Sharabelle bakes

Discovered my local supermarket were stocking Coconuts in there fruit and veg section.  I couldn't resist and had to buy one.  It wasn't till I got home that I thought about what to do with it, and how do I open it!!!!! Questions I should have really thought about before I bought it.  Lucky for me you can find tons of helpful information on the Internet.   If you plan to buy your own Coconut's, make sure you are prepared with a hammer and nail.  Bent nails that your brother has prised from your kitchen wall are not going to work.   Probably also not really hygienic either.   Take the nail and hammer it into one of the 3 eyes on the base of your coconut.  Once open you can then pour out the coconut water, before using the hammer to break open. 1. Coconut water Coconut water  is the Clear liquid found inside young coconut.  You don't need to crack open coconuts yourself, since it's now available to buy in cartons.   ...

One woman's ongoing mission to make as many  recipes as possible with the humble banana.   Iv a lot to be thankful for this friday.  I've now been working for 4 weeks and my first monthly pay has just been deposited into my bank account.   It's my first wage for nearly 3 years, as I have not been able to  work due to mental health problems.  My IBS symptoms getting worse didn't really help matters either.   It feels good to finally be able to work again and support myself.   If you are going through similar problems, there is light at the end of the tunnel.  It doesn't matter how long you take to get there.  I would take 3 steps forward and then 2 steps back, however my Doctor always reminded me I was still further along than I'd been before.   Just remember your not going through this alone, there are a lot more of us out there that have similar problems.   First recipe this week - Baked Banana Donuts ...

THE GOOD We had originally planned to have lunch in  Henderson's Restaurant, where the service is canteen style.  I took one look at the Queue  of people and walked out.  Not too great for someone that has an anxiety disorder and finds crowds claustrophobic. Then I remembered the bistro just round the corner, which only had one other couple.  It's a small bistro, that's eclectically decorated which we both loved.   Henderson's Bistro - Edinburgh Light Lunch at Henderson's Vegetarian Bistro  Mum's Lunch Henderson's Homemade Pate with Organic Oat cakes - Lentil and Apricot pate spiced with Chili, Coriander and Cumin - Roasted red pepper Pate My Lunch Soup of the day with Organic Oat Cakes - Mushroom and coconut cream soup Lunch & drink for 2 = £ 15 Mum preferred the roasted red pepper pate over the lentil and apricot, it was served with a light side salad.  She ordered a small pot of tea, and was ...

Radishes My dad used to grow these radishes in our garden, we just washed them and ate them as snacks.  They have a wonderfully peppery taste.   Our local supermarket had some on offer, so why not see what else I could do with them? 1. Glazed A classic way of cooking root vegetables is to glaze them.  It's really a simple way of cooking veggies, but it sounds a lot more upmarket than it really is.     -  How to Glaze Root Vegetables -  Balsamic glazed Radishes with ramps -  Honey-soy Glazed Vegetables with Crispy mushrooms 2. Roasted I love roasting vegetables, it makes them crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.  It also seems to concentrate the flavour and make them sweeter.   It's not quick, but it's less time consuming. Just toss them in oil, salt and pepper and let your oven do all the work. You don't need to keep checking on them, as you would if cooking on the stove top....

Today I officially left the support of SAMH Pantry. (Scottish Association of Mental Health)  It's been one of the most positive experience of my life, so today has been bittersweet.   Iv learnt to manage my anxiety and depression and been able to return to work.  So Iv I lot to be thankful this - Thanks Banana's its Friday.   Best advice I can give anyone is to look after your mental health, as much as your physical health.  Ohh and eat lots of Banana's, there good for you. Bananas help overcome depression due high levels of tryptophan, which is converted   into serotonin -- the happy-mood brain neurotransmitter. Banana Flat bread with Orzo salad in lettuce wraps I might be Banana's about Banana's, but i am totally sane.  Trust me, Iv had my head examined................actually several times over the past 3 years.   First recipe experiment this week,   Banana Flat bread .   I like to try out recipes that ar...

Mushrooms Since giving up meat and poultry for my health due to my IBS,  Mushrooms have been a great substitute.  They have a firm texture and a wonderful savoury taste, that makes a hearty, healthy meal.   Lots of recipes pair Mushrooms with dairy products like cream or cheese.  Hopefully I can show you that there just as great dairy free.  1. Soup I remember my First Aid in Work course, the instructor suggested I eat in the restaurant.  He happily suggested the mushroom soup, even though he knew I was lactose intolerant.  More fool me for listening to him, even though he was a trained nurse.  I spent the next day with sever stomach craps!!!! The only time I eat mushroom soup these days is if I make it myself. -  Hungarian Mushroom soup    This recipe uses vegan sour cream, which Iv yet to find in any supermarket.  Plain dairy free yogurt would give the same taste. -  Easy Mushroom s...