Red Capsicum (Bell Pepper) & Walnut Pesto (Dip)

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Red Capsicum (Bell Pepper) & Walnut Pesto (Dip)

This is a super-simplified version of the popular Middle Eastern dish Muhummara. Purists would "sweat" the capsicums (bell peppers) and remove the skin after baking or blistering them over an open flame. I find this to be fiddly and time consuming, and honestly this recipe tastes just as nice if I don't bother to remove the capsicum skins!

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Ruby Grapefruit, Fennel, Avocado & Dill Salad

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Ruby Grapefruit, Fennel, Avocado & Dill Salad

Ruby Grapefruit, Fennel, Avocado & Dill Salad

This is one of my favourite salads. Ruby grapefruit, fennel and dill just work together so well, and are divine with the creaminess of the avocado and the crunch of the almonds and lettuce. And it looks so pretty on the table!

Ingredients

Salad

2 Ruby grapefruit, peeled and segmented*
1 fennel, washed, peeled and finely sliced
1 cos lettuce, washed and roughly chopped
1 avocado, peeled and sliced
100-150g almonds (just use as many as you like)
1 handful dill fronds, finely chopped

Dressing

1-2 Tablespoons Olive oil
1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar (or Balsamic or even White Balsamic if you prefer)
If you have any juice from segmenting the grapefruit, add this to the dressing!
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: 1 teaspoon seeded mustard

Method

Dressing

Combine all dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk to combine

Salad

Arrange cos lettuce on a platter. 
Top with sliced avocado, fennel, and grapefruit segments
Sprinkle almonds and chopped dill on top.
Season with a little salt and pepper

Drizzle with dressing, serve and enjoy!

Spicy Mexican Salad Dressing

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Spicy Mexican Salad Dressing

Spicy Mexican Salad Dressing

I created this dressing to serve with my Spicy Mexican Prawn Cocktail, but I also enjoy it with green salad and sliced avocado.

Ingredients

1 punnet red cherry tomatoes or 1-2 tomatoes, chopped
Juice of two limes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar (if you don't have red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar and a splash of balsamic will do!)
1-2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce (to taste) or one mild red chilli
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1-2 Tablespoons pickled jalapenos.
OPTIONAL (for garlic lovers like me!): 1 small clove garlic

Method

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender like a Vitamix, and blend until smooth.
Taste the dressing and adjust the seasonings to your taste.