Bean and Pumpkin Stew

Here we are in the dead of Winter and my food diary has fallen by the wayside. I've been eating relatively well lately but it would be good to keep my eyes 'on the numbers' more closely. I found this recipe on taste.com.au today and will be serving it up after training and yoga tonight, I'm sure Joe will be pleased I'll be filling out my diary more regularly, starting with this recipe! I will be adding some poached chicken for extra protein...

INGREDIENTS
250g butternut pumpkin, deseeded, peeled, cut into 2cm pieces
olive oil cooking spray
1 red onion, halved, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 teaspoons moroccan spice blend
2 tablespoons tomato paste
400g can diced tomatoes
1 zucchini, diced
1 red capsicum, cut into 2cm pieces
150g button mushrooms, thickly sliced
400g can cannellini beans, rinsed, drained
1/2 cup basil leaves, shredded
1/2 cup grated low-fat cheddar cheese / sprinkling of Grano Padano cheese (I prefer as it has more flavour and you need less of it)
Serves 4

METHOD
1. Cover pumpkin, add a little water and microwave for 3 minutes or until almost tender. Drain.

2. Meanwhile, spray a saucepan with oil. Heat over medium heat until hot. Add onion. Cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes or until soft. Add garlic and spice blend. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until aromatic.

3. Add tomato paste, tomatoes, zucchini, capsicum and mushrooms. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until thickened.

4. Add beans and pumpkin. Cook for a further 10 minutes or until pumpkin is tender. Stir in basil and season with salt and pepper.

5. Serve with poached chicken (I slice it up and mix it into the saucepan) / steamed greens of your choice.

NUMBERS (per serve, without chicken)
Protein: 16.5g
Fat: 3.6g
Carbohydrate: 29.3g
Fibre: 9.7g

Adapted from: http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/603/bean+and+pumpkin+stew

'The Master' Beef Casserole

This recipe really is the master of all casseroles, I knew I had to shut up about it last night when somebody told me 'This is the third time you've told me...'

It's so easy! Give it a go while the days are cold...

INGREDIENTS
1kg beef, diced
1 large onion, diced
2 medium carrots, diced
2 tbsp coconut flour
3 cups beef stock
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon dried thyme leaves
2 bay leaves

METHOD
- Preheat oven to 180 celsius
- Place beef in a ziploc bag with 1 tablespoon olive oil, season with salt and pepper, mix well
- Heat a frypan over high heat, brown beef in 3 batches, place in casserole dish

- Reduce pan heat to medium, add a little oil
- Add vegetables and cook for 2 minutes, stirring
- Stir in flour and mix until vegetables are coated
- Gradually add stock, stirring well
- Add remaining ingredients, stir until mixture boils

- Pour mixture over beef into casserole dish
- Cover, place in oven
- Stir every 40 minutes, bake for 120 minutes

Recipe adapted from:
http://www.themainmeal.com.au/RecipesInspiration/Entice-magazine/Entice-magazine.htm