chilli, chilli con carne, beef, healthy, guacamole Bethany Ferguson chilli, chilli con carne, beef, healthy, guacamole Bethany Ferguson

Healthy Beef Chilli Bowls with Guacamole, Air Fried Tortilla Chips and Pico de Gallo

These beef chilli bowls are perfect to make on a Sunday night to serve you through the rest of the week.  I sometimes make a double batch of the chilli which I can then freeze for emergencies (your future self will thank you). I make mine with lean beef mince, kidney beans and black beans for extra protein if I’m trying to be healthier. Red peppers add more veggie goodness and then a mixture of chilli powder, smoked paprika, oregano, cumin, coriander, garlic, and optional chipotle flakes for added smokiness all add more punch. I like to add some 70% dark chocolate, a splash of soy, worcestershire sauce and a spoonful of marmite for added richness.

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Harissa and Red Pepper Chickpea Loaded Sweet Potatoes with Mint Tahini Dressing and Toasted Pine Nuts

A meat free recipe which never fails to disappoint. Full of flavour and plenty of nutritious goodness. This make great leftovers and is perfect for clearing out the fridge of any veggies which need using. There are also minimal ingredients so you can whip it up whenever you fancy.

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salmon, salmon recipe, orzo, pasta, pasta recipe Bethany Ferguson salmon, salmon recipe, orzo, pasta, pasta recipe Bethany Ferguson

Baked Salmon with Super Green Orzo

One of my favourite midweek recipes that is full of green goodness. It’s also a great one for kids as they are getting plenty of veggies without realising. Plenty of basil, lemon and parmesan adds heaps of flavour, while a spoonful of creme fraiche helps make the sauce nice and creamy while still being very light and fresh. Delicious on its own but I like it with a simply baked salmon fillet on top. Would also work really well with chicken.

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chicken, chicken recipe, salad, salad recipe, tahini, soy, ginger, healthy Bethany Ferguson chicken, chicken recipe, salad, salad recipe, tahini, soy, ginger, healthy Bethany Ferguson

Soy, Tahini and Ginger Chicken Salad

A great salad recipe which will leave you feeling satisfied and nourished from the inside. It works great for leftovers and actually tastes better after a night in the fridge (soggy salads are no no in my book). The tahini, soy, honey, lime and ginger dressing is so moreish in this recipe and by poaching the chicken breasts first in an aromatic broth of ginger, spring onions and chicken stocks, before finishing off in a frying pan, you get lovely soft and succulent pieces of chicken which don’t dry out.

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Spiced Lamb Meatballs with Roasted Vegetable Harissa Bulgur Wheat, Mint Tahini Yoghurt, Pistachios and Pomegranates

One of my favourite recipes which is full of colour, flavour and texture. It makes great leftovers the next day and is special enough for a dinner party, or a delicious weeknight meal.

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Miso, Peanut Butter, Pretzel and Pecan Ice Cream with Rum Cherry Compote

One of my ultimate guilty pleasure desserts which never lasts long in the freezer. This is my favourite type of ice cream - sweet, salty, crunchy, creamy and completely moreish paired with a fruity, warm cherry compote.  It would also work well with any fruit you have in your freezer (raspberries, strawbs etc). This is a crowdpleaser of a pud which feels grownup but also a little bit like jelly and ice cream you used to get as a kid.

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Spring Vegetable, Mint, Feta and Ricotta Tart

This recipe celebrates all the good things about the spring/summer. It is also very, very quick to make, uses just a handful of ingredients and would make a lovely starter or light lunch. Crispy puff pastry with a creamy, salty and citrusy feta and ricotta mixture, crunchy asparagus and a drizzle of pesto completes the tart for a lovely veggie meal ready in no time.

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pasta, pasta recipe, beef, ragu, slow cooked, comfort food Bethany Ferguson pasta, pasta recipe, beef, ragu, slow cooked, comfort food Bethany Ferguson

Beef Shin Ragu

It depends which day you ask me, but this could be my death row meal - its definitely in my top 3. For me, nothing beats this when I’m craving a rich, hearty, delicious bowl of comforting pasta. It’s all about the slow cooking of the beef shin here which after a few hours in a low oven just melts in your mouth. The end result is a ragu rich with red wine, plenty of rosemary, parmesan, garlic, sweet vegetables, sweet good quality Italian tinned tomatoes and well made beef stock.

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Golden Cauliflower, Chickpea and Squash Curry with Pomegranate Raita

I love veggie curries for when I’m craving some spice but want something a bit fresher, lighter and healthier than a meat curry. Roasting cauliflower and squash in lots of spices helps to amp up the flavour and give a slightly smoky, charred flavour to the finished dish. With a refreshing raita with added pomegranates for texture and a fruity burst, mango chutney, extra lime, and some toasted flaked almonds, this is a comforting weeknight meal which doesn’t take long to prepare and will help get you towards your 5 a day.

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soup, soup recipe, healthy, vegetarian, vegetables Bethany Ferguson soup, soup recipe, healthy, vegetarian, vegetables Bethany Ferguson

5 Ingredient Pea & Mint Soup

Healthy, filling, and perfect for this time of year, this makes a great starter, lunch, or dinner served with warm crusty bread. The soup itself uses only 5 ingredients, is a doddle to make and is a cheap, hearty meal which can keep you going for a few days if you make a big batch. I jazzed ours up with a dollop of creme fraiche on the top, some extra mint leaves, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and some toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds, but you could use sour cream, a drizzle of double cream or even add some pancetta croutons if you like.

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Crispy Chicken, Sundried Tomato, Olive and Fennel Traybake with Salsa Verde, Feta Oregano Smashed Potatoes and Almond Asparagus

I made this a few weeks ago when I was craving a Sunday roast but wanted something lighter and full of summery flavours. It’s super easy to make and full of flavour. It’s the type of meal you can put on platters in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in. Fennel, olives, tomatoes and plenty of garlic amp up the Mediterranean flavours and with a punchy bright green salsa verde, it’s the perfect pairing. Super crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside and with oregano, plenty of sea salt flakes, and crumbled salty feta the potatoes are the dream side dish for this spread. Some simply fried in-season asparagus spears and toasted flaked almonds add some freshness and crunch.

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Middle Eastern Freekeh Fridge Raid Salad

Now that the weather is getting slightly more spring like, we are slowly moving into salad season. I love a salad, but it’s got to be full of texture and flavour. Crunchy, salty, zingy, slightly sweet and packed full of goodness. I made this freekeh fridge raid salad a few weeks ago and it was delicious. I’ve included a rough guide of how to make it below, but it really is up to you. Makes great leftover lunches too.

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pasta, pasta recipe, anchovy, tomatoes, healthy, quick meals Bethany Ferguson pasta, pasta recipe, anchovy, tomatoes, healthy, quick meals Bethany Ferguson

Tomato, Fennel and Anchovy Pasta with Pangrattato

I have been quite busy recently and craving tasty, quick pasta meals in the evening. This is one of my favourites and includes ingredients you probably have in your cupboard anyway. Anchovies add a lovely umami saltiness, while sweet tomatoes, sharp lemon, salty capers and fragrant fennel all work together to make this not just your typical bowl of midweek pasta. Pangrattato toasted in garlic, oil and parmesan add crunch and texture and is a must to sprinkle over any pasta dish. This will be on the table in minutes.

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stirfry, lamb, lamb recipe, soy, ginger, noodles, healthy, roast lamb Bethany Ferguson stirfry, lamb, lamb recipe, soy, ginger, noodles, healthy, roast lamb Bethany Ferguson

Leftover Lamb Noodle Stir Fry with Soy, Ginger and Sesame

If you have some leftover lamb after your Sunday roast, I’ve got the perfect recipe to try something different. This lamb stir fry uses store cupboard ingredients to make a delicious, easy and healthy dish which is ready in minutes. Using lamb in a stir fry is quite unusual but it works really well. Slow cooked shredded lamb seems to soak up the flavours from the sauce and become lovely and soft in no time. You can use whatever veggies you have lying around and some cooked stir fried rice stirred through at the end would also work really well.

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salmon, salmon recipe, satay, salad, salad recipe, noodle recipe, noodles Bethany Ferguson salmon, salmon recipe, satay, salad, salad recipe, noodle recipe, noodles Bethany Ferguson

Curried Salmon Noodle Salad with Satay Dressing

This salmon noodle salad may be my new favourite salad recipe, purely because it doesn’t feel like you’re eating a salad but you’re still getting all the veggie goodness. It’s also one of those salads that actually taste better the day after, or after being dressed for a few hours so there are no soggy salad leaves woes here. The curried salmon fillets stay so moist but still have a slight crust by cooking them in the air fryer (you would also get the same result grilling them in the oven). A yummy peanut dressing made from peanut butter, soy, ginger, plenty of lime and some honey is so moreish and coats the vermicelli noodles so they become glossy and yummy. You won’t be able to stop sticking your fork in for more.

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brunch, sourdough, halloumi, pomegranates Bethany Ferguson brunch, sourdough, halloumi, pomegranates Bethany Ferguson

Mint Pea Smash with Chilli Honey Halloumi Bites, Pomegranate and Pea Shoots

For today’s meat free meal I thought I’d share this brunch recipe, but it works for lunch or a light dinner as well. Some minty sweet smashed peas with creme fraiche or sour cream, spicy, salty and sweet halloumi bites, fruity pomegranate seeds for texture and sweet pea shoots to garnish, it’s a colourful and vibrant meal which delivers on every level.

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chicken, chicken recipe, salad recipe, cajun, avocado, salad, healthy Bethany Ferguson chicken, chicken recipe, salad recipe, cajun, avocado, salad, healthy Bethany Ferguson

Cajun Spiced Chicken with Sweet Potato Black Bean Salad, Avocado, Feta & Lime

Marinading, frying, then baking the chicken breasts keeps them lovely and juicy and moist and works every time. You can add whatever veggies you like to the salad but for me, some roasted sweet potato in a few spices, roughly chopped spinach leaves and extra coriander work a treat.

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meatballs, orzo, pasta, pasta recipe Bethany Ferguson meatballs, orzo, pasta, pasta recipe Bethany Ferguson

Pork and Ricotta Meatballs with Basil, Pea and Parmesan Orzo

Serving the meatballs with a green pea orzo is a little different from your usual tomato based sauces, so this is an ideal way to switch up your usual meatball recipes. The ricotta makes the meatballs so light and fluffy, while plenty of parmesan adds umami richness to the orzo which is full of colour, flavour and lots of basil. This is the sort of recipe which you immediately feel better after eating and at £2.32 per portion, it won’t break the bank either. It’s a comforting but healthy dinner full of goodness which adults and kids will both love. 

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