A bit about Patti & Jules

January 10, 2016 julie friel

Cucumber, fennel, avocado, sesame, dill and a rather nice example of Norwegian hand painted ceramics.

Patti & Jules launched about two years ago. After having my daughter I decided to hang up my apron and start cooking for my own company, not someone else's. This enabled me to spend more time with my daughter and gave me an opportunity to take stock of my life. In those two years so much has changed. While I continue to build Patti & Jules the catering company, I have enjoyed doing some food development work for a well known Edinburgh catering company. I love the variety!

So, why the blog?

I love Instagram. I'm almost, probably addicted! I have made friends in this country and in the states. I have been inspired, educated and occasionally frustrated by it.But it has it's limitations. I really love sharing my recipes and inspiration with others but want to show a bit more of the person behind the pinnie. So here goes....

Jump in to January

It's the month of cleaning. Not your house but your body. #cleaneating is all over Instagram and in every January issue of every foodie magazine.

Is it just the excesses of Christmas that now demands that we purge ourselves? Possibly, but personally I'm looking to overhaul my eating habits. Even though I cook for a living I love a sweet treat, a hunk of good bread and butter, throw in some cheese and a glass, ahem, several glasses of red wine and suddenly I don't feel so healthy. The gluten free, dairy free lifestyle has never appealed because I never thought it applicable to me. However the more I read about our inability to process gluten, and its relatively recent appearance in our diet is causing me to think again.What if I didn't have toast every morning, or a sandwich every other day. Would I feel any different? And more importantly would I feel better?

So, I'm jumping in to January eating less dairy and no gluten. Lunch has been mostly tasty soups, but the omission of a slice of bread hasn't really left me wanting. The soup below was a winner so I'm sharing the recipe with you.

GREEN SOUP FOR A WINTERS DAY...........

100gr broccoli
100gr leeks
100gr edamame
50gr kale
50gr spinach
1 tbsp thai green curry paste
1 heaped tsp miso paste
1 tsp of honey
vegetable stock to season
a few mint leaves
coconut oil to fry
1 lime

Have all your green vegetables chopped and ready, keep a handful of edamame back to garnish and add texture. Gently add the broccoli and leeks to a pan with some coconut oil and fry off til you get a little colour. Stir in the paste's and cook off for a minute before adding the stock. Put a lid on the top and cook gently until everything is bright green. Remove the lid, add the spinach, kale and edamame and stir to wilt and soften. Add a couple of fresh mint leaves and a squeeze of lime then whizz until smooth. Taste and add the honey to balance, you might need a bit more! Season, if necessary nd serve with the remaining edamame. Some spring onion and a sliced red chilli make a nice garnish.