Of all the comments I get about my food the one thing that stands out is that people think it looks great, really appetising. I am really pleased to hear that as I do take time to make sure my food is presented well as well as tasting good. I am a firm believer that the first bite is taken with the eyes. I like to look at my food, smell it and appreciate it before I even taste it. I shudder when I see the food that some people eat.
It has been made with love or at the very least in the hopes that it will be enjoyed. Time has been taken preparing it so why just throw it on a plate any old how in a big unappetising looking lump. Yes it will rprbably taste the same but will it be enjoyed as much? I don’t think it is. I certainly wouldn’t. For a start I am actually quite fussy about what I eat and I want to decide what will mix and how. I like a bit of seperation on my plate with each component clearly defined. That may make me odd but I don’t care. This is not workhouse gruel slopped into a bowl. Food is not just about keeping you alive.
I know that there are people out there that genuinely don’t care, they may even eat food directly from the pan or even the can but I’m not one of them. I also like to sit at the table when I eat rather than in front of the TV. I like the rituals surrounding food as much as I like food. Table manners, using the correct silverware, napkins etc fill my heart with joy. I also much prefer plain white plates and dishes. Patterned ones distract from the food and look messy. This once again is my opinion. I also prefer the plates to be oval. Daft isn’t it? Oh and don’t get me started on my collection of types of glasses which must be used for specific drinks… *weep*
Finally and the reason for this post, the reason I like to arrange and present food is because you can make it look like there is a lot more on the plate. This is especially vital when you are fasting. Sitting down to a small plate of food look depressing and psychologically you feel as though you will not be full. Spread it out with nice presentation and the plate looks fuller and you actually feel fuller at the end. Expectations are really important if you expect a meal to satisfy you then it probably will, if you expect it to leave you hungry, well the same applies.
This recipe helps to bulk out a meal in every sense of the word. It also tastes good. Crispy “seaweed” as sold in many Chinese restaurants is in fact Spring Greens finely shredded, deep fried and seasoned. This one is much the same but without the calories.
Ingredients and approximate cost
1/2 pack of Spring Greens finely shredded (50p)
Frylight or oil from a mister
Tsp course Salt
1/2 Tsp Sweetener or soft brown sugar
Pre-heat the oven as high as it will go, arrange the shredded cabbage onto a couple of baking trays making sure it is thinly spread. Spray with frylight, sprinkle with salt and place in the over for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes the edges will have dried out and turned slightly brown. Move it around so that the browner bits are in the middle and the green on the outside. Continue to cook and stir checking regularly until most of it is crisp but do not burn.
Removed from the oven, sprinkle with sweetener/sugar and stir again. Serve immediately.
Serves 4 total cost 50p. Calories per portion 35 per 100g raw cabbage if using sweetener
Ready for the oven
Variations
- use Kale or Savoy cabbage if preferred
- sprinkle with 5 spice powder if liked once cooked
- I love this served with fish or with a stir fry
Slimming World
Syn Free on all plans if you use sweetener.
Serves as part of a 300 calorie meal
Look at the picture above, can you imagine how small and unfulfilling this meal would be without the seaweed? The corn is also on the cob so there is maybe 2 tablespoons of actual corn kernels but much more fun to eat. It looks (and is) a proper plate full of food. A meal rather than a snack. It was also delicious.
Middle Class Value 