Spelt Flour Bread and Cucumber Avocado Salad

Usually we go shopping today so this is a day where we try to use up whatever we have left in our fridge or pantry and make it into a healthy meal. So I decided to make a cucumber and avocado salad and a spelt flour bread to go with it.

For the bread I used the following:

• 500g wholemeal spelt flour (of this 50g were a mix of chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, soy flour, gran del mar flour and quinoa but you can just use whatever you have or just stick to the spelt flour)
• 3 teaspoons dry yeast
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 40g olive oil
• 270g lukewarm water
• 1 egg

Mix all of the above into a dough and knead. If you have a Thermomix mix on speeds 6 until combined and then knead for 2 to 3 minutes approximately. Check that the dough is not too sticky if it is use a little more flour or if it is a little dry add a tiny amount of water. Shape into a loaf by hand and place on a baking tray or if you prefer use a baking tin. I sprinkled some sesame seeds on mine but don't be afraid to experiment. Leave the dough to rise for approximately 20-30 minutes. Bake in the oven at 200 degrees for about 30 minutes and golden brown or if you are using a fan forced oven at 180 degrees.

In the mean time I made the salad using one cucumber and one avocado. I sliced both of them and combined them in a bowl. For the dressing I simply combined one tablespoon of raw apple cider vinegar and one tablespoon of olive oil. Toss the salad and serve on some beautiful plates.

Once your bread has finished baking take it out of the oven and leave to cool for 10-15 minutes on a rack and enjoy with your yummy cucumber and avocado salad!

Pear and Walnut Muffins

My hubby Manuel is a true muffin addict or lover; in other words he can kill a whole tray of muffins in a day! This week my parents and us got our hands on a whole box of fresh pears from the markets with approximately 5-10kg for only $3! We couldn't believe. So to make my hubby's day I decided to make some healthy muffins using wholemeal spelt flour. Spelt flour is an ancient grain which can be good for people that are intolerant of wheat but it also has many other health benefits. It is said to be an excellent source of manganese and a good source of fiber, phosphorus, Vitamin B3, magnesium, copper and protein. For more information refer to the World's Healthiest Foods Website to find out more.

For these muffins you will need the following

• 2 cups of wholewheat spelt flour
• 1/3 cup rapadura sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 free range eggs beaten
• 3/4 cups of fresh pear juice (made in the juicer)
• 1/4 cup macadamia nut oil or olive oil
• 1 handfull of walnuts chopped

1. First preheat your oven to 180 degrees or 160 degrees if fan forced
2. In a bowl mix together dry ingredients
3. Next add all other ingredients until combined
4. Spoon into the muffin trays until they are 3/4 full and bake for 30 minutes approximately or 20 minutes if using fan forced. They should be golden brown on top when they are finished.

 You can also use your thermomix for these. I first add all dry ingredients and mix them on speeds 4-5 for half a minute. Then I add the remainder ingredients apart from the walnuts and mix them for 2-3 minutes speed 6 until combined. Then I add the walnuts and mix them on reverse on speed 3 for a minute or so. Spoon into muffin trays and bake as mentioned above.

These are also great to bake and freeze individually so that you always have something handy when you feel like a treat but want something healthier than the store bought muffins.

Enjoy!