Johannesburg, 19 January22: The festive season often means fun with loved ones and feasts overflowing with food. However, in spite of our best intentions, it can also mean that we indulge a little more (and more often) than we should. When January rolls around, we try to console ourselves by setting healthy resolutions to get back the balance. But as the pace of the year picks up, the bounce back to a healthier lifestyle can become something that actually feels really difficult. And at times, almost impossible.
That’s why cookbook author and celebrated salad Queen, Chantal Lascaris, always advises people to think of their healthier relationship with food as one that’s on-going; a long-term way of life that maintains a sense of balance without piling up a series of diet-related failures for which we continually castigate ourselves.
“Instead of making big and impossible-to-stick-to changes (which feel overwhelming), starting with a few good intentions is more manageable and increases the chances of success when it comes to your balance and wellbeing,” says Chantal. One example is to simply make sure you drink enough water in a day. Not only can upping your water intake drastically reduce your sugar intake, it can also reduce your appetite and food intake during a meal. Some studies even show that drinking water regularly can be linked to improved diet quality overall.
A home cook and author of several cookbooks (featuring hundreds of delicious recipes), Chantal believes balance in food (and in life) has nothing to do with extreme dieting or adding kale to every meal you consume. She advises: “Completely overhauling your diet with drastic changes is a recipe for disaster. Being mindful and making small, sustainable decisions, can have a big impact on your relationship with food, making it more healthy and more sustainable in the long run.”
Chantal’s own passion for food-fuelled healthy living has been funnelled into her cookbooks, which include two salad-focused recipe collections. Her most recent release, The Ultimate Salad Book, uses fresh and nutrient-rich ingredients in a variety of recipes that help you to eat balanced, healthy meals, and feel good at any time of the year. “Start with simple things,” says Chantal. “Simple steps, simple ingredients, simple goals, simple outcomes.”
To help you step into the New Year with your most balanced foot forward, Chantal has chosen three recipes from The Ultimate Salad Book that will help show you how easy (and delicious) balanced eating can be.
Cajun Swordfish Salad
600g swordfish steak, filleted
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 large cucumber, sliced on the diagonal
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 cup roughly chopped baby spinach
½ cup roughly chopped fresh mint
CAJUN RUB
2 tsp salt
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp paprika
1 tsp ground black pepper
½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp dried origanum
1 tsp dried thyme
DRESSING
¼ cup rice wine vinegar
½ cup coconut milk
salt and pepper to taste
- Mix the ingredients for the Cajun rub.
- Cut the swordfish into bite-size pieces and place into a sealable bag with the olive oil and Cajun rub. Gently massage the bag to ensure the fish is well coated. Place in the fridge for about 30 minutes to allow the flavours to develop.
- Toss the cucumber, celery, baby spinach and mint in a serving bowl.
- Heat a non-stick frying pan and sauté the swordfish for about 5 minutes until just cooked. Be careful not to overcook the fish, as it can become dry. Add a touch more olive oil if necessary. Allow to cool slightly before adding the fish to the salad.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients and drizzle over the salad.
Herbed Cranberry and Chicken Salad
400 – 600g skinless deboned chicken thighs
1 tsp dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp olive oil
¼ cup water, or as needed
2 cups mixed salad leaves
½ red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup sliced chives
½ cup torn fresh parsley
½ cup torn fresh dill
¼ cup crumbled blue cheese
DRESSING
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
¼ cup olive oil
¾ cup dried cranberries, plus extra for garnishing
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
3–4 Tbsp water
salt and pepper to taste
- Season the chicken thighs with the thyme, salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a frying pan and brown the chicken thighs on all sides. Cook the chicken until done, adding the water if the pan gets dry. Remove from the heat and allow to cool before slicing the chicken.
- Using a hand blender, whizz the dressing ingredients until smooth.
- Combine the mixed salad leaves with half the chicken and the red onion in a serving bowl. Season with salt and pepper and pour over half the dressing. Toss to combine.
- Scatter over the chives, parsley, dill and blue cheese.
- Add the remaining chicken, drizzle over the rest of the dressing and garnish with extra dried cranberries.
Tabbouleh
1 x 410g can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
½ x 410g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cup cubed cucumber
¼ red onion, diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 cups roughly chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp roughly chopped fresh dill
DRESSING
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice
1 clove garlic, crushed
salt and pepper to taste
- Combine the salad ingredients in a bowl and toss.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients, pour over the salad and toss well. Chill in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Ends –
About Chantal Lascaris:
Chantal Lascaris is a home cook extraordinaire whose love of food is fuelled by her passion for health and nutrition. A qualified Pilates instructor, and perpetual entrepreneur, Chantal has authored several highly successful recipe books, including the All Sorts of series – Salads, Healthy Dishes, One Dish Wonders, and Tapas. She splits her time between promoting her recipe books and running a small farm in Western Cape. The Ultimate Salad Book is her newest release, boldly moving the salad from simple side dish to centre stage main! She continues to give us the opportunity to use fresh and nutritious ingredients, in a range of salad dishes that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, dinner – and even dessert!
Press Contact:
Mantis Communications
Kerry Simpson
Tel: 079 438 3252
Email: [email protected]
