Most of us fall into the pattern of eating the same food every day – and as we are all staying home, it can be harder to find a bit of inspiration to try something new.
And even harder is enjoying some of your old favourites without feeling guilty for overindulging.
BMI Healthcare has shared some of their favourite dishes – done with a healthy twist – that your family will love.
Posh beans on toast (serves 2)
Beans on toast may be a staple quick dinner in homes across the UK, but the classic method – premade tinned baked beans on heavily buttered white bread – is not always the healthiest choice.
So, craving that easy and comforting goodness but wanting to up the stakes in terms of nutrients, we’ve come up with this posh beans on toast recipe.
Yes, this requires a little more effort than heating a tin of the ready-made variety. But we promise it’s not much harder, plus the rewards in terms of taste and nutrition more than make up for it.
Making the beans from scratch means you can control the ingredients – less salt and sugar than tinned baked beans.
These posh beans also count as three of your recommended five-a-day of fruit and veg!
We recommend wholemeal bread as it is not only more nutritious than white varieties but will also keep you feeling fuller for longer. If you feel the need to use a spread, opt for a healthier plant-based variety with added nutrients.
It’s also suitable for both vegetarians and vegans, proving that plant-based cooking doesn’t have to be boring or difficult.
Click here to get the full recipe.
Butternut squash mac and cheese (serves 6)
When you think of macaroni and cheese, you probably don’t think ‘healthy’. Mounds of pasta drenched in cheese sauce, topped with more cheese… low calorie it is not.
But what if there was a way that you could get your mac n cheese comfort fix without straying completely from a healthy diet?
That’s where this butternut squash mac and cheese comes in.
How have we made this dish healthier? Well, the secret is in the sauce. Rather than a traditional bechamel made with butter, milk and flour, the main ingredient in this sauce is butternut squash.
The thick, creamy sauce is made by blending cooked squash with stock and a splash of milk, plus some slow-cooked onions for good measure.
If you haven’t tried a pureed vegetable pasta sauce yet, you may be dubious. But don’t knock it ’till you’ve tried it. This butternut squash mac and cheese is the perfect thing to satisfy those comfort food cravings without reaching for overly processed foods.
It’s also a great idea for fussy eaters and those who aren’t keen on vegetables. No one need know you’ve stuffed your sauce with veg!
Click here to get the full recipe.
Cream of Tomato Soup
This soup may not taste exactly like the classic Heinz version, but it certainly hits the spot. It’s a comforting, creamy tomato soup that tastes delicious. What’s not to love?
We’ve added a pinch of sugar to bring out the natural sweetness of tomatoes and included a few handfuls of fresh basil to take it to the next level.
The recipe calls for three tablespoons of crème fraîche, too. This adds a hint of creaminess without too many extra calories.
Fans of the classic cream of tomato should absolutely give this recipe a go. It might just become your new favourite.
Click here to get the full recipe.
Pasta alla norma (serves 4)
Welcome to your new favourite midweek meal: easy, healthy aubergine pasta.
This recipe is inspired by Pasta alla Norma, a traditional Sicilian pasta dish made with tomatoes, aubergines and basil.
Pasta alla Norma is a classic for a reason: the flavours are beautifully balanced, almost perfect in their simplicity.
We’ve developed a recipe that’s quick and easy but more importantly good for you. It should fit in to most healthy eating plans.
It’s vegetarian and vegan friendly (just check your ingredients carefully) but tasty enough to please even the most committed meat eater. After all, who doesn’t love pasta and red sauce?
With its rich tomato sauce and generous serving of aubergine, this recipe makes up two of your 5-a-day. If you want to up your vegetable intake even further, add thinly sliced onions to the sauce, or serve alongside a green salad or some steamed broccoli.
This is a healthy pasta recipe we hope everyone can get on board with.
Click here to get the full recipe.
20-minute easy stir fry (serves 4)
Everyone loves a stir fry, right? It’s one of those rare and wonderful comfort foods that’s quick and easy to make as well as tasty and satisfying.
Our healthy vegan version is packed with vegetables and uses wholewheat noodles. They’re not only better for you, they also keep you feeling fuller for longer. And they taste great too.
We’ve used peas, green beans and carrots in this recipe, but you can really use whatever vegetables you love most – or simply the ones in your fridge that need eating. We’ve tried countless combinations, from leftover roasted sweet potatoes and red peppers to tenderstem broccoli and asparagus. If you like it, it will probably work.
We love a 30 minute meal, but a 20 minute meal is even better, and this vegan stir fry recipe requires just 10 minutes prep and 10 minutes (or less) of cooking. It’s perfect for a weeknight when you’re pressed for time but you still want to eat something healthy and delicious.