healthy Archives - Joie De Vivre

Iceberg Lettuce Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

Sometimes, stinky cheese is just what the doctor ordered. Well in my case, any doctor that ordered me (any kind of) cheese would become my new favourite person. While I love adding cheese to salads, very rarely will I made a dressing, whose entire flavour profile is derived from the cheese. I also find that of all cheeses, it is blue cheese that most people shy away from, not due to lack of an acquired taste, but more due to preconceived notions. And the fact that it smells. Last evening, I just wanted a salad, without fuss and too much effort. So begins the birth of the Iceburg Lettuce Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing.

AirFried Vegetable Spring Rolls

My love for Thai food is something that can never be satiated, or so I’d like to believe. About a decade ago, my parents and I had a week long vacation there, with a few days at the beach and the rest in the bustling capital. What was clear from this vacation was that my mum and me gluttonously attacked Thai food at every meal (ok fine, barring breakfast, although even at breakfast our plates were filled with mangosteen) so much so that after 4 days, my dad actually ordered a sandwich from room service before we went for another Thai meal, because clearly, he had reached the brink.

Not for me. Every city I visit, always has me looking for at least one Thai pit stop. In Delhi, it’s always Ego Thai, a classic non fussy joint, packed with loads of comfort food. Even when we were in Croatia, we managed to find Pearl of Siam, which coupled with my desire to eat spice and flavour (the vegetarian food in the more touristy parts of Croatia were unimaginative) went so out of control, made us return there two nights in a row! In London, Read more…

June 18, 2015 | 6 Comments

Entree, Savoury

Cherry Tomato, Purple Asparagus + Mushroom with Gluten Free Pasta

Sometimes genius strikes when you least expect it. Today, was one of those below-expectations situations. My parents just got back from Dubai and brought back with them tons of goodies, including (but by no means limited to) marzipan so beautiful that you don’t want to eat it, fresh sumac, za’atar, pine seeds, melt in your mouth baklava, assorted stuffed dates, chocolate (SS’s favourite Lindt Orange Swiss Thins), oh, and the purple asparagus! They also brought back unbelievably smooth and silky hummus, and some muhammara, which made a beautiful wholesome dinner along with some fresh salad and (baked) felafel. Since I’m on my gluten free syndrome (barring beer, uh duh!), I ate mine over millet (bajra) flatbread while the rest enjoyed it on pita.

Since I had a bundle of voluptuously plump asparagus, I just had to use it, before we embarked on this weekend’s staycation. So there came the conception of this humble yet phenomenally flavour packed pasta. I, of course, used gluten free pasta Read more…

May 8, 2015 | 0 comment

Salads, Savoury, Vegetables & Sides

Baby Spinach & Avocado Salad with Tomato Wedges and Dried Cranberries

Let me just begin by saying that I’ve made and shared (with friends) this recipe a few times already, and I felt that it needed to get on the blog ASAP. That being said, I also realised that because I’ve made it again and again and again, its become like second nature to me, and often when I am mechanically going about my favourites and staples, I forget to pay attention to the important details like photographs!

I do hope this little glitch will not deter you from re-creating this superbly simple and satisfying salad at home. I personally find honey mustard and avocado to be a match made in heaven. The use of two types of mustard and 2 types of citrus really complement the salad ingredients, and require very little prep and chopping. The salad and dressing kept separate, make a great lunch at your desk as well. I also love the fact that it is gluten free, vegan and dairy free. Read more…

April 16, 2015 | 0 comment

Bread, Savoury, Soups & Sandwitches, Vegetables & Sides

Umami Chickpea Open-Face Sandwiches

That pleasant and almost delicious savoury taste that embodies umami is exactly what elevates this humble protein packed lunch into the fantastic Umami Chickpea Open-Face Sandwiches. And might I add, incredibly quick and easy to whip up! The fundamental steps are: go purchase a gorgeous loaf of bread, sourdough and seed speckled works wonderfully, no doubt. And second, either soak some chickpeas in water overnight, or have a can of organic chickpeas handy.

Most of the work is done by the food processor – all I had to do was add the ingredients and press the button! My kind of cooking 🙂 For a textural contrast to the creamy chickpea mixture, I garnished the sandwiches with a crunchy and spicy addition – some mortar and pestle pounded sriracha peanuts…

Granola Bar Goodness

I am actually a little surprised at myself for not putting up a post using my OCD ingredient of strawberries. Firstly, because despite not posting about it or taking pictures and spamming my instagram feed, I actually did already use strawberries a few times already. The first was in a boozy strawberry jalepeno margarita, followed by this gorgeous Valrhona Bundt cake with the centre piled high with fresh fresh strawberries. After that, there was the baby spinach and roquette salad with fresh strawberries, blushing tomatoes, crumbled goats cheese in a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

Instead of any of those – we have these super amazing energy filled tasty granola bars.

Now truth be told, I’ve made granola bars before, and absolutely loved them. It is strangely comforting having control over what actually goes into your health bars, instead of the processed and sugar loaded store-bought varieties available out there. The other option is to purchase granola clusters or bars from home bakers at the various pop-ups, farmers markets and food events around town, but I definitely feel that those versions are unregulated and there is actually no real way to verify the ‘healthy’ sticker they come with.