The Crazy Kitchen: January 2017

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Friday 27 January 2017

3 Ingredient Cheesy Pesto Twists

My kids at the moment are constantly after food. The minute they walk through the door after school they're foraging in the fridge looking for something that takes their fancy, but strangely enough that something never seems to be fruit. Not unless I've peeled and chopped it and put it in a bowl for them.  If there's not a freshly baked offering on the side they then turn to the biscuit tin, which is usually empty.

Earlier in the week I remembered I had some pesto in the fridge, leftover from a pasta dish one night, and not being one that likes throwing food away I decided to put it to good use. I usually keep a roll or two of puff pastry in the fridge or freezer ready to make into something tasty, so thought I would combine the two and make a snack ready for when the kids came in from school.

3 Ingredient Cheesy Pesto Twists

This simple recipe requires only 3 ingredients, and makes use of that half a jar of pesto, along with hard cheese and a sheet of puff pastry - I go for the ready rolled as it makes life so much simpler!

3 Ingredient Cheesy Pesto Twists
I USE MY MICROPLANE GRATER FOR EASY GRATING OF HARD CHEESE

3 Ingredient Cheesy Pesto Twists 3 Ingredient Cheesy Pesto Twists

These twists are a great accompaniment to a pasta dish, for the kids to snack on after school, or to enjoy with a glass of wine at the weekend.

3 Ingredient Cheesy Pesto Twists 3 Ingredient Cheesy Pesto Twists






Friday 20 January 2017

Raspberry Jammie Dodger Cupcakes

I'm a woman of my word, so as promised here is another sweet treat recipe for those that came here looking for something other than healthy January food. These cupcakes are a basic cake recipe that you can add your own flavours to. I chose to add a touch of vanilla extract this time, but grated lemon zest works really well too, especially with the raspberry topping.

Raspberry Jammie Dodger Cupcakes

Some people can find buttercream a little too sweet, but this simple topping is creamy and fruity, with just the right amount of sweetness. It's also a lot less hassle to make than buttercream as it doesn't leave your kitchen with a layer of icing sugar dust over it!

Raspberry Jammie Dodger Cupcakes

Perfect for your Valentine.(Nobody can see that the cases have a reindeer on the bottom!)

Raspberry Jammie Dodger Cupcakes Raspberry Jammie Dodger Cupcakes
Raspberry Jammie Dodger Cupcakes

Wednesday 18 January 2017

Syn Free Red Pepper Quiche (Slimming World Friendly Recipe)

I mentioned last week how I've jumped aboard the Slimming World bandwagon, and so far it's going well. To avoid boredom and running the risk of falling off the wagon I'm trying to make sure my meals are as tasty and varied as possible, so now that I've got my head around syns and healthy extras I'm going to start sharing some of my recipes on here. 

For those readers that came here looking for sweet treats then fear not as I will still be sharing some naughtier recipes too - like the Freakshake I shared last week. 

For today though, it's all about the syn free quiche, which is perfect for lunch whether you're at home or on the go as it tastes just as delicious cold as it does warm. You can add whatever you like, and add as much or as little cheese as you allow yourself (it also works well with a thinly sliced Babybel on top).

Syn Free Red Pepper Quiche (Slimming World Friendly Recipe)

Along with making and photographing the recipes, I've also been trying my hand at making short videos to share on Facebook to show followers how easy it is to make many of my recipes (I don't like making dishes that take a lot of effort and time!). The videos (and my editing skills) are a bit rough around the edges but I'm hoping my skills will improve over time, so bear with me.



Here is the video for this recipe, and you can find a video for a delicious Roasted Brussels Sprout & Butternut Squash Salad here.

Syn Free Red Pepper Quiche (Slimming World Friendly Recipe)





Syn Free Red Pepper Quiche (Slimming World Friendly Recipe) Syn Free Red Pepper Quiche (Slimming World Friendly Recipe)



Tuesday 10 January 2017

Dairy Free Chocolate Freakshake {using Rice Dream}

New year, new me. Blah Blah Blah. 
We all do it, but this year I mean it. I haven't actually said it out loud because I hate the term, but there is nothing like a new year to start a new diet. Or a Monday, or indeed a Tuesday, like today, on which I have jumped aboard the Slimming World bandwagon. Dieting is not easy when your work revolves around delicious food, but I will be zipping my mouth firmly shut and handing over full taste testing responsibility to my 3 stooges. 

Dairy Free Chocolate Freakshake

First test on the agenda has been for DREAM, who specialise in Diary free alternatives to milk and ice cream. I received some of their Rice Dream drink to test their claim that it offers tea lovers a dairy free solution to the perfect cup of tea. I admit that I am a little fussy when it comes to tea, and can only drink it with skimmed milk in. For coffee I'm a little more flexible, but if there's tea on offer then it has to be skimmed milk, or I drink it black. 

Rice Dream Dairy Free - Perfect cup of Tea

I was a little skeptical at this claim but was pleasantly surprised that my tea tasted no different to usual, despite being a little darker in colour due to the consistency of the milk.

None of the kids are tea drinkers so they weren't in the slightest bit interested in these claims, but they were more than happy to put Rice Dream through their own taste test in a Freakshake.

Dairy Free Chocolate Freakshake

Freakshakes are a huge trend sweeping the country. Bars and cafés are adding them to their menus, and Facebook is often awash with photos of huge shakes that have enough calories in to see a grown man through a few days! What to do if you're following a dairy free diet though? How about this dairy free freakshake, which is still loaded with all the yumminess and calories, but without the dairy. Most supermarkets stock dairy free products that can be used in this, and although I used a dairy free chocolate ice cream that I found in my local supermarket, DREAM make a salted caramel and a mint chocolate version which is available in Waitrose, and would be a delicious alternative.

Dairy Free Chocolate Freakshake - makes 1

tbsp smooth peanut butter
sprinkles
25g dairy free chocolate
250ml Rice DREAM
1 tbsp cocoa powder
4 scoops dairy free ice cream
2 large cookies (there's a great recipe here for cookies using coconut oil)
handful of sweet & salty popcorn
coconut cream
dairy free brownies (this recipe can be adapted with dairy free spread and chocolate)

  • Place the peanut butter in a small bowl and heat for 10-20 seconds in the microwave until runny
  • Dip the rim of your glass into the peanut butter to coat the rim approx 1-2cm deep before dipping in sprinkles
  • Place in the fridge to firm up whilst making the shake
  • Make a chocolate sauce by heating together a tsp of rice Dream with the dairy free chocolate, until melted and smooth
  • Use some of the chocolate sauce to drizzle inside the glass
  • Add the remaining rice Dream to a blender, along with the cocoa powder and 2 scoops of ice cream - whizz together until smooth
  • Pour the shake into the glass and top with another scoop of ice cream
  • Make an ice cream sandwich out of the 2 cookies and one scoop of ice cream - making a hole in the centre for the straws
  • Top with coconut cream and stick popcorn and brownie pieces around the cream and ice cream
  • Drizzle with the remaining chocolate sauce before serving
Dairy Free Chocolate Freakshake Dairy Free Chocolate Freakshake

Rice DREAM certainly passed the taste test in these shakes, and the glasses were soon empty!

If you fancy trying Rice DREAM for yourself then it's available in Ocado, Tesco & Waitrose (rrp £1.49). There is currently a 'try me for free' promotion on certain packs, inviting shoppers to discover the great taste for themselves, or receive their money back if they don't enjoy it. What have you got to lose!


Rice Dream Dairy Free - Perfect cup of Tea





post commissioned for DREAM









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Monday 9 January 2017

BBQ Mackerel Macaroni Cheese

Well that's it, Christmas is over and done for another year. It sprung itself upon us quickly, and then in the blink of an eye it was gone again, leaving behind it lots and lots of indulgent food, and some bulging waistlines. I can't wait to get back into a healthy eating regime, and was craving a nice big salad all over the festive period. I'm committed to the cause though, and  will be ploughing through the mountain of cheese until the end. If you've got excess cheese in the fridge then a great way to use some of it up is in a macaroni cheese. This isn't something that I make often as not all of the family like it, but when I do I usually use mature cheddar, but most cheeses are suitable, including smoked, spicy or blue. If you want to cut the calories a little then the quantity of cheese can be reduced and replaced with a lower fat version.

BBQ Mackerel Macaroni Cheese

In this version I've added some Princes Mackerel fillets in Texas BBQ style sauce, which are a great source of Omega 3 and protein, as well as being a handy product to keep in the pantry to make a quick and easy meal. If you don't fancy making the macaroni cheese from scratch there are some good ready made products out there which can be given extra flavour by adding a can of mackerel fillets in sauce. The fillets are available in a variety of sauces, including Mexican, Hot & Sour, Piri Piri & Brazilian if you fancy spicing your Mac & Cheese up a little!

This recipe would serve 4 people if you're serving it alongside some bread and salad, or 2 people wanting hefty portions. The tortilla chips give it a crunchy topping, but this can be left out or replaced with breadcrumbs (and extra cheese if you're so inclined!)

BBQ Mackerel Macaroni Cheese


BBQ Mackerel Macaroni Cheese - serves 4

250g dried or fresh macaroni
50g butter
50g plain flour
600ml milk
150g mature cheddar cheese 
2 x 125g cans of Princes Mackerel fillets in Texas BBQ sauce
handful of cheesy tortilla chips, crushed
  • Boil the Macaroni as per directions on the pack
  • Add the butter to a pan and stir until melted
  • Stir in the flour over a low heat for 2 minutes
  • Gradually add the milk, whilst whisking continuously, a little at a time to avoid getting lumps until all the milk has been added
  • Bring to the boil and remove from the heat
  • Stir in the cooked pasta and the cheese and mix well
  • Layer the macaroni and mackerel fillets into a baking dish (or individual dishes)
  • Top with the crushed tortilla chips before baking in a preheated 200℃ oven for approx 20 minutes
Serve with a large helping of home made coleslaw


BBQ Mackerel Macaroni Cheese

The Princes Mackerel range has a wide selection of flavours inspired by cuisines from all over the world – visit www.princes.co.uk/around-the-world to find out more.



recipe commissioned for Princes

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