Wednesday 20 June 2012

Pea and potato bake



Cooking the potatoes and peas very slowly in stock and spices ensures that the whole dish is deliciously tender and well flavoured.

Serves 4

Prep time 15 mins
Cooking time 1 hour 40 mins

Syn free

Ingredients:-
fry light for spraying
700g/ 1lb 9oz potatoes (desiree or maris piper), peeled and thinly sliced
2 leeks, trimmed and thinly sliced
4 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
200g/7oz frozen peas
2 tsp chopped fresh oregano leaves
2 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp celery salt
300ml/1/2 pint chicken stock made from bovril
freshly ground black pepper

Method:-

Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Spray a shallow oven proof dish with fry light.

Layer the potatoes, leeks, tomatoes and peas in the dish, scattering the oregano leaves between each layer. Finish the top layer with potatoes. Add the garlic and celery salts to the stock and carefully pour over the potato mixture. Season well with pepper.

Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 1 hour 30 minutes. Remove the foil, and cook for a further 10 minutes uncovered before removing from the oven and serving.

Pastrami hash pots



Whoever said cottage cheese was boring? Here it's teamed with celeriac and pastrami to create a very tasty and substantial bake that's perfect for a weekend lunch.
Serves 4
Prep time 20 mins
Cooking time 25 mins
Syn free
Ingredients:-
200g/7oz celeriac, peeled
100g/4oz very low fat natural cottage cheese
200g/7oz pastrami
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped
2 tbsp passata with herbs
2 tbsp finely chopped flat leaf parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method:-
Cut the celeriac into 1cm/ 1/2 inch cubes and place in a saucepan of boiling water. Cook for 2-3 minutes and then drain.
place the cottage cheese in a mixing bowl. Roughly chop the pastrami into small pieces and add to the cheese with the eggs, spring onion, celeriac and passata. stir in the chopped herbs and season well.
Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. Spoon the mixture into four individual ramekins or gratin dishes. Place in the oven and cook for 20 minutes or until set and golden on top. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Pasta Salad




Prep time 5 mins
cooking time 20 mins

syn free

Ingredients:-

Cooked Pasta
Cucumber
Cherry Tomatoes
Spring Onions
Green Giant Sweetcorn with Peppers
Crushed Garlic
 Virtually Fat Free Fine Herb Dressing

Method:-

Chop all veg finely and add to the cooked pasta. Pour dressing on top and serve.

Pasta Funghi



Lots of fresh herbs add a wonderful fragrance and flavour to a substantial supper dish made with thick pappardelle pasta.

Serves 4

Prep time 15 mins
Cooking time 20 mins

Syn free

Ingredients:-
350g/12oz dried pappardelle
fry light for spraying
1 red onion, peeled and finely diced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely sliced
400g/14oz button mushroom, halved
500ml/18fl oz passata with herbs
1 tbsp artificial sweetener
2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano leaves
2 tbsp chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
50g/2oz very low fat natural fromage frais 
Method:-

Cook the pappardelle according to the packet instructions, drain and set aside.

Spray a large non stick frying pan with fry light and place over a high heat. Add the onion, garlic and mushrooms and stir fry for 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the passata, sweetener and chopped herbs and bring to the boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low and cook gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season well.

Just before serving, remove from the heat and stir in the fromage frais to mix well. Divide the pasta between four warmed bowls and top with the sauce.

Parsnip and Leek Cakes



(Serves 4)

Green Day Free


Ingredients:-

1lb leeks
1lb Parsnips
2oz wholemeal breadcrumbs (healthy extra)
1 egg
Salt and pepper
1 tsp curry powder (optional)
1 tsp ground coriander




Method:-

Chop and dry fry leeks until soft
Mix together the leeks, parsnips, seasoning, coriander, curry powder and beaten egg
Divide into 8 and mould into patty shapes
Grill or dry fry until browned


Onion Bahjis with Raita dip



(Serves 4)

Green Day


Ingredients:-

8oz stiff mashed potato (you can use Smash)
400g tin Chickpeas
2 thinly sliced onions
Salt & black pepper
Approx 2 tblspns curry powder (or to taste)
1 tspn mixed herbs
1 beaten egg
Fry Light


Method:-

Heat oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6
Fry onions in fry light until soft.
Drain and rinse Chickpeas and mash well.
Add potatoes, onions, curry powder and seasonings.
Mix together with beaten egg
Spray large baking tray with fry light
Put tablespoon sized 'balls' of mix on tray
Spray Bahjis with fry light
Cook in oven for approx 15 to 20 mins, until golden brown

mushroom Stroganoff



Serves 1

3 syns

Ingredients:-

1/4 Pint of Veg Stock using half a stock cube
1 Onion
As many Mushrooms you want
3 tbsp Very Low Fat Creme Fraiche 1 1/2 syns per tbsp
Salt and Pepper

Method:-

Fry the onion in fry light, add the stock and mushrooms, simmer for about 10-15 minutes then add the creme fraiche again leave to simmer until thickens. Serve with rice or jacket potato.

Mushroom Risotto




Ingredients:-

1 onion
1 clove garlic
Risotto rice
Chicken Stock (Bovril)
Mushrooms
Parmesan (healthy extra)
Quark

Method:-

Heat fry light and soften garlic and onion.

Add risotto rice, slowly add chicken stock, cook until almost cooked.

Add mushrooms, simmer until cooked.

Add 28g parmesan and some soft cheese to make it really creamy and serve.

I add lemon juice to the stock and stir in a handful flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped, just before serving. Plus of course if you want to use some syns add a dash of white wine to the stock too.

Mushroom Pate



Serves 4

Prep time 10 mins
Cooking times 45 mins

Syn Free - Both plans

Ingredients;

1 medium onion, finely chopped
Fry Light for spraying
1 garlic clove, crushed
227g/8oz mushrooms, finely chopped
113g/4oz very low fat natural cottage cheese
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method;

Fry the onions in Fry Light or dry fry them, add the garlic and cook until soft and just beginning to brown.
Increase the heat, add the mushrooms and cook for 6-7 minutes, Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool a little.
Put the cottage cheese, the mushroom mixture and seasoning into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.

Moroccan Chicken




Serves 4

Free on Green - Add 6 syns if not using chicken as a Healthy Extra

Ingredients:-

9oz/225g Cous Cous
1 Red Onion
2 Garlic Cloves
2 Tomatoes
2 Lemons
400g Chick peas
1 tbsp Finely Chopped Preserved Lemon (optional)
6 tbsp Chopped Flat-leaf Parsley
2 tbsp Chopped Mint
Salt and Pepper
1 tsp Ground Cumin
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tsp Paprika
4 z 4oz/113g Chicken Fillets

Method:-

Place the cous cous in a bowl, pour over just enough boiling water to cover it and allow to stand for 10-12 minutes. Peel and finely dice the onion and garlic, finely chop the tomatoes, juice one of the lemons and drain and rinse the chick peas.

Spray a pan with fry light and cook the onion, garlic and chick peas for 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir into the cous cous with the tomatoes, preserved lemon (if using), lemon juice and chopped herb, stir well.

Meanwhile, prepare the chicken: juice the remaining lemon and mix with the cumin, cinnamon and paprika. Pour over the chicken and season well. Grill for 6-8 minutes on each side until cooked through. Slice and serve on top of the cous cous.

Mixed mushroom noodle stir fry



Using a variety of different mushrooms adds a depth of flavour to crunchy, filling stir fry with a hint of spicy warmth from ginger and soy sauce.

Serves 4

Prep time 20 mins
Cooking time 10 mins

Ingredients:-
350g/12oz dried egg noodles
fry light for spraying
2.5cm/1 inch piece of ginger, peeled and finely julienned
2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
6 spring onions, trimmed and cut diagonally into 3cm/ 1 1/4 pieces
200g/ 7 oz baby corn, halved lengthways
1 red pepper, de seeded and thinly sliced
300g/11 oz shitake mushrooms, thickly sliced
200g/7 oz button mushrooms, thickly sliced
150h/ 5 oz oyster mushrooms, thickly sliced
3 tbsp dark soy sauce
freshly ground black pepper

Method:-

Cook the egg noodles to packet instructions and set aside.
Spray a large non stick wok with fry light and when hot add the ginger, garlic and spring onions. Stir fry for 1-2 minutes then add the baby corn, pepper and mushrooms. Stir and fry over a high heat for 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are only just tender.

Add the soy sauce with 2 tbsp water and cook for 1 minutes before adding the cooked noodles. Toss to mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes, until the noodles are heated through. Season well and ladle into warmed bowls.

Mixed grill balsamic peppers



Roasting peppers is worth the effort as it brings out their full colour and sweetness; the balsamic vinegar adds a delicious tang.

Serves 4

Prep time 20 mins + standing
Cooking time - 15 mins

Syn free

Ingredients:-
4 Yellow peppers
4 Red peppers
2 Orange peppers
1 Garlic clove, peeled and crushed
2 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
salt and freshly ground pepper
A handful of fresh basil leaved
To serve - Red endive or Radicchio leaves

Method:-

Halve and de seed the peppers and place on a foil lines grill rack, cut side down. Heat a grill to medium-high and place the peppers under it. Cook for 12-15 minutes or until the skins are charred and blackened. Remove from the grill and place in a large plastic bag. set aside for 10 minutes.

When cool enough to handle, carefully peek the skins off the peppers, discarding the skins but saving any of the juices in a bowl. Cut the peppers into strips and add to the bowl with the crushed garlic and balsamic vinegar.

Season and toss to mix well. Cover and let stand at room temperature for 30 mins for the flavours to develop.

To serve, arrange a few red endice or radiccio leaves on the base of four serving plates. Toss the basil in with the peppers and divide the mixture between the four plates. Serve immediately

Tuesday 19 June 2012

Mixed Bean and Cheese Salad




Prep time 5 mins

syn free


Ingredients:-

1 Tin Mixed Beans in Vinaigrette
Cucumber
Spring Onions, finely chopped
Cherry Tomatoes, Halved
Salt and Pepper.

Method:-

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Add 25g Mozzarella cheese(healthy extra) sliced into small pieces. 

Minted green pea and basil soup



A gorgeous colour and a crunchy-smooth texture with a tang of herbs make a lovely fresh soup.
Serves 4
Prep Time - 10 Min
Cooking time - 30 Mins
Syn Free
Ingredients:-
3 Large shallots, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
4 tbsp chopped basil leaves
4 tbsp chopped mint leaves
900ml/1 1/2 pints chicken stock made from bovril
500g/1lb 2oz frozen or fresh peas
salt and freshly ground black pepper
To serve - very low fat natural yogurt
To garnish - mint and basil leaves
Method:-
Place the shallots in a medium saucepan with the garlic and chopped herbs. Pour over the stock, bring to the boil, cover, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes or until the shallots are tender.
Add the peas, bring back to the boil and cook gently for 5 minutes. Season well to taste.
Transfer half the mixture to a food processor and blend until smooth. Return to the pan with the remaining soup and stir to mix well.
Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with a swirl of the yoghurt. Garnish with mint and basil leaves and serve immediately.


Mexican Spiced Rice



(Serves 2)

          Green Day


Ingredients:-

1 onion and 1 garlic clove
½ green pepper
4 tomatoes
400g can red kidney beans
340g can sweetcorn
Fry Light
7oz/198 frozen peas
A few drops of tabasco
511g/1lb 2oz cooked rice
4 tbsp freshly chopped coriander
Salt and freshly ground black pepper


Method:-

Prepare the vegetables: peel and chop the onion and garlic; deseed and chop the pepper: finely chop the tomatoes; drain and rinse the kidney beans and sweetcorn.
Spray a pan with Fry Light and stir-fry the onion, garlic and pepper for 4-5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, kidney beans, sweetcorn, peas and Tabasco sauce and cook for a further 3-4 minutes
Add the cooked rice and toss to mix well. Cook for a further 3-4 minutes until piping hot. Remove from the heat, stir in the chopped coriander, season well, divided between four warmed bowls and serve.


Mexican Salad




Serves 2

prep time 5 mins

syn free


Ingredients:-

1 Tin Kidney Beans, drained
1 tin Sweetcorn
Chopped Red Pepper
Spring Onion
Chilli Powder to taste

Method:-

Mix all ingredients with some Low Fat Fromage Frais.
Serve on a bed of lettuce, cucumber etc.

Mediterranean Pasta Bake



(Serves 4)


Green Day Sin Free


Ingredients:-

227g dried pasta
1 red, 1 green, 1 yellow pepper
1 courgette
1 red onion
fry light
1 400g chopped tomatoes with herbs
283g very low fat fromage frais
128g mozzarella



Method:-

boil pasta and set aside to cool
chop peppers courgette and onion and roast in fry light, transfer to a bowl and mix in tomatoes. Place in an ovenproof dish
cover with pasta mixed with fromage frais and sprinkle with grated cheese
bake in the oven on 170˚ for approx 20-25 minutes
Delicious served with SW chips

Mediterranean Egg Supper



(Serves 4)

Green Day


Ingredients:-

1 pack of joes sausages/Lynda mcartneys rosemary and red onion
1 red onion, chopped
1 red pepper deseeded and chopped
1 yellow pepper deseeded and chopped
1 tin chopped tomatoes with garlic
4 large eggs


Method:-

Chop sausages and cook with onion in non-stick pan sprayed with a little Fry Light. Add peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add tin of tomatoes and heat through. Divide between 4 individual oven-proof dishes and make a hollow in the centre of the mixture. Break an egg into each hollow and bake in a pre-heated oven (Gas 6) until the egg white is set (about 10 minutes)

Macaroni Hot Pot




Syns - Negligible on a Green day (Serves 4)

Ingredients:-

2 large onions sliced
2 garlic cloves crushed
1 red, 1 green and 1 yellow pepper de seeded and chopped
6 sticks celery chopped
113g (4oz) wholewheat macaroni
227g (8oz) can chopped tomatoes
2 teaspoons dried mixed herbs
568ml (1 pint) vegetable stock (1 syn)
57g (2oz) split lentils rinsed
57g (2oz) canned chick peas drained
2 teaspoons light soy sauce
Freshly ground black pepper

Method:-

Cook the onions, garlic, peppers and celery in 1 tablespoon water until they often. Add all the other ingredients and bring to the boil. Cover the pan and simmer for approx 20 mins or until the vegetables and macaroni are cooked stirring occasionally

Loaded Potato Skins



(Serves 2)

          Green Day


Ingredients:-

4 x 113g/4oz baking potatoes
Salt and ground black pepper

Method:-

Scrub the potatoes and bake in a preheated over at 200ÂşC/400ÂşF/Gas Mark 6 for about 1 hour, until tender.
Cut each potato in half lengthways and scoop out most of the flesh, leaving a little potato around the inside of each skin. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then fill the potatoes with the desired fillings.
Cheese & Tomato Filling Ingredients:-
2 tomatoes, skinned and chopped
2 spring onions, chopped
57g/2oz reduced-fat Cheddar cheese, grated

Cheese & Peppers Filling Ingredients:-
1 small red pepper
1 small yellow pepper
113g/4oz very low fat natural cottage cheese
1 tbsp chopped fresh coriander

Method:-

Mix all the ingredients together and pile into the potato skins. Pop under a preheated hot grill until golden brown and bubbling.

Lentil and Egg Kedgeree



Kedgeree is traditionally made with smoked Haddock; using lentils here adds a nutty taste, which combines with rice and hard-boiled egg to make an unusual and satisfying lunch or supper dish.

Serves 4

Prep time 15 mins
Cooking time 30 mins

Syn free

Ingredients:-
FryLight for spraying
1 large onion, peeled and chopped
2 tsp mild curry powder
250g/9oz Basmati rice
50g/2oz red or yellow split lentils
1 bay leaf
1 cinnamon stick
650ml/22fl oz chicken stock made from bovril
salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 large eggs

To Garnish:-
Chopped coriander

Method:-

Spray a large non-stick frying pan with Fry Light. Place over a high heat and add the onion. Stir-fry for 2-3 minutes and then add the curry powder, rice, lentils, bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes.
Pour in the stock, season well and bring to the boil. Cover tightly, reduce the heat and allow to cook gently for about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand, undisturbed, for 10-12 minutes.

While the rice is standing, boil the eggs to your liking. Shell and halve them and set aside. Remove the lid from the rice, fluff up the grains with a fork and spoon into four warmed bowls or plates. top each serving with four egg halves, sprinkle over the chopped coriander and serve immediately.

Lentil and Cheese Wedges




NB The whole dish contains 4 Healthy Extra A or B Choices.

Ingredients:-

8oz/227g Red Lentils
3/4 Pint/450ml Water
1 Large Onion
Fry Light
4oz/113g Strong Cheddar Cheese, grated
1 tsp Mixed Herbs
1 Egg
Salt and Pepper to taste

Method:-

Cook the lentils in water until soft and all the liquid has been absorbed. Chop the onion and fry in fry light until soft. Combine all the ingredients and press into a 9 inch sandwich tin lined with baking parchment. Bake at 190C/375F/Gas 5 for 30 minutes.

Serve Hot or cold in wedges.

Lemon and Coconut Chicken



(Serves 1)

Green Day


Ingredients:-

115g chopped chicken breast (healthy extra)
1 pot of low far natural yoghurt
Lemon grass and coconut stir fry seasoning






Method:-

Place the chicken into an ovenproof dish
Sprinkle the stir fry seasoning over the chicken breasts and cover in yoghurt
Bake in an oven at 180c for 30 mins

Serve with rice

Italian-style tomato, basil and cheese salad



Ripe tomatoes, vegetables and herbs create a colourful plate that makes a cottage cheese salad something special.

Serves 4

Prep time 10 mins

Syn free

Ingredients:-
8 ripe plum tomatoes
1 cucumber
1 red onion
6 tbsp finely chopped basil leaves
400g/14oz very low-fat natural cottage cheese
8 tbsp fat-free French-style salad dressing
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:-

Using a sharp serrated knife, slice the tomatoes, cucumber and onion very thinly. Layer four serving plates with the sliced vegetables and the basil.

Divide the cottage cheese into four portions and spoon over the top of the salad. Drizzle over the salad dressing, season and serve immediately.

Italian-style courgettes



Making courgettes into a very special supper dish or vegetable side dish is easy with this all-in-one-pan recipe. the creamy onion-flavoured sauce would also work well with pasta.

Serves 4

Prep time 15 mins
Cooking time 12 mins

Syn free

Ingredients:-
fry light for spraying
800g/1lb 12oz large courgettes, cut into 1cm/ 1/2 inch slices
1 red onion, peeled, halved and thinly sliced
150ml/5fl oz chicken stock made from bovril
4 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley
2 tbsp finely chopped mint leaves
200g/7oz very low fat natural fromage frais
salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method:-

Spray a large non stick saucepan with fry light and place over a medium heat. Add the courgette and the onion and stir fry for 2-3 minutes.

Pour in the stock, cover and cook on a gentle heat for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally or until the courgettes are just tender.

Add the parsley and mint and remove from the heat and stir in the fromage frais. Season well and serve immediately.