It is certainly is a big call to say you have a favourite place to eat! I have a few favourites and of course do find new favourites every now and then! For the past couple of years, my favourite place to eat breakfast or lunch on Sydney's Northern Beaches, is without a doubt The Healthy Chef Cafe at Avalon Beach.
Creator and Executive Chef of the Cafe is Teresa Cutter.
"Teresa Cutter “The healthy chef” is one of Australia’s leading authorities on healthy cooking. A qualified chef with over 20 years experience, fitness trainer and studies in nutrition, Teresa has combined her knowledge on food, diet and exercise to specialize in developing healthy recipes for people who love food, who love to eat and who have made a conscious decision to maximize their health and well-being. The healthy chef is not about deprivation, it’s a realistic approach to healthy eating that will last a lifetime."
I recently saw Teresa do a cooking demonstration at the Sydney Organic Expo & Green Show at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre, in August. It was fun and informative to watch her, passionately cook two of the dishes, I had previously eaten at her cafe in Avalon.
About three years ago now, a lovely friend of mine, who knew both my passion for healthy food that's done well and that breakfast is my favourite meal of the day, said to me, that she had found a cafe in Avalon, she wanted to take me to for breakfast!
I do love to try something new and I was not disappointed in any way. I have since eaten there for both breakfast or lunch, countless times with family and friends and have found it to be consistently great!
So I thought it really was time I told you about it too!
The cafe doesn't take bookings, you order and pay at the counter and then take one of their funky wooden spoon table numbers and find yourself a table, inside or out.
The service is very good and the food comes out promptly. A little tip from me if you are wanting a table for breakfast on the weekends get their early, like 8am!
Here is a few snap shots of some of the dishes we have tried over our many visits.
The photographs are mine, much of the description of the dishes is taken from the menu on Teresa Cutter's website.
At anytime of the day their fresh juices , power smoothies, coffee, teas and hot chocolate are available.
Immune booster carrot + orange with a hint of ginger. regular $6 & large $7.50
Detox apple, organic spirilina + lemon, parsley + ginger. regular $6 & large $7.50
Wake Up Smoothie $7.50 a combo of fresh fruit salad, honey, yoghurt & apple juice
Coffee, using a special ORGANIC / FAIR TRADE BLEND MADE FOR US BY CAMPOS
Hot Chocolate
Then there is Breakfast!
Oatmeal Power Porridge with chunks of banana and a little honey $12.50
Rolled oats are combined with linseeds, hazelnut, apple, cinnamon + sultana – reminiscent of apple strudel. It will give you slow release energy, protein + omega 3 to power you through the day.
Pear and Blueberry Crumble $13.50
Poached Autumn pear with fresh blueberry puree layered with our granola and lush natural yoghurt. High antioxidants, probiotics + protein to repair the body + sustain your immune system.
Ricotta + Oatmeal hotcakes served with banana, strawberry puree + lush natural yoghurt. $17.50 Also contains Chia seed a great source of omega 3. Wheat free, sugar free, high fibre + low GI these pancakes are extremely yummy!
What they call "The Hubby Special" Soft poached organic eggs on tomato, avocado, toasted sourdough + Persian feta, finished with a drizzle of lemon infused parsley + mint salsa verde. $17.50
The Big Power Breakie $19.50 , which was the first dish I tried some years back, you get your own pan delivered to the table and really it is enough for two! Organic Scrambled Eggs, Home made Beans, Roasted Tomato & Mushroom with Sourdough + salsa verde, served with lean Bacon. Vegan Option includes avocado & pumpkin in place of eggs and bacon, Vegetarian Option includes avocado in place of bacon
Or maybe you'd prefer lunch?
Detox Energy Salad
Salad leaves, baby spinach, broccolini, avocado, roasted walnuts, pumpkin seed, ground flax seed, wakaeme + goji berry. Served with side of apple balsamic + olive oil. $16.50
The fiber in the salad will fill you up and the acid in vinegar (acetic acid) helps suppress the appetite.
Packed with Omega 3 + iodine + protein + antioxidants to help protect our immune system and facilitate weight loss.
"Soup of the Moment" the day we were there was
Pumpkin with yoghurt and salsa verde served with sourdough. $10.50
Then there is a high fibre favourite of mine...
Bean + sweet-corn nachos with organic veggie corn chips. Beans are slowly simmered with tomato, carrot, celery, smoked paprika + sweet corn + a hint of chilli + coriander. Served on organic veggie corn tortillas, avocado + natural yoghurt. $16.50
Packed with soluble fibre, protein + iron which helps cut cholesterol, keep you regular + provide your body with sustained energy.
Or another favourite of mine...
Zucchini + green pea fritters + spinach, Persian feta, avocado + roast tomato
Delicious fritters of zucchini, lemon, parsley + mint cooked until crisp and golden. $17.50 Chock full of B vitamins, calcium, protein, antioxidants + fibre.
Wanting a high protein hit try the
Pan roasted Chicken with baby spinach, broccolini, flaked almonds and Parmesan $19.50
Lean pan-roasted free range chicken breast scented with lemon and thyme, served with steamed broccolini roasted, almond flakes and baby leaf spinach. Served salsa verde + fine grated Parmesan. Chock full of lean protein, antioxidants for repair + optimum health.
There is also a Yummie Tummies kids menu with prices ranging from $3.50 to $10, plus a lovely selection of sweet stuff, freshly baked muffins, gluten free banana bread, gluten free chocolate & walnut brownie, traditional home made apple pie and a really good carrot cake, and a selection of home made cookies.
So it is a great family outing anytime of the day and you'll be eating food together, that is good for you!
Teresa Cutter has also written several books on healthy eating, including great recipes and tips on living a healthy lifestyle.
Her book the 80/20 Diet is a balanced approach, to combining cooking and eating well with exercise, rest and relaxation, to help you adopt a healthier lifestyle long term.
The 80/20 diet is all about eating the right kinds and amounts of foods necessary for losing body fat sensibly, and establishing an exercise and lifestyle program that can be maintained for life.
The book is also for sale at the cafe.
So get yourself down to Avalon Beach and enjoy healthy food that tastes great!
You can eat in or take it away!
The Healthy Chef is located at
17 Avalon Parade, Avalon Beach, Sydney NSW
Open 7 days a week for breakfast and lunch
6am – 5pm
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