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Slow Cooker Old-Time Beef Stew

Great all year round, but especially during the colder months – a hearty beef stew is a real favourite for the whole family. This one is even easier than some as it uses a slow cooker – just brown the meat and then let the slow cooker do the rest!

If you’re gluten free or looking to eat paleo, this recipe makes a few small changes to some elements to make it suitable for niche diets.

West Coast Garlic Salmon

This recipe is really simple and quick to make – but keeping it simple with fish dishes is often the way to go. Once you get started it’ll be all done in 10 minutes and ready to serve so prepare your side dishes ahead of time so when these come out of the pan, its dinner time.

Its also paleo friendly, gluten free and packed full of natural goodness and essential vitamins and omega 3 – its good for you!

Healthy Creamy Apple Crumble

Apple crumble is probably the kiwi version of apple pie – a dessert classic. Luckily for us, its much easier to make then a pie!

This recipe puts a new twist on an old classic by substituting for some healthier ingredients – the result is a great tasting recipe which is also paleo friendly and gluten free!

If you’re looking for a classic Easy Apple Crumble recipe, check out the traditional kiwi favourite or our whole collection of crumble recipes here.

The Ultimate Bacon and Egg Pie Recipe

We’ve seen a lot of bacon and egg pie recipes, but I’ve seen none better than my mother’s recipe (passed down from my grandmother of course!). Its really simple – you might see other recipes which add onions or vegetables, but this one is just pastry, eggs and bacon.

You can leave the eggs whole but we’ve always scrambled them to give a consistent filling.

If you like this but are looking for something without pastry, check out our popular Self Crusting Pie recipe.

5 Easy Chicken Recipes

Chicken is one of the most popular ingredients in the world, and Kiwi families love it!! Chicken recipes are a perfect go to when you need something cheap, quick and easy to cook for you and the family.

There are lots of different recipes and ways to cook chicken from all over the world – below are some of our favourites. We’ve chosen a variety of chicken recipes so if you’re stuck for ideas, something here is bound to please!!

If you’ve got a great chicken recipe, please let us know as we’d love to share it with the community!

Easy Butter Chicken Recipe

Easy Butter Chicken

This easy, tasty butter chicken recipe is one of our most popular recipes. While there are a lot of nice pre-bought sauces, this one tastes even better and gives you the satisfaction of creating a great dish from scratch.

Butter chicken is a kiwi favourite – great for adults and kids alike! – and this recipe will become a family favourite in no time.

Easy Butter Chicken Recipe

Chicken, Bacon and Mushroom Fettuccine

Chicken Bacon Mushroom Fettuccine

This dish is inspired by classic Italian pastas – using fettuccine and pairing it with a creamy sauce to bring the best out of the chicken.

This dish isn’t spicy so its good for the whole family – if you’re feeling adventurous you can switch things up by adding extra ingredients as you see fit.

Chicken, Bacon and Mushroom Fettuccine Recipe

Chicken, Ham and Asparagus Pies

This one is a little different – instead of a main meal, this is more of a snack for parties or family get togethers. Chicken and asparagus go really well together, so these mini pies will be guaranteed to be a big hit.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you could try putting the mixture into a single pie to feed a whole family, but these work so well as little snack bites we daren’t mess with the recipe!

Chicken, Ham and Asparagus Pies Recipe

Asian Sticky Chicken Nuggets

Asian Chicken Nuggets

When I first saw this recipe I couldn’t wait to try it, and it was an instant hit! Its inspired by Asian flavours, but is really easy to make and accessible so everyone can enjoy it.

Be careful not to over-reduce the sauce so it gets too strong – if it does, just add water to the sauce to thin it back down again.

Asian Sticky Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Chicken Italiano

Despite the name, this dish is as American as apple pie! A great, different way to use chicken, by turning it into schnitzel and smothering it with delicious tomato sauce.

This recipe is very versatile – make your own schnitzel if you’ve got time, or if you’re in a pinch you can use pre-made schnitzel for a quick family friendly meal.

Chicken Italiano Recipe

 

Need more chicken recipes? Check out our Chicken recipes collection, or browse below!

Easy Butter Chicken
Tasty Butter Chicken
Chicken Bacon Mushroom Fettuccine
Chicken Bacon and Mushroom Fettuccine
Asian Chicken Nuggets
Asian Sticky Chicken Nuggets
Chicken Italiano
Chicken And Asparagus Casserole
Chicken, Ham and Asparagus Pies
Moroccan Chicken Hotpot
Mama's Chicken Risotto
Basil Pesto Stuffed Chicken Breasts
Delicious Chicken Rolls
Easy Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Creamy and Cheesy Chicken Pasta

Add a Summer Twist to Favorite Foods for Fun, Healthy Meals

Summertime brings a more relaxed routine and adventures for lots of people. Embrace the season’s fun without sacrificing your and your family’s diet. With a plethora of fairs, amusement parks and other places with tempting—but often unhealthy—treats, try these spins to keep meals and snacks balanced with a nod to summer fun, too.

Turn cooking & food prep into a fun activity

Kids are never too young to spend time in the kitchen. They can practice their math and reading skills while making great memories.

When your kids get involved, you can teach them about the origins of different foods; what makes some foods more nutritious than others; show them different cooking techniques; introduce (or reinforce) fractions and allow them some ownership in what they’re eating.

Studies show that encouraging picky eaters to help prep meals also decreases their pickiness. Let your kids play with the food—really! If they’re using more senses to explore foods, they’re more likely to try different, unfamiliar flavors. Take them to the store to grab supplies and have them help make the meals. As a result, they will become personally invested in mealtimes.

Edible art

Has a rainy day ruined your outside plans? Or, did you host a slumber party or play date with friends? Grab a bunch of ingredients and encourage your kids to create edible artwork. Check out Pinterest for design ideas for fruit bouquets and fruit kabob skewers. There’s plenty of tasty, finger-sized inspiration here.

Fun Food Ideas

Instead of pizza bagel bites, slice zucchini ½ inch thick, season and fry in hot oil for 1 to 2 minutes; top with pizza sauce and cheese and broil on high for a minute or until the cheese melts.

Take your pizza in a different direction: fruit pizza! Slice watermelon into pizza-shaped slices. Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt, and then add sliced strawberries, bananas and blueberries on top. Sprinkle sliced almonds or chopped walnuts to add more crunch.

Dip makes everything taste better—and most kids love dip. Pour a little ranch (or whatever type of dip your family likes) in the bottom of a plastic cup. Julienne sweet peppers and add sliced celery, carrots, string beans, cucumbers, or other veggies of your choice for an easy portable snack your kids can take wherever they go.

Make chicken or tuna salad with low-fat mayonnaise, add crunch with diced celery and onion, sprinkle with your favorite seasonings, and serve it in an avocado bowl instead of on bread. The avocado adds fiber and potassium and a festive flare.

Create kid-kabobs by threading halved baby tomatoes, butter lettuce, crunchy quartered cucumbers and blueberries onto bamboo skewers. Drizzle a little dressing over everything and you’ve got a perfect salad on a stick.

Keep kitchens cooler by putting the grill to work—another flavorful Hawaiian shish kabob recipe blends chicken, pineapple, red onions and yellow peppers. Serve with cilantro coconut rice and your taste buds will think you’ve taken a tropical vacation to Hawaii!

Try Mexican pinwheels with chopped rotisserie chicken, cream cheese, salsa, cheddar cheese, green onion, garlic and taco seasoning. Mix everything together in a bowl and spread onto whole wheat tortillas. Roll the tortillas tightly, wrap in plastic and pop in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or more. Then cut the chilled rolls into 1-inch sections—a perfect veggie and protein-packed snack perfect for summer lunches or the park.

Food for balanced mental & physical health

By using food as a way to connect with those we love, we’re helping maintain our mental mojo. The way we eat, drink, love our friends and families and cope with stress and sadness all play a big role in the state our mental health. Breaking bread together gives us time to relax, share stories, friendship and fellowship.

Plus, studies show that families who eat together at least five times a week tend to have lower risk for weight problems, poor eating habits and substance abuse—and kids perform better academically.

Eat the rainbow

When faced with summer snackaholics, try these kid-friendly, healthy options that appeal to even the most discerning appetites. Aim for a rainbow of colour on plates for meals and snacks that includes locally grown fresh produce; it’s the perfect trick for eating more healthfully.

Slow Cooked Pork Belly with Chilli and Peanut Relish

Tender, succulent slow cooked pork belly topped with a spicy chilli peanut relish. Now I know pork belly isn’t a) particularly healthy or b) particularly cheap – but for a special meal it’s an absolute treat.

Meltingly tender pork retains its flavour and succulence when slow cooked for 7-8 hours at a low temperature and then is quickly roasted at a high temperature to get all that delicious crackling crisp.

The relish is fresh, light and spicy and proves to be the perfect contrast to the rich pork. Recipe only slightly modified from the talented chef Valli Little who never ceases to provide imaginative interesting recipes.

Salmon with Kimchi Noodles

The richness of salmon offset by the sour tang of the kimchi in this super- fast dinner recipe for Salmon with Kimchi Noodles. Ten minutes and it’s on the table – served alongside some steamed greens if you want it a little more substantial.

I love this flavour combination and I especially love just how quickly it all comes together in a delightfully flavoursome way. Make this your go-to recipe for a busy night when you really need a meal on the table pronto.

Recipe by Maree