal - that's what I consider a true feast. 

On the cusp of this new phase I see fresh opportunities to branch into new areas of cooking... 
Fresh, inexpensive, healthy, homemade and hopefully... delicious! 
My wonderful sister-in-law (who has also just entered the world of motherhood) asked me if I would supply fortnightly recipes for inspiration. I'm using her request to motivate myself to make new things, learn new techniques and discover new flavours. 
I never thought I'd be a "blogger"; I'm not quite so adept a writer as my talented and inspiring older sister, and it takes some discipline to stick to activities I start, but I figured this would be a good method by which I can supply those recipes and prompt myself to continue. 
So here goes....

On thinking of where this new food-blog adventure should begin, I decided to neglect the new and kick-off with an old favourite of mine; Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing. 
I can't count the number of times I've enjoyed a variation of this meal or remember when I first ate it, but it's become quite a regular in our house. In years gone by it was the meal I requested for a special occasion (subsequent to the years I asked for macaroni cheese - esh, what was I thinking?!) and it's the very same dish I cooked for a celebration dinner with my parents the night my now husband and I became engaged. As with most of my current meals, there's no strict recipe to follow and it allows room for great variation, but here's the basics...

Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing
(serves 2)

Salad:
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 chicken breast, skinned & chopped
1/2 packet ravioli or similar pasta (my current favourite is three-cheese sacchetti) 
2 tbsp (approx) Thai sweet chili sauce or Spiced apricot sauce
salad greens
Then whatever other salad ingredients you enjoy!
This particular round I used:
   tomatoes, sliced
   carrots, peeled and sliced thinly
   camembert cheese, sliced in thin wedges
   slivered almonds
   dried apricots, chopped
   
Dressing: (you won't use it all up on this one meal but its handy to have extra in the pantry)
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp sesame oil
3 tbsp cider vinegar
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 clove garlic, diced
1 tbsp honey

Chop the chicken. Heat the sesame oil in a pan then add chopped chicken, cook, stirring often, until cooked through

While the chicken is cooking. Prepare the pasta according to packet instructions. When finished drain and leave aside to cool

When the chicken is cooked through, add the sauce and remove from the heat

Chop/prepare other other salad ingredients then arrange all ingredients in a bowl as desired

Combine all dressing ingredients and mix thoroughly. Drizzle over salad.  

ENJOY!!!