Tag: meal

Delicious gluten-free twists on classic family favorites

Delicious gluten-free twists on classic family favoritescredit

For many families, traditional recipes are the cornerstone of mealtime gatherings, passing down cherished flavours from one generation to the next. However, for those who follow a gluten-free diet, whether due to celiac disease, gluten sensitivity or personal preference, enjoying these classic dishes can sometimes be a challenge.

But fear not! With a little creativity and some smart ingredient swaps, you can recreate those beloved family favourites without compromising on taste or texture. Gluten is found in many everyday cereal grains; including wheat, barley and rye. Therefore, most bread and breakfast cereal products are off the menu. But did you know, gluten can also be found hiding in products such as soya sauce, ketchup, lager and even some ice creams?

In this blog post, we’ll explore some mouthwatering gluten-free twists on classic dishes that will keep everyone at the table, regardless of dietary restrictions, delighted and satisfied.

  1. Pizza night

Who doesn’t love pizza night? To make a gluten-free version, start with a cauliflower or almond flour crust. These alternatives not only provide a delicious base but also add a nutritional boost. Top with your favourite sauce, a sprinkle of dairy-free or regular cheese and an array of veggies or meats. Bake until the crust is crispy and the cheese is bubbly, and you have a family-friendly meal that’s sure to become a new favourite tradition.

  1. Comforting mac and cheese

Mac and cheese is the epitome of comfort food. To make a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta made from rice, quinoa or legumes. For the sauce, whisk together gluten-free flour or cornflour with milk and cheese until you reach that familiar creamy consistency. Bake it topped with breadcrumbs made from crushed gluten-free crackers or pretzels for a crunchy finish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

  1. Finger-licking fried chicken

The key to a successful gluten-free fried chicken lies in the breading. Traditional recipes call for wheat flour, but there are many pre-made gluten-free flour blends available that work wonderfully for fried chicken and that can achieve a similar, if not better, crunch and taste. These often include a mix of rice flour, potato starch, tapioca starch and xanthan gum, which provide a light and crispy texture.

  1. Perfect pancakes

Your weekend breakfast just got better with fluffy gluten-free pancakes. Use a blend of gluten-free flours such as oat, buckwheat or a pre-made gluten-free flour mix. Add baking powder, a sprinkle of sugar and your wet ingredients to create a batter that yields light and airy pancakes. Top with fresh berries, sliced bananas, maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream for a breakfast treat that will start your day off just right.

  1. Hearty shepherd’s pie

A hearty shepherd’s pie is the ultimate comfort dish – especially in autumn and winter. Replace traditional flour with a gluten-free thickener like cornstarch or arrowroot powder in your meat filling. Top with creamy mashed potatoes (made with gluten-free broth or milk) and bake until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling. This dish is a fantastic way to enjoy a filling, savoury meal without any gluten.

  1. Crumbly chocolate chip cookies

No round-up of family favourites would be complete without cookies. Swap out the plain white flour for a gluten-free all-purpose blend in your cookie dough. Combine all the usual suspects like sugar, butter, eggs and vanilla, and fold in plenty of dark, milk or white chocolate chips. Bake until they’re just right – crispy on the edges and soft and chewy in the middle. These cookies will disappear as quickly as their traditional counterparts.

Gluten-free conclusion

Transitioning to a gluten-free diet doesn’t mean you have to say goodbye to the flavours and recipes that have brought your family joy over the years. With these delicious gluten-free twists on classic family favourites, you can continue to celebrate mealtime traditions while catering to everyone’s dietary needs. Experiment with different gluten-free ingredients and find the perfect substitutes that work for you and your family. Happy cooking, and may your gluten-free feasts be as memorable as they are delicious!

Maximising your freezer space: The ultimate guide to freezer meal prep

Maximising your freezer space: The ultimate guide to freezer meal prepcredit

In today’s fast-paced world, finding time to cook healthy meals can be daunting. With busy schedules and endless to-do lists, many of us find ourselves reaching for a takeaway or pre-packaged meals more often than we’d like. Enter freezer meal prep: a game-changer that not only saves time but also maximises your health and your budget. If you’re looking to take the plunge into freezer meal prepping, this ultimate guide will help you make the most out of your freezer space.

Why freezer meal prep?

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of maximising freezer space, let’s explore the benefits of freezer meal prep:

  1. Time-saving: Spend a few hours cooking once a week or month, and you’ll have ready-to-eat meals for days or even weeks.
  2. Cost-effective: Buying in bulk and cooking large portions often leads to savings – especially when it comes to fresh ingredients that are on sale.
  3. Healthier choices: You control the ingredients, making it easier to stick to your dietary preferences or restrictions.
  4. Less waste: Freezing allows you to preserve leftovers and reduce food waste.

Step 1: Assess your freezer space

The first step to maximising your freezer space is to take a good look at what you have.

  • Declutter: Remove expired items, uneaten leftovers and anything that’s been sitting in your freezer for too long.
  • Categorise: Organise items by category (meats, veggies, prepped meals etc.) to make it easier to find what you need later.

Step 2: Choose your meals wisely

Not all meals freeze well, so it’s essential to choose recipes that maintain their flavours and textures. Here are some freezer-friendly meal ideas:

  • Soups and stews: These often taste better after being frozen, as flavours meld together.
  • Casseroles: Dishes like lasagna or baked ziti can easily be prepped and frozen.
  • Marinated proteins: Chicken, beef or tofu can be marinated and frozen before cooking for a flavour boost.
  • Prepared fruit and veg: Chop and freeze fresh produce for smoothies or stir-fries.
  • Breakfast items: Muffins, pancakes and breakfast burritos can be prepped ahead of time.

Step 3: Invest in quality storage solutions

Your freezer’s efficiency largely depends on the storage systems you use. Here are some options:

  • Freezer bags: These are perfect for flattening bags of soups or stews to save space.
  • Air-tight containers: Great for individual servings or larger portions.
  • Labelling supplies: Use masking tape and a marker to label everything with the contents and date. This prevents mystery meals and lets you know when it’s time to eat it!

Step 4: The freezing process

Follow these best practices to ensure your meals freeze well:

  1. Cool before freezing: Allow foods to cool completely before sealing them to prevent ice crystals.
  2. Remove air: For bags, press out as much air as possible. For containers, leave space at the top for expansion.
  3. Portion control: Specifically prep single servings or family-sized portions, depending on your needs.

Step 5: Organise your freezer

Once you’ve prepared your meals, it’s time to organise your freezer for easy access:

  • Stackable bins: Use clear bins to categorise food types.
  • Vertical space: Use freezer-safe stackable containers to make the most of height in your freezer.
  • First in, first out (FIFO): Place newer items behind older ones to ensure nothing gets forgotten at the back.

Step 6: Meal plan and rotate

Make the most out of your freezer meal prep by creating a meal plan:

  • Weekly menu: Every week, plan to use a few frozen meals to keep your menu varied.
  • Encourage rotation: As you prepare more meals, cycle older meals to the front to ensure they are consumed before new ones.

Wrap-up: Embrace your freezer

Freezer meal prep can transform your cooking routine into a more efficient, cost-effective and enjoyable experience. With a little planning and organisation, you can maximise your freezer space and enjoy delicious, homemade meals at your convenience.

So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients and embrace the art of freezer meal prep – your future self will thank you!

7 easy 15-minute healthy lunch recipes

7 easy 15-minute healthy lunch recipes

Making a meal fun and enjoyable can be difficult when you have many other things to do. Often, many will grab a quick bite to make life easier. It’s important to appreciate your food and be knowledgeable about what foods you enjoy eating and what foods go together. It’s equally as important to eat well and balanced meals. Quick and easy recipes are the best option for busy times, so here are some healthy lunch recipes to use.

Two salmon fillets

1 – Fresh Thai salmon salad

A fresh fish salad is a great easy lunch that is packed full of nutrition such as protein and fibre. To add a zing to this, you could add some spice with fresh chillies or jalapeños. You can easily learn how to grow jalapeños or chillies online, they will only take a few months before you can enjoy them.

Ingredients:

  • 2 skinless salmon fillets
  • 1 large orange, the juice, and zest of the half, the rest peeled and chopped
  • 125g French beans, trimmed and halved
  • 50g mange tout, shredded
  • 75g frozen peas
  • 75g vermicelli rice noodles
  • 2 tsp red curry paste
  • 1 tsp fish sauce
  • 3 spring onions, finely chopped
  • half a pack basil or coriander, chopped

Directions:

  1. Put a pan of water on to boil.
  2. Line a steamer with baking parchment, add the salmon fillets, and scatter with a little of the orange zest. When the water is boiling, add the beans to the pan, put the salmon in the steamer on top, and cook for 5 mins.
  3. Take the salmon off, and if it is cooked, set aside but add the peas and the mange tout to the pan and cook for 1 min more, or if not quite cooked leave on top for the extra min.
  4. Drain the veg, but return the boiling water to the pan, add the noodles and leave to soak for 5 mins. Put the curry paste and fish sauce in a salad bowl with the orange juice and a little of the remaining zest and the spring onions.
  5. Drain the noodles when they are ready and add to the salad bowl, toss well, then add the chopped orange with the basil or coriander and the cooked vegetables.
  6. Tip in the juice from the fish, then toss well and serve in bowls with the salmon on top.

Orzo pastacredit

2 – Mediterranean orzo tuna salad

An easy and nutrition-packed dish that can be ready in less than 10 minutes. Tuna is a great fatty fish to add to your diet as its full of Omega-3, which is great for heart, eye and mental health.

Ingredients:

  • ½ red onion
  • 150g green beans
  • 100g orzo
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1 drained tin of tuna
  • 1 fresh pepper
  • 1 tbsp black olives

Directions:

  1. Boil the green beans for 3 or 4 minutes, then drain.
  2. Using the same boiled water, cook the orzo until soft.
  3. Chop the onion, pepper, and olives, and drain the tuna.
  4. Toss all ingredients in a bowl with olive oil and serve.

Blueberry smoothies in two wine glasses

3 – Nutty blueberry smoothie

If you prefer a light meal or had a big breakfast, you may enjoy a healthy smoothie. Use a balanced mix of fruits, vegetables and nuts for a smoothie full of essential nutrients and vitamins. A smoothie is a great option if you are trying to kick a sweet craving, maintain a healthy gut or add as many nutrients to your diet as possible.

If taking pre or post-workout, feel free to add some BCAAs (branched chain amino acids) for extra recovery support.

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup of raw cashew nuts
  • ½ cup blueberries
  • 300ml unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

  1. Add all ingredients to a blender and mix until smoothie.
  2. Serve over ice.

Fusilli pasta pieces

4 – Avocado fusilli pasta

A filling and delicious meal that can be for lunch or dinner: this is a great family recipe or one to cook for on the go. Avocados are a great source of vitamin E, which many of us may lack in our diets. Vitamin E is good for healthy skin, eyes, and the immune system.

Ingredients:

  • 350g fusilli
  • 200g baby spinach
  • 2 small avocados
  • 2 peeled garlic cloves
  • 1 bunch coriander
  1. Cook the fusilli for the set time.
  2. Chop the spinach, crush the garlic, mash the avocados, then mix all ingredients.
  3. Drain the pasta when cooked, and stir in the avocado mix.
  4. Top with coriander and enjoy.

Frittata on a plate

5 – Bombay potato frittata

If you enjoy Indian flavours, this potato frittata recipe will be good for you. You can make this in bulk and it will keep for a few days to enjoy throughout the week. Top with chilli or mango chutney for extra flavour.

Ingredients:

  • 4 new potatoes, sliced into 5mm rounds
  • 100g baby spinach, chopped
  • 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
  • 1 onion, halved and sliced
  • 1 large garlic clove, finely grated
  • ½ tsp ground coriander
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp black mustard seeds
  • ¼ tsp turmeric
  • 3 tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 2 large eggs

Directions:

  1. Cook the potatoes in a pan of boiling water for 6 mins, or until tender. Drain and leave to steam dry. Meanwhile, put the spinach in a heatproof bowl with 1 tbsp water. Cover and microwave for 3 mins on high, or until wilted.
  2. Heat the rapeseed oil in a medium non-stick frying pan.
  3. Add the onion and cook over medium heat for 10 mins until golden and sticky. Stir in the garlic, ground coriander, ground cumin, mustard seeds, and turmeric, and cook for 1 min more.
  4. Add the tomatoes and wilted spinach and cook for another 3 mins, then add the potatoes.
  5. Heat the grill to medium. Lightly beat the eggs and pour over the potato mixture. Grill for 4-5 mins, or until golden and just set, with a very slight wobble in the middle.

Two tuna steaks

6 – Tuna lettuce wraps

If you enjoy sandwiches but want a healthier option, a lettuce wrap is great. You can add any filling you like. Here, is a delicious and filling tuna recipe that is packed with flavour and punch.

Ingredients:

  • 2 drops rapeseed oil, for brushing
  • 2 x 140g fresh tuna fillets
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • ½ tsp English mustard powder
  • 1 tsp cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp capers
  • 8 romaine lettuce leaves
  • 16 cherry tomatoes, preferably on the vine, halved

Directions:

  1. Brush the tuna with a little oil. Heat a non-stick pan, add the tuna and cook for 1 min each side, or a min or so longer for a thicker fillet. Transfer to a plate to rest.
  2. Halve and stone the avocado and scoop the flesh into a small bowl. Add the mustard powder and vinegar, then mash well so that the mixture is smooth like mayonnaise. Stir in the capers.
  3. Spoon into two small dishes and put on serving plates with the lettuce leaves, and tomatoes.
  4. Slice the tuna (it should be slightly pink inside) and arrange it on the plates. Spoon some ‘mayo’ on the lettuce leaves and top with tuna and cherry tomatoes and a few extra capers. To eat, roll up into little wraps.

Boiling spaghetti

7 – Super green spaghetti

For a more filling alternative to a pasta dish, a super green spaghetti will change your pasta preference. This is super yummy and packed full of good nutrition.

Ingredients:

  • 150g dried spaghetti
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 200g cavolo nero
  • 30g Parmesan
  • 30g ricotta

Directions:

  1. Cook the pasta in a pan of boiling salted water according to the packet instructions.
  2. Meanwhile, peel the garlic. Tear the stems out of the cavolo nero leaves and discard, adding the leaves and the garlic to the pasta pan for 5 minutes.
  3. Pour 1½ tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil into a blender, then finely grate in the Parmesan.
  4. Use tongs to carefully transfer the leaves and garlic straight into the blender and blitz for a few minutes until super-smooth. Taste and season to perfection with sea salt and black pepper.
  5. Drain the pasta, reserving a mugful of the cooking liquid.
  6. Return it to the pan and toss with the vibrant green sauce, loosening with a splash of the reserved cooking water, if needed, then divide between your plates.
  7. Sprinkle over the ricotta, drizzle with a tiny bit of extra virgin olive oil, and tuck right in.

Use these quick, easy, and healthy recipes to fuel your day. Busy or not, these take less than 15 minutes. They can be made in bulk for you and your family to enjoy another day.

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How to step up dinner time

How to step up dinner time

We frequently have no other option than to make a quick dinner. After all, we’re all busy, and on some days, the emphasis is on preparing something as speedily as possible. And when that happens, we typically just fall back on those staple dinners, the ones that we’ve made a million times before. While there’s nothing wrong with this approach, there’s also something to be said for making dinner time a priority every now and again. There’s a lot of value in doing so!

In this post, we’ll run through some useful tips that’ll take your dinner to another level.

Alarm clock illustration

Take your time

As we said previously, often, time is of the essence. We just don’t have the opportunity to slow down the cooking process. But that’s not always the case. If we can cut some time elsewhere (say, the time you spend browsing on your phone), then you can free up some space in the schedule for cooking. You’ll find that the whole process becomes a lot more enjoyable once you’re not racing against the clock. You can play some music, have a glass of wine and really sink into the process of cooking. An hour spent in the kitchen can be highly enjoyable if you let yourself go with it.

Recipe card illustration

New recipes

We all have those favourite dishes that we like to make. However, the issue is that we often just produce them on autopilot. And while that’s handy sometimes, it doesn’t make for a great cooking experience – or even a particularly memorable dinner. So moving forward, why not look at branching out and trying some new recipes? There’s no shortage of delicious recipes that you can find online. In doing so, you’ll be improving your culinary skills and end up with a dish that you really enjoy.

Ingredients illustration

Better ingredients

Of course, if you’re going to challenge yourself to make a new meal, then it’s important to ensure that you’re giving yourself the best chance of it being delicious. Many people fail to realise that it’s not just the meal you select to make that’s important, but also the ingredients you use to make it. There’s a big difference between a meal made with low-quality ingredients and one made with the best ingredients available. If you’re making a lamb dish, then get your meat from Superior Farms. If you’re making a salad, then use in-season vegetables from a local source. You’ll taste the difference.

Dinner table illustration

Set the scene

If you’re going to go through all the effort of making a new dish, then you should do more than simply eat in on the couch as you watch TV. Instead, look at creating an awesome dining experience right in your home. Set the table using your finest crockery and cutlery, light a couple of candles and dim the lights. You’ll find that it feels like you’re in a restaurant, especially if you’ve made a restaurant-worthy meal and have dessert! You’ll also find that this helps to make the dinner an ‘event’, which is great for spending quality time with family.

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