Tomatoes

  • Food, Snacks & Sides

    Quick Non-Cook Mexican Beans

    Quick non-cook Mexican beans

    In our house we love Mexican night, we always have done long before we started following any particular nutritional paths and as our thoughts and tastes change I have developed some amazing new recipes, one of which I want to bring to you today!

     

    Healthy?

    Black beans are packed with nutrients such as fibre, potassium, Folate and Vitamin B6. Black beans are full of photo-nutrients (meaning they are plant based) and help to support heart health, lowering cholesterol and decreasing the risk of heart disease. The green lentils are a brilliant source of folate, as well as being a good source of fibre, copper, phosphorus and manganese. Also, if that wasn’t enough they have a load of vitamins and minerals packed into them, such as iron, protein, Vitamin B1, pantothenic acid, zinc and potassium. WOW!

     

    We also know that tomatoes are great too, helping us with vitamin A, C and K, as well as vitamin B6 and folate. They are recorded as helping issues such as diabetes, lowering cholesterol and reducing blood pressure. Plus, this recipe included Jalapeno peppers, which have been mentioned in terms of reducing high blood pressure, helping arthritis, headaches and weight loss, along with many other illnesses and ailments. This recipe is a complete gamechanger for your health!

     

     

    Quick Non Cook Mexican Beans

    Ingredients

    • Black beans (230g)
    • Green lentils (230g)
    • Tomatoes chopped (I use little plum tomatoes and I quarter them)
    • Jalapeno peppers
    • 2 teaspoons Garlic powder
    • 2 teaspoons Paprika
    • 2 teaspoons Cumin

     

    Method

    • Drain the beans and lentils and add to a large bowl.
    • Chop tomatoes and add to bowl
    • Chop the Jalapeños and add them to the bowl
    • Mix the spices together, add to the bowl and mix all.
    • It is now ready to serve. You could have it in tacos, wraps or eat it as it is!

     

    I use the organic black beans and green lentils from Sainsbury’s and they just require draining before use.

    beans

  • Food, Snacks & Sides

    How to hand make your tomato ketchup

    Why you need to hand make your tomato ketchup

    Tomato ketchup is the main ingredient to life, there are so many things that are just made infinitely better with the addition of this sauce. It might sound like it could be ok for you (because tomato is a fruit and we’re constantly told that these are good for us right?) but some of the ingredients can be seriously questionable, with many main brands, if not all of them, putting far too much sugar in their sauces.

    Tomatoes & Apple Cider Vinegar

    Tomatoes themselves have a whole host of health benefits, with impressive amounts of Vitamin A, C and K as well as vitamin b6, folate and thiamin. They are also important for preventing gallstones, reducing blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels as well as helping to manage the effects of diabetes. This recipe also uses the much alluded Apple Cider Vinegar, and if you haven’t added this must have to your diet yet then you must start! It can help with acid reflux, helpt with gastro issues, lower your blood pressure, support weight loss and improve diabetes. It has incredible healing compounds too!

    If you are a tomato ketchup lover but don’t love the idea of all the added nonsense, including sugar and salt, and also do not like the idea of something that has been “messed about with” to remove the sugar and salt, then read on. You can easily make your own tomato ketchup from home, with just two ingredients! While it might not taste exactly like your old supermarket bought ketchup I promise you will get used to it and I promise this is so much healthier for you. With all that said, it is on with the recipe!

    Homemade Tomato Ketchup

    Ingredients

    • Tomato Puree
    • Apple cider vinegar
    Homemade Tomato Ketchup

    Homemade Tomato Ketchup

    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes

    Ingredients

    • Tomato Puree
    • Apple cider vinegar

    Instructions

    1. Add you desired amount of tomato puree into a bowl.
    2. Add teaspoons of vinegar to taste until it has a slight kick.
    3. Mix until you reach your desired taste and consistency. You can even blend some tomatoes into a puree yourself if you wish.

    This is a simple sugar and salt free version of your favourite condiment!