Category: Recipes

Recipes

You say Frittata, I say….

Dr Nancy P

You can’t beat a good frittata! So easy to make and so good for you! You can throw in whatever vegetables you have in the fridge and if you make a large one you can keep it in the fridge for up to a week and take for lunches etc.

frittata 2

You will need:
50g Leek
60g Broccoli
50g Frozen peas
110g Cherry tomatoes
6 eggs
55g Feta
1 tsp mixed Herbs

Grease a roasting dish (approx 25cm x 25cm) with a little olive oil and preheat the oven to 200 C.
Slice the leeks and cut the broccoli into small florets. Heat a tbsp olive oil in a frying pan, add the herbs and then the leeks, broccoli and peas. Cook until softened (a few minutes). Chop the tomatoes in to halves and add to the pan and cook for a further 2 – 3 minutes.

frittata 1

Put the cooked vegetables in to the roasting dish in one layer. Beat the 6 eggs together and pour over the top. Chop the feta into small cubes and sprinkle over the egg mixture. Place in the oven for 20 minutes.

frittata 3

Remove and allow to cool a little, then slice and serve. Can be eaten hot or cold.

frittata 4

Enjoy 🙂

xxx

 

(This recipe was originally published on pureformfitnesskitchen.com)

Recipes

Overnight Oats / Bircher Muesli with Cocoa, Apple and Berries

Dr Nancy P

This is a great option to make for brekkie’s on the go, or even lunches. It keeps in the fridge for days so you can make a batch for the week. The greek yoghurt adds protein which helps to keep you fuller for longer. This comes in at around 274 cals for a portion.

(This makes one portion)

You will need:

40g oats

100g 0% Greek yoghurt (I used Total)

50 ml Vanilla alpro yoghurt (you can switch this for any ‘runny’ yoghurt you like or a little milk)

Half an apple

Raspberries and blueberries (small handful)

2-3 tsp cocoa powder (adjust to taste)

Start by popping the yoghurts in a bowl (or whatever you want – jar/tupperware etc) with the cocoa powder and mix well. Add the oats and mix well. Grate the apple into the oat mixture and mix. If at this point it is very thick add a tiny bit of water (or milk if you prefer). Pop the berries on top.

Place in the fridge until you’re ready to eat. If you used normal porridge oats you can actually eat it almost immediately. If you used the larger rolled oats it will need at least a few oats (or overnight).

Enjoy! 🙂

Xx

Recipes

Courgette, leek and spinach soup

Dr Nancy P

The clocks have gone back and it’s chilly out there today, so it’s definitely soup season!

This is a quick, easy, light soup for these cooler days. It is ridiculously low calorie – at around 100 cals a bowl (less if you leave the goats cheese out)! I made a massive batch as we had an over-grown courgette (basically a marrow) that I wanted to use up so it made over ten servings but the amounts below will make at least 5-6 portions.

You will need:

500g Courgettes

250g Leeks

400g Spinach

75g Soft Goat’s cheese (optional)

500ml strong vegetable stock

Mixed herbs, salt and pepper to taste

Slice the leeks thinly and pop in a large pan over a low heat and allow to soften.

Chop the courgettes thinly too and then add them to the pan and allow to cook through for around 5 mins with the lid on.

Add the stock and herbs and cook for a further 5-10 mins. If your vegetable stock isn’t very strong it’s worth adding an extra stock cube too.

Add the spinach and stir thoroughly, and then cook through for 3-5 mins.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool for 5 mins and then blend thoroughly.

Add salt and pepper to taste and then, if you’re using it, add the goat’s cheese and blend again to combine.

Serve immediately or you can keep it in the fridge or freezer for handy lunches or dinners in the week!

Enjoy 🙂

Xx

Recipes

Jackfruit ‘Tuna’ Pasta Sauce

Dr Nancy P

Jackfruit is a bit trendy at the moment. It’s actually something I first tried during my fieldwork in Indonesia years ago and until recently it was really hard to get over here so I’m thrilled it’s now a bit more readily available. It’s touted as a great meat alternative – and it certainly is, but it’s worth mentioning that it’s not a great protein alternative, but rather provides a great option in terms of texture and taste (when you use the right sauces etc with it). In terms of protein it’s fairly low but that doesn’t stop it being a great option.

I personally love the texture and flavour of it and if you’re trying to watch your calories it’s a great way to reduce calories without sacrificing flavour or mouth feel! This serves 3-4 and comes in at only 89 calories per portion!

In this recipe I’m using it in place of tuna – obviously you could do the same thing with tuna itself if you wanted! I also used what veg I had in my fridge – if you had them then some olives would be a great addition (I was out!).

Jackfruit is available in most supermarkets and comes conveniently prepared in cans of water.

You will need:

1 can of jackfruit

1 large onion

1 pepper

Handful mushrooms

Handful of cherry tomatoes

1 can of chopped tomatoes

1/4 tsp Mixed herbs

Chilli powder to taste

1/4 tsp cayenne powder (to taste)

Pinch of celery salt

Pinch of garlic salt (if you have it – or use a garlic clove or omit)

Dash of Worcestershire sauce

Dash of balsamic vinegar

Small pinch of sugar to bring out the tomato flavour

Salt and pepper to taste

Chop the onion, pepper, mushrooms and tomatoes. Add the onion to a pan with a little oil and sauté until soft. Add the pepper and mushroom and continue to sauté.

Drain the jackfruit and add to the pan (you can slice it up a bit and use your fingers to separate some of the fibres if you have large pieces). As it starts to soften and brown just break up larger pieces.

Add the cherry tomatoes and cook through.

Add the chopped tomatoes and herbs and spices and then allow to simmer for 10 mins.

Serve on your pasta of choice!

Enjoy 🙂 xx

Recipes

No-meat meat ball ragout!

Dr Nancy P

This is another quick and easy lunch or dinner recipe – it can be served with pasta, rice, cauliflower rice or just on its own! There are lots of veggie meat balls out there – I’ve used the Birdseye ones for this but I’ve also used the Quorn ones in the past. Even if you’re not vegetarian they’re a great way to cut calories without feeling like you are!

I cook up a batch for the week and then it’s nice and easy to quickly heat it up for dinner (or lunch!).

Use fresh or frozen veg (or any leftover veg you have will work well) – I happened to have peppers and mushrooms so they went in, but courgettes, aubergines etc would also work well.

Also it’s worth noting that Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies so if you’re vegetarian then double check – Biona and other companies make one without the use of animal products and it’s widely available.

This serves at least 6 at about 227 cals per portion.

You will need:

2 packs of no-meat meat balls

2 cans chopped tomatoes (400g each)

2 small onions (or 1 large)

2 peppers

Handful of mushrooms (or any veg you like)

1 tbsp concentrated tomato purée

1/4 tsp smoked Paprika

1 tsp mixed herbs

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 vegetable stock cubes

1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)

1 tbsp marmite (optional)

A dash of Balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper

Chop the veg. Heat a little oil in a pan, add onions first and allow to soften, then the peppers, mix and allow to soften.

Add the no-meat meat balls to the pan allow to brown. Then add the mushrooms and any other veg you’re using. Be gentle with the mixture as otherwise the meatballs will break up.

Cook for a couple of mins until the veg start to soften and then add the chopped tomatoes and tomato purée . Stir well and bring to a slow simmer. Add the stock cubes, all the spices, balsamic vinegar, marmite and Worcestershire sauce and stir well.

Bring to a simmer and allow to cook through for about 10-15 mins.

Serve on its own, with green veg and grains, pasta etc.

Enjoy 🙂

Xx