Orzo Pasta Salad

This recipe is inspired by one of my members at our taster session. I usually use orzo pasta shapes in soups, I never though of using it as a salad! It was so nice that I have tried to recreate it and loved my version too. For convenience I have used Najma BBQ Chicken Chunks but you can cook chicken from scratch if you prefer. You can add any veg of your preference to it, I just used whatever I had in my fridge.

Serves: 4

Syns: FREE

Time Taken: less than 15 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Orzo Pasta Salad

Orzo Pasta Salad

 

Ingredients

  • 150g orzo pasta
  • Najma BBQ chicken chunks
  • Cucumber
  • Carrot
  • Red pepper
  • Spring onions
  • Green chillies
  • Fresh coriander
  • Season to taste

Method

Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.

Whilst the pasta is cooking, finely chop all the veg and the BBQ chicken chunks and set aside till the pasta is cooked.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain and run it through cold water under a sieve.

Mix the chicken and the veg to the pasta and season to taste.

Carrot & Cinnamon Baked Oats

I’ve had quite a few people ask me for the recipe for the carrot and cinnamon baked oats I posted on my Instagram and Facebook page. The basic recipe is exactly the same as I’ve posted previously here but this one should be clearer to follow if you intend on doing this flavour baked oats. Enjoy, and remember to tag me on your posts when you make them!

Carrot & Cinnamon Baked Oats

Carrot & Cinnamon Baked Oats

 

Serves: 1

Syns: 0.5 syn plus healthy extras A & B choices

Time Taken: 25 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

  • 40g porridge oats
  • 50ml milk (any of your choice, I use skimmed milk normally)
  • 1 tbsp sweetener
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 small carrot, peeled and finely grated
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp cinnamon powder

Method

Weigh out the porridge in a bowl and add all the ingredients to it apart from the carrot. Squeeze out any water from the grated carrot before adding it to the oats mix.

Spray a small baking dish with spray oil before adding the mixture to it.

Bake in a pre heated oven gas mark 6 for around 20-25 minutes.

Once baked, you can add any toppings of your choice. Just remember to syn accordingly!

Carrot & Lentil Soup

I’ve had this recipe saved in my scrapbook for a very long time, I can’t remember where I got it from but it was online. I love the fact that it is super easy to make and it is perfect if you are following Extra Easy SP.

Serves: 4

Syns: FREE if using milk as part of your healthy extra A choice

Time Taken: less than 30 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Carrot and Lentil Soup

Carrot and Lentil Soup

Ingredients

  • 600g carrots, coarsely grated
  • 140g red lentils
  • 1 tbsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp red chilli flakes
  • 1lt vegetable stock
  • 125ml milk

    Method

    Heat a large saucepan and dry-fry the cumin seeds and chilli flakes for 1 min, or until they start to jump around the pan and release their aromas. Add the carrot, lentils, stock and milk to the pan and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15 minutes until the lentils have swollen and softened.

    Whizz the soup with a blender or in a food processor until smooth (or leave it chunky if you prefer). Season to taste.