Slow down, danger ahead

Sometimes life throws you a couple of curveballs, and it can feel like you've been bounced around a few times too many. I've had a minor life changing moment a few weeks ago, with life holding up a massive stop sign. The realisation that I've been running on empty for too long, trying to keep going while my petrol gauge flashes empty. So I've been trying to slow down to avoid a crash, and catching the flu proved to be a good thing, because I've had to take the weekend off work. It also means having the weekend to rest and not worry about the time or being somewhere five minutes ago, which is an absolute luxury, like 300 threadcount linen. Meals have been simple and sparse, I just don't have the energy to plan ahead. So mostly leftover staples like fried rice, soups, both Asian and Western. I had a really good home-made minestrone at a cafe, so soup for the week ahead is going to be minestrone. I'm not going to bother with a recipe this time because it is quite straight forward, so just a list of the veggies I'm using (again the leftovers and ungainly) - cauliflower, carrot, celery, zucchini, roast garlic (for the flu), pumpkin or sweet potato, finished with a can of beans and tomatoes.

Not too cold for salad

With 4 degree nights and 14 degree days, it isn't the right season for salad yet, but I do miss crispy leaves of rocket, spinach and cos.

Japanese inspired salad

Tofu - marinated in tamari, dark sweet soy sauce and mirin and then grilled or fried
Sliced orange sweet potato - grilled
Mixed leaves
1 cucumber - sliced
Wedges of tomato or baby tomatoes

Dressing
1 part tamari/soy sauce
2 parts brown rice vinegar
1 part toasted sesame oil

Garnish with fried breadcrumbs. I used multigrain breadcrumbs which are uneven and have more texture. Toasted sesame seeds would work as well.