Flaxseed Power

Recently I read on a Facebook post that by eating flax seeds we are not really getting the benefit as they just pass through our internal system.

The best way to absorb all the nutrients and the Omega oils that make this seed a wonder food is to blend it or grind it and put it in something and consume.

I thought what better then to add the seeds to a tomato pasta sauce which in turn gave it more of a thick texture and it stuck to the penne really well!

Simply add a tablespoon of flax seeds to your chopped tomatoes and Blitz and then make your own pasta sauce accordingly!

This is definitely one for the kids especially if they are Fussy Eaters and all they want is pasta with cheese and tomato.

I also add mine to my fruit smoothies.

Hope this helps their friends and that you are all keeping well!

Love Dimple

Kiwi & Celery Smoothie

A refreshing smoothie with sweet, sour and earthy notes.  An interesting combination of banana, kiwi and celery.
Replenishing energy, natural sugars and salts.

Definitely a favourite of mine now!

INGREDIENTS

1 banana
1 kiwi skinned
1 stick celery
80ml water

METHOD

Blitz all ingredients and serve in a pretty wine glass!  Simple!

Chilli & Garlic Flatbread

My 3 year old son kept eating these flatbreads despite the fact that he occasionally got the odd chilli flake. He just kept on going. So very moreish are these flatbreads! That once you start, you won’t be able to stop!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup wholewheat/chapati flour
1 cup self raising flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic granules
1/2 tsp dry chilli flakes
2 tsp sunflower oil
Boiling water to knead
Sunflower oil for cooking

METHOD

Place both types of flour in a large mixing bowl with the salt, garlic granules, chilli flakes and 2 tablespoons of oil.

Use fingers to make a crumble consistency. Add boiling water gently to form a soft dough

Bring together and knead for 5 minutes

In the meantime heat a non stick frying pan on a medium heat

Take about a tablespoon and a half of dough. Roll flat to about a 10cm diameter disc

Place in the frying pan.  Cook on both sides until golden brown, using a little oil to aid the process

Serve hot with lashings of butter

Coriander & Cheese Scrambled eggs

To add to the flavour of already delicious scrambled eggs with cheese. I decided to put coriander, yes simply coriander! into the mix and my what a result!

INGREDIENTS

2 large eggs
Handful of chopped coriander
Handful of grated mature cheddar cheese
3 tbsp milk
Salt to taste
1 tbsp butter

METHOD

Place all the ingredients into a bowl apart from the butter and beat together until combined

Heat the butter in a non stick pan on low.  Once melted add the egg mixture and stir slowly with a wooden spoon

Once the eggs are of a soft scrambled consistency, take off the heat and place on two pieces of toast with lashings of butter

Enjoy!

Low Fat Banana & Coconut Muffins

Who says you can’t eat muffins when you’re trying to control your weight?!

Here I have devised a low fat recipe with hardly any sugar and have relied on the banana for sweetness and to add moisture to this moreish muffin

Great for adults and children alike. Plenty of good energy being supplied and tasty too!

Hope you all enjoy them. See you soon friends. Much love, D x

INGREDIENTS
makes 6 medium sized muffins

100g self raising flour
1 tbsp dark brown muscavado sugar
1 large banana
1 large egg
2 tablespoons dessicated coconut
1 heaped tablespoon low-fat butter spread
1 tap vanilla extract

METHOD

Line a muffin tray with 6 muffin cases and preheat oven to 180c

Cream the banana, butter and sugar together

Stir in the egg and vanilla extract

Gradually add the flour. Mix until combined

Pour the mixture equally into the paper cases in the muffin tray bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the skewer comes out clean

Baked Egg In Toast

A cheese and egg dish which can only be described as ultimate comfort on a plate.  Is a brilliant nutritious breakfast or a luxury delight at brunch!

Prep takes a minute, place in the oven and when the timer goes off your cheese, egg in toast is ready!

INGREDIENTS for 1

Slice of bread
1 medium egg
Grated cheddar cheese
Butter

METHOD

Preheat oven to 200c

With the back of a tablespoon press firmly into the centre of the bread. Making an indent for the egg to sit in

Lightly butter the edges of the bread

Crack an egg into the indent.  Sprinkle the edges with grated cheese

Place in the oven for 15 minutes. You should get a runny egg!

The Calm Me Down Smoothie!

Recently there has been a lot of change to my daily routine as now my two boys are in school and I find myself alone at home with our pet rabbit Alfie. It’s lovely having some quiet time but mostly I find myself constantly running around like a headless chicken.  This morning I went food shopping which I absolutely adore.  I feel all stocked up and ready to invent more recipes. . I also cleaned the kitchen!

For when I need to calm down and relax I have come up with this wonderful soothing smoothie recipe to help me unwind.  No caffeine, no added sugar just pure peaceful bliss. The chamomile and mint tea does the trick!

INGREDIENTS

200ml of cold mint & chamomile tea
1 small banana
1 nectarine in halves
Handful of frozen blueberries
Handful of baby spinach

METHOD

Place all the ingredients into a blender or NutriBullet and blitz till smooth.  Serve with ice if desired

My First Homemade Chutney!

I didn’t know that home made chutneys are so easy to make!  And so damn tasty!  I made this delectable tomato chutney with green tomatoes that were picked fresh out of my mother in law’s garden.  She is extremely gifted when it comes to gardening and my husband definitely inherits his green fingers from her. 

This chutney will go superbly with Indian flatbread due to the heat or with a strong mature cheddar or brie and crackers as it is also sour and slightly sweet! An all rounded chutney.  Shame that 1kg of toms gave me 1 small jar of chutney. However I know where I can find more tomatoes! Mother in law I’m on my way!

With tomatoes being harvested, do give this simple recipe a go! You’ll make it again and again

INGREDIENTS

1kg green tomatoes cored and chopped
1 large white onion diced
1 cup cider vinegar
1¼ cup brown sugar
1 tbsp crystallized ginger
1 tsp red dried chilli flakes
1 tsp salt
1 cinnamon stick
1 tsp mixed spice

METHOD

Place all the ingredients into a large saucepan, mix well, bring the contents to a boil and then cover, simmer for 50 minutes on a low to medium heat

Make sure most of the liquid has evaporated, this will give the chutney an intense flavour

Blueberry & Super Seed Smoothie

I do not get through much fruit unless its in a cake on a cake or around a cake!

So having invested in a smoothie maker is the best thing I could have done for me especially! I love chewing on seeds but am not partial to the goji berry. Which is extremely good for you.

This way I get all my antioxidant goodness in the one glass first thing in the morning and I’m ready to face the day with a healthy outlook…until I eat the naughty treat I shouldn’t have had at lunch…lol 😉

I’ll be putting up more of my smoothie recipes. I hope you enjoy them friends!

INGREDIENTS

Large handful of blueberries
1 medium banana
1 satsuma
Sprinkling of seeds and goji berries
Water

METHOD

Using the NutriBullet or a blender.  Place all the ingredients in and blitz til desired consistency

If too thick, stir in more water…

Instant Loaded Egg Paratha

My husband is always watching Indian street food videos on YouTube.  This is one particular dish that he was checking and that I was extremely intrigued by.
I think you all know me by now, in that I love to cook really, really simple food and am not embarrassed in taking short cuts to get to the final yummy result!

This is one of those easy than easier recipes, yet so satisfying and filling.  The protein hit from the egg and cheese really reaches the spot!  Make sure that you have some ready made parathas or frozen parathas like I used in this recipe and you are ready to go my friends!

Enjoy, see you soon! Much love, D x

INGREDIENTS

Frozen paratha/ready made paratha
Large eggs
Grated mature cheddar cheese
Spring onion sliced
Chopped fresh coriander
Chilli flakes
Butter
Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD

Place the frozen paratha in a frying pan and cook through on both sides to a medium golden brown.  Spread a little butter on one side

Crack one egg onto the buttered paratha and break the yolk gently.  Load on all other ingredients and seasoning

Cover with a large lid on a low heat for 5 or so minutes or until egg is firm

Fold the paratha and serve with a hot chilli sauce