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!