This blog post provides the second in a series of good mood food recipes provided by Julie Gibbons from www.organikal.com. You can find out more about Julie at the bottom of this post…
One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well. VIRGINIA WOOLF
Another easy to find ingredient in summer is the courgette (zucchini). Fresh from the garden when young is when they’re at their best.
This mood enhancing recipe combines many of the ingredients from your Good Mood Shopping List but you need to pay attention to the method to make sure you’re meal is as good as it can be! It’s a great one to offer anybody that isn’t keen on the creaminess of a traditional risotto.
2 or 3 small courgettes, depending on size, cut into strips
1 cup of organic long grain brown rice
1 sliced organic onion
2 cloves organic garlic, sliced
1 cup of organic mushrooms, sliced
Small handful fresh coriander
Salt & pepper to season
Olive oil
2 tablespoons crème fraîche
Brown rice takes a little longer to cook than white, but it is so tasty and the texture so substantial that it’s a no brainer for this type of dish. The secret here is to cook the rice for 25 minutes in boiling vegetable stock rather than water. If you’re using stock powder (my favourite is Marigold Vegetable Bouillon) then you won’t need to add salt to the water.
When your rice is on the boil, take your prepared veg to three separate pans - toss the garlic in with the onion. This will add to the washing up pile, it’s true – but the result is worth it in the end, I promise!
Separating out the veg ensures that you intensify all of the individual flavours, whilst keeping the veg crispy/crunchy rather than soggy. Ensure the mushrooms don’t touch each other – it really does make a difference!
When the rice is ready, drain into a sieve and leave it to rest for a moment – whilst waiting for the kettle to boil. Combine all the veg into one pan and add a dollop of crème fraîche. Stir gently to combine, season to taste and add your finely chopped coriander before serving.
Rinse the rice with some boiling water, then add it to your vegetables and serve. This is a proper earthy meal. Light enough for summer, but by the very nature of the ingredients, it’ll help you keep grounded for the day.
____________________________________________________________________________________________ Julie Gibbons escaped the software marketing rat race five years ago to discover an organic lifestyle, build a location independent income, home school her son and spend her holidays house swapping.
She uses her experiences along the way to help other ordinary families achieve the lifestyle they want : to eat organically, live sustainably and be healthy. Her easy access range of practical programmes and tools bridges the gap between the eco warrior and the everyday working mum. Julie writes at www.organikal.com
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