Brain Food Cooking Demonstration
Today, The Global Community and Great Food at Leeds hosted a cooking demonstration at the Refectory. This occurs once every month, with a different theme each time. This month’s theme was focused on food that is beneficial for the brain. As exams are just around the corner, it is important to eat healthily to have maximum brain power!
We had Chef Dave and Chef Chris host the demonstration. They prepared 2 quick and easy meals to reward our brains. The first dish they prepared was a bowl of salad with salsa. Not just any kind of salad but one that is packed with protein and rich in other nutrients. It was sweet due to the cranberries, a little sour due to the balsamic and also had a range of different textures. This meal is definitely packed with protein, which will help you feel full quicker, preventing overeating and snacking.
As I was amazed at how quick and yet flavourful this dish turned out hence I would like to share their recipe with you!
Ingredients
For Salsa:
- Diced tomato
- Diced onions
- Red peppers
- Lime wedges
- Spring onions
- Cilantro (can omit if you dislike them)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
For Salad:
- A bowl of spinach
- Edamame
- Dried Cranberries
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Avocado
- Poached Cod (or any kind of oily fish)
- Balsamic vinegar (for dressing)
NOTE: I did not put any measurements as you can tweak them to your liking. Also, it is great to add nuts such as pistachio, walnut, cashews etc. Studies have shown that oily fish are rich in omega-3 which can improve the structure of your brain cells, increase blood flow and improving your brain functions!
Feel free to add or omit any ingredients to your salad. This is a dish where you can explore and be creative! These are just a few ingredients that were said to stimulate your brain.
Flapjacks were the second item on the menu. They had made it prior to the event so we didn't have to wait! It is a dessert that you won’t feel guilty consuming a big portion of! It was sweet, chewy textured with a slight crunch due to the dark chocolate and seeds added. It was so good that I even brought some home.
For these dishes, you can also find cheaper alternatives, however, as Dave mentioned, you will be paying for the quality of the food. If you were to go for the cheaper option, make sure it is healthy too!
These events run all year round so, if you are ever interested, you're never too late. Just remember to look out for their event when you're at Leeds! Oh, and did I mention, this event is free of charge! You get free food, meet new people and learn some new recipes! It was great fun as both Dave and Chris were very welcoming and friendly. I truly enjoyed it, so I do hope you get to experience it too 🙂 . Hope to see you there (maybe)!