Half way through the Orthodox lent and why I am doing it

It is that time of the year when Orthodox Christian people reflect about their life through eating simple plant based food for six weeks before Easter. But wait, that's difficult ?! - were my daughter's words ..

What I didn't tell her is that the "eating bit" as a matter of fact is easy. The difficult bit is the spiritual site of it. We reflect by staying calm, being thankful and grateful, forgive, pray and more ....

Don't forget who you are and where you from - that's why I am doing it ....💧💛💦💛

I make my simple food looking good as well as being tasty by adding colours and textures, it works ....

This dish is perfect for quick and easy lunch or snack. It can be eaten hot or cold.

Ingredients:

120g fine polenta

550 - 600 ml water

salt and pepper 

8 to 10 black olives, chopped

4 to 5 sundried tomatoes, chopped (optional )

2 spring onions, chopped

1 fresh sliced tomato

dry oregano 

fresh parsley

olive oil

Cook the polenta in the water that you added a splash of olive oil and salt.

While still warm add the veggies and pour into an ovenproof dish ( oiled ).

Top it up with sliced tomatoes and season with oregano, salt, pepper and some more olive oil.

Grill for 5 minutes on high temperature or oven bake on 200 C for 10 - 15 minutes.

This salad is made by leftovers with added some fresh ingredients to keep me happy and healthy..

I used cooked brown rice

cooked brown lentils

handful of chickpeas

I place those three ingredients into a small steamer for 5 minutes.

When food plated, I then add fresh spinach, chili, purple cabbage, avocado and my favorite condiment  Gomashio ...

Best vegan carrot cake

You can find the recipe on my blog, here is the link.

How ever, I added a coconut cream on the top as well as some seeds.

To make the coconut cream simply whisk the cream of one coconut milk ( discard the water, use it later in a smoothie ) 2 Tbsp maple syrup or powder sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract.

This is the seeds that I used to top up the cake.....

Focaccia

This focaccia is sooo good,it blows my mind!

ingredients:

200 gr whole wheat flour

50 gr white flour

1 pack dry yeast

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp dry parsley

1 tsp dry thyme

5 tbsp cooked pearl barley or any other cooked grain

10 olives

for the top:

1 tsp dry parsley

1 big clove of garlic

4 tbsp olive oil

Method:

Mix up all the ingredients,add a little bit more then 250 ml lukewarm water, using a wooden spoon,make a dough,add the chopped olives last.Using a little oil,with your hand flat the dough in 28 cm baking tray.

Cut the garlic very fine and mix it with olive oil and parsley.Spoon it on top of the dough and prick it with fork in several places.Cover with clean tea towel and set on a site for 20 minutes.

Bake in pre- heated oven for 20-25 minutes on 180 C.

note: this focaccia doesn't need a traditional kneading,it is so easy to make and it is so nutritious.