Fennel and citrus salad

Fennel is one of those best kept secrets, not always a first choice when it comes to salad additions yet the perfect ingredient. Fennel has a mellow anise flavour, and when accompanied with citrus it really comes to life.

Fennel is also nutritious. It is high in fibre, low in calories and has been labeled the ultimate digestive aid. With its zesty, palate-cleansing taste, it is a good source of vitamin C and potassium.

This recipe is as simple as it is delicious.

Ingredients (serves 2):

1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced

1 orange, peeled and sliced

½ red onion, sliced

1 avocado, sliced

Handful of rocket

Juice of ½ lemon

Olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper

Slice fennel thinly then coat in the juice of ½ lemon and a dash of olive oil. To see how to slice fennel bulb click on this link. Meanwhile plate the other sliced ingredients, top with coated fennel and dressing, garnish with freshly ground black pepper and fennel fronds. The perfect summer salad!

Deliciously nutritious stuffed potatoes

As you know we're all about convenience at The Lettuce Shop, so when it comes to whipping up dinner we lean on the 'easy and convenient' side. Stuffed potatoes are not only stocked with nutrition, you can add whatever vegetables you like and they're super simple to prepare. Not to mention they taste delicious!

For this recipe we added mushroom, tomatoes and fresh chives. 

Ingredients (serves four):

4 large Nadine potatoes

8 button mushrooms, sliced

2 tomatoes, chopped

Fresh chives, chopped

Butter

Cheddar cheese, grated

Sour cream

Sea salt

Wash potatoes, pat dry and pierce with a fork. Bake in oven at 200C for 1 hour or until soft when pricked. Once cooked, allow to cool. Make a thin slice along the length of each potato and scoop out the centre. Place centres into a bowl, mash with a knob of butter, salt and pepper. 

Sauté mushrooms in butter, add tomatoes and fry for 3-4 minutes. Add to potato mash mix and combine. 

Place potato/mushroom mix into the centre of hollowed out potatoes. Place onto baking tray, drizzle with olive oil and sea salt and bake for another 10 minutes. Remove from oven, top with cheese, sour cream and chives. Serve!

For a more kid-friendly version fill potatoes with pizza topping ingredients such as pepperoni and mozzarella. Pizza style stuffed spud, genius!

Cherry tomato love!

Cherry tomatoes, although botanically a fruit, are considered a vegetable as they are mostly used in savoury dishes. Cherry tomatoes are ideal for roasting, on bruschetta, as a basis for pasta sauces, as garnish, in salads and as a healthy snack option. Nutritional benefits include a rich vitamin C content, low in calories, fat and cholestrol free and a good source of lycopene, which scientists believe contain powerful anticancer properties. Cherry tomatoes are ideal for meat-free diets in assisting iron absorption due to the high vitamin C content. Cherry tomatoes are best when plump, tight-skinned and firm. 

For a deliciously easy pasta recipe check out this simple oven-roasted cherry tomato based pasta provencale that the whole family will enjoy.

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Have a fabulous week!

The Lettuce Shop Team