Sally's mega nutri-mix on the side
Oh my goodness, this is the BEST side dish ever... I basically just eat it at every opportunity.
Although this is called a side dish, it can be eaten as main course, lunch, supper, or as a snack. If you want to turn it into a main course, you’ll need to add some protein, so serve it with either chicken, fish or an egg-cup full of walnuts, which also contain brilliant omega-3.
(Serves 4)
Ingredients:
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling2 spring onions, finely sliced1 leek, washed, trimmed and thinly sliced1 green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped1 courgette, washed and cut into strips lengthwise with a peeler2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed150g tenderstem broccoli100g frozen sweetcorn kernels150g spinach400ml low-salt vegetable stock200g cooked brown rice or bulgar wheat2 sprigs of lemon thyme, leaves removed and chopped (discard stalks)1 tsp capers (optional)Freshly ground black pepper, to tasteA handful of fresh mint leaves, choppedGrated zest and juice of 2 limes or 1 unwaxed lemon
Ingredients:
Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick, lidded saucepan, then add the spring onions, leek, green chilli, courgette strips and garlic. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring, until all the vegetables are starting to soften.
Add the broccoli, sweetcorn, spinach and stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes. At this stage, if you have a food-processor or handheld stick blender, remove half of the mixture and blend it into a smooth sauce, then add it back to the pan. (You can leave this stage out if you prefer– it’ll still be as gorgeous and good for you but slightly less creamy.)
Finally, add the cooked rice or bulgar wheat, lemon thyme, capers (if using) and season well with black pepper. Stir in the mint and lime or lemon juice and zest, add a little drizzle of olive oil and serve. The dish will keep well for up to 4 days in the fridge.
TIP: A jar of capers is a wonderful thing to have to hand in the fridge. They add a delicious sharpness to any dish, which will help if you are leaving out salt. If you’ve never tried them before, give them a go!
From The Bikini Promise, by Sally Bee. Published by Kyle Books, priced £14.99Photography by Clare Winfield