This is one of our favourite dishes to make. It’s hard to beat a dahl when you’re looking for a wholesome dish to treat yourself to for dinner.
Takes
Serves 8
Ingredients
500gdry green lentils
1x 400g tin of coconut milk
1x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
1red onion
2garlic cloves
½thumb-sized piece of ginger
1large sweet potato
1large carrot
1tspsalt
4tspcurry powder
2tspground cumin
2tspground coriander
1tspsweet paprika
4tbsptamari(or soy sauce)
Juice of 1 lime
10cherry tomatoes
1pak choi(or bok choy)
1.5litres of water or vegetable stock
Instructions
Peel and finely chop the onion (we used red simply for colour, but regular onions work just as well).
Heat a non-stick pan on medium heat. Once it is hot, add the chopped onion and stir occasionally, cooking for about 3–4 minutes. If it starts to stick, add a little water to deglaze the pan with the back of your wooden spoon.
Finely chop the garlic and grate the ginger, then add them to the pot. Rinse the dried lentils very well and set aside.
Slice your sweet potato and carrot into medium-sized pieces and add them to your pan along with 1 teaspoon of salt.
Add the four measured spices to the heated mixture and stir for 1–2 minutes. Add the lentils and mix well.
Next up, the sauce: pour one tin of coconut milk, one tin of chopped tomatoes, and the rinsed lentils into the pan. Stir all the ingredients together and cook for 2 minutes.
Add in 1.5 litres of water or vegetable stock, 4 tbsp of tamari (or soy sauce), and the juice of one lime.
Bring your pan to the boil and then lower to a simmer for 30–40 minutes, stirring every now and then. Check that the lentils are fully cooked. They should be soft and not have a ‘bite’ to them.
Finally, to make this dish vibrant and to add even more nutritional value, chop the pak choi and cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Add both to your pot and mix well. Serve with toasted pitta breads and enjoy!
Notes
To “Beat the Bloat”, as referenced in our Gut Health course – replace the garlic and onion with the green part of a large leek.
These are super tasty, really easy to make and even easier to eat! They are low in FODMAP and gut friendly so great for anyone with a sensitive gut. They go great as a snack or as breakfast and also happen to be high in protein as we use almond flour and are gluten free so they tick alot of boxes!
These muffins are really easy to make and so worth the effort. My family really enjoy these when I make them. They are friendly for your gut as they are low FODMAP which means they are low in fermentable carbohydrates. They work great as a breakfast muffin at the weekend. You can use whatever fruit you have for decoration and if you don’t have any then they are fine without it!!
FAQ – frequently asked questions
Can I use normal oats instead of gluten free ones?
Absolutely! Assuming you are not gluten free! We leave out the gluten as it can sometimes be aggravating to peoples gut.
Does the flax egg actually work like an egg?
Yes! We use ‘flax eggs’ all the time in vegan baking. Simply mix 2 tablespoon of ground flax seed with 3 tablespoons of water, mix and leave to sit for 5 minutes. You can also use chia seeds instead of ground flaxseeds.
Can i freeze these muffins?
We have not tried to freeze these but we imagine they would! Let us know in the comments below if you do try freeze them!
How am i best storing this?
Store in an airtight container for at least 3 days.
If I don’t have sunflower oil/coconut oil can I just use olive oil?
You don’t really want to use olive oil as it has a strong flavour to it. If you can’t find sunflower or coconut oil you could use vegetable oil.
Should I store these in the fridge
No best to store them at room temperature so they stay fresh. They will get soggy in the fridge which you don’t want.
Low FODMAP gut friendly berry muffins! These beauties are super tasty, take 30 mins to make, and you'll get 12. they work fantastic for breakfast or a snack and will store in an airtight container for about a week. They are one of the most popular recipes from our online Gut Health Revolution Course. Click the link below for more details.
Takes 30 minutesminutes
Serves 12
Ingredients
180ggluten free oatsoats of choice
140gground almonds
2.5tbspground flax seed
8tbspwater
1tspbaking powder
1/2tspbaking soda
20gflaked almonds
2tspvanilla extractor extract of choice e.g. almond extract
120gcoconut oil/sunflower oil
150gmaple syrup
25gblueberries or berries of choice
Instructions
Preheat oven to 160º and line a 12 muffin tray.
Make flax egg by combining 2 tbsp of ground flax seed and 6 tbsp of water. Set aside.
Mix together all the dry ingredients, (only use 15g of the flaked almonds in the mixture, ground almonds, baking powder, baking soda, flaked almonds)
Add the flax egg, vanilla extract, coconut/sunflower oil, maple syrup, most of the blueberries (keeping a few for decoration) to the dry ingredients and fold together.
Divide mixture into the lined 12 muffin tray, sprinkle the remaining flaked almonds on top and put into the preheated 160º oven for 20 minutes or until golden.
Remove from the oven and leave to cool. Decorate with a berry on top and enjoy!
This might sound absolutely ridiculous and if you are Italian please apologise to your Nona for us but this is delicious! In this recipe, we've taken all the best bits of the lasagna and put it in a burger for you!
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
4soft buns
1cloveof garlic
5tbspoil
2tbspoil – for frying
1 X400gtin of lentils- 240g drained
1 X400gtin of chickpeas – 240g drained
60gcashew nuts
100gcooked wholemeal couscous
10tbspbread crumbs – 10g
2tsppowder onion powder
2tspgarlic powder
½tspchilli powder
½tspsmoked paprika
½tspdried mixed herbs
1.50tspsalt
3tbsptomato paste
2tbspnutritional yeast
2tbspground flax seeds
6tbspveg stock
4tbsprice flour
1tbspoil for frying
2sheets of lasagna
Breadcrumbs
50gcashew nuts – soaked overnight or soak in boiling water for 10 mins
This is our high-protein quinoa and sweet potato burger! It’s super easy to make, freezes well, and reheats beautifully. Enjoy!
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
1½tbspolive oil
1red onion
2clovesof garlic
2tbspcumin seeds
200gsweet potato(cooked)
100gcashew nuts
1x 400g tin of mixed beans(240g net weight)
¼tspblack pepper
1pinchof salt
1tbsptamari
1bunch of coriander(or cilantro/parsley)
2tbspground flaxseed
6tbspwater
Juice of ½ a lemon
300gcooked quinoa
Instructions
Chop the sweet potato into bite-sized pieces and boil until soft.
Cook the quinoa according to the packet instructions.
To make the flax egg, mix the 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed with the 6 tablespoons of water and set aside. This will bind the mixture together.
Finely chop the onion and garlic.
Put a pan on high heat and toast the cumin seeds (if using).
Chop and add the cashew nuts to the pan, frying until golden brown.
Add the 300g of cooked quinoa to the pan and stir.
Drain and rinse the mixed beans, then add to the pan.
Add the flax egg to the pan and mix well.
Turn off the heat and add the juice of the lemon.
Transfer the burger mixture into a bowl and mash together.
Mix the sweet potato into the mixture, then add 1 tablespoon of tamari. Chop the coriander (including the stalks) and add to the mixture, mixing well. Form into 4 patties.
Add a little more oil to the pan and cook the burgers for 3–4 minutes on each side or until nicely browned and cooked through.
Serve on a wholemeal bun with vegan mayo, avocado, and beetroot hummus!
This is the national dish of the UK, which apparently originated from a curry house in Glasgow, where a taxi driver ordered a curry that was too hot. He sent it back to the kitchen, and the chef adjusted the spice levels by adding ingredients to balance the heat, thus creating the now-famous Tikka Masala.
Takes
Serves 6
Ingredients
1tsponion powder
1tspcumin seeds
1tbspcoriander seeds
1tspgarlic powder
A thumb-sized piece of ginger
½a red chilli
1heaped tsp garam masala
½tspsmoked paprika
1½tspsalt
½tspblack pepper
½tspcinnamon
50gground almonds
1tbsptomato purée
1x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
1x 400ml tin of full-fat coconut milk
Juice of ½ a lime
Serve with:
½a handful of chopped coriander leaves(approximately 30g)
2tbspsoy yoghurt
Almond flakes
Instructions
Add all the ingredients for the sauce to a blender and blend until smooth.
In a hot pan, heat the sauce and serve with your favourite vegetables.
Heat the sauce, and serve it with coconut yoghurt, fresh coriander, and almond flakes for garnish.
Serving option
We served this with 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed, and 1 red pepper, 1 yellow pepper, and 1 cauliflower (cut into bite-sized pieces). We coated the vegetables in 1 tbsp of oil and a pinch of salt, then roasted them for 25 minutes at 180°C.
Notes
Beat the Bloat:To “Beat the Bloat”, as referenced in our Gut Health course – this dish should be gentle on your gut.
HEALTHY CHEAP & DELICIOUS! This ultimate Mexican Chilli recipe will serve 4 people. It is a really quick and tasty vegetarian chili con carne recipe that is cheap to make!
Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Deseed the peppers, and the fresh chili pepper, and slice them with the courgette
Put a large non stick pan on a high heat. Once hot add the chopped onions and fry for 3 minutes stirring regularly. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute. Add the courgette and peppers along with the chilli, cumin seed and salt and fry for a further 5 minutes. If any of the veg starts to stick to the bottom of the pot, add a 2-3 tablespoons of water and 'deglaze' the pan with the back of your wooden spoon.
Drain the kidney beans and rinse thoroughly. Add to pan with the tinned tomatoes, tomato puree, ground coriander, ground cumin, paprika, black pepper and honey.
Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and leave to simmer for a further 10 minutes
Finely chop the fresh coriander and stir through with the lime juice. Taste, and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Enjoy!
We are definite tofu lovers. It's a great source of protein and can really be the making of a dish if cooked well. If you have bad associations to it, we dare you to watch our video here with our 3 favourite ways to cook it!
Here we make breaded sweet potato cutlets, a delicious curry and serve it with some rice. This makes a fab delish dinner!
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
350guncooked rice
Curry
4tbspoil
4tbspflour
200gmushrooms
1medium onion
1/2thumb size piece of ginger
2clovesof garlic
200gcarrots
2celery sticks
400gpotato
750mlveg stock
4tbspcurry powder
2tbspgaram masala
½tspcinnamon
1.50tspsalt
¼tspground cloves
2tbspbrown sugar
1tbspvinegar
Breaded sweet potato cutlets
1large sweet potato
80gpanko breadcrumbs
100mlnon dairy milk
1flax egg – 1 tbsp of ground flax with 3 tbsp of water
2tbspoil
Garnish
Scallions(Spring onions)
Fresh red chilli
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Chop the mushrooms, carrots, celery, onion, and potatoes into bite-sized pieces.
Cut the sweet potato into lengthwise wedges, toss them in 1 tsp of oil and a pinch of salt, and roast on a tray in the oven for 20 minutes or until nearly cooked through.
Cook the rice according to the package instructions.
In a large non-stick pan, heat 3 tbsp of oil, add the flour and mix until golden to make the roux. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Carefully clean out the pan with a paper towel. In the same pan, heat 1 tbsp of oil over medium heat, add the carrots, celery, and onion, and cook for 5-8 minutes until the carrots are soft.
Add the mushrooms, stirring well. Add the spices (curry powder, garam masala, cinnamon, cloves, and salt) and stir for 1 minute to release the flavours.
Add the vegetable stock and chopped potatoes, bring to a simmer, cover with a lid, and cook for 8-10 minutes.
Add the roux and whisk until the sauce starts to thicken. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens nicely.
Add the coconut sugar and rice vinegar.
In a cup, mix 1 tbsp of ground flaxseed with 3 tbsp of water to make the flax egg and set aside to thicken.
For the breading station, set up three bowls: one with flour, one with the flax egg and non-dairy milk mixed together, and one with breadcrumbs.
Dip 2-3 sweet potato pieces into the flour, ensuring they are completely covered. Then, using a separate hand, move them to the flax egg/milk bowl and coat well on all sides.
Finally, move them to the breadcrumb bowl and gently coat them with breadcrumbs. Repeat until all sweet potato pieces are coated.
Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a non-stick frying pan over high heat, reduce to medium heat, and add the sweet potato wedges a few at a time, ensuring they have space to brown on all sides. Repeat until all are cooked.
Remove them from the pan and set aside on kitchen paper, or keep them warm in a 150°C oven until ready to serve.
To serve, add rice to each plate with the finished Katsu curry and 3 pieces of sweet potato.
Garnish with sliced scallions and fresh red chilli if you like some heat.
Enjoy!
Notes
Beat the Bloat Option:To “Beat the Bloat”, as referenced in our Gut Health course – replace the garlic and onion with the green part of a leek. Omit the celery, and garnish with just the green part of the scallion/spring onion.
A fabulous take on the classic mashed potato-topped casserole, featuring a delicious lentil filling and a fluffy, creamy potato mash. Perfect for any meal, any time of year!
Takes
Serves 6
Ingredients
2red onions
4clovesof garlic
2bay leaves
2tins of chopped tomatoes
½medium carrot
½medium red pepper
½medium parsnip
2tins of cooked lentils
2tbsptamari or soy sauce
2tspsalt
10fine green beanschopped into bite-sized pieces
8medium potatoes
125mlnon-dairy milke.g., soya, oat, almond
1tspsmoked paprika
½tspblack pepper
Water for sautéing
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 180℃/350°F/gas mark 4.
Cook the Potatoes: Chop the potatoes and place them in a medium pot. Cover with water and set over high heat. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are soft, about 15 minutes.
Prepare the Vegetables: Peel and finely chop the onions and garlic. Chop the carrot, parsnip, and fine green beans into bite-sized pieces. Heat a large non-stick pan over high heat. Once hot, add the onions and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly. If the mixture starts to stick, add a few tablespoons of water and scrape up any caramelisation with the back of a spoon.
Add Carrot and Parsnip: Add the chopped carrot and parsnip to the pan, along with 1 teaspoon of salt. Turn the heat to medium, cover with a lid, and let sweat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 1 tablespoon of water if needed to prevent sticking.
Cook the Lentil Mixture: Drain and rinse the lentils, then add them to the pan along with the chopped tomatoes, black pepper, smoked paprika, bay leaves, and tamari or soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat. Add the chopped green beans and simmer for 6-7 minutes while preparing the potatoes.
Mash the Potatoes: Drain the cooked potatoes and mash them. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper to taste. Gradually add the non-dairy milk to achieve a creamy, non-sloppy consistency. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Assemble the Pie: Transfer the lentil mixture to a lasagna-type oven casserole dish, filling about ⅔ of the dish. Top with the mashed potato, spreading evenly and creating a textured pattern with a fork.
Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the potato topping starts to crisp. Remove from the oven and enjoy!
Chicken Tikka Masala has often been referred to as the UK’s national dish, said to have originated when a chef added tomato soup to a curry to make it less spicy. Our version, based on chickpeas, is rich, creamy, and full of flavour!
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
For the Paste:
1tbspcumin seeds
1tbspcoriander seeds
2clovesof garlic
Thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger
½a fresh red chilli
1bunch of fresh coriander(reserve leaves for garnish)
1heaped tsp garam masala
½tspsmoked paprika
½tspsea salt
½tspfreshly ground black pepper
1tsptomato purée
1x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
For the Curry:
3scallions(spring onions)
300gmushrooms(we love oyster mushrooms, but any variety works)
2x 400g tins of chickpeas(drained and rinsed)
1x 400g tin of coconut milk(use low-fat coconut milk if preferred)
½a lime(juiced)
Chilli flakes(optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Paste:In a dry frying pan, toast the cumin and coriander seeds over high heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the cumin seeds begin to pop.Peel the garlic and ginger.In a blender, combine the garlic, ginger, chilli, coriander stalks (reserve the leaves for garnish), garam masala, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, tomato purée, chopped tomatoes, and the toasted cumin and coriander seeds. Blend until smooth. Set the paste aside.
Cook the Vegetables:Chop the scallions into small slices, and cut the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces.Heat a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Once hot, add the mushrooms and fry for 3–4 minutes until they begin to brown.Add the scallions to the pan and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. If the vegetables start to stick, add a few tablespoons of water to prevent burning.
Make the Curry:Add the prepared paste and the coconut milk to the pan with the vegetables. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld.Add the drained chickpeas to the pan, stirring to combine. Simmer for another 3-5 minutes until everything is heated through.
Finish and Serve:Squeeze in the lime juice and taste the curry. Adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or chilli flakes if desired.Roughly chop the reserved coriander leaves and sprinkle over each serving as a garnish.Serve with soya yoghurt and toasted almond flakes for added texture and flavour. Enjoy!
Notes
Beat the Bloat:
To “Beat the Bloat”, as referenced in our Gut Health course – make this dish low-FODMAP, omit the garlic and use the green parts of the scallions. Start with a small portion as chickpeas are low-FODMAP in servings of up to 42g.
Chinese take away food can always be loaded with msg and isn’t all that good for you. We thought we’d share this amazing sweet and sour sauce recipe with you. It’s so delicious and extra satisfying knowing you can make it yourself and you can control what’s going into your body.
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
For the Sweet & Sour Sauce:
2clovesgarlic
Thumb-sized piece of ginger
3tbspwhite rice wine vinegar
100mlagave syrup
2tbsptomato purée
2tbsparrowroot
100mlboiling water
2tbsptamari
For the Stir Fry:
2tbspoil
400gtofu
½bunch of scallions(spring onions)
½head of pak choi
1red pepper
1yellow pepper
1carrot
2tbsptamari
100ggreen beans(a handful)
Sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Sweet & Sour Sauce:Add the garlic, ginger, rice wine vinegar, agave syrup, and tomato purée to a blender.In a small bowl, mix the arrowroot with the boiling water and let it sit for about 30 seconds until it thickens.Add the thickened arrowroot mixture and the tamari to the blender and blend until smooth. Set aside.
Stir Fry:Thinly slice the scallions, peppers, carrots, and pak choi. Chop the tofu into bite-sized cubes and cut the green beans into thirds.Heat a frying pan on high heat, add 2 tbsp of oil, and reduce the heat to medium. Add the tofu and cook until it starts to brown. Add 2 tbsp tamari, stirring to coat the tofu well. Remove the tofu from the pan and set aside.In the same hot pan, add 1 tbsp of oil and the chopped vegetables. Stir fry for 3-5 minutes until the vegetables are slightly softened.Pour the sweet and sour sauce into the pan and cook for an additional minute. Add the tofu back into the pan and cook for another minute until everything is well coated and heated through.
Serve:Serve with a sprinkle of sesame seeds over rice or noodles, whichever you prefer.
Notes
Beat the Bloat:
Replace the garlic with chives or the green part of a leek, and use the green parts of the scallions in the stir fry to reduce bloating.
Easy, tasty, and minimal clean-up! Perfect for a mid-week dinner, and it doubles as a cold pasta salad the next day. A non-traditional one-pot pasta approach that’s worth every bite—apologies to Italian purists!
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
1onion
2clovesof garlic
1small aubergine
3tbsptamari
4tbspwater
400gtinned chopped tomatoes
50gtomato purée
½tbspmaple syrup
½tspblack pepper
250mlvegetable stock
250mlnon-dairy milkoat milk recommended
250gwholemeal pastause gluten-free pasta if preferred
1.5tbspnutritional yeastoptional
A small bunch of fresh basil leavesroughly torn
2tspchilli flakesoptional
Instructions
Prepare the VegetablesPeel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Slice the aubergine into small bite-sized pieces.
Cook the Aromatics and AubergineHeat a large non-stick saucepan over high heat. Once hot, add the onion and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly, until they start to brown. If they stick, add 1-2 tbsp water to deglaze the pan and incorporate the browned flavour.Add the aubergine and cook for 4 minutes, stirring regularly.Stir in the tamari and cook until fully absorbed or evaporated (about 2 minutes).Add the remaining 4 tbsp water and cook for another 5 minutes, or until the aubergine is soft. If not soft, continue cooking until tender.
Add the Sauce IngredientsAdd the tinned tomatoes, tomato purée, maple syrup, and black pepper. Mix well.Stir in the vegetable stock, non-dairy milk, and pasta. If using spaghetti, break it into smaller pieces so it fits and is submerged in the liquid. Mix thoroughly.
Cook the PastaBring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Keep the lid off to allow the liquid to reduce. Stir occasionally to ensure the pasta doesn’t stick together.Cook until the pasta is al dente (with a slight bite) and the sauce has thickened.
Finish and ServeStir in the nutritional yeast (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.Serve topped with roughly torn basil leaves and a sprinkle of chilli flakes, if desired.
This vegan twist on smoked salmon and cream cheese is surprisingly tasty, with a flavour and texture similar to traditional smoked salmon. Even sceptics have been pleasantly surprised! Give it a try for a unique, plant-based treat.
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
Vegan Cream Cheese:
400gnatural soy yoghurt
Pinchof salt
Muslin or clean tea towelfor straining
Smoked 'Salmon':
3carrots
1tbspsaltfor baking
200mlboiling water
2tbspsmoked paprika
1tspgarlic powder
2tbsptamari
1nori sheetblended into a powder
Pinchof salt
To Serve:
Ryvita crackers or bagels
½tspdried mixed herbs
½bunch of chives or corianderchopped
½tspblack pepper
Optional: capersfor garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Vegan Cream Cheese:Line a colander with muslin or a clean tea towel and place it over a pot to catch the liquid.Pour the soy yoghurt into the muslin-lined colander, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and cover with a plate or wrap.Allow it to drain overnight in the fridge to thicken.
Prepare the Carrot 'Salmon':Preheat your oven to 180°C.Place the carrots on a baking tray and sprinkle with 1 tbsp of salt.Bake the carrots for 40 minutes until they are tender. Allow to cool.
Make the Marinade:In a bowl, combine the boiling water, smoked paprika, garlic powder, tamari, and blended nori sheet. Stir well to mix.
Marinate the Carrots:Once the carrots are cool, carefully peel them into long, thin slivers.Massage the carrot slivers with a pinch of salt.Place the carrots in a container, cover with the marinade, seal, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours to absorb the flavours.
Serve:Spread a generous layer of vegan cream cheese on each cracker or bagel.Remove a few carrot strips from the marinade, shaking off any excess liquid, and place them on top of the cream cheese.Garnish with chopped chives, dried mixed herbs, black pepper, and capers if desired.
Here are our top tips for anyone looking to stock up on food in the coming few weeks.
We based this on food that can be used in multiple ways and multiple recipes, is highly nutritious and is cheap and widely available.Hope this is of some help. We hope you stay safe and healthy during this period and send all our love.
1. PULSES
Beans and lentils – Dried will be cheaper and lighter to carry if buying in bulk. Choose your favourite such as split red lentils, dried black beans, mung beans etc etc. The good thing about cooking from dried is you can infused and more flavours and season the pulses from within. Canned pulses are a great choice too, relatively cheap and are v practical. In the Blue Zones where some of the longest living people in the planet live often over 50% of their diets are based around beans and lentils.
2. WHOLE GRAINS
Higher in fibre, will fill you up for longer. Choose the likes of brown pasta, brown rice, oats, wholemeal bread – they are better for your health, are less processed and will fill you up for longer as well as being more nutritious.
3. BASIC SAUCE
Here we suggest 4 bases of sauce such as vegetable stock with which you can make a veloute (see link to recipe below), Tinned tomatoes and coconut milk & veg stock & flour to make a roux with which you can thicken non dairy milk to make a béchamel or veg stock to make a velouté or Espagnole sauce.
4. CONDIMENTS AND FLAVOUR AGENTS
Condiments and flavour agents such as tamari or soy sauce or miso to add more base flavour to make your food taste nicer, vinegars will last longer than citrus fruit and can be used to cut through fatty sauces or add more zing to your food.
5. HIGHER ENERGY DENSE WHOLE FOODS
such as nuts, seeds nut butters, seed butters. Energy density refers to the amount of calories in a food relating to its weight. Higher energy dense food have more calories per gram than lower energy dense food which is much less calories per g. For example 1 tbsp of oil (15g) is 120 calories which is very energy dense versus the equivalent low energy dense comparison is 4 cucumbers which weight approx 800g and deliver 120 calories. So in terms of stocking up try to choose higher energy dense wholefoods such as un roasted or unsalted nuts, seeds. Nut butters or seed butters as they last for long periods of time and are high calories and are whole food sources meaning they contain their fibre and full nutrients
Bonus Tip 1. SPICES
Spices last a long time when sealed and give you a huge opportunity to season your food in so many ways. Relatively they are cheap and really give you so much opportunity to make virtually any ethnicity of food. Some of our favourites are: curry powder, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, garlic powder, onion power, cumin seed, bay leaves, ground turmeric and ground chilli powder.
Bonus Tip 2. FROZEN VEG
Frozen veg such as frozen spinach and peas are super practical, they will last for months and often are frozen at the peak of their freshness so can give you the opportunity to add some degree of freshness to your meals even if you cant make it to the shops.
Want to know more about your gut and microbiome and hang out with a group of amazing people who will support, motivate and inspire you? Check out our 6-week Happy Gut course >>>
Watch Video
Thai Yellow Curry
Give this simple, easy, oil–free Thai yellow curry recipe a try. Made with coconut milk and a blend of spices, it’s a creamy and aromatic delight! Being oil-free, it’s ideal for anyone aiming for a lower-calorie option. To explore more about oil-free plant-based cooking, check out our Happy Heart, Happy Shape, and Gut Health Revolution courses.
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
Main Curry:
½bunch scallionsspring onions, green part only if sensitive to bloating
1red pepperfinely chopped
150gsugar snap peasfinely chopped
1head pak choichopped into bite-sized pieces
400gcanned cannellini beanssubstitute with tinned butter beans or chickpeas if needed
4nests wholewheat or buckwheat noodlesapprox. 200 g dried
Paste / Sauce:
3clovesgarlicpeeled (omit if sensitive to bloating)
1thumb-sized piece of gingerpeeled
400mllow-fat coconut milk
1tbspliquid sweetenere.g., maple syrup
1tspcumin seeds
1tspcoriander seeds
1tspground cinnamon
1tbspground turmeric
1tbspcurry powder
3tbsptamari or soy sauce
200mlvegetable stock
Toppings:
Toasted sesame seeds
Finely sliced radish
1limecut into wedges
1red chillifinely sliced (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the Noodles:Prepare the noodles according to the instructions on the package. Set aside.
Prepare the Paste/Sauce:Peel the garlic and ginger.If you want the curry less spicy, de-seed the red chilli.Place all paste/sauce ingredients in a blender. If using a standard blender, chop the garlic and ginger first. Blend until smooth.
Prepare the Vegetables:Finely chop the scallions, red pepper, and sugar snap peas.Remove the root end of the pak choi and chop into bite-sized pieces.
Cook the Curry:Heat a non-stick, wide-bottomed pan over high heat.Add the chopped scallions and red pepper, cooking for 2 minutes while stirring. If the vegetables start to stick, add 2 tablespoons of the paste/sauce to deglaze the pan, incorporating any caramelisation from the bottom.Add the pak choi and cook for another minute, then add the remaining paste/sauce and the noodles. Stir well to incorporate all ingredients. When the curry comes to a boil, remove it from heat.
Garnish and Serve:Garnish each serving with toasted sesame seeds, sliced chilli, and radish. Season with salt and pepper to taste.Serve with a wedge of lime. Enjoy!
Notes
Beat the Bloat: To reduce bloating, use only the green parts of the scallions and omit the garlic.
Roasted vegetable, creamy, pasta bake! It’s a super tasty, warming, nourishing and so easy to eat dish, that you’ll find yourself going back for seconds and thirds!
Takes
Serves 6
Ingredients
500gwholemeal penne
2x 400 g tins of chopped tomatoes
2red peppers
1yellow pepper
1medium leek
2red onions
3clovesof garlic
1courgette
500mloat milk
3tbspwhite flour
Oil(for roasting and cooking)
Salt and pepper(to taste)
1tbspmaple syrup
1tbspnutritional yeast
Instructions
Preheat the oven:Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan).
Cook the pasta:Fill and boil the kettle. In a large pot, add the boiled water and 1 tsp of salt, then cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and rinse once cooked.
Prepare the vegetables:Chop the red and yellow peppers, courgette, and leek into bite-sized pieces. Be sure to wash the leek thoroughly, especially in the centre, as soil often hides there. Include the green part of the leek. Peel and chop one of the red onions into half-moon slices.
Roast the vegetables:Spread the chopped veg across two baking trays, drizzle 1 tbsp of oil per tray, and season with a generous pinch of salt. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the edges of the peppers, onions, and leeks start to char slightly.
Make the tomato sauce:Peel and finely dice the second red onion and the garlic.In a large pot, heat 1 tbsp of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and fry for 4–5 minutes until the onion starts to soften and brown. Add the chopped tomatoes, 1 tsp of salt, and 1 tbsp of maple syrup. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring regularly. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove from the heat.
Make the béchamel sauce:In a separate pot over medium heat, add 3 tbsp of oil. Once hot, sift in 3 tbsp of white flour and whisk together to form a roux (a thickening agent for the sauce). Cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.Slowly add the oat milk, stirring continuously to avoid lumps. Bring to the boil and allow the mixture to thicken. Season with a generous pinch of salt and a small pinch of black pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Add the nutritional yeast if you have some, then remove from the heat.
Assemble the pasta bake:Remove the roasted vegetables from the oven and mix them into the tomato sauce along with the cooked pasta. Stir well, then transfer the mixture to a large casserole dish.Pour the béchamel sauce over the top of the pasta and vegetable mixture.
Bake:Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, until the top is golden and the dish is heated through.
Crispy Teriyaki Tofu with Chinese Pancake and Plum Sauce
We're really proud of this one. It's a taste explosion – crispy fried teriyaki tofu with plum sauce and Chinese pancakes. It's an amazing combination of flavours and textures. Easy to prep and make several times, as the sauces will last over a week in the fridge.
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
250gfirm tofu
For the Plum Sauce:
4ripe plums
½onion(chopped)
2tbspapple cider vinegar
5tbspmaple syrup
3tbspsoy sauce or tamari
½thumb-sized piece of ginger
1clove
¼tspcinnamon
½tspground fennel or seeds
¼tspallspice
½tspblack pepper
Pinchof salt
For the Teriyaki Sauce:
½thumb-sized piece of ginger
1clovegarlic
½red chilli
½stalk lemongrass
5tbsptamari
3tbspmaple syrup
4tbspwater
1pak choi
2tbspsesame seeds
For the Chinese Pancake:
1x 250 ml cup white flour(approx. 8 oz)
1½x 250 ml cups water(approx. 12 oz)
Large pinch of salt
2heaped tsp ground flax seeds
1tbspsesame oil
For the Raw Veg (to serve):
Scallions(spring onions)
Carrots
Instructions
Press the tofu:Place the tofu block on a chopping board and set a weight on top to press it. This helps remove excess moisture, making it easier to brown when cooking.
Make the plum sauce:Halve the plums, remove the stones, and add them to a blender along with the onion, vinegar, maple syrup, soy sauce, ginger, clove, cinnamon, fennel, allspice, black pepper, and salt. Blend until smooth.Pour the mixture into a saucepan and bring to the boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and the raw onion and ginger flavours mellow. Set aside.
Make the teriyaki sauce:Rinse the blender and add all the teriyaki sauce ingredients (ginger, garlic, chilli, lemongrass, tamari, maple syrup, and water). Blend until smooth. If you don’t have a high-speed blender, finely chop the ginger, garlic, and lemongrass before blending. Set aside in a jug.
Make the pancakes:In the blender, combine all pancake ingredients (flour, water, salt, flax seeds, and sesame oil) and blend until smooth. The batter will be loose and runny, which is fine.
Cook the tofu:Slice the pressed tofu block in half.Heat a non-stick frying pan until very hot. Add 2 tbsp of oil and fry the tofu until evenly browned on both sides. Remove from the pan and slice into thin strips at a slight angle.Return half the tofu to the pan, pour half of the teriyaki sauce over it, and cook until the tofu absorbs the sauce and becomes glazed. Repeat with the remaining tofu and teriyaki sauce. Set aside.
Cook the pak choi:Cut the base off the pak choi and separate 4 long stalks. Add these to the pan with 4 tbsp of water to deglaze it. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any flavour stuck to the pan.Cook until the pak choi softens slightly but remains vibrant green. Add more water if it evaporates too quickly.
Cook the pancakes:Heat a clean non-stick frying pan over high heat, then reduce to medium. Add 1 tbsp of oil and pour in enough batter to create a thin, crêpe-like pancake.When bubbles form and the top dries out, flip the pancake and cook until the other side is golden brown. Repeat with the remaining batter, yielding about 6 pancakes.
Plate up:Place a pancake on each plate and spread a generous amount of plum sauce on top. Thinly slice the pak choi, scallions, and carrots on a diagonal, and sprinkle them over the plum sauce. Add about ⅙ of the tofu to each pancake.For a final touch, finely slice a red chilli and sprinkle it along with sesame seeds over the top.Serve and enjoy!
This recipe for our oil-free creamy mushroom pasta is super-easy to make and is the perfect bowl of comforting goodness!
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
250gwholemeal pasta
250gmushrooms of choice – we like oyster/shitake/chestnut
1large red onion
2clovesof garlic
400mlveg stock
3tbsptamari
CREAMY CASHEW SAUCE
100groasted cashews
500mlalternative milk of choice
½lemon – juice of
½tspsalt
¼tspground black pepper
1tspgarlic powder
GARNISH
1fresh chilli – seeds removed
3sprigs of fresh oregano or thyme
Instructions
Put your pasta on to boil in salted water and cook according to pack instructions. Finely chop the garlic, chop the mushrooms and onion and slice chilli removing the seeds. Pick and chop your herbs
To cook your mushrooms (oil free) Heat a large non stick pan over a high heat, add the onions and garlic, reduce the heat to medium and cook for 2 minutes, to brown slightly, stirring occasionally, when they begin to stick to the pan add a good splash of veg the stock and mix well, continue to cook for another 2 minutes.
Add the chopped mushrooms and cook for 3-5 minutes, adding the tamari and stock when they begin to stick to the pan. Continue to add the stock as needed. While the mushrooms are cooking make the cashew sauce
For the cashew sauce, blend all the sauce ingredients on high speed until very smooth. Add to the sauce to the mushrooms and reduce the heat to low so the sauce does not thicken to much. Drain the pasta when cooked, keeping some of the pasta water (which is great to give a silky texture to the sauce) Mix the pasta into the mushrooms and sauce, coating the pasta well and adding a little pasta water until you get your desired creamy texture. Taste and season if need. Serve with the fresh herbs and few chilli slices and Enjoy!
This dish ticks all the boxes! It’s packed with veg, easy to make, and bursting with flavour.
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
For the Creamy Curry Sauce:
3tbspcurry powder
1tspground coriander
1tspgaram masala
½tspturmeric
1tspground cumin
1tspsalt(adjust to taste)
3tbspdesiccated coconut
2tbspground almonds
1x 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
1x 400g tin of coconut milk
For the Roasted Veg:
1red pepper
1yellow pepper
2carrots
1onion
2clovesof garlic
2x 400g tins of chickpeas(560g net weight)
1head of cauliflower
250gsweet potato
2tbspoil
1bunch of coriander(including stalks)
Instructions
Preheat the oven Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan).
Prepare the vegetables:Roughly chop the red and yellow peppers, carrots, and onion.Chop the cauliflower into florets and the sweet potato into bite-sized pieces.Peel and quarter the onion, and peel the garlic cloves.Toss all the vegetables and garlic in the oil and sprinkle each tray with ½ tsp salt.Place the cauliflower on one tray, the sweet potato on another, and the remaining vegetables on a third tray.Roast for 30 minutes or until cooked through, with the cauliflower nicely charred. (You can roast the vegetables a day in advance and store them in the fridge until needed.)
Toast the spices:While the veg is roasting, toast the curry powder, ground coriander, garam masala, turmeric, and ground cumin in a large non-stick pan over medium-low heat for 1-2 minutes. Set aside.
Prepare the sauce:Once the veg is roasted, set aside the cauliflower and sweet potato.Peel the roasted garlic to reveal the soft centres.In a food processor or blender, combine the roasted carrots, peppers, onion, garlic, toasted spices, desiccated coconut, ground almonds, tinned coconut milk, and chopped tomatoes. Blend until smooth.
Cook the chickpeas:In the same pan used for toasting the spices, heat ½ tbsp of oil over medium heat.Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas and cook for 1-2 minutes.Add the chopped fresh coriander (including finely chopped stalks) and stir well.
Combine and simmer:Pour the blended curry sauce into the pan with the chickpeas. The sauce will thicken as it heats, but it will loosen slightly during cooking.Simmer the sauce for 3-5 minutes.Add the roasted cauliflower and sweet potato to the pan and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until heated through and the flavours have melded.Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or tamari if needed.
Serve:Serve the curry with brown basmati rice and garnish with fresh coriander. Enjoy!
Notes
Beat the bloat: Replace cauliflower with carrots, aubergine, or broccoli. Chickpeas are low FODMAP at 42g per serving.
This healthier, oil-free twist on the classic Italian pasta dish is creamy, comforting, and delicious! King oyster mushrooms serve as the star for the "facon" (fake bacon) topping, but you can substitute with other mushrooms like shiitake or button if needed. Just adjust cooking time to reduce water content.
Takes
Serves 3
Ingredients
For the pasta and sauce:
150gbrown pasta
25gcashew nuts
125mloat milk
Juice of ¼ lemon
½tspgarlic powderomit for Beat the Bloat option
½tspsalt
A few fresh basil leavesfor garnish
For the “facon” (fake bacon):
2king oyster mushroomsor substitute with shiitake, button, or breakfast mushrooms
2tbsptamari
1tbspapple cider vinegar
1tbspwater
1tspmaple syrup
1tspsmoked paprika
1½tbsptomato purée
1tspgarlic powder
Pinchof salt
Instructions
Prepare the Cashews:Soak the cashew nuts in boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse.
Make the Sauce:Blend the soaked cashews, oat milk, lemon juice, garlic powder (if using), and salt in a blender until smooth. Set aside.
Cook the Pasta:Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions in salted water. Reserve some pasta water before draining and rinsing the pasta.
Prepare the “Facon” Marinade:Mix the tamari, apple cider vinegar, water, maple syrup, smoked paprika, tomato purée, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt in a bowl.
Cook the Mushrooms:Slice the king oyster mushrooms lengthwise into thin strips.Heat a non-stick pan over high heat. Add the mushroom slices and press them using a similar-sized pan or weight for 2–3 minutes until browned. Flip and repeat on the other side.Remove from the pan and toss the browned mushroom strips in the marinade, ensuring even coating.Lower the pan heat to medium and return the marinated mushrooms to the pan. Cook for about 1 minute on each side. Remove and let cool slightly.
Slice the “Facon”:Once cooled, slice the mushrooms into thin strips resembling bacon (approx. 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm).
Combine Pasta and Sauce:In a clean non-stick pan over high heat, add a small amount of the sauce and the cooked pasta.Pour in the remaining sauce and bring to a boil. Stir until the pasta is well coated.If the sauce thickens too much, add a little reserved pasta water to achieve the desired creamy consistency.
Serve:Divide the pasta onto plates and garnish generously with the sliced “facon.” Add fresh basil leaves for a finishing touch. Enjoy!
A delicious vegan version of a fish burger. We make our 'fish' out of tofu, using nori sheets to give it that taste of the sea, and then breadcrumb it. It's served with a lovely vegan tartare sauce – perfect in a bun with some hot fries!
Prepare the Cashews:Fill and boil the kettle. In a bowl, cover the cashew nuts with boiling water and leave them to soak while you prepare the other ingredients. Ideally, let them soak for 10 minutes.
Make the Tartare Sauce:Roughly chop the capers, gherkins, and parsley. Mix them with the vegan mayo and mustard. Leave the tartare sauce in the fridge until your Filet 'no' Fish burgers are cooked.
Prepare the Burgers:Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Drain the cashew nuts. Press the tofu to remove any excess moisture. In a food processor, add the chickpeas, tofu, nori powder, salt, garlic powder, and the drained cashew nuts. Pulse blend until smooth but with some texture.
Shape the Burgers:Remove the mixture from the food processor and shape it into 4 square-shaped burgers (each approximately 100-120g).
Prepare the Breadcrumb Mixture:Blend the breadcrumb ingredients until you have fine breadcrumbs.
Make the Flax Egg:In a cup, mix the ground flaxseed with water. Set it aside to thicken. Once thickened, mix with the oat milk.
Set Up Your Breading Station:Put the flour in a large, flat bowl or plate.Transfer the flax egg mixture to another flat bowl or plate.In a third flat bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, turmeric, paprika, nutritional yeast, and salt.
Bread the Burgers:First, dip one burger at a time into the flour, ensuring it's completely covered. Then, move it to the flax egg mixture and coat it well on all sides. Finally, coat it with the breadcrumb mixture on all sides. Tip: Use one hand for the flax egg stage and the other for the breadcrumb stage to keep things cleaner. Repeat until all burgers are coated. If the burgers are delicate, use a burger turner to handle them carefully.
Cook the Burgers:Heat 2 tbsp of oil in a non-stick frying pan on high heat. Reduce to medium heat, then add the burgers a few at a time, ensuring they have space to brown evenly on all sides. Repeat until all the burgers are cooked.
Assemble the Burgers:Lightly toast the buns. Spread tartare sauce on both halves of each bun, add a slice of vegan cheese, and top with the Filet 'no' Fish burger. Enjoy!
Here's a delicious, easy Spaghetti Bolognese. It costs less than 4 euros and feeds 4 people.
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
300gwholewheat spaghetti
3clovesof garlic
1red onion
1red chilli
200gbutton mushrooms
1carrot
1tspmaple syrup or other liquid sweetener
400gtin of chopped tomatoes
2x 400 g tins of cooked lentils(500 g net weight)
½tspsalt
½tspblack pepper
Small bunch of basil
Instructions
Prepare the Pasta:Fill a pot with 3 L of water and bring it to a boil.Once boiling, reduce to medium heat and add 1 tbsp of salt.Add the dried pasta and cook according to the package instructions.
Prepare the Lentils:Drain and rinse the cooked lentils.
Chop the Vegetables:Finely chop the onion, garlic, and red chilli.Grate the carrot.Slice the button mushrooms and chop the stalks.
Cook the Base:Heat a non-stick, wide-bottomed pan over high heat.Add the chopped onion, garlic, and chilli; reduce the heat to medium and cook for 4-5 minutes until they start to brown, stirring occasionally.If anything starts to stick to the bottom of the pan, add 4 tbsp of water and use your wooden spoon to 'deglaze' the pan.
Add the Mushrooms:Add the chopped mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they start to char.
Add the Carrot:Add the grated carrot and cook for 2 minutes. If the vegetables stick to the pan, add 2 tbsp of water, stirring occasionally.
Combine the Ingredients:Add the drained lentils, chopped tomatoes, salt, and pepper.Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
Adjust Seasoning:Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.If using basil, remove the leaves from the stalk, finely chop the stalk, and add it to the sauce.
Finish the Dish:Drain the cooked pasta, reserving a cup of pasta water.Add the cooked pasta to the sauce along with 6-7 tbsp of reserved pasta water and mix well.Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Notes
Serving Suggestion: Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired.
These caramel squares are epic and will be an instant hit with everyone who's lucky enough to taste them.
Takes
Serves 20
Ingredients
BASE LAYER
100gdates
150galmonds
150gwalnuts
1.50tspvanilla
2tbspcoconut oil
1tspcocoa powder
CARAMEL LAYER
450gdates
225gpeanut butter
165gcoconut oil
18tbspwater
small pinch salt
CHOCOLATE TOP LAYER
195gcocoa butter
180gmaple syrup
30gcocoa powder
Instructions
For the base layer blend all the ingredients in a food processor and transfer to a parchment lined tray, we used a 33x23cm size tray, if you use a smaller one you will get a thicker caramel square, and a bigger tray will give you a thinner square. Spread the base out in an even layer, pop in the freezer for 5 minutes to help it set.
While the base is setting, start the caramel, melt the oil and peanut butter over a low heat, whisking to combine. Blend the dates in a food processor for a few minutes then add salt and the melted oil and peanut butter and continue to blend until it becomes a combined paste, add the water and blend until it is incorporated making a lovely caramel texture. Spread the caramel over the chilled base in an even layer, covering the base.
To make the chocolate top layer simply melt the cocoa butter over a low heat until just melted, remove from the heat, try not to overheat. Whisk the cocoa powder into the melted cocoa butter, making sure there are no lumps, then whisk in the maple syrup. The mixture should have a pouring consistency. Pour over the caramel to cover evenly and allow to set at ambient room temperature. When nicely firm and set, cut into desired size square and try not to eat all in one go they are so delicious and smoreish!
Mushroom curry – Low fodmap, gluten free and delicious!
An easy to make and delicious mushroom curry that is gut friendly and low fodmap. We add some chickpeas, aubergine and lots of oyster mushrooms, this curry is packed with nutrition, fibre and oh so tasty!! It is one of our more popular recipes on our online Gut health revolution course which we created with Consultant gastroenterologist Dr. Alan Desmond and dietician Rosie Martin.
We love mushrooms, particularly oyster mushrooms! They are meaty, substantial and wonderful sponges to absorb flavour. In this recipe we cook the mushrooms and aubergine with tamari which is a gluten free soy sauce. The sauce is a combination of coconut milk and tinned tomatoes which we have seasoned with some curry powder, ginger and lemon. It’s a really tasty curry.
What makes this dish gut friendly?
This dish is low in FODMAP’s which stands for fermentable, oligosaccharide disaccharide, monosaccharide and polyols (we know it is a total mouthful!!) Basically it means fermentable carbohydrates. This mushroom curry is a low fodmap curry so it is low in fermentable carbohydrates so really good for anyone with a sensitive gut or tummy. Some of the main high fodmap foods that can cause bloating or irritation are garlic, onion and beans/lentils. Fodmap’s are super important and great for your health but for some people with sensitive guts reducing high fodmap foods for a period of time can help them to not feel bloated or irritated.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
Can I replace the chickpeas with something else?
Sure thing, you can leave them out altogether if you so choose or you can replace them with kidney beans or black beans for eg.
Can I use low fat coconut milk?
Absolutely! low fat coconut milk usually has half the amount of fat so if you are conscious of the amount of fat you consume low fat coconut milk is much lower and works great in this dish.
Can I freeze this dish?
Yes indeed it freezes really well and heats up great. We suggest freezing it in portions so you only have to reheat what you need so it avoids wastage.
Can I make this dinner ahead of time and heat it up just before serving?
For sure! You can make this curry ahead of time just make sure not to add the fresh herbs till you are going to eat it as it will lose its vitality if you cook it twice.
If I can’t get oyster mushrooms can I just use normal button mushrooms?
Absolutely!! Simply replace them with any other type of mushroom you can source. However in terms of fodmaps oyster mushrooms are the only mushroom that is definetly low in formaps.
How long does this dish last in the fridge?
It will last for at least 3 days in the fridge
Tips for making this curry
Get all your ingredients ready to go first and do a double check that you are not missing anything before you start.
Sharpen your knife or if you don’t have a knife sharpener then cut the aubergine using a serated knife.
Prep your veg and drain and rinse your beans.
By getting all the main parts of the dish ready before hand, the cooking process is a lot easier.
Try using a wide bottom non stick pan as there is more surface area to caramelise the veg.
Tidy up as you go and clean up while the dish is cooking.
Take your time and enjoy it, you are making a truly awesome dish!!
Here’s a fab chickpea & mushroom low FODMAP curry so perfect for anyone with a sensitive tummy, it is from our online Happy Gut Course. It's easy, quick, tasty, and super satisfying. Also goes great when served with some toasted gluten-free pittas chopped into soldiers and some of brown rice as a side. Well worth a shot.
Takes 20 minutesminutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
15gFresh Ginger
½Chilli
1Aubergine(1 aubergine)
1.5tbspOil
3tbspTamarior Soy sauce
5tbspWater
150gTinned Chickpeas
250gOyster Mushrooms
2tbspCurry Powder
20gfresh corianderor basil or chive
160gTinned Coconut Milk
400gTinned Tomatoes
½Juice of Lemon
1tspBlack Pepper
Instructions
Peel and finely chop the ginger. Remove the end off the chilli (and if you don’t like it spicy, remove the seeds too) and finely chop.
Finely chop the aubergine into small pieces (we like using a serrated knife as it chops aubergine easiest). Finely chop the oyster mushrooms.
Put a large saucepan on a high heat and add the oil and leave it to heat up for a minute. Add the chilli and the ginger and cook for 2 minutes, stirring regularly. Add the oyster mushrooms and cook for 3-4 minutes.
Add the aubergines and cook for 2 minutes stirring regularly. Add the tamari and cook for a further 2 minutes, continuing to stir well, so that all the aubergine and mushrooms gets infused with the lovely tamari flavour. Now add the 5 tablespoons of water and cook stirring regularly until the aubergine becomes soft and cooked.
In the meantime, drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly. Roughly chop the coriander/basil/chives and set aside.
Then add all the remaining ingredients into the pan and cook for 5 minutes, when it boils, then reduce to a simmer.
Remove from the heat, taste and adjust the seasoning to your pallet. Garnish each serving with some chopped coriander/basil/chives and if you like it spicy, additional chilli flakes go great as a topping, too. Enjoy.
The cold weather makes this Butternut Squash Soup a must-try this week. This beautiful vegetable, teamed with coconut milk, creates a soup combo made in heaven. We top ours with chilli flakes to give it the perfect spicy edge that deserves a place in the family cookbook!
Takes 20 minutesminutes
Serves 6
Ingredients
3clovesof garlic
1onion
2carrots
1medium butternut squash800 g – 1 kg
1x 400 ml tin of low-fat coconut milk
2litres of vegetable stock
2tspsalt
1tspblack pepper
Chilli flakesto taste
Roasted pumpkin seedsfor garnish
Instructions
Prep the vegetables by finely slicing the garlic and onion.
Peel and chop the butternut squash and carrots into equal-sized pieces (they can be rough since the soup will be blended).
Heat a large non-stick pot on high heat.
Once hot, add the sliced onion and fry for about 4 minutes until soft, stirring occasionally. If it starts to stick, add 3-4 tablespoons of water to deglaze the pan.
Add the minced garlic and fry for a further minute until fragrant.
Add the roughly chopped carrots and butternut squash to the pan, seasoning with 2 tsp of salt and adding a couple of sprigs of fresh thyme.
Pour in the low-fat coconut milk and 2 litres of vegetable stock, then add 1 tsp of black pepper.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat.
Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and black pepper if needed.
Blend the soup until smooth using an immersion blender or food processor.
Ladle the soup into bowls and top with toasted pumpkin seeds and a sprinkle of chilli flakes.
This delicious vegetable-based alternative to the traditional Spanish seafood dish has always been one of the most popular recipes on this course. It’s naturally low in fat and calories, and high in nutrition.We cook the vegetables in a rich tomato sauce, and instead of using the traditional white sticky rice, we use short-grain brown rice to keep your heart happy!(*In the image, we have crushed cashews and olives on top, which pair well with the dish. If you choose to add them, use just a few as garnish).
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
200gshort-grain brown rice
500mlvegetable stock
¼tspground turmeric
½a medium carrot or 1 small carrotapproximately 100g
2clovesof garlic
1small leek
1red pepper
1courgette
2tspsalt
2tbspred wine
1x 400ml tin of chopped tomatoes
2tspmixed herbs
¼tspground black pepper
¼tspsmoked paprika
1tbspmaple syrup
1.5tbsptamari
Juice of ½ lemon
50gsugar snap peas or baby spinach
1bunch of a fresh herb of your choicee.g., basil, chives, or mint
Instructions
Cook the Rice: Place the rice and vegetable stock in a pot. Add the turmeric and mix it thoroughly through the rice to give it a lovely yellow colour. Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar and cook on high heat. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, keeping the lid slightly ajar, and simmer until all the water is absorbed (about 30-40 minutes).
Prepare the Vegetables: In a bowl, grate the carrot. De-seed and chop the red pepper and cut the courgette into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the leek (use both the white and green parts) and peel and finely chop the garlic.
Cook the Vegetables: Place a large non-stick saucepan over high heat. Once hot, add the leek and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly. If the mixture starts to stick, add a couple of tablespoons of water and scrape off any charring from the bottom of the pan.
Add More Vegetables: Add the grated carrot, courgette, and chopped red pepper along with the salt. Cook for another 4 minutes, stirring regularly. If needed, add a bit of water to prevent sticking.
Combine Flavours: Add the red wine, chopped tomatoes, mixed herbs, black pepper, smoked paprika, maple syrup, tamari, and lemon juice. Stir well and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
Adjust Liquid if Needed: If all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is not yet tender, add a bit more boiling water and mix well.
Final Steps: While the rice finishes cooking, chop the sugar snap peas in half and finely chop your chosen fresh herbs.
Combine and Cook: Once the rice is cooked (soft and fluffy), add the tomato and vegetable sauce along with the sugar snap peas. Mix everything well and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Season and Serve: Taste the dish and season with salt and pepper if necessary. Garnish with the chopped fresh herbs and serve. Enjoy!
Creamy, spicy, crispy, and oh-so-delicious! These quesadillas are low in fat, oil-free, and take just 10–15 minutes to make. They work wonderfully as a quick dinner or healthy snack. Although tamari isn’t traditionally Mexican, Dave jokingly mentioned finding a bottle in an Asian store while in Mexico! It adds excellent flavour and saves time, so it's worth using if you have it.
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
4wholewheat or corn tortillas
400gtinned black beans
2spring onions
½red onion
10cherry tomatoes
1red chilli
1avocado
1tspcumin seeds
1tspground cumin
¼tspsmoked paprika
¼tspground cinnamon
¼tspground black pepper
1tspground coriander
1tbsptamari
Pinchof salt
Juice of ½ lemon or 1 lime
Small bunch of fresh coriander
100gcashew nuts
80mloat milk
½tspgarlic powder
1tsplemon juice
½tspsalt
Instructions
Prepare the Cashew Cheese Sauce:Soak the cashew nuts in boiling water for 5 minutes.Drain and rinse the nuts, then add them to a blender along with the oat milk, garlic powder, lemon juice, and salt. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
Prepare the Filling:Heat a non-stick pan over high heat.Add the red onion, spring onions, and red chilli. Sauté for 2 minutes, stirring continuously.Add the cumin seeds, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cinnamon, ground black pepper, ground coriander, tamari, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Fry for 30 seconds.Stir in the black beans and cherry tomatoes. Mash slightly while cooking for another 2 minutes. Set the filling aside.
Assemble the Quesadillas:Clean and dry the pan. Heat it over medium-high heat.Place one tortilla in the pan and warm it for 10 seconds.Spread approximately 3 tablespoons of the cashew cheese sauce over the tortilla.Add a generous dollop of the black bean filling onto one half of the tortilla. Top with sliced avocado, a sprinkle of fresh coriander, and some chopped chilli.Fold the tortilla in half. Cook until the edges begin to brown and crisp.Remove from the pan, transfer to a chopping board, and slice.
Repeat for the Remaining Tortillas:Follow the same process for the remaining tortillas and fillings.Store any leftover cashew cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Serve and Enjoy:Serve the quesadillas hot with additional cashew cheese, lime wedges, or a side of salsa if desired.
Here’s our take on the old Irish classic: we top a rich super tasty lentil mix with mashed sweet potato and drizzle with a simple coriander pesto – delicious. The coriander pesto sets this dish alight and it presents really well drizzled on top before serving. Serve with a simple green salad.
Takes
Serves 8
Ingredients
3 X400gtinned lentils(rinsed and drained)
2parsnips(grated)
2bay leaves
6sprigs of fresh thyme(leaves removed from the stalk generous 1/2 tsp black pepper)
3tbsptamari
1lVeg stock
100ggreen beans(cut into bite sized pieces)
2tbspoil
1kgsweet potato(3 medium washed well, blemishes taken out (unpeeled) , cut into uniform pieces)
500gregular potato(washed well, unpeeled and uniformly cut)
150mloat milk or other non-dairy milk of your choice
1tspsalt
A pinch of ground black pepper to taste
1bunch coriander(both leaves and stalks (approx. 50g))
a pinch of black pepper
3clovesgarlic(peeled and left whole)
juice of half a lemon
½tspsalt
100mlneutral tasting oil
100mlwater
Instructions
Preheat oven to 180ºC (350ºF, Gas Mark 4).
Chop the sweet potatoes and regular potatoes into a uniform size so that they will cook evenly. Put them into a medium sized pot, cover with water and boil until soft, about 20-25 minutes.
In another medium sized pan, add 2 tbsp oil and grate in the 2 parsnips.
Add the thyme leaves and fry for a minute before adding in the lentils and then the tamari. Slowly add in the veg stock so it starts to evaporate and the lentils start to absorb it slowly. Add 1/2 a heaped tsp of black pepper and then the rest of the veg stock, letting it slowly evaporate.
While these two pots are cooking you can make the coriander pesto by adding all the pesto ingredients to a blender and blend till smooth.
Once this is done, you will see that the liquid in the lentil mixture has evaporated significantly. Make sure that there is still a decent bit of moisture so that the potatoes will absorb it. Add in the fine beans and mix through the hot lentil mixture, letting them cook in that heat.
The potatoes should now be ready (a knife cuts through them very easily). Drain the water and add 1 tsp salt and the oat milk. Then mash them all together.
Remove the bay leaves and then line the lentil and veg mix at the bottom of a casserole tray, drizzle some of the coriander pesto on top of the lentil mix and distribute the mash evenly on top. Score it with a fork to make it look nice and even.
Bake in the oven for 25 minutes until it crisps along the top.
Finish by drizzling with the remaining coriander pesto before serving. Enjoy!
The idea of cooking a curry in 5 minutes might seem a little far fetched but once you cook this you will become a believer! Its a wonderful recipe to have in your repertoire as its so tasty and easy to make and you can easily adapt it to what ingredient you have and also to your pallet
A Dahl is generally applied to any curry that is lentil based. The reason why this works so well while only taking 5 mins is that we use fast cooking veg and also pre cooked beans and lentils. The main flavour agents are what is known as an Indian stock where we use onion or in this case scallions or green onions along with garlic, ginger and chilli as the base flavours which all other flavours hang off. The main liquid part of the sauce is comprised of coconut milk and chopped tomatoes, the coconut milk bring a sweet richness which balances out the acidity from the chopped tomatoes. The spinach add more nutrients to this dish and once it has wilted it add almost a creamy like texture and a beautiful bright contrasting colour.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
What can i use instead of coconut milk?
You can simply use water or veg stock in place and it will result in a more lighter and lower in fat version. Alternatively you could use oat milk or non dairy milk of choice however it wont be as indulgent or as rich. Lastly you could substitute with a cashew cream sauce.
Can i use other beans that lentils
Absolutely! You could use any cooked beans or lentils of choice, some of our favourites are butterbeans, blackbeans and lentils.
Can i freeze this dish?
Yes indeed it freezes really well and heats up great. We suggest freezing it in portions so you only have to reheat what you need so it avoids wastage.
How am i best storing this?
Allow it to cook and store it in a reusable tub in the fridge. It will last for 2 days in the fridge.
If i dont have green onions or scallions can i use regular ones?
Yes indeed, white onions, red onions, or even leeks can work in place, the onions function as the base flavours, they will just require longer to caramelise so the dish will take you more like 10 mins or even 15 mins to make
How long does this Dahl last in the fridge?
It will last for 2 days in the fridge
Serving suggestions for this 5 mins Dahl?
Although from a totally different continent and different ethnicities – middle eastern dips go amazing with a dahl, here is our favourite middle eastern sharing mezze plater.
If you are doing an Indian feast like dinner here is a recipe for a beautiful vegan butter chickn curry that is so creamy
Another recipe hailing from a totally different continent yet goes great great is this sticky toffee pudding recipe.
Our favourite Chickpea & lentil recipes
Here’s a lovely simple lower fat dahl recipe great for weight management
A split Red lentil Dahl is always one of our favourite meals and is so soothing
The idea of cooking a curry in 5 minutes might seem far-fetched, but once you try this recipe, you'll be a believer! It's a wonderful addition to your repertoire, as it's both tasty and easy to make, with room to adapt to the ingredients you have on hand. To make it lower in calories, omit the oil and use water to 'deglaze' the pan if any vegetables start to stick.
Takes 5 minutesminutes
Serves 3
Ingredients
400gchickpeastin of cooked chickpeas
400gcooked lentilstin
3clovesgarlic
20gsmall nub of ginger
5scallions/spring onions
2tbspoil
50gbaby spinach
400gcoconut milktin
½lime or lemonjuice
15gfresh coriander
10cherry tomatoes
2tbspcurry powder
1tspsaltadjust to taste
2tspground cumin
½tspturmeric
½tspblack pepper
2tbsptamari or soy sauce
3wholemeal pitta breadstoasted to serve
Instructions
Drain and rinse the chickpeas and lentils. Peel and finely chop the garlic and ginger, chop the scallions, and halve the cherry tomatoes. Pick the coriander leaves and finely chop the stalks.
Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan over high heat. Add the garlic and ginger to the pan, then reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the scallions, cherry tomatoes, coriander stalks, and 1 tsp of salt to the pan. Cook for a further minute.
Add the coconut milk, lentils, and chickpeas. Stir well. Then, add the curry powder, ground cumin, turmeric, remaining salt, black pepper, tamari/soy sauce, and lime juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5 minutes.
A few minutes before serving, add the spinach to wilt. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve with toasted pitta breads, fresh coriander, and chilli flakes, if desired. Enjoy!
We love Dahl and have been cooking it at home and in our cafe for years! This red lentil Dahl is of our oldest and favourite recipes. Vegan, gluten free and made with no oil, yet so tasty and comforting. A great recipe for batch cooking too! We hope you try it!
This Red lentil Dahl recipe is delicious. Dahl is one of the most widely eaten dishes in the world, well in India anyway! A delicious smooth lentil based curry that melts in your mouth! It is like a warm hug on a cold day and definitely is comforting! We have been making Dahl for years. It is a real staple on our Happy Pear cafe menu most weeks in some form, whether made with red lentils or mung beans, with coconut milk or without, oven baked or cooked in a pot. There are so many ways to get from A to Dahl!This recipe is easy to follow and is a good basis to start your Dahl cooking adventure on.. As it is a recipe from our Happy Heart Course it is low in fat, high in fibre and full of heart healthy nutrition.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
Can I use tinned cooked lentils instead of dry lentils ?
Yes, it’s no problem to use tinned lentils. Just use 2-3 400g tins of lentils and drain and rinse before using. And only use approx 500ml of water.
What if I don’t have all the spices in the recipe?
No problem, simply use an equal amount of curry powder in place of all the different spices.
Can I freeze this dish?
Yes indeed it freezes really well and heats up great.
How am I best storing this?
Store it in a reusable tub in the fridge. It will last for 2 days in the fridge.
If i don’t have fresh tomatoes can I use tinned tomatoes?
Yes indeed, simply use a 400g tin of chopped tomatoes
This smooth red lentil Dahl melts in your mouth and will leave you coming back for more. An easy homemade vegetarian curry recipe that is super simple, quick and comforting!
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
500gred lentils
2red onions
3clovesof garlic
½a thumb-size piece of ginger
1courgette
4medium ripe tomatoes
2tspsalt
2tspground cumin
pinchof cayenne pepper
1tspground turmeric
3tspmedium curry powder
1tspfreshly ground black pepper
3tbsptamari
juice of 1 lime
small bunch of fresh coriander
Instructions
Peel and finely slice the onions, garlic and ginger. Cut the courgette into bite-size pieces and roughly chop the tomatoes
Saute the onions, garlic and ginger in 4 tbsp of water in a large pan on a high heat for 5 minutes. Stir regularly, adding more water if they start to stick to the bottom of the pan. When the onions are soft, add the courgette, tomatoes and 1 tsp salt. Cover the pan and cook gently over a low heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the lentils, spices, tamari, lime juice, the remaining salt and 2 litres of water, and bring to the boil. Reduce to a low heat and simmer for 25 minutes, or until you are happy with the texture of the dahl. Stir regularly, as lentils have a tendency to stick
Finely chop the coriander and sprinkle over the dahl. Serve with brown rice or toasted wholemeal pitta breads, cut into soldiers. Mango chutney is also a nice accompaniment
A deliciously sweet treat that’s as nourishing as it is comforting! Perfect to enjoy with a cup of tea and a good chat with a friend.
Takes
Serves 10
Ingredients
100gchocolate chips or chocolatechopped into chips
200gwhite flourwhite spelt, buckwheat, or gluten-free flour
1.5tspground cinnamon
2tspbaking powder
½tspbread sodabicarbonate of soda
120mlsunflower or coconut oil
150gliquid sweetenersuch as maple syrup, agave syrup, or brown rice syrup
2tbspground flaxseeds
6tbspwater
3ripe bananas
50gwalnutsroughly chopped or crushed
Instructions
Prepare the Flax Mixture: In a glass or cup, combine the ground flaxseeds and water. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes, until it forms a gel-like consistency.
Combine the Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, add the flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and bread soda. Stir to combine.
Blend the Wet Ingredients: In a blender, add the peeled bananas, sunflower or coconut oil, liquid sweetener, and the flax mixture. Blend until smooth.If you don’t have a blender, simply mash the bananas in a bowl and thoroughly mix in the other wet ingredients until smooth.
Mix the Batter: Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until a smooth batter forms.
Add the Chocolate Chips and Walnuts: Fold the chocolate chips and chopped walnuts into the batter until evenly distributed.
Prepare the Baking Tray: Line a baking tray (approximately 23cm x 15cm x 5cm) with baking parchment.
Pour and Decorate: Pour the batter into the lined tray. For added decoration, slice a banana lengthwise and place it on top of the batter. Scatter a few extra chocolate chips on top if desired.
Bake: Bake for approximately 60 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
CoolandServe: Allow the banana bread to cool in the tray, then slice and enjoy!
This is a low-calorie, super easy light Dahl. It is one of our most popular recipes! Enjoy served with toasted pitta breads and some brown rice.
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
3clovesof garlic
1small piece of ginger(½ thumb sized piece)
5scallions (or spring onions)
1 x400gtin of chickpeas
1 x 400gtin of cooked lentils
1handful of baby spinach
1 x400gtin of chopped tomatoes
200mlveg stock
Juice of 1 lime
1tbspmaple syrup(or sweetener of choice)
1smallbunch of coriander
10cherry tomatoes
1tbspcurry powder
1tspturmeric
2tspground cumin
1tspcumin seeds
½tspfennel seeds
2tbsptamari
pinchof salt to season
Serving suggestion
Toasted wholemeal pittas (or fresh coriander)
Instructions
Drain and rinse the chickpeas and lentils.
Peel and finely chop the garlic and ginger. Chop the scallions (spring onions) and halve the cherry tomatoes. Pick the coriander leaves and finely chop the stalks.
Heat a large non-stick pan over high heat. Add the cumin seeds and fennel seeds to the pan and toast for 30 seconds.
Add the chopped scallions, garlic, and ginger to the pan. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the ground cumin, curry powder, and turmeric, and cook for another 20 seconds.
Add the cherry tomatoes and a pinch of salt.
Add the drained lentils, chickpeas, chopped tomatoes, and the vegetable stock. Stir well.
Add the tamari, spinach, lime juice, and sweetener (if using). Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 2 minutes.
Stir in the chopped coriander before serving. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Serve with toasted pitas and garnish with fresh coriander leaves. You can also add chilli flakes if desired. Enjoy!
If you’re looking for a delicious, healthy whole food plant-based snack, you’ve come to the right place. These sweet potato fritters are incredible, bursting with flavour and texture. They make great sandwich fillings or can be enjoyed on their own in your lunch box. We highly recommend trying them with hummus!
Takes
Serves
Ingredients
1kgsweet potato
1red onion
2clovesof garlic
1x 400 g tin of chickpeasrinsed and drained (280 g net weight)
Few leaves of chopped coriander
1tspsalt
3tsptamari
2tspground cumin
Generous pinch of black pepper
½red chillichopped finely
½lemonjuiced
150gpeas
3tbspsieved gram flour
1pinchof saltfor coating
1pinchof black pepperfor coating
50mlwaterfor coating
1 ½tbspoiloptional
Instructions
Roast the Sweet Potatoes:Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan).Chop the sweet potatoes into small chunks and place them on a baking tray.Roast for 25 minutes or until cooked through.
Prepare the Fritter Mixture:In a large mixing bowl, finely chop the garlic, red onion, red chilli, and coriander.Once the sweet potatoes are roasted, mash them together with the chickpeas, 1 tsp of salt, tamari, ground cumin, a generous pinch of black pepper, and lemon juice until well combined.
Incorporate Peas:Add the peas to the mixture and gently mix through until evenly distributed.
Shape the Fritters:Flatten out the mixture and cut into desired shapes. A 7-8 cm scone cutter works well for this.
Prepare the Coating:In a separate bowl, mix the sieved gram flour with a generous pinch of salt, a pinch of black pepper, and water to create a coating mixture.
Cook the Fritters:Heat a non-stick pan over high heat. Once hot, reduce to medium-high heat.Coat each fritter in the gram flour mixture and fry in the pan until golden, about 3 minutes per side.Repeat until all fritters are cooked.
Serve:Allow the fritters to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with hummus or your preferred dipping sauce!
This is such a crowd pleaser! It's a super quick, easy dinner using store cupboard staples! Give it a go! X
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
300gdried wholemeal penne
SAUCE
100gcashew nuts – soaked overnight or soak in boiling water for 10 mins
500mloat milk
1tspsalt
¼tspfresh ground black pepper
1tspgarlic powder
juice of 1/2 a lemon
100gjarred roasted red peppers
TO GARNISH
20gfresh basil
Instructions
Cook your pasta as per instructions on the pack in well salted water. While it is cooking time to make the creamy red pepper sauce sauce.
Blend all ingredients for the sauce (except the basil) till smooth.
Drain the pasta, keeping some pasta water aside. Add the drained pasta and cashew sauce to the empty pot, mix well over low heat until warmed through, adding a few tablespoons of pasta water if needed and simmer until the sauce has thickened nicely to your desired consistency.
Pick the basil leaves and roughly chop. Taste and season before serving with the chopped basil. Enjoy!!
This Bombay potato recipe is our take on the classic Indian recipe. In our vegan version we add aubergine and cook it until they melt in your mouth, they go perfectly with the potatoes. This is a great family dish and easy to make for batch cooking and freezing. Enjoy!
Prep time : 5 mins | Cook time : 20 mins | Total time : 25 mins |
Makes: 4 Servings| Difficulty: Beginner
This Vegan Bombay potato and tomato curry recipe is so comforting. Our take on the the classic Indian dish is tasty, easy to make and great for batch cooking and freezing, it ticks all the boxes. It is one of our go to curry recipes and the potatoes and aubergines soak up all the delicious spices and are melt in your mouth tender when cooked. This potato curry recipe works great as a main course with some naan or pita and vegan yoghurt or as a great side dish served with salad and any of your other favourite Curry recipes.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
Can I substitute the Aubergine?
Yes of course, aubergines work really well in this curry . But you could use tofu or courgette instead.
What if I don’t have all the spices in the recipe?
No problem, simply use an equal amount of curry powder in place of all the different spices.
Can I freeze this dish?
Yes indeed it freezes really well and heats up great.
How am I best storing this?
Store it in a reusable tub in the fridge. It will last for 2 days in the fridge.
Can I leave out the chilli if I don’t like heat ?
Absolutely, just leave out if you prefer less spice.
How long does this dish last in the fridge?
It will last for 2 days in the fridge
Can I substitute the fresh coriander?
Yes, you can use parsley or your favourite leafy green herb.
Serving suggestions for this Bombay potato recipe ;
A traditional Bombay potato curry is usually a dry dish, but here we’ve elevated it with a saucier, stew-like twist. The aubergines become soft and ‘melt in your mouth,’ complementing the spiced potatoes perfectly. This recipe uses an array of spices for a rich, aromatic experience. If you prefer a milder aniseed flavour, reduce the fennel seeds to ½ tsp. The dish can be made oil-free if needed by using oil-free cooking techniques.
Takes
Serves 4
Ingredients
2medium red onions
2clovesof garlic
1red chillideseeded if preferred
½thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger
1aubergine
400gpotatoesleave the skin on if possible; remove blemishes
1½tspsalt
1tspground cumin
1tspground coriander
1tspfennel seedsreduce to ½ tsp if desired
½tspground turmeric
½tspground cardamom
400gtinned chopped tomatoes
500mlvegetable stock
Juice of ½ lime
2tbspmaple syrup
Salt and ground black pepper to taste
To Serve:
20gfresh coriander/cilantro
20gflaked almondstoasted
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients:Peel and finely chop the onions and garlic.Deseed and finely chop the chilli.Peel and finely grate the ginger.Chop the aubergine and potatoes into bite-sized pieces (leave the potato skin on if desired, ensuring any blemishes are removed).
Cook the Base:Heat a large saucepan over high heat. Once hot, reduce to medium and add the chopped onions, garlic, ginger, and chilli. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions start to brown. If the mixture begins to stick, add 2 tbsp of water to loosen.
Add Vegetables and Spices:Add the chopped aubergine, potatoes, and spices (cumin, coriander, fennel seeds, turmeric, cardamom, and 1½ tsp salt) to the pan. Cover with a lid and cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the mixture sticks, deglaze the pan by adding a couple of tablespoons of water and scraping any caramelised bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon.
Finish Cooking:Add the vegetable stock, tinned chopped tomatoes, and maple syrup to the pan. Season with ½ tsp black pepper and an additional tsp of salt. Cook for another 10 minutes to allow the flavours to blend.
Adjust Seasoning:Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, black pepper, a squeeze of lime juice, or a pinch of chilli powder if desired.
Garnish and Serve:Roughly chop the fresh coriander. Divide the curry between warmed bowls, garnish with chopped coriander and toasted flaked almonds, and serve.
This recipe started out a challenge wondering could we cook a beautiful Chickpea curry in 5 mins – we weren’t sure if we could do it but low and behold it worked and it really tasted so good – so much so the recipe video for this has over 2 million views.
Traditional french cooking is all about time – time to reduce sauces and really concentrate flavour. We show here that you can still get deep flavour in short time. By using tamari or soy sauce which typically is not used in Indian cooking it gives that deeper umami note. The coconut milk adds the creamy indulgent sweet quality to the sauce which offsets the acidity in the tomatoes. We use 2 tins of chickpeas in this recipe which you could easily substitute with any other cooked bean or lentil of choice.
How to make this curry – step by step photograph guide
Gather your ingredients
Heat a wide bottomed non stick pan on high heat. We cook this dish on high heat as we want to cook it as quick as possible – the goal is 5 mins.
Peel and chop the onion, garlic and ginger. Finely dice the chilli and remove the seeds if you prefer it less hot. These are known as an Indian stock, these will function as our base flavours.
Once our pan is nice and hot add in the chopped onion, garlic, ginger and chilli and fry for 2 mins stirring regularly so that the onion starts to brown
5. Next add in the curry powder and black pepper and mix through. We want to awaken the flavours here in the spices and cook for 30 seconds and keep stirring to ensure they don’t burn.
6. Drain and rinse the cans of chickpeas and add to the pan along with the can of chopped tomatoes and can of coconut milk and mix well. Don’t worry if there are any lumps of the coconut fat these will melt and add a creaminess to your sauce.
7. Add in the zest of half of a lime and juice of half a lime.
8. Finely chip the fresh coriander or herb of choice including the stalk. And add to the dish
9. Most importantly taste and season to your liking. If you like it more spicy add more chilli, if you prefer your curry with more zing or acidity add more lime juice or if you prefer a deeper flavour add some more tamari and finally if it tastes too strong or salted and 2-3 tbsp of water to dilute the flavour and adjust to your liking.
10. Serve with some teryaki tofu and some sliced avocado or any other accompaniments that you would like.
FAQ – frequently asked questions
What can i use instead of coconut milk?
You can simply use water or veg stock in place and it will result in a more lighter and lower in fat version. Alternatively you could use oat milk or non dairy milk of choice however it wont be as indulgent or as rich. Lastly you could substitute with a cashew cream sauce.
Can i use other beans that chickpeas
Absolutely! You could use any cooked beans or lentils of choice, some of our favourites are butterbeans, blackbeans and lentils.
Can i freeze this dish?
Yes indeed it freezes really well and heats up great.
How am i best storing this?
Allow it to cool and store it in a reusable tub in the fridge. It will last for 2 days in the fridge.
If i dont have red onions can i use regular ones?
Yes indeed, white onions, green onions, leeks or even scallions can work in place, the onions function as the base flavours
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