Simplicity Saturday – Recipes for The Long Weekend

I love long weekends for the chance to enjoy an extra day with my family and friends and for the opportunity to have a little extra time for training and in the kitchen creating new and delicious recipes like these ones below.

Long weekends like this one are the perfect time to start BBQ-ing up your favourite recipes. For me I love to use my Phillips Indoor Smokeless Grill, which is perfect to use YEAR ROUND, has one perfect heat setting to work with and cleans up in a cinch. If you plan to do some classic BBQ favourites, such as steak or beef burgers, I encourage you to choose grass-fed and organic beef, as it will not only be the tastier option, but is also more nutritious with a less harmful environmental impact.

Here are some delicious, long weekend recipes for you to try with the family. These babies are featured in my most recent article for Irun Magazine and they are some of our all-time favourites from my kitchen. They are delicious, lean and clean so you can use the long weekend to rejuvenate, heal, rest and recharge.

Cinnamon Swirl Sweet Potato Pancakes

• 1 organic sweet potato
• 1/3 cup almond flour
• 2 large eggs, organic
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup

Cook the sweet potato:

1. First peel the skin and then prick with a fork all over. Cut the sweet potato into quarters and place in a microwave-safe dish. Cover and cook in the microwave for about 10 minutes until soft.
2. Allow the sweet potato to cool slightly, then mash with a potato masher until smooth.
3. Measure out 1/2 cup sweet potato and reserve any remaining for another purpose or double the batch for you recipe.
4. Preheat a skillet or pan on the stovetop on medium-high heat and a little coconut oil or ghee.
5. Combine 1/2 cup mashed sweet potato and all other ingredients in a large mixing bowl or food processor until blended well.
6. Use a 1/4 measuring cup to portion batter onto skillet. Use the back of a spoon to shape.
7. Watch for bubbles on the pancake’s surface before flipping. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes.
8. Serve immediately with your favourite toppings, such as fresh fruit, sliced almonds, dash more cinnamon and voila! Delicious and nutritious.

Turkey Feta Burgers

• 1 pkg organic, ground turkey
• ½ cup goat feta
• 1-2 fresh garlic cloves, minced
• Fresh herbs and spices to your liking

1. Combine all ingredients to form patties and grill. You do not need eggs or breadcrumbs to hold these together. Use your Phillips Indoor Smokeless Grill and cook until clear juice runs and you achieve your desired taste, texture and flavour.
2. Serve on a gluten-free bun or on top of Boston Bibb Lettuce greens and garnishes of your choice.
3. Create a beautiful side-salad to go with these beauties
4. I make these burgers or swap the recipe into turkey meatballs and store them in the fridge for 3-4 days for a quick option to have over top of a salad

Chocolately Coconut Cacao Smoothie

• 1 cup Thirsty Buddha Coconut water
• 1 scoop Genuine Health Chocolate Vegan+ Protein Powder
• 1 frozen organic banana
• raw almond butter
• cacao nibs (plus a little extra for garnish)
• ½ tsp. cardamom
• Shredded coconut for garnish
• Ice *possibly extra water for thinning depending in your desired consistency

1. Place all of your ingredients together in your blender MINUS the coconut shreds and few extra cacao nibs.
2. Blend for 60 seconds. Pour into a fabulous glass and top with a few cacao nibs and some shredded coconut.
3. Drink up!