Monday 30 March 2015

10 amazing recipes with cream cheese

Stuffed French toast

A contemporary take on a 17th-century fave – poor knights of Windsor – this is strawberry eggy bread with rosewater, sugar and butter. Rosewater complements strawberries perfectly – just be careful not to use too much or your breakfast will taste like a scented candle.


Serves 4
200g strawberries, plus extra for garnishing
1 tsp rosewater
300g cream cheese
6 tbsp strawberry jam
8 thick slices of white bread
2 eggs
250ml milk
50g butter
50g icing sugar, plus extra for dusting

1 Hull and slice the strawberries, then place them in a bowl. Add the rosewater and mix thoroughly. Set aside for 2-3 minutes.
2 Use a spoon to soften the cream cheese in a bowl. Add the rosewater and strawberries. Mix until you have a pastel pink colour.
3 Spread the jam on the slices of bread. Then divide the cream cheese mixture across 4 of the slices, leaving a 10mm border. Put another slice on top of each and gently press around the edges.
4 Whisk the eggs and milk together in a shallow bowl and place each strawberry sandwich in the mix for about 20 seconds on each side.
5 Melt the butter in a frying pan on a medium-high heat. Fry each sandwich for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Serve with a dusting of icing sugar and some extra sliced strawberries.


Wild garlic leaves stuffed with cream cheese

This recipe preserves the taste of spring, with the cream cheese taking on the ever-more complex flavours of the oil.


Makes around 500ml
240g cream cheese
4 tsp sumac
4 tsp ground cumin
4 tsp paprika
Salt and black pepper
35g medium-large wild garlic leaves, rinsed and dried (about 50 leaves)
½ red chilli, sliced down the middle
1 garlic clove, crushed
4 peppercorns
200ml olive oil

1 Whip the cream cheese and spices together in a bowl with a fork, incorporating the spices fully. Add salt and pepper to taste.
2 Place a wild garlic leaf glossy-side down on your chopping board. Put about ½ tsp of the cream cheese mixture on the thickest part at the bottom of the leaf. Roll the leaf up. Dab a little cheese on the pointy end of the leaf to help the roll stick together. Put in a sterilised jar.
3 Repeat until the jar is full. Add the halved chilli to the jar where it can be seen. Add the garlic clove and peppercorns. Cover the contents of the jar in olive oil. Don’t leave anything exposed.
4 Store in the refrigerator for a week before using and bring the rolls up to room temperature before serving.


Pea, basil, and mint souffle

The double cream and cream cheese make this sformata, or Italian-style souffle, denser and richer than its French counterpart. It’s incredibly quick to assemble, making it the ideal lunch or late supper. Try substituting the peas for spinach, cauliflower or broccoli – any veg goes. Serve hot or cold.

Serves 4-6
1 tbsp butter
110g parmesan, grated, plus extra to finish
500g peas (frozen or freshly podded)
4 large eggs, separated
360g cream cheese
75ml double cream
A large handful of mint leaves, finely chopped
A large handful of basil leaves, finely chopped

1 Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6 and grease a 2-litre baking dish with the butter. Evenly scatter two tbsp of the parmesan into the dish and shake around to coat.
2 Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and blanch the peas for a couple of minutes until just done, then drain and return to the pan. Using a potato masher, crush the peas until you have a fairly coarse bright green mush. Season with a little pepper.
3 Whisk the egg yolks, cream cheese and cream together until smooth, then stir in the remaining parmesan, peas and herbs. Season to taste.
4 In a separate clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until you have stiff peaks, then fold this into the pea mixture until it is just incorporated. Pour the mixture into the baking dish and sprinkle with a little extra parmesan cheese. Transfer it to the middle of the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the top is golden but the middle still has a slight wobble. Remove from the oven and leave to cool slightly for a moment. Serve with a green salad.


Black olive and lemon paté

A fabulous quartet of flavours – the richness of the cream cheese is cut through with the acidity of lemon and the earthy tang of olives.

Serves 4
100g olives, pitted
250g cream cheese
Juice of 1 lemon
Black pepper

1 Add the pitted olives to a blender and blend until almost smooth.
2 Transfer the olive mix to a fine sieve and sit it over a bowl to drain any excess liquid – around 5 minutes should do it. However, if your olives were in liquid it might take a little longer.
3 Next, add the cream cheese to a mixing bowl with the olives, lemon juice and black pepper. Carefully fold together until incorporated.
4 Place a round pastry cutter in the centre of a serving plate, add the paté and tamp down. Remove the ring and serve with some dressed leaves and hot toast.

Baked cream cheese custard with rhubarb and coconut crumble

An excellent combination of tastes and textures. The baked cream cheese here can go from perfect (rich, creme brulee texture) to overcooked very quickly, so watch it carefully.

Serves 4
4 egg yolks
150g caster sugar
500g cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla extract
Juice and zest of 1 orange
Chopped pistachios, for sprinkling

For the crumble
4 rhubarb stems, washed, trimmed and sliced diagonally into 2.5cm pieces
100g demerara sugar
100g cold butter, cubed
50g caster sugar
50g demerara sugar
25g desiccated coconut
40g rolled oats
130g plain flour

1 Preheat your oven to 150C/300F/gas mark 2.
2 Beat the egg and sugar together until pale and light. Add the cream cheese, vanilla extract and orange juice and zest, then beat well until everything is incorporated.
3 Place four ramekins into a deep baking tray and divide the cream cheese custard between each. Add water to the baking tray so that it comes up to just below the edge of the ramekin. Place the tray in the oven for around 15-17 minutes, keeping a very close eye on them. You want the mix to be just set with a jelly-like wobble. If they overcook you will be left with a slightly grainy dessert.
4 Once cooked, cool to room temperature, remove from the tray and place in the fridge.
5 Put the rhubarb in a heavy-based pan with the sugar and a little water. Cook on a low heat until done but not overcooked (10-15 minutes – you want the rhubarb to retain a little bite and shape. Taste and add a little more sugar if the rhubarb is still tart. When done, set aside.
6 Combine the remaining crumble ingredients in a bowl and – using clean hands – rub the mix in between your palms until a rough crumb forms. Alternatively, use a food processor, pulsing the mix until you have rough crumbs. Put the mix on a baking tray and bake for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Put to one side to cool.
7 To assemble, spoon cooked rhubarb on top of each baked cream cheese and sprinkle liberally with the coconut crumble. Top with chopped pistachios for colour and texture.


Cream cheese, mushroom and bacon stuffed onions

Onions are wonderful vessels for a variety of stuffings. These are stuffed with cream cheese, mushrooms and bacon and baked in cream and parmesan: irresistibly rich and deeply comforting.

Makes 8
8 medium onions
A drizzle of olive oil
A knob of butter
75g bacon or pancetta, chopped
250g chestnut mushrooms, finely sliced
1 tsp thyme, finely chopped, plus extra sprigs to serve
1 tsp dried oregano
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
125g cream cheese, beaten
60g parmesan, finely grated, plus extra for scattering
50g breadcrumbs
600ml single cream
A grating of nutmeg, to taste
Salt and black pepper
Be careful when preparing the onions. If they split, the filling will leak out during baking.

1 Peel the onions, keeping the root intact. Boil them in salted water for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain well. Once they are cool enough to handle, cut the top 2cm off the onions horizontally. Using a spoon, scoop out the central part of the onions, making sure the outside remains intact. Chop the parts you have removed, then set aside.
2 Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6. Heat a little olive oil and a knob of butter in a frying pan. Fry the chopped bacon with the mushrooms, chopped onion, thyme and oregano. Once the bacon is cooked, add the garlic and saute until fragrant.
3 Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool, then add the cream cheese, parmesan and breadcrumbs. Season to taste. Spoon the mixture into the onions.
4 Place the onions snugly in a baking dish. Pour over the cream, scatter with thyme sprigs and grated nutmeg. Bake for about 35 minutes, or until golden and bubbling. Scatter with parmesan cheese for the last 10 minutes.


Barley risotto with spinach, cream cheese

A blend of cream cheese and blue cheese gives sinuosity and body to this comforting bowlful.

Serves 2
1 small red onion, peeled and sliced
A small knob of butter
250g barley
125ml white wine
300ml vegetable stock
2 large handfuls of fresh spinach
2 tbsp cream cheese
50g blue cheese
Juice and zest of ½ lemon
½ spring onion, very finely sliced (optional)
Salt and black pepper

1 Sweat the onion with the butter until soft and golden. Add the barley , then stir to coat for a minute.
2 Pour in the white wine and half the stock. With the lid off, turn the heat to high, bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer. Stir occasionally and gradually add the remaining stock as it is absorbed. Cook for 30-40 minutes or until the barley is al dente and the liquid has reduced.
3 Add the spinach to the pan and fold in with a wooden spoon or fork as soon as it starts to wilt. Quickly introduce the two cheeses and stir to melt entirely. Season to taste.
4 Serve immediately with a little lemon juice, zest and the spring onion, if using.


Cream cheese pastry with raspberry filling

The addition of cream cheese to the pastry here makes it much easier to work with and is forgiving of hot hands – a great recipe to perfect if pastry fills you with fear.

Makes 8
200g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
75g cold butter, diced
75g full-fat cream cheese
1 egg yolk
3 tbsp caster sugar

For the filling
105g cream cheese
Zest of ½ an orange
50g caster sugar
1 tbsp plain flour
100g raspberries

1 To make the pastry, combine the flour, sugar and butter in the bowl of a food processor and whizz until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the cream cheese and egg yolk. Whizz until the pastry comes together in a ball. Alternatively, mix by hand in a bowl. Wrap the pastry in clingfilm, squash into a disc and chill for 30 minutes.
2 To make the filling, beat the cream cheese, orange zest, sugar and flour until smooth. Add half the raspberries and stir to break the fruit up. Set aside.
3 Line a couple of baking trays with baking paper. Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface into a 5mm thick rectangle measuring 40x20cm. Cut the rectangle in half, then divide into 4 equal 10cm squares. Spoon a dollop of the cream cheese mixture into the centre of each square, then use a sharp knife to cut from the edge of the filling out to the four corners of the pastry squares. Dot a raspberry on top of the cream-cheese filling, then fold each corner into the centre, pinching the corners of the 4 folded in triangles in the centre to secure. Transfer to the baking trays and chill for 15 minutes.
4 Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/gas mark 6. Remove the pastries from the fridge, and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and biscuity. Cool on the tray for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.


Spring onion cheesecake

A savoury take on the classic dessert – this “cake” has a wholesome base, and fresh, mild flavour.

Serves 8
75g oat crackers
75g rolled oats
½ tsp fine sea salt
¼ tsp white peppercorns, finely crushed
50g butter, melted
3 medium eggs, separated
100g fromage frais
1 tbsp plain flour
150g cream cheese
3 spring onions, finely chopped
150g Västerbotten cheese, finely grated (optional)
Salt and black pepper

1 Preheat the oven to 160C/325F/gas mark 3 and chill a 23cm round pie dish or cake tin. Blitz the crackers, oats, salt and peppercorns in a food processor (or seal them in a plastic bag and bash with a rolling pin) until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Pour them into a bowl, add the melted butter, combine and tip into the base of the pie dish, pressing down firmly. Set aside to chill in the freezer for 15-20 minutes.
2 Beat the egg yolks with a pinch of salt in a large bowl (an electric whisk works well here), then add the fromage frais and a pinch of the flour. Beat again and add the cream cheese along with the remainder of the flour, the spring onions and the Västerbotten (reserving some to sprinkle on top of the cheesecake just before baking). Season to taste. It should be quite highly seasoned at this stage as the whisked egg whites will dilute the flavour.
3 Beat the egg whites separately with another pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. Add one large spoonful to the egg yolk mix to loosen it, then fold through the rest of the egg whites, being careful not to knock out all the air.
4 Spoon the mixture into the chilled pie dish, flatten the top with a palette knife and sprinkle with the reserved Västerbotten (if using). Bake for 30 minutes or until the surface feels firm. The cheesecake shouldn't take on too much colour, so check after 25 minutes and, if necessary, turn the heat down to 140C/275F/gas mark 1. Leave to cool in the oven for an hour after turning the heat off. Serve at room temperature.


Pasta with cream cheese and walnuts

It’s very often the simplest ideas that sing the most sweetly ...


Serves 3
175-250g pasta
A generous knob of butter
125g-175g cream cheese
2-3 tbsp parmesan, grated, plus extra to serve
60g walnuts, roughly chopped

1 Cook the pasta shells according to the packet instructions. Drain and set aside.
2 In a flameproof serving dish, gently melt the butter and cream cheese. Add the cooked pasta and stir until thoroughly combined.
3 Add the parmesan and walnuts and stir through. Serve with more grated parmesan.

YUM!

Tuesday 24 March 2015

It's national vegetarian week! Why not try something new?

Studies have shown that vegetarians (following a well-balanced low-fat high-fibre vegetarian diet) often have lower incidence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity and some forms of cancer.

Vegetarians avoid meat, poultry, game, fish and slaughterhouse by-products such as gelatine and animal fats. The staples of the vegetarian diet are fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, seeds and nuts. Most vegetarians eat dairy products and free-range eggs.

Fruitarians: Avoid all animal products and processed foods.
Vegans: Avoid all animal products.
Lacto-vegetarians: Eat dairy products but not eggs.
Lacto-ovo-vegetarians: Eat both dairy products and eggs.
Semi-vegetarians: Eat fish and/or chicken but no red meat. They are not officially classed as vegetarians.
A vegetarian diet can be a very healthy option but it is important to ensure it is well balanced. You could stuff your face with chips and chocolate at every meal and be vegetarian but you wouldn’t be doing your health much good.

Staples of a Vegetarian Diet

A balanced vegetarian diet should include:

  • Grains and cereals: Wholegrain bread, brown rice, wholewheat pasta, muesli.
  • Legumes, nuts and seeds: Soya beans. kidney beans, split peas, lentils, almonds, cashews, sesame seeds
  • Fruit and vegetables: As much as you want - think variety. Try new fruits and vegetables and include them in your diet every day
  • Dairy or soya products: Look out for fat free and reduced calorie options for milk, yoghurts, cheeses. 
  • A typical vegetarian diet closely matches expert dietary recommendations for healthy eating, being low in saturated fat and high in fibre, complex carbohydrates, and fresh fruit and vegetables. As long as you eat a variety of foods you will be getting all the nutrients you need. 


Try A Little Vegetarianism
Abandon the idea that you have to eat meat every day and try a couple of meat-free days each week. You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy vegetarian dishes. Both you and your wallet will feel the benefits!

Miso-roasted aubergine steaks with sweet potato

1 large aubergine (about 375g)
2 tbsp brown miso paste (we used Clearspring)
350g sweet potatoes, unpeeled and cut into chunky wedges
1 tbsp sunflower oil
thumb-sized piece ginger, grated
1 garlic clove, grated
pinch of pink Himalayan salt
8 spring onions, sliced diagonally

small pack parsley, leaves chopped



  1. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Peel the aubergine with a potato peeler and roughly spread the miso paste all over it – the best way to do this is with the back of a spoon.
  2. Put it in a roasting tin along with the sweet potato wedges. Pour 225ml boiling water into the base of the tin, then add the oil, ginger and garlic. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the wedges and place in the oven.
  3. After 30 mins, pour another 125ml boiling water into the base of the tin and roast for another 20 mins. Repeat, adding 50ml boiling water and the spring onions, and roast for 10 mins more. Check the aubergine is cooked by inserting a knife in the centre – if it is ready it will easily slide in and out, and the aubergine will be soft on the inside.
  4. Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the potato wedges, slice the aubergine into 2cm thick ‘steaks’ and serve on top of the potatoes. If there is no sauce in the bottom of the tin, add 3 tbsp water to loosen up the miso, then pour the miso gravy over the aubergine steaks and sprinkle with cracked black pepper.


Five-a-day tagine

4 carrots, cut into chunks
4 small parsnips, or 3 large, cut into chunks
3 red onions, cut into wedges
2 red peppers, deseeded and cut into chunks
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp each ground cumin, paprika, cinnamon and mild chilli powder
400g can chopped tomatoes
2 small handfuls soft dried apricots

2 tsp honey


  1. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Scatter the veg over a couple of baking trays, drizzle with half the oil, season, then rub the oil over the veg with your hands to coat. Roast for 30 mins until tender and beginning to brown.
  2. Meanwhile, fry the spices in the remaining oil for 1 min – they should sizzle and start to smell aromatic. Tip in the tomatoes, apricots, honey and a can of water. Simmer for 5 mins until the sauce is slightly reduced and the apricots plump, then stir in the veg and some seasoning. Serve with couscous or jacket potatoes.


Aubergine Parmigiana

3 large aubergines
olive oil
1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
½ bulb spring garlic, or 1 clove of regular garlic, peeled and finely sliced
1 heaped teaspoon dried oregano
2x400 g good-quality tinned plum tomatoes, or 1kg fresh ripe tomatoes
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
a little wine vinegar
1 large handful fresh basil
3 large handfuls Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
2 handfuls dried breadcrumbs
a little fresh oregano, leaves chopped
150 g buffalo mozzarella, optional



  1. First things first: remove the stalks from the aubergines, slice them up into 1cm thick slices, and put to one side. Whether you're using a griddle pan or a barbecue, get it really hot. Meanwhile, put 2 or 3 lugs of olive oil into a large pan on a medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and dried oregano and cook for 10 minutes, until the onion is soft and the garlic has a tiny bit of colour. If you're using tinned tomatoes, break them up, and if you're using fresh tomatoes (which will obviously taste sweeter and more delicious, if they're in season), very quickly prick each one and put them into a big pan of boiling water for 40 seconds. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and put them into a bowl of cold water for 30 seconds, then remove the skins, carefully squeeze out the pips and cut up the flesh. Add the tomato flesh or tinned tomatoes to the onion, garlic and oregano. Give the mixture a good stir, then put a lid on the pan and simmer slowly for 15 minutes. 
  2. Meanwhile, grill the aubergines on both sides until lightly charred – you may have to do them in batches, as they probably won't all fit into your griddle pan in one go. As each batch is finished, remove them to a tray and carry on grilling the rest until they're all nicely done. When the tomato sauce is reduced and sweet, season it carefully with salt, pepper and a tiny swig of wine vinegar, and add the basil. You can leave the sauce chunky or you can purée it.
  3. Get yourself an earthenware type dish (25 x 12–15cm). Put in a small layer of tomato sauce, then a thin scattering of Parmesan, followed by a single layer of aubergines. Repeat these layers until you've used all the ingredients up, finishing with a little sauce and another good sprinkling of Parmesan. I like to toss the breadcrumbs in olive oil with a little freshly chopped oregano and sprinkle them on top of the Parmesan. Sometimes the dish is served with torn-up mozzarella on top, which is nice too.
  4. Place the dish in the oven and bake at 190°C/375°F/gas 5 for half an hour until golden, crisp and bubbly. It's best eaten straight away, but it can also be served cold. You can use the same method substituting courgettes or fennel for the aubergines – both are delicious. But do try making it with aubergines – you'll love it!

Vegetable Chilli

2 medium-sized sweet potatoes, approximately 500g
1 level teaspoon cayenne pepper, plus extra for sprinkling
1 heaped teaspoon ground cumin, plus extra for sprinkling
1 level teaspoon ground cinnamon, plus extra for sprinkling
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
olive oil
1 onion
1 red pepper
1 yellow pepper
2 cloves garlic
a bunch of fresh coriander
1 fresh red chilli
1 fresh green chilli
2 x 400 g tinned beans, such as kidney, chickpea, pinto and cannellini
2 x 400 g tinned chopped tomatoes



  1. Preheat the oven to 200˚C/400˚F/gas 6. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into bite-sized chunks. Sprinkle with a pinch each of cayenne, cumin, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat, then spread out on a baking tray and set aside.
  2. Peel and roughly chop the onion. Halve, deseed and roughly chop the peppers. Peel and finely chop the garlic. Pick the coriander leaves and put aside, then finely chop the stalks. Deseed and finely chop the chillies. 
  3. Place the sweet potatoes in the hot oven for 40 minutes, or until soft and golden. Meanwhile, put a large pan over a medium-high heat and add a couple lugs of olive oil. Add the onion, peppers and garlic and cook for 5 minutes. 
  4. Add the coriander stalks, chilli and spices and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, or until softened, stirring every couple of minutes. Drain the beans, then tip them into the pan with the tinned tomatoes. Stir well and bring to the boil, then reduce to a medium-low heat and leave to tick away for 25 to 30 minutes, or until thickened and reduced. Keep an eye on it, and add a splash of water if it gets a bit thick. Stir the roasted sweet potato through your chilli with most of the coriander leaves. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if you think it needs it. 
  5. Scatter the remaining leaves over the top, and serve with some soured cream, guacamole and rice or tortilla chips.


Monday 16 March 2015

Anthropometrics - monitor progress through more than just weight loss

The term anthropometric refers to comparative measurements of the body. Anthropometric measurements are used in nutritional assessments.

Anthropometric measurements used for adults usually include height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, and percentage of body fat. These measures are then compared to reference standards to assess weight status and the risk for various diseases. Anthropometric measurements require precise measuring techniques to be valid.

Body Mass Index (BMI)

To work out your BMI:
  1. divide your weight in kilograms (kg) by your height in metres (m)
  2. then divide the answer by your height again to get your BMI
For example:
  1. If you weigh 70kg and you're 1.75m tall, divide 70 by 1.75. The answer is 40.
  2. Then divide 40 by 1.75. 
The answer is 22.9. This is your BMI.

The ideal range is 20-25. You can also use this chart to calculate your BMI:



Waist to hip ratio

A waist to hip ratio of more than 0.95 for men and 0.85 for women may mean you're more likely to get heart disease and should be extra careful with your diet and lifestyle.

It's all related to the distribution of fat in the body. 'Apple' shaped people tend to store fat around their abdomen and are more likely to have health-related risks than people who are 'pear' shaped.


How to measure

Waist:
While standing relaxed, measure the smallest area around your waist. The smallest area is usually around the navel or belly button.

Hips:
Measure the largest area around your hips. The largest area is usually around your buttocks.

Now divide the waist number by the hip number.



Percentage body fat

The following link with show a tutorial on how to measure body fat percentage with skin fold calipers:
http://www.muscleandstrength.com/tools/measure-bodyfat


Alternatively, use these methods to measure the same span of biceps and thighs to monitor you progress:

 You should be standing or sitting
Use left arm if possible and  remove clothing so arm is bare
Locate the top of the shoulder (acromion) and the point of the elbow (olecranon process)
Measure the distance between the 2 points, identify the mid point and mark on the arm

See Fig.2
 Let arm hang loose and with tape measure, measure circumference of arm at the mid point. Do not pull the tape measure tight - it should just fit comfortably round the arm.


Use the same method for measuring thigh span.

Here are a couple of healthy recipes to warm the cockles of your hearts after a cold winter run:

Quinoa with stir fried winter veg - quinoa is low fat and high protein, meaning this filling recipe tops out at only 414kcal per generous serving!

200g quinoa
5 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 carrots, cut into thin sticks
300g leeks, sliced
300g broccoli, cut into small florets
100g sundried tomatoes, drained and chopped
200ml vegetable stock
2 tsp tomato purée

juice 1 lemon

Quinoa with stir-fried winter veg




  1. Cook the quinoa according to pack instructions. Meanwhile, heat 3 tbsp of the oil in a wok or large pan, then add the garlic and quickly fry for 1 min. Throw in the carrots, leeks and broccoli, then stir-fry for 2 mins until everything is glistening.
  2. Add the sundried tomatoes, mix together the stock and tomato purée, then add to the pan. Cover, then cook for 3 mins. Drain the quinoa, then toss in the remaining oil and the lemon juice. Divide between warm plates and spoon the vegetables on top.


Ham and Veg Crumble

100g butter
2 leeks, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
3 parsnips, chopped
½ celeriac, chopped
200g plain flour
500ml hot chicken or vegetable stock
400g cooked ham, cut into chunky slices from a joint, then shredded
200g tub low-fat crème fraîche

2 tbsp wholegrain mustard


Ham & veg crumble


  1. Melt 2 tbsp butter in a large frying pan, chop the remaining butter into small chunks and put in the fridge. Add the leeks, carrots, parsnips and celeriac to the pan with a splash of water, season, cover with a lid and cook for 10-15 mins, stirring now and then, until the veg is beginning to soften.
  2. Stir in 2 tbsp plain flour, then add the stock bit by bit, stirring as you go, until all incorporated and smooth. Cover with a lid and simmer for 20 mins until the vegetables are tender.
  3. Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 6. Add the ham, all but 2 tbsp of the crème fraîche, and the mustard, season with plenty of black pepper and transfer to an ovenproof baking dish. Put the remaining butter and flour in a bowl and season. Rub together with your fingers to a fine crumbly texture. Add the remaining crème fraîche and mix with a cutlery knife until the crumble clumps together in places. Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the filling, then bake for 35-40 mins until crispy and golden on top.




Blood oranges - definitely better than your average!

So first a little history: Because the orange tree can simultaneously produce flowers, fruit, and foliage, these succulent fruits have long been associated with fertility. Although some are grown in California, most blood oranges come from Mediterranean countries (Southern Italy in particular) and are often considered to be among the finest dessert oranges in the world.


What they look like: They sport a thin, red-blushed orange skin, with flesh that ranges in colour from pink to brilliant red to burgundy; taste-wise, they're tart-sweet and slightly berry-like.

Selection tips: Pick those that are firm to the touch and heavy for their size. Although bits of green and rough, brownish areas on the skin have no effect on flavour or quality, do avoid any fruits with mould or spongy spots.

Health benefits: Oranges are rich in antioxidants―vital for healthy cells―including vitamin C, which aids in healing, boosts your immune system, helps your body absorb iron, and even helps reduce the risk of cancer. This citrus fruit is also a good source of fibre, which helps lower cholesterol and, like vitamin C, reduce your cancer risk. (To maximize your fibre intake, be sure to eat some of the spongy white pith right under the skin.)


Nutritional info: One tasty, medium-sized blood orange will provide you with 70 calories, 3.0 grams of fibre, 1.0 gram of protein, and no fat, sodium, or cholesterol.

And so to the recipes, blood oranges are so versatile, you can use them in sweet or savoury dishes, and with the colour they bring, they brighten up any dish and impress on any occasion:

Blood Orange Tart

200g/7oz sugar, plus extra for dusting
3 blood oranges, juice and zest
1 tsp orange blossom water
2 free-range eggs, plus 6 yolks
200g/7oz butter, cubed
25cm/10in sweetened shortcrust pastry tart shell, blind baked (you can use ready-made)
3 blood oranges, peeled, sliced into rounds
1 tbsp demerara sugar

double cream or custard, to serve


  1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
  2. Whisk the sugar, orange juice and zest, orange blossom water, eggs and egg yolks together in a bowl until well combined.
  3. Add the butter and set over a pan over simmering water. (Do not let the base of the bowl touch the water.)
  4. Cook for 15-20 minutes, stirring regularly, until the butter has melted and the mixture has thickened.
  5. Pour the mixture into the cooked pastry case , cover with clingfilm (to prevent a skin forming) and set aside to cool.
  6. Arrange the orange slices on the cooled tart and sprinkle over the demerara sugar.
  7. Using a cooks' blowtorch, heat the sugar until caramelised.
  8. To serve, slice the tart and serve with double cream or custard.
Blood orange, mozarella and rocket salad


3 blood (or normal) oranges
2 x 125g balls mozzarella, the best you can afford (or burrara, if you can get it), torn
2 big handfuls rocket
½ red onion, thinly sliced
crusty bread, to serve (optional)
For the dressing
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tsp caster sugar
2 tsp wholegrain mustard
1 tsp mustard seed (black or brown)
1 tsp poppy seed

  1. Finely zest 1 of the oranges and mix with the dressing ingredients and some seasoning.
  2. Cut the peel from the top and bottom of each orange, then sit each flat on a board. Using a small knife, cut away the peel and pith from each orange, working in downward strokes all the way around. Thinly slice the oranges and scatter over a platter with the mozzarella, rocket and onion.
  3. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and eat with crusty bread, if you like.
Blood Orange, blossom and pomegranate cake

6 blood oranges, 3 whole, juice of 3
250g pack butter, softened
50g clear honey, plus 2 tbsp
300g golden caster sugar
200g self-raising flour
100g ground almonds
1 tsp baking powder
4 large eggs
1 tbsp orange blossom water, plus 1 tsp
140g full-fat Greek yogurt, plus extra to serve
1 small pomegranate, halved

  1. Cover 1 of the whole oranges with water in a saucepan and bring to the boil for a couple of mins. Get rid of the water and start again, this time simmering for 40 mins until the orange is really soft. When cool enough to handle, cut in half and remove all the pips. Can be done 1 day ahead.
  2. Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and grease a 22cm round cake tin with a knob of the butter. Drizzle the 2 tbsp of honey over the base of the tin, then slice the remaining 2 whole oranges and arrange the slices over the honey.
  3. Put the boiled orange in a food processor and whizz to a purée. Beat the softened butter, 200g of the sugar, the 50g honey, the flour, almonds, baking powder, eggs, 1 tbsp orange blossom water and yogurt until smooth. Stir in the puréed orange and scrape into the tin, being careful not to dislodge the fruit. Bake for 55 mins until a skewer poked into the centre comes out clean. Cool the cake for 10 mins in the tin, then turn out onto a serving plate.
  4. Tip the blood orange juice, the remaining sugar and 1 tsp orange blossom water into a saucepan. Bubble for 5 mins until the syrup has thickened slightly. Remove the pomegranate seeds and stir them into the syrup while it cools. Enjoy the cake slightly warm or at room temperature, with spoonfuls of thick Greek yogurt and drizzled with syrup.


Wednesday 11 March 2015

Low-calorie lunches for work

For any of you professional ladies and gents out there who are sick of boring salads or dry sandwhiches for lunch but don't want to sacrifice calories and fat for taste, here are a few of my lunch recipes I have decided to share with you.
The beauty of these recipes are that they are:
  • low in fat
  • full of vitamins and minerals
  • rich in flavour
  • so incredibly easy for you to prepare the night before of the morning of!
Salmon pasta salad

Salmon, (buy pre-cooked for ease) torn up
250g pasta shapes
140g frozen peas
pack parsley, chopped
small pack chives, snipped
zest and juice 1 lemon
2 tbsp olive oil


Cook the pasta, adding the peas for final 2 mins cooking time. Drain, rinse with cold water to cool, then drain again. Tip into a bowl with the salmon, chopped herbs, lemon zest and juice, olive oil and plenty of seasoning and mix well. Cover and chill, spooning out portions as and when. If you're making this for one person, by days 3 and 4 you'll need to stir in a little olive oil or something creamy to loosen the pasta.

Creamy pesto and chicken pasta salad

85g pasta shapes
½ red pepper, chopped
handful halved cherry tomatoes
1 cooked chicken breast
1 tbsp basil pesto
2 tbsp low-fat crème fraîche


Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Meanwhile, mix the red pepper with the cherry tomatoes and chicken. Mix the pesto and crème fraîche. Drain the pasta, then stir it through. Toss through the veg and chicken and eat immediately, or pack into a container for lunch.

Tortellini with pesto and broccoli

140g Tenderstem broccoli, cut into short lengths
250g fresh tortellini
3 tbsp pesto (fresh if you can get it)
2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
8 cherry tomatoes, halved


Bring a large pan of water to the boil. Add the broccoli, cook for 2 mins, then add the tortellini and cook for 2 mins, or according to pack instructions. Drain everything, gently rinse under cold water until cool, then tip into a bowl. Toss with the pesto, pine nuts and balsamic vinegar. Add the tomatoes, pack into containers and chill. Let the salad get to room temperature during the morning to get the most flavour from the tomatoes and pesto.

Mustard Chicken with beetroot and orange salad

4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
2 oranges
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp olive oil
140g bag spinach, rocket & watercress salad
4 vacuum-packed cooked beetroot, cut into wedges


  1. Put the chicken between 2 sheets of parchment paper or cling film and bash with a rolling pin to flatten. Grate the zest from ½ orange and mix in a bowl with the mustard, 2 tsp oil and plenty of seasoning. Add the chicken and stir well.
  2. Heat a griddle or frying pan and cook the chicken for 5-6 mins on each side until cooked through. Place on a plate to rest while you assemble the salad.
  3. Tip the salad leaves into a bowl. Peel and slice the oranges on a plate to catch any juices. Pour the orange juice over the leaves, add the slices with 1tsp oil and toss together. Add the beetroot, then slice the chicken and add to the salad along with any resting juices. Divide everything between your lunch boxes for the following day.

Supermarkets do such fantastic ranges of low fat dips like guacamole, tzatziki and salsas, add a dollop to your salads, sandwhiches and wraps to spice them up!

Alternatively, why not try adding some roughly chopped orange slices, some pomegranate seeds or chopped apples, grapes or pears to your salad? It will fill you up for longer, and quell the need for something sweet!

Please keep the suggestions for posts and recipes coming, I am going to be experimenting on healthy sweets this weekend, so stand by for more tried, tested and approved recipes from your dietitian!

Monday 9 March 2015

Post workout recovery meals for when you're feeling a bit lazy or just pure knackered!

Forget the protein shakes, countless supplements and powders, and just remember the four R's for recovering post workout:

REST - Get a good night's sleep, this is when most muscle repair and growth will occur

REHYDRATE - Be sure to hydrate prior to, during and after your workout. Add a little fruit juice and a pinch of salt to make a cheap sports drink to optimise hydration and replace valuable salts lost during exercise!

REPAIR - eat meals rich in protein from animal and non animal sources to aid muscle growth and repair

REFUEL - carbohydrates are incredibly important post workout to replace lost energy stores. The first source of energy your body uses is carbohydrates stored as glycogen, so it is important to replace these stores.



Here are a few of my favourite post workout meals. Favourite because not only are they high in protein, low in fat, and rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals, but they are just so simple you can't go wrong!

Baked potatoes and chicken - serves one

- large baked potato
- chicken breast, cooked
- two ripe tomatoes
- dried oregano, basil or rosemary
- 50g greek yoghurt
- spring onion finely chopped
- red pesto (optional)

1. Scrub the potatoes, then dry and prick each one several times with a sharp knife.
2. Microwave Method: Cook one potato (225g/8oz) for 6 minutes on full power (800W), turn half way through cooking. Allow to stand for 1 – 2 minutes before serving. If cooking more than one potato at a time you need to increase the cooking time accordingly.
Oven Method: Rub a few drops of olive oil into the potato skin, place the potatoes in a pre-heated oven at 200°C/400°F on a baking tray with salt sprinkled around the potato. Bake for 1¼ hours or until soft.
3. When the potatoes are almost ready, cut chicken breast into bitesize chunks, heat a non-stick frying pan and pan fry until lightly browned on both sides and cooked through about 6-8 mins. Add a pinch of dried oregano, rosemary or basil per person.
4. Meanwhile, chop the tomatoes into chunks, discarding the seeds. When the chicken is cooked, stir together the chicken, tomato. spring onions and the pot of yogurt.

Ginger and Soy Glazed Salmon - serves four

- thumb-sized piece ginger, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 6 tbsp light soy sauce
- 4 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 4 salmon fillets, about 140g/5oz each
- 200g soba noodles
- 350g frozen soya beans, defrosted
- 2 x 175g packs baby corn and mange tout mix, chopped


1. In a small bowl, mix the ginger, garlic, soy and vinegar. Add the salmon and leave to marinate for 10 mins. Heat a large non-stick frying pan. Lift the fish from the marinade with a slotted spoon and fry for 2-3 mins on each side, then tip in the marinade and a splash of water, and bubble for 1 min.
2. Cook the noodles following pack instructions. Tip in the soya beans 3 mins before the end, then add the veg mix for the final min. Drain everything really well. Serve the noodles and veg with the salmon and sauce spooned over.


Chicken and soy bean salad - serves one

- handful frozen soya beans
- 1 skinless cooked chicken breast, shredded
- ¼ cucumber, peeled, deseeded and chopped
- ½ avocado, flesh scooped out
- few drops Tabasco sauce
- juice ½ lemon, plus a lemon wedge
- 2 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 5-6 Little Gem lettuce leaves
- 1 tsp mixed seed


1. Blanch the soya beans for 3 mins. Rinse in cold water and drain thoroughly. Put the chicken, beans and cucumber in a bowl.
2. Blitz the avocado, Tabasco, lemon juice and oil in a food processor or with a hand blender. Season, pour into the bowl and mix well to coat.
3. Spoon the mixture into the lettuce leaves (or serve it alongside them) and sprinkle with the seeds. Chill until lunch, then serve with a lemon wedge.


Pomegranate chicken with Almond couscous - serves 4

- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 200g couscous
- 1 chicken stock cube
- 1 large red onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 600g chicken mini fillets
- 4 tbsp tagine spice paste (available from Tesco or Marks & Spencer), or 2 tbsp harissa
- 190ml bottle pomegranate juice (not sweetened; we used Pom Wonderful)
- 100g pack pomegranate seeds
- 100g pack toasted flaked almonds
- small pack mint, chopped


1. Boil the kettle and heat the oil in a large frying pan. Put the couscous in a bowl with some seasoning and crumble in half the stock cube. Add the onion to the pan and fry for a few mins to soften. Pour boiling water over the couscous to just cover, then cover the bowl with a tea towel and set aside.
2. Push the onion to one side of the pan, add the chicken fillets and brown on all sides. Stir in the tagine paste or harissa and the pomegranate juice, then crumble in the rest of the stock cube and season well. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 mins until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through. Stir through the pomegranate seeds, saving a few to scatter over before serving.
3. After 5 mins, fluff up the couscous with a fork and stir through the almonds and mint. Serve the chicken on the couscous with the sauce spooned over.