At just 13 years old, Maisie Crank from Sedgefield Community College is an exciting young chef from the North East to keep an eye on. Maisie wowed judges to become the Springboard FutureChef North East Final champion and one of just 12 finalists selected from 16,000 entrants nationwide.
Veggie Burger
Sunflower seeds are great in veggie burgers alongside ingredients like lentils, black beans or root vegetables. They add texture, essential fats, a lovely nutty taste and they’re also functional as they help to bind.
Curries
These versatile seeds can be roasted with spices and added to curry dishes. My favourite pairings include sunflower seeds with turmeric, cumin and cayenne pepper.
Pesto
Sunflower seeds can be used as a great alternative for pesto, especially if you are catering for people with nut allergies.
Stuffing Balls
At Christmas, we cater for meat eaters and vegetarian guests, so these are a regular in our house. After creating a base of lentils and herbs, I add toasted sunflower seeds and pine nuts for a nutty, protein crunch.
Cheese, Apple & Sunflower Muffins
Trust me – combining cheese, apple, and sunflower seeds in a nutritious muffin provides a super savoury-sweet breakfast or late morning snack.
Full Recipe Inspiration
Find Maisie’s sunflower seeds recipe along with other recipe inspiration for the season.