Fish curry

I love this curry. I can't get cod cheeks very often so it is a real treat when I can make it.

1 onion
1 tbsp butter
1 tin chopped tomatoes
1 apple (eating type), cored, peeled and chopped
1 tsp - 1 tbsp curry powder (depending on your taste)
1 tsp branston pickle
1 lb cod cheeks

Chop the onion and saute gently in the butter until starting to colour. Add the curry powder and saute for another minute. Add the apple, tomatoes, cod and pickle and simmer gently until the fish is cooked through.

Brussel sprouts

These are so good - I eat these as a meal in them selves with a fried egg.

1 onion
1 tbsp butter/lard
3 rashers bacon
brussel sprouts, outer leaves removed and stalks trimmed

Slice the onion and cook very slowly in the lard or butter until caramelized and brown (at least half an hour). Grill the bacon until it is crispy. Lightly steam or boil sprouts until they soften (but don't over cook) - about 5 minutes. Slice the sprouts into about 4 slices and add to the onions. Slice or crumble the bacon in with the sprouts and onions and cook for another minute or so. Season to taste and serve.

Cheese dip

This is a very simple and lazy cheese dip and it tastes just divine! Just add some finely grated cheese to creme fraiche and enjoy! You can use different cheese for different tastes - blue cheese is delicious but a mix of cheddar and Parmesan is more kid friendly (to most kids - mine love Stilton - definately my kids!).
You can add extras - like onion or chives. Or leave out the cheese and add garlic and dill. All good!

Malt Loaf

This isn't like the sticky, dark, sugar loaded stuff you get in the shops. It is less of a cake and more of a bread. But a delicious snack - especially thickly spread with butter.

7 fl oz buttermilk or thinned yogurt
12 oz wholemeal flour
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp honey
1 1/2 tsp malt extract
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp yeast
1/2 cup raisins or other small pieces of dried fruit

Mix the buttermilk and flour and leave in a warm place for 12 -24 hours. Put the malt extract and honey into the bread machine pan. Place the flour mixture on top. Add the salt and butter in opposite corners of the pan. Put the yeast into an indentation in the middle of the ingredients. Run the machine on a whole wheat setting, light crust. Add the raisins 5 minutes before the kneading finishes (or when the beeper goes off to remind you to add extra ingredients - not all machines have this feature).

Fried Mush

Another nourishing traditions recipe! The kids loved this and it was very easy to make from leftovers.

1 1/2 cups cooked porridge
1 egg
Cooking fat

Mix the porridge with the lightly beaten egg. Try in small cakes until golden on the outside and cooked through. Lovely served with honey or maple syrup. Could also be made savoury with porridge cooked in stock and served with ketchup or salsa.

Roman lentil soup

This is a recipe from Nourishing Traditions. We all really liked it - I can see it becoming a regular fixture.

1 cup red lentils (soaked for 7 hours)
2 leeks or onions, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 litre stock (beef or chicken - or veg if you are vegetarian)
1 tsp fresh thyme
1/2 tsp crushed green peppercorns
Fish sauce or sea salt to taste
Splash of lemon juice or whey
Creme fraiche to serve (optional)

Gently fry the leeks and carrots in the butter and olive oil for half an hour. Add the stock and lentils and bring to the boil. Skim off the foam that rises and then reduce heat. Add the thyme and peppercorns and simmer for another half hour. Liquidize and stir through the lemon juice or whey. Season to taste and serve with creme fraiche.

Bean burgers

Finally beans the kids will eat! Other than sugar loaded tinned baked beans of course. ;0)

1 can beans (or equivalent of dried, soaked, cooked beans)
1 egg
1 onion, roughly chopped
1 tsp curry powder
pinch salt (unless beans were salted in the can)

Drain and rinse beans. Place ingredients in a food processor and process until smooth. Fry batter in small blobs until set.
You can also add more veggies to this. Grated carrot and finely chopped broccoli are good. I have promised my daughter than next time I'll try them with cheese instead of spices so I'll update with how well that works (or not!).