Maca, Rooibos and Nettle Recipes

Want to find ways to use herbs that are out of the box?

Try these 3 herb recipes

Maca Choc Balls

            280g cake crumbs (about 3 cups)

            3 tbsp apricot jam

            3 dtsp maca

            1 tsp Cocoa

            1 tbsp rum

            2 tbsp water

            Extra jam and chocolate sprinkles

Mix together the cake crumbs, maca powder, cocoa, warmed jam and rum until a stiff paste is formed. If extra water is needed to make a paste then add just enough to make a thick paste. Roll the paste in round balls, this mixture will yield about 24 balls. Warm an extra 2 tbsp of sieved jam with water and dip the rolled balls into the mixture and then coat with chocolate sprinkles. Place balls in paper party cases and leave to firm. 

Nettle Soup

I love this soup, it is one of the best soups I have ever eaten, a great Scottish recipe.

• Wild nettles tops (about half a carrier bag full)
• 1 onion
• 1 litre of vegetable stock
• ½ litre of boiling water
• 100g long grain rice
• Salt
• Black pepper
• A little olive oil
• Sour cream (optional)

Method

Put a saucepan on a low heat, and add a dash of olive oil. Finely chop the onions and add to the pan, and cook until soft. Pour in the rice and vegetable stock and bring to a simmer. Cook until the rice is tender.

Add the nettles. You don’t want to add them too soon, otherwise some of the nutrients will be lost in the cooking process. At this point you might have trouble getting the lid back on your saucepan, but the nettle leaves soon wilt down. When they are more manageable, stir them through the rice. Add the other half litre of boiling water and simmer for another minute or so.

Remove from the heat and blend, either using a hand blender or a food processor, until you get a smooth consistency. Taste your soup and add salt and pepper. Blend again to mix it in. Keep tasting and blending until you have the seasoning just right for your palate.

This nettle soup can be enjoyed with a swirl of sour cream and chopped chives, or a drizzle of good olive oil on top.

Rooibos Popsicle

Place rooibos tea in a pot and add boiling water, allow to steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Add 1 pinch of stevia or 10 to 20 drops of stevia liquid. 

Freeze the teas in popsicle mould or ice cube tray and add to drinks.