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Warm Butternut Salad

Warm butternut salad with coriander dressing

Courgetti and butter bean pesto salad,and why you should invest in a spiraliser.

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About Me

Hi, I'm Ankie! Welcome to Wooden Spoon Kitchen, my pantry of life, love and health where we constantly stir laughter, learning, eating and cooking together!

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The best carrot and courgette muffins are up on th

The best carrot and courgette muffins are up on the blog now.

It looks like I am on a baking streak, but I am recreating some old recipes on my website and this one needed a do-over. I have adapted it again recently but this is the story of the original recipe.

This is the muffin recipe I have used in my classes, for parties and I have even doubled up the recipe to make birthday cakes.

I adapted it a few years ago from a recipe book that I also gifted to my assistant at the time, Marie (a lovely lady from St Lucia) She made the Carrot cake for every occasion, birthdays, Christmas, for break times when she should have been working:) The page in her book was tattered and stained. I wonder if she still makes carrot cake.

Is it not wonderful that recipes can hold so many memories for generations to come. My mom always makes a note of the person where she gets the recipe from.

I think I should call these Marie's carrot muffins:)

A tribute to the fittest and most energetic 70-year old that I know.

She immigrated to Britain when she was a child and was the only black child in a catholic school. She came from humble beginnings but could have a conversation with anyone even the Queen of England, Marie would even crack a joke.One of her daughters was an Olympic athlete.
She loves bingo, dancing, and getting dressed up. She has a great sense of humour and is a great friend and mom.

I miss Marie today

Do you have any great recipe stories?
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#woodenspoonkitchen #wholefoods baking #homemade #lekker #foodphotography #foodstyling #baking #fresh #carrotandcourgettemuffins #simpleliving #speltflour#foodblog#recipes#recipetesting #foodblog

For the last few years, I have started to phase ou

For the last few years, I have started to phase out traditional cleaning products out of our home. It has come along with a lot of trial and error. But we are finally in a good routine. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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These are questions we should all be asking when it comes to cleaning our homes.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
What is in my cleaning products? Are these chemicals bad for my health? Do they damage the environment? How do I reduce the amount of plastic in my home? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I have been making my own dishwasher tablets for the last few months. It is dirt cheap, takes almost no time at all and I love my little jar. Most importantly it works.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Ingredients⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1 cup Bicarbonate of Soda⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
¼ cup Citric Acid⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1 tbsp Natural Orange Dishwashing Liquid⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
A few drops of essential oils like lemon or tea tree oil⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Equipment⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2x ice cube trays⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Airtight jar or container⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Method⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Add the bicarbonate of soda to a large bowl. Add citric acid, then dishwashing liquid. Mix well using a whisk or you can use your hands.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Push the mixture into ice cube trays. Make sure to compress them hard. Wait about 10 minutes and level them off with your hand. They will expand just a little bit.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Let it sit overnight. They will harden like store-bought dishwasher tablets. Now simply flip the molds over and push the tablets out.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The tablets are ready to use! Use one tablet per a load of dishes. Place directly in your dishwasher detergent compartment. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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@unwrapped_co has a special on their cleaning products this month if you are ready to change some cleaning habits.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#simpleliving#slowliving #minimalism#sustainableliving #simplicity #nature #simple #interior #zerowaste #home #livesimply #lessismore #slowlife #organic#sustainability #seekthesimplicity#zerowaste

Some Saturday pancake inspiration for you. These d

Some Saturday pancake inspiration for you. These days my kids get pancakes for lunch in the middle of the week, because there is no time on the weekend to faff around with pictures and styling. I am not hearing any complaints from them🤣

For the last few months I have been working my way through @foodtographyschool. So feel pretty happy with these pictures.

This is a quick and easy recipe from @donnahay-Recipe and styling queen. I just reduced the sugar. Serve with some yogurt, berries and maple syrup or honey. Berry compote is also a winner with these.

Ingredients

1⅓ cups spelt flour
1 tbs baking powder
1tbsp brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup milk or almond milk
2 tsp vanilla extraxt
40g melted butter
pinch of salt

Method

Place the flour, baking powder and sugar in a big bowl and mix to combine, using a whisk.
Break the egg into a medium jug. Add the milk, vanilla and melted butter and whisk to combine.
Using a spoon, dig a well in the centre of the flour mixture. Pour the egg mixture into the well, then whisk it all together to make a smooth batter.
Heat a large, lightly greased non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Using a ladle or a cup, add about ¼ cup (60ml) of the batter to the pan for each pancake (you can cook 2–3 at a time, just leave yourself enough space for flipping). An ice cream scoop also works well to keep the sizes the same.Cook pancakes for 1–2 minutes each side or until they’re golden, using a turner to flip them.
Stack and serve the pancakes warm from the pan with your favourite toppings.

#woodenspoonkitchen #wholefoods @deliciously_sa #homemade #lekker #foodphotography #foodstyling #pancakes #fresh #superfood #foodphotography#simpleliving #healthisachoice #foodtographyschool#foodstyling
#foodphotographyschool

These ''chocolate cups'' are a delicious treat to

These ''chocolate cups'' are a delicious treat to keep in your freezer when a sweet craving hits. It is also not made from chocolate but from coconut oil and cocoa so works out cheaper and I always have these pantry staples on hand.

Choc nut cups
Makes 8
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbs honey (or to taste, the date layer is sweet so don't add too much honey

3/4 cup pecan nuts or walnuts
3/4 cup dates soaked in hot water to soften
8 tsp of almond butter. I used @ohmega _nutbutter

Add coconut oil, cocoa vanilla, and honey, to a saucepan. Mix until melted and smooth and it resembles chocolate.

Use muffin wrappers or silicone moulds and place them in a muffin tin. You will need about 8. Fill each cup with about 1 -2tbs of chocolate. Make sure to keep some for the top layer. Place the muffin tray in the freezer. It hardens within a few minutes.

Add about a teaspoon of nut butter to each chocolate layer.

Soak dates in boiling water if they are not soft. Add to a food processor and blend, add nuts and blend until sticky.
Divide the date mixture into 8 balls and flatten. Place on top of the nut butter layer.

Cover with the remaining chocolate mixture and freeze again until hard. Sprinkle with some flaked salt
Keep in fridge or freezer. They are very rich so I only eat a 1/4 at a time.
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#woodenspoonkitchen
#foodphotographyschool#foodphotography#foodstyling#foodblog #wholefoods#chocolatecups @deliciously_sa #homemade #lekker #foodphotography #foodstyling #snacks #superfood #simpleliving #chocolatecups #healthisachoice#nutbutter
#healthysnack

There are a few staples that I make every month an

There are a few staples that I make every month and one of them is Granola. There are so many options available in the shops but granola is very pricey and many of them are very high in sugar and fat. Granola is one of those fail-safe recipes, except if you burn it:) Please don't burn it! Be clever and use a timer. I get most of my dry ingredients package-free,local and delivered by @unwrapped_co🙌

I like my granola crunchy and recently added some buckwheat groats, and man do they deliver on crunch.

Chocolate buckwheat granola

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups raw buckwheat groats
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup chopped raw nuts or seeds, I just used pecan nuts
1/2 cup coconut flakes
2 tbsp chia seeds
3 tbsp coconut sugar or sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
1/4 peanut butter or any nut butter
1/3 cup chocolate chips or dried fruit

Method
Preheat oven to 160'C). To save on washing up I add all the ingredients to a large baking tray (lined with a silicone lining). But don't add the coconut flakes and chocolate chips just yet. Also add peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil on top of the dry ingredients. Place the baking tray in the oven and after about 5 minutes stir the melted honey, peanut butter, and coconut oil into the mixture. Bake the granola for about 30-40 minutes. Stirring every 5 minutes. In the last 10 minutes add the coconut shavings. Once the granola is brown and crunchy leave it to cool down in the baking tray. Once cool add the chocolate chips and dried fruit. Keep the granola in an airtight container. I like to keep mine in a glass bottle. Enjoy with a smoothie bowl, yogurt, and fruit or as a dry snack.

#woodenspoonkitchen#foodblog
#wholefoods @deliciously_sa #homemade #lekker #foodphotography #foodstyling #simpleliving #eatmorefruit #healthisachoice#granola
#foodphotographyschool

Since getting acquainted with my @iamnikonsa I als

Since getting acquainted with my @iamnikonsa I also did a little baby shoot for my sister
@schneckicreative. Sebastian is already 5 months now and still very cute!

I am not planning to venture into baby photography anytime soon. I like my subjects to be very still and if I can eat them afterward even better!
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#woodenspoonkitchen#photography#nikon#homemade
#foodblog#family# #foodphotography#simpleliving #simplelife #slowliving #minimalism #family#sustainableliving #simplicity #baby#beauty

I have severe IG anxiety this morning. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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After a long break and just weathering the storms of covid, self-employment, having the kids at home for two months, and some health issues, I promised myself I am getting back on the horse today.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I completely lost my creativity and inspiration to cook with my loss of smell and taste when I was ill with Covid and it really took a long time to regain my energy and passion.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I have weeks of content planned and started creating and shooting recipes a few weeks ago. I have done a lot of self-development in the last couple of weeks and looking forward to the rest of the year.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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How have you been? Life was a little dark but spring is around the corner and so is HOPE!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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It was #worldplantmilk yesterday. I love @buttanutspreads almond milk and buy it weekly. But I have also made oat milk and hemp seed milk. It is super easy but runs out so quickly:)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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This is a date and tahini smoothie made with hempseed milk but you could use any milk.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Here is the recipe⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1 cup of cold plant milk⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1 frozen banana⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2 fresh dates⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1 tsp vanilla⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1/4 tsp cinnamon⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2 tbs tahini⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Add all the ingredients to a blender, I love to use my @omniblendsa . Blend until smooth. Add ice if you want it even colder. Enjoy!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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#woodenspoonkitchen#foodblogging#foodphotography #wholefoods plantmilk#homemade #lekker #foodphotography #foodstyling #dateandtahinismoothie#fresh #superfood#simpleliving #healthisachoice#worldplantmilkday

Do you compost? I have been composting for the la

Do you compost?

I have been composting for the last few years but have not really put much thought into the why's and the real importance of composting to the eco-system.

We always had a compost heap growing up but I thought it was old fashioned. Why don't we just use a bin like other people. But obviously my parents understood the value of turning organic waste into food for the garden back then.

I written a detailed blogpost about composting for @unwrapped_co. The link is in the bio. And learned so much in the process. There are also wonderful companies that you might have never heard off that is doing amazing things to revive our soil.

Follow them @thecompostkitchen @thebigscoopsa @bokashibran and @yolocomposttumbler.

Also head over to @unwrapped_co for the amazing giveaway that is running until 12pm today to help you start on your composting journey in celebration of International compost awareness week. There is a great prize up for grabs.
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#composting #reviveoursoil#vermicomposting #giveaway#soilislife #growyourownfood #bethechange

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