spring dishes
Spring is a time for growth and renewal, to cleanse ourselves of the heavier foods and restfulness of winter. Our bodies naturally crave lighter more refreshing foods. It is a brilliant time of year to do a kitchen spring clean – fridge and cupboards. ‘Prepare your kitchen for success’, is something I often say to clients – if we set ourselves up for success, we are much less likely to bow to convenience. Spring may not be the most bountiful time of year, but there is still lots to celebrate. One of my favourite dishes in early spring is my Fish & Spinach Curry, Cauliflower ‘Rice’ & Pistachios; it’s easy to forget that most fish comes in and out of season too – I’ll use monkfish at this time of year. See below for more spring dish ideas.
springtime dishes
Chicken & Vegetable Tray Bake
This is a hearty autumn and winter dish that makes the most of the abundant root vegetables that are available at this time…
Veggie balls with ‘courgetti’ and tomato and basil sauce
This is a lighter take on the classic meat balls and pasta and is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. Great for families.
Chicken, Kale & Bean Stew
This is the kind of hearty autumnal stew that brings me lovingly into the colder seasons – a one-pot meal can feed my house…
Chicken & Tarragon Casserole
This makes me think of my Mum – she really rocks a casserole. It’s something I used to be afraid to make, but thank goodness…
Slow Cooked Leg of Lamb with Creamy Cannellini Beans
If you are looking for inspiration for a Sunday lunch fit for spring or Easter, look no further. This is a super way to cook…
Simple Prawn, Coconut & Aubergine Curry
Many of us love a good curry and this is a winner - I think it may possibly be the most popular recipe I have created.…
Crispy Chicken Drumsticks with Fragrant Coleslaw
I created this recipe for anyone with a penchant for fried chicken. It’s wonderfully crunchy on the outside, juicy on the…
Gluten-Free Pizza Topped with Veg
Pizza is so often seen as unhealthy, which is usually down to the toppings of shop bought and fast food varieties, but you…
Simple Chicken & Sweet Potato Chips
This is quick, easy, adaptable and, to me, the epitome of comfort food – it’s great for adults and kids alike, so makes a…
Turkey Meatball Tacos
Turkey works wonderfully well in these meatballs, which lend themselves perfectly to sharing: lay all the parts out and…
Poached Fish with Spinach in a Chilli-Tomato Sauce
I like this recipe because it’s an easy one-pan dish. Plus, you don’t need to be precise with the quantities– a handful of…
Poached Chicken, Crunchy Vegetables & Herb Dressing
This dish celebrates delicious summer vegetables, all of which are in season together during July and August so this is an…
Poached Thai Salmon & Pak Choi
This is a failsafe, light (but satisfying) meal. Poached salmon is not only tender and delicious, but also contains the…
Fish Fingers with Broad Beans
Here’s my take on a British classic. Use any variety of fish that takes your fancy. The red lentil-based coating gives such…
Wild Salmon Parcels with Asian-Style Salad
Making fish parcels is such a lovely, easy way to cook fish without the risk of it becoming dry. I aim to buy sustainably…
Asparagus & Crab Tarts
A gluten-free diet doesn’t have to mean no pastry, although if you are not gluten free this can be made using normal…
White Fish, Tomato, Fennel & Herb Bake
This is a very easy and satisfying fish dishes; the freshness of the herbs and juicy tomatoes results in a wonderfully tasty…
Crab Cakes
Crab, like most shellfish, contains protein and is also an important source of zinc. These crab cakes are my light,…
Sticky Soy Roasted Chicken Drumsticks
This simple recipe has become a weekly regular in my house. My daughter loves it and so do we so it reduces my time in the…
Pickled Red Onion
This recipe for tangy red onions adds colourful pep to simple salads, sandwiches, wraps and more.
Golden Tahini Dressing
This is a beautifully creamy, quick and versatile sauce that I drizzle over simple salads, fish, chicken, roasted vegetables…
Busy Day Smoothie
This is my go-to smoothie for days I know I’m going to be busy, but still want something nourishing. It uses ingredients I…
One Pot Veggie Pasta
This one pot, lemony spaghetti is a lovely nod to warmer days ahead, while still offering comfort as we wait. It is, of…
Chocolate Raspberry Pots
Usually pudding in my house is a simple portion of fresh, seasonal fruit. However, sometimes the occasion calls for an extra…
Creamy Lemon Cod with Fennel & Leeks
This creamy, hearty dish feels nourishing for body and soul. With sides of roasted baby potatoes and sautéed kale, this…
Soup for the Soul
My plant-based version of the classic chicken and lemon soup. Here, chickpeas provide the protein and give a deliciously…
Lentil & Mushroom Ragu
This is a lovely meat-free Monday meal or a comforting, warming dish for a cosy night in. It is quick to make with simple…
Egg ‘Muffins’
They are fluffy and light and a lovely way to feed a busy breakfast bunch AND they are great hot, warm or cold. Play around…
Fish and spinach curry with cauliflower ‘rice’ and pistachios
I love the vibrant contrasting colours and nutrients this curry provides. The cauliflower provides an excellent base, adding…
Grilled Asparagus with Fish
This is such an elegant way to cook fish: fast and easy which lends a smoky taste of charcoal grills from Greek Islands…
Baked Trout on a Bed of Vegetables
If you can get your hands on some fresh trout, it is one of the most delicious, delicate fishes to enjoy. And, as an oily…
Sweet Potato Cottage Pie | Waitrose
There can be little more reward that a comforting, warming dish on a winter's day. And you know I’m all about adding in…
12 Favourite Things on Toast
Here are a few ideas of delicious and nutritious toppings for toast that can be enjoyed for a leisurely breakfast, speedy…
Warm Spring Medley
This is a real celebration of spring veg. The ingredient list here could easily read ‘any green spring vegetables that your…
Roasted Cauliflower with Tahini & Miso Dipping Sauce
Cauliflower contains a variety of nutrients including fibre, and vitamin C - which helps support our immune system. It is…
Homemade Sauerkraut
To make sauerkraut, cabbage is fermented by bacteria to give it a delicious sour taste. Sauerkraut contains fibre, vitamins…
Crunchy Vegetable ‘Tabbouleh’ with Coconut Cream & Herb Dressing
This is a lovely starter to serve at a dinner party but I also eat this alone. The creaminess of the coconut cream with the…
Crayfish Lettuce Cups with Asian Dressing
We are very lucky in the UK as an island to have easy access to fresh shell fish which is not only delicious but is also…
Fragrant Sprout Slaw
Sprouts are in season from September all the way through until February but so many of us only eat them at Christmas.
Yellow Courgette, Herb & Feta Salad
This is a super-quick dish (but no less impressive or tasty), bursting with flavour and goodness. You can, of course,…
Wild Rice Purple Salad
This is a stunning winter grain salad with nutty wild rice. If the bitter radicchio or chicory are hard to find, red cabbage…
Spicy Thai Chicken Broth
This broth provides an exquisite array of colour with a deliciously spicy kick, alongside a hefty dose of essential…
Asparagus Gaspacho
Chilled gazpacho of any kind is such a joy on a hot day. The core ingredients change as the season progresses as gazpacho is…
Asian Chicken Pot Noodle
This is a fun way to make a healthier version of the pot noodle. It’s a quick, portable lunch - so long as you can get…
Tuna on Sprialized Courgetti
This simple salad makes a tasty and nutritious lunch. This recipe works just as well with smoked mackerel, poached salmon or…
Vegetable Soufflé with Parsley, Sage & Rosemary
Don’t be put off by the name ‘soufflé’ as this is just my simplified version and much easier to make. These are great to…
Indian Coconut Cabbage
This is the perfect example of how using spices can really bring vegetables alive. It is delicious alongside some lean meat…
Oysters 3-Ways
Oysters come into season from September onwards and are not only nutritious but are also good for the environment. Oyster…
Individual Fish Pies
This recipe was created for those following a low FODMAP programme. There is nothing wrong with the real deal but sometimes…
Summery Lemon & Herb Warm Chicken Salad
This salad is a lovely light lunch or evening meal, but equally tasty, nutritious and filling. Peas and runner beans contain…
Chicken Nuggets with Mango & Avocado Salsa
Here’s a recipe for the whole family – it’s a healthier (and dare I say, tastier!) version of chicken nuggets.
Spiced Prawns with Spinach & Coconut
This is a really simple meal that you can rustle up in minutes – the perfect option for a busy weeknight. But despite its…
Salmon Soba Noodle Salad
This is a versatile and robust salad that you can make using any protein and vegetables that you have. Soba noodles are…
Kale & Mushroom Muffins
These are really simple to whizz up and make a great brunch to serve to friends and guests. Mushrooms provide fibre which is…
Asian Salmon Burgers
These salmon burgers are zingy and tangy with Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, which help to maintain our health and…
Gluten Free Spring Tart
This salad is a super celebrations of spring and the fresh green bounty of salad vegetables that the season brings. It lends…
Kale & Almond Pesto
Pesto is something I always have in the fridge because it’s so simple to make and livens up so many meals, even as a mere…
Crunchy Harissa Chickpeas
In my pre-nutritionist days I was a crisp addict – they were a hard habit to break. These baked chickpeas are a perfect…
Creamy Coconut Strawberry Chia Breakfast Porridge
Chia seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and minerals, a complete source of protein with all the essential amino…
Green ‘Wake me up’ Broth
This broth can be enjoyed it at any time of day for a natural energy burst. Asparagus contains vitamins, minerals and fibre…
Herby Green Bread
This green bread is more cakey than bready in texture due to the gluten free flour (I haven’t tried it with regular flour…
Green Shakshuka
The ubiquitous brunch staple of red shakshuka gets a sensational spicy green make over here, with some of my favourite…
Carrot & Caraway Gluten-Free Bread
This is a sumptuous and festive loaf, perfect for Christmas platters and sharing with family and friends. But I love it so…
Coconut Pancakes
These are really good pancakes; they crisp nicely on the outside but are very fluffy and soft on the inside. I have used…
Grilled Sardines & Tomatoes with Crunchy Herb Dressing
Sardines are a fantastically cost-effective source of the beneficial Omega-3 fatty acids, EPA & DHA, as well as containing a…
Brunch Vegetable Fritters
I absolutely love fritters and think they can work for any time of day but they do make the ideal quick, lazy…
Crunchy Amaranth Granola
Amaranth, used by the ancient Aztecs, is a complete protein source boasting all nine essential amino acids and a variety of…
Beetroot, Rosemary and Walnut Soda Bread
This is a different way to use beetroot and I think it’s pretty lovely to see a pink loaf of bread. Beetroots offer vitamins…
Egg on Toast, Broad Beans with Herbs & Feta
Broad beans are from the legume family, so are a great source of vitamins and minerals, plus they pack a good protein punch.…
Crunchy Nut & Seed Granola
If you like to start your day with a little bit of crunch then this is the breakfast for you. It's not only tasty but there…
Raspberry & Lemon Muffins
I really love the hint of lemon in these muffins which makes them feel quite refreshing. Raspberries are in season from June…
The Hangover Sandwich
It would be unrealistic not to enjoy the odd overindulgence. We’ve all suffered from the morning after effects of too much…
Rhubarb & Orange Fool
The trouble with rhubarb is, of course, owing to its tartness, it requires a lot of sweetening and traditional recipes use…
Mini Carrot Cake
If I were going to eat cake, it would always be carrot cake. This is a slightly healthier twist on an old-fashioned version…
Rhubarb & Custard Tart
Rhubarb and custard: it has to be one of the most nostalgic flavours of childhood, it certainly is for me. This tart gives a…
Green Soup & Cashew Cream
This simple soup is a celebration of all things green. Green leafy vegetables contain essential vitamins, minerals and fibre…
Chicken, Cauliflower & Pistachio Salad
I sometimes roast chicken specifically to make this salad. It is that good. Every mouthful is exciting.