These don't photograph well but that's OK because what they lack in looks they more than make up for in taste and nutrients. These 'raw' granola bars came about when our oven broke and was out of action for a month. I'd previously made something similar in the oven but had to figure out a compromise that worked
There are many reasons to avoid Nutella, from the insane sugar content to the Palm oil they use and the environmental impact that has. I'm also not going to make my life harder by introducing Archie to the notion of chocolate at breakfast apart from the occasional pain au chocolat after swimming on the weekends. However, I
These are light, fluffy (which is no easy feat with wholemeal pancakes) and insanely moreish. Made with wholemeal flower, a couple of teaspoons of maple syrup instead of refined sugar alongside a mashed banana, they're a more nutritious option than your average pancakes. They're ridiculously good with almond butter (extra protein to keep you and yours fuller for longer) drizzled on top.
I love a good risotto but am often put off just by the thought of standing over a hot hob constantly stirring rice for 30 plus minutes. I usually end up an overheated, irritable mess that's consumed half a bottle of white wine in the process and am not actually hungry by the time it's ready to eat! Oven-baked risotto, however, is a game changer. The oven does all the hard work so you don't
Dutch babies are awesome and easy breakfast pancakes. They basically follow the same principle as a Yorkshire pudding. Make a batter and pour it into a very hot metal pan and into a very hot oven and step back as it turns into a splendid puffy dome of goodness. The batter doesn’t have any raising agent and it’s slightly denser and more custardy than your usual pancake but they’re equally delicious.
It’s probably becoming rather apparent by now that we eat a lot of Asian inspired food around these parts. On the whole, it’s incredibly veggie friendly and massively versatile so, I’m forever coming up with variations for speedy midweek meals. Mushroom Foil Yaki is ridiculously simple to make and is one of my all time favourite simple suppers.
This is a speedy dinner when the fridge is empty, you want something tasty and comforting and you can't stretch to a takeaway. I'll be honest, ramen made with slow cooked bone broths aren't comparable to this, they're in a completely different league but this does deserve a place in your mid week meal routine because it demands very little of you but still packs loads of flavour.
So, a year ago Sainsbury's got in touch and asked if I'd collaborate with them to create some recipe videos. Of course, I immediately said yes! I'd say 90% of our food shopping now comes from Sainsbury's and when I used to make Kidchup at home the apples that originally went into Kidchup were Sainsbury's own so, the chance to create recipe content for them was beyond exciting.
Here's our second video for Sainsbury's and it is honestly one of our absolute favourites. I'll often cook this on a Friday when I am craving something easy and comforting. It's a mix of the Spanish dish Espinacas con Garbanzos and the Italian dish pasta e Ceci and it works so well with pasta. Archie is a big fan of chickpeas (which surprised me as I hated them as a kid) and wolfs this down.
Our third recipe for Sainsbury's went live today and it's definitely one for all you parents struggling to get enough oily fish into your kids. This miso salmon is melt-in-the-mouth and the bed of nutty wholewheat noodles is a great way to smuggle in some veg - I sometimes add sweetcorn and peas as well. This is one dish I know Archie will devour without a grumble thanks to the slightly sweet miso/maple syrup
This is the final recipe in our Sainsbury's series. I know chicken wraps have been done to death but there is a reason for that; they're delicious, you can customise them to please most people and they're easy! These are a regular mid-week meal in our house and If I am organised I get my chicken thighs marinading the night before but equally, you can do it a couple hours before and it's no biggie.
Archie's enduring love of pasta shows no sign of ending and, to keep myself from dying of boredom due to repeatedly cooking the same thing, I am trying to keep it at least half way interesting. Our conversations around meal times go a little like this Me: 'Arch, what would you like for lunch/dinner?'
