Libby Bird – Page 12

Aquafaba Chocolate Mousse

November 20, 2016 by Libby Bird 2 Comments

You could’ve knocked me over with a feather the first time I tried aquafaba meringue – “really? This is the liquid from a can of chickpeas?! No way!” Yes way. Aquafaba literally means ‘bean water’ and in some cases, it can expertly mimic the function of egg-white. There are only three ingredients in this recipe – dark chocolate, chickpea brine & vanilla. The mousse is light, foamy, soft, chocolatey airy & utterly moreish….

Strawberry Macadamia Chia Parfait

November 2, 2016 by Libby Bird Leave a Comment

I’m so excited that strawberry season is finally here! The little patch in our garden is merrily flowering (which reminds me, I must put netting over them before the birds start eyeing them up) so today I started the day with a rosy glow, thanks to this strawberry macadamia chia parfait (with a lopsided but well-intended heart..!) This is a nutrient-dense & delicious blend, which is hearty enough to be breakfast. The chia & nuts give it protein power & density, and if you add coconut milk, the healthy fats will keep you satiated longer. It’s like a healthy strawberry thickshake with a bonus hit of vanilla chia pudding at the bottom….

Popeye Pikelets

October 28, 2016 by Libby Bird Leave a Comment

Remember Popeye, the spinach-munching cartoon sailor? Well now you know why these cute little pikelets are green! Powering up with spinach is an awesome way to get more greens into little bellies, especially via a light & lazy weekend brunch like this….

Cashew Lemon Tahini Dressing

October 19, 2016 by Libby Bird Leave a Comment

This is on high-rotate in our kitchen right now. Creamy, tangy & smooth, this dressing is gorgeous on a crisp salad, but my favourite is pouring it liberally over roast vegetables. Cashews form a creamy, protein-kick base, while the zingy lemon cuts through and perfectly complements the rich tahini. Nutritional yeast adds a seriously savoury element….

Grain-free Coconut Raisin Loaf

September 20, 2016 by Libby Bird Leave a Comment

This is a soft & springy little loaf, gently sweetened with a touch of cinnamon, citrus zest and a hearty sprinkling of raisins. No sugars of any kind. I love it toasted, then served with a smear of coconut yoghurt & berry jam….

Warming Spiced Carrot Soup

September 11, 2016 by Libby Bird Leave a Comment

Spring has brought sunshine to Auckland this week, but also some chilly evening temperatures. Warming up with a hearty bowl of simple soup is such a pleasure. I wanted to make my usual coconut parsnip soup but alas, no parsnips in the house, so I swapped them out for another sweet root vegetable – the mighty carrot. Turned out to be an easy & lovely adaptation. A handful of warming spices, a generous swirl of creamy coconut milk, the extra protein hit of a few soft lentils…winning….

Baked Tofu & Brown Rice Balls

September 3, 2016 by Libby Bird Leave a Comment

My kids made these cute little tofu rice balls. I love getting the rascals involved in their own meal prep – I’ve always found that the more buy-in & involvement they have, the greater the chance they’ll try things. These rice balls are particularly fun for little hands – we smashed & smooshed the tofu & rice together, seasoned it with fresh ginger & tamari, formed haphazard little balls & rolled them in sesame. Yum!…

Olive & Lentil Crackers

August 26, 2016 by Libby Bird Leave a Comment

I know I go on about homemade crackers a lot, right? But there is something so sensationally satisfying about making your own. They’re fresh, crunchy, moreish, better than crisps, and best of all, you know exactly what is going into them. These little gems are deliciously salty & savoury, with morsels of black olive bursting onto your palate. Like my other cracker recipes, I love the sheer simplicity of these – only a handful of healthy ingredients yields a total flavour bomb….

Kumara Lentil Dip with Cumin Pepita Crackers

August 15, 2016 by Libby Bird Leave a Comment

These crackers come with a warning: they are so moreish, you’ll hide them from the rest of the household or wish you’d made a double batch. So simple, so crunchy, so deliciously spiked with the warming notes of cumin. Serve them with this zingy protein-packed dip, a lovely alternative to hummus. I love that both recipes have only a handful of ingredients, allowing all components to shine. Both are grain-free and dairy-free, making them an allergy-friendly healthy snack-fest….

Four different pack-a-punch smoothies

August 6, 2016 by Libby Bird Leave a Comment

I realised that I’ve been popping photos of smoothies on Instagram but not following it up on the blog, so here’s a small selection of liquid satisfaction to whet your whistle! Four different nutrient-rich smoothie recipes await you in this post: Sesame Coconut, Green Goodness, Zesty Avocado Kiwi plus a revised tweak of my Morning Mojo Smoothie (a coffee-choco hit) My smoothies tend to be gung-ho, throw-‘em-together blender parties – even though I’ve written down the recipes, please feel free to add/omit to your liking….