All tagged bbq

Spinach, tapenade and feta baked filo triangles

Spinach, tapenade and feta baked filo triangles

Val Simpson
Recipes, Mains

I used to make those as a kid with my Jewish grandma in the South of France. Now I have passed this on to my 15yr old. If you have made my tapenade before and enjoyed it, this simple delicious recipe makes great use of it. It is so so quick to make. It’s a perfect starter or ideal with summer drinks or for a picnic. Spinach, black olives and feta are a classic greek combo I adore. You could swap the tapenade for a pesto and generally be creative with flavours. Great finger food for the little ones too!

No fuss marinated chicken chorizo skewers

No fuss marinated chicken chorizo skewers

Val Simpson
Recipes, Mains

Kat and I pride ourselves with how simplicity is the key to eating well and creating healthy habits for the long term. That is why, sometimes, as is the case for this recipe, it barely feels like a recipe! A marinade doesn’t have to be “chef” like or complicated with loads of ingredients. Just 2 staples here :plain yoghurt and a good quality harissa paste! In the summer, this is perfect for a BBQ and for the rest of the year, I grill those in the oven. Add to a wrap with hummus for a delicious picnic or lunch at work.

roasted red pepper & tomato pesto

roasted red pepper & tomato pesto

Val Simpson
Recipes, Dips and sauces

When my kids were little, as most toddlers do, they went through a phase of refusing everything green added to their plate. Shock horror! My way round it was to add Green Pesto to their pasta. From then on, pesto, was always going to be homemade. Over the years, I have made green pesto and red pesto alike. It is so easy and delicious. Pick and choose the vegetables you enjoy, pick and mix the nuts and have fun creating....and eating of course! This is my favourite Mediterranean combination.

French vegetable "tian" with goat cheese

French vegetable "tian" with goat cheese

Val Simpson
Recipes, Mains

A Tian is a classic dish from my beloved childhood southern France. It is perfect served alongside grilled meat or fish, or just aside salad for a light lunch. It is perfect to use up all of your summer vegetables. I like to use mixed provencal herbs and garlic for the seasoning but dried oregano works brilliantly too. A super easy one to make vegan by simply skipping the cheese. It’s a bit like a structured ratatouille!

Portobello no bun vegetarian burger

Portobello no bun vegetarian burger

Val Simpson
Recipes, Mains

With BBQ season kicking off soon and 2 teens looking forward to make up for lost social time, weekend gathering around food will hopefully be regular occurrence. There seem to be more and more vegetarians amongst my teens’ friends so I am busy creating, planning and testing some new recipes to suit all dietary requirements. This is so so tasty with a nod to my home country with French goats cheese and caramelised red onions! And no processed fake meat in sight!

Spicy turkey and harissa meatballs

Spicy turkey and harissa meatballs

Val Simpson
Recipes, Mains

When trying to get clever and time efficient with meal planning and food prep, we often go for the simple crowd pleasing classics that you can batch cook and freeze. And what better than a batch of meatballs. Turkey mince is very affordable too. The beauty of meatballs is that they are so so versatile: added to a lunchbox, to comforting pasta bowl, served with simple mediterranean roasted veggies, one pan meal. Leftovers are perfect sliced in a wrap with salad and avocado for lunch!

Harissa, chickpea and apricot lamb koftas

Harissa, chickpea and apricot lamb koftas

Val Simpson
Recipes, Mains

When it’s all about meal planning, food prep and making sure you have good nutritious home cooked food ready when you need it, these are perfect to make all year round. Very quick and easy to assemble with no blender or processor, those lamb koftas can be served with a side salad or some quinoa and steamed greens. I like to serve them with a side of cumin and parsley yoghurt.

Easy spicy harissa hummus

Easy spicy harissa hummus

Val Simpson
Recipes, Dips and sauces

Hummus (or houmous) is one of those items a lot of us buy on repeat, but honestly it is the easiest thing ever to make yourself! It’s so much fun playing around with spices, flavours, textures and extras! This super quick and easy recipe is for a base to which you can then add anything and make your own!. You can then enjoy it as a dip, as a protein hit on a salad plate, or to serve with warm flat breads with drinks.

mint & cashew rack of lamb

mint & cashew rack of lamb

Val Simpson
Recipes, Mains

At The Health Boost we love our food of course, and we love to keep it simple with few ingredients without comprising on nutrients, quality and flavours. This simple lamb recipe is just that. A handful of ingredients carefully picked, local, fresh and easy to assemble for maximum effect and foodie pleasure.

courgette & chickpea salad

courgette & chickpea salad

Kat Bright
Recipes, Soups and salads

In August we are always looking for ways to use up a glut of courgette from the veg patch! This salad recipe is perfect. It's a good mixture of carbohydrates, green vegetables and fat from the avocado and dressing. This stores well in the fridge (without the avocado and dressing) and so can be taken into work for a healthy packed lunch.

broad bean & mint dip

broad bean & mint dip

Val Simpson
Dips and sauces, Recipes

At the Health Boost we believe that the sure way to sustaining healthy eating on a long term basis is to keep it simple. Few ingredients, inspired by the seasons and available locally. This dip is just that and will make the perfect offering with summer drinks, barbecues served with warm flat breads or corn tortillas.  

moroccan chicken & olive tagine

moroccan chicken & olive tagine

Val Simpson
Recipes, Mains

The hearty, warm and spicy dishes of the mediterranean are my best food memories from summers in the South of France, enjoying my grandmother's home cooking. Chicken is an easy and inexpensive source of lean protein but being creative with it is key to re-inventing how you will enjoy it all year long. Slow cooking is not just a winter months thing. It's a must for busy health conscious families. Put everything in early morning and your delicious flavoursome meal will be awaiting when you all get home, stopping you reaching for other unhealthy processed ready made options.

beetroot falafels

beetroot falafels

Val Simpson
Recipes, Mains, Soups and salads

I enjoyed my very first falafel on a family trip to Israel as a teenager. Served very spicy with mixed salad, in a flat bread. As a chickpea fan, I naturally love them and I enjoy playing around with ingredients, flavours and colours. This beetroot falafel is not just pretty, it's quick and easy to make, healthy, packed with whole ingredients, ideal to make ahead and really filling.  If you've never tried them, have a go!

My easy family shakshuka recipe

My easy family shakshuka recipe

Val Simpson
Recipes, Mains, Breakfast and brunch

Growing up in France, my paternal side of the family was from French North Africa and I grew up enjoying many of the flavourful dishes of the cuisine of the Sephardic Jews. My grandmother spent her time spoiling us with feast after feast of delicious spicy foods. My favourite was her "Choukchouka". Little did I know that this dish would see such a revival and feature in every culinary, foodie, healthy cookbook or blog! So here's my own family recipe for you to enjoy.

sweet & spicy lamb koftas

sweet & spicy lamb koftas

Val Simpson
Recipes, Mains

When looking for inspiration for healthy on-the-go finger food, I find that the mediterranean food I grew up with has a lot to offer, and I thoroughly enjoy revisiting old family recipes. These koftas are quick and easy to make, keep well, and will provide you with the perfect make ahead lunch box item for kids and adults alike.

simple vegetable curry

simple vegetable curry

Val Simpson
Recipes, Mains

When days get shorter and cooler, we all seek comfort in warming foods. Spices do just that, and it doesn't have to be complicated. Plenty of vegetables and plenty of gorgeous colours are sure signs that you're eating something full of goodness. So have a go! This is a great vegetarian dish on its own or the perfect side for a roast chicken for example.

rainbow salad

rainbow salad

Val Simpson
Recipes, Soups and salads

Did you say green salad? Why stop at green? Although green is THE compulsory colour on our plates at all times, we love a rainbow. With mixed elements of raw and roasted vegetables, it will accompany your summer barbecues perfectly and provide a useful nutrient dense and balanced option for your vegetarian friends.

ratatouille provençale

ratatouille provençale

Val Simpson
Recipes, Mains

With its origin  in the area around Provence and Nice where I spent all my summers as a child,  the word “ratatouille” originally meant a coarse stew as "touiller" or "ratouiller" means to stir in French. Ratatouille is a dish I make weekly all year round, because besides being loved by all at home, it is extremely versatile and packed full of vitamins and nutrients.

wild rice salad

wild rice salad

Kat Bright
Recipes, Soups and salads

Wild rice makes a gorgeous looking salad, perfect for a weekend lunch or part of a buffet or barbecue spread. If eating on its own then try adding some feta cheese, sardines or wild salmon for some added protein. It's also a great salad to take into work or as part of a picnic.

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