AUBERGINE STUFFED WITH TOFU, MUSHROOMS AND BORLOTTI BEANS

"Aubergines baked with herby tomatoes, beans and vegetables, topped with tofu to make a satisfying main meal.

SERVES 4

PREP 25 minutes

COOK 55-60 minutes

Ingredients

2 aubergines, halved lengthways (500g)

1 tsp rapeseed oil

1 onion, finely chopped (120g)

320g mushrooms, sliced

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 x 400g can chopped tomatoes

1 heaped tsp dried oregano

1 400g tin borlotti beans, drained (240g)

1 x 80g bag fresh spinach

360g pack tofu, diced small

half ball reduced-fat Mozzarella (62g), thinly sliced

1 fresh tomato (80g) chopped small

2 spring onions (50g) chopped

8 fresh basil leaves, torn

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C/ gas mark 4.

Scoop the flesh out of the aubergines, chop, and reserve. Place the aubergine skin-side down onto a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, add oil to a pan, then add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and chopped aubergine flesh, then cook for a further 5 minutes.

Add the garlic, canned tomatoes and oregano, mix well, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Next, add the borlotti beans and spinach and cook for 2 minutes.

Remove the aubergines from the oven and fill with the bean and vegetable mixture, then place in an ovenproof dish.

Scatter with tofu, return to the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Top with the sliced mozzarella and bake for a further 20 minutes.

Remove from the oven and scatter with chopped tomato, spring onion and basil to serve.

Chef's tips

Once the aubergines are stuffed, you can pop them in the fridge, and bake when as needed.Use a non-dairy cheese alternative for a vegan version".

Fonte e imagem: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Recipes/Aubergine-stuffed-with-tofu-mushrooms-and-borlotti-beans-/

AFGHAN SALAD

"Also known as Salata. This refreshing and colourful tomato, carrot and onion salad is light and crunchy.

SERVE 4

PREP 15 minutes

Ingredients

2-3 large tomatoes, finely chopped (260g)

50g fresh coriander, roughly chopped

20g fresh mint, roughly chopped

1 lemon, juice and finely grated zest

1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

good pinch pepper

1 large red onion, finely diced (180g)

half cucumber, finely diced (160g)

2 large carrots, grated (250g)

Method

Add the tomatoes to a bowl with the coriander, mint, lemon juice, olive oil and pepper and mix well.

Add the red onion, cucumber and carrot. Mix well and serve.

Chef's tips

Try with different herbs such as parsley, basil or dill.Serve with grilled meat, fish or poultry.Great as part of a buffet or for a packed lunch".

Fonte e imagem: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/Recipes/Afghan-salad/

Creme de Tomate

1 (150 g) cebola

1 (300 g) bolbo de funcho

1 (150 g) cenoura

2 colheres de sopa de azeite

1 kg tomate

1 (8 g) colher de sopa de sal

1 ovo S

1 l água

1 colher de sopa de cebolinho picado

Descasque a cebola e pique-a finamente, elimine os talos rijos do bolbo de funcho, reserve as folhinhas verdes e pique a parte restante. Pele a cenoura e corte-a em cubinhos pequenos.

Deite o azeite e os legumes numa panela, tape e leve a cozinhar sobre lume muito brando.

Entretanto, pele o tomate, corte-o ao meio e limpe-o de sementes. Pique o tomate em pedaços e junte-o aos restantes legumes. Salpique com cerca de 1 colher de sobremesa de sal, volte a tapar e deixe cozinhar durante cerca de 10 minutos, mexendo de vez em quando.

Ao mesmo tempo coza o ovo em água temperada com sal durante 10 minutos.

Adicione a água a ferver. Quando os legumes estiverem macios triture-os com a varinha mágica e retifique os temperos se necessário.

Descasque o ovo e pique-o finamente.

Deite a sopa nos pratos de serviço, salpique com o ovo picado e as folhinhas de funcho e o cebolinho.

Dica: Para ser mais fácil pelar o tomate, faça um corte em forma de cruz na ponta e escalde em água a ferver 1 a 2 minutos.

Fonte e imagem: http://www.alimentacaosaudavel.dgs.pt/receita/creme-de-tomate/

Mexican breakfast

Chilli tomato stew, eggs and cheese wrapped in tortillas.

“The Mexican name for this dish is ‘huevos rancheros’ and not only is it a breakfast for champions, it’s also the ultimate hangover cure. ”

Serves 6

Cooks In40 minutes

Difficulty Super easy

Eggs, Father's day, Vegetarian, Gluten-free

Nutrition per serving

Calories 218 11%

Fat 11.1g 16%

Saturates 2.2g 11%

Protein 10.1g 22%

Carbs 19.5g 8%

Sugars 7.7g 9%

Salt 0.6g 10%

Fibre 1g

Of an adult's reference intake

Ingredients

olive oil

1 onion , peeled and finely sliced

2 cloves of garlic , peeled and finely sliced

2 red peppers , deseeded and finely sliced

2 fresh red or orange chillies , deseeded and finely sliced

1 large dried chilli

3 fresh bay leaves

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 x 400 g tins of chopped tomatoes

2 large tomatoes , sliced

6 large eggs , preferably free-range or organic

6 tortillas

Cheddar cheese to serve

Method

The Mexican name for this dish is ‘huevos rancheros’ – eggs with chillies, tomatoes and peppers in burritos. It’s absolutely great if you've got a few mates round, and even better if you've got a hangover you’re trying to shake off. If you wanted to take this dish one step further, for a late brunch you could serve it with black beans, some steamed rice and a bottle of Tabasco or chilli sauce beside it. Give it a go.

Get a large frying pan (make sure you’ve got a lid to go with it) on a high heat and add several good lugs of olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, peppers, fresh and dried chillies, bay leaves and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Stir and cook for 15 minutes to soften and caramelize the veg. Pour in your tinned tomatoes and use a spoon or potato masher to break them up a bit. Bring to the boil, then turn down to a medium heat and cook for a further 5 minutes so the sauce starts to reduce down.

When you’ve got a nice thick tomato stew consistency, have a taste and add a pinch more salt and pepper if you think it needs it. Lay your sliced tomatoes over the top of the mixture, then use a spoon to make small wells in the tomato stew, and crack in your eggs so they poach in the thick, delicious juices. Try to crack them in as quickly as you can so they all get to cook for roughly the same amount of time. Season from a height, put the lid on and let the eggs cook for around 3 to 4 minutes. Warm your tortillas while this is happening. You can pop them into the oven at 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4 for a few minutes, microwave them for a few seconds or even lay them over the lid of the pan so they heat up as the eggs cook.

Take the lid off and check your eggs by giving them a poke with your finger. When they’re done to your liking, turn the heat off and take the pan to the table with your warmed tortillas, your Cheddar and a grater so everyone can get involved and make their own. Personally, I like to grate a bit of cheese right on to a warm tortilla, spoon an egg and some of the wonderful tomato stew on top, wrap it up, and eat it right away. What a beautiful way to wake up!

Fonte e imagem: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/eggs-recipes/mexican-breakfast/#sysicvk6pdKgvhIr.99

Veggie chilli with crunchy tortilla & avocado salad

Brilliantly speedy and spicy

“This vegetarian bean chilli is packed with goodness and flavour, and is fast and easy to rustle up ”

Serves 4

Cooks In15 minutes

Difficulty: Super easy

Vegetables, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Mexican

Nutrition per serving

Calories 749 37%

Fat 25.2g 36%

Saturates 4.8g 24%

Protein 29.1g 65%

Carbs 96.1g 37%

Sugars 16.7g 19%

Of an adult's reference intake

Ingredients

For the chilli and rice

1 dried smoked chipotle or ancho chilli

½ fresh red chilli

1 red onion

1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika

½ teaspoon cumin seeds

1-2 garlic cloves

1 big bunch fresh coriander

olive oil

2 mixed-colour peppers

1 x 400 g tin of chickpeas

1 x 400 g tin of black beans

700 g passata

1x 250 g pack of cooked mixed long grain & wild rice

For the salad

4 small corn tortilla wraps

2 ripe avocados

3 heaped tablespoons fat-free natural yoghurt , plus extra to serve

2 limes

1 romaine lettuce

½ cucumber

1 fresh red chilli

1 handful ripe cherry tomatoes

Method

Ingredients out • Oven at 200°C/400°F/gas 6 • Food processor (bowl blade) • Lidded casserole pan, high heat • Stick blender

START COOKING

Put the chillies, peeled and halved red onion, paprika and cumin seeds into the processor, squash in the unpeeled garlic through a garlic crusher, then add the coriander stalks (reserving the leaves) and 2 tablespoons of oil, and whiz until fine • Tip into the pan, then add the deseeded and roughly chopped peppers, drained chickpeas and black beans, a pinch of salt and pepper and the passata, stir well and put the lid on • Fold the tortillas in half, slice into 0.5cm strips, sprinkle on to a baking tray and pop in the oven until golden and crisp

Put most of the coriander leaves, a pinch of salt and pepper, half a peeled avocado, the yoghurt and the juice from 2 limes into a jug and whiz with a stick blender until silky • Check and adjust the seasoning of the chilli, leave the lid off • Remove the tortillas from the oven into a bowl, cut the lettuce into chunky wedges and add to the bowl • Scoop and dot over curls of avocado • Peel the cucumber into ribbons and finely slice half a chilli, then scatter both over the top

Make a well in the middle of the chilli and tip in the rice, then pop the lid on for the last few minutes to warm the rice through • Pour the dressing over the salad, pick over the remaining coriander leaves, finely slice the remaining chilli and sprinkle over the top along with the halved cherry tomatoes, then toss everything together • Serve with dollops of yoghurt.

Fonte e imagem: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/veggie-chilli-with-crunchy-tortilla-avocado-salad/#utt8JtIgOdo2ZHVb.99

Spiced aubergine dip

Makes 600 g

Cooks In1H 35M plus cooling

Difficulty Not too tricky

Vegetables, Picnic, Party food, Dairy-free

Nutrition per serving

Calories 49 2%

Fat 2.1g 3%

Saturates 0.3g 2%

Protein 1.7g 4%

Carbs 6.5g 3%

Sugars 4.7g 5%

Salt 0.03g 1%

Fibre 2.4g

-

Of an adult's reference intake

Ingredients

2 large  aubergines

2 onions

4 cloves of garlic

1-2 green chillies

4 cm piece of ginger

4 ripe tomatoes

1 bunch of fresh coriander

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 tablespoons curry powder

oven-baked corn tortillas

Method

Preheat the oven to 220ºC/gas 7.

Prick the aubergines all over with a fork, then place on a roasting tray. Roast for 50 minutes to 1 hour, or until the skin blackens and chars and the flesh can be easily pierced with a spoon. Allow to cool to room temperature.

Cut the cooled aubergines in half, scoop the flesh into a food processor and pulse until smooth. Set aside.

Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic, trim and finely slice the chillies, and peel and finely grate the ginger (you should end up with roughly 2 teaspoons). Roughly chop 3 of the tomatoes and slice the remaining, then pick and finely chop the coriander leaves.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Add the onion and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes, or until softened.

Add the garlic, ginger and chilli, then stir-fry for 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and curry powder and cook for a further 12 to 15 minutes, or until softened.

Next, add the reserved aubergine and cook, for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring regularly. Stir in the coriander, then remove from the heat.

Garnish with the extra tomato slices, and serve with the oven-baked corn tortillas.

Fonte e imagem: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/spiced-aubergine-dip/#Cd4DLzUEGXAXqbUA.99

O meu molho de tomate

Ingredientes:

• 3 colheres de sopa de azeite;
• 2 cebolas médias, picadas;
• 2 folhas de louro;
• 1 pimento vermelho, cortado em pedaços pequenos;
• 1 piri-piri (gindungo) fresco ou seco;
• 1 litro de concentrado de tomate ou 1 kg de tomate pelado ou 1 kg de tomate fresco, depois de pelado; e,
• 200 ml de água quente.

Modo de fazer:

1. Num tacho grande, colocar todos os ingredientes, excepto os dois últimos;
2. Refogar em lume médio a brando, até a cebola estar cozinhada, mas sem deixar lourar;
3. Acrescentar o concentrado de tomate ou tomate pelado ou tomate fresco e a água;
4. Cozer em lume brando, cerca de uma hora. Retirar o louro e triturar, com a varinha mágica ou outra máquina, todos os ingredientes, repor o louro e deixar cozer mais 15 minutos.

Dicas:

• Congelar o molho de tomate em recipientes de 200 ml, para usar em receitas várias;
• Podem usar tomate pelado, ou tomate muito maduro depois de retirar a pele e as sementes.

Retirar a pele do tomate:

1. Aquecer água até ferver;
2. Lavar o tomate e fazer um corte muito superficial, em cruz, no topo do tomate (oposto ao pé do tomate):
3. Colocar o tomate numa tijela e verter a água a ferver sobre ele;
4. Retirar passados 10 segundos, descascar com auxílio de um garfo e faca. A pele deverá sair facilmente, se não basta voltar a submergir o tomate na água quente e esperar mais alguns segundos.

Adorável harissa de rosas e tomate

Ter um frasco deste no seu frigorífico é brilhante. Minha maneira favorita de comer é com peixes oleosos, como cavala ou sardinha. As pétalas de rosas são delicadas e perfumadas, e equilibram bem o calor do piri-piri. Você pode muito bem comer qualquer jardim de rosas, apenas certifique-se que não foram pulverizadas com pesticidas. Se você pode encontrar algumas rosas, com aroma, você vai notar a sua fragrância surgirá através da harissa.

Informação Nutricional - por dose:

• Calorias 73kcal
• Hidratos de carbono 8.5g
• Açúcar 8.0g
• Gordura 3.7g
• Gorduras saturadas 0.5g
•   Proteínas0.9g

Serve 10

Ingredientes

• 350 g tomates maduros, cortados ao meio
• 200 g de piri-piri fresco
• 4 dentes de alho, descascados
• azeite
• sal
• pimenta preta recentemente moída
• 2 colheres (sopa) de sementes de cuminhos
• 1 colher (chá) de sementes de coentros
• 1 colher (chá) de colorau
• 1 mão-cheia de pétalas de rosa, lavadas
• 3 colheres (sopa) de água de rosas
• 2 colheres (sopa)de açúcar
• 1 pitada de vinagre tinto
• 1 colheres (sopa) de azeite extra-virgem

Preparação

Embora você poderia cortar tudo isso à mão, vai levar um tempo, sugiro usar um processador de alimentos. No entanto, se você pode fazer com as mãos, desde que use um par de luvas de borracha para proteger você do piri-piri que, como seus sucos, pode irritar a pele.

Pré-aqueça o forno a 150 ° C. Espalhe os tomates (virados para cima), piri-piris e dentes de alho numa grande assadeira, regue com azeite e tempere. Coloque no forno e asse por 1 hora, dando a bandeja uma sacudidela algumas vezes durante o cozimento.

Depois de uma hora, retire o tabuleiro do forno e deixe esfriar. Uma vez que os piri-piris estão frios o suficiente para lhes tocar, coloque umas luvas de borracha, retire os talos e retire as sementes. Você pode fazer isso com água corrente, pois ajuda com a lavagem das sementes. Descasque os dentes de alho e coloque no processador de alimentos com o piri-piri. Pulse até picado, em seguida, adicione o cominho, coentro e colorau, tempere bem com sal e pimenta e pulse novamente.

Em seguida, adicione os tomates, pétalas de rosas, água de rosas e açúcar, e pulse até obter uma pasta robusta, com lindas manchas de tomate e pétalas de rosa.

Transfira a massa para uma tigela e misture um pouco de vinagre de vinho tinto e azeite extra-virgem. Você deve ter uma bela pasta avermelhada. Prove - você quer um bom equilíbrio entre o calor do piri-piri, o colorau, a nitidez do vinagre e as pétalas de rosas perfumadas. Tempere de novo e adicione outro toque de vinagre, se necessário. Quando estiver satisfeito com o gosto coloque, com uma colher, num frasco esterilizado e mantenha na geladeira até um mês

Fonte: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/lovely-tomato-and-rose-petal-harissa

Imagem: http://www.racheldemuth.co.uk/blog/haloumi-kebabs/

'Full of veg' tomato sauce

"This is a great sauce to have up your sleeve. When it's made properly it will have a lovely, sweet flavour just like tomatoes. After your children get used to eating it, you can whiz the vegetables up a bit less each time until, eventually, you won't have to whiz it at all. This recipe makes quite a big batch. I tend to make loads at one time, let it cool completely, then bag it up and freeze it.

Nutritional Information - Amount per serving:

• Calories 193kcal
• Carbs 25.6g
• Sugar 19.7g
• Fat 5.3g
• Saturates 0.8g
• Protein 6.5g

Serves 6

Ingredients

• olive oil
• 2 small onions, peeled and chopped
• 1 small leek, chopped and washed
• 2 sticks celery, trimmed and chopped
• 2 red peppers, chopped
• 2 courgettes, grated
• 2 carrots, grated
• 1 large pinch dried oregano
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 x 400 g tinned plum tomatoes
• 1 small butternut squash, peeled and seeds removed, grated
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Method

Heat a large saucepan (big enough to hold all the ingredients) over a medium heat. Pour in a good lug of oil then add the onions, leek, celery, peppers, courgettes, carrots and herbs. Cook the whole lot slowly for about 20 minutes with the lid on, until all the vegetables are nice and soft but without any colour at all.

Add the tomatoes, squash, 500ml (17½fl oz) of water and a pinch of salt and pepper to the vegetables. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for about 30 minutes until the squash is soft.

Fish out the bay leaves and allow the sauce to cool slightly before blitzing with a hand-held blender until nice and smooth. Have a taste and season with a little more salt and pepper if needed".

Fonte e imagem: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/-full-of-veg-tomato-sauce

Bruschetta with tomato & basil

"A bruschetta is a kind of open sandwich and it's probably where the idea for cheese on toast originally came from. It's normally made from a large loaf of sourdough natural yeast bread, which is a dark grey colour and has a higher water content than usual in the dough. It also has a thick crust and, because of this, moisture is retained in the bread, meaning it can be used up to a week after purchasing. Have a look round a farmers' market or in a good supermarket and you should be able to find some. If you can't, a good-quality round cottage-style loaf will give you good results.

Nutritional Information - Amount per serving:

• Calories 189kcal
• Carbs 18.4g
• Sugar 1.9g
• Fat 10.8g
• Saturates 1.6g
• Protein 3.7g

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 2 handfuls nice mixed ripe tomatoes
• 1 small bunch fresh basil, leaves picked
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• olive oil
• good-quality white wine or herb vinegar

Method

The bread is best sliced 1cm thick and toasted on a barbecue, but it can also be done in a griddle pan for ease at home. After that it should be lightly rubbed a couple of times with a cut clove of garlic, then drizzled with some good extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper. The toppings can be as humble or as luxurious as you like, from chopped herbs or a squashed tomato with basil, to marinated vegetables or beautiful cheeses, to lovely flaked crabmeat. The only rule is that whatever goes on top of a bruschetta should be nice and fresh and cooked with care.
Make sure your tomatoes are really ripe when making this topping. Give them a wash, remove their cores and carefully squeeze out the seeds. Place in a bowl, tear in the basil, season with salt and pepper, then toss with a good glug of olive oil and a good swig of vinegar to balance the flavours to your taste. You can serve the tomatoes either chunky or finely chopped, or you can scrunch them between your fingers before putting them on your basic bruschette – really tasty".

Fonte e imagem: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/bread-recipes/bruschetta-with-tomato-and-basil

Potatoes, mozzarella, rosemary, thyme & tomato pizza topping

"Makes enough for 1 pizza

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons tomato sauce
• 4 new potatoes, cooked
• 1 small handful fresh rosemary leaves
• 1 teaspoon thyme tips
• extra virgin olive oil
• lemon juice
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 50 g mozzarella

Method

Recipe for pizza dough and tomato sauce can be found here.

Smear the tomato sauce evenly over the pizza base. Slice the potatoes into 0.5cm/¼ inch thick slices and toss in a bowl with the rosemary, thyme, a good lug of olive oil, a small squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt and pepper. Scatter them over the pizza base and put small torn-up pieces of mozzarella into the gaps. Cook until crisp and golden.

• Calories 544kcal
• Carbs 38.0g
• Sugar 6.5g
• Fat 35.8g
• Saturates 11.6g
• Protein 15.1g".

Fonte e imagem: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/bread-recipes/potatoes-mozzarella-rosemary-thyme-and-tomato-pizza-topping

Aubergine lasagne

Fotografia: David Loftus

"I recently ate a similar dish at a wedding in Italy, where it was cooked in a large, shallow dish. It has the same vibe as a Greek moussaka, but uses pasta rather than potatoes in the layering, making it more of a lasagne bake. The fresh sheets you can buy in supermarkets are very good and well worth using.

Nutritional Information - Amount per serving:

• Calories 385kcal
• Carbs 20.8g
• Sugar 1.8g
• Fat 25.2g
• Saturates 9.4g
• Protein 15.5g

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 3 aubergines
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
• a few sprigs fresh thyme, leaves picked
• 1 dried red chilli, crumbled
• 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2x400 g organic tinned plum tomatoes
• 1 splash balsamic vinegar
• 1 bunch fresh basil, leaves picked and stalks chopped
• 150 g Cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 handfuls Parmesan cheese, grated
• 6-8 fresh lasagne sheets

Method

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400ºF/gas 6. Steam the whole aubergines over a pan of simmering water for 30 minutes, then scoop out the flesh and cut it up roughly. Slowly fry the aubergine, garlic, thyme and chilli in the olive oil for around 10 minutes.

Add the tins of tomatoes, chopping them up roughly with a wooden spoon, then add the balsamic vinegar and most of the basil leaves. Bring to the boil and simmer for around 10 minutes until the sauce has reduced and thickened.

Spread a layer of aubergine sauce in a large, shallow dish. Sprinkle over some Cheddar and a handful of Parmesan, then spread over a layer of lasagne sheets. Repeat once or twice more, until your dish is full. Finish with a final sprinkling of Parmesan, a scattering of basil leaves and a drizzle of olive oil.

Place in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbling and golden".

Fonte e imagem: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/aubergine-lasagne

'Abundance' tomato soup with basil oil

Fotografia: David Loftus

"If your tomato plants are groaning under the weight of all their ripe fruit, or even if you've just got some over-ripe tomatoes to use up, then this is a great soup to have up your sleeve. As long as your tomatoes are really ripe you'll end up with a wonderfully sweet soup no matter what type of tomatoes you've used. The basil oil is also great for drizzling over salads, pastas or pizzas so if you want to keep it for a couple of weeks, just strain it through a sieve and store it in a sterile jar.

Nutritional Information - Amount per serving:

• Calories 374kcal
• Carbs 10.8g
• Sugar 10.4g
• Fat 34.7g
• Saturates 5.1g
• Protein 2.6g

Ingredients

• For the basil oil

• large bunch fresh basil, leaves picked, stalks finely chopped
• sea salt
• 200 ml extra virgin olive oil

• For the soup

• olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
• 2 kg mixed tomatoes, very ripe
• good-quality red wine vinegar

Method

To make the basil oil, put a few of the basil leaves in a bowl of cold water for later, then place the rest in a mortar. Add a pinch of salt and use a pestle to bash the basil leaves until they have broken down into a dark green paste. Transfer the paste to a jug and add your extra virgin olive oil. Mix together well.

To make the soup, add a lug of olive oil to your biggest pan over a medium heat. Add the basil stalks to the pan with the sliced garlic. Fry for about a minute then add all the tomatoes. Stir in 150ml of water and bring to the boil. Reduce to a medium heat and let the tomatoes cook for 5 minutes until they are slightly broken down. If your tomatoes are nice and ripe they'll be naturally sweet and soft, which means you won't need to cook the soup for too long.

Remove the soup from the heat, add a splash of red wine vinegar then carefully blitz with a hand blender until you get a consistency that's to your liking.

Serve in warm bowls with a spoonful of bright green basil oil swirled on top and sprinkled with the reserved basil leaves. You can even eat any leftovers cold from the fridge for a really fresh, light soup".

Fonte e imagem: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/-abundance-tomato-soup-with-basil-oil

Sweet leek, ricotta & tomato lasagne

Fotografia: Andrew Burton

"You can either make this lasagne in 6 individual ovenproof dishes or in 1 large 3-litre ovenproof one. Alternatively, assemble it in 6 individual foil containers, cover with the lids and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly and cook as per the recipe.

 

Nutritional Information - Amount per serving:

• Calories 371kcal
• Carbs 31.1g
• Sugar 7.5g
• Fat 16.6g
• Saturates 9.8g
• Protein 20.6g

Serves 6

Ingredients

• olive oil
• 4 leeks, thinly sliced
• 2 red onions, thinly sliced
• 250 g spinach, washed and chopped
• 350 g good-quality ricotta
• 1 litre base tomato sauce
• 1 packet lasagne sheets, wholewheat if you can find them
• 125 g mozzarella ball
• 75 g fresh Parmesan, grated
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Method

Preheat your oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4. Heat a large saucepan and add a splash of olive oil. Add the leeks and sliced red onions, and sweat, slowly, until soft – about 10 minutes. Add the chopped spinach and briefly cook until wilted down. Set aside to cool slightly, then drain off any excess liquid in the pan.

Mix the ricotta into the leek and onion mixture and season with a tiny pinch of salt and pepper.

Spoon a quarter of the base tomato sauce into the bottom of 6 individual ovenproof dishes, or into a 3-litre ovenproof dish. Cover with sheets of lasagne. Spread half the leek and ricotta mixture over the lasagne, then add a third of the remaining tomato sauce. Repeat with more lasagne sheets, the remaining leek and ricotta mixture and then half the remaining tomato sauce. Finish with a final layer of lasagne sheets, then spread the rest of the tomato sauce over the top.

Tear the mozzarella into small pieces and dot over the top of the lasagne. Sprinkle with the Parmesan. Place on a baking sheet and bake the individual lasagnes for 25–30 minutes or the large one for 45 minutes – they need to be cooked through and golden brown on top".

Fonte e imagem: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/sweet-leek-ricotta-and-tomato-lasagne

Gorgeous Greek salad

Fotografia: David Loftus

"Nutritional Information - Amount per serving:

• Calories 220kcal
• Carbs 9.8g
• Sugar 8.2g
• Fat 14.5g
• Saturates 7.5g
• Protein 10.1g

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber
• 4 tomatoes, on the vine
• 1 green pepper
• 6 black olives (stone in)
• 1 red onion, peeled
• extra virgin olive oil
• freshly ground black pepper
• red wine vinegar
• 1 lemon
• 200 g feta cheese
• 1 few sprigs of flowering oregano
• 1 small bunch of fresh mint

Method

Scratch a fork down the sides of the cucumber so it leaves deep grooves in the skin, then chop into erratic slices at an angle. Roughly chop the tomatoes, deseed and slice the pepper lengthways and add to a salad bowl with the chopped veg.

Destone the olives and tear into the bowl. Halve and finely slice the red onion (you can also try shaving it with a speed peeler), then add to the bowl along with a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a good pinch of black pepper and a splash of red wine vinegar.

Toss everything together, then add a good squeeze of lemon juice. Break the feta in half and place on top, add a scattering of flowering oregano, drizzle over a little more extra virgin olive oil and pick over the mint leaves".

Fonte e imagem: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/gorgeous-greek-salad

Vegetarian chilli

Fotografia: David Loftus

"This is a lovely alternative to traditional chilli con carne. It's packed with good stuff so is a great choice for veggies and meat eaters alike.

Nutritional Information - Amount per serving:

• Calories 306kcal
• Carbs 39.8g
• Sugar 13.9g
• Fat 9.1g
• Saturates 1.3g
• Protein 10.7g

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

• 2 medium-sized sweet potatoes, approximately 500g
• 1 level teaspoon cayenne pepper, plus extra for sprinkling
• 1 heaped teaspoon ground cumin, plus extra for sprinkling
• 1 level teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus extra for sprinkling
• olive oil
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 onion
• 1 red pepper
• 1 yellow pepper
• 1 bunch fresh coriander
• 1 red chilli
• 1 green chilli
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 x 400 g tinned beans, such as kidney, chickpea, pinto and cannellini
• 2 x 400 g tinned chopped tomatoes

Method

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/gas 6. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into bite-sized chunks. Sprinkle with a pinch each of cayenne, cumin and cinnamon, drizzle with olive oil and scatter with a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss to coat then put them on a baking tray.
Peel and roughly chop the onion. Halve, deseed and roughly chop the peppers. Pick the coriander leaves and put aside, finely chop the stalks. Deseed and finely chop the chillies. Peel and finely chop the garlic.
Put the tray of sweet potato in the hot oven to cook for 40 minutes until soft and golden. Put a large pan on a medium-high heat and add a couple lugs of olive oil. Add the onion, peppers and garlic and cook for 5 minutes. Add the coriander stalks, chilli and spices and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes.
Drain the cans of beans, then tip them into the pan with the tinned tomatoes. Stir well and bring to the boil, then reduce to a medium-low heat and leave to tick away for 25 to 30 minutes. Keep an eye on it, and add a splash of water if it gets a bit thick.
Get the roasted sweet potato out of the oven and stir it through your chilli with most of the coriander leaves. Taste and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, if needed. Scatter the remaining leaves over the top, and serve with some soured cream, guacamole and rice or tortillas".

Fonte e imagem: http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/vegetarian-chilli