Happy 2023, ladies! After a time of cosy gatherings, warmth, delicious food and parties, life is slowly going back to normal. After all those festivities, January often seems like a dark, cold and often boring month. But it’s also the time for making a fresh start and for making (often unachievable) resolutions. Whether you make new year’s resolutions or not, I do think that you should try to enjoy life. Do what makes YOU happy.

  
To get your new year off to a great start – in whatever way – I’m sharing three favourite recipes that always make me happy. Give them a try, adjust them to your taste and there you have it: three little moments of joy to brighten your January. ;-)  
  

Chocolate Smoothie Bowl   

Delicious for breakfast, but a smaller portion would also make a great dessert!    

  
To make one serving you need:   
♥ ⅔ cup (150 mL) (almond) milk
♥ 1 Tbsp peanut butter   
♥ 3 Tbsp cocoa powder  
♥ 4 dates  
♥ 1 frozen banana (sliced before freezing)  

  
Topping ideas:  
♥ Chia seeds   
♥ Chopped peanuts/nuts  
♥ Blueberries  
♥ Banana slices  
♥ Granola
♥ Roughly chopped chocolate  
♥ Coconut flakes 

  
Directions:  
Add the milk, peanut butter, cocoa powder, dates and frozen banana to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl, get creative with the desired toppings, and enjoy! 


  

Quinoa salad  

The perfect lunch or side dish
  
To make two (lunch) servings you need: 

♥ ¾ cup (150 g) uncooked quinoa  
♥ 1 (vegetable) bouillon cube   
♥ ⅓ cucumber   
♥ Handful of cherry tomatoes   
♥ ½ Bell pepper  
♥ 1 Scallion   
♥ ½ Avocado  
♥ Pumpkin seeds
♥ Arugula 
♥ Olives
♥ Feta  
♥ Clove of garlic   
♥ Olive oil   
♥ Lemon juice   
♥ Pepper/salt to taste   
♥ Salad seasoning  

♥ Optional: smoked chicken strips  

  
Directions: 
Bring water to the boil, then add the vegetable cube and quinoa, and cook according to package instructions. Chop the cucumber, tomatoes, bell pepper, scallion, avocado and olives. Crumble the feta. Leave the quinoa to cool, then add the chopped veggies, arugula, pumpkin seeds and feta and toss to combine. Then add the minced garlic, a splash of olive oil and some lemon juice. Season with salt, pepper and some salad seasoning, if desired. Toss again and enjoy!   

  

Soft waffles with apple   

A tasty treat!   
  
For 12 waffles you need:
♥ 4 cups (500 g) self-raising flour   
♥ 3 eggs  
♥ 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (250 g) unsalted soft butter   
♥ 1½ cup (375 mL) milk  
♥ 1¼ cup (250 gr) granulated sugar   
♥ 2½ packets (appr. 20 g) vanilla sugar  
♥ 3 apples
♥ Pinch of salt   
♥ Waffle maker   

  
Directions:  
Peel, core and dice the apples. Combine the butter, sugar and vanilla sugar and whisk until you have a soft and creamy batter. Then mix in the eggs, making sure you add one egg at a time. Sift in the flour, then add the milk and a pinch of salt. Mix it all until you have a smooth batter and then stir in the apple pieces. Heat the waffle iron according to instructions and make sure it’s lightly oiled before you start. Fill one side of your iron with batter, gently close the lid and cook for a few minutes until golden. Enjoy! 

  

Savour the moment!  

All of the recipes were (more or less voluntarily wink emoji) tested by my dear friends and family and they were a hit! Hopefully they can inspire you to get your year off to a great start and to create some little moments of joy for yourself. Serve these dishes using our tableware from Rice or &Klevering to turn every meal into a little celebration. Will you be trying one of these recipes or do you have a delicious addition? Let us know!