These Gluten-free Sourdough Banana Pancakes are a favourite family weekend breakfast. Not only are these pancakes gluten-free, they also use up the discard from your gluten-free sourdough starter which means they save on food waste as well as taste delicious. I like to serve them with dollops of coconut yoghurt, fresh blueberries and a generous…
seafoodfree
Plum Honey Yoghurt Ice Blocks
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Gluten-free Sourdough Starter
Recipe by Kristin Cosgrove By popular request, I’m excited to start sharing a range of gluten-free sourdough recipes, starting with this Gluten-free Sourdough Starter! To make sourdough you need a starter culture. This gluten-free one is surprisingly easy to make. It needs lots of TLC for the first week or so and as it becomes…
Mushroom San Choy Bow
This Mushroom San Choy Bow is a great vegan take on the classic. It’s really quick and easy to make and is a fabulous meal to share buffet style so everyone can build their own to suit their tastes. The pickled carrot really adds to this dish so make sure you add a little to…
Chargrilled Peaches with Maple Macadamias
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HFC (Healthy Fried Chicken)
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Farmhouse Lasagne
This Farmhouse Lasagne is not a quick meal to make but it does my family two good sized serves so that means I get a night off coking which is always a good thing! It’s is a hearty, nourishing meal perfect for feeding a crowd or making ahead for easy weeknight dinners. Packed with layers of rich, delicious meat and vegetable sauce and creamy bรฉchamel, itโs a comforting classic thatโs sure to be a family favourite.
Using the Thermomix or a food processor to do the grating and chopping is a huge time saver for this recipe. This is very versatile so feel free to switch up any of the veggies, or you could even sub the mince for chicken or turkey.
Health benefits
Unlike store-bought versions, this homemade lasagne is free from preservatives, additives and damaging vegetable oils. By using high-quality meats, veggies, and homemade sauces, youโre getting a really nutrient-dense meal filled with protein, vitamins, and healthy fats. Plus, by swapping out processed sauces with homemade options, you avoid unnecessary sugars and artificial ingredients, making it a much healthier alternative.
Ingredients
This easy lasagne combines simple, wholesome ingredients like ground beef mince, pork mince, a variety of fresh veggies, rich tomato passata, and a creamy bรฉchamel made with wholemeal spelt flour. Itโs a recipe that sticks to whole foods while delivering incredible flavour and texture. You only need to check out the comments below to see this is the best lasagna recipe!
How to make this farmhouse lasagne
To make this classic lasagne recipe, in a large pot or large skillet, saute the garlic, onion, and celery until soft, then add the pork and beef mince and cook until browned. Add the herbs, wine, veggies, stock, and tomato passata, and let it simmer to develop rich flavours. While the meat sauce is simmering, prepare your creamy bรฉchamel sauce. Once both are ready, take a baking dish and layer the lasagna noodles with the meat sauce and bรฉchamel, topping it off with extra cheese (cheddar or parmesan cheese). Bake until golden and bubbly, and enjoy! If you own a Thermomix, we’ve also included Thermomix instructions for this recipe.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Serve your lasagne with a fresh side salad or steamed veggies for a balanced meal. This dish is perfect for meal preppingโit can be stored in the fridge for up to three days or store in the freezer for a quick and easy dinner later. Just reheat in the oven until heated through. If I’m cooking this for two separate meals I assemble the lasagne in two dishes – one casserole dish to eat that night, and a rectangular pyrex or glass lock that I can cook it in, allow to cool, pop the lid on and freeze for another day. Thaw in the fridge, remove the lid and reheat in a moderate oven. If the top browns too much you can cover with baking paper then aluminum foil.
Vary this farmhouse lasagne to suit your dietary needs
You can easily adapt this farmhouse lasagne to suit different dietary needs. For a gluten-free version, swap the lasagne sheets for gluten-free ones and use a mix of buckwheat and rice flour in the bรฉchamel. For a dairy-free option, try a cauliflower-based sauce with nutritional yeast for that cheesy flavour. You can also reduce the meat by substituting pork with cooked lentils for a plant-based boost.
Take a look at the variations below the main recipes to adjust the recipe to suit your dietary requirements and taste.
For more delicious, easy to make healthy lasagne recipes, click HERE.
Farmhouse Lasagne
Ingredients
- 60 ml extra virgin olive oil
- 4 clove/s garlic โ minced
- 2 onion/s โ diced
- 3 stick/s celery โ finely diced
- 500 g free-range pork mince
- 1000 g beef mince
- 1 tsp dried thyme – or (1 tbsp) fresh
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves – or (1 tsp) dried
- 2 bay leaves
- 125 ml red wine
- 150 g mushrooms – roughly diced
- 2 carrot/s – large, finely diced
- 1 zucchini/s – large, finely diced
- 250 ml chicken broth or stock (can also use beef)
- 680 g tomato passata (puree)
- 1 tsp sea salt – or to taste
- ground black pepper – to taste
- 700 g lasagne sheets – approx.
Bรฉchamel
- 150 g cheddar cheese โ or parmesan
- 40 g butter
- 50 g wholemealย speltย flour
- 200 ml chicken broth or stock
- 200 ml milk (of choice)
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper โ to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large pan and add the garlic, onion and celery. Saute over a moderated heat with the lid on for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want to sweat the veggies, not brown them.
- Add the pork and beef mince and continue to cook, stirring until cooked through and most of the liquid has gone.
- Add the herbs.
- Turn the heat to high and add the red wine so it sizzles and reduces.
- Add the mushrooms, carrot, zucchini, broth, passata and seasoning.
- Reduce to a simmer for 1 hour with the lid slightly ajar.
- Meanwhile grate the cheese and make the bechemel.
- Melt the butter in a small pot. Add the flour and mix to combine to a paste.
- Now gradually add the milk and stock or broth, stirring as you go. I usually add about a ยผ cup at a time and once it heats and thickens, add more. Be patient here. Mix in about quarter of the cheese once the sauce has thickened nicely.
- Set aside until the meat sauce has cooked. When meat has approximately 10 minutes to go, preheat your oven to 180ยฐC/350ยฐF (fan-forced).
- To assemble, alternate layers of the meat and lasagne sheets finishing with a layer of the bechamel and the remaining cheese.
- I always assemble this into two baking dishes, bake and then keep one for another night or to freeze.
- Bake for 20 – 40 minutes or until the lasagne is cooked through. Fresh pasta cooks quickly, dried sheets will take longer (and the time will vary a lot between brands so check your sheets feel soft when cut before serving).
Thermomix
- Chop the garlic, 5 seconds, speed 5. Next chop the celery and onion, 10 seconds, speed 4.
- Heat the oil in a large pan and add the garlic, celery and onion. Saute over a moderated heat with the lid on for 10 mins, stirring occasionally. You want to sweat the veggies, not brown them.
- Add the pork and beef mince and continue to cook, stirring until almost cooked through and most of the liquid has gone.
- Add the herbs.
- Turn the heat to high and add the red wine so it sizzles and reduces.
- Chop the mushrooms, 3 seconds, speed 4. Chop the carrot and zucchini, 5 seconds speed 4.
- Then add the rest of the ingredients to the pan, stir and reduce to a simmer for 1 hour with the lid ajar. When meat has approximately 10 minutes to go, preheat your oven to 180ยฐC/350ยฐF (fan-forced).
- Rinse the Thermomix, dry with a paper towel, and make the bechemel.
- Grate the cheese, 10 seconds, speed 6 and set aside.
- Add the butter, flour, broth and milk into the bowl and cook, 10 minutes, 90, speed 4, MC on.
- Once the bechamel has thickened, season with a pinch of salt and a grind of black pepper and mix in a quarter of the cheese. Thermomix, 10 seconds, speed 5.
- To assemble, alternate layers of the meat and lasagne sheets finishing with a layer of the bechamel and the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 30 – 45 minutes or until the lasagne is cooked through.
Notes
Reduce the meat
Replace the pork with one can (or cup) of cooked brown lentils.Gluten-free
Chose gluten-free lasagne sheets. replace the spelt flour in the bechamel with gluten-free flour (I like a mix of buckwheat and rice flours 50/50).Dairy-free cheese sauce
Steam half a large head of cauliflower, then puree with a tablespoon of nutritional yeast, a generous pinch of sea salt and pepper and a splash of almond milk to achieve a Bรฉchamel consistency (thick sauce). Top with grated vegan cheese. Another option is this Dairy-free Bรฉchamel Sauceโ increase the servings to match the volume of milk and stock required for your meal.Onion and Garlic-free
Replace both with finely diced fennel sautรฉed with a pinch of cumin and chilli powder.Make your own pasta sheets
If you have the time, making your own pasta sheets is fun and gives an extra special level of deliciousness! Click HERE for the recipe! You will need to reduce the liquid a little since this is fresh pasta. ย ย ยย
A great meal to make ahead for those evenings where you don’t feel like cooking.ย Let me know how you enjoyed this recipe in the comments below.
Raspberry and Rosewater Jelly
This Raspberry and Rosewater Jelly is a delicious and nourishing jelly that the kids will love. Itโs really quick and easy to make so thereโs no need for chemically laden jelly crystals anymore. It was a revolution in my mind as an adult to realise that jelly packets were not needed to make jelly. What…
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Sweet Potato Roti Flatbreads
These Sweet Potato Roti Flatbreads are a quick and easy wrap to make. I’ve tried lots of different variations on roti and these are my family’s all time favourite. Enjoy them hot as a side with a curry or store and use for school lunches. By including sweet potato, these roti become far more nutritious…
Creamy Kale Sweet Potato Soup
This Creamy Kale Sweet Potato Soup is a deliciously hearty soup that will warm and comfort the body. Made from simple ingredients, the combination of anti-inflammatory spices, collagen and protein-rich bone broth will nourish your gut. Nutrient dense and fibre-packed from the lentils, nuts and vegetables, itโs a super soup for sure.
For all you need to know about bone broth and how to make it click here. I love having broth ready in my fridge or freezer so that I can whip up a nourishing soup any time it is needed.
Health benefits
This soup is full of nutrient-dense ingredients that support overall well-being. Sweet potatoes are high in fibre and beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A for immune and skin health. Kale is rich in vitamins K, C, and antioxidants, while red lentils add plant-based protein and fiber, supporting digestion. Coconut milk provides healthy fats for energy and satiety, and ginger, garlic, and turmeric contribute anti-inflammatory benefits.
Ingredients
A base of onion, cloves garlic, and ginger is sautรฉed in coconut or olive oil before adding diced sweet potato and warming spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric. Red lentils and veg or chicken broth simmer together until tender, and kale is gently wilted in the coconut milk. A touch of lemon juice brightens the flavours, while toasted cashews, coriander leaves, and chilli flakes add texture and extra depth.
How to make this creamy kale sweet potato soup
To make this sweet potato kale soup, start by sautรฉing the onion in a large pot until softened, then add garlic, ginger, and spices. Next, add the sweet potatoes, lentils, and broth, simmering until everything is tender. Stir in the lemon zest, kale, and coconut milk, letting the greens wilt. Finally, add the lemon juice, taste, and adjust the seasoning. If a smooth texture is preferred, blend until creamy.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Serve this dairy free soup in a bowl with a sprinkle of toasted cashews, fresh coriander, and chilli flakes for added flavour and crunch. It pairs beautifully with sourdough flatbread or a hearty grain like quinoa. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days or freeze for longer-term storage. Reheat gently over low heat to maintain its creamy texture.
Vary this creamy kale sweet potato soup to suit your dietary needs
For a nut-free version, swap cashews for pumpkin seeds. To keep it vegan, use vegetable stock instead of bone broth. If a smoother texture is preferred, blend the soup completely for a creamy consistencyโideal for kids or those who prefer a velvety soup.
Creamy Kale Sweet Potato Soup
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp coconut oil – or olive oil
- 1 onion/s – diced
- 4 clove/s garlic – crushed
- 1 tbsp ginger root – finely grated
- 500 g sweet potato/s – diced 2-3cm
- ยฝ tsp ground cumin
- ยฝ tsp ground coriander
- ยฝ tsp ground turmeric
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper – to taste
- 1 ltr stock or broth – of any kind (chicken or vegetable)
- 60 g split red lentils (โ cup)
- ยฝ lemon/s – juice & zest
- 1 bunch/s kale
- 400 ml canned coconut milk – full fat
- 40 g raw cashew nuts (ยผ cup) toasted
- ยฝ bunch/s fresh coriander leaves – optional, to serve
- chilli flakes – optional, to serve
Instructions
- In a large pot, melt the coconut oil over a moderate heat and add the onion. Saute for 2 minutes.
- Add the garlic and ginger and saute for another minute.
- Add the sweet potato, spices and seasoning and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the stock or broth and lentils and bring to a rolling simmer for 10-15 mins or until the lentils have softened.
- Add the lemon zest, tear the kale from the stems and add to the soup with the coconut milk. Heat for a couple of minutes to wilt the kale.
- Stir through the lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Thermomix Instructions
- Add the onion (quartered), garlic and ginger (sliced into thin coins) and chop 5 seconds, speed 5. Add the coconut oil and saute 3 minutes, 100 degrees, speed 1, MC off.
- Add the sweet potato (cubed), spices and seasoning and saute 3 minutes, 100 degrees, speed 1, MC on. (If you plan to puree this soup at the end, you can chop 5 seconds, speed 5 before sauteeing.)
- Add the stock or broth and lentils and bring to a rolling simmer, 15 minutes, 100 degrees, speed 1, MC on, or until the lentils have softened.
- In the final few minutes, through the hole in the lid, add the lemon zest, tear the kale from the stems and add to the soup with the coconut milk.
- Remove the lid and stir through the lemon juice. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- If you would like a smooth soup, puree 30 seconds, speed 9, MC on.
Serve
- With optional cashews, coriander leaves and chilli flakes.
- This is pictured with the sourdough starter flatbread recipe.
Make-ahead
- Re-heat in a pot over a low heat until just hot.
Store
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
Nut-free
Replace the cashews with pumpkin seeds.Vegan and vegetarian
Replace the bone broth with vegetable stock.Smooth soup
You can absolutely blend this into a smooth soup if you, if your kids prefer. ย ย ยLove this hearty soup? Let me know in the comments below.
Healthy Pad Thai
This healthy Pad Thai takes me back to one of my favorite travel memories when my hubby and I backpacked through Southeast Asia, including Thailand. One of our favorite street carts was on Khaosan Road in Bangkok, and it had the most incredible Pad Thai. It took me many years to perfect this recipe, so it’s as good as the one we often reminisce about.
I’ve deliberately combined flavors from easy-to-find supermarket ingredients to make the Pad Thai sauce, and I believe I’ve nailed it (so there’s no need for specialty ingredients like tamarind paste or palm sugar). Hubby certainly gives this his stamp of approvalโhe says it’s ‘the best Pad Thai’!
Pad Thai is such a quick and easy meal. This homemade version is simple to whip up, making it a great option for a fast, nutritious dinner packed with veggies, protein, and fresh herbs. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or whenever youโre craving those vibrant Southeast Asian flavours! Plus, it’s just as quick to make as the total time it takes to order and pick up takeaway from your local Thai restaurant.
Health benefits
Loaded with protein from chicken or tofu and eggs and packed with fresh herbs, garlic, and bean sprouts, this gluten-free Pad Thai is a nourishing meal. The rice noodles are gluten-free, and you can easily adapt the recipe for dairy-free, egg-free, or vegetarian diets, making it suitable for many dietary needs. The fresh lime and coriander also offer a good dose of antioxidants.
Ingredients
This Pad Thai recipe uses classic ingredients like rice noodles, chicken, garlic, and fresh herbs, along with a delicious sauce made from pantry staples like fish sauce, tamari, and rice vinegar. Topped with crunchy peanuts, a squeeze of lime and fresh coriander (cilantro), itโs a complete meal with everything you need for a balanced dish.
How to make healthy Pad Thai
Start by prepping all your ingredients and mixing the sauce. While soaking (or cooking) the rice noodles, stir-fry the onion, garlic, and chicken until cooked through over a medium high heat.. Add the eggs to the pan and scramble them alongside the chicken. Toss in the noodles, fresh mung bean sprouts, garlic chives, peanuts, and the sauce, and stir to combine.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Pad Thai is best served fresh with a generous squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of chopped peanuts and coriander. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days. Reheat in a pan over low heat to keep the noodles from getting too soft. You can also freeze the cooked chicken and sauce separately to save prep time next time.
Vary this healthy Pad Thai to suit your dietary needs
To make this peanut-free, swap the peanuts for toasted cashews or leave them out altogether. For a vegan option, replace the fish sauce with sea salt and use extra firm tofu instead of chicken. If you’re egg-free, sub in silken tofu, and for soy-free, use coconut aminos instead of tamari. Add extra stir-fried veggies for a nutrient boost and make it your own! I often add carrots, broccoli or asian greens. If you are a fan of shrimp, feel free to add as well.
Take a look at the variations (below the main recipe) for suggestions to alter the recipe to suit your specific dietary requirements.
For more easy to make, delicious healthy dinner recipes, click HERE.
Healthy Pad Thai
Ingredients
Sauce
- 3 tbsp coconut sugar or rapadura
- 2 tbsp tomato sauce – or 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 tbsp fish sauce
- 2 tbsp tamari – or coconut aminos
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 lime/s (small) juice
Stir fry
- 250 g rice noodles – Pad Thai (I find Changs brand hold up best)
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 onion/s โ finely sliced
- 4 clove/s garlic โ minced
- 300 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts – or thigh, sliced very thinly (you can also use leftover cooked chicken too)
- 3 egg/s โ whisked in a jug
- 1 bunch/s garlic chives โ cut into 2 cm lengths
- 120 g bean sprouts (approx. couple handfuls)
- 60 g roasted peanuts – (ยฝ cup) โ finely chopped
- 1 bunch/s fresh coriander leaves โ finely chopped, or Thai basil is lovely too
Serve
- 1 lime/s โ cut into quarters (or lemon)
- 1 red chilli/s – optional, sliced
Instructions
- Start with making the sauce by combining all of the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Prepare ALL of your stir-fry ingredients so they are ready to cook, including whisking the egg into a small jug.
- Check how your noodles are best prepared. Fill your kettle and put on to boil if they need to be soaked. Or put a large pot of water on to boil if they need simmering.
- Start heating your wok (especially if using induction as I find it takes time for it to heat well).
- Place the noodles in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Soak for approx. 5 minutes until just softening then drain in a colander, rinsing immediately under cold water to stop them further cooking. Alternatively, cook according to the rice noodle packet instructions. Shake the colander to remove as much water as possible. Take care not to over soften them, they need a bit of a bite.
- While the noodles are soaking/cooking, work quickly and heat the oil in a wok or large non-stick pan over a high heat.
- Add the onion and cook for a few minutes until it softens. Add the garlic and chicken and stir-fry to cook (approx. 3-4 minutes). If using cooked chicken, only heat for 30 seconds.
- Once cooked push to the side and pour in the whisked egg in the other side of the wok, mixing to cook.
- Then add two thirds of the bean sprouts, garlic chives, two thirds of the peanuts, half the coriander, noodles and all of the sauce.
- Turn off the heat straight away and gently fold to combine the ingredients with the sauce so that the noodles are evenly coated.
Serve
- Garnish with remaining bean sprouts, peanuts and coriander.
- With lime wedges (this is essential), see note below.
Note
- Make sure you add the extra lime juice to taste. It really helps to balance out the saltiness and sweetness of the dish. Add to suit your taste.
- Garlic chives are a herb that taste like a mix of spring onions and chives. They are sometimes available in a supermarket however if you cannot find them, you can substitute with some extra garlic. They are a very hardy herb so if you have space in your garden, grow some. They're also delish chopped through mashed potato.
Notes
Peanut-free
You can sub the peanuts with toasted cashew nuts or just leave out altogether (or add in toasted seeds).Seafood-free
Replace the fish sauce with a good teaspoon of sea salt.Egg-free
Replace with 150g silken tofu (scrambled for 30 seconds).Vegetarian
Replace the chicken with 300g firm tofu diced and cook for 1 minute (to heat it).Vegan
Combine the seafood free and vegetarian versions.Soy-free
Choose the coconut aminos instead of the tamari.Add more veggies
Feel free to stir fry more veggies if you like. ย ย ยI’d love to know what you think of my delicious and healthy version of Pad Thai.
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Cashew Queso (vegan cheese dip or sauce)
This creamy Cashew Queso is a delicious vegan cheese dip or sauce with a hint of smoky heat, perfect for nachos, tacos, or drizzling over roasted vegetables. Made with raw cashews, nutritional yeast, and spices, it’s a nutritious, plant-based alternative that doesnโt compromise on flavour.
Make it as a stand alone dip or a side to go with any Mexican inspired meal and you’ll have rave reviews!
Health Benefits
Cashews provide healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals like magnesium and zinc, while nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavour along with B vitamins. This dairy-free queso is also naturally gluten-free and is made without added oils or artificial ingredients like many store bought dips and sauces, making it a wholesome option.
Ingredients
This queso requires raw cashews, boiling water, nutritional yeast, garlic, a chipotle chilli in adobo (for smoky heat), sea salt, and ground cumin to create its distinctive, creamy taste.
How to make vegan cashew queso
Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth and creamy, which should take about one minute. For Thermomix users, blend for two minutes at speed 8, scraping down the sides as needed. If you find the queso too thick, add a little more water to reach your desired consistency, or if itโs too thin, add a few more cashews to thicken it up.
Serving suggestions and how to store
Serve this vegan queso dip warm or chilled. Itโs ideal as a dip with tortilla chips, a sauce over Mexican-inspired dishes, or drizzled on roasted vegetables for an added creamy touch. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, where it will keep for up to five days and maintain its flavour and texture.
Vary this to suit your dietary needs
If you prefer a milder flavour, replace the chipotle chilli with a teaspoon of smoked paprika to keep the smoky undertone without the heat. For a thicker queso, simply add extra cashews to the blend.
Remember to take a look at the variations (below the main recipe).
Cashew Queso (vegan cheese dip or sauce)
Ingredients
- 140 g raw cashew nuts – (1 cup/s)
- ยพ cup/s boiling water
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 clove/s garlic
- 1 chipotle in adobe sauce
- ยฝ tsp sea salt
- ยฝ tsp ground cumin
Instructions
- Place all ingredients together in a high speed blender or processor. Process until smooth and creamy, approximately 1 minute. If you're using a Thermomix, 2 minutes, speed 8 (scraping sides).
- If you find itโs too thick, add more water. If itโs not quite thick enough, add more cashew nuts.
- Place in a serving dish and chill until ready to enjoy.
Notes
Tip
It’s got just a hint of heat, but if you prefer a spice-free Queso, replace the chipotle chilli with a teaspoon of smoked paprika. ย ย ย ยLove this simple recipe? Let me know in the comments below…
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