On a budget / cheap eats
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Shredded lime and salt-dressed cabbage
This shredded lime and salt-dressed cabbage is a perfect taco night addition. It is so simple to make and really packs a punch. It works perfectly in tacos with pulled pork with roasted carrots, crumbled feta and avocado or steak (pan-fried until rare then rested for a few minutes before slicing finely) with roasted or...
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eggplant polpette with speedy tomato basil sauce
Meatless meatballs, aubergine balls, vegetarian balls – I struggled a bit to name this recipe. Anyhow, I’ve settled on eggplant polpette. Eggplant because I taught it first in my cooking classes in California, polpette because, well, ‘balls’ is only ever going to get one reaction. If you don’t like aubergine or eggplant I bet you’ll...
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white bean, kale and Parmesan soup
This white bean, kale and Parmesan soup has been upping my and my boys’ veg quota all week. We got back from two lovely weeks on holiday in New England on Sunday. I don’t know about you but I always come back from holiday wanting to force-feed myself with veg. I try my best when...
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black bean burgers
These protein-packed black bean burgers are one of our favourite meat-free Monday dinners. They pass the carnivore and suspicious child test with flying colours, but I love them because they’re healthy and easy to make, and give me the satisfaction of noshing a burger whilst feeling smugly virtuous. I always keep canned black beans in...
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the easiest tomato sauce for pasta
Home from a week away and tired after a long journey. I was so close to ordering pizza but then I realised what I really wanted was a bowl of pasta with a good tomato sauce and too much Parmesan. So I turned to the easiest tomato sauce for pasta there is. This classic recipe...
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roast cauliflower, chickpea, Dijon and parsley salad
This roast cauliflower chickpea salad recipe perfectly illustrates the importance of balance in flavour and texture and will teach you new techniques for making vegetables the star of the show. Why roasting cauliflower is a game changer Roasted cauliflower is such a handy addition to meals. It has just the right amount of stodge to...
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carrot and swede (rutabaga) mash
This way of eating carrots has been in my family for generations. I’d put money on this being one of the first foods I ate as a baby as it was on our table with well over half the meals we had each week. My children love it too. We always have it with shepherds...
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stock or broth – the easy way to make your own liquid gold
If you make soups, stews, risotto or pho, homemade stock is a game changer. It is so simple to make from things you would usually throw away. Once you get into the habit of making your own you’ll never look back. Your food will taste better, you’ll save money, and your health will benefit. Homemade...
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end of the week veggie stew
The week before I fly home to England from California I always go into an extra crazy vegetable eating and juicing mission and this veggie stew is perfect. It is my attempt to pack in as many vitamins and antioxidants so we are ready to fight off any bugs flying around inside of the plane. ...
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puy lentil bolognese
This puy lentil bolognese is a brilliant meat-free Monday dinner and freezer filler. I do feel like a little constraint is a bigger boost to my imagination than a wide open choice of what to eat. So forcing Monday to be meat-free in our house encourages me to try lots of new recipes. And I...
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Julie’s lentil, carrot, tomato soup
Growing up this was a pretty-much weekly item on our menu. My Mum, Julie, embraced lentil eating in the 80s along with her perm and shoulder pads. So I’m naming this as Julie’s lentil, carrot, tomato soup for her. The hair and fashions have changed but this remains a favourite in our family. She is...
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easy lentil houmus
I have another houmus (or hummus, houmous, or humus) recipe that I love. So I was dubious about this lentil houmus recipe but curious too. It uses lentils rather than chickpeas which makes it super creamy and higher protein (15g per serving). Totally delicious, easy peasy to make and a great lunch or snack for kids...
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