Thai curry in less than 20 minutes!

I hate getting home from a long day and slaving for hours preparing dinner - I end up eating more when I'm cooking than the actual meal! This thai curry honestly took me less than 20 minutes and tasted brill. It was enough for me to save for my lunch tomorrow too (and with a little taste for Mum).

Ingredients:
1 large sweet potato, sliced
Handful of king prawns
1 red onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, chopped
Any veg you have in fridge or cupboards (I used Spinach and mushrooms)
2 tbsp thai green curry paste
A splash of milk
A splash of boiling water
Grated coconut or 1/2 can coconut milk

How do I do it?
Microwave the sweet potato for 5 minutes until tender. Shallow fry the onion and garlic in a little olive oil, then add the curry paste. Add the sweet potato, prawns, veg,coconut, milk and water and cook for a few minutes. Serve! Easy as pie.

Ruthy's butterynutty squash soup

Ingredients:

1 butternut squash
1 leek, sliced
1 rasher streaky bacon, chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
1 litre reduced salt bouillon (veggie stock)
Dried herbs (rosemary or thyme)
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp chilli powder (optional)
Black pepper

Cut the squash into large chunks (no need to peel) and place in a deep casserole dish. Add the bacon pieces, leeks and herbs and drizzle with the oil. Add a splash of boiling water and roast in the oven at 180C for around 30 minutes. After 30 minutes remove from oven and place on the hob. Add the stock, chilli powder and black pepper and cook over a medium heat for about 15 minutes, until squash is squishy!

Blend until smooth and serve with a poached egg, or a dollop of creme fraiche. Yum.

Comfort foods

I've just read a really good article on comfort foods and with autumn coming in thought I'd share some of my fave (healthier) comfort foods:

1. Scrambled eggs on toast - my back up dinner for when there's nothing in the cupboards (usually about 3 times a week!) Quick, healthy, low GI and minimal washing up - perfect.
2. Soups - leek and sweet potato, tomato and basil, pumpkin... make a huge batch, freeze and have for lunch or dinner when you need warming up. Top tip - add a little coconut milk to pumpkin, veg stock and curry powder and spices for a creamy spicy option.
3. Porridge -  nothing beats it on a cold morning. If you can't stomach hot food in the morning, make a yummy cold alternative my mixing oats, berries or grated apple, soya milk and cinnamon.
4. Curry curry curry - again a back up for when I think I have nothing in but then find I have spices, curry powder, veg stock and some slightly withered looking veg. Tinned tomatoes are also a great addition, as are lentils, chickpeas or any frozen veg. Serve with brown rice for your carb cravings (only 170 calories per serving!)
5. Desserts in the winter tend to be heavier and you probably think of pies, crumbles and puddings. This yummy apple crumble gives you the comfort without the calories - try it!

Ingredients:

4 large Granny Smith apples, peeled,cored and sliced

2 teaspoons of cinnamon

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

3 tablespoons of apple juice

For the topping

35g rolled oats

35g wholemeal flour

2 tablespoons of olive oil

1 tablespoon of honey

Rind of half a lemon, grated

Place the sliced apple and cinnamon in a saucepan and cover with the lemon and apple juice. Cook on a low heat for ten minutes, until just soft. Mix the oats and flour with the olive oil, honey and lemon rind in a bowl. Transfer the apple to a baking dish and top with the oat mixture. Bake at 180C for 20 minutes until topping is golden brown.