Tag: Vegetarian protein

Recipes

Vanilla brekkie smoothie

Dr Nancy P

This is my brekkie almost every day – it’s easy to grab and go, and I make a batch of 4 or 5 so I don’t have to worry in the mornings. You can switch the protein powder for nut butter if you like, I use the powder because it helps to keep me full and gives a balanced brekkie for me. Don’t worry about the spinach – you can’t taste it at all, but it does give a load of extra vitamins and minerals and studies have shown it also helps to increase exercise performance so it’s worth including!

This makes a full large blender load (I use a vitamix which holds almost 2 litres) and I split that between 4 or 5 shakers, each is about 250 – 75 cals. I use frozen spinach for ease but you can use fresh too.

You will need:

2 bananas

1 litre of your milk of choice (I usually use light soya, but go for whatever you fancy)

2 very large scoops of protein powder (I use a vanilla one usually and the scoop is equivalent to about 2 heaped tbsp)

8 cubes of frozen spinach (or 2 large handfuls of fresh)

Large handful of ice

Pop it all in the blender, whiz until smooth and creamy. Pour into shakers and store in the fridge. I usually add a couple of cubes of ice in the morning just to keep it cool.

Enjoy! 🙂

Xx

Recipes

Quorn ‘chicken’ catchyuppy!

Dr Nancy P

This is an adaptation of an old favourite of mine. It’s actually a cacciatore but I always used to call it catchyuppy as a child so the band has stuck! I used to use left over roast chicken for this (and you obviously can too) but this version is vegetarian and lower in calories, but still just as yummy and filling! It’s also quick and easy to make.

I like to use the quorn chicken fajita strips in this but you can use any of the chicken pieces if you prefer. You can use any veg you like and if you’re short on time you can use the frozen packs of roasted veg (they usually contain courgette, pepper, onion, aubergine). 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 4 at about 270 cals per portion.

You will need:

Approx 300g quorn chicken (2 packs of fajita strips)

400g passata

300g mixed vegetables (either a pack or 1 onion, 1 pepper, 1 courgette, 1 small aubergine)

1/2 tsp Paprika

1 tsp mixed herbs

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 vegetable stock cube

1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional)

1/2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar

1/2 tsp of sugar

Salt and pepper

If using fresh veg then prepare it and chop it up. Heat a little oil in a pan, add the onions and pepper first, allow to soften then add the courgette and aubergine (if using a pack then just throw it all in at once). Add the quorn chicken and allow to brown a little.

Cook for a couple of mins and then add the passata. Stir well and bring to a slow simmer. Add the stock cube, all the spices, balsamic vinegar and Worcestershire sauce and stir well. Add the sugar (this brings out a richer tomato flavour).

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

Serve with green veg and grains.

enjoy 🙂

Xx

Recipes

Squashed eggs!

Dr Nancy P

We had a bumper crop of squashes in the garden this year so I’ve been thinking about different ways to cook it and thought I’d try this! There’s a little bit of prep time involved but other than that this is really simple to make and tasty too! This made enough for two people, at about 324 cals for a portion.

You will need:

2 medium squashes (ours produced about 550g of flesh)

1 bunch spring onions

1 red pepper

1 chilli

4 eggs

Feta (or your cheese of choice to crumble over the top – approx 60g)

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp mixed herbs

Salt and pepper

Prepare the squashes – chop and peel and remove the skin and seeds. Grate the flesh using a processor or hand grater and pop in a large bowl. Sprinkle with a little salt and mix well, then transfer to a colander and allow to drain for about 30-40 mins. You want to remove as much liquid as possible so transfer the flesh to a tea towel and ring out any excess water (you can be quite rough with it). Place to one side.

Preheat the oven to 190 C.

Chop the spring onions, peppers and chilli and heat up a little oil in a frying pan. Pop the onion and peppers in and allow to soften, add the chilli and cook for a further minute.

Add in the squash, paprika, herbs and seasoning and mix well. Cool until the squash is tender (5 – 7 mins).

Add a little oil to an oven proof pan or tray (whatever you have) and transfer the mixture, ensuring it’s spread evenly. Make 4 indentations in the mixture and crack an egg in to each one. Crumble feta over the top.

Pop in the oven to bake for 10-15 mins, until the whites of the eggs are set and the yolks are at the desired firmness.

Serve with a salad! Enjoy!

🙂

Xx

Recipes

Spicy Peanut Quorn ‘Chicken’

Dr Nancy P

This is one of our current favourite dinners. It’s quick and easy to make and tastes amazing! You could of course use chicken instead of quorn but even if you’re not veggie I’d definitely recommend the quorn (saves calories too!). This makes 4 servings at 312 cals per serving.

You will need:

350g Quorn “chicken” (1 pack)
1 onion
1/2 pepper
100g peanut butter
400g chopped tomatoes (and some water to rinse out the can)
1/4 tsp chili powder
2 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne
2 tbsp soya sauce

Dice the onion and peppers. Add a little olive oil in a non-stick wok or frying pan and pop the onions and peppers in to soften. Add the quorn and allow to brown.

Add all your spices and stir well (if you’re not sure how spicy you want it then just add a little chilli here and save the rest to add later). Add the peanut butter and stir.

Then add the chopped tomatoes and use some water to rinse the can out and add that too. Finally add the soya sauce. Mix really well and allow to simmer.

Taste it and add more chilli if required. Allow to simmer for approx 5 – 10 mins. Serve with your grains of choice, or cauliflower rice.

Enjoy 🙂

Xx

Recipes

Easy healthy stir fried rice

Dr Nancy P

This is a great, quick, healthy lunch or dinner. I often whip it up after class if I’m in a rush and it’s surprisingly filling.

I use Quorn sausages but you could use normal sausages if you want (though it will take the calories up quite a lot so worth trying quorn if you can). I also often use a pouch of cooked rice for speed but if you have the time use normal rice. This makes 4 small portions (but plenty for a meal) at approx 275 cals per portion.

You will need :

4 Quorn sausages (or other veggie sausage)

250g (cooked weight) of Brown or Wild rice

1 Onion

1 Pepper

Good handful or two of frozen petit pois

Good handful or two of frozen or fresh sweetcorn

1/2 tsp paprika

Little oil to cook

Chop the onion and pepper. Using a large wok or frying pan heat a little oil and then add the onions and brown gently, add in the peppers. Slice the sausages and then add in and brown off too. Once browned add the rice and paprika and mix well. Cook for a minute and then throw the petit pois and sweetcorn in. Stir well and keep cooking for a couple of minutes until everything is cooked through. Serve!