Gammon and Roasted Vegetable Pasta

I was going through the fridge trying to decide what to have for dinner, I was having a fussy day, but remembered i really enjoyed the roasted vegetables i made the other day, then i noticed some leftover pasta and a gammon steak, so i decided to put it all together. I'm so glad i did as it was yummy!!!!

This dish is syn free and full of super free.

Preheat oven gas mark 5, 200c, 400f.

Ingredients

1 onion chopped

1 pepper sliced

1 tbsp capers

2 tomatoes halved

1 gammon steak fat removed and diced

8 mushrooms sliced

2 cups cooked pasta

1 tsp Cajun seasoning

Method

In a tray sprayed with frylight place the tomatoes, and scatter the onions and pepper around them, then sprinkle over the capers, season and roast for about 20 minutes.

In a pan sprayed with frylight, fry the gammon until cooked through, then remove. Then fry the mushrooms until golden.

Warm the pasta in a covered microwave bowl for 2 minutes. 

When the vegetables are cooked add to the pan, with the gammon and pasta, crush the tomatoes and then stir together until all the pasta is coated, then serve.

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.

Seafood Salad

I didn't want to use my HE A&B on my lunch as i like to save them for using in my main meal or, as a nighttime snack of cheese and biscuits.

I found a baking potato in the potato bag so decided to have a baked spud. But what to put on it????

I fancied tuna, but i want to take it up a notch, so i defrosted some prawns and chopped up some veggies. 

It was delicious and only 1 syn on extra easy for the mayonnaise.

Preheat the oven 200c, 400f, gas mark 5

Ingredients

1 baking potato, baked in the oven for about an hour until the skin is golden and crispy.

1 tin of tuna in brine or spring water

A dozen cooked prawns

2 inches cucumber diced

half a red pepper diced

2 spring onions sliced

1 tbsp capers

1 tomato, deseeded and chopped

2 tbsp light than light mayonnaise 1syn

a good shaking of tabasco sauce

Method

It couldn't be simpler, just mix everything but the potato together, then put on top of the potato.

The Seafood salad is also very nice with a bowl of mixed lettuce leaves, or you could make wraps out of it using romaine leaves. You can also mix it with cold pasta to make a delicious pasta salad. You can use any seafood you like and any vegetables.

Salmon Fishcakes

I make up a menu for evening meals each week, i had my crab cakes on the menu thinking i had some crab in the fridge, but when i came to make them i was mistaken there was no crab, so i decided to create a salmon cake recipe, and i am so glad i did. They were delicious!!!

If you're not using the bread as your healthy extra B then it is 6 syns, the horseradish is 1 syn on extra easy, i made 6 patties.

Ingredients

8 oz salmon fillet, seasoned and roasted, and cooled
1 red onion finely chopped
1 red pepper finely chopped
1 tbsp capers
1 tsp worcester sauce
1 tsp italian seasoning
½ tsp celery salt
1 slice of wholemeal bread from a 800g loaf made into crumbs 6 syns
1 egg beaten
1 tbsp horseradish sauce
salt and pepper to season


Method

In a pan sprayed with frylight fry the onions and peppers until they are soft, then add the capers fry for 1 minute, add the worcester sauce, italian seasoning and celery salt fry for 2 minutes. let it cool.

In a large bowl mix together the breadcrumbs, onion mixture, horseradish, and salmon and season, then mix in the flaked salmon.

Make into patties and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Fry the patties to brown on each side, then transfer to a baking tray and finish off in the oven for 10 minutes.

Seafood All'arrabbiata

I had been to the gym and came home ravenous and craving carbs, so instead of using loads of syns on bread i decided to take the time and cook some pasta. I decided on seafood which seems to be the norm with me and pasta, i wanted a kick so i add some chilli, then decided i would make my version of an all'arrabbiata. I will say for a dish that i just made up and knocked together it was really very good!!!

Syn free on extra easy.

Serves 2

Ingredients

Pasta of your choice

1 tin tomatoes

2-3 large mushrooms chopped

1 tbsp capers

1 red pepper chopped

1 garlic clove finely chopped

1- 2 red chillies finely chopped

1 tin of tuna in brine or spring water drained

8oz cooked shrimp

large handful rocket leaves

salt and pepper to taste

Method

Cook the pasta as per packet instructions.

In a large pan sprayed with frylight, fry the mushrooms until golden. Add the red pepper, chilli, and garlic, fry for 1 minute, add the tomatoes, capers and tuna, bring to a boil then simmer gently for 10 minutes, season to taste, add the shrimp, simmer for 2 minutes, take of the heat and stir in the rocket and serve.

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.

Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese and Salad Sandwich

Ok so i don't need to tell you how to make a sandwich, but this was so good i had to add it!!


Ingredients

2 slices of wholemeal bread from a 400g loaf
A small packet of smoked salmon (yes i'm greedy)
½ tub of low low
1 tbsp capers
Iceberg lettuce
cucumber
salt and pepper

Method

Spread both pieces of the bread with the low low to hold it together, well as best it can!
Then layer how you like and enjoy!
Napkin at the ready would be good!!

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.

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.

Seafood Casserole

This is a delicious light casserole, with lots of seafood, it has a slight aniseed taste which compliments the seafood and fish.
This dish also tastes good cold.

It is syn free on extra easy.


Serves 4

Ingredients

1 large onion roughly chopped
1 red pepper deseeded and chopped
8 oz mushrooms sliced
2 garlic cloves finely chopped
1 red chilli finely chopped
2 cans tomatoes
2 star anise
¼ tsp sweetener
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tbsp capers
400 ml fish stock
1 tsp celery salt
Freshly ground pepper
200g orzo pasta
24 large shrimp
500g baby squid prepared and ringed
500g salmon cubed
Handful basil roughly torn


Method

Heat a large casserole dish with frylight and fry the onions and star anise till soft, then add the mushrooms, peppers, garlic and chilli, fry for 3-4 minutes,
Add the celery salt, pepper and oregano, cook for 1 minute.
Pour in the stock and tomatoes and sweetener and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add the pasta and simmer covered for 10 minutes.
Stir in the shrimp, squid, salmon and capers, simmer till cooked through.
Sprinkle with the basil and serve.

Tuna Pasta Bake

What can i say!! 

This is one of my all time favourite comfort food meals, to be honest it didn't take much alteration to make it syn free on extra easy.
Only free if the cheese is your healthy A.


Serves 4/6 depending how hungry you are!

Preheat oven 200c, 400f, gas mark 5

Ingredients

300g dried pasta cooked until it's slightly underdone.
2 tins of tuna in spring water or brine
8 oz mushrooms chopped
2 red peppers diced, jar or fresh
2 red chillies deseeded and chopped
2 tbsp capers
1 large onion chopped
1 tin of tomatoes
1 tub passata
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tsp celery salt
Fresh ground pepper
120g grated full fat cheddar or 160g grated reduced fat cheddar

Method

Spray a large pan with frylight and fry the onions till soft, add the mushrooms and fry for 2/3 minutes, then add the peppers, chillies, capers, oregano, celery salt and pepper, stir together and cook for 1/2 minutes, add the tuna, tomatoes and passata simmer for 5 minutes stir occasionally. Stir in the cooked pasta pour into a large oven proof dish, and sprinkle over the cheese, bake in the oven for 25 minutes.