SWEET POTATO CHIPS with LIME

I’ve made sweet potato chips numerous times since I first started cooking. The problem is that I usually make way too many and then proceed to eat the equivalent of 4 servings. This recipe serves 2 as a side dish and is approximately 188 calories per serve. These delicious chips accompanied tomorrow’s recipe, Kale & Quinoa Mix up. I’ve never made sweet potato chips with lime rind before, instead opting to use spices such as ground coriander, cumin, chilli, lemon pepper, etc…I was pleasantly surprised by how well the tangy lime flavour complimented the sweetness of the potato. My poor sweet potato chips look a tad deflated, as they were cooked about 4 hours prior to this photo being taken, however I urge you not to judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a side dish by someone’s tardy photography.

Ingredients

• 600g sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1cm-thick chip shapes
• 1 free range eggwhite (33g)
• 1 tablespoon lime rind, finely grated
• pinch of sea salt & ground black pepper

Cooking 

1. Preheat a fan force oven to 200 degrees celsius. Line a large baking tray with baking paper. 

2. In a large bowl, toss the potato, egg white, lime rind and salt & pepper until well combined. 

3. Place the chips in a single layer on the prepared tray. Bake in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until the chips are golden. 

Serves / 2 as a side 

Total Preparation time / 15-20 minutes 

Total Cooking time / 35-40 minutes 

Calories per serve / 188 calories approx. 

x Emily 

RAW KEY LIME TARTS

I have to thank social media outlet Instagram for this amazing recipe, as I came across it whilst looking through my feed. Nutrionistinthekitch.com is the author of this recipe and she has an amazing website, with so many healthy, vibrant and inventive dishes listed for all to view. Friday afternoon called for some creative baking and 12 of these little bright green tarts were made in my kitchen. I do not often make raw food (as I overdosed on a raw cheesecake once (I ate too many slices) and was very very ill) however this tart is something special. Do not be scared of the green colour or the amount of avocado in the tart, as the end result tastes fresh and citrusy.

INGREDIENTS

Crust/Base

• coconut oil, for greasing
• 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut 
• 1 cup walnuts
• heaped 1/2 cup pitted dates (soaked in warm water for 30 minutes)

Filling 

• 2 1/2 avocados
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
• 1/2 cup honey 
• 2 kiwifruit, skin peeled & thinly sliced, to garnish

PREPARATION / COOKING (of some description!)

1. Lightly grease a 12 cup muffin tin with coconut oil. 

2. Combine the coconut and walnuts in a food processor and blend until coarse. Add the dates and process until the mixture starts to stick together. You may need to add a splash of water or two to get the mixture to this point. Place 1 1/2 tablespoons of the date, walnut & coconut mixture into the bottom of each muffin cup and press down gently, so that the mixture fills 1/3 of the hole. 

3. Place all the filling ingredients into the food processor and process until smooth. Spoon a large tablespoon of the filling into each muffin cup and smooth the top with a spoon. Place a fresh slice of kiwi fruit on top of each tart. 

4. Freeze for 60 minutes / 1 hour to set. Continue to leave in the freezer and remove a few minutes before eating by placing the tart at room temperature. 

Serves / 12

Total Preparation time / 

Serving size / 1 tart = 192 calories 

x Emily 

PINA COLADA RAW CAKE

My first raw dessert / cake ended up tasting somewhat akin to a pina colada, which I did not plan at all. I’ve always been a little apprehensive of making a raw dessert, however I now look back and laugh at my fear as it is almost impossible to screw up. Whatever mix of nuts and natural sugars that you place in the food processor or blender (if you have a very powerful one) will taste delicious. The best part is that you feel quite innovative and imaginative when you are making a raw dessert. All the ingredients in this cake were in my pantry on a Sunday afternoon. Just remember that a raw dessert is often a fair bit richer than other desserts so cut yourself very small pieces or get ready for a stomachache!

INGREDIENTS

• 200g pitted dried dates 
• 100g almonds 
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 400ml light coconut cream 
• 1/2 the juice of a small lime
• the flesh of 3 small, ripe kiwifruits 
• shredded coconut 
• Equipment needed- food processor, freezer

PREPARATION 

1. Place the dates, almonds and honey into a food processor and process until the mixture sticks together when you pinch a small handful of it. Remove from the processor and spread into a medium square baking tin. Spread evenly as this will be your cake base. 

2. Place the coconut cream, lime juice and kiwifruits into the food processor and process for 20-30 seconds or until combined. Remove from the processor and pour over the date & almond base to create the top of the cake. Sprinkle with shredded coconut and freeze, covered, for 2 hours or until solid. Remove from the freezer 10 plus minutes before consuming to soften slightly. 

Total Preparation time / 10 -12 minutes 
Total Freezing time / 2 + hours 

x Emily 

CHICKEN & MANGO SALAD

This protein packed salad is both iridescent and extremely refreshing. When my dear friend Bec told me she was going to make this salad for us, I admit that I had high expectations for the meal. Mostly due to the fact that she is an excellent cook, but also because I had a feeling that chicken, avocado and mango would be divine together. I was not disappointed.  I loved the salad so much that I made it the very next day for dinner. My partner scoffed at the idea of salad for dinner, and then ate his words as he became full after just one bowl. If you not are going to serve this salad immediately after making it, combine the juice of 1/2 of the lime with the cubed avocado in a small bowl. This will stop the avocado from going brown. 

INGREDIENTS 

• 500g chicken breast, roughly chopped into 3-4cm pieces
• 1 teaspoon ground or smoked paprika
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon rice bran oil 
• 1 mango, cut into cubes and stone discarded
• 300g iceberg lettuce, roughly shredded
• 1/2 medium avocado, cut into cubes 
• 100g celery, finely chopped 
• the juice of 1 medium lime 
• Optional- fresh coriander leaves

COOKING

1. Place chicken, paprika, garlic and oil in a medium bowl and toss well to combine. Place chicken in the fridge to marinade for 10 minutes. 

2. Heat a medium fry pan over medium heat. When pan is hot, add the marinated chicken and cook until it is lightly coloured and cooked through, around 5 minutes. Remove chicken from stove. 

3. Place the cooked chicken, mango, lettuce, avocado, celery and coriander (if using) in a large serving bowl. Drizzle the lime juice on top and toss well to combine. 

Serves / 4 

Total Preparation time / 5 minutes to chop chicken & garlic  (as you can do all the remaining preparation whilst the chicken is marinating) 

Total Cooking time / max 20 minutes (including 10 minutes to marinate)

x E