Milk & Marigold’s Chickpea Curry

One of the best curries I have ever tasted, was piled high with fresh and crispy garnishes. The simplest of garnishes can really transform a meal into a beautiful one, while also elevating and enhancing the recipe’s flavours. Simple pantry items such as chilli flakes or fresh produce and herbs can add texture and brighten a dish in a flash.

This comforting curry is protein-packed and is perfect as a side or as a main when served with rice or warm fluffy naan bread. Read on for garnish suggestions and ideas.

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The “Keep it Flexible” Pesto Bean Salad with Fresh Basil & Radish

Serve it alone as a salad or on top of thick-sliced crusty bread topped with goat cheese. Don’t have cannelloni beans on hand? Switch them out for any other white bean like butter beans. Basil can also be substituted with any leafy green such as arugula. I like to keep this recipe simple by using store-bought pesto.

This easy to make recipe by Milk & Marigolds is spring inspired and full of freshness and flavour.  Follow my instagram account & recipes at: @milkandmarigolds 

Asparagus with Fragrant Parsley Pesto

Whether you are celebrating Easter, Passover or just looking to shake up your meal  routine, look no further. Fragrant and savoury, this recipe is the perfect spring dish while not breaking the bank. The ingredients are also interchangeable depending on what you currently have in your fridge and pantry.

Asparagus with Fragrant Parsley Pesto (nut & dairy-free)

Prep Time: 20 minutes         Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Author: Milk & Marigolds      Serves: 2 large servings (easily scaleable)

Ingredients: 
1 bunch of asparagus
2 eggs, soft boiled and halved
1/3 cup packed flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
1 lemon (zest and 1 tbsp of its juice)
1/2 garlic clove, minced
2 1/2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp sea salt
a few turns of ground pepper
a few pinches of red pepper flakes

Equipment:
food processor
fine grater or zester
serving platter

Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to broil. Begin by washing your produce. Roughly chop your parsley (stems included) until you have a 1/3 cup amount (packed). Then mince half a garlic clove and zest your lemon. Set aside the zest for garnish.

2. In a food processor, add the garlic and the parsley and lightly pulse (do not blend). Then add your salt, pepper, lemon juice and slowly add the olive oil with just a few pulses. Set aside. This will yield about 1/2 a cup parsley “pesto” sauce.

3. Next, boil the eggs to your liking and once cooled, peel and halve them. Meanwhile, cut the woody stems off the ends of the asparagus. Space out the asparagus in a roasting pan without oil. Broil for about 4-5 minutes.

4. While the asparagus is still warm, place it on a serving platter and top with as much pesto as you like. Garnish with red pepper flakes, lemon zest and anything else you desire. Enjoy!

Copyright 2015 © Milk & Marigolds

Coconut-Mango Chia Pudding with Ginger

This delicious chia pudding is perfect for breakfast, as a snack or dessert. When thinking about meal prepping for the week, I like to keep this recipe in regular rotation because it is quick and easy to prepare and nutrient-rich. Chia is high in fibre, omega-3 fatty acids and is a plant protein.

As a child, the only chia I knew of, was the ceramic “cha-cha-cha-chia” pig who lived on top of our fridge who sprouted chia “hair”. If you grew up in the 80’s, the chia pet might ring a bell. But today chia is widely available throughout the world and apart of a healthy diet.

***Below you will find two of my recipes. The first is lighter and the second is richer/ creamier. Both are delicious but the second recipe is my favourite***

Prep Time: 15 minutes           Resting Time: overnight in the fridge for best results.
Author: Milk & Marigolds      Serves: 4 large servings (easily scaleable)

Ingredients(Lighter Version): 
2 1/2 cups of bite-size mango pieces (I used frozen)
1/3 cup, plus 1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 large can of full-fat coconut milk
1 cup almond milk (unsweetened)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp maple syrup or natural sweetener

Garnish Suggestions:
shredded coconut
fresh or frozen mango
1/4 cup shaved ginger

Ingredients(Creamier/Richer Version): 
2 1/2 cups of bite-size mango pieces (I used frozen)
1/3 cup, plus 1 tablespoon chia seeds
2 large cans of full-fat coconut milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp maple syrup or natural sweetener

Equipment:
blender or masher
2 medium-sized bowls
whisk
funnel (optional)
jars or glasses for serving

Instructions:
1. Begin by blending or mashing 2 cups of the mango until smooth. Add a couple tablespoons of water if needed to help it along. Reserve the remaining mango for topping/garnish. Pour the blended mango in one of the medium-sized bowls.

2. In the other medium-sized bowl, mix together all the ingredients but the mango. Whisk until well distributed and then pour half of the mixture into the bowl with the mango. Whisk contents.

3. Use a funnel or carefully spoon the coconut and the mango chias into jars or glasses. Create as many layers as you wish. Cover servings and refrigerate for several hours or for best results, overnight.

4. Top with garnishes and enjoy!

Copyright 2015 © Milk & Marigolds