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Time for the best lasagne! 🙂 I feel that lasagna is very same as crepes – you can be creative and try out different variations. Starting from traditional bolognese lasagne, to vegetarian, fish, chicken and mushrooms, seafood, cottage cheese and spinach AND, of course, – Tuna & Broccoli Lasagne by Agne 🙂 

And I can confidently say that my Tuna & Broccoli lasagne is the best recipe for homemade Italian-style lasagne. It is easy to make (much easier than traditional bolognese one), outrageously delicious, and so cozy and comforting.

If you haven’t cooked lasagne yet – that’s ok. There are only a few main things you need to know and then use imagination. What is very important to learn:

• How to make white bechamel sauce;
• How to prepare lasagne sheets
• How to build lasagna 🙂

I have recently found out that you can buy fresh lasagne sheets instead of dried ones. This saves so much time, effort and energy!

Not sure about you, but I mainly use the dried sheets and it is so time-consuming to prepare them! (I always cook lasagne sheets 10 minutes before putting it all together as otherwise, lasagne is too dry for my liking). But never mind time, when I cook them, lasagne sheets tend to stick together after a few minutes in the boiling water… 😦 so much unnecessary upset… So yes – fresh lasagne sheets are super amazing! If you make them at home – fantastic! Otherwise, you can now buy fresh lasagne sheets in most grocery shops (Tesco, Aldi, Supervalu).

Tuna & Broccoli Lasagne

Servings: 6 – 8

Level: Medium
Score: 10/10
Ingredients
10-12 lasagne sheets
100g – 200g grated cheese

Bechamel sauce:
80g. butter
100g. flour
500ml milk
500ml water from boiled broccoli
1 tsp pink Himalayan salt
black pepper

Lasagna Filling
1 broccoli
2 tins of tuna
3 – 4 carrots
2 medium onions

Method

1. Preheat the oven to160C, lightly oil an ovenproof dish.
2. Prepare the filling. Peel the carrots. Cut broccoli in smaller florets. Soak vegetables in highly alkaline water pH11.5 to remove all chemicals.
3. Peel the onion and dice it.
4. Grate the carrots. Then melt some coconut oil in the pan over the medium heat, place the onions, grated carrots and sautè until tender (5-7min).
5. Add tinned and drained tuna to the carrot and onion mixture. Mixed it well together. Season with pink Himalayan salt and black pepper.
6. Place broccoli into the boiling and salted water, boil them for 1 minute. Drain the broccoli but keep 500ml of water for the sauce.

White bechamel sauce:

1. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
2. Stir in the flour. Whisk in the water kept from the boiled broccoli, stir continuously, then start adding the milk, stirring continuously until you have a smooth, slightly thick sauce.
3. Remove from the heat; season with salt and pepper. Add a bay leaf for additional flavour.
4. Leave it on a side.

Building lasagne

1. To build lasagne, spoon over a third of the white sauce into a large deep ovenproof dish (roughly 25cm by 30cm) and spread it out evenly, then snap over some lasagne sheets, making sure they completely cover the sauce in one layer.
2. Place half of the carrots with onions and tuna, then half broccoli, add another third of the white bechamel sauce. Repeat this the second time, finishing with a layer of white sauce.
3. Sprinkle over the remaining cheese and bake the lasagne in the oven for 45 minutes or until golden and bubbling.
4. Remove the lasagne from the oven and leave to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting. Lasagne needs to settle before cutting as otherwise, it’ll fall apart.
5. Delicious served with a fresh green salad.

Enjoy! And if you do decide to give it a go, let me know how did it work out for you.

Lots of love,

What is Frittata and Why should you try it out?

Well, because it’s AWESOME! 🙂 And… Frittatas are the ultimate clean-out-the-fridge weekend breakfast or weekend brunch recipe. Or for those times when you have visitors and need to cook breakfast for 10 people… This is a real life-saver!

Frittatas also transport well, so you can bring slices to picnics or pack for lunch. And what I love about it that there are no unnecessary carbs in it at all! And you can make it as healthy as you like! (I don’t think it’s possible to make it unhealthy 😀 )

Reasons to cook frittata:

• fewer pans and pots
• use any meat and veg leftovers from the fridge
• time-saver – no need to stand by the stove
• perfect for bigger family breakfast/brunch
• healthy option

Frittatas can be intimidating at first, but they’re very easy to make if you know what you’re doing. So today, I’m sharing the recipe that has never disappointed me. Add or extract anything you like but the eggs (of course 🙂 ) and some cheese is always a good idea.

This recipe I will be cooking the vegetables in the pan but you can use leftover vegetables – simply warm them in the pan before adding the eggs. Also in this recipe, I will show you how to make baked frittatas (in a casserole dish or muffin tin), which are more hands-off. And the baked option is particularly great if you need a make Fritta for the bigger crowd.

Basic Frittata Formula

• 12 eggs, whisked just until the egg yolks and whites are blended
• 3 tablespoons full-fat dairy
• 200g – 440g cooked and seasoned vegetables, meat, etc.
• 100g-200g grated or crumbled cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt

Best Breakfast Frittata

Serves: 1 large frittata (approx. 8 servings) or 18 mini frittatas
Level: easy
Score: 10/10

Ingredients

• 12 eggs, whisked just until the egg yolks and whites are blended
• 3 tablespoons full-fat dairy
• 300g vegetables: spinach, mushrooms, broccoli
• 100g cooked chicken
• 1 diced onion OR spring onions
• 100g-200g grated or crumbled cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt
• black pepper
• Garnish (optional): Chopped fresh, leafy herbs (basil, parsley, cilantro, or dill)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C degrees.
2. Grease the casserole and put it on the side.
3. Soak your fresh vegetables (broccoli & spinach) in highly alkaline water pH11.5 to clean off all the pesticides and herbicides. Spray the mushrooms with highly alkaline water pH11.5 and clean them off with the kitchen towel.
4. Drain the vegetables. Squeeze all the water out of spinach and place them in the greased casserole. Add spinach and spring onion (if you’re using the onion, sautè onion for a few minutes)
5. Slice the mushrooms. Sautè them on the pan with a knob of butter. Add to the casserole dish.
6. Sautè sliced broccoli with some butter or coconut oil (approx 5 minutes or until tender). Add to the casserole dish.
7. Add slices of chicken.
8. Crack the eggs into a medium mixing bowl. Add your dairy of choice and the salt. Whisk just until the egg yolks and whites are blended.
9. Pour the eggs over the vegetables. Stir with a spatula briefly to combine and distribute the mixture evenly across the pan.
10. Sprinkle the cheese
11. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes (keep an eye on it – baking time depends on the thickness of your frittata), until the eggs are puffed and appear cooked, and the center of the frittata jiggles just a bit when you give it a gentle shimmy. Remove the frittata from the oven and place it on a cooling rack to cool. Garnish with herbs, slice with a sharp knife, and serve.
12. Baked mini muffin frittata option: Bake for 13 to 17 minutes, until the eggs are puffed and appear cooked, and the center of the frittatas jiggle just a bit when you give the pan a gentle shimmy.

Enjoy frittata with some fresh salad, rashers or a slice of brown bread.
Let me know how did you get on!

Lots of love,

 

 

Who doesn’t like some good, rich and chocolaty treats?

This is actually melting in your mouth – that’s how good they are! During my last Kangen Cooking & Tasting event that I do in the house, this was the biggest hit! And the best news is – they are so easy and quick to make. And… they are good, healthy treats.

Dark chocolate is loaded with nutrients that can positively affect your health. Made from the seed of the cocoa tree, it is one of the best sources of antioxidants on the planet. Studies show that dark chocolate (not the sugary crap) can improve your health and lower the risk of heart disease, – healthline.com

Coconut oil is high in healthy saturated fats that have different effects than most other fats in your diet. These fats can boost fat burning and provide your body and brain with quick energy. They also raise the good HDL cholesterol in your blood, which is linked to reduced heart disease risk, – healthline.com

But once again, keep it in mind – this is still a treat. Even though a healthy treat, don’t forget the main rule – all has to be in moderation. Don’t go overboard! 1 or 2 a day is just perfect 😉

Have you heard about the cauliflower rice yet? Well, let me tell you this – someone has come up with a BRILLIANT idea when discovered this! I always knew potatoes, rice, pasta isn’t the best combination with meat or fish. But it is so deeply engraved in us that we have to have something more ‘filling’ with the main. Vegetables are not enough 🙂 In this case, you kinda trick your mind and can have a great healthier option! Cauliflower rice actually looks and even tastes a bit like rice, but the best part is – there is not one tiny grain in it!

Here is why cauliflower rice is good for you:

• low in calories – only 25 calories per cup.
• helps to maintain the weight
• low-calorie substitute instead of rice, potato or flour
• good source of fiber
• low-carb alternative
• cauliflower slows digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness

Here you are – give it a go!

Healthiest Cauliflower Rice

Serves: 4-5 side portions

Level: Super Easy

Score: 10/10

Ingredients

1 medium/large head of cauliflower
1-2 handfuls of kale*
Brussels sprouts*
Frozen Peas*
Broccoli*
Himalayan pink salt
Black pepper
2-3 garlic cloves
Fresh parsley (optional)
Coconut Oil
Soy sauce to taste

Method

1. Clean all vegetables well by soaking them in Strong Alkaline water pH11.5 to clean off all the chemicals off.
2. Then soak the water off the vegetables. Cut the head of cauliflower into chunks, and discard the core. Place the cauliflower chunks to the food processor and pulse for 1-2 minutes until they’re broken into tiny pieces, just bigger than couscous.
3. Place the saucepan to the heat and add the coconut oil and crushed garlic. Sautee garlic until it is fragrant, about 10 to 20 seconds.
4. In the meantime prepare other vegetables (anything that you like and prefer, I recommend the ones that cook very quickly and take the same time to cook). Cut broccoli into small pieces. Cut Brussel sprouts into halves and quarters. Add frozen peas, kale to the saucepan with garlic, and cook for a few minutes.
5. Add cut broccoli and brussel sprouts. Cook for another minute or 2 until all is mixed together.
6. Finally, add the cauliflower rice to the vegetable mixture. Season with pink Himalayan salt and black pepper, stir to combine.
7. Cook, stirring just every minute or so until the cauliflower rice is hot and turning golden in places, about 6 to 10 minutes.
8. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the parsley and serve warm.

*Substitute these vegetables to any of your preference (except potatoes).

Have any questions or thoughts? Don’t hesitate to comment below 😉

Lots of love,

Having a party? Or just a few visitors? Looking for something quick and healthy?

I have a solution for you! If you have some puff pastry in the fridge, you can make various arrangements but this one is REALLY good!

Spinach, feta & eggs! What’s not to like?!

Spinach and Feta Puff Pastry Pies

Serves: 12-15 mini pies

Level: Easy

Score: 10/10

Ingredients

• 150g spinach leaves, fresh or frozen
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 small onion
• 20g. butter or coconut oil
• Pink Himalayan salt and freshly ground pepper
• 100g feta
• a squeeze of lemon juice
• 1 large sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry (370g.)
• 2 beaten eggs

 

Method

1. Peel and crush the garlic. Chop the onion. Sauteè onion and garlic in a saucepan with small amount of butter or coconut oil.
2. Prep the spinach. If you are using fresh spinach, clean them well by soaking them in Strong Alkaline water pH11.5 to clean off all the chemicals off the spinach, then use a salad spinner to remove as much water as possible.
3. Add the spinach into a saucepan with sauteed onions and garlic, cook over medium-high heat for several minutes until the leaves start to wilt.
4. If you are using frozen spinach leaves, place the frozen spinach into a large saucepan over low-medium heat. Cook until spinach is defrosted and tender.
5. Press and squeeze out as much liquid from the cooked spinach as possible.
6. Place the spinach onto a large plate and set aside to cool completely.
7. In the meantime, place beaten eggs in the bow, add some Pink Himalayan salt and freshly ground pepper, crumble over the feta cheese, squeeze a bit of lemon juice and mix everything together.
8. Add the spinach to the eggs and feta cheese mixture and mix everything very well.
9. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
10. Cut puff pastry into squares and place them in the muffin tin moulds.
11. Fill each pastry-lined mould with some of the spinach and feta filling.
12. Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the pies are lightly golden.
13. Serve hot or warm.

Best for the kids’ lunch boxes, as a snack or perfect for the party table!

Also, prepare them and freeze in the freezer for when unexpected guests arrive and you have nothing good in the fridge 😉

Lots of love,

Another book review from reader to reader…

Do you feel busy, overwhelmed and frustrated with your never-ending to-do list? I know the feeling. We are living in a such a busy world that most of us feel we are running in a rat race. And surprisingly when one to-do list is done, the new will magically reappear. So how can we stop this madness?

Well… Since you’ve asked, my answer is this:

Read the book by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan ‘The One Thing’ – surprisingly simple truth behind the extraordinary results

‘The One Thing’ by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan

Rating: 9.5

Level: very easy read in simple terminology

Date: 26/09/2018

Synopsis

This is the best tool that will show you the way how to remove the stress from your life by having fewer distractions, less stress, panic and more of satisfaction on staying on track and achieving results.

So how can you have more by doing less?

Simple – first and foremost is by focusing on the ONE THING. The main thing I’ve learned from the book is that our to-do list will actually never end, right? It cannot end. When you finish one task, another will follow.

We simply need to be ok that the to-do list is a never-ending project.

Authors give tools, reasons, explanations why and how The One Thing in life should be and could be implemented, and what massive difference it would make.

A very practical book with clear explanations, easy terminology and super inspiring!

A Few Nuggets from the Book

• ‘Extraordinary results are directly determined by how narrow you can make your focus’ (The One Thing). We actually are all over the place especially nowadays when the technologies are at its peak! When the phone pings every few seconds. When emails keep coming through looking for our attention. When you turn on the computer and keep getting even more requests looking for our input or reply. And we all feel like we are continuously fire fighting… So then the important stuff doesn’t get done 😦 Therefore it’s important to focus on what is the most important thing that has to be done ignoring everything else until the ‘one thing’ gets done.

‘Be like a postage stamp – stick to one thing until you get there’ (Josh Billings)

Let’s stop being busy fools…

• ‘The key is over time. Success is built sequentially. It’s one thing at a time’ (The One Thing).
• ‘There can only be one most important thing. Many things may be important, but only one can be the most important’ (Ross Garber). I know I feel that usually, one thing is more important than the other. But is it really? I personally get distracted easily and drop the focus especially from the important stuff that pushes me a little bit out of the comfort zone… Know the feeling? The One Thing becomes challenging and difficult to distinguish often enough just because we’ve bought into too many ‘other things’ which is really only a background noise 😉
• Multitasking and juggling is an illusion and a lie. It divides our attention and we lose the main focus which gets us off a track too quickly.
• ‘You can become successful with less discipline than you think, for one simple reason: success is about doing the right thing, not about doing everything right’ (The One Thing). Well, this is an eye-opener for me, Mrs. Perfectionist…
• So here is the main question according to the authors, we should ask ourselves daily: ‘What’s the ONE THING I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?’ (The One Thing)

Other books by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan

1. Summary of The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results.
2. The Millionaire Real Estate Agent: It’s Not About The Money… It’s About Being The Best You Can Be!

3. SHIFT: How Top Real Estate Agents Tackle Tough Times (with Dave Jenks)

The moral of the book and my blog post is – let’s have a big picture of the life we wanna live and have a small focus every day on what’s the One Thing I need to do continue to get where I want… Easy, right?

Lots of love,

For all vegetable lovers! This is a perfect main dish. It is nutritious, delicious and easy to make. This is an amazing dinner option that can be easily prepared the night before or in the morning (if you are a morning person 🙂 ) and freshly cooked when you’re back from long day’s work.

This is a perfect dish for vegetarians too! The combination on roasted sweet potatoes, jarred peppers, spinach, and feta cheese wrapped up in the puff pastry works wonders! And the best thing is that even meat eaters cannot say ‘no’ to this wonderful vegetable pie.

Vegetable & Feta Cheese Pie by Agne

Serves: 6/8 portions

Level: Easy

Score: 10/10

Ingredients

2 x 370g. puff pastry
200g. fresh or frozen spinach
200g. feta cheese
450g. sweet potatoes
some olive oil
1 jarred peppers
Pink Himalayan salt
Black pepper
1 egg