As one of my 2011 goals is to eat clean, naturally each element of the menu was healthy in some way. We also made sure we used quite tropical flavours to reflect the coral theme. I justified the healthy menu by telling my dear parents that I want them to live a fulfilling, healthy and long life together so we can celebrate many more Anniversaries to come! Worked a charm ;).
So, glowing with excitement, my sister and I set off to Thomas Dux to buy some delectable fine foods (and sample apple crumble, tamari nuts and fresh lamingtons to aid the decision-making process!). Thomas Dux is my favourite food store - I think I experience a foodgasm every time I visit there (probably because I am a sucker for free samples)!
http://www.thomasdux.com.au/ Visit their website, they have loads of interesting foods and amazing recipes. Sign up to their ‘Taste Buds’ newsletter too!
MENU
Starter: Sonoma Soy and Linseed Artisan Sourdough Bread dipped in Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Pukara Estate Traditional Dukkah
Why? Sourdough bread is good for us because it’s easily digested, high in B1, lowers insulin response and is high in minerals. The linseeds are high in omega 3s, which are an essential fatty acid, good for beautiful skin and general wellbeing! Oh and of course Sonoma sourdough bread is particularly delicious! I also love that the brothers and Dad behind the business started it up by restoring an old wood-fired oven on a property in NSW and it flourished from there. Gorgeous! http://www.sonoma.com.au/ Try out their bread, you will love it, especially if you’re a bread fanatic like myself! Though, remember, everything in moderation…
The Pukara Estate Dukkah was lovely and nutty. It’s made of sesame seeds, pistachio nuts, hazelnuts, cumin and corianda. Sesame seeds are often overlooked I feel. They’re rich in minerals such as calcium and magnesium which are important fo healthy bones and zinc for good skin and iron for energy! Cumin rocks because it’s full of flavour and boosts metabolism and immunity. I’ve also discovered this dukkah is really yummy on salads! http://www.pukaraestate.com.au/Content_Common/pr-Olives_Traditional-Dukkah—90gm.seo
Main: Roast Pork on Sweet Potato and Orange Mash with Mango Chilli Salsa
Why? Oh my goodness! The combination of flavours in this dish is like a tropical party in your mouth. I found this recipe in one of Mum’s cooking magazines, which also happens to be on www.taste.com.au. This website is my ‘go to’ website for all cooking occasions, if only for inspiration. It’s amazing!
The mango, chilli, lime and corianda salsa was divine and very tropical. Mango has heaps of vitamin A, C, E and fibre - fantastic for seeing well, good skin and hair, boosting the immune system and fat burning.
The sweet potato mash with freshly squeezed orange juice was soooo good. Sweet potato is one of my favourite super foods - its packed with A,C and E, folic acid, potassium, fibre, calcium, iron AND phosphorus. It also reminds me of Christmas roasts!
We trimmed ALL the fat off the pork to make sure it was super lean. I may or may not have been brainwashed by the pork ads on tv - you know, the ones where she says ‘I might pork him again tonight’, followed by terrible innuendos and petrified children at the dinner table. But, I have learnt that this meat (if lean) is an amazing source of protein (essential if you want to boost metabolism and build muscle which will in turn burn more calories whilst resting), as well as thiamin, niacin, B6, B12, selenium, zinc and omega 3s. Basically all the elements for healthy skin, hair and nails, protection against heart disease and boosting the immune system.
Recipe: If you don’t like pork, try chicken!
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/15998/pork+with+sweet+potato+mash+mango+salsa
Sides: Rosemary Potatoes, Roast Vegetables with Reduced Fat Fetta
Why? The rosemary potatoes are simple. Cut em up, stick em on a tray, lightly spray with extra virgin olive oil, chuck on chopped rosemary and cook in the oven! I’m lucky because my sister bought me a lovely little herb garden for Christmas, so I have my own endless supply of rosemary - I highly recommend! Such a lovely aroma too.
The roast veg - same thing, chuck in your favourite vegetables (we used pumpkin with skin on for extra nutrients, capsicum which is super high in vitamin C, zucchini and eggplant). Throw in some low fat fetta, extra virgin olive oil spray, rosemary and cook it baby! Yum!
Dessert: Mixed Berry Parfait in Cocktail Glasses
Why? This was the perfect ending to the meal - sweet, light and scrummy. We crunched up Nature Valley crunchy honey and oat bars in the bottom of the glass. Mind you, these are very tasty on their own (all good chefs test their creations…!) http://www.naturevalley.com.au/holding/Default.aspx
Then we blended mixed frozen berries with apple juice to make a healthy berry compote which we drizzled around the glass and on top. Everyone knows berries are super high in antioxidants - so I was excited about that! They’re also an excellent source of fibre.
We then layered with chopped strawberries ($5 for 3 punnets at Thomas Dux that day!), blueberries and chopped watermelon (which is apparently an aphrodisiac - tying in well with the love theme).
The next layer was this gorgeous low fat vanilla bean greek yoghurt, which I think may have been ‘Black Swan’. I love natural yoghurts because they’ve got live cultures in them which are important for a healthy balance in the gut and digestion. Apparently the calcium in these yoghurts (the real yoghurts, not the highly processed sugar ones) are fantastic for helping us burn fat more efficiently.
GIFTS
Dad bought Mum a lovely hair voucher from Portfolio Hair in Mona Vale. Us girls have been going to this salon for many, many years. We’ve used them for endless formals, 18ths, 21sts, special occasions, hair make-overs (when I’ve needed to re-invent myself!) and most recently my brother’s wedding.
They have recently updated the salon, it now has a gorgeous chandelier and orgasmic massage chairs. They’ve got plasma televisions, savvy and friendly staff and you get unlimited free coffee or a selection of luxury Tea Drop teas (my favourites are Malabar Chai and Honeydew Green).
http://www.teadrop.com.au/luxury_tea/index.php?PHPSESSID=ee9a289a65b9c3a1d66cc3f009cbaa0b
My sister and I gave Mum a modern and beautiful bunch of blue hydrangeas, white lilies and exotic greens from the new Wild Lotus in Newport. If you want a unique bunch of flowers at VERY reasonable prices, this is THE place to go on the northern beaches. Have a look at what they can do http://wildlotusflorist.com.au/flowers.php
We also gave Mum coral coloured earrings from the Family Jewels in Newport. This place is a treasure trove of unique jewellery of soooo many colours, shapes and styles. http://www.thefamilyjewels.com.au/
Berkelouw Books in Mona Vale is not only a paradise for readers, it also has a range of unique cards and gifts. We bought Mum and Dad a gorgeous card featuring that coral heart which is just off the Great Barrier Reef. It was sentimental because our last family holiday was to Hamilton Island which is right near this coral heart. http://berkelouw.com.au/
The quote I used in the card was:
‘Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success’ Henry FordThey loved it! Mum adores quotes (as an ex English teacher) and Dad loves cars! Perfection.
All in all it was a delectable feast which brought us even closer as a family. I love them.
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