One Pot Pizza Pasta

What can i say about this dish, apart from, forget Pizza this is so much better!!!
You can make this syn free or add as many syns as you like, this one has chorizo in it so the whole dish is 6.5 syns on extra easy but it served 3 very big portions.
You basically add any topping you would normally have a pizza. I used chorizo as i didn't have any pepperoni, and I'm so glad i did as it added so much flavour....

Ingredients

100g chorizo sausage casing removed and crumbled  6.5 syns
1 pepper diced
8oz mushrooms chopped
1 red onion diced
1 tin tomatoes chopped
500ml passata
1 garlic clove grated
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
8oz dried pasta
handful of basil leaves
90g light mozzarella per serving Healthy A please check make as they vary


Method

In a large pan sprayed with frylight, fry the chorizo until golden, remove from pan, add onions to the pan and fry for 2 minutes, add the pepper and mushrooms and fry for 3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and passata, garlic and seasoning's, add 400 ml water and the pasta, stir together, return the chorizo to the pan then cover and cook until the pasta is cooked, stirring occasionally so the mixture doesn't stick to the pan. Serve up your portions, then dice the mozzarella and tear the basil leaves and stir into your individual dishes.

One Pot Pasta

I found this dish when i was looking for something quick and easy to make as i wasn't feeling well.
I was a bit sceptical about just throwing everything in one pot and cooking it, but it worked and it was delicious!!!
I adapted it so it is syn free on extra easy and as the oil has been left out the starch from the pasta does make it a bit stodgy, but it still tastes great!!
You can put anything you like in this dish, i made mine on an Italian theme.
This dish is syn free on extra easy and serves about 4 people.

Ingredients

500g of any pasta you like.
1 punnet of cherry tomatoes halved
1 small onion sliced
1 vegetable stock cube
2 tbsps capers
2 cloves of garlic sliced
2 tsp italian seasoning
1 tsp chilli flakes
4.5 cups water
salt and pepper to taste
big handful basil leaves.

Method

As the title says, put everything in a large pan, apart from a few leaves which you save for garnish.
Bring the water to a boil, then boil for about 8 minutes until the pasta is cooked and the water has been absorbed. Stir the dish from time to time to stop it sticking on the bottom.
Serve straight away, garnished with the rest of the basil leaves.

Country Potato Salad

This potato salad is deliciously creamy and full of flavour, it is fab as a side dish, for a picnic, with a green salad, it is so versatile!!
It isn't syn free but it is so much better than any shop bought potato salad.
The amount of ingredients that i used made enough for 6 servings. The whole dish was only 4.5 syns on extra easy, so split that between 6 and it's next to nothing, and so worth it!!!!

Ingredients

2 lb new potatoes boiled until cooked and cooled
3 hard boiled eggs chopped
3 rashes of bacon with all the fat removed, fried and chopped
3 or 4 spring onions chopped
7 tbsp lighter than light mayonnaise
3 tbsp fat free natural yogurt
2 tsp wholegrain mustard
10 basil leaves chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Method

In a large bowl mix together the yogurt, mayonnaise, wholegrain mustard, salt and pepper, and basil. The gentle stir in the rest of the ingredients, being careful not to break them up. let them rest in the fridge for 30 minutes for all the flavours to infuse.

Pesto Linguine with Shrimp and Rocket

I didn't know what to have for my lunch the other day, i didn't want to use my healthy A & B in a sandwich, but i was craving carbs and was starving, so i decided to cook up some pasta. Then i had to decide what to put on it??

I found a jar of reduced fat pesto in the cupboard, so i looked up the syns and it was only 1.5 syns for 1 tbsp on extra easy, so i decided to see if it was any good.

As jarred pesto goes and bearing in mind it is low fat, it was very tasty and i'd say worth the syns. If i'm perfectly honest i don't think you could make a proper pesto for that many syns. Just add some fresh basil and grated parmesan to freshen up the pesto.

It was quick and easy to make and delicious!!

3 syns per serving on extra easy if you use part of your healthy A for the cheese.

Serves 2

Ingredients

½ packet dried linguine, cooked as packet instructions

8oz cooked shrimp

4 tbsp reduced fat basil pesto (6 syns)

1 red chilli finely chopped

handful basil leaves

½ packet rocket

½ cup pasta water

salt and pepper

30g parmesan optional

Method

Put the cooked pasta in a large bowl with the pesto, chilli, shrimp and pasta water, tear in the basil leaves and season, toss up and serve, Sprinkle over the rocket leaves and grate over the parmesan.

Slow Cooked Squid and Shrimp with Fennel

I love seafood and i love pasta, so put together this is a match made in heaven!!

I have to say this is one of the best recipes i have done so far. really tasty, with a touch of anise flavour and a kick from the chilli. Cooking the squid for a long time makes it so tender. 

You can have it syn free on extra easy by leaving out the olives but for 1 syn for 8 olives, it's worth throwing them in!!

I served mine with linguine, but you could have this with anything you like, even a large chunk of bread would be good, but don't forget to syn it!!!

Ingredients

1 lb squid cleaned and cut into rings

20 shrimp raw

1 fennel bulb thinly sliced

3 garlic cloves finely chopped

16 olives stoned (2 syns)

2 tins tomatoes

1 tbsp capers

1 tsp chilli flakes

handful fresh tarragon and basil

300 ml fish stock

pinch of sweetener

salt and pepper

Method

Spray a large pan with frylight and fry the fennel till golden and soft, add the garlic and fry for another minute, add the stock and bring to a boil, turn down to a simmer and stir in the tomatoes, capers, chilli flakes, sweetener and olives, then add the squid, season to taste, and simmer for at least an hour, keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't dry out, if it starts to get a bit to thick add some water.

When the squid is tender add the shrimp and cook for 5 more minutes then tear in the herbs and serve with side of choice.

Chilli Crab Linguine

This is a lovely light and refreshing dish, the sweetness of the crab with the bite of the chilli and tang of the lemon juice complement each other perfectly!

Syn free on extra easy


Serves 4

Ingredients

1 packet of dried linguine
1 red chilli
1 garlic clove
finely grated zest of a lemon
2 tbsp capers
200 ml fish stock
2 tbsp lemon juice
small handful basil leaves torn
2 tins of white crab meat ( i use ½ tub which i get from Costco)

Method

Cook the pasta as per packet instructions.
Chop the chilli and garlic in a blender or finely chop.
Heat the stock, chopped chilli and garlic with the lemon zest in a large frying pan until it boils then simmer over a low heat, add the capers and lemon juice and gently stir in the crab meat and basil. Add the cooked pasta to the pan and gentle mix together.
Season to taste and serve.

Greek Salad

A zesty salad that goes well with grilled meats, kebabs, fish or by itself as a light lunch.

Just one syn for 8 olives.
Cheese is healthy extra A


Serves 2

Ingredients

½ cucumber seeds removed and thinly sliced
12 cherry tomatoes quartered
16 olives halved
half a red onion thinly sliced into half moons
1 tbsp capers
small handful basil thinly sliced
small handful mint thinly sliced
45 g feta cheese
juice of ½ lemon
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
½ tsp sweetener
salt and pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp water

Method

In a salad bowl mix together the first 8 ingredients.
In another bowl mix together the rest of the ingredients.
Spoon over the dressing and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Tilapia and Lemon and Caper Dressing with Orzo and Salad

This is a light and zesty dish, with a kick of chilli, which compliments the soft flakes of fish and crunchy salad.

Syn free on extra easy and lots of superfree too.


Serves 2

Ingredients

4 tilapia fillets
1 cup of orzo
2 tbsp capers
1 red chilli deseeded
juice of a lemon
handful of basil chopped
1 garlic clove chopped
¼ tsp sweetener
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
2 iceburg leaves
2 handfuls of mixed salad leaves
10 cherry tomatoes
2 inches of cucumber thinly sliced and cut into half moons
4 radishes thinly sliced
half a red pepper thinly sliced
4 spring onions thinly sliced

Method

Cook the orzo as per packet instructions. When cooked drain and run under the cold tap.

Blitz the chilli and garlic in a blender, tip into a bowl and add the lemon juice, sweetener, balsamic vinegar, chopped basil and capers, mix together.

Make up the salad with the mixed salad leaves, tomatoes, cucumber, radishes, peppers and spring onion, pile it all in the iceburg leaves.

Spray a frying pan with extra virgin olive oil frylight and fry the tilapia for 2 minutes on each side.

Serve everything up and drizzle over the dressing.

Tilapia, Shrimp and Tomato Bake

This dish is perfect before a weigh in as it's filling, but light. The tilapia is a white flaky fish that has a delicate taste and is very moist if cooked right. If you can't get tilapia, haddock or cod fillets will do.


preheat oven 200c, 400f, gas mark 5

Serves 2

Ingredients

4 tilapia fillets
20 raw shrimp
punnet of cherry tomatoes
4 spring onions sliced
2 tbsp capers
1 red chilli thinly sliced
handful of basil leaves torn
salt and pepper

Method

Line a baking tray with kitchen foil, spray with extra virgin olive oil frylight, lay out the fillets and shrimp, sprinkle over the cherry tomatoes, spring onions, capers, chilli and basil, spray again with frylight and bake for 10 to 12 minutes till the tilapia and shrimp are cook.

I like to serve it with Spicy Crushed Roasted New Potatoes and salad.

Asian Salmon Giant CousCous Salad

This is a very tasty salad, with all the Asian taste sensations of salty, sweet, spicy and tangy, you can have it with or without the salmon, or add any meat you like, plus any vegetables you like.


Preheat oven 200c, 400f, gas mark 5

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 inch of ginger  peeled and chopped
1 garlic clove crushed
1 red chilli chopped
3 tbsp light soy sauce
juice of one lime

300g giant cous cous
1 lb salmon
6 spring onions
half a cucumber, seeds removed and chopped
2 roasted red peppers
handful of basil leaves chopped
1 packet of edamame beans

Method

Cook the couscous as per packet instructions, then run under a cold tap to stop the cooking.
Roast the salmon sprayed with olive oil frylight for 18 minutes
Chop up the spring onions and red pepper.
Blend all the first 5 ingredients in a blender to make a dressing.
Flake the salmon.
Put everything into a large bowl and mix.

Eggciting Omelettes

Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese

Excuse the pun, but these omelettes get your taste buds salivating!

An omelette is so quick and easy to make, and the fillings are never ending!!

Here are a few to get you started.


Basic Omelette Ingredients

3 eggs (i like duck eggs)
salt and pepper

Method

Beat the eggs with the salt and pepper till light. Heat a frying pan, spray with butter frylight and pour in the eggs.
When they start to set, with a spatula pull the eggs towards the middle until its nearly all set.
Add your filling to one side and fold over and serve.


Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese

The title says it all, just fill your omelette with fat free cream cheese or you daily healthy A portion of cheese spread and smoked salmon, i like to add some capers to mine too.

Wild Mushroom and Low Low

Wild Mushroom and Low Low
Ingredients

2 Punnets of oriental mushrooms
½ tub of Low Low cheese spread (i used the red pepper and chilli)
Butter Frylight

Method

Spray the pan with the frylight then fry the mushrooms till golden, set aside.
Make the omelette.
Spread the low low on one side of the omelette then add the mushrooms.
Fold over and serve.

Asian Crab

Asian Crab Ingredients

Crab meat
1 chilli finely chopped
3 spring onions finely sliced
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
2 tsp light soy sauce
1 tsp fish sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce (optional) 1 syn
Handful of coriander leaves
Tabasco sauce to serve.

Method

Make the basic omelette, but add the soy sauce and fish sauce to the eggs before cooking.

Mix the crab with the ginger, chilli, coriander and spring onions. lay on one side of the omelette and fold over, serve with the oyster sauce drizzled over it and sprinkle with Tabasco sauce.

Roasted Red Peppers and Goats Cheese

 Roasted Red Pepper and Goats Cheese Omelette

This is another "it does what it says on the tin" omelette.

Basically just chop up 2 jarred red peppers and lay on one side of the omelette, i added a few capers. Then add 30g of goats cheese (your daily Healthy A), fold over and serve.

Mediterranean

Mediterranean Omelette Ingredients

1 Tin plumed tomatoes
1 tbsp capers
Handful of basil roughly torn
45g mozzarella cheese roughly chopped.

Method

Make the basic omelette. Drain the tomatoes and cut them open to get rid of the seeds.
Chop the tomatoes, mix with the capers, basil and mozzarella, lay on one side of the omelette then fold over and serve.