A delicious, immunity-supporting homemade juice inspired by Ribena, using elderberries, citrus, apples, and spices. This vibrant drink is rich in antioxidants and perfect for the cold season! Elderberries must always be cooked before consumption, as raw berries can be toxic. Simmering them gently makes them safe and delicious.
Takes 45 minutesminutes
Serves 12
Ingredients
200gelderberriesabout 1½ cups
400mlwater1¾ cups
3medium orangespeeled
1lemon
3medium apples
25gfresh ginger1 thumb-sized piece / about 1 tbsp grated
12gfresh turmeric½ thumb-sized piece / or 1 tbsp ground turmeric
Generous pinch of black pepper
Instructions
Make the elderberry base:
Place the elderberries and water into a large saucepan. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve or muslin cloth, pressing the berries to extract as much liquid as possible.
Juice the fresh ingredients:
Run the oranges, lemon, apples, ginger, and turmeric (or ground turmeric) through your juicer.
Combine:
Mix the strained elderberry liquid with the fresh juice. Stir in a generous pinch of black pepper while still slightly warm so the flavours meld and the turmeric is activated.
Store and serve:
Pour the immunity juice into airtight glass bottles or jars. Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Shake well before serving. Enjoy chilled, or gently warmed for a soothing tonic.
Notes
Recipe Notes
Elderberries should always be cooked before use, as raw berries may cause stomach upset. The simmering step in this recipe ensures they are safe to enjoy.
These handheld burrito cones are fun, vibrant, and perfect for sharing. Crisped tortilla cones are filled with creamy guacamole, spiced refried beans, and zesty salsa—ideal for a casual dinner, party, or picnic. Naturally plant-based and bursting with flavour!
Takes 30 minutesminutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
For the tortilla cones:
4wholewheat burrito wraps or large tortillas
Spray oil or a little olive oil
Wooden toothpicks
For the guacamole:
2ripe avocados
1large tomatofinely diced
½red onionfinely chopped
½tspgarlic powder or 1 small clove garlicminced
Juice of 1 lime
½tspsea salt
For the refried beans:
1x 400g tin kidney beansdrained and rinsed
1tbsptamarior soy sauce
½tspsea salt
1tspground cumin
1tbspground coriander
For the fresh salsa:
1large tomatofinely diced
½red onionfinely chopped
50gfresh corianderchopped
Juice of ½ lime
Pinchof salt
Instructions
Make the tortilla cones:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).
Cut each tortilla in half to make 8 semi-circles.
Roll each half into a cone shape with a pointed bottom and open top. Overlap the edges slightly and secure the seam with a wooden toothpick.
Place seam-side down on a baking tray and lightly brush or spray with oil.
Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Let cool slightly and remove toothpicks.
Prepare the guacamole:
In a bowl, mash 2 avocados.
Mix in the diced tomato, chopped red onion, garlic (powder or fresh), lime juice, and salt.
Stir until creamy with some texture remaining.
Make the refried beans:
In a pan over medium heat, combine kidney beans, tamari, salt, cumin, and ground coriander.
Mash with a fork or potato masher while heating until thick and spreadable.
Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
Mix the salsa:
Combine diced tomato, chopped red onion, chopped coriander, lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Mix well.
Assemble the cones:
Spoon refried beans into the bottom of each tortilla cone.
Add a layer of guacamole.
Top with a spoonful of salsa.
Serve immediately while the cones are still crisp!
Tips
If making ahead, keep the cones and fillings separate and assemble just before serving.
Add pickled jalapeños, shredded lettuce, or hot sauce for extra flair.
These also work great with a smoky black bean filling or rice for a more filling cone.
Here’s a fun way to give your old bread a new life and make a probiotic fizzy soda! Instead of tossing those last slices of sourdough, you can use them to make a naturally fizzy, refreshing soda. It’s super simple: the natural yeasts on the raisins and in the bread do all the hard work, gently fermenting the mixture into a light, tangy drink with a touch of sweetness. It’s a lovely little tradition, turning what might have gone to waste into something tasty and alive. All you need is a handful of ingredients, a jar, and a few days of patience.
Takes 3 daysdays
Serves 4
Ingredients
5slicesstale sourdough breadapprox 200g
75graisinsabout ½ cup
1litre water4 cups
50gcoconut or brown sugar¼ cup, packed
250mlwater1 cup, for topping up later
1tbspcoconut or brown sugarfor topping up later
Instructions
Toast the sourdough and tear into pieces and pop them into a large clean jar or jug. Add the raisins, 1 litre water, and the 50g of brown sugar. Stir well so the sugar dissolves.
Cover loosely with a cloth and leave it out at room temperature for 1–2 days. You’ll start to see little bubbles and smell a tang as it begins to ferment.
Strain the liquid through a fine sieve or muslin into a large bowl and then using a funnel pour into a clean 750ml swing top bottle, add in any extra water until the bottle is almost full along with 1 tablespoon sugar.
Seal the jar or bottle and leave it at room temperature for another 2–3 days until it’s nice and fizzy. You will need to burp it each day which simply means opening the bottle and closing it, this simply prevents the build up of carbon too much. Keep an eye on it and once it’s bubbly enough for you and you are happy with the taste, store in the fridge to stop fermentation..
A simple, delicious way to preserve and celebrate seasonal farm veg. This kraut was made to mark the summer harvest—crunchy, tangy, and full of gut-friendly microbes. We’ve swapped out the more traditional cabbage for Palk Choi since that was what was in season on the farm.
Takes 10 daysdays15 minutesminutes
Serves 10
Ingredients
2heads of pak choi
2heads of fennel
Fronds from the fennel heads
A few chard leaves
4scallionsgreen onions
Sea salt2% of total prepared vegetable weight
Waterto top up
Instructions
Prepare the vegetables:
Clean all the vegetables thoroughly. Chop the pak choi, fennel, fennel fronds, chard leaves, and scallions into bite-sized pieces.
Weigh and salt:
Weigh the prepared vegetables. Calculate 2% of this weight—for example, if you have 900g of veg, add 18g of sea salt. Sprinkle the salt over the veg and mix thoroughly using clean hands, gently massaging to start drawing out liquid.
Pack into jars:
Tightly pack the salted veg into one large fermentation jar or a few smaller jars. Press down firmly as you go to remove air pockets and help release more brine.
Submerge and weigh down:
Top up with water so the veg is fully submerged. Place a fermentation weight or clean object (like a smaller jar or cabbage leaf) on top to keep everything below the surface. This is anaerobic fermentation, so keeping the vegetables under the liquid is essential to avoid mould.
Seal and ferment:
Close the jar loosely with a lid (or use a fermentation airlock) and leave at room temperature for 2–3 weeks. Check every few days to ensure everything stays submerged.
Taste and store:
Begin tasting after 2 weeks. It should be pleasantly acidic, lightly salty, and still have a bit of crunch. If it’s not tangy enough, leave it for another few days. Once you’re happy with the flavour, move the jar to the fridge to slow fermentation. It will keep for several months chilled.
Notes
Tips
Use clean utensils and hands to reduce the risk of contamination.
Serve with salads, grain bowls, or as a vibrant side to almost any meal.
This week, we chat with the one and only Jason Vale, also known as The Juice Master. Jason is a best-selling author, filmmaker, and juicing pioneer who transformed his life by turning to fresh juices after years of struggling with his health.
Episode 183
Having overcome obesity, smoking, and chronic skin conditions, he has since dedicated his life to helping millions reclaim their health through the power of juicing. Together, they explore the myths and misconceptions around juicing, the science behind its benefits, and how small, sustainable habits can create big shifts in our energy, mood, and overall wellbeing. Whether you’re new to juicing or a seasoned blender, Jason’s practical wisdom, contagious energy, and straight-talking approach will leave you feeling motivated and empowered to take charge of your health
Dave & Steve
Lots of love,
SPONSORS & DISCOUNT CODES:
Cuisinart – the partner we have dreamed of! Cuisinart has been cooking up reliable kitchen gear for over 50 years – helping to make mealtimes easier and more enjoyable! Check out the following link for more details.
These are a healthier treat that are super easy to make and looks beautiful! They combine smooth dark chocolate, creamy pistachio-coconut filling, and a chewy nut-date base. Made in silicone moulds for perfect shape and easy prep, they’re indulgent yet packed with wholesome ingredients.
Takes 15 minutesminutes
Serves 24
Ingredients
Base & chocolate layer:
200gdark chocolatefor the base
100gcashew nuts or nut of choice
100gpitted dates
2tbspcoconut oil
Pinchof sea salt
Dubai pistachio layer:
4tbsppistachio butter or 100g of pistachios blended till smooth
2tbsptoasted desiccated coconut
Optional: ½ tsp maple syrup or pinch of cardamom for extra flair
Top chocolate coating:
60gdark chocolatefor final layer
Optional garnish: crushed pistachios
Equipment:
Silicone mould tray24 squares, approx. 2.5cm x 2.5cm x 1cm deep
Instructions
Melt the base chocolate and create the shells:
Finely chop 200g dark chocolate and melt it using a bain marie or microwave.
Spoon chocolate into each cavity of the silicone mould, filling about ⅓ of the way.
Use the back of a small spoon to brush chocolate up the sides to form little cups.
Place in the freezer for 15 minutes to harden.
Prepare the Dubai pistachio filling:
In a bowl, mix 4 tbsp pistachio butter with 2 tbsp toasted desiccated coconut until well combined.
(Optional: stir in ½ tsp maple syrup or a pinch of ground cardamom for extra depth.)
Add the pistachio layer:
Once the chocolate base is set, spoon a small amount of the pistachio mixture into each mould, filling until about ⅔ full. Smooth the tops gently with the back of a spoon.
Make the nut-date base layer:
In a food processor, pulse 100g mixed nuts until they resemble coarse breadcrumbs.
Add 100g pitted dates, 2 tbsp coconut oil, and a pinch of salt. Blend for 2–3 minutes until the mixture sticks together when pressed.
Start with the chocolate
Divide the nut-date mixture evenly among the moulds, pressing it down firmly as the top layer of each square. Chill in the fridge for 20–30 minutes or until completely set.
Remove and enjoy!
To store:
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Best served slightly chilled.
Light, frothy and full of flavour, this plant-based whipped coffee uses maple syrup instead of sugar for a naturally sweet twist. Served over ice with oat milk, it’s the perfect summer pick-me-up.
Takes 5 minutesminutes
Serves 1
Ingredients
2tspinstant coffee
2tspmaple syrup
2tbspboiling water
Ice cubes
200ml¾ cup + 1 tbsp oat milk (or milk of choice)
Instructions
Make the whipped coffee:
In a small bowl or glass, combine 2 tsp instant coffee, 2 tsp maple syrup, and 2 tbsp boiling water. Whip using a handheld milk frother or whisk vigorously by hand for 2–3 minutes until light and frothy. (You can also use a small electric whisk.)
Prepare your glass:
Fill a serving glass with ice cubes and pour over 200ml oat milk.
Top and serve:
Spoon the whipped coffee over the oat milk. Stir gently before drinking, or sip as-is for a layered effect.
Optional Additions
A pinch of cinnamon or cacao powder in the whip
A drop of vanilla extract for extra depth
Swap oat milk for almond, coconut, or soy if preferred
A fizzy, probiotic twist on the classic British cordial. This version uses wild blackberries or elderberries and the natural yeasts found on apples and lemons to create a naturally carbonated, gut-friendly drink. It's fruity, lightly sweet, and wonderfully alive!
Takes 5 daysdays10 minutesminutes
Serves 8
Ingredients
200gwild blackberries or elderberriesabout 1½ cups
200gcaster sugar1 cup
2litres water8 cups
3applesunwashed, organic if possible (about 600g total)
1lemonunwaxed (about 120g)
Instructions
Make the berry syrup
In a saucepan, combine the 200g berries (1½ cups) and 200g sugar (1 cup) with 200ml water (¾ cup). Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cool and strain
Remove from the heat and pass the mixture through a sieve into a jug, pressing the berries to extract as much liquid as possible. Allow the syrup to cool until just below body temperature.
Combine and ferment
In a clean 3-litre jar, pour in 2 litres water (8 cups) and stir in the cooled berry syrup. Roughly chop the 3 apples (skins on) and the lemon, then add them to the jar.
Cover and bulk ferment
Cover loosely with a lid or cloth and leave at room temperature for 1–2 days to ferment. You’ll start to see small bubbles form.
Bottle for secondary fermentation
Strain out the apple and lemon pieces, then funnel the liquid into clean swing-top bottles, leaving about 3cm headspace at the top.
Carbonate and chill
Leave the bottles at room temperature for 1–3 more days until fizzy. Once carbonated to your liking, refrigerate to slow further fermentation.
Notes
Tips
Open bottles slowly to release pressure—natural fermentation can build up a lot of fizz.
Store in the fridge and consume within 1–2 weeks for best taste and fizz.
Always use clean bottles and equipment to avoid unwanted bacteria.
A rustic, golden galette celebrating the beauty and flavour of summer heirloom tomatoes. With a herby cashew cream base, flaky shortcrust pastry, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, this dish is perfect served warm with peppery rocket fresh from the farm.
Takes 1 hourhour15 minutesminutes
Serves 6
Ingredients
For the shortcrust pastry:
200g7 oz plain flour
100g3.5 oz vegan butter or cold coconut oil
2–4 tbsp cold water
½tspsea salt
For the herby cashew cream:
100g3.5 oz raw cashews (soaked in hot water for 10 mins)
1tbsplemon juice
½tspof garlic powderor 1 clove of fresh garlic
1tbspnutritional yeast
2tbspwateradjust for consistency
1tbspchopped fresh basil or parsley
Pinchof salt
For the tomato filling:
4–5 heirloom tomatoesmixed colours and sizes, sliced into rounds
1–2 tsp sea saltfor pre-salting tomatoes
Freshly ground black pepper
Optional: 1 tbsp capers
Handful of fresh basil leavesto bake and more to garnish
To garnish:
Balsamic glazefor drizzling
Extra basil leaves
Optional: crushed black pepper or a few chilli flakes
To serve:
Handful of fresh rocketarugula
Drizzle of olive oil and squeeze of lemon juice
Instructions
Prepare the pastry:
In a large bowl, rub 100g vegan butter into 200g plain flour and ½ tsp salt until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add 2–4 tbsp cold water, one spoon at a time, mixing gently until a dough forms. Wrap and chill for 15–20 minutes.
Pre-salt the tomatoes:
Slice the heirloom tomatoes and lay them on a plate. Sprinkle with 1–2 tsp sea salt and leave for 10–15 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Pat dry with kitchen paper to avoid a soggy base.
Make the herby cashew cream:
Drain the soaked cashews. Blend with lemon juice, garlic, nutritional yeast, 2 tbsp water, herbs, and salt until smooth and creamy. Add more water if needed for a spreadable consistency.
Roll out the dough:
On a lightly floured surface, roll the pastry into a rough circle about 30cm (12 inches) wide. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking tray.
Assemble the galette:
Spread the cashew cream over the centre of the dough, leaving a 4–5cm (2 inch) border. Layer the salted tomato slices over the cream. Tuck in a few basil leaves and optional capers. Season with black pepper.
Fold and bake:
Fold the pastry edges up and over the tomatoes, pleating as you go. Brush edges with plant milk or olive oil for a golden crust. Bake at 190C (375F) for 45–50 minutes until the pastry is golden and the tomatoes are bubbling.
Finish and serve:
Let cool for 5–10 minutes. Drizzle with balsamic glaze, top with fresh basil leaves, and optional chilli flakes. Serve warm or at room temperature with a generous handful of rocket tossed in olive oil and lemon juice.
Tips
Use a mix of red, yellow, and green tomatoes for a beautiful colour contrast.
Galette can be made ahead and served at room temperature for picnics or alfresco dining.
If short on time, use store-bought shortcrust pastry.
Fluffy banana pancakes layered with creamy blender-made date caramel, topped with golden caramelised bananas, coconut yoghurt, and chopped dark chocolate. Sweet, rich, and perfect for sharing—banoffee pie reimagined as pancakes. We used our Cuisinart Blast & Go portable blenders and blended the mixture right on the beach!
Takes 15 minutesminutes
Serves 2
Ingredients
For the pancakes:
120g1 cup self-raising flour
210ml¾ cup + 1 tbsp oat milk or milk of choice
½ripe banana
½tspvanilla extract
Pinchof salt
Spray oilfor cooking
For the date caramel:
100gabout 6 soft dates (e.g. Medjool), pitted
50g3 tbsp almond or peanut butter
2tbspoat milk or water
Pinchof sea salt
Optional: ½ tsp vanilla extract or ground cinnamon
For the topping:
1ripe bananasliced
1tspmaple syrup or coconut sugar
4tbspcoconut yoghurt
10gabout 2 tsp dark chocolate, chopped
Optional: extra pinch of cinnamon for dusting
Instructions
Make the pancake batter in the blender
Add the oat milk, ½ ripe banana, and vanilla extract to your blender. Blend until smooth. Add the flour and salt, then pulse just until combined—avoid over-blending. Leave to rest while you make the caramel.
Make the date caramel
Without washing the blender, add the dates, nut butter, oat milk or water, sea salt, and optional vanilla or cinnamon. Blend until silky smooth. Scrape into a jar or container and set aside.
Cook the pancakes
Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat and lightly spray with oil. Pour small rounds of batter into the pan (about 2 tbsp per pancake). Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and fluffy. Repeat until all batter is used.
Caramelise the banana slices
Wipe out the pan, then return to medium heat with a little spray oil or 1 tsp coconut oil. Add the banana slices and drizzle with maple syrup or sprinkle with coconut sugar. Cook for 1–2 minutes per side until golden and sticky.
Assemble and serve
Stack the pancakes, spreading a spoonful of date caramel between each layer. Top with the caramelised bananas, a dollop of coconut yoghurt, chopped dark chocolate, and a dusting of cinnamon if desired.
This quick and creamy pasta sauce is high in fibre and full of flavour. Blending white beans with sundried tomatoes creates a rich, velvety texture—without the need for cream—making it naturally lower in fat and more nourishing.
Takes 10 minutesminutes
Serves 2
Ingredients
1tin400g white beans (cannellini or butter beans), drained – approx. 240g drained weight (1½ cups)
4tbsp4 tbsp The Happy Pear Sundried Tomato Pesto
140groasted red peppers
1garlic clovepeeled
1tbsplemon juice
3–4 tbsp pasta water
Salt & pepperto taste
To serve:
160–180g dried pastaabout 1½–1¾ cups
Optional: Sautéed spinachfresh basil, toasted pine nuts, or nutritional yeast
Instructions
Cook the pasta:
Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Add the pasta and cook according to packet instructions until al dente (8–10 minutes). Just before draining, reserve a cup of the pasta water. Drain and return pasta to the pan.
Make the sauce:
In a blender, add the drained white beans, The Happy Pear Sundried Tomato Pesto, garlic, lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons of reserved pasta water. Blend until smooth and creamy. Add an extra tablespoon of pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
Season:
Taste and add salt and pepper to your liking.
Combine:
Pour the sauce over the cooked pasta and stir well to coat evenly. Heat gently if needed.
Serve and garnish:
Serve as is or top with sautéed spinach, fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, or a sprinkle of nutritional yeast for a cheesy finish.
This vibrant, high-protein mezze bowl is packed with flavour, colour and texture — and it’s completely tofu-free. Featuring crispy baked falafel, herby quinoa tabbouleh, lemony sautéed spinach, tangy pink pickles, creamy hummus, and a crunchy, nutty dukkah, it’s a balanced and satisfying meal that’s just as great for lunch prep as it is for dinner with friends. All made with wholefood ingredients and over 30g of plant-based protein per serving.
Takes 50 minutesminutes
Serves 2
Ingredients
For the Baked Falafel:
1× 400g tin chickpeasdrained & rinsed
1/2small red onionroughly chopped
1garlic cloves
20gfresh parsley
20gfresh coriander
1tbspground cumin
1tbspground coriander
1tbspground cumin
½tspsalt
2tbspgram flouror plain flour
1tbsplemon juice
1tbspolive oil
For the Quinoa Tabbouleh:
100gquinoa½ cup, rinsed
1large tomatofinely chopped
½cucumberfinely chopped
15gfresh mintfinely chopped
15gfresh parsleyfinely chopped
1tbspolive oil
Juice of ½ lemon
Salt & pepper
For the Spinach Spanakopita-Style Sauté:
200gspinachfresh or frozen
1tbspolive oil
1spring onionfinely sliced
1garlic clovefinely chopped
Zest of ½ lemon
Pinchof salt
For the Quick Pickled Onions:
1small red onionthinly sliced
75mlapple cider vinegar
75mlwater
Pinchof salt
1tspmaple syrup
For the Dukkah:
2tbspsesame seeds
2tbspalmonds or hazelnutschopped or whole
1tspcumin seeds
1tspcoriander seeds
Pinchof salt
To Serve:
2generous dollops of Happy Pear Hummus
Instructions
Make the Quick Pickled Onions
Thinly slice the red onion and place in a small bowl or jar. Add the apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Mix well and set aside to pickle while you prepare the rest. These will become vibrant pink and tangy.
Prepare the Baked Falafel
Preheat your oven to 200°C (fan 180°C / 400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment. In a food processor, add the chickpeas, red onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt, gram flour, lemon juice, and olive oil. Pulse until just combined — keep a bit of texture. Using damp hands, form the mixture into 6–8 small balls or discs. Place on the tray, brush lightly with olive oil, and bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
Cook the Quinoa
Rinse the quinoa under cold water. Add to a small saucepan with double the amount of water (200ml for 100g quinoa). Bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10–12 minutes, until fluffy and the water is absorbed. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and allow to cool slightly.
Make the Tabbouleh
Finely chop the tomato, cucumber, mint, and parsley. In a bowl, combine the cooled quinoa with the chopped veg and herbs. Add olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Mix well and set aside.
Sauté the Spanakopita-Style Spinach
Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the spring onion and garlic, and sauté for 1–2 minutes. Add the spinach and a pinch of salt, and stir until wilted (or defrosted if using frozen).Finish with lemon zest and remove from heat.
Make the Dukkah
In a dry frying pan, toast the almonds or hazelnuts over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until golden. Add the sesame seeds, cumin seeds, and coriander seeds and toast for another 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Allow to cool slightly, then crush in a mortar and pestle or pulse in a blender until crumbly (not powdered). Stir in a pinch of salt.
Assemble the Mezze Bowl
Divide the quinoa tabbouleh between two bowls. Add the spinach sauté, 3–4 falafel per bowl, a generous spoon of pickled onions, and a large dollop of Happy Pear hummus. Finish with a generous sprinkle of dukkah and a wedge of lemon.
John Stewart is a world-renowned speaker, author, and educator with over 25 years of global impact. Former Head of Green School Bali—celebrated as the world’s greenest school—and author of Thriving at School, he now leads Living School Lismore, a pioneering community learning space he built in his own home.
Episode 182
This is our second episode recording with John, and it brings fresh energy, deeper reflection, and new stories. Together, Dave and Steve explore the evolution since our 2021 chat—what’s changed, what’s next, and how the Living School model is developing in real time.
In this heartfelt conversation, John offers candid updates on the Living School learning hub: how it’s grown, the successes and challenges of community-based education, and how children and caregivers are thriving within its evolving design. He unpacks new practices that have emerged since our first episode—creative rituals, altered rhythms, and how families are weaving learning into daily life without walls or schedules.
John again questions traditional school structures—touching on schools as community cornerstones, safety vs. freedom, and why education must foster curiosity and connection over conformity. But now, he goes one step further—sharing honest reflections from a teacher’s point of view, how to nourish educators’ wellbeing, and how Living School is experimenting with new forms of leadership, rhythm, and environment.
This conversation lands at a moment when many of us are reimagining schooling post‑pandemic, questioning outdated systems, and yearning for education that benefits mind, heart, and community. John’s fresh insights, grounded in real‑world practice, offer practical inspiration for educators, changemakers, parents—or anyone curious about reshaping how we learn together.
Dave & Steve
Lots of love,
SPONSORS & DISCOUNT CODES:
Cuisinart – the partner we have dreamed of! Cuisinart has been cooking up reliable kitchen gear for over 50 years – helping to make mealtimes easier and more enjoyable! Check out the following link for more details.
These easy no-churn ice creams are made with just a handful of wholefood ingredients and blended fresh to serve. We pre-freeze the ingredients directly in the Cuisinart Freeze Wand cups the day before, then just attach the wand and blend when the craving hits. They’re creamy, satisfying, and infinitely customisable. Keep a few cups prepped in the fridge or freezer, ready to go whenever you fancy a treat.
Takes 1 dayday5 minutesminutes
Serves 3
Ingredients
Berry Bliss Ice Cream
1frozen ripe bananaapprox. 90 g
75g½ cup frozen mixed berries
8g½ tbsp almond or cashew butter
5ml1 tsp maple syrup, or to taste
2.5ml½ tsp vanilla extract
Optional: splash of waterapprox 10 ml if needed to blend
Pistachio Dream
1frozen ripe bananaapprox 90 g
15g1 tbsp pistachio butter
8g½ tbsp almond or cashew butter (optional, for extra body)
7ml1½ tsp maple syrup
2.5ml½ tsp vanilla extract
Pinchof salt
Choc Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
1frozen ripe bananaapprox 90 g
15g1 tbsp nut butter of choice (peanut, almond or cashew)
7ml1½ tsp maple syrup
2.5ml½ tsp vanilla extract
Pinchof salt
Optional: pinch of cinnamon and tiny splash of water if needed
To fold in: small chunks of cookie dough after blending
Instructions
Add all ingredients to the Freeze Wand cup and freeze overnight.
When ready, attach the wand and blend until thick and creamy.
Serve immediately.
Notes
Tips:
These ice creams are best enjoyed freshly blended.
Chop ingredients before freezing
Keep the pre-measured ingredients in the cups in the fridge or freezer, so you’re always ready to go for when a craving hits!
These playful, plant-based ice cream sandwiches are simple to make and big on flavour. We start with chewy cashew butter cookies and fill them with homemade “nice cream” made using the Cuisinart Freeze Wand. Choose from Ferrero Rocher, Dubai Chocolate, or Snickers-inspired flavours—or try all three!
Takes 1 hourhour30 minutesminutes
Serves 12
Ingredients
Cashew butter cookies (makes 24 cookies for 12 sandwiches)
240g8.5 oz / 1 cup all-natural roasted cashew butter (or almond/peanut butter)
5tbspcoconut sugar
3tbspmaple syrup
1tspvanilla extract
2tbspground flaxseedlinseed
½tspbicarbonate of sodabaking soda
½tspbaking powder
Coarse sea saltoptional, for topping
Ferrero Rocher ice cream
1ripe bananafrozen in chunks
60g¼ cup hazelnut butter
1tbspcocoa powder
2tbspmaple syrupoptional
Pinchof sea salt
50mlof coconut milk
Dubai chocolate ice cream
1ripe bananasfrozen
50gpistachio nuts shelled
2tbspmaple syrup
Pinchof sea salt
50mlof coconut milk
Snickers-style ice cream
1ripe bananasfrozen
50gpeanut butternatural, unsweetened
1–2 tbsp maple syrupoptional
50mlof coconut milk
Pinchsalt
20groasted peanuts
Instructions
Make the cookie dough:
Add 240g (1 cup) cashew butter, 5 tbsp coconut sugar, 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 2 tbsp ground flaxseed, ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda, and ½ tsp baking powder to a bowl. Mix until fully combined. Chill for 30 minutes to firm up.
Bake the cookies:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Roll the dough into 24 small balls (just smaller than golf balls) and place on a lined baking tray. Gently flatten with your palm. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt if using. Bake for 7–8 minutes for soft cookies, or up to 10 minutes for crisp ones. Cool completely.
Make the Ferrero Rocher ice cream:
In a blender or food processor, combine 1 banana, 60g (¼ cup) hazelnut butter, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, 2 tbsp maple syrup (if using), a pinch of sea salt, and 50ml coconut milk. Blend until smooth. Churn in the Cuisinart Freeze Wand until scoopable.
Make the Dubai chocolate ice cream:
Blend 1 banana, 50g shelled pistachio nuts, 2 tbsp maple syrup, a pinch of sea salt, and 50ml coconut milk until smooth. Churn in the Cuisinart Freeze Wand until thick and creamy.
Make the Snickers-style ice cream:
Blend 1 banana, 50g peanut butter, 1–2 tbsp maple syrup (if using), 50ml coconut milk, and a pinch of salt until velvety and smooth. Stir in the roasted peanuts, then churn in the Freeze Wand until scoopable.
Assemble the sandwiches:
Once the ice creams are churned and semi-frozen, scoop a generous tablespoon onto the flat side of a cookie and sandwich with a second cookie. Repeat with all three flavours to make 12 sandwiches.
Freeze to firm up:
Place sandwiches on a tray and freeze for 20–30 minutes until firm enough to hold. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 1 week.
This is a seriously tasty plant-based meal packed with vibrant flavours and textures — from smoky mushrooms to sweet and tangy fruit salsa. It’s naturally vegan and can easily be varied — swap the flatbreads for lettuce cups, try peaches instead of apricots, or use bulgur instead of quinoa. Great for a light summer dinner or a colourful lunch platter!
Takes 40 minutesminutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
For the Mushroom Shawarma
8large portobello mushrooms
3tbspolive oil
2tbsptamari
2tbspmaple syrup
1tbspsmoked paprika
Pinchof sea salt and black pepper
For the Quinoa Tabbouleh
½cucumberfinely diced
2ripe tomatoesfinely diced
1small red onionfinely diced
30gfresh parsleyfinely chopped
30gfresh corianderfinely chopped
100gcooked quinoa or couscousapprox. ⅔ cup
1tbspolive oil
½tbspapple cider vinegar
Sea salt and black pepperto taste
For the Charred Apricot & Bean Salad
10fresh cherrieshalved and pitted
4ripe apricotsstoned and sliced into thin strips
100gFrench beans
½tbspolive oil
Pinchof sea salt
1tspapple cider vinegar
To Serve
300ghummusapprox. 1¼ cups
4flatbreads or pitta breads
Instructions
Make the Quinoa Tabbouleh
Finely dice the cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and coriander. In a large bowl, mix together with the cooked quinoa or couscous, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Prepare the Charred Apricot & Bean Salad
Heat a griddle pan over high heat. Add the olive oil and once hot, grill the apricot slices on each side until nicely charred. Steam the French beans for 4 minutes until just tender, then cool under cold running water. Slice the beans finely. In a bowl, mix the charred apricots, cherries, green beans, vinegar, and salt. Toss well and adjust seasoning to your taste.
Cook the Mushroom Shawarma
Slice the portobello mushrooms into thick strips. In a bowl, mix together the olive oil, tamari, maple syrup, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Add the mushrooms and stir to coat well. Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat and cook the mushrooms for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and starting to caramelise.
To Serve
Warm the flatbreads or pittas. Spread with a generous dollop of hummus, top with the mushroom shawarma, a spoonful of tabbouleh, and finish with the apricot and bean salad. Enjoy!
A delicious, veg-packed twist on the classic sausage roll, brought to life with one of our signature pestos. The pesto adds richness, umami, and a lovely tang and goes incredibly well with mushrooms! We use oyster mushrooms here but you could easily use button or portobello mushrooms instead. This recipe with make 4 large sausage rolls or 8 small sausage rolls.
Takes 30 minutesminutes
Serves 8
Ingredients
1sheet320g vegan puff pastry (shop-bought)
For the filling:
1medium red onion
3tbspbalsamic vinegar
3tbspmaple syrup
250gapprox. 2½ cups oyster mushrooms or mushrooms of choice
2tbsptamari or soy sauce
100g¾ cup cashew nuts
100g⅓ cup The Happy Pear Sundried Tomato Pesto (or pesto of choice)
50ml3 tbsp + 1 tsp oat milk or other plant milk
2tbspsesame seeds
Pinchof sea salt and black pepper
1tbspoilfor cooking
Instructions
Preheat the oven & prep ingredients:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan) / 220°C (conventional) / 392°F.
Peel and finely slice the red onion. Clean and slice the mushrooms.
Cook the filling:
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a frying pan over high heat. Once hot add the onions and cook for 2-3 mins, then add the mushrooms with a pinch of salt and sauté for 5-7 minutes stirring regularly until browned and most of the moisture from the mushrooms has evaporated. Reduce the heat to medium heat.
Season and add cashews:
In the same pan, add in the tamari maple syrup, balsamic vinegar and cashew nuts and sun-dried tomato pesto and cook for another 2–3 minutes stirring regularly until sticky and jammy.
Blend the filling:
Using an immersion blender or stick blender blend until smooth but keeping a little bite of texture. Alternative add to either a food processor or blender and blend till smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.
Shape the sausages:
Divide the filling into 4 equal portions (approx. 80g each) and shape into sausages about 12–13cm long.
Assemble the rolls:
Unroll the puff pastry and cut into 4 rectangles (roughly 12 x 16 cm). Place a sausage on the short edge of each rectangle and roll tightly. Seal the edge with oat milk and press to secure. Place seam-side down on a lined baking tray.
Brush and bake:
Brush the tops with oat milk and sprinkle over the sesame seeds. Bake for 20 minutes at 200°C (fan) / 220°C (conventional) until golden brown and crisp.
Courgettes are in peak season now on the farm, and this grilled accordion-cut method transforms them into a summer showstopper. We insert a skewer lengthwise through each courgette and slice carefully to create a beautiful spiral accordion. This technique helps the courgette hold its shape and ensures the gochujang marinade reaches every fold. A smoky, spicy, umami-packed plant-based BBQ star!
Takes 20 minutesminutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
For the courgettes
4–5 small courgettesabout 400g / 14 oz total
1tbspolive oil
Gochujang Marinade
60g¼ cup gochujang paste or The Happy Pear Spicy Red Pepper Pesto
2tbsptamari or soy sauce
2tbspmaple syrup or agave
1tbsprice vinegar or lime juice
1tbsptoasted sesame oil
2garlic cloves
1tspfresh ginger
To serve (optional but recommended)
Toasted buns or flatbreads
Gherkins
Vegan mayo
Tomato ketchup
Fresh coriander or mint
Fried red onions
Instructions
Skewer and spiral-cut the courgettes:
Wash and trim 4–5 courgettes (about 400g / 14 oz). Carefully insert a metal or soaked wooden skewer lengthwise through the centre of each courgette, from end to end. Using a small sharp knife, slice diagonally at a 45° angle along one side, then rotate to the opposite side and make straight cuts that connect with the diagonal ones—this creates a spiral pattern along the skewer. The skewer prevents you from cutting too deep and helps the courgette hold its shape. Once cut, gently stretch the courgette to reveal the accordion shape, increasing surface area for flavour and caramelisation.
Make the marinade:
Finely grate 2 garlic cloves and 1 tsp fresh ginger. In a bowl, whisk together with 60g gochujang paste, 2 tbsp tamari, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, and 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil. Taste and adjust for balance—add more sweetness, acidity, or spice as needed.
Grill until caramelised:
Preheat a BBQ, frying pan or griddle pan over medium-high heat. Brush the courgettes with 1 tbsp olive oil and sprinkle with a generous pinch of salt. Grill for 3–4 minutes per side, turning carefully, until tender, caramelised, and slightly charred.
Brush on the marinade:
Using a pastry brush, generously brush the marinade onto the grilled courgettes, ensuring it gets inside all the folds. Continue cooking for a further 2–3 minutes, turning regularly so they cook evenly and the marinade begins to caramelise.
Serve hot off the grill:
Serve the grilled courgettes (remove the skewers) in toasted buns or flatbreads, topped with gherkins, vegan mayo, tomato ketchup, fresh herbs, and a handful of fried onions. Alternatively, slice and serve over bowls of grains, salads, or noodles for a vibrant summer dish.
This is a brilliant high-protein plant-based lunch or light dinner. Chickpeas are a powerhouse: each tin provides over 15g protein, 12g fibre, complex carbohydrates, plus iron, folate, and zinc. They're great for your heart, gut, and blood sugar – and are one of the most planet-friendly protein sources out there. Serve this flavour-packed salad either scooped into crisp lettuce leaves for a refreshing, low-carb option, or piled onto a slice of toasted sourdough for something more filling.
Takes 10 minutesminutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
1× 400g tin of chickpeasdrained and rinsed (approx. 1½ cups)
1small red onionfinely diced
2clovesof garlicfinely chopped or crushed
3scallionsspring onions, finely sliced
150gvegan mayonnaise½ cup + 2 tbsp (see page x for recipe)
Saltto taste
Pinchof black pepper
5small gherkinsfinely chopped (optional)
1tbspDijon mustard
1tbspcaperschopped
½tspseaweed powderoptional, for a hint of the sea
To Serve
1head of lettucee.g. romaine, little gem or iceberg, leaves separated
or
Slicesof toasted sourdough bread
Instructions
In a mixing bowl, roughly mash the chickpeas with a fork or potato masher until chunky but spreadable.
Add the red onion, garlic, scallions, mayonnaise, mustard, capers, gherkins (if using), seaweed powder, a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix well until fully combined.
Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, mustard, or mayo if needed.
Serve spooned into individual lettuce leaves for a fresh take, or spread generously over sourdough toast.
This will keep well in the fridge for 3–4 days, so it’s great for meal prep too.
Charred Tenderstem Broccoli with Romesco, Tahini Cream & Toasted Pine Nuts
A sun-drenched celebration of seasonal veg with Moorish-Spanish roots. Smoky barbecue-charred tenderstem broccoli is served over rich romesco sauce, topped with a drizzle of lemony tahini cream and scattered with golden toasted pine nuts. Earthy, nutty, and utterly satisfying.
Takes
Serves
Ingredients
For the broccoli
300gtenderstem broccoli
2tbspolive oil
Pinchof salt
For the romesco
2large red peppersapprox. 300g
2clovesgarlicpeeled
40gblanched or flaked almondsabout ¼ cup
25gstale bread or sourdoughabout 1 slice
1tbspvinegar of choicee.g. sherry or red wine vinegar
1tspsmoked paprika
¼tspchilli flakesoptional
4tbspextra virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepperto taste
For the tahini cream
2tbsptahini
1tbsplemon juice
½tspmaple syrup
2tbspwaterto loosen
Pinchof salt
To finish
2tbsppine nutstoasted until golden
Optional: pinch of smoked salt or finely grated orange zest
Instructions
Make the romesco sauce:
Char the red peppers (approx. 300g) on a barbecue or directly over a gas flame until blackened. Place in a covered bowl to steam for 5–10 minutes, then peel and remove seeds. Toast the garlic cloves and almonds in a dry pan over medium heat until golden. In a blender, combine the peeled peppers, garlic, almonds, bread, vinegar, smoked paprika, and chilli flakes. Blend until mostly smooth. Slowly drizzle in 3 tablespoons of olive oil while blending until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Prepare the tahini cream:
In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add the water until the mixture is smooth and drizzle-able.
Toast the pine nuts:
Place the pine nuts in a dry frying pan over medium heat. Toast for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant. Set aside.
Barbecue the tenderstem broccoli:
Toss the broccoli with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Grill over a hot barbecue for 6–8 minutes, turning occasionally, until nicely charred but still tender.
Assemble the dish:
Spread the romesco sauce across a serving plate. Arrange the charred broccoli on top. Drizzle generously with the tahini cream, then sprinkle over the toasted pine nuts. Garnish with smoked salt or a little orange zest, if using.
A truly magnificent way to have your oats for breakfast! This is like where overnight oats, granola and a beautiful berry crumble had a breakfast offspring! This is perfect as a warm winter breakfast when you feel like a treat! We added a sprinkling of Steve's Dreamy Granola to the topping for an extra crunch!
Takes 40 minutesminutes
Serves 10
Ingredients
Base:
180grolled oats2 cups
100galmond flour or whole wheat flour1 cup
60mlmaple syrup or honey1/4 cup
60mlcoconut oilmelted (1/4 cup)
5mlvanilla extract1 tsp
1gcinnamon1/2 tsp
Pinchof salt
4tbspdesiccated coconut
3tbspchia seeds
3tbps peanut butter
Berry Filling:
300gmixed berriesfresh or frozen (2 cups)
20gchia seeds2 tbsp
15-30mlmaple syrup or honeyto taste (1-2 tbsp)
15mllemon juice1 tbsp
5glemon zest1 tsp
Topping
100gSteve's Dreamy Granola
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Make the base:
In a large bowl, mix the rolled oats, almond flour, cinnamon, chia seeds, desiccated coconut and a pinch of salt.
Add the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is well combined.
Press the ⅗ or a little over ½ of the mixture into the bottom of the lined baking tray (24cm x 16cm x 4cm) to form an even layer.
Place in the oven for 8 mins while you prepare the berries and tidy up.
Prepare the berry filling:
In a small bowl, combine the mixed berries, lemon juice, lemon zest, and maple syrup and mix well
Assemble the bars:
Take the base out of the oven and spread the berry filling evenly over the oat base.
Add crumble topping:
Gentle sprinkle over the remaining crumble mixture across the top ensuring to cover all the berries. We added a sprinkling of Steve's Dreamy Granola to the topping for an extra crunch!
Bake:
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the top is golden and the bars are set.
The first time we made these was on a fire cooked down at the beach in the rain and they were so incredibly tasty! The finely sliced veg caramelises in this spicy, sweet umami sauce to create absolute flavour bombs! These are truly delicious! They're a fantastic addition to any BBQ or perfect for fueling outdoor adventures like beach cookouts or campfires. Prep the veggies ahead of time, pack them in a lunchbox, and bring the dressing in a jar for easy grilling.
Takes 25 minutesminutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
Ingredients
1sweet potato
1medium beetroot
200gportobello mushrooms
1tbspoil
2tbsptamari or soy sauce
Dressing
2tspoil
3tbspgochujang or similar chilli sauce
1tbspbalsamic vinegar/ vinegar of choice
2tbspmaple syrup
1cloveof garlic
1tbsptamari
Instructions
Prepare the Skewers: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water to prevent burning on the BBQ.
Prepare the Vegetables: Finely slice the sweet potato and beetroot. Cut the mushrooms into long, thin strips. In a bowl, mix the sliced vegetables with 1 tbsp of oil, a pinch of salt, and 2 tbsp of tamari or soy sauce.
Make the Dressing: Peel and finely dice the garlic. In a mug, combine the diced garlic with the rest of the dressing ingredients and mix well.
Skewer the Vegetables: Thread the marinated vegetables onto the soaked skewers, alternating between sweet potato, beetroot, and mushroom slices. Repeat the pattern, folding some of the larger pieces of vegetables over and back on themselves to create an interesting shapes. You should get at least 5-6 filled vegetable skewers.
Brush with Dressing: Using a pastry brush, generously coat the vegetable skewers with the prepared dressing.
Barbecue: Cook the skewers on a barbecue over medium heat or on an open flame, preferably on the embers, to cook the sweet potato before charring. Brush the skewers with more dressing midway through cooking to encourage caramelization.
Serve: Serve with your favourite salad for an easy and delicious barbecue dish.
A vibrant, balanced and deeply satisfying bowl layered with marinated tofu, crunchy edamame, seasoned cucumber and seaweed, and creamy almond satay. With over 50g of plant-based protein per portion, this is the ultimate power bowl for energy, recovery and flavour.
Takes 35 minutesminutes
Serves 2
Ingredients
Teriyaki Tofu
200gfirm tofu
45gtamari or soy sauceapprox. 3 tbsp
30grice vinegarapprox. 2 tbsp
15gmaple syrupapprox. 1 tbsp
10gfresh gingergrated
1garlic clovefinely chopped
15gsesame oilapprox. 1 tbsp
Rice
200gcooked brown rice
Wakame Cucumber Salad
1tbspdried wakame seaweed
100gcucumber
Pinchof salt
5gsesame seedsapprox. 1 tsp
7gtamariapprox. ½ tbsp
15grice vinegarapprox. 1 tbsp
15gmaple syrupapprox. 1 tbsp
Toppings
200gedamamesteamed or boiled
1ripe avocadoapprox. 70g flesh
4tbspred sauerkrautapprox. 60g
1ripe mangodiced (approx. 150g)
2tbsppickled gingerapprox. 6g
Plant-Based Furikake (for garnish)
15gwhite sesame seedsapprox. 2 tbsp
15gblack sesame seedsapprox. 2 tbsp
1tbspnutritional yeast
1nori sheetfinely crumbled or chopped
1.5gsea saltapprox. ¼ tsp
Optional: ½ tsp smoked paprika
Satay Sauce
30galmond or peanut butterapprox. 2 tbsp
15grice vinegarapprox. 1 tbsp
30gtamariapprox. 2 tbsp
15gcoconut sugarapprox. 1 tbsp
1garlic clovefinely chopped
5gsesame oilapprox. 1 tsp
Juice of ½ lime
10ggrated fresh gingerapprox. ½ thumb-sized piece
15gwaterapprox. 1 tbsp – adjust as needed for consistency
Instructions
Marinate and Cook the Tofu:
Cut the tofu into bite-sized cubes. In a bowl, combine tamari, vinegar, maple syrup, grated ginger, garlic and sesame oil. Toss the tofu in the marinade and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. Then bake at 200°C for 20 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and crisp at the edges.
Cook the Edamame:
Steam or boil the edamame for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Cucumber Wakame Salad:
Soak the wakame in water for 5 minutes, then drain. Thinly slice the cucumber and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then squeeze out any excess liquid. Combine with wakame, tamari, vinegar, maple syrup and sesame seeds.
Reheat the Rice:
Warm the cooked rice if needed.
Make the Satay Sauce:
Blend or whisk together all the sauce ingredients until smooth. Add a splash more water if needed to reach a pourable consistency.
Toast the Furikake:
In a dry frying pan, toast the white and black sesame seeds over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until fragrant. Remove from the heat and mix with nutritional yeast, crumbled nori, salt and any optional spices.
Assemble the Bowls:
Divide the rice between two bowls. Top each with half the tofu, edamame, wakame cucumber salad and sliced avocado. Add diced mango, red sauerkraut and pickled ginger.
Garnish and Serve:
Sprinkle with the furikake, drizzle with satay sauce, and top with any extra toasted seeds or a dollop of spicy almond mayo if desired.
A light, airy focaccia-style pizza with a high-hydration dough and an open crumb. This recipe uses a true autolyse (just flour and water to start) and a yeast-blooming step to encourage robust fermentation. It works beautifully in both a wood-fired oven and a standard domestic oven.
Takes 5 hourshours35 minutesminutes
Serves 8
Ingredients
For the dough
500gstrong white bread flourapprox. 3¼ cups
400mllukewarm waterapprox. 1⅔ cups
7gdried instant yeast1 sachet or approx. 2¼ tsp
½tspsugarfor blooming the yeast
7gfine sea saltapprox. 2 tsp
15gextra virgin olive oilapprox. 1 tbsp
For shaping and baking
Extra virgin olive oilfor greasing and handling
Semolina or coarse flourfor dusting (optional)
Instructions
Begin with the autolyse:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the 500g flour with 350ml of the lukewarm water (reserve 50ml). Mix until all flour is hydrated and no dry bits remain. Cover and let rest for 30–45 minutes.
Bloom the yeast:
In a small bowl, dissolve the 7g yeast and ½ tsp sugar in the reserved 50ml lukewarm water. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
Add yeast, salt, and oil:
Pour the bloomed yeast mixture into the autolysed dough. Add the 7g salt and 15g olive oil. Mix thoroughly for 2–3 minutes, using stretch-and-fold or pinching motions, until the dough is cohesive. It will be soft and sticky.
Bulk fermentation with folds:
Cover and leave the dough to rise at room temperature. Over the next 2½ hours, perform 3–4 sets of stretch-and-folds, spaced 30–45 minutes apart, to build gluten strength.
Final proof:
Cover and let the dough rest undisturbed for 1½–2½ hours, or until it’s well-risen and bubbly.
Divide and pre-shape:
Lightly oil your surface. Turn out the dough and divide into two pieces (about 460g each). Shape loosely into rounds and let rest for 20 minutes.
Final shaping in trays:
Grease two baking trays (approx. 30 x 40 cm). Gently stretch each piece of dough to fill the trays, dimpling with oiled fingers. Let rest again for 30–45 minutes.
Preheat your oven:
Wood-fired oven: Preheat to 400–450°C.
Domestic oven: Preheat to 250°C with a baking stone or steel for at least 45 minutes.
Top and bake:
Top with olive oil, tomatoes, herbs, or a light sauce—whatever you fancy.
Wood-fired: Bake for 6–10 minutes, rotating as needed.
Domestic oven: Bake for 15–18 minutes, until golden and crisp.
Tips for Success
Using a full sachet (7g) of yeast speeds up fermentation without impacting flavour negatively in a same-day dough.
Be gentle during handling to maintain the dough’s airy texture.
A hot baking surface is key to getting great oven spring and beautiful browning.
A fresh, colourful summer sharer plate centred around creamy hummus and crisp roasted chickpeas. Served with seasonal grilled vegetables, pickles and bread, it's perfect for easy entertaining, picnics or al fresco lunches. Big flavour, minimal effort, and no cutlery required. We used our Happy Pear Happy Hummus to form the base, but you can also make your own hummus from scratch with our Buttery Hummus recipe.
Takes 40 minutesminutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
For the crispy roasted chickpeas
1× 400g tin chickpeasdrained and rinsed
1tbspolive oil
½tspsmoked paprika
½tspgarlic powder
¼tspchilli flakesoptional
¼tspfreshly ground black pepper
½tspsea salt
1tsptamari or soy sauce
For the base
200–250g¾–1 cup Happy Pear Happy Hummus or homemade hummus
For the sides (choose a selection)
1courgette or 1 auberginesliced lengthways
150gcherry tomatoes or ½ cucumbersliced
A handful of olives
Pickled red onions
Flatbread or sourdough toastto serve
Instructions
Roast the chickpeas
Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan). Pat the chickpeas dry with a clean tea towel. Toss with the olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, chilli flakes, pepper, salt and tamari. Spread out on a baking tray and roast for 25–30 minutes, shaking halfway, until golden and crisp.
Grill the vegetables
While the chickpeas are roasting, heat a grill pan or BBQ. Brush the courgette or aubergine slices with a little olive oil and season with salt. Grill for 2–3 minutes on each side, or until charred and tender.
Assemble the platter
Spread the hummus in a generous swirl on a large serving plate or board. Pile the roasted chickpeas on top. Arrange the grilled vegetables, cherry tomatoes or cucumber, olives, and pickled onions around the edges.
Add bread and serve
Warm the flatbread or toast the sourdough. Slice and add to the platter for scooping and sharing.
A savoury twist on the viral crinkle cake, this stunning spiral pie showcases farm-fresh courgettes and The Happy Pear’s Spicy Red Pepper Pesto. Crinkled filo pastry is layered with thinly sliced courgette and brushed with vibrant pesto, then baked until golden and caramelised. Finished with fresh herbs, this crispy, flavour-packed centrepiece is perfect warm or at room temperature for lunches, picnics, or summer sharing platters.
Takes 50 minutesminutes
Serves 6
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
7sheets filo pastryapprox. 270g
4tbspolive oil or melted vegan butterfor brushing
2medium courgettesapprox. 300g
Zest of 1 lemon
135gThe Happy Pear Spicy Red Pepper Pestoapprox. ½ cup
To finish
Small handful fresh herbs such as corianderchives, parsley, or basil, finely chopped
Pinchof flaky sea saltoptional
Instructions
Preheat and prepare the tin:
Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C) / 356°F. Lightly oil or line a 20cm x 30cm (8 in x 12 in) pie dish, ideally one with a removable base. If using a fixed-base tin, line with baking parchment for easier removal.
Create the base layer:
Take 1 sheet of filo pastry and fold it in half lengthways. Brush the surface with 1 tbsp of the red pepper pesto, then lay it flat across the bottom of the dish with the pesto side facing upwards.
Prepare the courgettes:
Using a mandoline or sharp knife, finely slice the courgettes. Place in a bowl with 2 tbsp olive oil, the zest of 1 lemon, and a pinch of salt. Toss to coat evenly.
Assemble the spiral pastry:
Take 1 sheet of filo at a time, brush evenly with 1–2 tbsp of pesto, and gently pleat it into an accordion shape (each fold about 2–3cm wide). Begin placing the folded sheet in the centre of the dish, spiralling outward. As you go, tuck an even layer of the courgette slices between the folds for even distribution. Repeat with the remaining filo sheets, pesto, and courgette until the dish is filled.
Bake until golden and crisp:
Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the pastry is deeply golden, crisp, and the pesto is caramelised on top.
Finish and serve:
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly. Sprinkle with finely chopped herbs and a pinch of flaky sea salt, if using. Slice into wedges or squares and serve warm or at room temperature.
This fresh and vibrant salad is perfect for a quick, healthy meal. It combines wholemeal couscous with a fragrant herb dressing, roasted sunflower seeds, pomegranate seeds, and peppery rocket.
Takes 20 minutesminutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
200gwholemeal couscousuncooked (1 cup)
1red onionfinely chopped
1tbspbalsamic vinegar
1tbspmaple syrup
8tbspraw or toasted sunflower seeds
1½tspsalt
½tspground cumin
30grocket/arugula2½ cups loosely packed
1pomegranateseeds extracted
3tbspThe Happy Pear Lovely Basil Pesto
Instructions
Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 180℃.
Prepare the couscous:
Put the couscous in a bowl, add the salt and cumin, and mix it through.
Cover the couscous with boiling water, ensuring the water covers the couscous by about 1cm. Cover the bowl with a lid or plate, and leave to soak for 5 minutes.
Roast the onion and seeds:
In a bowl, mix the chopped red onion with the sunflower seeds, balsamic vinegar, and maple syrup.
Spread the mixture evenly on a baking tray and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Assemble the salad:
Add the pesto to the couscous and mix well until the couscous is green and fluffy.
Gently tap the back of the pomegranate halves to extract the seeds. Remove any remaining pith and set the seeds aside.
Finish the salad:
Add the roasted onion and sunflower seed mixture to the couscous, along with the pomegranate seeds and rocket.
Mix well and adjust the seasoning with more salt, cumin, black pepper, or lime juice to taste.
Serve:
Serve immediately or chill for a refreshing, cool salad. Enjoy!
Crispy Buffalo Mushroom Wings with Creamy Ranch (Air-Fried)
These air-fried oyster mushroom wings are crispy, spicy, and seriously moreish. Coated in a golden crust, tossed in a fiery buffalo glaze, and served with a cooling homemade vegan ranch, they’re the ultimate plant-based comfort food.
Takes 40 minutesminutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
For the crispy mushroom wings:
300goyster mushrooms
150ml½ cup + 2 tbsp unsweetened plant-based milk
1tbsplemon juice or apple cider vinegar
50g⅓ cup plain flour
50g⅓ cup cornflour (cornstarch)
1tspgarlic powder
1tspsmoked paprika
Salt and black pepperto taste
Olive oil spray or brushfor air-frying
For the buffalo glaze:
4tbsphot sauce
2tbspolive oil or other oil of choice
1tbspmaple syrupoptional
For the vegan ranch sauce:
3tbspunsweetened plant-based yoghurt
2tbspvegan mayonnaise
1½tsplemon juice
½tspgarlic powder
1tspdried dill
½tspdried chives or parsley
Salt and black pepperto taste
1–2 tbsp waterto thin (optional)
Instructions
Tear the oyster mushrooms into medium, wing-sized pieces, keeping some of the stem base intact to hold clusters together.
In a bowl, combine the plant-based milk and lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes to curdle slightly and form a vegan buttermilk.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the plain flour, cornflour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper.
Dip each mushroom piece into the buttermilk, then dredge in the flour mixture to coat thoroughly. Press gently to help the coating stick, then set aside.
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (392°F). Arrange the mushrooms in a single layer, spray or brush lightly with olive oil, and air-fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway and brushing or spraying again, until crisp and lightly golden.
To make the buffalo glaze, mix together the hot sauce, olive oil, and maple syrup (if using) in a small bowl until smooth.
Toss the crispy mushrooms in the buffalo sauce until evenly coated, then return them to the air fryer and cook for a further 6 minutes at 200°C (392°F), until glazed and crisp at the edges.
To prepare the vegan ranch, whisk together the yoghurt, vegan mayo, lemon juice, garlic powder, dill, chives or parsley, salt and pepper. Add a little water if needed to reach a creamy, pourable consistency.
Serve the buffalo mushrooms hot with the ranch sauce on the side for dipping. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
We all struggle to eat more greens—and this dish makes them taste absolutely delicious! We're currently growing three varieties of spinach on the farm, and we used them all here, along with some fennel fronds in place of dill. These flaky filo parcels are brilliant for a picnic, a snack on the go, or a lunchbox treat. Tasty hot or cold, and easy to shape into handheld triangles just like a classic samosa.
Takes 45 minutesminutes
Serves 6
Ingredients
For the spinach filling
1tbspoil
2large onions
2clovesof garlic
400gfresh spinachabout 6 packed cups
20gfresh mint leavesabout ½ cup, chopped
15gfresh dill or fennel frondsabout ⅓ cup, chopped
Juice of 1 lemon
¼tspground black pepper
For the filo parcels
7sheets of filo pastry270g, thawed if frozen
Extra oil for brushing
Quick-fire cashew feta
150gcashew nutsabout 1 cup
2tbsplemon juice
¾tspsalt
4tbspolive oil
Instructions
Prep and thaw ingredients
Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan 160°C) / 356°F. Thaw the 270g filo pastry if frozen. Peel and finely dice the onions and garlic.
Cook the onions and garlic
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large non-stick pan over high heat. Add the diced onions with a pinch of salt and cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring regularly. Add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.
Add and steam the spinach
Add the spinach, reduce the heat to medium, and cover with a lid. Allow it to steam in its own juices for 6–8 minutes. Then remove the lid and cook uncovered for another 2–3 minutes until most of the liquid has evaporated. The mixture should be as dry as possible.
Season the spinach filling
Finely chop the mint leaves and dill/fennel fronds. Turn off the heat and stir in the herbs, lemon juice, and black pepper. Mix well and leave uncovered to cool fully and release any excess moisture.
Make the quick-fire cashew feta
In a food processor, blend the cashew nuts, lemon juice, salt, and olive oil until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Combine the filling
Mix the cashew feta into the cooled spinach mixture until well combined. Taste and adjust with more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or mint if needed.
Assemble the triangle parcels
Cut the filo sheets lengthways into 3 strips per sheet (you’ll have 21 strips total). Keep them covered with a damp tea towel to prevent drying out.
Take one strip and brush lightly with oil. Place 1 heaped tablespoon of filling at one end. Fold the bottom corner up diagonally to form a triangle. Continue folding the triangle along the strip (like folding a flag) until sealed. Repeat with the remaining strips and filling.
Bake the parcels
Place the triangles on a lined baking tray. Brush the tops with a little oil and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
This is a huge milestone for us. When we started out over 20 years ago with a tiny fruit and veg shop, our mission was simple: to build a healthier, happier world through food, community, and connection. Becoming a B Corp feels like a big affirmation of that mission, but more than anything, it marks the beginning of a new chapter.
Why This Matters To Us
At The Happy Pear, we’ve always believed that food is more than just food, it’s a powerful tool for change. From our farm to our cafés, our products, and our community events, everything we do is rooted in the belief that health and sustainability go hand in hand.
We’ve been inspired by the growing awareness that business can play a meaningful role in tackling some of the biggest challenges of our time; climate change, inequality, biodiversity loss, and more. But real change takes collaboration, movements, and businesses holding themselves accountable.
That’s why this certification matters to us—not because it makes us “the best,” but because it pushes us to be better.
So what is a B Corp?
Certified B Corporations are businesses that have been verified by B Lab™ to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. It means we’ve taken a long, hard look at every part of our business; from how we support our team, to how we grow our food, to how we impact our local community and the wider world and we’re committed to continuous improvement in all those areas.
The journey to certification took over a year and asked a lot of us. It wasn’t straightforward but it was important. We took time to reflect, to measure what really matters, and to look at ourselves honestly. Are we looking after our team as well as we could be? Are we caring for the soil and the land we grow from? Are we showing up for our local community in the right ways? Are we living the values we talk about?
This isn’t a badge, it’s a commitment!
We want to be clear: becoming a B Corp isn’t an end point, or an “award.” It’s a commitment to keep getting better, year after year. We’ll be re-certified every three years to ensure we’re continuing to meet (and exceed) the evolving standards set by B Lab. For us, this means deepening the work we’re doing on our farm, finding better ways to measure our environmental impact, investing in our team’s wellbeing, and continuing to support the community around us.
As a B Corp, we’re joining a global movement of businesses that are using business as a force for good, businesses working together to create a more inclusive, equitable, and regenerative economy. That means one that puts people and the planet first, not just profit.
We now stand alongside more than 8,000 B Corps across 80+ countries and 150+ industries, all committed to changing the rules of the game. Instead of prioritising short-term gain, we’re working towards long-term value for our team, our community, and future generations.
Thank You!
This wouldn’t have happened without the incredible work of our amazing team, and you—our community, who’ve supported us from the start. You’ve inspired us to keep going, keep evolving, and keep showing that a different kind of business is possible.
We’re delighted to be part of the B Corp movement a global community proving that you can build successful businesses while also building a better world.
This is just the beginning – Thanks for being with us on the journey!
Granola Clusters with Chocolate Coating
Sweet, crunchy, and indulgent—but made with only wholefood ingredients. These no-bake clusters use a naturally sweet date caramel to bind the granola into chewy bites before coating them in smooth dark chocolate. Perfect for a healthier treat or snack. We used Steve’s Dreamy Granola, but you could also use Dave’s Cocoa or Cool Jim’s depending on which is your favourite!
Place 200g (1 cup) pitted dates in a bowl and cover with warm water. Soak for 5 minutes, then drain well.
Make the date caramel:
In a food processor, blend the soaked dates, 100g (½ cup) peanut butter, 6 tbsp water, and a generous pinch of sea salt until smooth. Scrape down the sides as needed to create a thick, spreadable caramel.
Mix in the granola:
Transfer the caramel to a mixing bowl. Fold in 200g (2 cups) crunchy granola until fully coated and starting to clump together.
Melt the chocolate:
Break 200g (1 cup) dark chocolate into pieces and melt gently in a bain-marie or microwave, stirring until smooth.
Form into clusters and coat in melted chocolate:
Using damp hands or a spoon, shape the mixture into small bite-sized clusters or balls and dip each chilled cluster into the melted chocolate to coat fully, letting any excess drip off. Return to the parchment-lined tray.
Set and serve:
Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or until the chocolate is fully set. Enjoy straight from the fridge or store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.
This fella’s made fresh with toasted cashews for a sweet nutty taste. Delicious with pasta, epic in a sandwich-actually, it’s gorgeous with almost anything. Enjoy! Dave & Steve
For allergens, see ingredients highlighted. May contain traces of Peanuts and Sesame.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Typical
Per 100g
Energy
2274kJ / 551kcal
Fat
53.0g
Of which: Saturates
6.9g
Carbohydrates
8.8g
Of which: Sugars
2.9g
Fibre
3.0g
Protein
8.2g
Salt
1.1g
Our Sun-dried Tomato Pesto is a delicious blend of olive oil, fresh basil, sun-dried tomatoes and almonds, with a delicate hint of cayenne pepper and balsamic vinegar. Perfect with pasta, sensational in sandwiches and delightful as a dip – our pesto is packed with flavour and goes great with just about anything savoury! Dave & Steve X
For allergens, see ingredients highlighted. May contain traces of Peanuts and Sesame
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Typical
per 100g
Energy
1632kJ
395kcal
Fat
37g
Of which:
Saturates
5.2g
Carbohydrates
7.2g
Of which:
Sugars
4.6g
Fibre
4.8g
Protein
6g
Salt
1.2g
This tapenade has a rich, savoury olive taste mixed with a lovely sweetness of sundried tomato. It’s rockin’ smeared on bread or equally yummy stirred through pasta. Let your imagination take over!
INGREDIENTS
Black Olives (33%) [Black Olives, Salt, Vinegar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil], Olive Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Almonds (Nuts), Water, Sundried Tomatoes (6%) [Sundried Tomatoes, Salt], Lemon Juice, Capers (4%) [Capers, Vinegar, Salt], Garlic, Date Syrup, Balsamic Vinegar, Parsley, Oregano, Black Pepper.
ALLERGEN INFORMATION
For allergens, see ingredients highlighted. May contain traces of Peanuts and Sesame Although every care has been taken to remove olive pits, some fragments may remain
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Typical
per 100g
Energy
1396kJ
339kcal
Fat
33g
Of which:
Saturates
4.3g
Carbohydrates
3.2g
Of which:
Sugars
3.2g
Fibre
5.3g
Protein
4.6g
Salt
2.0g
This fella’s smooth, creamy & beautifully full-flavoured with a touch of zing! Magic as a healthy snack and makes most foods taste great! David & Stephen X
For allergens, see ingredients highlighted. May contain traces of Nuts
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Typical
per 100g
Energy
1391kJ
336kcal
Fat
29.0g
Of which:
Saturates
2.8g
Carbohydrates
9.8g
Of which:
Sugars
0.6g
Fibre
3.8g
Protein
7.7g
Salt
0.58g
15-Minute Pizza (No Yeast)
This is our go-to speedy pizza when we want something homemade, wholesome, and satisfying in under 20 minutes. There’s no yeast, no waiting around – just mix, roll, and cook! It’s perfect for busy evenings or getting the kids involved in the kitchen. Top it however you like – we’ve shared one of our favourites below with a tangy tomato base, a dollop of Lovely Basil Pesto, and a deliciously creamy cashew feta.
Takes
Serves 2
Ingredients
Quick Pizza Dough – Makes 1 Medium Pizza
200gself-raising floursieved (approx. 1⅓ cups)
A pinch of salt
2tbspolive oil
110mlwaterroom temperature (approx. ½ cup minus 1 tbsp)
Toppings:
3-5tbspof tomato saucepassata or homemade pizza sauce
3tbspThe Happy Pear Lovely Basil Pesto
A few dollops of Quick-Fire Cashew Fetarecipe below
Veggies of choice
Quick-Fire Cashew Feta
75gcashew nutsapprox. ½ cup
1tbsplemon juice
¾tspsalt
3tbspolive oil
Instructions
Mix dry ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine the sieved self-raising flour and a pinch of salt.
Add wet ingredients:
Pour in the olive oil and water. Stir with a spoon or your hand until a dough begins to come together.
Knead the dough:
Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 2–3 minutes until smooth and soft. If the dough feels too sticky, sprinkle over a little more flour.
Roll it out:
Roll the dough into a round or rectangular shape, around 0.5 cm thick. You can roll it directly onto a piece of baking paper for easier transfer.
Pre-bake (optional for a crispier base):
Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat. Place the rolled-out dough into the dry pan and cook for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden underneath. Flip and cook the other side for 1–2 minutes. Remove from the pan.
Make your Cashew Feta:
Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. If it’s too thick, add a small splash of water to loosen.
Add your toppings and bake:
You can bake the topped pizza in a preheated oven at 200°C (fan) / 220°C (conventional) for 8–10 minutes, or until the base is golden and the toppings are heated through. Alternatively
Notes
Pan-Cooked Pizza Final Method (Instead of Baking)
Preheat a large non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat. Carefully slide the topped pizza onto the pan. Cover with a lid (or a baking tray if you don’t have a lid that fits) – this traps the steam and helps the toppings heat and melt while the base crisps up. Cook for 5–7 minutes, checking occasionally to make sure the bottom doesn’t burn. You want a golden, crisp base and hot toppings. If the toppings aren’t fully heated, reduce the heat slightly and cook for an extra 1–2 minutes
With 30% less fat then our Happy Hummus, this smooth and creamy hummus is packed full of flavour. Like its brother, this gorgeous dip goes great with crackers or fresh veg for a delicious snack.
For allergens, see ingredients highlighted. May contain traces of Nuts.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Typical
per 100g
Energy
1049kJ
253kcal
Fat
19.0g
of which: saturates
2.0g
Carbohydrate
11g
of which: sugars
0.6g
Fibre
4.2g
Protein
7.4g
Salt
0.65g
Our award-winning Sweet Beet Hummus is a deliciously vibrant blend of cooked beetroot, chickpeas, tahini and extra virgin rapeseed oil. Smooth and creamy, our sensational Sweet Beet Hummus makes a tasty and colourful dip or spread, that can be enjoyed in sandwiches, with crackers, fresh veggies and other savoury foods. Dave & Steve X
For allergens, see ingredients highlighted. May contain traces of Nuts
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Typical
per 100g
Energy
990kJ
239kcal
Fat
18.0g
Of which:
Saturates
1.8g
Carbohydrates
11.0g
Of which:
Sugars
3.0g
Fibre
4.4g
Protein
6.0g
Salt
0.58g
This hummus is a deliciously smooth, absolutely flavour packed and has that tiny little bit of a hit. Its great as a dip for pittas or veggies and always brings strong a vibrant colour to any sandwich.
For allergens, see ingredients highlighted. May contain traces of Nuts
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Typical
per 100g
Energy
1339kJ
324kcal
Fat
28.0g
of which: Saturates
2.7g
Carbohydrates
7.9g
of which: Sugars
2.2g
Fibre
6.6g
Protein
6.8g
Salt
0.72g
Farm Kale Caesar Salad
This is one of the most popular salads in our café – people come back for it again and again! In our twist on the classic Caesar, we’ve made a few clever swaps to turn it into a plant-based delight without losing any of the indulgent flavour. We use tempeh to create our own version of “facon” (a tasty vegan alternative to bacon – if you can’t find tempeh, tofu works too) and toasted sourdough croutons for crunch. The dressing is made with vegan mayo for that creamy Caesar vibe, or you can switch it up with a tahini-yoghurt blend for a lighter touch.
Takes 30 minutesminutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
Salad
3baby gem lettuces600g / approx 8 cups chopped
100gkale or baby kaleapprox 3 cups, packed
50gcapersdrained (approx 4 tbsp)
300gtempehor tofu (approx 2¼ cups cubed)
Tempeh Marinade
4tbsptamari
2tbspapple cider vinegar
2tspmaple syrup
2tspsmoked paprika
1tspgarlic powder
Pinchof salt
Sourdough Croutons
4slicessourdough breadapprox 150g / 3 cups cubed
2–3 tbsp oil
1tbsptamari or soy sauce
Pinchof salt
1tbspmixed herbs
Dressing
Choose one:
Option 1:
75gplant-based yoghurtapprox ⅓ cup
25gtahiniapprox 2 tbsp
Option 2:
100gvegan mayoapprox ½ cup
For both options:
20mlcaper brineapprox 1 tbsp + 1 tsp
Pinchof black pepper
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan 180°C).
Prepare the tempeh “facon”:
Slice the tempeh into thin strips (around 3mm), then into matchsticks. Mix all marinade ingredients in a bowl, add the tempeh and toss to coat. Spread on a baking tray in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes, give them a stir, then bake for another 5 minutes until slightly crisp.
Make the sourdough croutons:
In a bowl, mix the oil, tamari, herbs, and salt. Chop the sourdough into 1cm x 1cm cubes and toss them in the seasoned oil. Spread on a tray and bake for 5 minutes. Stir, then bake for a further 10 minutes until golden and crisp.
Remove tempeh and croutons from oven and allow to cool slightly.
Prep the greens:
Slice the base off the baby gem to release the leaves, then shred them thinly and place in a large bowl. (Tip: use a plastic knife to reduce browning). Tear the kale leaves from the stalks and roughly chop. Add both to the bowl. Add drained capers.
Make the dressing:
In a small bowl, mix the plant yoghurt and tahini or the vegan mayo with the caper brine and black pepper. Whisk until smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, add a splash more caper brine.
Dress the salad:
Pour the dressing over the greens and toss well to coat everything evenly.
Top & serve:
Sprinkle generously with the crispy tempeh “facon” and sourdough croutons. Don’t mix them in too much – they’re best left on top like little flavour bombs waiting to be discovered!
A fresh, vibrant twist on the traditional Greek dish Salantourmasi. These sweet baked onions are filled with a hearty, plant-based stuffing of quinoa, kidney beans, walnuts, fresh herbs, and a rich tomato sauce. A beautiful and satisfying centrepiece that showcases just how sweet and flavourful onions can be — no need to pre-cook the grain! We harvested onions fresh from our farm, which felt so special – a great way to make use of seasonal produce!
Takes 1 hourhour40 minutesminutes
Serves 6
Ingredients
For the onions:
8medium yellow onionspreferably oval-shaped
Fresh parsleyfor garnish
For the stuffing:
100gquinoa½ cup, rinsed
40mlolive oil2½ tbsp
3garlic clovesfinely chopped
100gwalnuts1 cup, roughly chopped
1× 200g tin kidney beansdrained and rinsed (about 1 cup cooked)
1medium tomatodiced
50gtomato purée3 tbsp
Juice of ½ lemon
10gfresh parsleysmall handful, finely chopped
10gfresh mintsmall handful, finely chopped
1tspsalt
½tspground black pepper
50mlwater or vegetable stock3 tbsp + 1 tsp
1tspdark miso
1tspdried oregano
For the tomato sauce:
400gtin chopped tomatoes
240mlwater1 cup
60gtomato paste¼ cup
60mllemon juice4 tbsp
1½tspsalt
½tspground black pepper
Instructions
Pre-cook the onions:
Bring a large pot of water to a gentle boil. Slice off the tops and roots of the onions, and make a cut halfway through each to help separate the layers. Peel the onions and boil them for 10 minutes, until softened but still holding their shape. Drain and allow to cool slightly.
Prepare the filling:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the rinsed quinoa, chopped garlic, walnuts, kidney beans (crush a few slightly with the back of a spoon), diced tomato, tomato purée, lemon juice, chopped parsley and mint, salt, black pepper, oregano, dark miso, and water or stock. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
Hollow out the onions:
Carefully separate the cooled onions into layers to form onion ‘cups’. Finely chop the inner cores of the onions and stir them into the filling for added flavour and texture.
Stuff the onions:
Generously fill each onion cup with the mixture, pressing gently to pack it in. Arrange the stuffed onions tightly in a deep baking dish.
Make the tomato sauce:
In a jug or bowl, mix together the chopped tomatoes, water, tomato paste, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir or blend until smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Bake:
Pour the tomato sauce over and around the stuffed onions. Cover the dish tightly with foil or a lid and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (fan 160°C / gas mark 4) for 60 minutes. Remove the foil or lid and bake for a further 15 minutes, until the tops are golden and the sauce is bubbling.
Garnish and serve:
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm, with plenty of tomato sauce spooned over each onion.
This naturally sweet sorbet is the perfect way to cool down on a hot day! Made using just a handful of ingredients, it's packed with hydration from watermelon, a zingy lift from lime, it’s so refreshing and great for kids! We added a tiny pinch of salt at the end to bring it all together – sounds weird but actually tastes great with a subtle electrolyte benefit too. We make these using the sorbet attachment of our Namawell J2 juicer. You could easily eat the sorbet just as it is as a healthier alternative to ice cream or a yummy sweet fruit breakfast bowl! You can get 10% off with the code HAPPYPEAR10 at checkout.
Takes 9 hourshours10 minutesminutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
1small watermelonapprox. 2 kg, chopped and frozen overnight
Zest and juice of 2 limes
30g2 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
Pinchof sea saltoptional
Instructions
Chop the watermelon into chunks and freeze overnight until solid.
Fit your Nama J2 juicer with the sorbet attachment.
Feed the frozen watermelon through the juicer, adding the lime zest and juice as you go.
Once fully processed, stir in the maple syrup if using, and add a small pinch of salt.
Serve immediately for a soft sorbet, or transfer to a container and freeze for 1–2 hours for a firmer texture.
For allergens, see highlighted ingredients. Contains Peanuts May also contain: Brazil Nuts, Cashew Nuts, Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nut / Queensland Nut, Nuts, Pecan Nuts, Pecan Nuts, Pistachio Nuts, Soya, Walnuts Caution: May also contain natural date stone pits.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Typical
per 100g
Energy
1690kJ
402kcal
Fat
11g
of which: Saturates
2.8g
Carbohydrates
63g
of which: Sugars
41g
Fibre
9.3g
Protein
8.1g
Salt
0.02g
Sodium
0.02g
The Happy Pear Choc Date Caramel Crisp Energy Balls 50g
INGREDIENTS
Dates (68%), Dark Chocolate (19%) [Cocoa Mass, Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Powder, Emulsifier (SOYA Lecithins), Vanilla Extract], Crunchy PEANUT Butter, SOYA Crispies [SOYA Protein], Sea Salt (0.3%), Dark Chocolate contains: Cocoa Solids 58% min.
ALLERGEN INFORMATION
For allergens, see highlighted ingredients. Contains Peanuts, Soya May also contain: Brazil Nuts, Cashew Nuts, Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nut / Queensland Nut, Nuts, Pecan Nuts, Pecan Nuts, Pistachio Nuts, Walnuts Caution: May also contain natural date stone pits.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Typical
per 100g
Energy
1594kJ
378kcal
Fat
8.4g
of which: Saturates
3.8g
Carbohydrates
64g
of which: Sugars
50g
Fibre
5.3g
Protein
9g
Salt
0.44g
Sodium
0.44g
Wild Fermented Probiotic Fanta
A naturally fizzy, tangy, and gut-friendly soda made by wild-fermenting freshly juiced oranges using the natural yeast on their skins. This vibrant homemade drink contains no added sugar or water, just real orange juice and a touch of maple syrup to enhance flavour before bottling.
Takes 6 daysdays15 minutesminutes
Serves
Ingredients
For the bulk ferment:
10 – 12 orangesunwaxed and ideally organic
For secondary fermentation:
Maple syrup to tasteapprox. 1–2 tsp per 500ml bottle
Instructions
Juice the oranges and prepare the skins
Wash the oranges thoroughly. Juice them – you should get around 1–1.2 litres (4–5 cups) of juice. Set aside the juice and reserve the skins from only 3–4 of the oranges to reduce bitterness and gelling.
Combine juice and peels for wild fermentation
Pour the juice into a clean 2-litre (8 cup) glass jar or jug. Add the reserved peels from 3–4 of the juiced oranges – these introduce wild yeast without overpowering the flavour.
Cover and ferment at room temperature
Cover the jar with a lid. Leave the mixture to ferment at room temperature (21–24°C) for 3–4 days. Look for small bubbles and a slightly tangy aroma.
Strain and bottle for secondary fermentation
After 3–4 days, strain out the orange peels and pulp using a fine sieve or muslin cloth. Use a funnel to pour the liquid into clean swing-top bottles (2–3 x 500ml).
Sweeten and carbonate
Add maple syrup to each bottle to taste – approx. 1–2 tsp per 500ml is a good starting point. This helps feed the yeast to produce natural fizz. Seal the bottles and leave them at room temperature for 1–2 days.
Burp and refrigerate
Open (burp) the bottles once daily to release pressure, then reseal. Once nicely fizzy, move them to the fridge to slow fermentation. Chill for at least 12 hours before serving.
Serve and enjoy
Pour gently to preserve carbonation. Serve chilled and enjoy within 1–2 weeks.
Notes
Tips – Use only 3–4 orange peels for optimal flavour – more can cause bitterness and gelling from pectin. – Choose fresh, sweet oranges to reduce the need for added sweetener. – Maple syrup adds flavour and balances the tartness – you can also use agave or date syrup if preferred.
These no-bake bars are sweet, crunchy, and packed with nutrients, perfect as a wholesome snack or a more indulgent treat. A rich caramel made from dates, almond butter, and coconut oil binds together puffed quinoa, roasted pistachios, and goji berries. Topped with dark chocolate and a sprinkle of chopped pistachios, they’re both satisfying and delicious.
Place the dates in a bowl and cover with warm water. Leave to soak for 5 minutes, then drain well.
Make the caramel base
In a food processor, blend the softened dates, almond butter, coconut oil, 8–12 tablespoons of water, and a pinch of sea salt until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the sides as needed. If the mixture heats up too much, pause to allow it to cool slightly.
Mix in the dry ingredients
Transfer the caramel mixture to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the puffed quinoa, chopped pistachios, and goji berries until well combined.
Press into tray
Line a square baking tin (approx. 20 x 20 cm / 8 x 8 in) with baking parchment. Spoon in the mixture and press it down very firmly using the back of a spoon or spatula to compact it evenly.
Melt the chocolate
Gently melt the dark chocolate (with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil if desired) using a bain-marie or microwave in short bursts, stirring between each one until smooth.
Top and garnish
Pour the melted chocolate over the base and spread it evenly. Sprinkle with the chopped pistachios and goji berries.
Chill and slice
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until firm. Once set, remove from the tin and slice into 10–12 bars.
These are incredibly tasty – the first time we made them, we weren’t even hungry but couldn’t help ourselves and scoffed nearly the whole batch! Whether baked or pan-cooked, they puff up beautifully and surprise with warm, melty, fragrant centres.
400g6 packed cups fresh or frozen spinach or chard
20g½ cup, chopped fresh mint leaves
Juice of 1 lemon
¼tspground black pepper
Saltto taste
1tbspThe Happy Pear Lovely Basil Pesto
Quick-fire cashew feta (for Filling 1):
75g1 cup cashew nuts
1tbsplemon juice
¾tspsalt
3tbspolive oil
Filling 2 – Red pepper, almond & bean (optional, makes 3 pittas):
75gabout ⅓ cup Happy Pear Spicy Red Pepper Pesto
or
A mix of roasted red pepperswhite beans, and ground almonds blended into a paste
Instructions
Make the dough:
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, yoghurt, olive oil, and salt. Mix until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for 2–3 minutes until smooth. Divide into 6 equal portions and shape into balls. Cover and set aside to rest while you prepare the fillings.
Make the spanakopita filling:
Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté the onion for 5–6 minutes until softened, then add the garlic. Stir in the spinach or chard with a generous pinch of salt and cook until wilted. Let cool slightly, squeeze out any excess moisture, and finely chop. Stir in the mint, lemon juice, pepper, salt and Lovely Basil Pesto to taste.
Make the quick-fire cashew feta:
Roughly chop or blend the cashew nuts, lemon juice, salt, and olive oil in a food processor or blender until creamy but still a little textured. Fold into the cooled spinach mixture and mix well.
Assemble the pittas:
Roll each dough ball into a 12cm (5 in) circle on a lightly floured surface. Place about 2 tbsp of the spanakopita filling in the centre. Bring the edges together and pinch to seal, then gently flatten into a disc about 2cm (0.8 in) thick, keeping the seam side down. Repeat with the remaining spanakopita filling. For variety, fill 2–3 with the red pepper pesto or bean-almond mix instead.
Cook the pittas – Choose your method:
Pan-fry (golden crust):
Heat a non-stick or lightly oiled pan over medium heat. Cook each pitta for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and puffed.
Oven-bake (easy batch):
Preheat the oven to 220°C (428°F). Place pittas on a parchment-lined baking tray, brush with olive oil, and bake for 10–12 minutes until puffed and golden.
Serve warm:
Enjoy hot with herby olive oil, tahini drizzle, or lemon yoghurt.
This might sound a bit mad — rice paper as bacon? But trust us, by double layering it, you get a crispy carrier for some serious umami flavour. It’s perfect for sandwiches, bowls, or munching straight from the pan.
Takes 10 minutesminutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
64grice paperapprox. 8 sheets (2.25 oz)
45gtamari or soy sauce3 tbsp
15gmaple syrup1 tbsp
8gsmoked paprika1 tbsp
3ggarlic powder1 tsp
18gbrown miso paste1 tbsp
5gnutritional yeast1 tbsp
15gneutral oilsuch as avocado or light olive oil (1 tbsp)
1gdried mushroom powdershiitake or porcini (½ tsp)
Freshly cracked black pepperto finish
Instructions
Rehydrate the rice paper
Fill a large shallow bowl with water. Dip one sheet of rice paper (approx. 8g) into the water for 5–10 seconds until just softened but still holding its shape. Place it on a clean surface, then dip a second sheet and lay it directly on top to form a double layer. Repeat to create 4 double-layered stacks.
Make the smoky marinade
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the tamari, maple syrup, smoked paprika, garlic powder, miso paste, nutritional yeast, oil, and mushroom powder until smooth and fully combined.
Coat the rice paper
Dip each double-layered stack into the marinade, turning and pressing gently so both sides are evenly coated and the layers stick together well.
Slice into strips
Using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, cut each coated stack into strips approximately 12cm x 3cm (4.7 in x 1.2 in).
Fry until crisp and golden
Heat a non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add the strips in batches and fry for 1–2 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan. They’ll firm up further as they cool slightly.
Finish and serve
Remove from the pan and sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper. Serve hot in sandwiches, crumbled over pasta or salads, or enjoy on their own for a smoky, crunchy snack.
High Protein Pesto Crackers with Organic Super Greens Pesto
A delicious, high-protein, gluten-free snack to replace crisps or popcorn. These healthy crackers are crisp, satisfying and full of flavour. We used our new Organic Super Greens Pesto, but feel free to use whichever pesto you love most.
Takes 30 minutesminutes
Serves 8
Ingredients
120gchickpea flourgram flour (approx. 1 cup)
50gmixed seedse.g. flax, pumpkin (approx. ⅓ cup)
1tspgarlic powder
Pinchof sea salt
1tbspmaple syrup
90mlwaterapprox. 6 tbsp
3tbsppesto of choicewe used our Super Greens Pesto
Instructions
Mix dry ingredients:
Sieve the chickpea flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the mixed seeds, garlic powder and a pinch of sea salt. Stir until evenly combined.
Add the wet ingredients:
In a small jug, mix the maple syrup with the water. Pour into the dry mixture and stir well until a smooth, thick batter forms.
Spread on a tray:
Line a baking tray with baking parchment. Pour the batter onto the tray and use a spatula to spread it out evenly to around ½ cm thick.
Add the pesto:
Spoon the pesto over the surface and gently spread or swirl it into the top using the back of a spoon to create a marbled effect.
Score the crackers:
Lightly score the mixture with a knife or pizza cutter into your preferred cracker shapes—this helps them snap easily after baking.
Bake until crisp:
Place in a preheated oven at 180°C (fan 160°C / gas mark 4) and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
Cool and enjoy:
Allow to cool completely on the tray. Once cool, snap along the scored lines and enjoy!
These vibrant veggie burgers have a classic savoury flavour and hold together beautifully without going mushy. Choose either tofu or tempeh depending on your preference—both provide structure and protein. Beetroot powder gives a rich, pink-in-the-middle appearance, while toasted seeds, black beans, and simple seasonings make these taste like a proper burger.
Takes 25 minutesminutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
Choose one:
300gtempeh or firm tofu
Burger base:
50g½ cup rolled oats
75g½ cup sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
1small onion
2clovesof garlic
1× 400g tin black beansdrained and well dried
2teaspoonsbeetroot powder
2tablespoonstamari or soy sauce
1tablespoonbalsamic vinegar
1tablespoonolive oilplus extra for cooking
1teaspoonsmoked paprika
½teaspoonground cumin
Salt and black pepperto taste
To serve (optional):
4burger buns
Tomato ketchup
Plant-based mayonnaise
Gherkins
2fresh tomatoessliced
Lettuce leaves
Instructions
Blend the burger mix:
Add the oats and sunflower seeds to a food processor and blend until they form a fine powder. Roughly chop the onion and garlic, then add to the processor along with the tempeh or tofu, black beans, beetroot powder, tamari, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Blitz until the mixture just comes together into a thick, uniform paste—avoid over-processing.
Taste and adjust seasoning:
Taste the mixture and adjust if needed with more salt, pepper, or tamari.
Rest the mixture:
Transfer to a bowl and let it rest for 5 minutes to firm up slightly.
Shape the burgers:
Divide the mixture into 4–6 even portions and shape into burger patties using your hands.
Cook the burgers:
Pan-fry in a little oil over medium heat for 3–4 minutes on each side, until golden and heated through. Alternatively, bake at 180°C (fan 160°C / gas mark 4 / 356°F) for 20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Serve:
Serve in buns with ketchup, plant-based mayo, tomato slices, lettuce, and gherkins—or your favourite toppings.
This schnitzel is crispy on the outside and soft, gooey, and smoky on the inside. Served on top of a spicy tomato sauce, it’s one of our favourite ways to enjoy aubergine!
Takes 40 minutesminutes
Serves 2
Ingredients
For the Schnitzel
2aubergineseggplant
50g1/2 cup breadcrumbs
50ml3.4 tbsp flour
50ml3.4 tbsp oat milk
For the Tomato Sauce
3tbspolive oil
3clovesof garlic
1red chilli
1x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
1tbspmaple syrup
1tspsalt
Black pepper to taste
For Frying
200ml7/8 cup vegetable oil
Instructions
Preheat the oven and prepare the aubergine:
Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F).
Char theaubergines over a gas burner until the skin blisters and peels off easily, or alternatively bake it in the oven for 40 minutes until soft.
Make the tomato sauce:
Peel and dice the garlic cloves and finely dice the chilli.
Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add olive oil. Once hot, sauté the garlic and chilli for 2 minutes until the garlic turns golden. Add a tin of chopped tomatoes, maple syrup, salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, then remove from the heat.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Prepare the aubergine schnitzel:
Once the aubergine is cooked, peel off the skin and flatten the flesh with a fork.
Dip the flattened aubergine first into flour, then intooatmilk, and finally coat it thoroughly with the breadcrumbs.
Repeat with the second aubergine.
Fry the schnitzel:
Heat thevegetableoil in a saucepan over medium heat.
Once the oil is hot, add the breaded aubergine and fry until golden brown on both sides.
Remove the schnitzel and place it on kitchen paper to absorb excess oil.
Serve:
Spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce on a plate and place the aubergine schnitzel on top.
In this week’s episode, we sit down with Camilla Fayed, visionary founder of London’s Farmacy, a pioneering plant-based restaurant and biodynamic farm rooted in the principles of regenerative agriculture. After a successful career in fashion, Camilla redirected her passion towards food, wellness, and conscious living — driven by a desire to heal both people and the planet. Through Farmacy, she champions a return to nature, real food, and a more sustainable way of life.
Episode 181
This conversation is deeply inspiring, rich with practical insights and thought-provoking ideas. Camilla speaks with heart and clarity about how the future of health — both personal and planetary — begins with what’s on our plates.
We dive into topics including:
Biohacking for modern wellness through food and lifestyle
Why politics starts on your plate — and how personal food choices ripple out
Modern agriculture vs regenerative farming — the urgent need for change
Soil health as the foundation of real nutrition and planetary wellbeing
The benefits of talking to plants — and tuning into the intelligence of nature
Going back to nature — how reconnecting with land and cycles brings healing
Lifestyle health issues — and why holistic approaches offer the best path forward
Camilla’s message is one of deep reconnection — with food, with the Earth, and with ourselves. Whether you’re curious about regenerative farming, conscious eating, or the subtle magic of growing your own food, this episode is packed with gems.
Listen now to feel inspired, grounded, and reminded that every bite we eat is a vote for the world we want to live in.
Dave & Steve
Lots of love,
SPONSORS & DISCOUNT CODES:
Cuisinart – the partner we have dreamed of! Cuisinart has been cooking up reliable kitchen gear for over 50 years – helping to make mealtimes easier and more enjoyable! Check out the following link for more details.
A naturally fermented, non-alcoholic sparkling soda inspired by rosé prosecco – made with rhubarb, muscat grape juice, citrus, and wild fermentation. We used fresh rhubarb from our farm to create this seasonal take on a sparkling drink — it’s not your traditional prosecco, but it’s just as celebratory! Low alcohol (<0.5%)
These homemade fruit gummies are made with 100% fresh juice — no refined sugar, no nasties — just pure goodness. With a concentrated fruit flavour and chewy gummy texture, they’re a fun, healthy treat for kids and adults alike. Plus, they’re a brilliant way to showcase your fresh juice from the Nama J2!
Takes 1 hourhour15 minutesminutes
Serves 50
Ingredients
For the gummies:
240ml1 cup fresh juice (use your Nama J2 juicer!)
75ml8 tbsp maple syrup
3tspagar powderor 3 tbsp agar flakes
½tsplemon juiceoptional
Three Flavour Ideas to Try
Berry Citrus Glow Juice – High in vitamin C for collagen support and antioxidants for skin repair.
150gfresh beetroot or 1 cup strawberries
2apples OR 1 orange
½lemonpeeled
1handful of raspberries
Carrot-Orange Radiance Juice – Beta-carotene promotes glow; oranges and ginger support collagen and circulation.
3large carrots
2oranges
2applesoptional
1thumb-sized piece of ginger
Cucumber-Mint Hydration Glow – Ultra-hydrating, refreshing, and rich in vitamin C.
1cucumber
1pak choioptional
1-2green apple
½lime
Few mint leaves
Instructions
Prepare your silicone moulds:
Place silicone gummy bear moulds (or any small silicone moulds) on a tray for easy transfer in and out of the fridge.
Juice the fruit:
Use your Nama J2 to juice your chosen ingredients. Measure out 240ml (1 cup) of juice.
Reduce the juice to concentrate the flavour:
Pour the 240ml (1 cup) juice into a small saucepan and gently simmer over low–medium heat until it reduces by half to about 120ml (½ cup). This intensifies flavour and helps set the gummies.
Sweeten and brighten:
Stir in the maple syrup and lemon juice (if using) into the reduced juice.
Add agar and activate:
Sprinkle in the agar powder (or flakes) while whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle simmer and continue to simmer for 2–3 minutes, whisking, until the agar is fully dissolved and the mixture thickens slightly.
Fill the moulds:
Working quickly (as the mixture sets fast as it cools), use a dropper or small jug to fill your silicone moulds.
Set the gummies:
Transfer the moulds to the fridge and chill for 30–60 minutes until firm and chewy. Alternatively, freeze for 15–20 minutes for quicker setting.
Unmould and store:
Carefully pop the gummies out of the moulds and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
These colourful high-protein tofu wraps are made with firm tofu, a touch of olive oil for softness, and blended into a smooth, easy-to-pour batter. With plain, beetroot, and fresh spinach variations, they’re a wholesome, flexible wrap alternative that’s protein-rich and optionally gluten-free. These walk the line between where a savoury fluffy pancake and wrap meet!Tofu is naturally rich in plant-based phytoestrogens, which may help support hormone balance — especially during menopause. We created this recipe as part of our Happy Menopause course with Dr. Nitu Bajekal. Want to learn more and join us? Sign up here: https://thehappypear.ie/courses/happy-menopause-course/
Takes 35 minutesminutes
Serves 6
Ingredients
Base Dough:
300gfirm tofudrained and roughly chopped
300g2½ cups self-raising flour or gluten-free flour blend
1tbspolive oil
2tbsptamari or soy sauce
½tspsalt
½tspgarlic powderoptional
560mlwater
For Colour Variations (choose one or divide base dough into thirds):
PinkBeetroot: 1½ tsp beetroot powder or 1 cooked vacuum-packed beetroot
GreenFresh Spinach: 30g (1 cup packed) fresh spinach leaves (add more for a brighter colour)
Plain: No additional ingredients
Instructions
Blend the Dough:
In a blender or food processor, combine the tofu, self-raising flour, olive oil, tamari, salt, garlic powder and water.
Add one of the following, depending on your variation:
For plain, add nothing else.
For beetroot, add 1½ tsp beetroot powder or 1 cooked beetroot.
For spinach, add 30g fresh spinach leaves.
Blend until smooth. The batter should resemble a slightly runny pancake mix – not too thick or watery.
Cook the wraps:
Heat a dry non-stick over medium heat. Once hot, pour in some batter as you would for pancakes. Cook for around 2 minutes on each side until lightly browned and cooked through.
Cool and Store:
Place the cooked wrap on a clean tea towel and cover with another towel to keep them soft and warm. Serve straight away or allow to cool fully before storing in an airtight container.
Pak choi – also known as bok choy or Chinese cabbage – is one of the true heroes of spring and early summer on our farm. We’re currently growing 2–3 varieties – pak choi is in peak season in Ireland from April through June. Its tender, juicy stems and mild, slightly mustardy leaves make it an amazing, versatile veg. Here we’ve braised it with ginger & garlic and served on a beet tahini cream and sprinkle of gomasio!
Takes 20 minutesminutes
Serves 2
Ingredients
For the braised pak choi:
2heads pak choiapprox. 400g
1tbsptoasted sesame oil
2clovesgarlicapprox. 6g
20gfresh ginger
1tbsptamari or soy sauce
3tbspwater
1tspmaple syrup
For the pink tahini cream:
30gtahiniapprox. 2 tbsp or ¼ cup
2tbspbeetroot juicefrom cooked beetroot or a splash from grated raw beet
1tbsplemon juice
30gyoghurt of choiceapprox. 2 tbsp or ⅛ cup – we used coconut
1–2 tbsp cold waterto loosen, as needed
Pinchof sea salt
To serve:
1tspgomasioor toasted sesame seeds with sea salt
Instructions
Prepare the flavour base:
Peel and finely grate the garlic and ginger. Slice the pak choi in half lengthways and rinse thoroughly, especially between the base stems.
Sear the pak choi:
Heat the toasted sesame oil in a wide pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, place the pak choi cut-side down and sear for 2–3 minutes until golden and slightly charred.
Add aromatics and braise:
Add the grated garlic and ginger to the pan and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the tamari, water, and maple syrup. Cover with a lid and let the pak choi braise gently for 4–5 minutes, until the stems are tender but still hold their shape.
Make the pink tahini cream:
In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, beetroot juice, lemon juice, yoghurt, and a pinch of sea salt. Add cold water gradually until smooth and creamy.
Plate and serve:
Spread a generous swoosh of the pink tahini cream onto each plate. Arrange the braised pak choi on top and spoon over any remaining cooking juices. Finish with a sprinkle of gomasio or sesame seeds and sea salt.
Meal Prep: Buddha Bowl, Satay Noodles & Black Bean Burger
Want to meal prep without getting stuck eating the same thing every day? This recipe is all about creating building blocks — flavour-packed components you can mix and match into three totally different meals. You’ll spend a little time up front roasting, baking and blending, but once that's done, it only takes a few minutes to assemble each dish on the day. It’s a smarter, more flexible way to meal prep that saves you time and keeps your taste buds happy!
Takes 1 hourhour20 minutesminutes
Serves 2
Ingredients
Roasted Vegetables (baked on 2 trays):
1sweet potato
1cauliflower
1red onionsliced
2tbspolive oil
Salt and pepper
Smoky Tofu:
300gblock tofudrained & cut into small 2cm cubes
Tofu Dressing:
1tspsmoked paprika
2tbsptamari or soy sauce
1tbspmaple syrup
1tspgarlic powder
Quinoa & Broccoli:
250gquinoaapprox. 1½ cups
400mlwaterapprox. 1⅔ cups
Pinchsalt
1medium head broccoli
Peanut Satay Sauce:
2tbsppeanut butter
1tbspvinegar
2tbsptamari or soy sauce
1tbspcoconut sugar or brown sugar
1clovegarlic
1tspsesame oil
Juice of ½ lime
½thumb-sized piece of ginger
2tbspwarm water
Homemade Ketchup:
100ml½ cup tomato purée (unsweetened)
2tbspapple cider vinegar
2tbspmaple syrupor date syrup/honey
½tspgarlic powder
¼tspsalt
Dukkah:
4tbspalmonds or walnuts
2tbspsesame seeds
1tbspcoriander seeds
½tspblack peppercornsor ground black pepper
½tspsea salt
Pickled Red Onion:
1red onion
75mlvinegarapprox. 5 tbsp
75mlwaterapprox. 5 tbsp
Pinchsalt
1tspmaple syrup
Extras for Assembly:
3burger buns
250gnoodles of choice
2ripe avocados
1x 400g tin of black beans
20gcoriandercilantro
Instructions
Make your Components
Roast the Veg:
Roast at 200°C for 25–30 mins until golden.
Bake the Tofu:
Mix the tofu dressing ingredients together and coat the tofu cubes. Bake at 200°C for 25 mins, tossing halfway through.
Cook the Quinoa & Broccoli:
Cut the broccoli into small bite-sized pieces. Add the quinoa, water, and a pinch of salt to a saucepan and bring to the boil with the lid on. Once boiling, place the lid ajar to let out steam and reduce to a gentle simmer. Cook until about 2cm of water remains, then turn off the heat, add the broccoli, cover, and leave to steam for 10 mins.
Make the Peanut Satay Sauce:
Peel and finely grate the garlic and ginger. In a bowl, combine warm water, peanut butter, vinegar, tamari, coconut sugar, grated garlic and ginger, sesame oil, and lime juice. Stir until smooth and well combined.
Make the Ketchup:
Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl and season to taste.
Make the Dukkah:
Roughly chop the almonds. Add to a dry frying pan with the sesame seeds, coriander seeds, pepper, and salt. Toast for about 5 mins, stirring regularly, until the seeds start to pop. Remove from heat and grind in a pestle and mortar or pulse in a blender.
Make the Pickled Red Onion:
Peel and finely slice the red onion. Add to a glass or jar with the vinegar, water, salt, and maple syrup. Mix and let sit for 15 mins.
Assemble Your Dishes
Assemble the Buddha Bowl:
Divide approx. 70g of cooked tofu between 2 bowls along with a generous handful of roasted veg. Add approx. 100g of cooked quinoa to each bowl, followed by 3 tbsp of pickled red onion. Cut 1 avocado in half, scoop out the flesh, slice, and divide between the bowls. Garnish with dukkah.
Assemble the Satay Noodles:
Cook 200g of noodles and drain. In a large frying pan, add approx. 200g roasted veg, 100g tofu, some broccoli, satay sauce, and 2–4 tbsp water. Heat over medium heat until bubbling. Taste and adjust seasoning. Garnish with pickled red onion and fresh coriander.
Assemble the Black Bean Burger:
Rinse and drain the black beans. In a large bowl, mash together with remaining quinoa, roasted veg, and tofu. Add 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp tamari, juice of 1 lime, and 15g chopped coriander. Mash with a potato masher (or pulse in a food processor) until combined.
Too dry? Add 2 tbsp water.
Too wet? Add 1–2 tbsp flour.
Shape into 4–5 burgers. Fry in a non-stick pan with 1–2 tbsp oil until golden on both sides. Toast the buns. Spread mayo on one side and ketchup on the other. Slice the second avocado and add 2–3 slices per burger, then top with a burger patty and serve.
Catkins grow on birch trees in spring throughout the UK and Ireland, offering a gentle, earthy hazelnut flavour. This recipe is a wild twist on our high-protein, 5-minute granola – it keeps the crunch, quick prep, and nutritional punch of the original, with an added foraged flair thanks to lightly toasted birch catkins.
Takes 5 minutesminutes
Serves 6
Ingredients
Nuts, Seeds & Foraged Add-ins
40galmondsapprox. ⅓ cup
40gwalnutsapprox. ⅓ cup
40gdesiccated coconutapprox. ½ cup
30gsunflower seedsapprox. ¼ cup
80gpumpkin seedsapprox. ½ cup
30ggoji berriesapprox. ¼ cup
1tbspchia seeds
5gwild birch catkinsapprox. 1 tbsp
Flavourings & Bindings
Pinchof sea salt
Pinchof ground cinnamon
2tbspcoconut oil35g / approx. 2 tbsp
35mlmaple syrupapprox. 2 tbsp
½tspvanilla essence
Instructions
Prepare the dry mix:
Roughly chop the almonds, walnuts, desiccated coconut, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds until they resemble a coarse crumble texture. You can also pulse them briefly in a food processor if you prefer a more uniform texture.
Toast the chopped nuts and catkins:
Add the chopped mix to a wide-based frying pan along with the birch catkins. Toast dry over medium heat for 3–4 minutes, stirring continuously, until the coconut begins to smell sweet and toasty, and the edges turn golden brown.
Add coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla:
Turn off the heat and stir in the coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla essence. Mix thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated.
Cool and enjoy:
Remove from the heat and allow to cool completely. Stir through the goji berries (and cacao nibs, if using). Once fully cooled, store in an airtight container for up to 4 weeks.
Serve with your favourite yoghurt, plant-based milk, fresh fruit, or use as a crunchy topper on porridge or smoothie bowls.
Notes
🌳 Notes on Foraging & Substitutions
Use young, freshly dried birch catkins for the best nutty aroma and flavour.
If birch catkins aren’t available, you can replace them with a few extra almonds or an additional tablespoon of seeds for a similar texture and crunch.
I walked into the Supermarket this morning with just over €4 to make dinner for 4 people and got ingredients to make a really tasty rice stir fry dish. It is tasty, high in fibre, low in calories and high in nutrition so it ticks all the boxes. Easy to make, super tasty, cheap and really good for you. It will keep in the fridge for 3 days and will work great for lunch eaten cold.
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
500gpre cooked brown basmati rice – €1.30
1bag of stir-fry vegI got a mix of beansprouts with broccoli, scallions, some red onion and grated carrot – €1.50
150gmushrooms – €1.20
1tin of bake beans – €0.29
3tbsptamari –
1-2tbspcurry powder
1/2tspsmoked paprika
Chili flakes to serve
Instructions
Slice your mushrooms into bitesize pieces.
Drain and rinse the tomato sauce off you beans.
Heat a non-stick pan on a high heat till it gets nice and hot.
Reduce the heat to medium/hot temperature and add your mushrooms.
Cook for 2 minutes, stirring a couple of times.
Add the bag of stir-fry veg and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring regularly.
Add the rice, ensure to break up any clumps of rice from the pack, and mix it all through.
Heat for a minute.
Add the curry powder, smoked paprika and a good pinch of chilli flakes and mix through. Serve & Enjoy!
These are so good and really remind us of ribs with a slight Chinese twist. If you have an air fryer it really helps grizzle up the tofu! Enjoy!
Takes 20 minutesminutes
Serves 2
Ingredients
280gfirm tofu
170gTender stem broccoli
1bok choi
1red onion
250gcooked rice or quinoa
100gSauerkraut
For The Marinade:
50gCapers
3tbspMaple syrup
2tbspTamari
2tbspTomato puree
1tspChinese 5 spice
2tbspwater
Instructions
Slice the tofu lengthwise into 1 cm slices. Cut them into diamonds so they are triangle shaped.
Cook in air frier for 15 mins standing up so the air can really circulate to maximise the crispiness. If you dont have an air frier simply preheat your oven to 220 degrees C and bake for 15-20 mins until crispy on the outside.
In a cup mix together the ingredients for the marinade. Remove the crispy tofu.
Add the marinade to a wide bottomed saucepan and on low heat bring to the boil while stirring continuously. Once boiling add the tofu and cook for 1 min turing over and ensuring each triangle is well coated in the marinade. Turn off the heat and mix again to ensure they are well coated.
Cook your rice as per the pak instructions. Par boil the broccoli and drain and rinse. Heat a griddle pan on high heat., Once hot add the broccoli and cook until it has char marks on each side, be careful not to move it too much to ensure you get nice char marks.. Remove from the heat, cut the bok choi in half lengthwise and add the griddle pan open face down. Peel the red onion and cut in half lengthwise and ad to the griddle pan face down. Leave to cook until both the bok choi and onion start to char.
To plate up add the rice to the middle of both the bowls and divide up the charred broccoli, bok choi and red onion between the 2 bowl. Add the sauer kraut and caper and finally add the tofu ribs.
High Protein Nourish Bowl with Spiced Lentils & Golden Quinoa
Packed with 40g of protein and half your daily fibre needs, this plant-based bowl is bursting with flavour, texture, and diversity. It's a satisfying option for anyone sceptical about the fullness factor of vegan meals, or those who avoid processed soy or fake meats. Ready in under 40 minutes, it’s a vibrant, hearty dish the whole family will enjoy.
Takes 40 minutesminutes
Serves 3
Ingredients
Spiced Lentils
400gtin cooked green or brown lentils250g drained (1½ cups cooked)
3garlic cloves
1½tspcumin seeds
1½tspsmoked paprika
1tbsp15ml olive oil (optional)
Salt & black pepper to taste
Golden Quinoa
400gcooked quinoa≈135g dry / ⅔ cup dry
1tspturmeric
600mlwater2½ cups
Pinchof salt
Roasted Vegetables
1cauliflowerapprox. 300g (2½ cups chopped)
1head broccoliapprox. 300g (2½ cups chopped)
2tbsp30ml olive oil
1½tspsmoked paprika
Salt & pepper to taste
Walnut-Hemp Crumble
45gwalnuts⅓ cup
45ghemp seeds¼ cup
Pinchof sea salt
Optional: 1½ tsp garlic powder or smoked paprika
Lemon Tahini Yoghurt Sauce
4tbsp90g tahini (¼ cup)
200gplain soy yoghurt¾ cup
Juice of ½ lemon
½tspgarlic powder
6tbsp90ml water (¼ cup + 2 tbsp)
Salt to taste
To serve
1 avocado
Fresh coriander or parsley
Instructions
Roast the vegetables:
Preheat oven to 200°C (fan 180°C) / 390°F. Chop the cauliflower and broccoli into small, bite-sized florets. Toss with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1½ tsp smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread on a baking tray and roast for 25 minutes until golden and tender.
Cook the lentils:
Drain and rinse the lentils. Finely chop the garlic. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (if using), then sauté the garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the lentils, cumin seeds, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir for 3–5 minutes until heated through and well seasoned.
Prepare the walnut-hemp crumble:
Roughly chop the walnuts. Toast the walnuts and hemp seeds in a dry frying pan over high heat with a pinch of sea salt. Stir occasionally for 4–5 minutes until golden and fragrant. Optional: Add garlic powder or smoked paprika for extra flavour.
Make the tahini yoghurt sauce:
In a bowl, whisk together tahini, soy yoghurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, and water until smooth and creamy. Season with salt to taste.
Assemble the bowls:
Divide the cooked quinoa between three bowls. Top each with the spiced lentils and roasted veg. Sprinkle over the walnut-hemp crumble. Slice the avocado and divide between bowls. Drizzle with the tahini yoghurt sauce and finish with fresh parsley or coriander.
It’s really easy to start your own sourdough mother, and it’s like growing your own pet that will require feeding and minding. It simply requires flour, water and time.
What flour to use?
You can start a mother (culture) with most flours, but make sure to choose a flour that is easy to come by, is not that expensive, as the mother will require regular feeding. We use a white flour-based mother culture in our bakery, and I also have a wholemeal spelt mother at home. A white flour will have more sugars available and less fibre than a wholemeal flour, so the mother will grow quicker and therefore require more regular feeding. Wholemeal flour has a higher fibre content, so it will absorb more moisture and be slightly less active than white flour.
Method
In a 400-ml clean jam jar, add:
50g of flour of choice (we prefer 100% wholewheat or wholemeal spelt)
50 ml of water
Mix well until homogenous. Cover with a tea towel to stop flies from entering while still allowing air and natural yeast to enter.
Leave it to sit on the countertop for 3-5 days out of direct sunlight.
Once it smells yeasty and slightly beer-like or brewery-like and has small bubbles in it, it is ready to go and get its first feed. You now have your very own sourdough mother to love and look after, which will hopefully nourish you and your friends and family!
It is important to note that whatever flour your mother culture was created with is the flour you will always have to feed it, so for example, if you used wholemeal spelt flour, then your mother culture needs to always be fed wholemeal spelt flour. You can change the type of flour over time, but this is a gradual process.
Feeding your new mother culture
Your sourdough culture will now need to be fed daily. If you are going on holiday, either get a friend to feed it or simply put it in the fridge, and it will live for a week without feeding (when starting to bake from using your mother from the fridge, it will require 1 good feed before baking once out of the fridge to get it active for baking bread).
Pour out half of your mother culture into a bowl; this will be used to make bread. Now in the same jar, add:
50g flour (ensure it is the same flour as your mother culture was created with)
50 ml of water
Mix well, and leave.
How regularly should I feed my mother?
If your mother is living outside of the fridge, it will need to be fed daily. If it is in a warm environment, such as 20 degrees C, it might need to be fed twice daily. If your mother is living in the fridge, it will need to be fed weekly or, at a stretch, every second week.
If your mother is living in a cold environment, such as a kitchen in winter that is approx. 5 degrees C, it will need to be fed once per week, as this environment is similar to a fridge.
Sample Lesson: Gut Health – Why all health begins in the gut
In medicine we have known that gut health is crucial to overall health for a very long time. Over 2 thousand years ago, Hippocrates “the father of modern medicine”, taught his students that all health begins in the gut. In 21st century we now recognise there was so much truth in that. We have learnt this through unlocking the secret world of the human gut microbiome.
When we are born, from our first human breath to our first human touch; the microbes in the environment populate our bodies and our digestive system. They help us to digest our first meal, without them our intricate digestive system would not even develop properly, nor would our immune system.
By adulthood, this microbiome has grown to an impossibly complex ecosystem, found predominantly in our large bowel or colon. Made up of over 100 trillion microbes, bacteria, yeasts, viruses, and archaea. They have been described as a control centre for human biology. Interacting with the food we eat, each other, and the delicate lining of our digestive system.
The microbe that exist in us are descendants from the planets first inhabitants, they have been on the earth for thousands and thousands of years.
Your gut microbes outnumber the trees on planet earth, in fact they outnumber all the stars in the Milky Way! We are equal parts human and microbes, in fact our gut microbes contain far more genetic material than our human cells.
Our microbes produce dozens – if not hundreds of chemicals that interact with our body, enter our bloodstream, and help to determine our health. They truly are a control centre for human biology – with crucial roles in regulating our appetite, blood sugars, inflammatory processes, and metabolic health.
This is a perfect symbiosis – our gut microbes depend upon us and we depend upon them. They want us to be healthy! On the journey to better gut health and better overall health – they are our crucial allies.
Sample Lesson: Happy Menopause – Is HRT Right for Me?
HRT is also known as Hormone Therapy (HT) or Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT). It is the use of hormones, for managing perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms and to try and minimise some of the longer-term effects of menopause.
HRT can be very effective for and very helpful for many women especially when symptoms adversely affect quality of life.
HRT is useful for relief of menopausal symptoms including:
Hot flushes
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness…
And it can also help with mood and libido
HRT can also benefit women who are not suffering significant menopausal symptoms but wish to get the benefits of hormone therapy such as protection for their heart and bones, ideally starting it within ten years of menopause or before the age of 60.
However, do remember hormone therapy will not change life circumstances and stress perhaps due to other factors. In these situations, HRT may not be as helpful as one hoped.
Also not all women can or want to take hormone therapy and should be supported in their decision with appropriate evidence-based information.
That said, do remember HRT is safe for the vast majority of women with no real risks with breast cancer or clots with the current preparations
Before starting HRT, your doctor will take a thorough history from you and examine you appropriately. They should advise you on the preparations most suited for you as well as any risks and benefits specifically for you as well as discuss any concerns you may have. Do mention to your doctor any MEDICAL information including any known relevant family history.
HRT is available as tablets, skin patches, gels or nasal spray.
HRT provides low doses of oestrogen and progesterone. You don’t need progesterone if you have had your womb removed as it is used to protect your womb from developing uterine cancer if only oestrogen is used.
Sometimes testosterone is added to improve sex drive, libido, bone health and concentration.
I also tell my patients, whether you plan to use HRT or not, do try and follow a lifestyle and a diet that helps you with your menopausal symptoms and overall health and wellbeing.
There is a lot more written information on HRT that you can also access during the course.
Sample Lesson: The Happy Shape Food Pillars
Below are the 10 key Happy Shape Pillars that will help to ensure you achieve your goals and find your happy shape! We have explained each of them here and there is also a downloadable list, which you can print and put somewhere that you can see each day.
Eat a whole food plant based diet – fruit, veg, beans, legumes, whole grains, nuts & seeds.
Eat as much as you like, provided you are sticking to these food principles. All health score 5 recipes are suitable!
Eat only wholegrain products – That means choosing brown carbs over white carbs, no white flour products etc.
Ensure that packaged whole foods you eat with a label have a fat content below 10%.
Don’t eat any refined or processed foods.
Don’t eat any animal based foods – no meat, chicken or fish.
Don’t eat any dairy products.
Don’t eat any eggs.
Don’t use any oil – this includes all oils: olive oil, sunflower, avocado, flax oil.
Eat nuts, seeds and avocados sparingly.
1. Eat a whole food plant-based diet
This is a diet based 100% on whole foods, it is comprised of: fruit, veg, beans, legumes, whole grains and small amounts of nuts and seeds. The benefits of following this diet are:
It’s high in fibre
It’s naturally low in fat
It does not contain dietary cholesterol
It’s high in water
It does not contain saturated or trans fats
It’s packed with antioxidants and other phytonutrients which aid blood flow.
It’s low in calories
2. Eat as much as you like, provided you stick to the guidelines
With this diet there is no calorie counting, no portion control (except for desserts!), so you can eat as much as you like, providing you are sticking to these 10 guidelines.
Here’s how this works:
A whole food plant based diet is naturally high in fibre:
Fibre fills you up.
It slows down the speed at which you eat.
High-fibre foods take longer to eat as a result your body registers that you are filling up quicker and reduces your hunger.
Fibre contains no calories.
You only get fibre from whole plant foods.
Whole food plant-based foods are high in water:
Water adds weight to your food
Water has no calories
A whole food plant-based diet is naturally low in calories:
By cutting out refined and processed foods, you can dramatically reduce overeating of ‘empty’ calories – refined foods that have no fibre and don’t fill you up or satisfy your hunger.
By cutting out animal foods, we further reduce calories.
By cutting out oil, we further cut the calories.
The only recipes we have included portion control in this book are not surprisingly the dessert section, as they are more calorie-dense and contain less water.
3. Use only wholegrain products
Wholegrain products are the brown carbs : brown rice, wholemeal pasta, wholemeal couscous, wholemeal noodles, 100% wholemeal bread. On this challenge we want you to eat 100% of your grain-based foods from wholegrain/wholemeal sources.
At least 80% of the carbohydrates we eat in the UK and Ireland are white carbs. We want to replace these white carbs that are low in fibre and devoid of any real nutrition with 100% brown carbs.
Wholegrain products are:
High in fibre
Low in calories
Packed with nutrition
4. Ensure the packaged whole foods that you eat with a label have a fat content below 10%
To find out the fat percentage content of a product, look at the back of the product’s packet, where you will find the nutritional information. Fat will be listed in weight per the size of the product and per 100g. Simply look at the fat content per 100g and this will give you the percentage fat. Anything above 10g per 100g is not suitable for the challenge.
5. Don’t eat any refined or processed foods
More than half of all the calories eaten in Ireland, the UK, and most of the first world come from refined and processed foods, so we really do understand how challenging giving up these foods is. We advise you to simply focus on the 4 weeks of this challenge and don’t be thinking beyond this. What is sustainable is joy, feeling good, having more energy, feeling happy and confident in your body so we suggest you focus on these!
By cutting out these refined and processed foods you are avoiding a lot of ‘empty’ calories that are devoid of nutrition and have other negative effects on your health.
Here are some facts about these foods:
They have no fibre
They are usually high sugar
They are usually high in salt (80% of the salt we eat is not from the salt shaker but from refined and processed foods)
They are usually high in fat, especially saturated fat, which has been linked to gaining weight
They have the biggest effect on increasing cholesterol levels
They are usually high in calories
They are ‘empty’ calories meaning the have very little vitamins or minerals in them and will not fill you up either
By refined and processed foods, we mean chocolate bars, snack bars, crisps, processed cereals, cakes, croissants, fizzy drinks etc. This means saying goodbye to most packaged foods, as they are typically a combination of fat, sugar and salt, and are highly addictive.
6. Don’t eat any animal based foods – no meat, chicken or fish
You may think eating no animal based foods for 4 weeks sounds extreme but we think that the reality of 45% of people dying in Europe every year due to heart disease is even more extreme! By animal based foods we mean beef, lamb, chicken turkey, ham, salami, sausages, bacon and even fish too. That is red meat, white meat and fish – basically exclude any foods that had a face or a mother! Again, focus on the fact that this is a 4 week challenge, it is a limited time, you can take a rain check after the 4 weeks.
Why we exclude animal based foods:
They have no fibre
They are high in saturated fat
They contain cholesterol
They contain very little antioxidants (the only antioxidants they contain are from the plants the animals consumed)
They are low in vitamins and minerals compared to plant-based foods
Animal foods contain only 2 of the 3 macro-nutrients: fat and protein. They are missing the number-one source of energy for your body: carbohydrates. Whole plant foods have 20-80% of their calories coming from carbohydrates, giving you a slow sustained energy release.
Animal foods are also high in saturated fat and contain trans fats, both of which are considered the ‘bad’ fats that can cause poor health outcomes. Whole plant foods only contain the ‘good fat’ such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.
7. Don’t eat any dairy products
This means cheese, milk, butter and yogurt made from dairy products. Dairy products are typically high in saturated fat, particularly cheese, which is the highest source of saturated fat in our diet. They also contain cholesterol and are low in vitamins and minerals when compared to whole plant foods.
Why we exclude dairy products:
They are high in saturated fat
They contain cholesterol
They are often high in hormones
They have no fibre
8. Don’t eat any eggs
Eggs are the most concentrated source of cholesterol in the common diet, one large egg has about 200 milligrams of dietary cholesterol in the yolk with the daily maximum limit of cholesterol in your diet being 300mg and only 200mg if you are at risk of heart disease.
9. Don’t use any oil, that includes all oils – olive oil, sunflower, avocado, flax oil
Bear with us, we know this sounds really harsh and extreme. However, in our experience of having tens of thousands of people reduce their risk of heart disease and improve their health in just 4 weeks, cutting out oil is highly beneficial. It effectively lowers cholesterol levels, improves blood flow, improves skin and assists in weight loss, and you won’t even taste the difference, the food is equally as delicious!
We are aware that this may come across as super contentious and that on top of all the other ‘DONTS’ on this list, excluding oil seems very extreme but bear with us! Oil is 100% fat and a refined fat too.
Oil is the most calorie dense substance on the plant at 8000/cal per litre, that is 120 calories/tablespoon. These are ‘empty’ calories as in they have no fibre and little to no nutrition. It is the ultimate refined food in that we extract it from the whole food, discarding the fibre and nearly all the vitamins and minerals leaving us with nothing but the fat.
We are not against fat entirely, but we recommend you get your fat from whole food sources such as small amounts of nuts, seeds, and avocados. Most people who start our challenges/courses think they could never cook without using oil but end up surprised by how easy it is and how quickly their palate adjusts to oil free cooking. It is also much easier to wash your pots and pans after cooking without oil!
10. Eat nuts, seeds and avocados sparingly
Here we are talking about raw nuts and seeds (exclude all salted or roasted nuts ). Raw nuts and seeds are super healthful and packed full of beneficial fats. However, we only need very little of them in order to get their benefits. Particularly with nuts, it is very easy to sit there and eat a full 100g while watching something on your phone, however, we only need very little to get the real benefit from them and going above this can cause inflammation and have a negative effect on our cardiovascular health.
Nuts
We ask you to limit your intake of nuts to about 30g a day which is about:
20 almonds
10 walnuts
10 brazil nuts
15 pecan nuts
The healthiest of all nuts in terms of the highest omega 3 and lowest saturated fat are walnuts. In terms of nut butters and tahini we ask you to cut them out for the 4 weeks of the challenge (unless they are included in one of our recipes which is okay). As a snack, they are just so tasty which makes them very difficult to stop eating, so best to just go cold turkey and exclude them for the 4 weeks.
Seeds
We have found people are much less likely to overeat seeds, however, they are also a concentrated source of calories (about 5000cals/kg) and average about 30% fat (but tend to be low in saturated fat). We definitely encourage you to eat seeds but not a full bag!
Try to limit your seed intake to a few tablespoons a day or approx 30g. Seeds are great sprinkled over your porridge in the morning or over a salad at lunch.
Avocados
Like seeds and nuts, avocados are super healthy for you. However, they are energy dense and high in fat, so we encourage you to limit your avocado intake to a maximum of half an avocado, every second day.
Sample Lesson: Plant-Based Cooking Course – Pasta Basics
Pasta is a staple in Italian food and is a much-loved food all around the world. The first reference to pasta dates back to the 12th century, on the Italian Island of Sicily.
Pasta is typically made from an unleavened dough of wheat flour (normally durum wheat) mixed with water and sometimes eggs and formed into various shapes, then cooked by boiling or baking.
In recent times, pasta is now being made with many other ingredients, such as black beans, rice flour, red lentils and other legumes, to make it gluten-free and high in protein.
We didn’t taste pasta until we were about 10 and we remember wondering what this strange food was! Of course, pasta is now so ubiquitous, widely available and an everyday food!
Types Of Pasta
There are approximately 310 specific forms of pasta in various shapes and sizes, with almost 1300 different names depending on the area in which they are consumed. Some of the more common forms of pasta include long and short shapes, tubes, flat shapes, sheets, miniature shapes for soup, those filled and stuffed and, lastly, decorative shapes
In Italy, pasta is served in 3 types of prepared dishes:
pasta asciutta – cooked pasta served with a sauce or condiment
pasta in brodo – pasta served as part of a soup-style dish or broth
pasta al forno – pasta incorporated into a sauce or dish and baked in the oven.
In terms of nutrition, plain white pasta is generally made up of 31% carbohydrates / starch, 6% protein and is low in fat.
Pasta may also be enriched, which means that more vitamins and nutrients are added to it, or it can be made from wholegrain flour. Our preference, in terms of health, is to use wholemeal pasta or brown pasta, where available.
Wholemeal will be higher in fibre, so the sugars in the starch will be more slowly released into your bloodstream and deliver a more steady release of sugar. They will also fill you up more, as they are higher in fibre and have more nutrition when compared to white pasta. They won’t taste as indulgent or pleasurable as white pasta, but when served with a good sauce, most people won’t notice.
Pasta Shapes
The most common pasta shapes in our vegan world are:
Spaghetti – long and straight noodles. Also widely available in wholemeal varieties.
Linguine – a thinner, longer spaghetti. The extra surface area, when compared to spaghetti, makes lighter sauces stick better to it.
Tagliatelle – a flat, long spaghetti, normally dried in nests. It is often said that the best sauce for tagliatelle is Bolognese.
Penne – a small tube-like pasta with pointed ends, as they are cut at an angle. A very versatile pasta that holds its shape well in virtually all dishes. Widely available in wholemeal varieties.
Fusilli – thick, spiral-shaped, bite-sized pasta shapes. It is often suggested to serve this pasta with pesto, as it absorbs liquids and sauces easily.
Lasagne – the flat sheet that we tend to bake with a tomato sauce and top with a béchamel sauce.
Cannelloni – large pasta tubes that are filled and baked in a sauce.
Macaroni – famously served in a cheese sauce, these are small “elbow”-shaped pasta.
Farfalle – which means butterflies, aka bow-tie pastas. They hold sauces well and you can pair farfalle with a creamy or tomato sauce. They also go great in pasta salads.
Gluten-free pasta
Brown rice pasta – it cooks very easily, doesn’t really stick together and tastes great.
Legume-based pastas, such as red lentil pasta and black bean pasta, are generally higher in protein and do have a slight bean or legume-like flavour. They make a nice change but when compared to conventional pasta, they can taste a little strange.
Buckwheat pasta – we have found that this pasta tends to stick together. It has a really earthy taste.
The Basics For Boiling Pasta
Often seen as a simple task, it’s not if you know how! There are many myths and confusions about how to cook pasta. Having spent lots of time with his Italian friend, Pietro, in Rome, Steve has learned how to cook pasta Italian-style.
Here’s How:
Often, the ratio of pasta to water in Italian cookbooks is 1:10 so if you’re cooking 100g of pasta, you should cook it in 1 L of water.
First, fill and boil the kettle and if you don’t have a kettle, fill a pot and boil the water.
Choose a pot that is big enough to fit all the pasta you are cooking so that it will have enough room and not stick together. A simple rule of thumb is that the pot should be 2–3 times the size of the volume of pasta you are cooking.
Next, add salt to the water. Ideally, the water should have the same salinity as seawater; this might sound like a crazy amount of salt but most of the salt will end up being washed down the drain but lots of it will season the pasta. It will also give more buoyancy to the water so the pasta is less likely to stick together.
Don’t add oil to the pasta! The oil will simply coat the pasta as you drain it, form a layer between the pasta and the sauce and make the sauce less likely to stick to the pasta. The pasta itself is largely starch, so it will want to stick to most sauces but if there is oil on the surface of the pasta, this will act as a lubricant, making the sauce more likely to slide off the pasta.
Cook the pasta how you like it. In Italy, pasta is always cooked “al dente”, which means “to the bite”. Meaning that it is always slightly undercooked and has a little bite to it. When you bite into the pasta, there should be a tiny, firm bit in the cross section. If the pasta requires 8 minutes to cook, cook for 7, taste and then drain and cool to stop it from cooking more.
If you are familiar with Italian cooking, it can be very rule-oriented in its approach to food, often seen as quite rigid in what goes with what and what doesn’t go with what. As this is a plant-based course and we tend to be a little rebellious in nature, please excuse our deviations from some of the Italian rules. If we are insulting your Italian Nonna’s famous recipes, it is not intentional. We need to bring flavours from different areas!
Sample Lesson: Vegan Baking Course – Fruit Scone Framework
These framework % are so you can understand at a macro perspective the core components – they don’t scale linearly like a mathematical equation but is indicative for understanding the relationship of the ingredients.
In the below framework we have 4 recipes for sweet fruit based scones. Scones are a wonderful medium which you can flavour and season in infinite ways. Here are 4 of our favourite ways.
The basic fruit scones – leave out the raisins if you prefer a beautiful white scone or else change them to your favourite dried fruit (just make sure that the dried fruit is in small bite sized pieces).
Blueberry and almond – the blueberries when baked go wonderfully purple and give these scones a lovely juiciness. Use frozen blueberries for a more intense purple colour.
Walnut & date – A wonderful chef who worked with us Claire used to make these and they were always one of our favourites.
To prepare the flax egg, mix the ground flax with water and mix well together, then set aside to thicken and coagulate to make the binder.
In a food processor blend the solid coconut oil with the flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda, salt and spice (if using any spice). Pulse it until the coconut oil is just blended through the dry ingredients evenly and it resembles a breadcrumb like texture. Take care here not to over mix the dough. If you don’t have a food processor just mix by hand ensuring to use the heat of your hands to melt the coconut oil and mix it well with the flour, sugar, salt. It should reach an almost bread crumb like consistency and have no lumps of coconut oil.
Transfer this to a large mixing bowl.
Next add the flavour component if using, (sultanas/raisins, blueberries, chopped dates, walnuts, orange zest etc) .
Make a slight well in the centre.
Mix the alternative milk and flax egg together, add to the well in the dry ingredients and with clean hands mix together gently until the dough just comes together, ensure to be light and gentle with your fingers and hands, ensuring you do not over mix the dough (as you don’t want to develop any gluten).
Tip the dough out onto a floured surface and pat down with floured hands and shape roughly into a round shape, the height of your scone cutter. Lightly flour your scone cutter and cut out your scones, they should weigh roughly 150g each, this will give you 6-7 scones based on the above framework.
Put the scones in a container to protect their shape and place in the freezer for 20 minutes. This may seem a little unusual, but this is the magic step that will help your vegan scone rise and disperse the coconut oil evenly while baking, giving you the perfect vegan scone.
Transfer the chilled scones to a parchment lined baking tray (ensuring to leave a few inches around each scone to allow them room to expand when baking)
Use a pastry brush to wash each scone with some plant milk, this will help them go a lovely golden brown while baking.
Bake at 180℃ fan for 30 minutes on the upper rack of your oven, rotating the tray half way through cooking time.
In the case of the blueberry and almond scones, half way through baking sprinkle over the flaked almond and leave in. The reason why we add them mid way is because otherwise they burn.
Remove from the oven and let the scones cool for 5 minutes, otherwise you’re likely to burn your mouth!
Today, we’ll explore two popular methods for preserving and enhancing the flavour of your vegetables: quick pickling and natural fermentation. While both techniques can transform ordinary produce into tangy, acidic, delicious treats; they differ significantly in process, time, and health benefits. This lesson is quite dense so do take your time with it & if you have any queries at all, pop a question up in Tribe and we’ll get back to you ASAP!
Basics of pickling
Pickling & fermentation are a favourite hobby of Steve’s, he always has many different experiments on the go!
Pickling has been done for centuries. It is the process of preserving food by either anaerobic fermentation in a brine solution or immersion in a vinegar solution,
Pickled food via natural fermentation is a super-healthy, cheap and delicious way to enjoy the taste of fresh food throughout the year. Also there is something wonderful about making your own pickled food at home and checking on how it develops to find the perfect recipe and process!
There are 2 main methods of pickling: – Vinegar brine method (Quick pickling) – Natural fermentation
Both of these methods work, however, we generally use the natural fermentation process as we want to develop good gut bacteria for a healthier digestion and overall health.
What is the difference between vinegar brine pickling (quick picking) and natural fermentation pickling?
They are kind of opposites, with different advantages and disadvantages.
Vinegar brine picking (quick pickling), such as pickled red onions in vinegar, kill the good bacteria (commonly referred to as probiotic bacteria) that are necessary for fermentation, as well as the bad bacteria.
Natural fermentation pickling is a traditional method that relies on naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria are naturally present on everything that grows. By creating the right selective environment for these bacteria, through natural fermentation, you allow them to feast on the sugars that are naturally present in veggies. Through this process, the probiotic bacteria that are so good for everything from digestion to immunity, grow and breed!
Quick Pickling (Vinegar Brine Pickling):
Quick pickling is a fast and easy method of preservation that involves soaking vegetables in a vinegar-based brine. This method is great for those who want immediate results and enjoy a sharp, tangy flavour in their pickles.
Process: Quick pickling involves a mixture of vinegar, water, salt, and often sugar, then pouring it over the prepared vegetables. The jars are sealed and sometimes refrigerated, where they can be enjoyed after a few minutes, sometimes a few hours or even a few days.
Time: Because quick pickling uses vinegar, it takes significantly less time—typically just a few minutes to a few hours to a couple of days.
Flavour: The resulting pickles are tangy and crisp, with the vinegar providing a sharp, distinct taste.
Shelf Life: Quick pickles need to be stored in the refrigerator and have a shorter shelf life compared to fermented pickles. The vinegar tends to break down the vegetable and when left for a long time (a few weeks) the vegetables typically start to dissolve.
Natural Fermentation:
Natural fermentation is a traditional method that relies on naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria to preserve vegetables. This method requires patience but rewards you with complex flavours and numerous health benefits.
Process: Natural fermentation involves submerging vegetables in a saltwater brine, creating an anaerobic environment that encourages the growth of beneficial lactic acid bacteria. These bacteria convert sugars in the vegetables into lactic acid, which acts as a natural preservative. We apply a 2% salt solution method whereby you simply weight the weight of what ever fruit or vegetable you are fermenting and multiply that weight by 2% or 0.02 to get the amount of salt to add. Mix the salt with the prepared fruit or veg and add to a fermentation jar and cover with water and allow to ferment.
Time: Fermentation takes longer than quick pickling, often several days to a few weeks, depending on the temperature and the desired level of tanginess. The longer you ferment for the more acidic your fruit or veg will become and the warmer the temperature the quicker the fermentation process will be. Similarly if it is fermenting in a cold environment fermentation will be much slower than a warm environment.
Flavour: Fermented vegetables develop a more complex, tangy flavour that deepens over time. The process also results in a probiotic-rich food that supports gut health.
Shelf Life: Fermented pickles can be stored at room temperature (before opening) or in the refrigerator (after opening) and often last much longer than quick pickles due to the preservation effects of lactic acid.
Comparing the Two Methods:
Speed: Quick pickling is fast and convenient, while natural fermentation requires more time and patience.
Health Benefits: Natural fermentation provides probiotics and enzymes that are beneficial for digestion, these natural probiotics are absent in quick pickles.
Flavour Complexity: Fermented pickles offer a deeper, more complex flavour profile compared to the sharp tang of quick pickles.
Storage: Quick pickles often require refrigeration, whereas fermented pickles can be stored at room temperature before opening.
Quick pickling troubleshooting
Surface mould – Oh no! You did not submerge your veggies enough, or maybe some bits of veg floated to the surface. Best to discard and start a new batch ensuring to submerge better or get something to ensure the veg stay under water.
The brine is cloudy – This is a good thing! Don’t worry, you didn’t use the wrong kind of salt! Fermented brine gets cloudy because it is loaded with good stuff, like lactic acid bacteria. Cloudy means it has worked. When you are done with your pickles, you can drink that stuff or add it to cold soups for probiotic punch or bread dough for flavour and salt.
Today, we’ll explore two popular methods for preserving and enhancing the flavour of your vegetables: quick pickling and natural fermentation. While both techniques can transform ordinary produce into tangy, acidic, delicious treats; they differ significantly in process, time, and health benefits. This lesson is quite dense so do take your time with it & if you have any queries at all, pop a question up in Tribe and we’ll get back to you ASAP!
Basics of pickling
Pickling & fermentation are a favourite hobby of Steve’s, he always has many different experiments on the go!
Pickling has been done for centuries. It is the process of preserving food by either anaerobic fermentation in a brine solution or immersion in a vinegar solution,
Pickled food via natural fermentation is a super-healthy, cheap and delicious way to enjoy the taste of fresh food throughout the year. Also there is something wonderful about making your own pickled food at home and checking on how it develops to find the perfect recipe and process!
There are 2 main methods of pickling: – Vinegar brine method (Quick pickling) – Natural fermentation
Both of these methods work, however, we generally use the natural fermentation process as we want to develop good gut bacteria for a healthier digestion and overall health.
What is the difference between vinegar brine pickling (quick picking) and natural fermentation pickling?
They are kind of opposites, with different advantages and disadvantages.
Vinegar brine picking (quick pickling), such as pickled red onions in vinegar, kill the good bacteria (commonly referred to as probiotic bacteria) that are necessary for fermentation, as well as the bad bacteria.
Natural fermentation pickling is a traditional method that relies on naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria. Lactic acid bacteria are naturally present on everything that grows. By creating the right selective environment for these bacteria, through natural fermentation, you allow them to feast on the sugars that are naturally present in veggies. Through this process, the probiotic bacteria that are so good for everything from digestion to immunity, grow and breed!
Quick Pickling (Vinegar Brine Pickling):
Quick pickling is a fast and easy method of preservation that involves soaking vegetables in a vinegar-based brine. This method is great for those who want immediate results and enjoy a sharp, tangy flavour in their pickles.
Process: Quick pickling involves a mixture of vinegar, water, salt, and often sugar, then pouring it over the prepared vegetables. The jars are sealed and sometimes refrigerated, where they can be enjoyed after a few minutes, sometimes a few hours or even a few days.
Time: Because quick pickling uses vinegar, it takes significantly less time—typically just a few minutes to a few hours to a couple of days.
Flavour: The resulting pickles are tangy and crisp, with the vinegar providing a sharp, distinct taste.
Shelf Life: Quick pickles need to be stored in the refrigerator and have a shorter shelf life compared to fermented pickles. The vinegar tends to break down the vegetable and when left for a long time (a few weeks) the vegetables typically start to dissolve.
Natural Fermentation:
Natural fermentation is a traditional method that relies on naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria to preserve vegetables. This method requires patience but rewards you with complex flavours and numerous health benefits.
Process: Natural fermentation involves submerging vegetables in a saltwater brine, creating an anaerobic environment that encourages the growth of beneficial lactic acid bacteria. These bacteria convert sugars in the vegetables into lactic acid, which acts as a natural preservative. We apply a 2% salt solution method whereby you simply weight the weight of what ever fruit or vegetable you are fermenting and multiply that weight by 2% or 0.02 to get the amount of salt to add. Mix the salt with the prepared fruit or veg and add to a fermentation jar and cover with water and allow to ferment.
Time: Fermentation takes longer than quick pickling, often several days to a few weeks, depending on the temperature and the desired level of tanginess. The longer you ferment for the more acidic your fruit or veg will become and the warmer the temperature the quicker the fermentation process will be. Similarly if it is fermenting in a cold environment fermentation will be much slower than a warm environment.
Flavour: Fermented vegetables develop a more complex, tangy flavour that deepens over time. The process also results in a probiotic-rich food that supports gut health.
Shelf Life: Fermented pickles can be stored at room temperature (before opening) or in the refrigerator (after opening) and often last much longer than quick pickles due to the preservation effects of lactic acid.
Comparing the Two Methods:
Speed: Quick pickling is fast and convenient, while natural fermentation requires more time and patience.
Health Benefits: Natural fermentation provides probiotics and enzymes that are beneficial for digestion, these natural probiotics are absent in quick pickles.
Flavour Complexity: Fermented pickles offer a deeper, more complex flavour profile compared to the sharp tang of quick pickles.
Storage: Quick pickles often require refrigeration, whereas fermented pickles can be stored at room temperature before opening.
Quick pickling troubleshooting
Surface mould – Oh no! You did not submerge your veggies enough, or maybe some bits of veg floated to the surface. Best to discard and start a new batch ensuring to submerge better or get something to ensure the veg stay under water.
The brine is cloudy – This is a good thing! Don’t worry, you didn’t use the wrong kind of salt! Fermented brine gets cloudy because it is loaded with good stuff, like lactic acid bacteria. Cloudy means it has worked. When you are done with your pickles, you can drink that stuff or add it to cold soups for probiotic punch or bread dough for flavour and salt.
Sample Lesson: Vegan Baking Course – Fruit Scone Framework
These framework % are so you can understand at a macro perspective the core components – they don’t scale linearly like a mathematical equation but is indicative for understanding the relationship of the ingredients.
In the below framework we have 4 recipes for sweet fruit based scones. Scones are a wonderful medium which you can flavour and season in infinite ways. Here are 4 of our favourite ways.
The basic fruit scones – leave out the raisins if you prefer a beautiful white scone or else change them to your favourite dried fruit (just make sure that the dried fruit is in small bite sized pieces).
Blueberry and almond – the blueberries when baked go wonderfully purple and give these scones a lovely juiciness. Use frozen blueberries for a more intense purple colour.
Walnut & date – A wonderful chef who worked with us Claire used to make these and they were always one of our favourites.
To prepare the flax egg, mix the ground flax with water and mix well together, then set aside to thicken and coagulate to make the binder.
In a food processor blend the solid coconut oil with the flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda, salt and spice (if using any spice). Pulse it until the coconut oil is just blended through the dry ingredients evenly and it resembles a breadcrumb like texture. Take care here not to over mix the dough. If you don’t have a food processor just mix by hand ensuring to use the heat of your hands to melt the coconut oil and mix it well with the flour, sugar, salt. It should reach an almost bread crumb like consistency and have no lumps of coconut oil.
Transfer this to a large mixing bowl.
Next add the flavour component if using, (sultanas/raisins, blueberries, chopped dates, walnuts, orange zest etc) .
Make a slight well in the centre.
Mix the alternative milk and flax egg together, add to the well in the dry ingredients and with clean hands mix together gently until the dough just comes together, ensure to be light and gentle with your fingers and hands, ensuring you do not over mix the dough (as you don’t want to develop any gluten).
Tip the dough out onto a floured surface and pat down with floured hands and shape roughly into a round shape, the height of your scone cutter. Lightly flour your scone cutter and cut out your scones, they should weigh roughly 150g each, this will give you 6-7 scones based on the above framework.
Put the scones in a container to protect their shape and place in the freezer for 20 minutes. This may seem a little unusual, but this is the magic step that will help your vegan scone rise and disperse the coconut oil evenly while baking, giving you the perfect vegan scone.
Transfer the chilled scones to a parchment lined baking tray (ensuring to leave a few inches around each scone to allow them room to expand when baking)
Use a pastry brush to wash each scone with some plant milk, this will help them go a lovely golden brown while baking.
Bake at 180℃ fan for 30 minutes on the upper rack of your oven, rotating the tray half way through cooking time.
In the case of the blueberry and almond scones, half way through baking sprinkle over the flaked almond and leave in. The reason why we add them mid way is because otherwise they burn.
Remove from the oven and let the scones cool for 5 minutes, otherwise you’re likely to burn your mouth!
Enjoy!
Sample Lesson: Plant-Based Cooking Course – Pasta Basics
Pasta is a staple in Italian food and is a much-loved food all around the world. The first reference to pasta dates back to the 12th century, on the Italian Island of Sicily.
Pasta is typically made from an unleavened dough of wheat flour (normally durum wheat) mixed with water and sometimes eggs and formed into various shapes, then cooked by boiling or baking.
In recent times, pasta is now being made with many other ingredients, such as black beans, rice flour, red lentils and other legumes, to make it gluten-free and high in protein.
We didn’t taste pasta until we were about 10 and we remember wondering what this strange food was! Of course, pasta is now so ubiquitous, widely available and an everyday food!
Types of pasta
There are approximately 310 specific forms of pasta in various shapes and sizes, with almost 1300 different names depending on the area in which they are consumed. Some of the more common forms of pasta include long and short shapes, tubes, flat shapes, sheets, miniature shapes for soup, those filled and stuffed and, lastly, decorative shapes
In Italy, pasta is served in 3 types of prepared dishes:
pasta asciutta – cooked pasta served with a sauce or condiment
pasta in brodo – pasta served as part of a soup-style dish or broth
pasta al forno – pasta incorporated into a sauce or dish and baked in the oven.
In terms of nutrition, plain white pasta is generally made up of 31% carbohydrates / starch, 6% protein and is low in fat.
Pasta may also be enriched, which means that more vitamins and nutrients are added to it, or it can be made from wholegrain flour. Our preference, in terms of health, is to use wholemeal pasta or brown pasta, where available.
Wholemeal will be higher in fibre, so the sugars in the starch will be more slowly released into your bloodstream and deliver a more steady release of sugar. They will also fill you up more, as they are higher in fibre and have more nutrition when compared to white pasta. They won’t taste as indulgent or pleasurable as white pasta, but when served with a good sauce, most people won’t notice.
Pasta Shapes
The most common pasta shapes in our vegan world are:
Spaghetti – long and straight noodles. Also widely available in wholemeal varieties.
Linguine – a thinner, longer spaghetti. The extra surface area, when compared to spaghetti, makes lighter sauces stick better to it.
Tagliatelle – a flat, long spaghetti, normally dried in nests. It is often said that the best sauce for tagliatelle is Bolognese.
Penne – a small tube-like pasta with pointed ends, as they are cut at an angle. A very versatile pasta that holds its shape well in virtually all dishes. Widely available in wholemeal varieties.
Fusilli – thick, spiral-shaped, bite-sized pasta shapes. It is often suggested to serve this pasta with pesto, as it absorbs liquids and sauces easily.
Lasagne – the flat sheet that we tend to bake with a tomato sauce and top with a béchamel sauce.
Cannelloni – large pasta tubes that are filled and baked in a sauce.
Macaroni – famously served in a cheese sauce, these are small “elbow”-shaped pasta.
Farfalle – which means butterflies, aka bow-tie pastas. They hold sauces well and you can pair farfalle with a creamy or tomato sauce. They also go great in pasta salads.
Gluten-free pasta
Brown rice pasta – it cooks very easily, doesn’t really stick together and tastes great.
Legume-based pastas, such as red lentil pasta and black bean pasta, are generally higher in protein and do have a slight bean or legume-like flavour. They make a nice change but when compared to conventional pasta, they can taste a little strange.
Buckwheat pasta – we have found that this pasta tends to stick together. It has a really earthy taste.
The basics for boiling pasta
Often seen as a simple task, it’s not if you know how! There are many myths and confusions about how to cook pasta. Having spent lots of time with his Italian friend, Pietro, in Rome, Steve has learned how to cook pasta Italian-style.
Here’s How:
Often, the ratio of pasta to water in Italian cookbooks is 1:10 so if you’re cooking 100g of pasta, you should cook it in 1 L of water.
First, fill and boil the kettle and if you don’t have a kettle, fill a pot and boil the water.
Choose a pot that is big enough to fit all the pasta you are cooking so that it will have enough room and not stick together. A simple rule of thumb is that the pot should be 2–3 times the size of the volume of pasta you are cooking.
Next, add salt to the water. Ideally, the water should have the same salinity as seawater; this might sound like a crazy amount of salt but most of the salt will end up being washed down the drain but lots of it will season the pasta. It will also give more buoyancy to the water so the pasta is less likely to stick together.
Don’t add oil to the pasta! The oil will simply coat the pasta as you drain it, form a layer between the pasta and the sauce and make the sauce less likely to stick to the pasta. The pasta itself is largely starch, so it will want to stick to most sauces but if there is oil on the surface of the pasta, this will act as a lubricant, making the sauce more likely to slide off the pasta.
Cook the pasta how you like it. In Italy, pasta is always cooked “al dente”, which means “to the bite”. Meaning that it is always slightly undercooked and has a little bite to it. When you bite into the pasta, there should be a tiny, firm bit in the cross section. If the pasta requires 8 minutes to cook, cook for 7, taste and then drain and cool to stop it from cooking more.
If you are familiar with Italian cooking, it can be very rule-oriented in its approach to food, often seen as quite rigid in what goes with what and what doesn’t go with what. As this is a plant-based course and we tend to be a little rebellious in nature, please excuse our deviations from some of the Italian rules. If we are insulting your Italian Nonna’s famous recipes, it is not intentional. We need to bring flavours from different areas!
Sample Lesson: The Happy Shape Food Pillars
Below are the 10 key Happy Shape Pillars that will help to ensure you achieve your goals and find your happy shape! We have explained each of them here and there is also a downloadable list, which you can print and put somewhere that you can see each day.
Eat a whole food plant based diet – fruit, veg, beans, legumes, whole grains, nuts & seeds.
Eat as much as you like, provided you are sticking to these food principles. All health score 5 recipes are suitable!
Eat only wholegrain products – That means choosing brown carbs over white carbs, no white flour products etc.
Ensure that packaged whole foods you eat with a label have a fat content below 10%.
Don’t eat any refined or processed foods.
Don’t eat any animal based foods – no meat, chicken or fish.
Don’t eat any dairy products.
Don’t eat any eggs.
Don’t use any oil – this includes all oils: olive oil, sunflower, avocado, flax oil.
Eat nuts, seeds and avocados sparingly.
1. Eat a whole food plant-based diet
This is a diet based 100% on whole foods, it is comprised of: fruit, veg, beans, legumes, whole grains and small amounts of nuts and seeds. The benefits of following this diet are:
It’s high in fibre
It’s naturally low in fat
It does not contain dietary cholesterol
It’s high in water
It does not contain saturated or trans fats
It’s packed with antioxidants and other phytonutrients which aid blood flow.
It’s low in calories
2. Eat as much as you like, provided you stick to the guidelines
With this diet there is no calorie counting, no portion control (except for desserts!), so you can eat as much as you like, providing you are sticking to these 10 guidelines.
Here’s how this works:
A whole food plant based diet is naturally high in fibre:
Fibre fills you up.
It slows down the speed at which you eat.
High-fibre foods take longer to eat as a result your body registers that you are filling up quicker and reduces your hunger.
Fibre contains no calories.
You only get fibre from whole plant foods.
Whole food plant-based foods are high in water:
Water adds weight to your food
Water has no calories
A whole food plant-based diet is naturally low in calories:
By cutting out refined and processed foods, you can dramatically reduce overeating of ‘empty’ calories – refined foods that have no fibre and don’t fill you up or satisfy your hunger.
By cutting out animal foods, we further reduce calories.
By cutting out oil, we further cut the calories.
The only recipes we have included portion control in this book are not surprisingly the dessert section, as they are more calorie-dense and contain less water.
3. Use only wholegrain products
Wholegrain products are the brown carbs : brown rice, wholemeal pasta, wholemeal couscous, wholemeal noodles, 100% wholemeal bread. On this challenge we want you to eat 100% of your grain-based foods from wholegrain/wholemeal sources.
At least 80% of the carbohydrates we eat in the UK and Ireland are white carbs. We want to replace these white carbs that are low in fibre and devoid of any real nutrition with 100% brown carbs.
Wholegrain products are:
High in fibre
Low in calories
Packed with nutrition
4. Ensure the packaged whole foods that you eat with a label have a fat content below 10%
To find out the fat percentage content of a product, look at the back of the product’s packet, where you will find the nutritional information. Fat will be listed in weight per the size of the product and per 100g. Simply look at the fat content per 100g and this will give you the percentage fat. Anything above 10g per 100g is not suitable for the challenge.
5. Don’t eat any refined or processed foods
More than half of all the calories eaten in Ireland, the UK, and most of the first world come from refined and processed foods, so we really do understand how challenging giving up these foods is. We advise you to simply focus on the 4 weeks of this challenge and don’t be thinking beyond this. What is sustainable is joy, feeling good, having more energy, feeling happy and confident in your body so we suggest you focus on these!
By cutting out these refined and processed foods you are avoiding a lot of ‘empty’ calories that are devoid of nutrition and have other negative effects on your health.
Here are some facts about these foods:
They have no fibre
They are usually high sugar
They are usually high in salt (80% of the salt we eat is not from the salt shaker but from refined and processed foods)
They are usually high in fat, especially saturated fat, which has been linked to gaining weight
They have the biggest effect on increasing cholesterol levels
They are usually high in calories
They are ‘empty’ calories meaning the have very little vitamins or minerals in them and will not fill you up either
By refined and processed foods, we mean chocolate bars, snack bars, crisps, processed cereals, cakes, croissants, fizzy drinks etc. This means saying goodbye to most packaged foods, as they are typically a combination of fat, sugar and salt, and are highly addictive.
6. Don’t eat any animal based foods – no meat, chicken or fish
You may think eating no animal based foods for 4 weeks sounds extreme but we think that the reality of 45% of people dying in Europe every year due to heart disease is even more extreme! By animal based foods we mean beef, lamb, chicken turkey, ham, salami, sausages, bacon and even fish too. That is red meat, white meat and fish – basically exclude any foods that had a face or a mother! Again, focus on the fact that this is a 4 week challenge, it is a limited time, you can take a rain check after the 4 weeks.
Why we exclude animal based foods:
They have no fibre
They are high in saturated fat
They contain cholesterol
They contain very little antioxidants (the only antioxidants they contain are from the plants the animals consumed)
They are low in vitamins and minerals compared to plant-based foods
Animal foods contain only 2 of the 3 macro-nutrients: fat and protein. They are missing the number-one source of energy for your body: carbohydrates. Whole plant foods have 20-80% of their calories coming from carbohydrates, giving you a slow sustained energy release.
Animal foods are also high in saturated fat and contain trans fats, both of which are considered the ‘bad’ fats that can cause poor health outcomes. Whole plant foods only contain the ‘good fat’ such as polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.
7. Don’t eat any dairy products
This means cheese, milk, butter and yogurt made from dairy products. Dairy products are typically high in saturated fat, particularly cheese, which is the highest source of saturated fat in our diet. They also contain cholesterol and are low in vitamins and minerals when compared to whole plant foods.
Why we exclude dairy products:
They are high in saturated fat
They contain cholesterol
They are often high in hormones
They have no fibre
8. Don’t eat any eggs
Eggs are the most concentrated source of cholesterol in the common diet, one large egg has about 200 milligrams of dietary cholesterol in the yolk with the daily maximum limit of cholesterol in your diet being 300mg and only 200mg if you are at risk of heart disease.
9. Don’t use any oil, that includes all oils – olive oil, sunflower, avocado, flax oil
Bear with us, we know this sounds really harsh and extreme. However, in our experience of having tens of thousands of people reduce their risk of heart disease and improve their health in just 4 weeks, cutting out oil is highly beneficial. It effectively lowers cholesterol levels, improves blood flow, improves skin and assists in weight loss, and you won’t even taste the difference, the food is equally as delicious!
We are aware that this may come across as super contentious and that on top of all the other ‘DONTS’ on this list, excluding oil seems very extreme but bear with us! Oil is 100% fat and a refined fat too.
Oil is the most calorie dense substance on the plant at 8000/cal per litre, that is 120 calories/tablespoon. These are ‘empty’ calories as in they have no fibre and little to no nutrition. It is the ultimate refined food in that we extract it from the whole food, discarding the fibre and nearly all the vitamins and minerals leaving us with nothing but the fat.
We are not against fat entirely, but we recommend you get your fat from whole food sources such as small amounts of nuts, seeds, and avocados. Most people who start our challenges/courses think they could never cook without using oil but end up surprised by how easy it is and how quickly their palate adjusts to oil free cooking. It is also much easier to wash your pots and pans after cooking without oil!
10. Eat nuts, seeds and avocados sparingly
Here we are talking about raw nuts and seeds (exclude all salted or roasted nuts ). Raw nuts and seeds are super healthful and packed full of beneficial fats. However, we only need very little of them in order to get their benefits. Particularly with nuts, it is very easy to sit there and eat a full 100g while watching something on your phone, however, we only need very little to get the real benefit from them and going above this can cause inflammation and have a negative effect on our cardiovascular health.
Nuts
We ask you to limit your intake of nuts to about 30g a day which is about:
20 almonds
10 walnuts
10 brazil nuts
15 pecan nuts
The healthiest of all nuts in terms of the highest omega 3 and lowest saturated fat are walnuts. In terms of nut butters and tahini we ask you to cut them out for the 4 weeks of the challenge (unless they are included in one of our recipes which is okay). As a snack, they are just so tasty which makes them very difficult to stop eating, so best to just go cold turkey and exclude them for the 4 weeks.
Seeds
We have found people are much less likely to overeat seeds, however, they are also a concentrated source of calories (about 5000cals/kg) and average about 30% fat (but tend to be low in saturated fat). We definitely encourage you to eat seeds but not a full bag!
Try to limit your seed intake to a few tablespoons a day or approx 30g. Seeds are great sprinkled over your porridge in the morning or over a salad at lunch.
Avocados
Like seeds and nuts, avocados are super healthy for you. However, they are energy dense and high in fat, so we encourage you to limit your avocado intake to a maximum of half an avocado, every second day.
Sample Lesson: Happy Menopause – Is HRT Right for Me?
HRT is also known as Hormone Therapy (HT) or Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT). It is the use of hormones, for managing perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms and to try and minimise some of the longer-term effects of menopause.
HRT can be very effective for and very helpful for many women especially when symptoms adversely affect quality of life.
HRT is useful for relief of menopausal symptoms including:
Hot flushes
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness…
And it can also help with mood and libido
HRT can also benefit women who are not suffering significant menopausal symptoms but wish to get the benefits of hormone therapy such as protection for their heart and bones, ideally starting it within ten years of menopause or before the age of 60.
However, do remember hormone therapy will not change life circumstances and stress perhaps due to other factors. In these situations, HRT may not be as helpful as one hoped.
Also not all women can or want to take hormone therapy and should be supported in their decision with appropriate evidence-based information.
That said, do remember HRT is safe for the vast majority of women with no real risks with breast cancer or clots with the current preparations
Before starting HRT, your doctor will take a thorough history from you and examine you appropriately. They should advise you on the preparations most suited for you as well as any risks and benefits specifically for you as well as discuss any concerns you may have. Do mention to your doctor any MEDICAL information including any known relevant family history.
HRT is available as tablets, skin patches, gels or nasal spray.
HRT provides low doses of oestrogen and progesterone. You don’t need progesterone if you have had your womb removed as it is used to protect your womb from developing uterine cancer if only oestrogen is used.
Sometimes testosterone is added to improve sex drive, libido, bone health and concentration.
I also tell my patients, whether you plan to use HRT or not, do try and follow a lifestyle and a diet that helps you with your menopausal symptoms and overall health and wellbeing.
There is a lot more written information on HRT that you can also access during the course.
Sample Lesson: Gut Health – Why all health begins in the gut
In medicine we have known that gut health is crucial to overall health for a very long time. Over 2 thousand years ago, Hippocrates “the father of modern medicine”, taught his students that all health begins in the gut. In 21st century we now recognise there was so much truth in that. We have learnt this through unlocking the secret world of the human gut microbiome.
When we are born, from our first human breath to our first human touch; the microbes in the environment populate our bodies and our digestive system. They help us to digest our first meal, without them our intricate digestive system would not even develop properly, nor would our immune system.
By adulthood, this microbiome has grown to an impossibly complex ecosystem, found predominantly in our large bowel or colon. Made up of over 100 trillion microbes, bacteria, yeasts, viruses, and archaea. They have been described as a control centre for human biology. Interacting with the food we eat, each other, and the delicate lining of our digestive system.
The microbe that exist in us are descendants from the planets first inhabitants, they have been on the earth for thousands and thousands of years.
Your gut microbes outnumber the trees on planet earth, in fact they outnumber all the stars in the Milky Way! We are equal parts human and microbes, in fact our gut microbes contain far more genetic material than our human cells.
Our microbes produce dozens – if not hundreds of chemicals that interact with our body, enter our bloodstream, and help to determine our health. They truly are a control centre for human biology – with crucial roles in regulating our appetite, blood sugars, inflammatory processes, and metabolic health.
This is a perfect symbiosis – our gut microbes depend upon us and we depend upon them. They want us to be healthy! On the journey to better gut health and better overall health – they are our crucial allies.
Sample Lesson: Sourdough Baking Course
It’s really easy to start your own sourdough mother, and it’s like growing your own pet that will require feeding and minding. It simply requires flour, water and time.
What flour to use?
You can start a mother (culture) with most flours, but make sure to choose a flour that is easy to come by, is not that expensive, as the mother will require regular feeding. We use a white flour-based mother culture in our bakery, and I also have a wholemeal spelt mother at home. A white flour will have more sugars available and less fibre than a wholemeal flour, so the mother will grow quicker and therefore require more regular feeding. Wholemeal flour has a higher fibre content, so it will absorb more moisture and be slightly less active than white flour.
Method
In a 400-ml clean jam jar, add:
50g of flour of choice (we prefer 100% wholewheat or wholemeal spelt)
50 ml of water
Mix well until homogenous. Cover with a tea towel to stop flies from entering while still allowing air and natural yeast to enter.
Leave it to sit on the countertop for 3-5 days out of direct sunlight.
Once it smells yeasty and slightly beer-like or brewery-like and has small bubbles in it, it is ready to go and get its first feed. You now have your very own sourdough mother to love and look after, which will hopefully nourish you and your friends and family!
It is important to note that whatever flour your mother culture was created with is the flour you will always have to feed it, so for example, if you used wholemeal spelt flour, then your mother culture needs to always be fed wholemeal spelt flour. You can change the type of flour over time, but this is a gradual process.
Feeding your new mother culture
Your sourdough culture will now need to be fed daily. If you are going on holiday, either get a friend to feed it or simply put it in the fridge, and it will live for a week without feeding (when starting to bake from using your mother from the fridge, it will require 1 good feed before baking once out of the fridge to get it active for baking bread).
Pour out half of your mother culture into a bowl; this will be used to make bread. Now in the same jar, add:
50g flour (ensure it is the same flour as your mother culture was created with)
50 ml of water
Mix well, and leave.
How regularly should I feed my mother?
If your mother is living outside of the fridge, it will need to be fed daily. If it is in a warm environment, such as 20 degrees C, it might need to be fed twice daily. If your mother is living in the fridge, it will need to be fed weekly or, at a stretch, every second week.
If your mother is living in a cold environment, such as a kitchen in winter that is approx. 5 degrees C, it will need to be fed once per week, as this environment is similar to a fridge.
Creamy Spiced Black Bean Quesadillas
Packed with a flavourful combination of black beans, a delicious cashew ‘cheese’ and spices, these quesadillas are a family favourite that always goes down well. Black beans are the star of the show here—they’re not only hearty and satisfying, but they’re also brilliant for gut health and keeping your energy steady. Paired with a smoky, spiced tomato mix and silky cashew cheese, these quesadillas are a real crowd-pleaser. This is one of our go-to recipes from The Happy Pear 20, our new cookbook celebrating 20 years of sharing tasty, veg-packed food.
Takes 20 minutesminutes
Serves 5
Ingredients
For the Quesadillas:
5wholewheat or corn tortillas
400gblack beans1 x 400g can, ~1½ cups drained
2spring onionsscallions
½red onion
10cherry tomatoes
1red chilli
1avocado
1tspcumin seeds
1tspground cumin
¼tspsmoked paprika
¼tspground black pepper
1tbsptamari or soy sauce
A pinch of salt
Juice of ½ lemon or 1 lime
A small bunch of fresh coriander15g / ½ cup loosely packed
For the Cashew Cheese Sauce:
100gcashews¾ cup
220mloat milkjust under 1 cup
½tspgarlic powder
1tsplemon juice
½tspsalt
Instructions
Soak the Cashews: Place cashews in a bowl and cover with just-boiled water. Let soak for 5 minutes.
Prepare the Vegetables: Peel and thinly slice the red onion. Thinly slice the spring onions at an angle. Drain and rinse the black beans. Quarter the cherry tomatoes. Finely chop the coriander and red chilli (de-seed for less heat). Thinly slice the avocado.
Cook the Black Bean Salsa: In a hot non-stick pan, add 1 tablespoon or a few sprays of oil and fry the onions, spring onion, and chilli for 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Add cumin seeds, ground cumin, smoked paprika, tamari, citrus juice, and salt. Cook for 30 seconds, then add beans and tomatoes. Cook for 2 more minutes, mashing lightly.
Make the Cashew Cheese Sauce: Drain and rinse the soaked cashews. Blend with oat milk, garlic powder, lemon juice, and salt in a blender until smooth.
Assemble the Quesadillas: Heat a dry pan and warm a tortilla for 30 seconds. Spread about 3 tbsp of cashew cheese on the tortilla, add a portion of the bean mixture on one side of the tortilla, and top with avocado slices, chopped coriander, and chilli. Fold the tortilla over, cook until browned, then remove and slice. Repeat with remaining tortillas and ingredients.
Serve: Enjoy the quesadillas hot, with any remaining cashew cheese stored in the fridge for up to 5 days for other uses
These no-bake Easter treats are made with a naturally sweetened cookie dough centre and wrapped in a thick, creamy coating of homemade plant-based white chocolate—tinted naturally with beetroot and matcha for a beautiful springtime twist. They're fun to make, full of nourishing ingredients, and absolutely delicious to eat!
Takes 55 minutesminutes
Serves 10
Ingredients
For the cookie dough:
120g¾ cup cashew nuts
80g½ cup pitted dates
30ml2 tbsp oat milk
1tsppure vanilla extract
A pinch of sea salt
50g⅓ cup dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs
For the plant-based white chocolate coating:
100gcacao butter
2–3 tbsp30–45g cashew butter or macadamia butter
2–3 tbsp30–45ml maple syrup or agave syrup, to taste
1tspvanilla extract or vanilla bean powder
A pinch of sea salt
For natural colouring:
1tspbeetroot powderfor pink
½tspmatcha powderfor green
Instructions
Make the cookie dough base:
In a food processor, blend the cashew nuts, pitted dates, oat milk, vanilla extract, and salt until a sticky dough forms and clumps into a ball.
Add the chocolate chips:
Transfer the dough to a bowl and fold in the chocolate chips or cacao nibs. Stir to combine evenly.
Shape into eggs:
Using your hands, roll the dough into 10–12 small egg-shaped pieces. Place on a lined tray or plate and chill in the freezer for at least 20 minutes to firm up.
Make the white chocolate coating:
In a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, gently melt the cacao butter. Once melted, stir in the cashew (or macadamia) butter, maple syrup (to taste), vanilla, and sea salt. Whisk until smooth and glossy.
Divide and colour the coating:
Split the white chocolate mixture into two bowls. Add beetroot powder to one for a pink hue and matcha to the other for a green tone. Stir each until well blended.
Coat the cookie dough eggs:
Dip each chilled dough egg into your coloured coatings, using a fork to lift and tap off any excess. Place back onto the tray. Once all are coated, repeat for a second layer to build a thicker shell. Chill in the fridge or freezer until fully set.
Alternative coating:
If you prefer, melt the dark chocolate and dip the chilled cookie dough eggs as above. Allow to set completely.
To serve:
Once fully set, your Easter Cookie Dough Eggs are ready to enjoy! Store them in the fridge for up to a week, or freeze for longer freshness.
These crispy, golden potato towers are a delicious twist on a classic roastie — perfect as a side dish for your Easter roast or any springtime spread. We got the potatoes from our farm and tossed them in a vibrant wild garlic oil made from freshly foraged wild garlic — one of our favourite signs of spring! We’ve been highlighting seasonal veg with VegPower and celebrating simple ways to make them shine. These stacks are a great way to enjoy the short but glorious wild garlic season and make potatoes the hero of the plate.
Takes 1 hourhour
Serves 12
Ingredients
Wild Garlic Oil Ingredients:
25gwild garlic1 small bunch (or 2 cloves of fresh garlic)
100mlolive oilabout ⅓ cup
3tbspbalsamic vinegar45ml or 3 tbsp
2tbspmaple syrup30ml or 2 tbsp
1tspsalt
Pinchblack pepper
Potato Tower Ingredients:
500gpotatoesabout 4 medium potatoes
350gsweet potato1 medium sweet potato
Instructions
Make the Wild Garlic Oil
Wash the wild garlic thoroughly and roughly chop it. If you can’t find wild garlic, peel and finely dice the fresh garlic.
Add the chopped wild garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and black pepper to a large bowl and mix until well combined.
Make the Potato Tower
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Grease a 12-hole muffin tin lightly with olive oil or line with parchment circles.
Wash and thinly slice the potatoes and sweet potatoes into rounds, about 2mm thick. A mandolin works best for uniform slices.
In a large bowl, toss the potato slices with the wild garlic oil until well coated. Season with salt and pepper.
Stack the slices into the muffin tin holes, layering them evenly and slightly overlapping. Overfill each hole, as the stacks will shrink as they bake. Insert a cocktail stick or wooden skewer into each potato tower to make them easier to serve.
Bake in the oven for 45–50 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and crispy, and the centres are tender when pierced with a knife.
Allow to cool for 5 minutes before carefully removing with a spoon or small offset spatula.
High-Protein Gluten-Free Lasagna with Tofu Sheets & Cashew Cream
A protein-rich, gluten-free vegan lasagna using tofu sheets in place of pasta, a flavour-packed tomato-lentil-spinach sauce, and a silky cashew cream topping. Delicious, nourishing, and satisfying.
Takes 1 hourhour
Serves 6
Ingredients
Tofu Lasagna Sheets
1x 250g pack tofu sheets
Tomato-Lentil Sauce
1tbspolive oil
1medium onion
4clovesgarlic
1red chilli
1medium carrot
5sun-dried tomatoesdry, not in oil
1x 680g jar tomato passata
100gwalnuts
1x 400g tin cooked lentils
100gtomato purée
100gfresh spinach
1tbsptamari or soy sauce
1½tbspmaple syrup
½tspsalt
¼tspblack pepper
Cashew Cream
200graw cashews
350mloat milk
50mlneutral-tasting olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lime
Generous pinch of salt
¼tspblack pepper
Instructions
Make the Tomato-Lentil Sauce
Preheat oven to 180°C (fan).
Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Finely chop the chilli (deseed if preferred). Grate the carrot. Finely chop the sun-dried tomatoes. Roughly chop the walnuts. Rinse and drain the lentils. Roughly chop the spinach.
Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, chilli, and grated carrot. Sauté for 5–6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and fragrant.
Add sun-dried tomatoes, walnuts, lentils, and tomato purée. Stir well. Pour in the passata, then add tamari, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Stir in the chopped spinach and cook for 2–3 more minutes until wilted. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Make the Cashew Cream
Add the cashew nuts to a blender along with oat milk, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until very smooth and creamy. Add more oat milk to loosen if needed and season to taste.
Assemble the Lasagna
Use a 25cm x 18cm x 6cm deep baking dish.
Spread a thin layer of cashew cream over the base.
Add a layer of tofu sheets, trimming to fit.
Spread over half the tomato-lentil-spinach sauce.
Add a layer of cashew cream on top of the tomato sauce
Add another layer of tofu sheets, then the remaining sauce.
Finish with a final layer of tofu sheets and top with the remaining cashew cream.
Bake
Bake in the oven at 180°C (fan) for 15–20 minutes, or until the top layer of cream is set and slightly golden.
Epic, incredibly tasty, and made in just one pan — these oil-free nachos are a healthier take on a party classic. With a rich lentil bolognese-style sauce, creamy cashew queso, and all your favourite toppings, this makes a brilliant shared dish that’s easy to prepare and full of flavour.
Takes 20 minutesminutes
Serves 3
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
1large bunch spring onionsscallions
400gtin kidney beansdrained and rinsed
400gtin cooked lentilsdrained and rinsed
2x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
30ml2 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
15ml1 tbsp maple syrup
8g1 tbsp cumin seeds
8g1 tbsp smoked paprika
8g1 tbsp ground cumin
Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Quick Cashew Cheese (Queso):
175gabout 1 cup cashew nuts
2.5g1 tsp garlic powder
15mlabout 1 tbsp lemon juice (juice of ½ lemon)
2.5g½ tsp salt
2.5g½ tsp black pepper
175mlabout ¾ cup water
To Finish:
200gabout 7 cups corn chips
1ripe avocado
30mljuice of 1 lime
15gfresh coriandercilantro, roughly chopped
1red chillithinly sliced
A few spoonfuls of pickled red onions or chipotle chillies
Instructions
Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 200°C (392°F).
Prepare the sauce: Finely slice the spring onions. In a large casserole dish, combine the sliced spring onions, kidney beans, lentils, chopped tomatoes, tamari, maple syrup, cumin seeds, smoked paprika, and ground cumin. Season with salt and black pepper. Mix well and bake for 15 minutes.
Make the cashew cheese: While the sauce is baking, blend the cashew nuts, garlic powder, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and water in a blender or food processor until silky smooth.
Prepare the toppings: Peel and thinly slice the avocado. Roughly chop the coriander and thinly slice the red chilli.
Assemble the nachos: Remove the sauce from the oven and stir in half of the corn chips. Drizzle over some of the cashew cheese. Top with sliced avocado, lime juice, sliced red chilli, chopped coriander, and a few spoonfuls of pickled red onions or chipotle chillies.
Serve: Serve immediately and enjoy this one-pan feast while still warm!
A rich, creamy chocolate spread made with sunflower seed butter and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. This nut-free, refined sugar-free alternative to Nutella is smooth, glossy, and perfectly spreadable — ideal for toast, crepes, porridge, or straight off the spoon.
Gently melt 30g coconut oil in a small saucepan or heatproof bowl until fully liquid but not hot.
Blend the base ingredients
In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine 120g sunflower seed butter, 75g maple syrup, 30g cocoa powder, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/4 tsp sea salt.
Add melted coconut oil and blend until silky
With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the melted coconut oil. Blend for 1–2 minutes until the mixture is super smooth, fluffy, and glossy. Scrape down the sides to ensure everything is fully incorporated.
Check texture and adjust if needed
If it’s too thick, add 1–2 tsp warm water and blend again to loosen. If too runny, refrigerate for 10–15 minutes to firm slightly — it will thicken a little as it cools.
Store and serve
Spoon into a clean jar or airtight container. Store at room temperature for up to 1 week or refrigerate for up to 3 weeks. Allow to come to room temperature for the ideal spreadable texture.
Notes
Tips for Ultra-Silky, Fluffy Texture
Use a powerful blender or food processor — the smoother you blend, the more whipped and creamy it will become.
Warm your sunflower seed butter slightly (just to soften, not hot) before blending — this helps with emulsification.
Use refined coconut oil for a neutral taste and that signature glossy spreadability — it mimics the texture-enhancing role palm oil plays in Nutella.
Add maple syrup slowly while blending — this helps create a stable emulsion and prevents separation.
Let it blend longer than you think — often 2–3 minutes of blending creates a noticeably fluffier result.
These high-protein tofu noodles are made by slicing tofu sheets (yuba or bean curd sheets) into thin noodle-like strips. With twice the protein content of regular noodles, they create a delicious, satisfying dish. This recipe combines them with a flavourful sauce and stir-fried vegetables for a quick, tasty, and nutrient-packed meal.
Takes 10 minutesminutes
Serves 2
Ingredients
For the Sauce:
2tbsptamari or soy sauce
1tbspchilli paste or Korean gochujang
1tbspsesame oil
2clovesgarlicfinely grated
1tbspgrated ginger
1tbspmaple syrup or liquid sweetener of choice
1tbsprice vinegar or vinegar of choice
2tbspsesame seeds
2tbspwater
For the Vegetables:
4scallionsgreen onions, sliced at an angle
1courgettezucchini, julienned
1carrotjulienned
50ggreense.g., baby kale, spinach, or bok choy
For the Noodles:
200gtofu sheetsyuba/bean curd sheets
Instructions
Slice the tofu sheets into noodles: Roll the 200g tofu sheets into a cylinder and slice into thin strips, approximately 2cm (0.8 inch) wide, to resemble noodles.
Prepare the sauce: Peel and finely grate 2 cloves garlic and 1 tbsp ginger. In a bowl or measuring jug, whisk together 3 tbsp tamari , 2 tbsp chilli paste, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, and 2 tbsp water until fully combined.
Prepare the vegetables: Thinly slice 4 scallions at an angle. Julienne 1 courgette (zucchini), 1 carrot, and 1 red pepper into thin matchsticks. Set aside the 100g greens for later.
Stir-fry the veg: Heat a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Once hot, add ½ tbsp oil and add the sliced scallions, julienned courgette, carrot, and red pepper to the pan, along with a pinch of salt. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until slightly softened.
Cook the remaining vegetables: Add the julienned courgette, carrot, and red pepper to the pan, along with a pinch of salt. Stir-fry for 1-2 minutes until slightly softened.
Combine the noodles and sauce: Add the sliced tofu noodles to the pan, followed by the prepared sauce. Toss everything together until evenly coated and heated through.
Taste and adjust: Check the seasoning, adjusting if necessary. Garnish with the 100g greens and extra toasted sesame seeds, if desired.
Serve and enjoy: Dish up the noodles immediately and enjoy a flavourful, protein-packed meal!
A high-protein, umami-rich parmesan alternative made from tempeh! We weren’t sure if this would work at first, but to our surprise, it tastes absolutely fantastic! This tempeh-based parmesan is packed with flavor and makes a great topping for pasta, salads, and roasted vegetables.
Takes 14 hourshours10 minutesminutes
Serves 7
Ingredients
300g10.5 oz block of tempeh (we used rice tempeh)
1lemonjuiced (about 45g / 3 tbsp)
30g2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
18g1 tbsp miso paste
6g1 tbsp nutritional yeast
37g2.5 tbsp salt
150ml⅔ cup water
Instructions
Prepare the Tempeh:
Cut the tempeh into three even triangles.
Boil the Tempeh:
Fill a small saucepan with salted water, using approximately 18g (1 tbsp) of salt per 500ml (2 cups) of water. Bring to a boil, then add the tempeh and simmer for 15 minutes.
Make the Marinade:
While the tempeh is boiling, whisk together the lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, miso paste, nutritional yeast, salt, and water in a bowl until well combined.
Marinate Overnight:
Once the tempeh has finished boiling, transfer it directly into the marinade, ensuring it is submerged. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 12 hours) to allow the flavors to infuse.
Bake for Texture & Flavor:
Preheat the oven to 75°C (170°F). Remove the tempeh from the marinade, place it on a lined baking tray, and bake for 2 hours, or until it is firm and slightly dry.
Cool & Store:
Let the tempeh cool completely before crumbing or grating. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.