Recipes

Hey, there everyone it’s great to be back for the November edition of “Not Just A Mom”. Hosted by Adrienne, Dara, Jen, Joanne, Lauren and Sarah. Today, we’re diving right into one of my all-time favourite subjects: FOOD! Not just any food, no sir, today it’s all about cozy and nostalgic comfort food! It’s the best kind, isn’t it? Comfort Food Why I Love Comfort Food First things first, why do I absolutely adore comfort food so much? Well for me it’s all about the cozy buzz I get when I tuck into a plate of my favourite home-cooked carb-laden deliciousness. Comfort food also evokes nostalgia remembering all the wonderful times in my mum’s kitchen (she was an amazing cook!) or eating at family gatherings. Comfort food is almost like culinary therapy because it can turn a mediocre or bad day into a great one. You don’t need gourmet skills to create amazingly satisfying dishes because comfort food is all about keeping things simple. In a nutshell, comfort food is like eating a plate of happiness. Here Is a List of My Favourite Comfort Food Spaghetti Bolognese This is my favourite food and it’s number one on my list of favourite comfort foods. I love bolognese made from beef mince but lately, I have also been making it with turkey mince and it’s a real winner! Pumpkin Soup With its warm, velvety texture and the rich earthy flavour of pumpkin. A bowl of pumpkin soup topped with a rich dollop of sour cream is simply divine. It’s perfect on a chilly day and it’s the only soup that my family enjoy. They aren’t big soup eaters at all. But there are no complaints when I serve them pumpkin soup, provided of course that there are other courses to follow. Soup is not a satisfying meal for these big guys I live with! Quiche Anything with pastry is considered comfort food in my book! The warm, creamy filling encased in a buttery crust is so satisfying. Quiche is so versatile and you can add various ingredients like vegetables, meat, herbs and of course the star ingredient – cheese! Stews A hearty and simmering pot of stew is a classic example of comfort food. The slow cooking process makes everything taste amazing. There’s nothing better than a pot bubbling away with tender meat, and vegetables, in a rich flavourful broth. Chicken Pie I love chicken and leek pies, chicken and mushroom pies or the divine combination of chicken, leek and mushroom pies! A golden crust filled with delicious thick creamy chicken pie filling is just the best! Lasagna With layers of pasta, rich meat sauce and gooey melted cheese. Lasagna is a total comfort food! Fluffy Mashed Potatoes My family are huge rice eaters but I prefer creamy, buttery clouds of mashed potato. Lamb Shanks In Red Wine Sauce I think that there is nothing better than lamb shanks in red wine sauce on a cold night. The slow-cooked lamb becomes super tender, soaking up all the goodness from the rich red wine sauce. It’s delicious, hearty and makes you feel all good inside. Serve it with creamy mashed potatoes and you will be in comfort heaven! Risotto Risotto with its rich, creamy texture is a soothing and satisfying and filling dish. The best part? You can make it in so many tasty ways! If you’re into veggies, try mushroom or pumpkin risotto. If you fancy seafood or chicken, these are delicious options too! Italian Meatballs Meatballs are total comfort food when made in a rich tomato-based sauce. They are savoury and hearty and you can enjoy them with spaghetti, mashed potato or rice. Meatballs in a bread roll with a good sprinkle of cheese is just perfection! Pancakes Warm fluffy pancakes are a classic and comforting breakfast or brunch option. Serve them with syrup, fruit, ice cream or whipped cream and you have nostalgia on a plate. Pancakes are simple to make and they have that special homey appeal. I can’t help feeling like a kid when I have a stack of pancakes in front of me! Please pass the maple syrup!! Cookies Whether it’s chocolate chip, peanut butter and M&M cookies, jam drops or buttery shortbread. Cookies are the classic treat that makes you feel good. Biting into a warm fresh out-of-the-oven cookie with a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate is the ultimate comfort. Cottage Pie Cottage pie is made with mince and vegetables all tucked under a layer of fluffy creamy mashed potato with cheese sprinkled over the top. When I put it in the oven to bake my whole kitchen fills with an irresistable aroma promising a hearty and satisfying meal. Pasta With Butter And Parmesan Cheese Sometimes I crave this very simple dish of pasta, butter and parmesan cheese because it’s so easy to make and very satisfying. It reminds me of when I was a kid because my mum would make it for me. No wonder I love it so much! I know that comfort food is associated with cold weather but I can’t resist it all year round! If you ever feel guilty about tucking into comfort food during the summertime. Then do what I do, throw in a side salad and you’ll have guilt-free comfort!!  

I’m always on the lookout for simple yet delicious meals that I can make for my family. There are days when the time seems to slip away faster than I can chop an onion! So I’m all for recipes that cleverly cut corners and make my life a little easier. This deliciously satisfying recipe for Italian meatballs ticks all the boxes because it’s healthy, full of flavour and so easy to make. Another big bonus is that Italian meatballs are a perfect dish for entertaining. I have made it for when it’s been my turn to host our monthly family get-together and it’s always been a real winner! Italian Meatballs Ingredients 500 grams of minced meat (beef, pork or a combination of both) 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs Onion flakes 1 tsp of minced garlic 2 tbsp dried parsley 1 tsp dried basil 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tbsp onion flakes 1 egg 1/2 tsp white pepper 1 tsp salt For the tomato-based sauce 3 cups of passata 1/2 cup of chicken or beef stock 1 tsp dried basil 1 tsp dried oregano 1/2 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp minced garlic 1 tbsp onion flakes or one medium-sized chopped onion salt and pepper to taste Instructions In a large bowl, combine the minced meat, breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, parsley, egg, salt and pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly combined. Shape the mixture into meatballs of your desired size. You can make them small or large depending on what you prefer. In a large pot, combine the passata, stock, dried basil, dried oregano, minced garlic, and onion flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir well to combine. Gently drop the meatballs into the sauce, ensuring they are fully submerged. The sauce should be at a simmer. Cover the pot and let the meatballs cook in the sauce for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until they are cooked through. It’s a good idea to stir the meatballs occasionally to make sure that they cook evenly. Serve over your preferred side dish and enjoy! Reasons Why Italian Meatballs Are A Perfect Dish For Entertaining Easy To Prepare This recipe gives you a hassle-free way to prepare meatballs for a crowd. By eliminating the need for pan frying or baking. You save time, effort and best of all washing up and mess. While the meatballs are simmering in the rich tomato sauce you can be focussing on all the other things that you need to get done to prepare for your gathering. Or better yet you can be attending to your guests. Versatile Italian meatballs are a versatile and crowd-pleasing dish that attracts a wide range of tastes. You can also customise the recipe using different types of minced meat, such as pork, beef, turkey or chicken. Additionally, you can also adjust the seasonings to suit your tastes and the dried herbs can be easily substituted for fresh ones. Make Ahead Option Italian meatballs can be easily prepared and stored in the fridge until you are ready to cook them. This means that you can plan and prep for your gathering ahead of time. This will eliminate last-minute stress and it will ensure that you can enjoy spending time with your guests. Serve A Crowd This recipe can easily be scaled up or down to accommodate the number of guests you are entertaining. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a larger party, you can adjust the quantities of ingredients accordingly. Accompaniment Options This Italian meatball recipe pairs really well with a variety of side dishes. You can serve Italian meatballs with different pasta shapes such as farfalle, spiral pasta or good old spaghetti. Italian meatballs are also delicious when served with mashed potato, rice or even simple crusty bread. Whether you’re looking for a simple weeknight meal for your family or planning a fun and relaxed gathering with friends, this easy recipe for Italian meatballs has got you totally covered! It’s the kind of dish that is so fuss-free and simple to make yet full of flavour and will leave everyone asking for seconds. Other Simple Recipes You Might Like To Try Easy Lasagna Recipe Fall Apart Roasted Pork Leg          

Are you looking for healthy and delicious smoothie recipes to boost your wellness? Today I have 5 delicious and easy recipes for you! Smoothies are a healthy and delicious way to enhance your well-being. They not only taste great but they also give you a huge range of benefits for your overall well-being. Smoothies are packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. And they are also an easy and convenient way to fuel your body. If you are always on the go then smoothies are perfect as they offer a quick and healthy option to nourish your body. In addition, if you find that you aren’t hungry in the morning and are not much of a breakfast eater. You can enjoy drinking a delicious smoothie packed full of nutrients any time of the day. 5 Healthy And Delicious Smoothies Berry Blast Smoothie Ingredients 1 cup of frozen mixed berries(strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) 1 banana 1 cup of oat milk 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds 2 dates Instructions In a blender, combine all the ingredients Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy Pour into a glass and garnish with fresh strawberries and enjoy! This Berry Blast Smoothie is vibrant in colour and rich in antioxidants. Nothing beats the combination of bananas and berries. The oat milk just takes the whole smoothie to another level with its delicious yet subtle oat flavour. The Sunflower seeds have vitamins and minerals that can help to support your immune system. And the dates provide an extra boost of fibre. Tropical Paradise Smoothie Ingredients 1 ripe mango  1 cup of pineapple chunks 1 banana 1 cup of coconut water juice of one lime a handful of spinach a few leaves of mint ice cubes Instructions In a blender combine the mango, pineapple chunks, banana, coconut water, lime juice and mint. Blend on high until smooth and fluffy Add ice cubes and blend again until well mixed. Pour into a tall glass and garnish with slices of lime and mint, and enjoy this refreshing tropical paradise in a glass! Drinking this delicious smoothie will make you feel like you are on vacation at a relaxing fancy beachside resort. The colours of the smoothie are so bright and fresh. It is not only sweet and refreshing but it will also give your body a nutritional boost. Chocolate-Banana Power Smoothie Ingredients 1 banana 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder 1 tablespoon of almond butter 1 cup of almond milk 1 tablespoon of honey Ice cubes Instructions In a blender combine the banana, cocoa powder, almond butter, almond milk and honey. Blend on high until smooth and creamy. This delicious chocolate banana smoothie is perfect if you are aiming to increase your daily protein intake. This full-of-goodness guilt-free smoothie will keep you feeling satisfied for hours. Green Bliss Blend Ingredients 1 cup spinach 1 ripe pear cored and sliced 1/2 cup avocado, pitted and peeled 1/2 cup of cucumber, peeled and chopped Juice of 1 lemon 1 cup of coconut water small handful of mint leaves Ice cubes Instructions In a blender combine spinach, pear, avocado, cucumber, lemon juice, coconut water and fresh mint leaves Blend on high until smooth Add ice cubes and blend again until well mixed Pour into a glass and garnish with fresh mint leaves and enjoy! The powerful nutrient-rich green smoothie is very refreshing and satisfying. The avocado will give your smoothie a creamy texture and provides healthy fats and vitamins. There are so many wonderful vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in this invigorating smoothie! Energizing Matcha Smoothie Ingredients 1 teaspoon matcha powder 1 banana 1 cup almond milk 1 tablespoon honey 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Ice cubes Instructions In a blender, combine the matcha powder banana, almond milk, honey, and vanilla extract. Blend on high speed until smooth and creamy. Add ice cubes and blend again until well combined. Pour into a glass, and sprinkle some matcha powder on top for garnish. Matcha powder is packed with antioxidants and vitamins as well as having some amazing benefits that may give your skin that special glow. Matcha also gives you a gentle caffeine boost that can help you stay focused throughout the day. This smoothie tastes amazing! The combination of naturally sweet ingredients such as banana, creamy almond milk and vanilla results in a lusciously rich and irresistible flavourful blend. There you have it-5 healthy and delicious smoothies. These are wonderful to have as a healthy breakfast alternative to kickstart your day the right way. Or you can have them at any time of the day as a refreshing nutrient-rich drink. The wonderful thing about smoothies is that you can experiment with so many different ingredients and customize them according to your preferred taste. So don’t be afraid to get creative and come up with your own unique healthy and delicious smoothies. Benefits Of Healthy And Delicious Smoothies Healthy and delicious smoothies give your body so many wonderful benefits. Rich in nutrients: Smoothies are full of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that nourish your body and support your overall health. Quick and convenient: Smoothies are perfect for busy people who need a quick nutritious meal or snack anytime of the day. Hydration: Smoothies help you to stay on top of your fluid intake goals. And they contribute to keeping you hydrated throughout the day. Easy digestion: Smoothies are easier to digest than whole foods because all the ingredients are blended. Fibre boost: Smoothies contain fibre-rich ingredients that are good for your digestion and keep you feeling full and satisfied. Energy boost: The natural sugars from the fruits give your body an energy boost. Making them a great choice for a pick-me-up snack or breakfast option. Weight management: You can add ingredients to your smoothies that will support your weight management goals. Skin health: The rich source of antioxidants in smoothies helps promote healthy glowing skin. Variety: You can combine and experiment with any ingredients that you love to create your own healthy and delicious smoothies.

If you’re looking for a tasty dessert option with healthy ingredients. Then look no further than this delicious gluten-free pear cake. This cake is a perfect sweet treat made with almond flour and pears. Not only is this cake gluten-free, but it also contains some wholesome ingredients that your body will thank you for! Almond flour is a fantastic alternative to wheat flour because it is high in protein as well as healthy fats. And the juicy pears are full of fibre, vitamin C and antioxidants. This gluten-free pear cake is seriously delicious. And the beautiful combination of almond flour, pears and cinnamon gives it a warm cozy flavour that is perfect for Autumn. It is also very easy to make because it contains a handful of ingredients and only a few easy steps! So if you are craving a tasty and healthy dessert option. Give this gluten-free pear cake a try. It’s sure to delight your sweet tooth and leave you feeling happy and satisfied. Enjoy! Gluten-Free Pear Cake Ingredients 2 cups almond flour 1/2 cup coconut flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted 1/2 cup honey 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 3 medium pears, peeled and chopped 1/4 cup sliced almonds Instructions Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°c). Grease a 9-inch cake pan and line the tin with baking paper. In a medium bowl, mix together the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In a large bowl, beat together the melted coconut oil and honey until smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, and beat until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in the chopped pears. Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and sprinkle with the sliced almonds on top. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.   Some More Gluten-Free Recipes Apple And Berry Gluten-Free loaf Gluten-Free Orange Cake  

Ever since we discovered turkey bolognese my family have finally enjoyed eating bolognese! They have never been big fans of the traditional spaghetti bolognese made with beef mince. I have never understood why because this is actually my favourite dish. And I am not exaggerating when I say that I could eat it almost every day! So one day I decided to try making it with turkey mince instead of beef mince and it’s been a real game changer! Now that my family enjoys eating bolognese. I feel good about making it often and I finally get to satisfy my love for bolognese regularly. It’s a win-win!! Turkey Bolognese Is Amazing Because Turkey mince is lower in fat than beef mince so it is healthier! It is full of flavour. This recipe contains vegetables for added flavour as well as nutrients. Best of all it’s a super easy recipe to make. What To Serve With Turkey Bolognese You can serve turkey bolognese with any pasta you prefer. I love the traditional spaghetti pasta but my family loves the spirals the best. You could also serve it with zucchini noodles instead of pasta. And if you make a delicious fresh salad and garlic bread to go with turkey bolognese. You will have an amazing dinner on the table in no time at all! Turkey Bolognese Recipe Ingredients 500 gm turkey mince 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 medium onion finely chopped 2 carrots finely chopped 3 stalks of celery finely diced 2 cloves of garlic crushed 1 cup of chicken stock 1/2 tsp dried thyme 1/2 tsp dried oregano 1/4 tsp cumin 1/2 tsp dried parsley add salt and pepper to taste 400g passata 1 can of crushed tomatoes Instructions Peel and finely chop the onion, celery and carrots Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan and add garlic and vegetables. Cook until the vegetables are soft. Add the turkey mince and cook until brown. Add the passata, crushed tomatoes and stock. Add oregano, thyme, cumin and parsley. Bring to a boil, stir then lower the heat to the lowest setting and simmer for 25 minutes. Cook The Pasta While the sauce is simmering. Cook approximately 400 grams of your choice of pasta until al dente combine the sauce and pasta together in a big serving bowl. Serve with parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves to garnish. Notes Don’t worry if it looks like there is a lot of sauce because the pasta will soak it all up and the delicious flavours will infuse into the pasta. Taste as you cook and add seasonings and herbs according to your liking. If you think the sauce is a little on the dry side then add more chicken stock. You could make turkey bolognese with turkey breast mince but I find that it’s drier than regular turkey mince. Other Easy Recipes You Might Like To Try Easy Lasagna Recipe         Mediterranean Couscous         Pumpkin Risotto          

These peanut butter M&M cookies are full of melt-in-your-mouth sweetness and deliciousness. They are colourful and I guess a great way to describe them is ….FUN! You just can’t help feeling happy once you take that first bite right into the gooey centre full of peanut butter. And because they are also packed with M&M’s these cookies have a delicious crunchy element too. You honestly can’t beat the delectable peanut butter and M&M’s combination. It’s an absolute winner every time! One of the best things about this recipe is that it is easy! So these peanut butter M&M cookies are perfect for baking with kids. You’ve probably heard that cooking with children has so many learning benefits. From basic maths skills to literacy and fine motor skills. Cooking is a perfect way to teach children these concepts in a fun and hands-on way. Not to mention the big boost of confidence your kids will get from spending time in the kitchen with you! Peanut Butter M&M Cookies Ingredients 2 cups plain flour 2 teaspoons of baking powder 2 teaspoons of cornflour 1/2 cup of butter 3/4 cup of brown sugar 1/4 cup of granulated sugar 1 egg 2 tablespoons of milk 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract 1/2 cup of peanut butter. Either smooth or crunchy 1 cup of chocolate M&M’s. You can use mini M&M’s or normal-size ones. Instructions Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F. Line a baking tray with baking paper and set aside. Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl (flour, baking powder, cornflour) then set aside. Using another bowl beat the melted butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until combined. Add the egg vanilla, peanut butter and milk and mix until well combined. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and fold the ingredients together gently until combined. Carefully fold the M&M’s into the cookie dough. Using your hands roll even balls of cookie dough and place them on the prepared baking tray. Flatten the cookies out to desired thickness. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Once cookies have cooled for approximately 5 minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack to finish cooling completely. Notes Cooking time will vary slightly depending on the thickness of the cookie dough. If you prefer a thick cookie then the cooking time will be 12 minutes. If you flatten your cookies out then you will need approximately 10 minutes of cooking time. You can use either smooth peanut butter or crunchy peanut butter for this recipe. I prefer crunchy peanut butter for added texture and crunch. For this recipe, I used mini M&M’s but I think regular-sized ones would be ok too. Make sure to fold the M&M’s in very gently as the colour of the M&M’s tends to run very quickly. Cookies will stay fresh in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature. Make peanut butter M&M cookies for your family or give them to your co-workers and they will love you forever. They also make lovely gifts to give to your friends during the festive season. Just wrap them up in cellophane bags and decorate them with a pretty ribbon. Peanut butter M&M cookies are so crunchy and colourful that they are sure to spread happiness and joy with every bite!