recipes

Buckwheat is a gluten free seed and is very useful in a gluten-free diet as it gives a grain-like texture. It’s slightly nutty in taste and cooks in les time than quinoa or rice. For the health benefits see tip below. This salad is also a good way to top up your calcium levels. You’ll find calcium in the buckwheat, tahini, sunflower seeds and feta cheese.

Mar 17

Mar 17 Spicy black bean and corn soup

A spicy vegetarian soup packed with protein and fibre to keep you fully satisfied until your next meal. Even better it’s super quick to make and so makes a speedy lunch warm option. Freeze any leftovers for a quick meal another day. You can use frozen corn and peppers as I usually do.

Mar 11

Mar 11 Lentil and black bean bolognese

You can still enjoy a vegetarian version of the classic bolognese sauce. I use a lentil pasta which is high in protein (100g = 26g of protein) for added satiety. The addition of rosemary and balsamic vinegar are essential to the moreishness of the dish so don’t leave out. For a low-carb option you could serve with courgette or cauliflower rice.

Feb 12

Feb 12 Halloumi and butter bean bake

This is a very versatile vegetarian dish. you can add more chilli if you like heat and can change the beans around to whatever you have or use chickpeas instead. Did I also mention it’s super quick to make and can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. Makes a warming lunch or even an evening meal. Can serve on its own or with a slice of crisp sourdough.

Nov 27

Nov 27 Spicy chickpea & butternut squash soup

Butternut squash is one of our favourite winter ingredient as it is so versatile, colourful and filling with its high fibre content. Good quality chickpeas are essential to make this soup insanely smooth and creamy. Ras el Hanout if you don’t know it is an excellent blend of spices bringing warmth without being too “hot” spicy. Very very simple comfort food at its best. Even better if you make double and keep for another lunch or evening.

Nov 6

Nov 6 Cauliflower & red lentil one pot

Oct 26

Oct 26 Super quick chickpea veggie curry bowl

Great option for those short on time but wanting flavour! Packed full of goodness with chickpeas, tomatoes, peppers, mushrooms and spinach this is a vegetarian option but you could add any leftover roast chicken. This takes very little prep, especially if you decided to go for ready chopped frozen vegetables. As always, make extra and save yourself portion for lunch the next day!

Oct 14

Oct 14 Chilli ginger butternut squash soup

Soups are a wonderful way to pack essential nutrients into a delicious meal. One of my favourite taste combo is chilli and ginger anti teams up perfectly with all the winter root vegetables. This is a treaty soup you can happily eat on it’s own or with a nice slice of garlic grated toasted sourdough. I always add a little crunch with lots of seeds to serve. Leave out the chilli if you have young kids who don’t fancy it. Oh and that little bit of bacon, if you chose to use it, makes such a difference.

Jul 25

Jul 25 quinoa, aubergine, chickpea halloumi salad

At the Health Boost we are not vegetarian but we encourage everyone to increase the consumption of mostly plant based meals a couple of days a week if possible. With some pulses providing some good quality protein such as the quinoa and chickpeas in this salad and the added halloumi we make sure to provide a balance of all macro nutrients. We also get asked often what to do with aubergines as they are a good source of fibre, vitamins and minerals and low in calories for those counting.

Jun 23

Jun 23 French vegetable "tian" with goat cheese

A Tian is a classic dish from my beloved childhood southern France. It is perfect served alongside grilled meat or fish, or just aside salad for a light lunch. It is perfect to use up all of your summer vegetables. I like to use mixed provencal herbs and garlic for the seasoning but dried oregano works brilliantly too. A super easy one to make vegan by simply skipping the cheese. It’s a bit like a structured ratatouille!

May 24

May 24 Top 7 summer salads you will love

Recipes, Soups and salads, Blog

We love salads at The Health Boost and nearly every day will have one for lunch and in the summer for supper too. However there's no limp lettuce and starving ourselves with our salads. The key to a good salad is to get the right balance of protein, healthy fats and some slow release healthy carbohydrates so that you aren't hungry again by 3pm. We include lots and lots of vegetables in our salads as we love them and recognise their health benefits. We hope this selection of salads will provide you with some inspiration. We change our salads weekly, depending on what's seasonal and what delights our vegetable box brings. Have fun experimenting with your salads! If you want to learn how to create the perfect salad we have a separate article How to create the perfect salad

May 7

May 7 Simple and delicious oat cakes

Good old fashioned oat cakes are so so delicious and versatile. They are also super easy to make, as a batch and keep. With the main ingredient being pinhead oats (or steel cut oats) they make the perfect high fibre savoury snack teamed up with our smoked mackerel pâté or French sardine pâté. Another French way to enjoy those is with a little butter, some sliced radishes and a little salt. I like to vary the herbs or spices I mix in them; I have tried and tested rosemary, oregano, garlic, turmeric, curry powder, cumin and paprika. If you want to have them with cheese, I recommend to stick to herbs.

Apr 14

Apr 14 Quick and easy broccoli and bean soup

Apr 5

Apr 5 Watercress and wild garlic soup

This is a such a super quick and easy soup that is spring in a bowl. Wild garlic grows in March and April in shady, woody and wet environments. The smell will probably hit you before you see it. If you are in doubt rub the leaves between your fingers. If you don’t smell garlic then leave well alone.

Feb 26

Feb 26 super easy breakfast egg in a pepper cup

Breakfast and brunch, Recipes

These bell pepper egg cups are one of the easiest nutritious option to kick start your day. Breakfast is important but it doesn’t have to be the first thing you do in the morning. What is key to a successful first meal of the day though is that is has to be quick, easy, delicious and balanced. Protein content is key to fuel the day ahead and keep you full until the next meal. If you can also include your first portions of fruit and veggies it’s an absolute winner. Give them a go! They make a fab Sunday brunch item too! Just add a sliced half avocado.

Feb 22

Feb 22 Cauliflower curry & homemade flatbread

This is a spicy vegetarian curry that will warm your soul as well as body. It’s packed with plenty of turmeric which has amazing health benefits (see tip below). We have served with a homemade naan bread. They are so quick and easy to make and once you have tried you won’t ever buy shop bought again. The recipe for the naan/flatbread is not unique, but we have become huge fans of making them and getting our kids of make them too. They make great pizza bases.

Feb 20

Feb 20 sweet potato and black bean chipotle chilli

This warming vegetarian one pot is made with chipotle paste which gives it a delicious earthiness. You can of course leave this out if you don’t have - but it does make it extra special and so it’s worth hunting out this Mexican mix of jalapeño peppers, spices and vinegar. This chilli is delicious on its own - but if you need something extra then serve with a little quinoa or brown rice.

Jan 13

Jan 13 Butternut squash garam masala soup

Soups always help making lunch quick, easy and healthy. The secret, as always, is in the planning and prepping! If you want your soup to keep you full until supper, you need to make sure it contains some protein and healthy fats. This soup contains coconut cream ticking both boxes. You could always swap for greek yoghurt, but the coconut does work really well with the garam masala spice. Perfect comfort food!
I make this soup using my slow cooker, but you could do in an AGA, or slowly on a stove.

Dec 3

Dec 3 roasted red pepper and quinoa soup