Well last weekend I had my first all weekend function to cater for. It was the Australian Home birth Midwifery Retreat.
60 beautiful women ( and 1 man) who all gathered at this fantastic retreat in the hills. It was a cold but cosy atmosphere, lots of love,laughter,tears and bonding going on.
My job was to feed these magnificent women who are out there caring for pregnant women and giving us the best possible births. I felt honored to do so.
An email was sent out to the retreat guests to ask if anyone had any dietary requirements so I could be prepared. Most of the guests were vegetarian and a few vegans.
I panicked at first then really embraced the idea of catering a weekend for mostly vegetarians.
The menu consisted of soups,lentil burgers,mushroom pies,sweet potato lasagne's, nuts,seeds,roasted vegetables, quinoa salads,muffins,fruit,crumbles,lemon tarts..... I had a great time cooking outside the square and really enjoyed the fabulous feedback.
I made a particular salad that was a huge hit...it was my Savoury Quinoa Salad.
Quinoa is a super food! (pronounced keen-wah)
It comes from the spinach family and is a seed. A complex protein!
You need to cook it like rice and a bit like cous-cous.
Savoury Quinoa Salad
1 cup uncooked quinoa ( this will feed about 4 people)
2 cups water.
1 tbs ground cumin
1 tbs ground coriander
1 tsp sweet paprika
2 cup chopped roasted pumpkin
S'n"P to season
Big splash of olive oil
Handful fresh coriander chopped
Handful fresh mint chopped
1/2 red onion chopped into thin 1/2 rings
1/2 red capsicum diced
1/2 cup currants or sultanas
1 cup slivered almonds toasted
1/2 cup sunflower seeds toasted
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds toasted
Cook the quinoa in the water. Bring to a boil then turn to a simmer, till the water evaporates and the seeds start to sprout a wee bit and its softer to chew on.
Let it cool down.
In a bowl add all the ingredients and add the cooled quinoa. Mix together. Adjust seasoning.
You can add baby spinach or rocket.
Its a great super food. Google Quinoa and see the amazing health benefits it has for you and the kids!
I make a nice cinnamon quinoa porridge with sultanas and my little boy loves it.
Enjoy and cook some vegan food sometimes...its better for you and the environment.
Namaste.
