Sweet and sour chicken

Sweet and sour chicken

EASY

LUNCH, DINNER
Prep & Cook time 25 mins

Sweet & sour chicken (or Pork) is a great way to combine veg, fruit, protein and carbs. I serve it with rice or egg noodles.  My daughter is not crazy about bean sprouts but I love them and she always is willing to try them. It´s also nice to put bamboo shoots which are rich in nutrients you can buy these in a jar or tin.  It´s a really quick dish and with the vitamin A & C from the pineapple and also vitamin C from the orange juice it´s perfect for the whole family.  Don´t be afraid to cook the veg quick in this recipe - more nutrients and nice and crunchy.

Pita pockets

Wholemeal Pitta bread with cumin chicken and yogurt dressing.

EASY

LUNCH, DINNER

Prep & Cooking time 20 minutes











Pita breads are so versatile. It´s also a lot more fun for kids to explore new foods and prepare there own pitta pocket.  I buy wholemeal pitta breads, look for ones that don´t contain E numbers. We use pita breads for dipping, toasting and pockets. This recipe we all love in our family, everyone fills their own pitta at the table.

Butifarra Scotch eggs

Butifarra Scotch eggs

A LITTLE EFFORT - but worth it! 
LUNCH, DINNER,PICNIC

Prep & Cooking time 30-40 mins

Scotch eggs are pretty rectro and very English. I love to try and combine Catalan cuisine with British (to please everyone in the family !!) These are a perfect alternative way to use Butifarras - the typical Catalan sausage.  I buy the best quality meat I can directly from the Butchers in our local market. I serve these for a light dinner with salad, when made with quails eggs they are the perfect size and also ideal for picnics.

Grilled Tuna Steaks

Tune Marinade

EASY
LUNCH,DINNER

Tuna is a strongly flavoured fish, so I like to marinate it for my daughter.  She prefers fresh tuna to tinned tuna which is great.  It´s packed with Omega 3, quick and easy to cook.





This marinade is also good with chicken.





Ingredients

100 g Fresh Tuna steak
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cm freshly grated ginger
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp brown sugar
**Sesame seeds to sprinkle**

Method

Mix the above ingredients for the marinade in a bowl and leave the tuna steak for 30 -45 mins in the fridge covered with clingfilm.
Grill  the tuna for 3 mins on each side (depending on steak size)

I serve the tuna with cous -cous,matchstick steamed carrots and green beans. We also love it with rice noodles and courgette.

Goldilocks Breakfast

EASY

BREAKFAST

Prep & Cooking time 5 mins








Porridge is a perfect nutritious  breakfast for all the family especially in the colder months before walking to school.  It´s so quick and easy to make, add different fruits or use different toppings to vary it a little.

DIY Granola

DIY Granola

EASY

BREAKFAST,

Prep & Cooking time 30 mins










There are so many reasons why kids should be eating oats.Breakfast
*High Fiber & protein
*Enhances immunity
*Slow rise in blood sugar- enough energy to last through the morning.

If your kids reject it cooked one way (for example porridge), there is always another ! by adding different flavours to porridge or like this Crunchy Granola.
I do buy Muesli which my daughter loves but shop bought cereals are heavily sweetened, so I prefer to make my own  (Do It Yourself).  The ingredients depend on what I have available but I love to add different types of nuts, seeds, dried fruit and serve it with Greek yogurt (unsweetend - check for E- number too!!) or with slices of fresh banana and milk.  I make lots and store in an airtight container for a couple of weeks.


Ingredients

9 oz Oats -  (Organic if possible)
9 oz mixed nuts,almonds,hazelnuts,walnuts and sunflower seeds. (or less if you prefer)
6 tbsp runny honey
6 oz dried fruit (cranberries, raisins,chopped apricots
You need two baking trays.

Method

Preheat the oven to 150 C. In a large bowl mix together the oats, nuts, and 4 tbsp of the honey. Mix well and divide equally between the two baking trays. Bake for 25 mins.
After that time, add the fruit and the remaining honey. Bake for a fruther 5 minutes. Remove and allow to cool before storing.


I started to give my daughter porridge at 6 months and she still loves it, this Granola is a great alternative breakfast to keep her going until lunchtime.

http://www.annabelkarmel.com/recipes/babies-6-9-months/porridge

http://www.healthyandfitmagazine.com/2008/09/top-10-brain-foods-for-children/

Carrot and orange soup

Carrot and orange soup with granary bread

EASY

LUNCH , DINNER

Prep & cooking time 1 hour
Serves 4-6
Can be Frozen












Cooking with fruit is a perfect way to make sure your child is eating correctly. Making soup is so easy and quick it's ideal for a light supper. This recipe is perfect for the autumn, full of vitamin C & A. This was originally a BBC Food recipe with coriander, which I love! but my husband and daughter don´t like coriander so I´ve left it out.



Ingredients

2 tbsp oil
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
900 g/2lb carrots, scrubbed and chopped
1L /1 3/4 pt vegetable stock
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp paprika
Rind and juice of 1 large orange
Salt and pepper

Method

Heat the oil in a pan, add the onions, then cover the pan and sweat them for 3 mins.
Peel and chop the carrots finely and add these to the pan. Cover again and sweat the vegetables for 10 mins.
Add stock, spices, rind and juice of an orange. Bring to the boil and simmer for 40 mins.
Let the soup cool and liquidise. Season and re- heat.
Serve with wholemeal or granary bread to dip.