7/26/2014

Butternut & Harissa Houmous


Roast pumpkin with plenty of garlic then blitz into a Moroccan-style dip with spicy harissa and sesame paste

  • Cooking Time Prep 10 mins
    Cook 45 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Serves 6
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    155

  • Protein

    4g

  • Carbs

    13g

  • Fat

    9g

  • Saturates

    1g

  • Fibre

    3g

  • Sugar

    3g

  • Salt

    0.4g

Ingredients
  • ½ butternut squash (about 400g), peeled and cut into 2cm pieces
  • 3 garlic cloves, unpeeled
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 tbsp tahini paste
  • 1 tbsp harissa, plus a little extra for drizzling
  • 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the butternut squash and garlic cloves in a roasting tin, season well and add 100ml water. Cover the tin with foil and bake for 45 mins, until the squash is really tender. Leave to cool.
  2. Tip the squash into a food processor with any juices from the tin. Add the garlic cloves, squeezed out of their skins. Add the remaining ingredients, season with salt and blend to a paste.
  3. Scrape the houmous into a bowl. Drizzle with extra harissa before serving.

Stuffed Courgette Rolls


Try Gordon Ramsay's take on Italian antipasti - tantalise your palate with this no-cook starter

  • Cooking Time Prep 20 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Makes 24 rolls
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    49

  • Protein

    2g

  • Carbs

    1g

  • Fat

    5g

  • Saturates

    1g

  • Fibre

    0g

  • Sugar

    1g

  • Salt

    0.03g

Ingredients
  • 4 small courgettes, ends trimmed
  • 3-4 tbsp olive oil, plus extra to drizzle
  • 3-4 tbsp balsamic vinegar, to drizzle
  • 250g tub ricotta
  • squeeze lemon juice
  • handful fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 50g pine nuts, toasted (see Know-how, below)
Directions
  1. Slice the courgettes lengthways, using a swivel vegetable peeler-you'll need 24 long strips. Drizzle some of the olive oil and balsamic over two large plates and lay the strips flat, trying not to overlap. Sprinkle with more oil and balsamic, cover and leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 20 mins. Can be prepared up to 6 hrs ahead.
  2. Mix the ricotta with lemon juice and seasoning to taste, then mix in the basil and pine nuts. Place 1 tsp of the ricotta mixture onto one end of a courgette strip and roll up. Repeat until you have used up all the filling. Arrange rolls upright on a plate and grind over some black pepper. Drizzle with a little more oil and balsamic vinegar to serve.

Mexican Bean Salad


Not one to leave your tummy rumbling, this filling salad really hits the spot and has a spicy kick

  • Cooking Time Prep 10 mins
    Cook 10 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Serves 4
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    430

  • Protein

    20g

  • Carbs

    25g

  • Fat

    29g

  • Saturates

    3g

  • Fibre

    10g

  • Sugar

    6g

  • Salt

    1.61g

Ingredients
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 avocados, peeled and stoned
  • 2 x 400g cans of beans, (we used pinto bean and kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • small red onion, finely sliced
  • large bunch coriander, leaves only, roughly chopped
  • 250g punnet cherry tomatoes, halved
  • bottle bought good-quality dressing (we used English Provender Company Lime & Coriander dressing)
  • 1 red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
  • ½ tsp cumin
Directions
  1. Lower the eggs into boiling water and boil for 6½ mins, then put into a bowl of cold water to cool. Slice the avocados and place in a large bowl with the beans, onion, coriander and tomatoes. Measure 3 tbsp of the dressing into a small bowl, then mix in the chilli and cumin. Once the eggs have cooled but are still warm, peel off the shells and cut into quarters. Toss the salad with the dressing and nestle in the eggs. Serve straight away – delicious with toasted tortillas.

Baked Stuffed Romano Peppers


Serve this as a light veggie supper with crusty bread, or as a side with grilled chicken or fish

  • Cooking Time Prep 15 mins
    Cook 35 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Serves 2
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    241

  • Protein

    6g

  • Carbs

    9g

  • Fat

    21g

  • Saturates

    3g

  • Fibre

    4g

  • Sugar

    8g

  • Salt

    0.6g

Ingredients
  • 2 Romano peppers, halved and deseeded (use normal peppers if unavailable)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, plus 1 tsp
  • 1 slice wholegrain bread
  • 2 tbsp pine nuts
  • 2 tbsp grated parmesan (or vegetarian alternative)
  • 1 red or green chilli, deseeded and chopped
  • 2 tsp capers
  • good handful parsley, roughly chopped
  • 200g young spinach leaves
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Put peppers in a roasting tin, then drizzle with a tsp of oil and a little pepper. Bake for 20 mins.
  2. Meanwhile, toast the bread, then blitz into rough crumbs in the food processor. Mix with the pine nuts, Parmesan, chilli, capers, parsley and remaining oil. Boil the kettle. Put the spinach in a colander, then pour over the boiling water to wilt the leaves. Press out as much liquid as possible.
  3. Divide the spinach between the peppers, then top with the crumbs. Return to the oven for 15 mins.

7/25/2014

Artichokes & Herby Olive Sauce


Delicious and simple, this striking Mediterranean starter is easier to prepare than you might think

  • Cooking Time Prep 15 mins
    Cook 40 mins - 45 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Serves 4
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    291

  • Protein

    11g

  • Carbs

    11g

  • Fat

    23g

  • Saturates

    3g

  • Fibre

    1g

  • Sugar

    6g

  • Salt

    2.28g

Ingredients
  • 1 lemon, halved, plus juice 1½ lemons
  • 4 globe artichokes
  • 5 tbsp olive oil
  • 20 pitted Kalamata olives, roughly chopped
  • 1 small tomato, finely chopped
  • ½ small bunch mint, finely chopped
  • ½ small bunch parsley, finely chopped
Directions
  1. Bring one or two large pans of salted water to the boil with the lemon halves in. Cut the stalk off each artichoke and discard. Boil the artichokes for 40-45 mins until the base feels tender when the tip of a knife is inserted.
  2. Meanwhile, make the sauce. Mix the lemon juice, oil, olives, tomato and herbs. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. To eat, pull off the leaves, dip the bottom end into sauce and discard the tips of the leaves. When you get to the middle, scrape out the hairy 'choke' and eat the artichoke heart.

Halloumi Watermelon & Mint Salad


This fresh and light salad makes an ideal summer evening supper

  • Cooking Time Prep 10 mins
    Cook 5 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Serves 4
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    287

  • Protein

    14g

  • Carbs

    12g

  • Fat

    20g

  • Saturates

    10g

  • Fibre

    1g

  • Sugar

    12g

  • Salt

    2.29g

Ingredients
  • 250g pack halloumi cheese, thinly sliced
  • flesh from 1kg/2lb 4oz chunk watermelon, sliced
  • 200g pack fine green beans
  • small bunch mint, finely shredded
  • juice 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra to drizzle
  • toasted pitta breads, to serve
Directions
  1. Heat grill to high. Lay the cheese on a baking tray in a single layer, then grill for 2 mins on each side until golden. Toss the watermelon, beans and mint together with the lemon juice and olive oil, season well, then layer on plates with the slices of halloumi.
  2. Drizzle with a little more oil if you like, and then serve with warm pittas.

Ravioli With Squash & Crunchy Crumbs


Turn a pack of ravioli into a stunning meal with a little help from BBC Good Food

  • Cooking Time Prep 15 mins
    Cook 15 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Serves 4
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    496

  • Protein

    20g

  • Carbs

    62g

  • Fat

    21g

  • Saturates

    8g

  • Fibre

    5g

  • Sugar

    9g

  • Salt

    1.36g

Ingredients
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • ½ butternut squash, peeled and cut into small cubes
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 50g vegetarian parmesan -style cheese, (we used Twineham Grange Italian-style cheese), finely grated, plus extra to serve
  • zest 1 lemon
  • 85g fresh white breadcrumbs
  • small handful sage leaves
  • 500ml pack cheese-filled ravioli
  • pinch crushed chilli flakes
Directions
  1. Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the squash for 10 mins until golden, turning the cubes now and then. Add the garlic and fry for 1 min until softened. Add 300ml water, the grated Parmesan, chilli flakes and lemon zest. Stir well, turn the heat down and cook for 3-4 mins. Mash well and season to taste.
  2. In a small pan, heat the rest of the oil, then stir in the breadcrumbs. Fry until golden, stirring every so often. Stir in the sage.
  3. Cook the ravioli according to pack instructions (they usually only take a few mins). Drain, then spoon into bowls. Pour over the squash sauce, then sprinkle with sage breadcrumbs.

Roasted Carrots With Goat's Cheese & Pomegranate


A lovely combination of sweet carrots, fresh cheese and juicy seeds - interesting enough for a main, starter or side

  • Cooking Time Prep 10 mins
    Cook 50 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Serves 6 as a starter or side, or 4 as a main
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    190

  • Protein

    8g

  • Carbs

    20g

  • Fat

    10g

  • Saturates

    4g

  • Fibre

    5g

  • Sugar

    11g

  • Salt

    0.5g

Ingredients
  • 750g/ 1lb 10oz carrots
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds
  • grated zest and juice 1 small orange
  • 400g can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 100g/ 4oz white-rinded vegetarian goat's cheese
  • small bunch oregano or mint, roughly chopped
  • 75g/2½oz pomegranate seeds
  • warm flatbreads, to serve
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Toss the carrots with 1 tbsp of the oil, sprinkle with the cumin seeds and orange zest, and season with salt. Spread onto a large baking sheet and roast for 50 mins until tender and catching some colour on the edges.
  2. Stir the chickpeas into the roasted carrots, then tip onto a large serving platter. Drizzle with the remaining oil and a little of the orange juice. Crumble over the goat's cheese and scatter with the herbs and pomegranate seeds. Serve warm with toasted flatbreads.

Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni


Keep a few portions of this vegetarian classic in the freezer and you'll never be stuck for a satisfying supper

  • Cooking Time Prep 50 mins
    Cook 40 mins
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Makes 10 servings
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    711

  • Protein

    30g

  • Carbs

    44g

  • Fat

    47g

  • Saturates

    27g

  • Fibre

    5g

  • Sugar

    15g

  • Salt

    1.59g

Ingredients
  • For the tomato sauce
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 8 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 3 tbsp caster sugar
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 4 x 400g cans chopped chopped tomatoes
  • small bunch basil leaves
  • For the topping
  • 2 x 250g tubs mascarpone
  • 3 tbsp milk
  • 85g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated
  • 2 x 125g balls mozzarella, sliced
  • For the filling
  • 1kg spinach
  • 100g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated
  • 3 x 250g tubs ricotta
  • large pinch grated nutmeg
  • 400g dried cannelloni
Directions
  1. First make the tomato sauce. Heat the oil in a large pan and fry the garlic for 1 min. Add the sugar, vinegar, tomatoes and some seasoning and simmer for 20 mins, stirring occasionally, until thick. Add the basil and divide the sauce between 2 or more shallow ovenproof dishes (see Tips for freezing, below). Set aside. Make a sauce by beating the mascarpone with the milk until smooth, season, then set aside.
  2. Put the spinach in a large colander and pour over a kettle of boiling water to wilt it (you may need to do this in batches). When cool enough to handle squeeze out the excess water. Roughly chop the spinach and mix in a large bowl with 100g Parmesan and ricotta. Season well with salt, pepper and the nutmeg.
  3. Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Using a piping bag or plastic food bag with the corner snipped off, squeeze the filling into the cannelloni tubes. Lay the tubes, side by side, on top of the tomato sauce and spoon over the mascarpone sauce. Top with Parmesan and mozzarella. You can now freeze the cannelloni, uncooked, or you can cook it first and then freeze. Bake for 30-35 mins until golden and bubbling. Remove from oven and let stand for 5 mins before serving.

7/23/2014

Cauliflower Egg & Potato Curry


Even a cauliflower-hater will love the warm coconut and flavours of this vegetarian curry dish

  • Cooking Time
  • Skill Level Easy
  • Servings Serves 4
Nutrition per serving
  • Kcalories

    534

  • Protein

    22g

  • Carbs

    30g

  • Fat

    38g

  • Saturates

    18g

  • Fibre

    5g

  • Sugar

    0g

  • Salt

    0.95g

Ingredients
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 large onion, peeled and diced
  • 1 plump red chilli, seeds removed if you want, finely chopped
  • thumb-sized piece of root ginger, peeled and grated
  • 2 large waxy potatoes (such as Desirée), peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 2 tbsp curry paste (Patak's Cumin & chilli is good)
  • 1 medium cauliflower, broken into florets
  • 400ml can coconut milk
  • 6 hard-boiled eggs, halved lengthways
  • 2 tbsp toasted flaked almonds (optional)
  • large handful of roughly chopped fresh coriander
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Directions
  1. Heat a large, deep non-stick frying pan, wok or shallow saucepan over a low heat. Add the oil, stir in the onion and fry over a medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and starting to turn golden.
  2. Stir the chilli, garlic and ginger into the onion mixture and fry for 2 minutes. Raise the heat a little, add the potatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until the outsides are just softening. Stir in the curry paste, cook for 1 minute, then toss in the cauliflower and stirfry for a further 1 minute to coat.
  3. Pour the coconut milk into the pan and stir thoroughly. Add some salt, raise the heat and bring to the boil, stirring frequently, then half cover the pan and reduce to a slow simmer. Cook the curry for 20-25 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce has thickened slightly and the vegetables are tender.
  4. Half bury the eggs yolk-sides up in the sauce, then cover and continue to simmer gently for a further 1-2 minutes to heat through. Serve with a scattering of toasted almonds, if liked, and coriander.