Spring day celebrations with Danny and Izelle

A new season, new beginnings, and the opportunity to live your most mindful life! 

With late night dinners under the stars, weekends in the sunshine, and all the salads and light dishes your heart desires, Summer is looking like an opportunity to live well and more mindfully, something that Izelle Hoffman does every day!

With it being the day for new beginnings and exciting adventures, Izelle and I hopped onto a Zoom to chat about how we can use this time to make the best of the rest of the year, physically and mentally! 

Listen here:

Izelle also shared her award-winning antipasti hake recipe from her 'Mindful Eating' cookbook! 

Antipasti-style hake fillets

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4

800 g frozen Deep Water Hake fillets from I&J

½ tsp Oryx desert salt

1 tsp paprika

20 g almond flour

½ tsp harissa powder or pinch of chilli flakes

1/3 white onion, finely diced 

4 sweet and sour gherkins, cut into thin strips

30 g sundried tomatoes, cut into strips with kitchen scissors

100 g baby corn, cut into chunks

300g vine tomatoes, halved

1 tbsp raw honey

1 tsp balsamic vinegar

½ tsp dried sweet basil or dried origanum

Handful pitted black olives (Optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C and spray a roasting tray with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Place the frozen hake fillets on the tray and bake for 10 minutes.
3. Remove from the oven and sprinkle the fish first with the salt, then with the paprika, almond flour, harissa or chilli flakes and onion respectively. Top the fillets with the gherkins and sundried tomatoes.
4. Arrange the baby corn and vine tomatoes around the fish on the baking tray and drizzle everything with the honey and balsamic vinegar.
5. Sprinkle over the sweet basil or origanum and return to the oven for another 20 minutes.
6. If using, garnish with the olives before serving. The fish can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days

Why do we make use of these ingredients:

Deep Water Hake Fillets from I&J

A source of high-value protein and a significant content of vitamins and minerals. I&J Deep Water Hake are Heart Mark and MSC approved, which means you are making the right choice when it comes to heart-health and ocean sustainability. 

Oryx Salt

What is the purpose of adding salt during cooking? It’s to enhance flavour, right? So why not start by using a good-quality salt to do the job? Sun-dried and unrefined with no additives will bring out the best in your food in the healthiest way possible.

Olive Oil

We all have our reasons why we prefer certain oils, but without a doubt my oil base of choice is olive oil, specifically for its amazing health benefits. Olive oil helps reduce inflammation and prevent osteoporosis, and is essential for bone health because it assists in the absorption of calcium and the mineralisation of bones, all of which are qualities I look for in a product, given my hip dysplasia and related joint pain.

Onion

Onions are a natural antibiotic and antiseptic, so are a big YES, especially in winter. They purify the blood, regulate blood sugar levels, and improve digestion. They are also anti-inflammatory. In addition to fresh onions, in my pantry you will find dried onion powder and flakes.

Paprika

Smoked or sweet, paprika is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and high in vitamin C. It helps ease arthritis and joint pain, and aids in iron and antioxidant absorption.

Chilli flakes

Anti-inflammatory and immune boosting.

Basil 

Basil is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial, strengthens the immune system and eliminates infections.

Raw Honey

Salt needs sweet and vice versa to enhance taste and flavour. So when you add sweetness, choose a sweetness that has a healing effect on your body and health. Raw honey is antiviral and antifungal, and contains powerful antioxidants. Its helps ward off allergies, stabilise blood pressure and balance blood sugar levels. It also boosts the immune system and promotes digestive health.

Almonds

Whether in the form of milk, flour, butter or flakes, almonds are packed with nutritional benefits. They boost the immune system, help repair damaged skin, help prevent cancer, reduce the risk of osteoporosis and have alkalising properties. They are also a source of vitamin E, magnesium and high-quality protein.

Did you know?: How lack of sleep can make you drunk!

You can also buy your copy of the award-winning 'Mindful Eating' cookbook here!

Catch up with Danny's brand new JacPod channel and all of her podcasts here: 

Images supplied by Izelle Hoffman from her 'Mindful Eating' cookbook and her instagram, @IzelleHoffman, as well as Danny Painter, @dannypainter.