Hello there dear readers and welcome to this Spring edition of Bhabi’s Corner. With September 1 (Tuesday), marking Spring Day, we have kept the recipes in this edition, light and easy in keeping with the beautiful season ahead. Spring is all about new beginnings, brighter days and warmer weather, making it the perfect time to move away from heavier winter meals and enjoy dishes that are simple & refreshing, yet full of flavor, like the lovely light pasta and refreshing strawberry/lime cooler… easy to prepare, bringing a fresh touch to the table. We trust that you will enjoy these delicious Spring inspired recipes. Here’s to a season filled with fresh flavors and happy moments around the table. Stay tuned for more culinary inspiration in our upcoming editions. Happy cooking!!
Greek Pasta Salad
2-3 cups pasta of your choice (cooked according to package directions and cooled)
1 cup diced tomatoes,
1 diced onion
1 cup diced cucumber
2 discs feta cubed, 1 packet olives
Assorted lettuce leaves torn apart (as much as you like)
Dressing
2 tbsp mayonnaise,
1 tbs olive oil
Juice of half a lemon
2 tsp Dijon mustard,
1 tbsp honey
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Mix dressing ingredients together until smooth.
Toss all the ingredients together and refrigerate until needed.
Avocado Mushroom Toast
4 small slices of bread
250 gram mushrooms,
white or portabellini sliced
1 large clove garlic minced
1/2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
salt and pepper,
1 large avocado smashed
1/2 lime
pinch of chilli flakes
salt, pepper
few coriander leaves
Method:
Mushroom: Add olive oil, mushroom, garlic and thyme to a pan. Season with salt & pepper and fry the mushrooms on high heat until golden brown and caramelized
Avocado: Remove the skin and the seed from the avocado. Smash the avocado with a fork. Season with salt and pepper and add the chilli flakes. Squeeze in the lime juice and mix well.
Toast: Toast the bread lightly. Spread some avocado on top of each slice. Add the mushroom on top. Sprinkle more chilli flakes if you wish. Garnish with some coriander leaves and serve.
Light Strawberry Mousse
·2 cups chopped strawberries
·2 tbsp sugar
·1&1/4 cup/310ml fresh cream
·150 grm white chocolate
Method:
Place the chopped strawberries in a saucepan together with the sugar and simmer until it starts to turn mushy
·Allow the strawberries to cool, place them in a blender and blend until smooth
·Melt the chocolate in the microwave, not more than 20 seconds at a time. Once melted allow to cool down but do not let it get hard
·Using a cold bowl whip the fresh cream until soft peaks form. Do not over whip. Fold in the cold melted chocolate
·Reserve 1/3 of the strawberry puree. Fold remaining strawberry puree into the cream
·Divide the cream mixture into 4 small ramekins or jars. If using jars you can use a piping bag to pipe it in. Spread the 1/3 strawberry puree on top. Refrigerate for at least two hours before serving.
Strawberry Lime Cooler
3 tbs sugar (feel free to add more if you prefer)
2 cups frozen strawberries, remove stems, rinse & freeze overnight
(you may use more if you like)
+-1 cup Lime Cordial
1 Litre Soda Water
Method:
Remove the frozen strawberries from the freezer about 5 minutes before you start. Blitz the first 3 ingredients together until smooth. You can strain this mixture if you like it totally smooth.
Add the soda water just before serving.
You may add extra Lime Cordial or a squeeze of fresh lime juice to suit your taste preference.
Serve with a squeeze of fresh lime & a lime & strawberry garnish.
Oreo Milkshake
Another quick easy refreshing recipe… just 3 ingredients & ready in under 2 minutes
1 box Oreos (more if you like)
1 L vanilla ice cream (more if you like)
Enough milk to top up 1.5L liquidiser
Blitz together and serve chilled
Food for Thought
“The best meals are not always the fanciest, but the ones shared with people who make the table feel like home.”
– Reader
Household tips & hints
· To mend small holes in walls: Dab a small amount of white paste (non-gel) toothpaste into the hole.
· To protect walls from cracks: Before you drive a nail into the wall, place a piece of tape over the spot to prevent the paint from cracking.
· To remove black scuff marks: Rub them with lemon juice or rubbing alcohol to remove them.
· To keep towels looking new, add a cup of salt to the washing machine when they’re new. The salt will set the colors so the towels won’t fade as quickly