Weekly food tour

I've realised that recently I spend much more time in the kitchen cooking and very often taking photos of the food I've prepared, than actually talking about it on my blog and publishing those recipes.
I usually take pictures of most new dishes I make hoping that I'll eventually get to publish them... but it's not always the case. The result is a huge folder on my computer with lots of pictures that I've never shown around here.
So I thought I might give you a short tour through this weeks food folder.
This past week was particular. My husband and I decided to try eating a bit differently for a week. Differently in the sense that we wanted to try not eating any pasta, bread, pizza and similar bad carbs, especially sweets. Instead, our lunch and dinner were based mostly on proteins from meat, fish, cheese and legumes, with lots of vegetables in various forms, from soups to salads.
For me, as a cook in this household, it was rather pleasant and stimulating, although I spent lots of time searching for new recipes.
I tried using lots of seasonal vegetables in old and also new combinations.
We did not renounce completely on carbohydrates, but I did use mostly those with low glicemic index, except a carrot and a potato every now and then (always mixed with other vegetables).
The result is that I'm feeling so much better, lighter and I didn't miss bread and pasta as much as I thought I would.
What was more difficult for me was not baking any sweet treats... except one, but I considered that one acceptable, of course ^__^
It was an additionally busy week because I prepared three jams and three types of ice cream (for kids ^__^) as well.
Now, it is impossible for me write all those recipes even if  I published one recipe every day.
But... I can show you some pictures and you can help me decide which recipes to publish first (or never) by leaving a comment on this post.
Hope you enjoy it. Just tell me which of these would you grab first, and I might pass you some.

Let's start with some soups - we had a different one almost every day as a starter.
For example this Chicken and Vegetables Soup - I've made this one both with and without chicken and it's simply delicious. Green beans, peas, carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms and chicken.

or this Barley and Spring Legumes Soup - with fresh peas and fava beans

When not in the mood for a soup, I made dishes like these, either as a starter of as a side dish,

Colourful Summer Bulgur - an excellent idea for summer

or Millet and Vegetables Au Gratin - millet is combined with seasonal veggies (green beans, carrots, fennel and zucchini), mushrooms and  thyme. Great taste.

Main dishes...

Ham and Cheese Chicken Rolls - you would think it takes a lot of effort to prepare this, instead, it's really simple and quick to prepare. Lovely sour cream based sauce is perfect to give a little elegant touch to this dish.

or Seabass with Herbs - rosemary, sage and thyme from my balcony, lemon and some good olive oil, that's the most simple and the best way of preparing this type of fish. Add some vegetables as a side and you'll have a superb dinner.

And finally... well deserved dessert...

Cherry and Strawberry Vanilla Crumble - crumble is such a great dessert, it's quick to make, it's tasty, and the warm fruit is so irresistible.

and the reward for a successful week...

Cherry and Apple Strudel - this is a recipe you can already find on my blog, love strudels, love cherries, how could I resist making it again?

And just because it's Sunday, I'll offer you some Ice Cream...

Strawberry and Cream Cheese Ice cream - tried making it before, without an egg base, but this time made it with egg custard, and it was much tastier and creamier.

Apricot Ice Cream - creamy, fruity and refreshing

Orange Ice Cream with Chocolate Swirl - had planned on making it for quite a time, I think it's pretty good 

And jams... well, I love jamming ^__^
They'll be great to fill cookies, or enjoy with a slice of bread

Cherry and Cinnamon Jam - fantastic flavour

Strawberry Vanilla and Lemon Thyme Jam - never really loved strawberry jam, but this one tastes great

and finally, Mixed Berries and Rosemary Jam - it came out so thick, I think I just overcooked it a bit, lots of different fruits inside, from cherries and strawberries, to blackberries, blueberries and red currants.