Joy's 20-minutes Meals!

Just when I think nobody is reading what I write each week, a friend from Australia complains that I haven't written anything for ages!  That is enough incentive for me to get the thinking cap on!
Actually that is the reason for my absence - the thinking cap has been bogged down in the depths of a dissertation for my degree that finally comes to an end in precisely 68 days - not that I'm counting you understand!
The subject I have chosen for the 7000 exciting words is the effect that hydration has on athletic performance.  So, for all you would-be athletes out there you need to know that it does have an effect and yes, you do need to drink even more than the average sedentary person - at least 2 litres, possibly up to 3-4 litres depending on how much you are training.  It is a well-known fact that most athletes start their training dehydrated, and a mere 2% dehydration will effect your performance, so get drinking!

There comes a certain time of day when my head really cannot face any more studying, and lately that has been around the time that Jamie's 30-minute Meals is showing on TV, so I sit myself in front of that to see if I can get any ideas for my own recipes.  And every evening I get wound up, not only by the fact that his 30 minutes does not include getting out all your kitchen equipment (that can take a good 5 minutes!), but also that the programme is cut in certain places when something takes too long!  Why not just call it 45-minute meals then everyone would be happy?!
Anyway, I decided I would do a 20-minute lunch today - beat that Jamie!  And mine is healthy too.




Gazpacho with Avocado and Softly Boiled Egg
This is such a simple recipe and really you can add the ingredients you like, in whatever amounts you like - just taste it as you go.  Normally I would use fresh tomatoes but didn't have any, so used tomato juice instead - it really is that easy.
It's a great antioxidant-rich recipe, full of fibre and vitamins, but don't forget to add some protein - top with an egg or even some cooked, flaked salmon would be great.


Serves 2


2 red peppers, deseeded and roughly chopped
1/2 red onion, peeled and roughly chopped
1 cucumber, roughly chopped
handful basil leaves
handful parsley leaves
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1 tbsp sherry or Balsamic vinegar
100mls olive oil
200-300mls tomato juice
seasoning to taste
1 avocado, peeled and chopped
2 eggs, softly boiled


Place all the vegetables and herbs in the food processor and process until finely chopped.
Add the liquids and seasoning to taste and process again briefly.
Serve chilled, topped with chopped avocado and egg.