What is Choosy Food about?

Choosy Food is a new way of thinking about how we eat now. As two old friends who've spent their happiest times cooking for family and friends, we've noticed a definite shift in the way we all prefer to eat. Gone are the days when plates were politely cleared. In this pick and mix world, everyone¹s as individualist about their food as in everything else they choose.

A few of us have discovered a genuine allergy. Allergic reactions are on the increase, particularly amongst children - with apparently inoffensive ingredients triggering symptoms which can range from a mild rash or bloating to a life-threatening event. The Choosy Food way of thinking was cooked up with them in mind.

More and more people are selective about food for other reasons, too. Vegetarians, of course, who range from strictly vegan to fish-, chicken-, even game-eating. And we're all highly health conscious now, careful about our weight, cholesterol, blood pressure or a fear of migraine. Some people have religious scruples about ingredients. And finally, there's a growing number of us who are just plain picky: our choices about what we will and won¹t eat is as changeable as fashion - but we both like fashion.

What's to be done? Some of us cope with a household that has one or more allergies, and one or more preferences. Most of us have experienced a moment when we cook up something new and delicious, but one of our guests (who used to eat everything) will sit back and declare: "I'm sorry, I don't eat that!" The Choosy Food website and blogspot are here to help. Of course there are a plethora of books and websites devoted to each individual condition - special ones for gluten allergies, or for organic eating, for low-fat alternatives, and so on and on. But ours is the only one that aims to cover the whole range of special eating. Here you will find recipes, tips, advice and above all lively writing about the food we all love, and the food we all need. Our aim is that food designed for special preferences doesn't have to be self-denying, or seem somehow lacking or dull. We devise really delicious recipes which everyone at the table can enjoy - including us!

Monday, 10 August 2009

Carrot, Citrus and Pomegranate Salad

A colourful crunch of fresh fruit and vegetables jewelled with pomegranate and tossed with a zing of south east Asian dressing.

6oog carrots
6 spring onions
6 clemantines
or 7 satsumas or 3 navel oranges
6 radishes
1 pomegranate
1 bag of crispy leaves
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp freshly chopped mint leaves

2cm fresh ginger
1 lime
2 tbsp olive
or avocado oil
1 tbsp groundnut or sunflower oil
1 tsp brown sugar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp rice
or sherry vinegar

To make the dressing: peel and finely grate the ginger into a small bowl. Stir in the soy sauce & oils. Add the juice from the lime and 1 clementine or satsuma. Whisk in the vinegar, sugar and a little seasoning to taste.

For the salad: peel and top the carrots and either cut into fine matchsticks or grate on the biggest gauge of your hand grater or food processor. Finely slice the spring onions and radishes and add to the carrots. Peel the clementines/satsuma, remove as much membrane as you can and slice into bite sized chunks. Mix with the carrots then tip the dressing over the whole lot. Add the chopped mint and mix well. Halve the pomegranate, break into smaller pieces and poke out the seeds, discarding all white bits. Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan and reserve.
When ready to serve, divide the salad leaves between separate plates, top with the carrot mixture, sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and toasted sesame.

1 comment:

  1. I love starting a meal with this recipe because it goes down well with just about everyone at my table, whether they're into raw food, healthy food, low calories or just beautiful colours on a plate.

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