broccoli bake

greens are hard to get into children at the best of time, let alone adults. you know why? you boil the heck out of it!
This italian style broccoli pasta bake is creamy, savoury, garlicky and full of goodness.
4-6 people

1 broccoli head chopped finely (or briefly whizzed in food processor), grate up that stem it is packed full of goodness!!
300g dry pasta
2 large cloves garlic
salt and pepper
quark (no certain amount)
4 tbsp FRESHLY grated parmesan cheese (1 syn per tbsp)
fry light olive oil (if you have sunflower oil that is ok)
1 red onion finely diced
100ml unsweetened almond milk (1/2 syn)

cook your pasta for 6-7 minutes ( i know it doesnt seem long but it will be going in the oven)
meanwhile fry off your onion on low heat with fry light until softened, turn up the heat, add the garlic and broccoli, coating it in the onion and garlic, add a splash of water and cook for 5 minutes.
remove from the heat and stir the broccoli through the pasta with the parmesan, milk and 2-3 tbsp quark with a generous pinch of salt and pepper.
put in an oven proof dish and bake for 10 minutes at 20
0oC alternatively you could let it cool wrap it up and freeze for up to 6 months. just take out and bake for 40 minutes at 180oC.

Ramen (noodle soup)

comforting, soothing, delicious, warm noodle soup, healing to the heart, mind and soul and brilliant for leftovers.
use whatever topping you have but you can never beat adding a soft/medium boiled egg, the yolk enrichens the soup!

serves 1.
1 packet low fat super noodles (i use ko lee low fat chicken, beautiful in flavour before adding anything!)
1 grated garlic clove
1/2 tsp grated ginger
1/2 tsp sesame oil (1 syn)
1/2 tsp yellow bean sauce (optional but is so soothing, just add it to the broth)
good pinch of black pepper
I happened to use leftover turkey on my ramen today but you can use a couple of slices of ham or leave the meat out completely!
1 small shredded or grated carrot
2 leaves white cabbage finely shredded
1 shredded spring onion
handful of beansprouts (if you have them)

So the basics of ramen is the sauce and the noodles then you can add whatever toppings you like!
cook the noodles according to packet instructions. meanwhile, in the bowl you are going to serve in mix the soy, sesame oil, ginger, garlic and black pepper, mix thoroughly.
remove the noodles to the soy mixture coating them in it.
add the toppings then pour over the soup!

Easy or what?!

My ultimate comfort food: carbonara

I cannot even fathom where to begin in explaining this low syn, delicious dish! Comforting, creamy, savoury and only 2 syns a portion? what.. the.. heck?
This is my twist on carbonara, it is closely related to the traditional version, this is (i think) a rather big portion so you could probably split it between 2 if serving with a side salad (or veggies) and some form of meat!

Now, i know i am likely to get lots of questions about the 'raw egg'. The raw egg you add, is cooked by the heat of both the pasta and heat of the pan, if you are that worried add a little water or stock, top with cheese and bang it in the oven for a good 15 minutes at 200oC for a delicious mac and cheese!

You will need:
150g pasta of your choice (if you are baking do not use spaghetti etc)
2 slices of fat removed bacon (chopped into smallish dice)
5 medium mushroom (white mushrooms or the brown chestnut mushrooms will do (if you can get a bag of mixed mushrooms around mid autumn why not turn this from a carbonara to a creamy mushroom carbonara?)
100g small cut broccoli florets.
1 egg
2 tbsp grated parmesan (1 syn per tbsp)
salt, pepper

Start by getting your pasta on the go with the broccoli, (while you are doing this get a large frying pan hot with fry light) but cook it for 2 minutes less than it says on the packaging.
While your pasta is cooking, fry your bacon until it is crispy with fry light.
Add the mushrooms and cook until softened.
By now your  pasta should be cooked. use a slotted spoon or tongs to move the pasta from the water directly to the pan with the bacon in, stir and add a good pinch of salt and pepper. (keeping the pan on the heat.
crack an egg into a cup, add the parmesan and whisk well. turn the pasta off the heat, pour in your egg and stir constantly until the sauce thickens (if it is too thick add a little more of the pasta water)
You are done and ready to serve.

This is great if you have picky kids who refuse to eat broccoli because it breaks up completely and coats the pasta. If your kids do not like mushrooms, just omit them and add a couple of handfuls of peas :)

I hope you enjoy this quick recipe. I will post again soon my lovelies! :)

Update!

Hey guys, i know i haven't posted recipes in a few days, but i am hoping thats what i will be doing over the next few evenings!
So my weight loss has been up and down due to personal and... female problems!
but im pleased that i actually lost weight this week and its not even been a full week.
So far total loss is -1lb but hey ho its what is like at this time of year.
The next two weeks i will be religiously filling in my food diary to make sure i eat plenty of speed food!
I might go wild and do an SP day or two!!
Look out for more recipes!

:)

canape and lunch fillings

These fillings you can serve with lettuce leaves, with crudites or crisps or in my pastry cases that i just uploaded.

Prawn filling: mexican inspired- 1/2 cup freshly cooked king prawns roughly chopped, juice of half a lime, 1tbsp freshly chopped coriander, 1 tsp sweet chilli sauce, 1/4 tsp garlic paste, 1 finely chopped spring onion. combine together :)

prawn #2: prawn cocktail filling- 1/2 cup freshly cooked prawns roughly chopped, 1 tbsp tomato sauce (1 syns), 1tbsp 0%fat yoghurt, salt, pepper, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1tsp lemon juice, 1/4 tsp garlic paste, 2tbsp small diced cucumber, the finely diced green part of a spring onion. combine altogether!

curried chicken: half a cup f leftover cooked chicken, 1 tsp mild curry powder, 1 tbsp mango chutney (2  syns), salt, pepper, freshly finely chopped coriander (1 tbsp), 3 tbsp 0% fat greek yoghurt, handful finely chopped chives.
Combine the herbs, spices, mango chutney and yoghurt, stir thoroughly then add in the chicken, done!

canape cases

Hey guys, so getting closer to christmas i have been experimenting with ideas for parties, i came up with my filo canape cases, you can fill them with anything from spicy indian chicken to mexican prawn salsa, and they are easy!!

25g filo pastry is 3.5 syns. (the filo i buy, one whole sheet is 25g)

I cut my filo into 4 rectangles, then those in half so you get 8.
I double these up and count them as 1 each although i know they are a little less.
i just layer them with a little egg, push them into a mini cupcake tray and spray with fry light and bake at 200oC for 5 minutes, keep an eye on them as they brown easily.
When browned, take them from the oven and leave them to cool before filling with whatever you are using!
Alternatively you could use reduced fat pastry at 4 syns per 25 g.

Over the next few days, i am going to gather up some classic party syns for you guys, just so you are aware when you go to parties how many syns are in things :)

i hope you can make use of this rcipe i will upload a few fillings today or tomorrow!

Easy family pasta/spaghetti Bolognese

So anyone that knows me, knows that i am OBSESSED with pasta, which is good because on slimming world the majority of pasta is syn free :D
Here is my family favourite of spaghetti bolognese, very filling, very easy. if you haven't got a food processor you could just grate the majority of these vegetables. If you want to make this meat free just replace the beef mince with quorn.
If you dont have much time, just fry off your mince grate your veg and bung it all in your slow cooker!

serves 6 people generously (good to take to work though)
500g pasta/spaghetti of your choice.
500g extra lean beef mince (or leftover beef or lamb from a roast)
2 large carrots
2 red onions
2 cloves of garlic
1 small aubergine
1 medium courgette
(you can always add mushrooms too!)
2 tins of tomatoes
1 large broccoli head. (cook this with your pasta, optional)
1 tsp garlic italian by schwartz
1/2 tsp salt and pepper
1 tsp oregano
fry light
2 tbsp tomato puree
Get your trusty food processor out, set it up to grate.  peel and chop your onion in small dice.
It a large pan start browning your mince until it gets crispy.
while your mince is cooking grate all your veggies  (other than the onion)
Once your mince is brown add all your veggies in and cook until they start to soften, add your tomatoes, tomato puree, salt, pepper, herbs and half a tin of water.
cook for 20 minutes.
after the 20 minutes is up cook your pasta according to instructions (but cook for 2 minutes less and save some of the pasta water)
Drain, add back to the pot you were cooking it in and stir through your mince.
if you are cooking this in the slow cooker just add the pasta to the slow cooker and stir through,.
Done!
i hope you enjoy this dish. :)

Tray bake posh fish and chips

OOOH yes.. the fish and chips. well i say chips, mine are usually random cuts of potato that go crispy and delicious. I so need to have this for dinner again soon!

Serves 4 people
4 pieces of fish (your choice what you use!
25g of semolina ( 4 syns)
1 tbsp reduced fat pesto (1.5 syns)
salt and pepper
zest of one large lemon
As many potatoes as you wish, cut into whatever shape you want.
4 onions, cut into wedges (optional)
(i usually serve mine with mushy peas and salad but its your choice entirely)

Put the potatoes on a lined oven tray with the onions spray with fry light and a little salt, put in the oven at 180oC for 30 minutes.
After the 30 minutes. pat your fish dry, in a cup mix your pesto with salt, pepper and the lemon zest. brush each fish with the pesto and press it into the semolina (or sprinkle it over preference again)
Place on top of the potatoes and cook uncovered for 10 minutes, check the fish, depending on the thickness you may need more time, or sometimes less time.
I know you dont exactly get a lovely crisp batter but you still get a little crisp and a punch of flavour from the topping!
(alternatively you could leave out thepesto and without patting the fish dry you could pat on the semolina salt and pepper)

i hope you enjoy!

Pasta primavera

I was in tesco yesterday and i saw some asparagus and it reminded me of my favourite ever pasta dish.. Pasta primavera! Full of fresh veggies and basil (or in our case low fat green pesto, i find the tesco own brand is the best!) This dish is great with fish or chicken or just on its own with a side salad! AND Low in syn coming in at 4 syns for the whole lot and it will serve 4-6 people (and its a hit with the kiddies or to freeze!!)

you will need
500g pasta of your choice
half a head of broccoli cut into small florets
1 pack of asparagus (trimmed and cut into bitesize pieces)
200g trimmed and chopped green beans
200g frozen peas
1 leek finely sliced
2 tbsp reduced fat green pesto (3 syns)
2 tbsp quark
1tbsp grated parmesan cheese (1 syn, this stuff is my pride and joy in the kitchen)
salt and pepper to taste
First, cook your pasta, look at the packet instructions and cook for 2 minutes less than it says on the pack. (this is crucial)
While the pasta is cooking add in the broccoli to the pasta.
While the pasta is cooking mix together the quark, pesto, parmesan, a pinch of salt and pepper and some of the cooking water. This is crucial for making the pasta creamy. Save some cooking water trust me!
2 minutes before the end of cooking time add the asparagus and peas to the boiling pasta.
Drain the pasta (again remember to save some cooking water!!!!)
while the pasta is draining, in the pan you boiled your pasta in, lightly fry the leeks. When they become soft and translucent add the sauce, stir, cooking for 30 seconds, add some more pasta water then the pasta, stir, thoroughly coating the pasta and the job is done!

YUM YUM YUM :') i love this dish i hope you do too!

Chicken casserole

The best chicken casserole/stew is done by using roasted bone in meat, unfortunately if you roast skinless chicken it becomes dry. So we have an alternative! Packed full of speed veggies this meal would be suitable for SP day, you could always have with singing swede mash, if you aren't having an SP day you could always chuck in a couple of tins of potatoes or something! you can also use any P beans you want i just prefer haricot :)

4-6 people
4 rashers extra lean smoked bacon (visible fat removed and cut into small pieces)
6-8 skinless (bone in if you can get it) chicken thighs
4 large carrots (into slices/chunks)
4 large celery sticks (sliced)
2 large leeks (washed, trimmed and sliced)
2 large red onions (peeled and medium diced)
1 large courgette (medium dice)
1 small swede (peeled and diced)
2 tins of haricot beans
salt and pepper to taste (at the end)
chicken bovil 2 tsp in 500ml of hot water
if you have it, 1tsp each of fresh rosemary and thyme, or 1 tsp mixed dried herbs.

Fry off the bacon until it is crispy. (add it to your slow cooker)
Sear the chicken thighs in the same pan (and then into your slow cooker with the swede and carrot)
Fry off the celery, onion, courgette and leeks in batches giving them a little colour.
Add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, cover and cook for at least 4 hours on high or 6-8 on low.
If you do not have the time to add the extra flavour by frying off first, you can always just add everything to the slow cooker.
Enjoy :)

Indian salad/curry topping

yum yum yum
So, that indian salad with tomatoes, onions and aromatic coriander? its very very easy to make at home.
Its delicious to top off salads, or ontop of curries for another dimension, i went through a phase when i first started slimmingworld where the only salad i would eat was this indian salad wrapped in lettuce leaves!!

Another good thing you can adjust it to how you like it!! If you don't like lots of coriander reduce it or remove it completely! you only have limes and not lemons? use them!

1 large red onion, as finely diced as you can get it!
2 large tomatoes finely diced (with all its juiced)
1/4 cucumber finely diced
As much coriander as you want (for this amount i usually go for a handful finely chopped)
juice of half a lemon

Chuck it all in a bowl, toss it together and you are done!!

If you want to remove some of the onion taste soak the onion in a bowl of water with a splash of lemon juice in for 30 minutes, drain them add to your salad!

I hope you guys love this recipe as much as i do. :) (delicious with poppadom, the size you get in the shops are 2.5 each the indian takeaway are 4 each, and for 25 g of mini poppadoms are 6 syns as of 2/12/2015)

Garlic greens

This recipe is versatile as really it goes with most greens, just use whatever you have to hand.

I use frozen green beans because why not! (just defrost half a bag)
1 large onion (chopped into bitesized pieces)
1 small red and green pepper (into bit size pieces)
3 large garlic cloves finely chopped or 3 tsp of garlic paste
2 tbsp soy sauce
1tsp sesame oil (2 syns)

get a pan nice and hot
add the onion and green pepper, toss regularly till slightly charred and onion is just turning translucent.
add your garlic, green beans and sesame oil.
Toss the pan or stur the garlic and beans witht he rest of the ingredients until the garlic becomes fragrant.
Add the soy sauce and toss. cook for a further 2 minutes.

Done :D delicious garlicky green beans, like i said use what you have to hand whether it be brocolli, spring greens or cabbage!

I would love some feedback so leave a comment below!

Pad see ew (stir fried noodles thai)

So without a doubt one of my favourite thai dishes (because its so easy and tasty) is pad see ew (which is literally translated as fried noodle soy sauce!)
(makes delicious leftovers to bang into the microwave at work!)

If you cannot find these thick rice noodles (you can buy them online at asian grocery stores) just substitute for  tagliatele noodles but cook AL DENTE if the packet says cook for 7-9 minutes, cook for 6 minutes.. how long you cook your noodles for is CRUCIAL for this dish to be delicious!
(no specific serving size, serves one large or 2 small really and is easy to double)
200g thick rice noodles OR 200g of tagliatelle pasta. (cooked to packet instructions just remember to leave off about 3-4 minutes)
3 boneless skinless chicken thigh cut into thin strips (or you can use quorn substitute! maybe 2-3 handfuls?)
1 large white onion sliced into semi circles about 1-2 cm thick
Now here is where i cheat, traditionally the thai use a vegetable called kai-lan, luckily it is very similar to spring greens! use 4-5 leaves of spring greens (take the hard part out of the middle and slice the middle thinly and the leaves into chunks). alternatively you can add fresh green beans and bok choi if you can get it.
2tbsp soy sauce
1tsp oyster sauce (mix all 3 together)
2tbsp water
2 minced or crushed garlic cloves
about 1/2 tsp of fresh cracked black pepper.
Get a pan nice and hot using coconut fry light (adds a beautiful fragrance, if not any frylight of choice)
add the chicken and let it sit for 30 seconds then flip it over and add the hard parts of the greens, let it cook for 30 seconds.
Add the onion and garlic, give the pan a toss and let it sit on the heat for a minute (the key to this dish is a little charring)
Toss and add the leaves of the greens, put the noodles ontop and let it sit for another 30 seconds.
Make sure you mix the ingredients through the noodles really well then add the sauce and coat the noodles.
Let it sit in the pan for 2 minutes until you hear crackling, stir it again or flip it over and let the other side char for 2-3 minutes.
remove from the heat, serve and sprinkle with black pepper and some of my delicious garlic greens which will be my next recipe!!

i hope you give the recipe a try, if making for a whole family only put the black pepper on the adults dishes so it is then still suitable for children. (my sister likes hers with sweet chilli sauce as the sweetness helps to counteract the saltiness of the soy)

:)

Vietnamese beef stew (my version)

Not long ago i became unhealthily obsessed with asian, vietnamese and thai food!
I came across this aromatic soothing beef stew, full of the herbs and spices needed to cure a cold!
Perfect for a cold evening!
It really is a slow cooked dish so if you dont have a slow cooker use a dutch oven!

4-6 people
1kg stewing steak.
4tbsp soy sauce
1tbsp fish sauce (yes i know it smells but trust me!)
3 lrge garlic cloves grated
1tsp grated ginger
1 tin of tomatoes
2 tbsp romato puree
200ml beef stock
1 bay leaf
6 carrots peeled and in bitesize pieces
3 spring onions in chunks.
2 star anise and 1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp 5 spice
generous amount of black pepper
2 large white onions (in bitesized chunks)
2 large green pepper (in bitesized chunks)
1tsp sesame oil (2syns)

Marinate the beef with the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, fish sauce and 5 spice over night. or 2 days in advance!
put all of the ingredients (just not the green pepper or onion and sesame oil) in the slow cooker.
Let it cook until you are ready to eat (i serve with rice)
Before you cook the rice, get a frying pan EXTREMELY hot and chuck in the onions and peppers let it sit for 20 seconds, flip it, let it sit again for another 20 seconds. Repeat and add to the stew with the sesame oil and stir through.
Serve whilst hot, sprinkle with spring onions (optional but adds another dimension)

Jambalaya

This recipe is brilliant for leftovers or if you just want to make a delicious dish!
serves 4-6
6 boneless skinless chicken thighs (in bite sized cube or use leftover roast chicken!)
4 heck chorizo style sausages (currently 2.5 syns each so 2.5 if serving 4 but 1.5 if serving 6, skin removed)
3 sticks of celery and 2 carrots (finely diced or grated)
1 large white onion (diced finely)
1 large green pepper (slightly larger dice)
1 large red pepper (same as green pepper)
4 large tomatoes (cut in half and grate into the stock, its the easy way to remove the skin!)
3 cloves garlic
1tbsp paprika (not smoked)
450ml chicken stock
250g long grain rice (basmati works well)
1 bay leaf
1tsp dried thyme and oregano
sprinkle of chilli flakes (optional)
(6 large prawns to serve ontop are optional)

okay it sounds like a lot of ingredients but its a very very easy recipe.
Fry the sausage braking it up while it cooks. when it is cooked add in the chicken. cook until the chicken is 3/4 of the way done. add all the vegetables and garlic. stir until the onion becomes translucent. add in the rest of the ingredients. stir thoroughly, sprinkle in some salt and pepper, cover, cook on low for 15 minutes, remove the lid give it a stir. cover and let cook for a further 10 minutes on low.
Done :D

enjoy.. i know it sounds like a lot but this recipe is pretty basic 4 tomatoes, 450ml of stock, garlic, paprika 250g rice.. then you can add anything else you want! any veg that is starting to go over (fry that first though to give it a head start)
and the best thing... its a one pot meal! yaaaahhh!

Enjoy!

Syn free scotch eggs

You really do not miss the bread crumbs here. Now if you want to make mini scotch eggs i would suggest mashing up the egg and mixing with the smallest amount of extra light mayo, at which point you would get a tablespoon of mince, flatten it out, put a little of your egg mixture inside then conceal it inside the meat and roll into the ball ready to bake.
Here are the large versions!

6 medium eggs (boiled to your liking, just remember they are going to bake in the oven! another tip is to add 1/2 tsp bicarb to the water, it makes the eggs easier to peel)
500g extra lean pork mince
1tsp dried sage
generous amount of salt and black pepper
3tbsp water (yes, my water trick again)

Pre heat the oven to 170oC
peel your eggs
mix the mince with the water thoroughly so it absorbs the water and becomes smooth.
mix in the sage, salt and pepper (a good half tsp of each!)
cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
 get a bowl of water to help you wet your hands to mold the scotch eggs.
seperate the meat into 6 and one at a time take 1/6 of the meat, flatten it on your hand, place the egg in the middle and wrap the meat around it, place it onto a lined baking tray and repeat with the rest of the eggs and mixture.
bake for 7 minutes then turn over to cook for another 7 minutes.
these will last for 3 days in your fridge.

Enjoy :)

Trifle

So, my slimming world consultant loves trifle and i managed to do a whole trifle at about 6 syns..
So with christmas coming up im going to share this recipe with you :D
it seems like a lengthly process but is so worth it for something that tastes like a real trifle rather than something that tastes like yoghurt with jelly dont you think?

you will need: 1packet of jelly crystals, fruit of your choice,
for the sponge 4 large eggs, 6 tsp of self raising flour (on the site it says 0.5 syns per tsp so thats 3 syns), about 1 tbsp sweetener and lemon zest or vanilla to flavour the sponge.
for the custard: 4 large eggs, 200ml unsweetened almond milk (0.5syns per 100ml) sweetener to taste and some good vanilla extract or if you have it a tsp of vanilla bean paste or a vanilla pod, sweetener to taste.

So let's start with the sponge, if you have a stand mixer or hand mixer brilliant, if not.. you have a lot of whisking sorry! preheat the oven to 180oC
Whisk the 4 large eggs until tripled in volume, thick, voluminous, and when you draw an 8 on top stays there for a few seconds! next  with a spatula or metal spoon (never use a wooden spoon to fold as the surface of the spoon breaks up all the air bubbles you managed to get in there!) fold in the sweetener and flavouring, next sieve or sprinkle over the flour and gently fold it into the mix. Next pour it into your baking trap and pop it into the oven for 25 minutes, the cake should lightly spring bake and a skewer should come out clean! Leave to cool.
meanwhile prepare your fruit and jelly.
The cake should be cool enough to remove from the pan, tear it into decent chunks (or shop if you prefer) layer it into your dish. top with the fruit (now really we want to wait a little for our jelly mix to cool so..)
Meanwhile in a bowl over simmering water whisk your 4 eggs until they are thick and creamy (you could use a hand mixer for this as you will be mixing for 5-10 minutes)
Remove from the heat. (warm your unsweetened almond milk in the microwave for 40 seconds)
whisk in the almond milk a little at a time, add back to the heat if it goes too runny!
add your flavouring and sweetener, put cling film actually on your custard to stop a film from forming on it.
now, add your jelly to the fruit/sponge and put it into the fridge to set. 3-6 hours
Once set whisk your custard up then pour over the top (sprinkle with a little cinnamon if you like, cover with cling film and leave in the fridge till you need it! it will last at least 3 days)
when you serve the trifle use the weight watchers cream (make sure its the thick cream not creme fraiche) it is 1 syn per tablespoon, so depending how many syns you want will depend on how much cream you use!

Enjoy this recipe if you have any feedback i would be greatful!

Lemon curd mousse!

I use this tangy, sweet lemony mousse with apple or berries for breakfast or sprinkle with a crumbled digestive layered ontop of chopped strawberries and raspberries like a cheesecake.

you need 2 whole eggs

2 heaped spoons of 0% fat total greek yoghurt.

zest and juice of 1 whole lemon

sweetener to taste

In a bowl over a pan of simmering water whisk the eggs with the lemon juice and zest until thick. (will take 4-5 minutes) Remove from the heat and whisk for a couple of minutes till cooled, them whisk in the yoghurt and sweetener to taste (i usually use a tablespoon)

I usually set in a jar or if im using for desserts set in the molds covered in cling film.

Crutons

Hey guys, so sometimes we do need just that little bit of cracker.. but sometimes ryvita do not cut it :O there i said it!

So, with christmas coming up where canapés loom, i have used an idea from my favourite youtubers sorted food!

So we start off with a pack of warbutons thins bagels!
6syns for a whole bagel.
from there you want to cut her in half so you get 2  'C' shapes. then you will cut out loads of discs 1-2 cm thick.
Just divide the amount of syns by the amount of bagel slices you end up with for example you can usually get at least 3 slices for only half a syn!!

Lay them on a baking tray, spray with sunflower frylight bake for 4 minutes at 200oC but keep an eye on them, flip them over and cook for a further 2-3 minutes let them cool they should be really crisp. Even better make your own ceasar salad crutons by spraying them with garlic fry light, salt and pepper before baking!

Top this off with your favourite SW pate or topping and the job is a goodun. Keep in an airtight container or ziplock bag somewhere relatively warm and dry for a couple of weeks!

parma ham and fig bites

This salty but sweet appetiser will get your taste buds tingling, but be aware that depending on where you buy your parma ham the syns will vary, if you are worried just cut off any visible fat!

1 box of fresh figs (if you use dried it is syns so be aware!)

Parma ham (sainsburys is only 1/2 syn per slice and we will be cutting that into 4!)

1 tsp honey (1syn)

pinch of finely ground black pepper

1/4 the figs removing the tough stem

slice the parma ham in half lengthways so it is long. then cut those 2 halves in half. 

wrap the parma ham around the fig, drizzle in the honey and sprinkle witht he black pepper, only a touch though! 

thats it!

Beef kofte bites

You can use these babies in the SW kofte curry which is delicious, or in a morrocan tagine or are just as amazing as a snack, in your lunch or as a party canape!
Want to know the best part? (lean in closely...) NO SYNS (insert happy dance of deliciousness)

500g Extra lean beef mince (it is amazing with lamb mince but i have NEVER found the syn free extra lean lamb mince :( )
1 small red onion (finely diced, or even easier grate it in your food processor with the garlic)
1 large garlic clove.. or 3 small (it sounds like a lot but it isnt)
3tbsp water
1tbsp ground coriander and ground cumin
1tsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp ground oregano
(if you want to kick it up add about half a tsp of ground chilli powder)
generous pinch of salt and black pepper
dipping sauce: 1 small tub 0% fat total greek yoghurt, 1/4 grated cucumber, small handful shredded mint, pinch of salt and pepper (combine together i sometimes add a squeeze of lemon juice but that is optional)

So again my water trick, the extra lean mince needs a little extra moisture and it really absorbs the water, trust me!

So,mix the mince with the water until it has absorbed, then combine all the herbs and spices mixing thoroughly. cover and leave for the flavours to mix for at least half an hour (you could do this bit a day before!)
i wear gloves, measure out either a heaped tsp OR a level tablespoon of mix, roll into balls and but on the baking tray.
bake at 200oC for 5 minutes, turn and give them another 3-4 minutes.

Once cooked and cooled you can freeze these and they can last for 2months in the freezer (trust me i have food and safety hygiene at supervisor level) pull these babies out whenever you need them, chuck them in a curry, soup, tagine or let them defrost and blast them in the microwave in a  single layer for 4 minutes!

Duck and hoi sin party bites!

Yum yum yum, i do love this time of year, it gets my creative ideas going, so this image im about to show you is not mine but sparked an awsome idea! Who out there loves duck pancakes from the chinese takeaway?? Look no further than one bite with this delicious canape, hoisin at 1.5 syns per tablespoon goes a LONG way. so again you COULD class this dish as negligible, or you could work out how many appetisers you get from one dish.

You will need 2 duck breasts,
cucumber maybe 1/4 then if you need more you can cut it, (2cm chunks)
2-3 spring onions. (cut into about 1 cm chunks)
cocktail sticks
1 grated garlic clove
1 tablespoon of hoisin sauce

Yes.. thats it :D

So remove any visible fat from the duck, cut into cubes of the same size maybe 2-3 cm
heat a pan and chuck in the duck, sear it.
mix the hoisin and garlic and add into the duck, stir until the duck is coated and the sauce thickens.
take off the heat and leave to cool.
While the duck is cooling onto each coctail stick add a chick of cucumber THEN the spring onion, then stab a duck chunk, the duck chunk will add as a foot AND as it is still warm will slightly wilt the spring onion which will reduce any strong flavour. THAT IS IT! :)

P.s or you could be greedy and do yourself a duck breast ontop of a bed of shredded spring onions with piles of sliced cucumber them dribble over the sauce.. who needs a takeaway ? not me ;)

asian tuna 'sushi' bites

Delicious, good for lunch, a snack, or for canapes here are my tuna cucumber bites :)

All you will need is 1 cucumber, peeled and chopped into an inch pieces.
1 tin of tuna
salt
pepper
1 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp sesame oil (1 syn if you use asda or tesco own)
1/2 tsp white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp grated garlic and ginger.
1 finely chopped spring onion

scoop a little bit of the seeds out of the  middle of the cucumber, dont scoop all of it out or you will have nothing to hold the tuna,
Mix the tuna with every thig but the spring onion and cucumber.
spoon the tuna into the cucumber cups and top with a little bit of spring onion.

(you could always serve with a small dipping bowl of soy sauce, if you want some evtra crunch and flavour finely chop a red pepper and stir through the tuna aswell, ALTERNATIVELY you could just slice the cucumber thinly and top with the tuna but i find it goes a little wet and mushy because of the seeds)

You could use different toppings like below, for example mix a little quark with salt, pepper, a little grated horseradish and stir through some finely chopped smoked salmon with a little lemon zest.

Asian 'Dim sum' appetisers

Low in syn, these tasty little balls of yummyness disappear pretty quickly, the best part? once they are cooked they can be frozen then bought out for stir fries, soups or even again for canapes!

You will need: 500g extra lean pork mince,
 6 raw prawns (can be frozen and defrosted, if you want you can go to the fish counter and just use 3 of those huge tiger prawns!)
3 spring onions,
1 large stick of celery,
2 large grated garlic cloves (or tsp of garlic paste or one of those frozen blocks),
 1 tsp grated ginger,
3 tbsp water,
2tbsp soy sauce, pinch salt, generous pinch of black pepper,
2 tsp sesame oil (i use asda or tesco own brad which is 2syns per tsp, really this dish has negligible syns as you could not eat this many in one go)
(sometimes i add some finely diced water chestnuts for some extra texture but lets stick to the basic mix today!)

So you can make this in a food processor, if you are going to do it that way, add the spring onions, gelery, ginger, garlic, soy, sesame and water with the prawns to the processor and pulse until the prawns are finely chopped. add this into the pork mince and mix really really well until it almost goes a little pappy. (cover and set in the fridge.)

if you are doing this WITHOUT the processor (my preffered method) grate the celery into the pork mince and stir in with the water and soy sauce. sprinkle over the soy, salt, pepper, ginger, garlic and sesame oil stir throuroughly. finally chop the prawns intp small pieces i usually butterfly then chop finely from there. Add into the pork and stir through. (you may think adding water to mince is very odd BUT it helps with the texture and the meat really absorbs it all, it also helps to absorb the flavours)

After resting your 'meat dough' i usually use my smallest ice cream scoop (similar to a large melon baller or about a tsp of mix) roll into a ball and place on a baking tray (my preferred way or you can boil or fry them)

I bake mine at 190oC for 6 minutes, turn them over and cook for another 4-5 minutes. i usually serve mine on a platter with some cocktail sticks  with some chilli sauce OR you can use 1tbsp of soy sauce to 1tbsp white wine vinegar (or if you have it chinese black vinegar yum yum)

Slimming world

Hey guys, so after a pretty traumatic few months after breaking my leg, surgery, still recovering mind you! I am finally back on the slimming world plan, in a new group, AND im on the social team for pay and weigh.

So my first week back i lost a lovely 3 lb, 3lb is 3lb but i was hoping for a little more as it was my first week, but hey ho!

This blog is going to be for recipes galore.
Family recipes
Fakeaway recipes
comfort food
desserts
breakfast
drinks..
need i go on!

I hope you enjoy my blog i would love some feedback so feel free to comment :)

See you soon my lovelies! x