Warm Rainbow Salad

by Liz Child

A warm salad for those chilly last summer days. Any leftovers can be packed up for lunch the next day too. We love adding beans or lentils to as many meals as we can. Pulses are affordable, nutrient-rich powerhouses and the crops are very planet friendly too. A win, win, win! Do you include lots of pulses in your diet?

Get a rainbow of vegetables delivered plastic free to your door here!

Liz x

Ingredients (serves 2 as a big lunch or 4 as sides)

For the roasted roots:

  • 3 beetroot, scrubbed & chopped into bites
  • 2 carrots, scrubbed and chopped into bites
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fennel seeds (or use caraway, cumin or any herb/spice you prefer)
  • 3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey/maple syrup
  • salt and pepper to taste

For the sautéd chard:

  • 7 or 8 large rainbow chard leaves
  • 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • salt and pepper to taste

To serve:

  • 1 tin green lentils, warmed and drained
  • 1 heaped tbsp wholegrain mustard

Method

  1. Turn your oven on to 200C and find a deep baking dish.
  2. Tumble your chopped carrots and beetroot into the baking dish. Add the olive oil, vinegar, fennel seeds, honey, salt and pepper and mix well. Place the dish in the oven to roast for 20 minutes or so until just tender.
  3. While the roots are roasting, prepare the chard. Use a knife to separate the stalks from the greens. Cut the colourful stalks into bite sized pieces and place in a frying pan with the chopped garlic, oil, slat and pepper. Sauté for a few minutes until tender. The roughly chop the greens and add to the pan with a small splash of water. Stir for a few minutes to steam-fry and wilt the greens.
  4. When the roasted roots are cooked to your liking, remove the dish from the oven and stir in the mustard, lentils and chard. Serve warm or cold.

3 Ingredient Frittata

by Lou Robbie

Less is more with this frittata, gently season each ingredient as you work through the recipe and you’ll end up with a delicious dish that can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner! 

The Italians got it right with this one, its simplicity is what makes it. Served with some local leaves and ripe cherry tomatoes all it needs is some September sun to make it perfect! 

If there’s any left over, use it to make a sourdough sandwich. Slice it cold, add mayo, leaves and tomato to the sandwich – it’s delicious for the lunch box.

Lou 🙂

**You will need an oven safe non-stick frying pan to make this frittata – most frying pans are oven safe. If you wish you can use a deep baking tray 8in x 8in approximately. 

  1. Scrub and steam or boil the potatoes first. Allow to cool. 
  2. Slice the courgettes into rounds and fry on a frying pan with a pinch of salt until charred and golden sprinkle, set a slice to cool. 
  3. Once cooled, dice the potatoes into cubes, keep the skins on if you wish, that’s where the nutrients are.  
  4. Preheat the oven to 180℃.
  5. Warm a (oven safe) non-stick frying pan on a medium heat and add a tablespoon of oil. 
  6. Fry the potatoes until golden and crispy and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
  7. While the potatoes are frying, crack 6 eggs into a mixing bowl and add a pinch of salt and pepper, whisk well. 
  8. Pour the eggs over the fried potatoes. Top with the slices of courgette. 
  9. Cook on the hob for 3-4 minutes then carefully transfer into the oven. 
  10. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the egg has set. 
  11. Use a dry tea towel to lift the frying pan out of the oven. 
  12. Set the frypan aside to cool for 10 minutes then loosen the edges with a rubber spatula and slice onto a serving plate. 
  13. Serve with salad – I chose Galway grown leaves and heaps of cherry tomatoes! 

Sweet, Sticky, Sesame Tofu with Stir Fried Greens

by Liz Child

The best way to get a whole lot of greens into my family is with a simple stir fry. No one can resist them simply seasoned with a splash of salty soy sauce and piled into a bowl with rice or noodles. And for protein? We are really into tofu right now, its a beautiful blank canvas and we are trying to up our soy consumption as latest studies show how healthy is it (cancer and fibroid prevention, also anti-inflamatory and great for heart health – high in calcium, magnesium, selenium, phosphorus, iron, copper, manganese and zinc). Beans as crops are also a brilliant, Earth-efficient source of protein. We love extra firm tofu with our stir-fries, simmered with a sweet and sticky honey-ginger-sesame sauce.

Liz x

Ingredients (serves 4)

For the stir fried greens:

  • 1 tbsp neutral oil
  • 1 small courgette, julienned
  • 1/2 a cabbage, shredded
  • a few large kale leaves, shredded
  • a small head of romanesco or broccoli, chopped
  • a few large handfuls of green beans
  • 1-2 tbsp soy sauce (to taste)

For the sticky tofu:

  • 2 packs of extra firm, natural tofu – drained and cut into cubes
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil
  • a splash of soy sauce
  • 50ml honey or maple syrup
  • the zest and juice of half a lime
  • 1/2 tsp chilli flakes, or to taste
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • a thumb of fresh ginger, finely grated
  • 2 tbsp soy sauce
  • 3 tbsp sesame seeds
  • rice or noodles and chopped scallion to serve

Method

  1. Start by mixing the sticky dressing. Gather the ingredients and mix together in a bowl or jug. Taste and adjust the salt level with a bit more soy sauce if needed. Want it tangier? add the other half of the lime.
  2. Cook your rice or noodles and heat up two pans, a large one for the greens and a smaller one for the tofu. Stir fry the greens with the oil until starting to wilt, then add the soy sauce and stir for a couple more minutes.
  3. In the other pan, fry the tofu with the oil until starting to warm through. Add the small splash of soy sauce and stir fry to season and brown the cubes. Then pour over the sweet, sticky sesame sauce and let it simmer and reduce for a couple of minutes.
  4. Serve with the rice or noodles and greens, top with chopped scallions and enjoy!

Baked Blueberry Blended Oats

by Liz Child

Ok, we’re a little late to this trend, but if you are like me (wanting to eat oats regularly because they are so incredibly healthy, but fed up of porridge) you’ll appreciate this twist on a warm, sweet, oaty breakfast. It couldn’t be simpler really, blend oats with banana, milk, baking powder and a touch of honey and bake while you get ready for the day. You’ll end up with a sort of breakfast pudding that is set on the top and sides and beautifully runny in the middle. I’m sure you can come up with countless variations, but we are REALLY into blueberries right now. Did you know that we have sourced organic blueberries from Banner Berries right here in Ireland, and they come in compostable tubs!? Add some to your next order while they are in season and see what the fuss is about (we order extras and pop them straight into the freezer!).

Liz x

Ingredients (serves 2)

  • 1 small mug of porridge oats
  • 1 small mug of milk (any you like)
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla or other flavouring you like (try cocoa powder for chocolate, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom… a dollop of peanut butter?)
  • a couple of handfuls of blueberries (or any fruit you prefer – all summer berries work well as do sliced stone fruit, figs, apples, pears etc)

Method

  1. Turn your oven on to 180C and gather your ingredients, a couple of large ramekins or oven safe bowls and a blender.
  2. Blend the oats, milk, banana, baking powder, honey and vanilla into a smooth batter. Divide it between the ramekins/bowls, sprinkle each with a handful of blueberries and pop it into the oven to bake while you make coffee and get ready for the day.
  3. After around 15-20 minutes, you should have 2 breakfast puddings ready to eat. they should be slightly risen and golden brown. Dig in with a spoon and find the delicious runny middle. Enjoy as it is or top with a dollop of yoghurt, nuts, seeds more fruit etc as you like.

Lunch box – Courgette & Carrot Muffins

by Lou Robbie

Its the end of the summer holidays and back to school and work routines for most! If you are looking for ways to get a bit more veg into yours and/or your child’s lunch box then give these muffins a go. They are lightly sweetened and alongside a sandwich, some fruit and raw veggie sticks they are the perfect lunch. #backtoschool

They freeze really well so why not pop some in the freezer that are handy to defrost overnight, making filling the lunch box a little bit easier. #freezerstash

If you have kids get them to help make them, let them grate the courgette and carrot. Let them get used to cooking and baking with seasonal Irish vegetables and have a chat about where they are grown too. Cooking together creates great opportunities for learning about where our food comes from and why it’s important that we support our local farmers. 

Lou 🙂

Makes 18 regular muffins – approx

  1. Preheat the oven to 180℃.
  2. Prepare your muffin tins with paper cases if needed. I use silicone moulds that don’t need paper cases. 
  3. To make the muffins begin by gathering all the ingredients. 
  4. Grate the carrot and courgette. 
  5. Sieve the flour into a large mixing bowl, add the sugar and cinnamon and mix. 
  6. Add the grated carrot and courgette and mix well again with a wooden spoon. 
  7. Measure the oil into a jug and crack in the eggs, whisk well. 
  8. Pour the oil and egg mix into the bowl and gently mix until there is no visible flour.
  9. Scoop into the muffin tray. 
  10. Bake for 20 mins or until, when checked, a skewer comes out clean.  
  11. Allow to cool completely then bag up to stash in the freezer for the future lunch box. 
  12. To defrost, take one from the freezer bag and pop in the lunch box the night before. 

Peanut Butter Squares – No bake

by Lou Robbie

Here at Green Earth Organics we are always adding new products to the online store. When the coconut flour came in this month this recipe had to be made! 

These peanut butter squares are a real treat! Not only are they unbelievably good they might even be good for you as they are made with these gorgeous natural organic ingredients! 

They are quite filling so a small square is enough to satisfy- but go back for seconds if you must!!

Leave the plastic wrapped supermarket treats on the shelf and give them a go and let us know what you think.

Lou 🙂

  1. Line a small baking tray (8×5 inc approx) with parchment paper and cut out a spare piece of paper the same size as the tray. 
  2. Measure the peanut butter into a bowl and warm in the microwave for a minute or until it mixes easily with a spoon. (you can do this step in a small pot on the hob if you prefer)
  3. Add the coconut flour and maple syrup and mix to form a thick paste. 
  4. Tip the paste onto the baking tray and push down with the back of a spoon. 
  5. Use the spare piece of parchment paper and your hands to smooth the paste evenly into the corners of the tray, then discard the paper.
  6. Put the tray into the fridge to firm up for 10 minutes. 
  7. Add the chocolate to a bowl with the coconut oil and melt in the microwave until melted. Check the chocolate at 20second intervals so it does not burn. Mix well. 
  8. Take the tray from the fridge and pour over the melted chocolate, gently agitate to cover evenly. 
  9. Chill in the fridge again to set. Cut into squares and enjoy.

Simple Apple Galette

by Liz Child

Galettes are the easiest pies to make. We love their beautiful rustic shape and the flexibility they bring. You can get creative and make them sweet with fruit, jam, chunks of marzipan or chocolates, or savoury with vegetables, cheese, pesto etc. Use your favourite flavours and the results will always be delicious! I use the same, sugar free, shortcrust pastry for both sweet and savoury versions, but of course you can add a spoon of sugar to the pastry if you like it a little sweeter. You can also add extra flavours to the pastry to match the fillings if you like. For example cinnamon in an apple galette, lemon zest and fresh rosemary in a parsnip galette, switch out some of the flour with ground hazelnuts or almonds… the possibilities are endless. We would love to hear about your favourite galettes in the comments please.

Liz x

Ingredients

  • 200g plain flour
  • 125g butter
  • pinch of salt
  • 3 tbsp cold water
  • 3 apples, peeled, sliced and placed in water with a squeeze of lemon juice to stop it going brown
  • a handful of sugar

Method

  1. The easiest way to make pastry is with a food processor with the ’S’ blade attachment. If you don’t have one you can use a bowl and your hands to rub the butter into the flour then bring it into a ball with the water.
  2. If you have a processor, place the flour, salt and butter in the processor and pulse until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Then run the processor and add a tbsp of cold water while it is running, after a few seconds, add another tbsp and see if it forms into a ball. If not, add another tbsp of water and the dough should gather up and spin around into a ball. Stop the processor as soon as a ball forms.
  3. Gather the dough into a neat ball and place in a bowl. Cover with a lightly damp tea towel and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes while you pre-heat the oven to 180C and prepare the filling. This time I peeled and sliced apples and placed them into a bowl of acidulated water (water with a squeeze of lemon juice).
  4. When the dough is rested, remove it from the oven and place it onto a floured baking sheet. To be sure it will not stick, I usually line the sheet with a piece of baking parchment too, but this is optional. Press the dough down into a round disc then roll it out into a large, 4mm thick round.
  5. Arrange the fruit in the middle of the pastry, sprinkle with sugar and then gather up the sides. Remember, rustic is beautiful so no need to worry about tears and uneven folds here.
  6. Place the baking sheet and pie into the pre-heated oven (180C) and bake until golden. In my oven, this usually takes around 30-40 minutes, but do keep an eye on yours as ovens vary so much.
  7. Remove from the oven and enjoy hot or cold in slices with ice-cream.

Tofu Fried Rice

by Liz Child

Egg fried rice but using wobbly silken tofu in place of the egg. This is such a delicious mid week, one pan, quick meal. If you ever find yourself with leftover rice, this is the solution! Its a great way to clear out the odds and ends from the veg drawer too. We love it served with kimchi or a squeeze of hot sauce, some scallions and sesame seeds. How do you eat yours?

Liz x

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 2 tbsp neutral vegetable oil
  • 1 courgette, diced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 1/4 red cabbage, thinly sliced (or any combination of veg you prefer)
  • a pinch of salt
  • 1 tsp garlic granules
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp chilli flakes
  • 4 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 block silken tofu
  • 4 portions of cooked rice
  • a big mug of frozen peas (or any tender greens you like)
  • 4 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • kimchi to serve (or any toppings you prefer eg chopped scallions, hot sauce, toasted sesame seeds)

Method

  1. Stir fry the courgette, carrots and cabbage (or any chopped veg you prefer) with the vegetable oil and a pinch of salt until just starting to soften (around 5 minutes).
  2. Add the block of silken tofu and break it up with the wooden spoon. Drizzle in the soy sauce and sprinkle in the garlic, ginger and chilli and stir fry for another minute or so.
  3. Add the rice and frozen peas (or other tender greens) and stir fry to warm through. Taste and add more soy sauce if needed. Then finish with nutty, delicious, toasted sesame oil and serve however you like. We love ours topped with tangy, spicy kimchi.

Courgette “Croque Monsieur”

by Lou Robbie

Courgettes are such a versatile vegetable. They work in their raw state or taste delicious in sweet cakes and muffins or savoury when roasted or baked.  Char grilled courgettes are sublime! It brings out the natural sweetness and adds that charred bitterness that works so great here. 

Charred veg of any sort is delicious in a sandwich. There is no ham needed in this grilled cheese interpretation of the French classic Croque Monsieur – meaning Bite Mister or maybe its Mister Bite!

This glorious sandwich is worth all the effort. 

Charred Courgette, spicy mustard, crunchy bread, creamy bechamel, grilled cheese = The ultimate indulgence at lunch time.

Enjoy this one, 

Lou 🙂

Makes 2 large sandwiches

For the grilled courgette:

For the bechamel sauce: 

For the mustard mayo

For the sandwich:

For the grilled courgette: 

  1. Get a griddle pan on the hob nice and hot- you can use a frying pan instead if you wish. 
  2. Wash and dry the courgette then slice it long ways keeping the slices about 5mm thick. 
  3. Spray or drizzle oil on the courgettes and when the griddle pan is smoking hot add the courgettes to get those nice charred bar marks. 
  4. Don’t move the courgettes for a couple of minutes. Then using a thongs lift and turn to do the other side.
  5. Add to a plate to cool, repeat with the rest of the courgette slices. 

To make the bechamel: 

  1. Add the milk, chopped onion, garlic, bay leaf, cloves and grated nutmeg to a pot and slowly bring the milk to the boil. Take off the heat immediately and leave to infuse for 10-20 minutes. 
  2. In another pot add the butter and flour and cook until it turns a golden brown colour, use a wooden spoon to stir it.
  3. Strain the milk and whisk in gradually until you have a thickened sauce, check the seasoning and adjust if it needs something. Whisk and cook on a low heat for a further few minutes. 
  4. Add the sauce to a bowl and set to one side. 

To make the mustard mayo. Simply mix the mayonnaise and mustard together in a small bowl.

To make the sandwich. 

  1. Heat the grill area of the oven.
  2. To make one sandwich: Take 2 slices of sourdough and brush one side of each with melted butter.  (If making for 2 people brush all 4 slices with butter now)
  3. Grill the buttered sides until toasted. 
  4. In the meantime chop the grilled courgettes into thick pieces. 
  5. Take the sourdough from the grill and turn over the slices. 
  6. On one piece add a layer of mustard mayo, top with a spoon of bechamel sauce, then add a layer of grilled courgettes, top that with a handful of grated cheese. Put the second slice of sourdough on top. Add another layer of bechamel sauce and top that with grated cheddar cheese. 
  7. Return the generous sandwich to the grill – let it bubble and char and toast. Keep a watchful eye on it!

Take from the grill and cut in half with a bread knife! 

Tuck in. 🙂

Turmeric & Ginger Paste

by Liz Child

I always try to keep a jar of this fresh paste in the fridge. It is so handy for making golden milk in the evenings and I love stirring a spoon through my morning porridge. Turmeric and ginger have many amazing health benefits, I started eating this to help manage my knee pain, but I stuck with this paste because it’s actually very delicious! We stock fresh, organic turmeric and ginger roots in the shop so you can easily add some to your next order.

Liz x

Ingredients (don’t need to be exact)

  • a large thumb of fresh ginger
  • a similar amount of fresh turmeric
  • 1 heaped tbsp coconut oil (this helps your body absorb the turmeric and ginger)
  • 4 or 5 tbsp maple syrup (or your choice of sweetener)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 a tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • a splash of water

Method

  1. As you are using organic turmeric and ginger, you don’t really need to peel them, but if you would like to, use a teaspoon to scrape off the skin and get into the awkward nooks and crannies without wasting too much flesh. Roughly chop and add to a small, strong food processor.
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend into a smooth, thick paste.
  3. Pour the paste into a very clean jar and keep in the fridge. Use within 3 weeks. You can also freeze the paste in ice cube trays to keep it fresher for longer.

How to use:

Add a spoon or two to a mug of hot milk and drink in the evening after a long day, especially if you are feeling achey. I like mine topped with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Blend a spoon with banana, ice and milk to make a golden smoothie. Kids love these!

Simmer a spoon into your morning pot of porridge. Top with coconut flakes and cinnamon or your favourite fruit and nuts.

  • Do not consume high amounts of turmeric if you are pregnant. Consult a doctor if you are concerned that turmeric will interact with other medication or health problems.