Pumpkin Souffle

Took me a while to come back, didn't it? As you might know I was on a 5 week journey across Asia, which took off most of my time. But here I am, with an easy treat for the winter days ahead.

Where I come from, Croatia, pumpkins are still generally treated as hog food :). We still have fields of pumpkins grown just to feed the pigs in the backyard. If I was to tell me grandma that I made a pumpkin pie she'd just look at me and say "Eeeeee.....hmmmmm.....ok, if you say so, but don't offer it to me". Yet I managed to get grandpa to plant a few in the garden. \(^.^)/ So now, when they are well ripe and ready to be used, it's a perfect time to share some of the recipes I've tried. Among all the pie, bread, cake and cheesecake recipes you will find online, you'll always end up having extra pumpkin. What to do with it? Try this one! It was invented with the scrapes I had left. :)
It's rather spongy, tasty and just a bit salty - in my opinion a well bound combination when pumpkins are involved. Just mind that this one needs to be served immediately ;). And care... Hot hot hot!

Medicinal Herbs: Nettle Syrup

Recently we've been more into the good old stuff :), the juices, marmalade's, dishes and recipes our grandmothers did. We're again devoting ourselves to the vertical garden and growing our own vegetables organically. We started analyzing medicinal herbs and wild fruits to treat common diseases or problems, without the usage of drugs.

Spring in general is a great time to collect several herbs, however an inexperienced eye might take the wrong ones. That's why there's a safe bet for you - Wild Stinging Nettle. A multifunctional herb that is both good for you and your plants/vegetables. Full of vitamins K, B2 and C; minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium; Nettle is a great source of fundamental substances your body will benefit from.

In Croatia and all Eastern Europe, nettle was used since long ago in folk medicine as a remedy for renal and liver problems - such as inflammations, kidney and bladder stones, anemia. It's roots were even used as the main substance to prevent hair fall, while the extract is used to regulate sugar levels in the blood. Moreover in agriculture - soaked overnight in a bucket of water it becomes a great insecticide. Left in water for 3-5 days and it dissolves into a natural and powerful compost for your plants. Boiled for a few minutes and it's a natural resource of iron and minerals, which your body will benefit from.

In this post you will find an easy and tasty Syrup recipe, which then diluted with water makes a yummy, healthy and refreshing juice. Try it before you say no :) they say healthy things taste bad - well this one for sure doesn't! ;)

Chocolate, Almonds and Hazelnuts Cake: Nuts for this one!

In the last two years I made quite a number of different birthday cakes, over 30 of them, with all kinds of ingredients and recipes. Among all of them there was one that topped them all, gone before i could turn around :). The cake came out as a derivation from the middle layer of the Aikido Birthday Cake, which was the most praised layer in that project, and was meant for Sensei's birthday. It might not be the easiest and fastest I've done, but was for sure worth it! Try it out and let me know how long it was on the plate (^.^).

The pastry is rather easy, made out of nuts and egg whites, while the cream are blend of vanilla or chocolate, nuts and creamy yogurt for a special aroma.

Yummy Oat Breakfast

Why don't you treat yourself this weekend with a different breakfast? After a busy week, full of stress and quick (not always healthy) food, the weekend is a perfect time to pay a little more attention to your body. They are extremely high in fiber, especially when eaten whole, and they contain a number of other useful vitamins and minerals, not to mention proteins. Oat flakes will be a benefit to your digestion, cleansing your intestines of toxins and helping you reduce the bad cholesterol.

Lately we've been having oat flakes for breakfast every weekend, and now i cannot wait for a new one to come :). It's yummy and simple, plus your body will be grateful ;). Keep in mind that this is not my recipe, it's Senpai's. This one is a speciality of his - enjoy it!

Stuffed Zucchini

Here's an easy one to try! Quick to the hand, great on the taste, you will not regret it ;).

Stuffed, roasted vegetables are delicious and healthy. A few drops of olive oil will bake it faster yet keep all the flavours intact, while the juices from the vegetables will keep them moist. Eaten right away or cooled down for a bento - it's up to you!