Crunchy Quinoa Topping

I was given this tip from a very good friend of mine, Tracy. We were having a lovely dinner at Otto (Gluten free pizza in London) in November and she mentioned this is a great alternative to croutons and if you like something crunchy in your salad or soup. So I let the idea settle in, and just before Christmas I tried it and it was amazing! This little batch has lasted me a month and it still is good to go. Fantastic way to jazz up your salad and increase the nutritional value! I tossed together whatever I had lying around, so feel free to use your imagination. 

Enjoy!

Crunchy Quinoa Topping

Ingredients

1 Cup Cooked Quinoa

Handful of Kale Leaves

Handful Pine nuts

1 Crushed Garlic Clove

Salt

Chili powder

Pepper

Method

Deadly simple as all you do is mix the ingredients together in a bowl and then line a roasting tray with baking parchment and roast in the oven till it becomes crispy. I had my oven on 250 C and roasted it for roughly 15 mins. But my oven is old and the temperature is sometimes not completely accurate. So stick to your own guidelines! Let cool and then place in an airtight container. 

Simply sprinkle on salads or in soups when you want to add a little crunch to your food. 

Curried Apple, Cauliflower and Carrot Soup

This soup is perfect for rainy Autumn days when you need something to warm you up. It's so easy just chuck all the ingredients into your blender and viola! If you have a Vitamix start on variable 1 and increase to 10 then run on high for 4-5 mins.

Curried Apple, Cauliflower & Carrot Soup

Serves 4-8

1 cup peeled and chopped carrots

2 large Granny Smith apples peeled

2 cups cauliflower

1 1/2 Tsp curry powder

1/4 Tsp chilli flakes

1/2 Tsp salt

1 can coconut milk

2 Cups chicken stock

1/3 single cream

Juice from 1 lime

Handful of parsley

1 large Spring Onion chopped

1/2 red chilli chopped 

Steam or boil the cauliflower and carrots to soften them up. Then transfer all the ingredients into your blender and turn it on. Blend on highest power until you have a smooth consistency. 

Serve immediately.