SmarterFitter Daily

This is my attempt to keep a daily food and fitness diary. This isn't Pulitzer-winning writing; these are spontaneous, often hastily written rambles of what I eat, do and learn in my ongoing effort to feel awesome all the time. It may not always be pretty, but at least it's honest. You can find more stories and recipes at SmarterFitter.com.

Parsnip & Kale Mole Tacos

Parsnip & Kale Mole Tacos

British-Mexican fusion? Regardless, I loved this. The kale (Red Russian) and parsnips (and a bit of carrot, too) were delicious with the rich mole sauce and a bit of feta cheese. 

On the side: more kale and parsnips mixed with pinto beans, plus salsa and jalapenos.

Recipe: Mexican Mole Sauce from The Vegetarian Cookery School

Veggie fajitas with frijoles refritos and guacamole

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A good dinner, but not a great one. Everything seemed to be lacking in salt somehow, and my veggies weren't quite as "charred" as I like. I think I should have used more oil (sigh).

The frijoles refritos (refried pinto beans) were the star, inspired by this recipe for refried black beans from Rachel Demuth's Mexican Supperclub at the Vegetarian Cookery School (I just subbed pinto beans for black beans, and skipped the epazote as I live in the UK - Mexican ingredient wasteland):

 

Frijoles Refritos

Re-fried Black Beans

Dietary: Vegan

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

  • 200g dried black beans
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried epazote (optional) 
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1 onion-halved
  • A sprinkle of fresh thyme
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 6 red chillies, deseeded and finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 tbsp epazote (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 orange, juice of
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • lots of chopped coriander
  • brown sugar
  • salt and pepper

Method:

Soak the beans in lots of water overnight.

Next day drain the beans and rinse them, checking for any stray stones.

Boil in plenty of water with the bay, half onion, garlic and epazote until tender, which takes 1-2 hours-keep checking the level of the water and top up a little if the beans are drying out. When the beans are soft remove the onion and bay, drain and set aside.

In a large saucepan, fry the onion in the olive oil until soft.

Add the garlic and chilli to the onion and fry until fragrant. Then add the paprika, epazote, coriander & cumin and quickly stir-fry.

Add the cooked beans, orange & lime juice and cook gently until the beans begin to break down and the fruit juice has been absorbed. Add a little water if the mix gets too thick and then taste-add sugar, salt and pepper to your taste.

Serve garnished with chopped coriander with corn tortillas and bowls of extra sliced jalapenos, spring onion. chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce and cheese.

 

Tofu tacos with cavalo nero

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Haven't made these in a while - they really hit the spot. Recipe: Vegan breakfast tacos.

Day 95

Sourdough buckwheat pancakes

Salad with roast beetroot, apple, red onion, feta & walnuts

Corn-meal crusted tofu

Energy in:
  • BreakfastSourdough Buckwheat Pancakes with blackberries, strawberries, strawberry jam, bananas and walnuts; decaf coffee to drink
  • Lunch: Salad with roasted beetroot, apple, red onion, walnuts and feta
  • Snack: Banana protein smoothie
  • DinnerVeganomicon's cornmeal-crusted tofu with mole sauce, pico, avocado and sauteed kale
  • Dessert: Apple & tea
Energy out:
  • Swim: 2250m - felt really fast
  • Walk: 30min post-lunch stroll  

Day 90

Bircher breakfast

Omelet time

Sopa de Maize

Tamales Rellenos de Calabacin

Main course

 

  • Breakfast: Bircher muesli with yogurt, blackberries and walnuts
  • Lunch: Loaded omelet with red onion, broccoli, tomato, parmesan and balsamic; served with salad, toast and avocado
  • Snack: Banana protein smoothie (consumed in the car en route to apple pressing)
  • Dinner: Mexican Supperclub at the Vegetarian Cookery School in Bath. Amazing spread: homemade corn chips, salsa, sweetcorn soup, tamales, mole sauce, stuffed poblano peppers, ancho cream, homemade corn tortillas, refried black beans, tequila guacamole, sorbet, chocolate torte.