All posts filed under: Gluten free

Festival Bars

Published by

With the festival season in full swing and everyone beginning to enjoy even more time outdoors, I was inspired to make a bar that I could take out in any weather and enjoy a natural energy treat with no guilt! I wanted to create a bar that had great taste, massive health benefits to refuel long days and nights and colour to remind me of the vibrance of a festival. I’ve added plenty of nuts and seeds for protein, good fats, minerals and vitamins. Flax seeds for fibre. The dates add a good natural energy kick which shouldn’t spike your blood sugar levels. Ginger for a real zing on the taste buds as well as the benefits it gives in supporting digestion and settling the stomach! Goji berries which are great for supporting the immune system and add the most amazing specks of vibrant orangey red and finally the cacao is packed with great essential minerals, antioxidants and also contains some caffeine! So these bars certainly pack a punch. They’re great as a breakfast bar, a …

Thai Aubergine, Squash & Spinach Dal

Published by

Monday 15th June is World Meat Free Day, so I thought it would be great to post this recipe today! The idea is to encourage people to give up meat for just one day to raise awareness of the benefits of eating less meat for a healthier, balanced diet thats better for the planet and food systems. Naming this dish was tricky! It’s kind of like a soup but more so! Its kind of like a Thai curry but not!! This is another of my go to quick suppers, a complete meal in a bowl! Everytime I make this dish, which I’ve been doing for quite a long time now, its different! I see what I have in the fridge and if I think it will work, in it goes. Finally I’ve got around to writing down the recipe of my favourite version.  That is not to say a few mushrooms or chunks of courgette may still creep in from time to time! I absolutely love Thai food, the flavours are so exciting and the smell intoxicating. …

Speedy Salmon Parcels

Published by

These salmon parcels make a great family meal. Cooking in a parcel allows the fish and vegetables to gently steam, locking in all the delicious flavours and nutrients. The fish cooks to the point where it will just begin to fall away in lovely big flakes minimising the risk of overcooking. Seasoned with ginger, lemon and tamari, these were a hit with the family. Some went for the chilli, others decided not to eat it but I’d suggest cooking them in the parcel as it adds a little extra flavour. These would also make a perfect quick lunch. I’ve given enough ingredients to make 4 parcels but the recipe is very easy to adjust to make as many parcels as you like. about 200g carrots about 200g courgette Four 150g pieces salmon fillet, skinned sushi pickled ginger 1 red chilli 4tsp lemon juice 2tsp tamari salt and pepper Preheat the oven to 190ºC. Tear four large sheets of foil, each about 35cm square. Peel the carrots, cut the ends off the courgettes and spiralize into noodles. …

Asparagus with Parmesan, Chilli & Lemon Oil

Published by

In my last ingredients post about chilli flakes, I made some suggestions on how to use them which got me thinking about asparagus!  So tonight I served steamed asparagus with shavings of Parmesan cheese, a sprinkling of chilli flakes, toasted pinenuts and a good drizzle of lemon infused olive oil, seasoned with black pepper and a little sea salt. Simple and delicious. Great to try whilst asparagus is still in season! This is great on its own but would also make a great accompaniment to grilled meats and fish or try topping with a poached egg for a more substantial lunch. You could also barbecue your asparagus instead of steaming, just brush with a little oil before cooking.

Mozzarella, Parma Ham & Mango Salad

Published by

I’ve been making this salad for a while now and I’m so pleased its become a family favourite. Its the easiest salad to put together and is really packed full of delicious flavours. This is one of those recipes that look like you’ve spent ages in the kitchen but with a few great ingredients you can serve something amazing really quickly! I find a good plateful of the salad is enough for me but would usually serve it with a big bowl of pesto pasta to fill up the family!  It would also make a perfect summer lunch served with crusty bread or a good gluten free alternative such as a herby quinoa salad. I’ve chosen to use Parma ham but any other Prosciutto (Italian cured air-dried ham) would be great too. I’ve used one of my favourite ingredients, dried chilli flakes, in this recipe, I find the children enjoy a small amount but you could just sprinkle half the salad with chilli and let them tuck into the the chilli free half! You can vary the quantities depending …

Skinny Witch and Parmesan Crisps

Published by

Whether you’re celebrating the fact it’s a Bank Holiday weekend, school half term, that we’re half way through GCSE exams or just that its Friday I think it’s time for a treat!  I’ve been enjoying this drink for a long time, its so refreshing but with a great kick!!  I only found out the other day that its called a Skinny Witch, probably because it doesn’t have any added sugar in it! Another one of my big weaknesses is savoury snacks, and these parmesan crisps are great with a drink and so quick and easy to make. They’re also quite rich so you don’t need to eat too many! Have a great weekend! Skinny Witch I’m not going to give quantities as everyone probably likes a their drink a different strength drink so I’ll just talk you through how I make mine. Squeeze the juice from a lime and add to a long glass with 3 or 4 ice cubes, add a good measure of vodka and top with sparkling mineral water. I then add another chunk of …

Sweet & Salty Vanilla Popcorn

Published by

Popcorn is a perfect healthy snack and seems to be making a huge revival. In fact it may be as popular as ever with so many different flavours, sweet and savoury, appearing in the shops. If you choose a brand thats selling proper popcorn these are generally good but check the ingredients list carefully as some can be packed full of fat and sugar which make it pretty unhealthy and dare I say it, microwave popcorn is not a great option! In the quest for a healthier revision snack I’ve started making popcorn for my children to eat as they study. I knew a sweet popcorn would be favourite, so I’ve used coconut nectar as a sugar alternative, it has an amazing caramel flavour is natural and unrefined. It also has a lower Glycemic Index compared to regular sugar which means it shouldn’t peak blood sugar levels and therefore keeps energy even, helping avoid the sugar highs and lows which can affect concentration. Coconut sugar may also retain some of the nutrients found in the coconut palm. Cooking in coconut oil as well as …

Quinoa, Feta & Pomegranate Salad

Published by

This has quickly become my go to salad!!  I love it.  Although I have to admit that I wasn’t too keen the first time I  cooked quinoa, but with some experimenting I discovered a great way to cook it and how to pack lots of flavour into it!  This recipe really ticks every box, it’s packed with protein, bursting with flavour and with the sparkly red pomegranate seeds, is gorgeous to look at!  A healthy substantial meal, perfect all year round. I’ve always loved roasting vegetables, it brings out the natural sweetness and intensifies their flavour.  The ingredients list may look long but this is one of those recipes where you can play around with the flavours a little and substitute the vegetables you like, whats in season or what you have available in the fridge or garden. I really hope you enjoy it as much as I do! If you’re in a real hurry there are some ready cooked pouches of quinoa available in the supermarkets, but check the ingredients as they can have a lot …

Minted Pineapple with ‘Bounty’ Yogurt!

Published by

This recipe was a very happy discovery one evening whilst having dinner with the family and it’s so easy and so delicious I had to share it with you! I had a lovely fresh pineapple I wanted to use, but decided I needed to make a little more effort than just slicing it up!  Mint makes a perfect partner, so the thinly sliced pineapple was jazzed up with a sprinkling of chopped fresh mint!  Delicious!  Coconut and pineapple are also great match, so with a spoonful of coconut yogurt on the side, there it was, an instant fresh and delicious dessert!  The chocolate shavings were a later addition as I recreated it for a quick dessert when family visited at the weekend.  It was perfect after a Sunday roast! It has to be one of the quickest, freshest, most delicious desserts ever and it really is so easy to make. Perfect after a heavier meal or a summer barbecue and it would make a great mid morning snack.  If you’re trying to be good and not succumb to chocolate then it is still a deliciously …

Pea and Watercress Soup

Published by

 As the Spring temperature took a sudden dip I found myself wanting a warming bowl of soup. Not a thick, stand your spoon up in it, winter vegetable soup but a lighter, fresher one.  This Pea & Watercress soup is like Spring in a bowl! Not only is the colour amazing but the flavours are intense too.  It may seem like an awful lot of peas, but as well as giving the soup a great flavour they also act as a thickener.  The watercress then adds a lovely light peppery flavour on top. This really is so quick and easy to make and the soup only contains three ingredients! A bowl of this will make a huge boost to your daily vegetable intake, the peas adding a great source of protein and the watercress is packed full of amazing vitamins and minerals.  A perfect lunch, starter or pour into a flask for a healthy packed lunch.  If you have time then do make the seed topping as it gives a great crunchy contrast.  Sprinkle them on …