By: Jools Sampson | September 13, 2019
Seasonal, Nourishing Recipes from Our Retreat Kitchen
Food is a pivotal part of the Reclaim Your Self retreat experience,and we take great care to make every meal nourishing, abundant and memorable. Good food brings people together, supports long days of yoga and adventure, and helps you feel restored throughout your retreat.
Over the years we have collaborated with a small group of talented chefs who share our values around sustainability, seasonality and working with local ingredients. One of our longest-standing collaborators is chef Bettina Campolucci Bordi, whose fresh, flavour-led cooking has become a highlight for many of our guests.
Bettina is endorsed by Jamie Oliver, is the author of the best selling cookbook Happy Food, and runs a retreat chef academy. She has a strong reputation for accessible, wholesome dishes that celebrate vegetables and global flavours. Her food is vibrant, satisfying and designed to make you feel good — and many of her most popular dishes happen to be plant based.
Bettina has joined us on retreats in Mongolia, Costa Rica, Iceland and Tuscany, bringing guests delicious, energising menus shaped by local produce and the environments we travel through. Her cooking reflects a balance of comfort, creativity and nourishment, and many of her recipes are perfect for recreating at home.
For a flavour of what you might enjoy on retreat — and some great winter-friendly recipes to try yourself — explore Bettina’s best plant based recipes below.
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats with Homemade Granola Crunch
After a night of deep rest and a morning yoga session, Bettina’s breakfasts offer a welcome boost. They are designed to be both nourishing and straightforward, making them ideal for busy weekday mornings as well.
This twist on classic porridge layers creamy peanut butter oats with a crunchy homemade granola topping. It is simple, comforting and naturally sweet — a perfect example of how Bettina elevates everyday ingredients into something special.
Comforting Vegan Bean Soup
Influenced by the flavours of the Mediterranean and Bettina’s Bulgarian background, this hearty bean soup has been a favourite style of dish on some of our colder-weather retreats, including Iceland and Svalbard.
It is wholesome, rich in protein and fibre, and full of vegetables and herbs. The result is a warming bowl that is perfect for winter evenings at home. Batch cook it at the weekend so you have something comforting to come back to after a long day.
Korean Pancake With Sliced Roots & Chilli Sweet & Sour Tamari
Inspired by Bettina’s travels across Asia, this Korean-style pancake is a vibrant, savoury dish that works for brunch, lunch or supper. Packed with sliced root vegetables and paired with a lively chilli sweet-and-sour tamari sauce, it is a great example of how Bettina brings creativity and global influences into her cooking.
This recipe is naturally plant based and gluten free, but above all it is flavourful, fun to make and impressive served in company. Take your time with it and enjoy every bite.
If you would like to bring some retreat-inspired cooking into your own kitchen, try one of these dishes at home — or explore more of Bettina’s recipes for simple, wholesome food that fits beautifully with active, restorative days.