A Whole New Way to Eat + Greek Lemon Chicken with Farro Recipe

Are you ready to look at food through a whole new lens?

Vladia Cobrdova, former juice bar girl, turned Chief Operating Officer of aboutlife, businesswoman, nutritionist and wellness ambassabor has just debuted her new beautiful book, A Whole New Way to Eat.

In her book, Vladia focuses on real food and healthy eating, rather than following the latest dieting craze. A Whole New Way to Eat contains over 135 classical recipes, like butter chicken, with a healthy twist, making them simple enough to prepare and delicious enough to enjoy. The book celebrates Vladia’s work at aboutlife, including her scrumptious recipes that have been made famous in their marketplaces and cafes all over Australia.

I recently had the chance to spend time at the aboutlife store Double Bay, launching my latest book Fast Your Way to Wellness and afterwards snuck in a chat with Vladia over an English breakfast tea.  

She says "I love inspiring people to get back to natural foods and a real way of eating like our great grandparents use to". Vladia's first food influencers were her grandmother and mother, who raised her on wholesome and real food.

Growing up in the former Czechoslovakia under a strict communist regime, meant ducking out to the nearest takeaway or fast food outlet was simply impossible. She says she was lucky in that sense, her food foundations were always real honest food, small portion sizes and an appreciation of home cooking.

Dreaming about food

A quick selfie at aboutlife

Whether you’re following a paleo-based diet, you’re an inspired vegan or you just want to create something equally delicious as it is healthy, A Whole New Way to Eat has got you covered! The book focuses on eating and cooking real food that every part of you will love - from your taste-buds to your gut. Vladia emphases the importance of using food in its most natural state, like eating seasonal foods that are free of unwanted pesticides and chemicals.

Whether it’s her Veganola for breakfast, Salted Almond Butter Smoothie for a pick-me-up or her Purple Cabbage Dumplings recipe for dinner, Vladia has perfectly balanced spices, tastes and nutrients to ensure that each recipe is made to perfection.

Cooking with A Whole New Way to Eat is a wonderful way to ensure that everyone around the table is loving what they’re eating and that their bodies are loving them right back afterwards!

One of my favourite recipes from the book is the Greek Lemon Chicken with Farro and Wild Rocket and Vladia has kindly shared it with us.  

Congratulations on your new book Vladia!

You can follow Vladia on instagram here.

GREEK LEMON CHICKEN WITH FARRO & WILD ROCKET

Prep time:

20 minutes, plus overnight soaking

cooking time: 1 hour

Serves 4

Ingredients: 

• 200 g (7 oz/1 cup) farro (spelt)
• 60 ml (2 fl oz/¼ cup) olive oil
• 4 chicken Marylands (leg quarters), about 1.5 kg (3 lb 5 oz) total 
• 1/3 cup garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) Bone Broth
• 80 ml (2½ fl oz/1/3 cup) lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon each salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1½ tablespoons finely chopped sage leaves
• ¼ cup thyme leaves, plus a little extra to serve
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 large handfuls rocket (arugula)
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Method

Place the farro in a bowl, cover with cold water and soak overnight.

The following day, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).

Heat the olive oil in an ovenproof frying pan over high heat. Cook the chicken until golden all over. Remove and set aside. Add the garlic to the same pan and stir for 1–2 minutes until golden. Drain the farro and add to the pan with the chicken, broth and 250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) of water. Bring to the boil, then add the lemon juice, salt, pepper and herbs and stir to combine. Cover the pan with a lid or foil and bake for 40–50 minutes until the farro is tender.

Remove the pan from the oven and gently stir the egg through the farro. Bake, uncovered, for another 10 minutes or until the egg is creamy but not scrambled. Remove from the oven and fold the rocket and lemon zest through. Sprinkle with the extra thyme and a drizzle of olive oil and serve immediately.

Images and recipes from A Whole New Way to Eat by Vladia Cobrodova (Murdoch Books, RRP $39.99).