August 2018 Edition: Fruits and Veggies Showing Off

As meats often seem to get all the attention at meal-time, I'm always on the search for ways to help give a bit of that limelight to the underdogs in the food world, vegetables!

Likewise, in desserts, people seem to naturally gravitate to chocolate treats. So, I'd like to stop them in their tracks by getting fruits to show off a little more.

This edition will include a short collection of recipes where vegetables and fruit really shine in unique and delicious ways.

Hope this edition inspires you to be more daring with your fruits and vegetables!

New recipes added since the last newsletter: 55

Plum Cheesecake Lasagna - Plum is the star ingredient in this topsy-turvy meal-turned-dessert.

Roasted Rhubarb and Strawberry Bread Pudding - Once you take a bite of this warm winter treat, you'll see that roasted strawberries are a very special thing and you can dial up or down the roasted rhubarb depending on how tangy you like your desserts

Passionfruit Cheesecake with Spiced Pineapple - Passionfruit was born to be infused with a cheesecake... it just doesn't do it justice to simply sprinkle it on top. The spiced pineapple is also quite nice and can easily and sneakily be enjoyed on it's own too.

Espresso, Fig and Hazelnut Cheesecake - It's the layer of fig and the crunchy fig seeds that really makes this cheesecake unique and special.

Black Sesame Flourless Chocolate Cake - I can't tell which ingredient I like more in this dessert the chocolate or nutty black sesame! Definitely not your usual brownie.

Apple & Ricotta Fritters (Gluten-Free / GF) - Super fast to make and it gets eaten just as quickly! Very little sugar in there too!

Zucchini parmesan and basil muffins - Vegetables and herbs for breakfast!

Indian Chickpea Pancake with spiced sweet potatoes - A great breakfast for when you have a big day ahead and you need these carbs for energy.

Hot and Sour Mushroom Soup - Soup with a delicious asian twist and about 3 different types of mushroom. Would work especially beautifully with mushrooms picked in the forest.

Cucumber Umeboshi Salad with Cashew Crunch - Best cucumber salad I have ever had. Such an amazing mix of flavours (sour, spicy, salty) and textures.

Malaysian Pai Ti Shells (Top Hats) - This showstopping appetizers are great shells to collect delicious combinations of vegetables with seasonings, carrots, peas, golden beetroot, herbs, etc.

Smoky Whole Baked Cauliflower Gratin - There's nothing that will steal the limelight on the dinner table like a whole cauliflower that has been roasted. Top it with a cheese sauce and smoked paprika, and you'll have people fighting over it!

Swiss "Maluns" Potato Hash - Take an unassuming vegetable like the potato and reinvent how it is presented. This dish took me by surprise - though it takes a little extra time to make, you'll be in savoury heaven!

Beetroot Curry - Now here's a great way to spice up your dinnertime, serving it as a side or even as a main. I'll definitely be making this one again!

Lobster Tails with Mango & Lime - This was the first time I decided to buy lobster tails from the supermarket (I was dubious). Mango and lime were a beautiful compliment to this delicate tasting shellfish.

Duck Braised in Quince & Walnut Gravy - The most delicious gravy I have ever enjoyed, wow. I have never seen a gravy actually overshadow something as delicious as duck. Very impressed!