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Kumara and chickpea soup
Blending half of the soup gives it a lovely consistency while retaining texture from the vegetables and chickpeas.
Slow cooker sausages with lentils
I use semi-dried chorizo when I make this dish as they hold their shape and have lots of flavour.
Slow cooker Irish stew
Irish stew is an ideal slow cooker dish; it uses inexpensive ingredients to produce the kind of food that just feels like it’s doing you good.
Slow cooker beer-braised beef
The balsamic vinegar and sugar in this casserole boost the flavour, which could otherwise become bland.
Slow cooker chilli with salsa prima
This dish is really simple to make and the addition of a fresh salsa to accompany it really livens it up.
Divine apple and spice porridge
This porridge is delicious and diabetic-friendly when made with traditional whole grain oats and yellow box honey.
Oat-crusted lamb cutlets with spiced lentils
The combination of textures in this dish is wonderful. Serve it with a generous leafy salad for extra fibre and use whole grain raw oats for a lower GI meal.
Oatcakes with smoked salmon and poached egg
This fast and filling dish is ideal for brunch, lunch or dinner. Use whole grain raw oats to make the meal low GI.
Delicious pear and raspberry crumble
The oats and fruit make this a perfectly healthy dessert. Our compromise was to top the fruit with a little less crumble than you’re probably used to.
Back to basics: Baking sponges
A sponge is a basic cake that, once mastered, can be adapted in infinite ways. Here's all you need to know to make perfect sponges, the healthy way.
Yummy carrot cake
This version uses a low-fat spread instead of oil and butter and is sweetened with bananas, dates and fruit purée together with the carrots.
Mixed berry vanilla sponge
This whisked sponge is very light and is best eaten on the day it is made.
Blueberry yoghurt cake
Delicious served sliced as a cake or as a warm pudding with Greek yoghurt and/or a drizzling of honey.
HFG meatloaf
Adding grated vegetables to meaty dishes is a great way of getting children to eat them without realising. Carrot, kumara and pumpkin add a lovely sweet flavour, too.
Herby onion rice
This is a great base for all kinds of recipes. Use the best quality stock you can as it will make all the difference to the end flavour.
Spiced smoked fish in creamy parsley rice
Poaching the fish infuses the milk with its rich smokiness, which then flavours the rice.
Mushroom and spinach risotto
It might seem like a lot of mushrooms but they soon disappear as they fry and become juicy. Choose a cheese that will melt easily.
Chicken and bacon paella
Podding the broad beans might sound fiddly but you'll be rewarded by their vibrant colour and tender bite.
Stir-fried steak with citrus basil dressing
The basil adds loads of flavour to this simple stir-fry.
Lamb ragu for pasta
This is a delicious stew that can be used with pasta like parpadelle or fettuccine, served with mashed vegetables or put in a pie.
Pumpkin and blue cheese brown rice pilaf
Rice pilafs are simple and delicious; this one has the contrast of sweet pumpkin and salty blue cheese.
Lamb, lemon and olive pasta
This is a kind of lightened-up bolognese using lamb mince. It’s nice with a baby spinach salad on the side.
Spice-rubbed lamb with kumara and feta mash
Lamb backstraps are a fantastic cut; although they are expensive, there is zero waste and practically no fat.
Pumpkin, chickpea and cauliflower curry
This curry is tasty and hearty, and can be varied in many ways: change the veges, change the curry paste, add meat (it’s nice with chicken thighs) or tofu.
Baked chicken with tarragon and bacon
This dish is easy enough for everyday yet good enough for guests.
Thai fish curry with hot green curry paste
This curry paste takes only a few minutes to make and will yield enough for several batches if you freeze the remainder.
Ginger beef with broccoli
Ginger beef appeals to a wide range of diners as it’s tasty but not too exotic. Substitute with other vegetables if you prefer.
Jammy zinger muffins
If using a commercial gluten-free baking mix, use 2 cups in place of the flours listed.
Rich fruit truffles
There is no question that sometimes we need a treat. These truffles are rich and chocolatey without the guilt.
