Is popcorn the perfect food? Its less-than-stellar reputation as a fatty, salty snack is about to change faster than you can say, ‘chick flick’. New research has found that popcorn delivers a far more concentrated dose of disease-preventing polyphenols than fruit and veg because those foods contain so much water. It’s also a completely unprocessed … Read more
Melt the redcurrant jelly with a tiny splash of water in a pan and stir until smooth. Brush the redcurrant glaze over the berries until they glisten. Summer berry genoise Serves 8 Preparation 30 min plus standing and cooling Cooking 25 min For the cream · 250g (9oz) mascarpone · 150g (5oz) good quality fromage … Read more
This sandwich can be made in a panini press. Active time: 10 minutes Total time: 15 minutes Makes: 4 dessert servings Receipt: Check for doneness after 3 minutes. If you can’t find challah or egg bread, white bread will also work. · ¼ c. chocolate hazelnut spread (Nutella) · 2 Tbsp. chopped roasted, salted almonds … Read more
Cook up an open air feast that’s fresh imaginative and healthy using our go to lean protein – chicken – plus summer’s tastiest veggie ingredients Smoky Chicken & Sweet Potato Serves 4 · 4 medium sweet potatoes · 4 chicken breasts, preferably organic · Juice of 1 lemon · 2tsp olive oil · 2tsp smoked … Read more
Fabulous fresh flavours and mouthwatering desserts make eating alfresco a delight for early summer guests Potato gnocchi with asparagus, olives and tomatoes Serves 6 Preparation 25 min Cooking 50 – 55 min For the gnocchi · 150g (9oz) butternut squash · 550g (1 ¼ lb) King Edward potatoes, peeled · Sea salt · 175g (6oz) … Read more
Sandwiches can be wrapped tightly and refrigerated up to 1 day. Total time 25 minutes Makes 4 main-dish servings · 1 c. giardiniera, rinsed, drained, and roughly chopped · ¼ c. pimiento-stuffed olives, rinsed, drained, and sliced · ¼ c. pepperoncini, rinsed, drained, and sliced · 2 stalks celery, thinly sliced at an angle · … Read more
Does wheat-induced bloating ban you from teatime treats? Then hooray for Phil Vickery’s gluten-free recipes Plain scones Makes 12 · 300g gluten-free flour mix B · 4tsp gluten-free baking powder · 1tbsp caster sugar · 2tsp xanthan gum · 100g unsalted butter · 2 medium eggs · 125ml milk · Salt · Butter, for greasing … Read more
‘We all love this dish and it smells wonderful when it’s cooking,’ says Sonya. ‘It’s simple to make and very tasty as well as being nutritious.’ Moroccan chicken Serves 4 Preparation 30 min (plus marinating) Cooking 1hr 20 min · 1 lemon · 2cm piece fresh root ginger, grated · 1 tsp ground cinnamon · … Read more
Personally, I’m not an advocate of homework in primary school. There are many reasons for this, and if you’re interested in this issue Alfie Kohn has written an excellent book called The Homework Myth: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing. The book outlines current research that explains why homework doesn’t produce … Read more
We all know that a dollop of sauce (or three) can make all the difference to your food. And while you might think they’re unhealthy treats, the latest findings show that some condiments are good for your body. Here’s why… 1. Guacamole The avocados in guacamole have many benefits, despite their ‘fatty’ reputation (a myth, … Read more
Tips and tricks to try today Have your cake… …and eat it for breakfast. Israeli researchers put two groups of women on 1,400-calorie diets, but had one group follow a low-carb plan with a smaller breakfast and a larger dinner, while the other group ate protein – and carbohydrate-rich foods with a breakfast that included … Read more
As I’ve had several children and have seen the speed with which they head off to school, I’ve learned to cherish the remaining years before they venture into formal education. So, when I start preparing them for preschool, I don’t drill them with flash cards or teach them to read. I ensure they have the … Read more
Grilled Spider Crab As Cooked In Spain Spider crab may be hard to find but it is worth seeking out. Try to buy the meat only, as it’s time-consuming to pick from the shell. The cooked meat is so good it’s worth eating it dressed simply with olive oil, lemon juice and lettuce leaves, but … Read more
French Onion Soup Gratin Time is the secret ingredient for this soup – slow cooking brings out the onion’s natural sweetness. We give the process a jump-start with agUiA tint in the microwave first so you get to the fun part sooner: digging in! French Onion Soup Gratin Serves 4 Prep time: 15 minutes Cook … Read more
Crab is so much better when it’s fresh and getting to grips with a live one doesn’t have to be a traumatic business. Strongly recommend buying live crab and cooking and dressing it yourself, there are two recommended “humane” ways of preparing crab for cooking. The first is to turn a live crab on its … Read more
French onion soup for the soul and the waistline? Gooey pasta and cheese – minus the guilt? You bet! Satisfy your cravings for feel-go winter meals with these tasty, nutritious twists on four classics. Loaded Vegie Lasagna Eggplant slices become the noodles in this delectable layered dish which boasts five vegetables and four different cheeses. … Read more
Total time 15 minutes Makes 4 main-dish servings · 1 lemon · ¼ c. nonfat Greek yogurt · 2 tbsp. light mayonnaise · 1 tsp. Dijon mustard · 1 sm. Clove garlic, crushed with press · ¼ tsp. Old Bay seasoning Salt and pepper · 8 oz. cooked lump crabmeat, picked over · 2 lg. … Read more
Jo Usmar locates her mothering instinct… in a coop in her garden I have a confession: I don’t ‘get’ children. Now, before you send Mumsnet round to present their case with a flip chart of pics of adorable kids, hear me out. I like children I think they’re funny when they’re trying to walk or … Read more
Defining your guiding principles Louise Porter has written a fantastic book on young children’s behaviour called Children Are People Too: A Parent’s Guide to Young Children’s Behaviour In her book, Porter outlines the guiding principles parents should follow when interacting with their children. They’re short, simple statements on how adults can choose to act in … Read more
Fish Cakes with Poached Eggs and Aioli Fish cakes taste even better when paired with poached eggs and aioli. You’ll love the runny yolks and zesty garlic-mayo! Fish Cakes with Poached Eggs and Aioli Serves: 6 Prep time: 1 hour 30 minutes For the aioli § 2 teaspoons garlic, minced § ½ cup good-quality mayonnaise … Read more