All posts filed under: Gluten free

Lemony Beetroot Dip

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Ok, so if you’ve got over the colour of this and are reading this post then I’m impressed!! I’ve been trying to introduce more beetroot into my diet whether roasted and tossed into salads or in this delicious vibrant recipe! A great alternative to humous, this nutritious dip blends cooked beetroot with borlotti beans which have a deliciously nutty flavour and are amazingly creamy. Make sure you season well with plenty of salt pepper and lemon juice to help bring out the flavours. This recipe couldn’t be easier to make, everything goes in a food processor and is whizzed until smooth! This dip would add a splash of colour to any drinks party over Christmas and is perfect to serve with the traditional Boxing Day cold cuts. When the weather gets warmer and the sun begins to shine again, it makes a great accompaniment to a summer barbecue!  Have a look below for a few more serving suggestions.   1 lemon 250g cooked beetroot, not pickled (see below) 400g tin borlotti beans, rinsed and drained 2tbsp tahini 1 large …

Curried Butternut Squash Soup

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A deliciously smooth soup with a hint of spice and the creamy texture of coconut milk. I always think its amazing how few ingredients combined together can taste so amazing. All to often we add more and more thinking it will help the flavour when really a case of less is more often wins the day. I’m a big fan of recipes that don’t take too long to prepare and don’t have an ingredients list the length of your arm! I whizzed up a batch of this when some friends popped round and the temperature was still mild enough to stand in the garden with the help of a fire pit to gather around! Served in cups, everyone could sip the soup and keep warm inside and out! It went down so well that I made it for the family a few nights later and wrote the recipe up! Perfect for lunch or supper and if there’s any left it also freezes really well. This makes enough for 4-6 servings. 25g coconut oil 100g onion, finely chopped 350g carrots …

Herby Baked Mushrooms

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If you’re looking for a quick lunch or supper recipe that takes about 30 minutes to make then try this! These Herby Baked Mushrooms are a real family favourite whether served as a meal or an accompanient. They tend to vary a little each time I make them, depending on what is in the fridge and store cupboard and, to be honest, I don’t really measure everything out accurately for this one, as it really doesn’t matter! So, take the quantities as a guide and don’t be afraid to take the basic recipe and run with whatever you find or fancy! I’ve given a few of our favourite variations at the end of the recipe. 4 large flat mushrooms 4tbsp houmous 1/2  red pepper 4tbsp finely chopped fresh coriander 4tsp finely chopped fresh chives handful baby spinach leaves, finely chopped juicer of 1/2 lemon 1tbsp balsamic vinegar freshly ground black pepper 4tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese a generous pinch chilli flakes Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Wipe the mushrooms with a damp piece of kitchen paper …

Very Berry Smoothie

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I’m really enjoying this smoothie packed full of zingy berries, kefir and subtly flavoured with a hint of coconut. It makes a perfect breakfast, is great after a run or I have may have one as a quick lunch when I feel like something light and refreshing. It perfect for those times when you need a little energy boost or pick me up. I’ve recently discovered kefir after being told to try it by a good friend of mine. It’s a cultured milk packed full of good bacteria which are amazing for your gut and supports digestion, metabolism and your immune and nervous systems as well as being beneficial for skin, bones and muscles! So if it does all that then I felt I had to try it! You can make your own kefir by using live kefir cultures, mine were passed onto me by the same friend, but you can buy them online where there is loads of information and videos to help you learn what to do. I’m having mixed results at the …

Ginger Banana Bread

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We all like a sweet treat every now and then, and some of us more than others! But what if that sweet treat became a nutritious snack that delivered benefits to our bodies as well as instantly satisfying that sweet craving? Having tried other gluten free cakes I’ve often been disappointed either by a dry solid texture or discovering that the wheat flour alternatives will have your blood sugar levels reaching sky high! It makes it all the more exciting to share this Ginger Banana Bread, it has an amazingly moist texture and great flavour. This really is so quick and easy to make and I don’t think anyone will realise its gluten free! So these nutritional benefits? Well it doesn’t contain any refined sugars (no blood sugar peak and slump to deal with), is gluten free and can be dairy free if you opt for the coconut oil in place of the butter.  We get added fibre from the flax seeds, good fats and protein from the nuts and antioxidants from the cacao. Buckwheat flour …

Blueberry, Spinach & Chilli Smoothie

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This is the Autumn version of my Feel Good Smoothie! It’s such a great way to start the day, grab a quick nutritious snack after some exercise or maybe even a quick lunch! I’ve packed it full of goodness with a warming hint of chilli to kick start my metabolism in the morning. Don’t worry this doesn’t make a spicy smoothie, the warmth kind of creeps up on you very slowly and gently!! I’ve tried to create a smoothie that contains a good amount of protein to keep me full, isn’t too sweet and is packed full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals as well as some good fats to keep me healthy as the days get shorter and weather cooler. Having spinach for breakfast isn’t everyones cup of tea (sorry!!) but its a great way to increase your daily vegetable intake alongside the banana and blueberries. I also add a generous half teaspoon of broccoli powder for an extra boost but this is completely optional. Maca powder is a great to include in your diet …

Mediterranean Chicken

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I had to put this recipe on my blog. It’s a family favourite and has been one of the most popular recipes from a book I wrote over twenty years ago but has still stood the test of time. It’s definitely a crowd pleaser for a casual supper and the quantities can easily be increased to serve more. I’ve served this for 12 people with plenty of green salad and crusty bread to mop up the delicious juices. Obviously you can serve gluten free bread here instead. The real key to this dish is the delicious garlic and herb cheese which is cooked underneath the chicken skin. It keeps the chicken beautifully moist and adds amazing flavour. Loosen the skin with your fingers or try using the back of a metal spoon. A lot of chicken breasts are now sold boneless but I prefer using chicken breasts on the bone here as it adds extra flavour and prevents the chicken over cooking. Its harder to find but defintiely worth it. 4 chicken breast portions, about …

Feel Good Smoothie

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I’ve been really enjoying this delicious smoothie on holiday, especially after a quick yoga session and a dip in the pool! The colour is amazing, thanks to the spinach. It not only looks good but also packs in an early dose of vegetable into your day! Actually you can’t taste the spinach but its great for all the nutrients its supplies! Use the ripest melon you can find for a really full summer flavour. The seeds add good fats and the cashew nut butter increases the protein level further, keeping you fuller longer and also help to make a deliciously creamy smoothie. You could also try coconut water instead of water for extra great flavour. I’m going to make this whenever I feel like a pick me up or quick breakfast. It would also be great to take out on the move or as a post workout snack! I bought my Nutribullet away with me which whizzes everything up so smooth. If you don’t have once you could use a blender but maybe try the …

Broad Bean & Radish Salad

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This summery salad is so deliciously fresh, using broad beans and radishes which are in plentiful supply at this time of year. I love broad beans, although I do remember a time when the little shrivelled grey offerings on my school dinner plate quickly got pushed to the side!  When I discovered the transformation a broad bean takes on when popped out of its outer rubbery shell, it took on a whole new life. Firstly the colour is so amazing, a vibrant lime green, the texture, smooth and tender, and the taste is so good. I generally use them in salads rather than as a vegetable accompaniment. I love the process of popping them out of the pods, opening each one to discover the beans nestled inside the fur linings, but then I am a bit of a softy! Removing the outer skin once cooked is also a great family job, especially when they ping across the work surface! The only disappointment with broad beans is the yield. A 500g bag full of broad bean …

Chargrilled Vegetables with Tahini Dressing, Pomegranate & Coriander

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This has been one of my favourite things to cook on the barbecue so far this year. I love simple chargrilled vegetables, the flavours are amazing. The smokiness of the vegetables with the fresh tahini dressing and pomegranate seeds are a great combination. You can enjoy this as a salad on its own or as part of a bigger feast! I’ve served it with chunks of seared beef or lamb accompanied by a green leafy salad and a big bowl of herby quinoa. I seem to be really drawn to pomegranate at the moment, I’m loving the little bursts of colour and flavour they give a meal, as well as the health benefits of being a good source of fibre, vitamins, iron and rich in antioxidants. This recipe is so easy , if you prepare a large bowl of quinoa, roast plenty of vegetables and make the dressing you can store all these in the fridge and assemble an easy lunch or supper in minutes…perfect! Don’t worry if you’re not into barbecuing or want to eat this when …