My Petite Kitchen - A Review

"A clean way of eating that our generations seemed to have lost sight of" - Eleanor Ozich

It's not often you discover a cookbook that becomes your everyday bible for what to cook. Talented New Zealand food blogger Eleanor Ozich believes in cooking with simple seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are both delicious and nourishing. 

Eleanor adopted a simple, clean way of eating as a way to cure her daughter from eczema and behavioural problems. After eliminating grain, sugar, additives and preservatives from their diet their whole family underwent a transformation which resulted in "Energy, positivity and a new lease on life"

Her blog Petite Kitchen and subsequent cookbook is the result of that transformation. Eleanor's philosophy is that food can be both a poison which causes obesity, depression and health problems but it can also be something that can be used to cure, fix and cleanse the mind and body.

This cookbook is filled with healthy,nourishing recipes that we have found really easy to prepare and they all taste so fresh and amazing.

Recipes are grouped into the three main meals of the day as well as extras like Light meals & sides, Dainty nibbles, and Drinks. There is also a handy Basics section at the back which include stock recipes, dressings and an easy raw chia seed jam.

What I really love about the cookbook is that each recipe is coded to indicate whether it is Gluten Free, Dairy Free or Suitable for vegetarians or vegans.And, Eleanor suggests alternative ingredient suggestions to convert all her recipes to Gluten Free if desired. 

Favourites include the Beetroot & Brown Rice Risotto, Posh Prunes in a Spiced Orange Syrup, Garlic & Lemon Zest Peas Smashed with Avocado, Sweet Potato, Carrot and Cashew Soup, Caramelised Shallot & Thyme Frittata w/ Buffalo Mozzarella and the delectable Peanut Butter Milkshake. These are only a few of the dishes we have already made and loved!

Perfect as a light lunch or a side salad - Eleanor's Garlic & Lemon Zest Peas Smashed w/ Avocado is absolutely delicious. Try it for yourself below.

Photo Source: Petite Kitchen

ingredients
3 cups frozen peas (about half a large packet) 
1/2 a brown onion, finely sliced 
2 tbsp butter (or olive oil) 
4 cloves of garlic, 
finely chopped zest and juice of one lemon 
a handful of italian flat leaf parsley, finely chopped 
1 ripe avocado, roughly chopped in to pieces 
a handful of pumpkin seeds 
a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil   

method 
In a large saucepan on medium heat, melt the butter or olive oil until sizzling. Add the garlic, and peas, then cook while stirring for a couple of minutes until the garlic starts to brown. Add the lemon zest and juice, parsley, avocado, pumpkin seeds and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Using a spoon, or potato masher roughly mash together until well combined. Drizzle with a good glug of extra virgin olive oil. 

Photo Source: Petite Kitchen

Serves 4 as a side, or 2 as a light lunch. 
*gluten free 
*grain free 
*wheat free 
*dairy free (if olive oil is used in place of butter) 
*vegetarian 


Published: 1 May 2014 
Imprint: Murdoch Books
ISBN: 9781743362914 
Hardcover Category: Food & Drink 
Extent: 240 Pages 
RRP: $39.99 

You can purchase My Petite Kitchen online