Food: Spinach and Feta Pie with Sweet Potato Crust (Wheat & Gluten Free, Budget Friendly)

New Years Resolution #3 - Reduce Food Waste.....

With that in mind I had a good rummage in the Fridge and Freezer this morning to see what needed to be eaten. I came across nine Sweet Potatoes, half a bag (500g) of Frozen Spinach with an expiration date of Dec'14 (but y'know YOLO and all that jazz) and two thirds of a pack of Feta Cheese that had been open a few days.

A quick Pinterest search later and I came across the following recipe.

http://www.fourteenforty365.com/2014/04/weekend-meal-prep.html?m=1

I adapted it to suit what I had around, and shortly after the following recipe was born.

Spinach and Feta Pie with Sweet Potato Crust

2 x Sweet Potatoes 38p (19p each - so much cheaper if you buy them in a big net, and they last ages)

Coconut Oil (Or Olive Oil) 20p

1/2 Large Onion 16p

1 Garlic Clove 2p

500g Frozen Spinach 75p

4 Medium Free Range Eggs 67p (£1 for 6 in Tesco)

100g Feta 80p

Salt & Pepper

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees fan.

To make the "crust" you need to peel and finely slice those Sweet Potatoes. I used a Mandolin, but if you don't have one a steady hand and a sharp knife will work.

Melt a tbsp of Coconut Oil in a cup (10 seconds in the microwave) and use it to brush your dish and Sweet Potato slices.

Pop your crust in the oven for about 15-20 minutes.

I cooked my Frozen Spinach in a saucepan with a couple of tablespoons of water and then drained it to get rid of any excess moisture.

Whilst your Spinach is cooking, slice your onions and mince your garlic. Soften together in a pan with a small blob of Coconut Oil and when the Spinach is done, add it to the onion and garlic. Cook for another couple of minutes over a medium heat. Season with Salt and Pepper.

Remove your Potatoes from the oven. They should be just beginning to colour around the edges. Don't be alarmed if they shrink or there's gaps in between, the spinach and eggs will sort that out!

Add your Spinach mixture and crumble the Feta into the pie. Whisk together your eggs and pour over.

Pop back into the over for 30 minutes and then devour!

I cut mine into 6 portions. We ate two for lunch today and the others will be great for snacking over the weekend.

We had ours with a side salad. Just some leaves, tomatoes and cucumber. Nice n simple, and a super-satisfying way to use up some food that was just lurking about. This recipe is also budget friendly coming in at around 50p a Portion.

Any leftover slices of Sweet Potato are easy to make into Sweet Potato Crisps. Heat some oil on a baking sheet in the oven (whilst you're cooking your pie) add your "crisps" after a few minutes and toss in the oil with some Salt and Pepepr. Pop back in the oven and check after about 5-7 minutes. Done. And seriously yum.

Food | Meat Free Monday #1 {Veggie Frittata}

Does anyone else love a Meat-Free Monday?! I was a former Veggie for quite a while but there's something deeply satisfying about raiding the Fridge for those leftovers and making them into a meal.

Last Monday I whipped up an oldie but a goodie, Veggie Frittata with a Sweet Potato and Halloumi Salad. This recipe fed Dan and I with a good third left, so it makes enough for four if you're feeling good or three if you're super hungry (we were)!


I used the following, but just use whatever Veg you like (or what's lurking in the fridge/cupboard).

- 6 Eggs
- Handful of freshly grated Parmesan
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 Leek (sliced)
- 8 Mushrooms (sliced)
- 5-6 stalks of Long Stem Broccoli (chopped)
- Olive oil

For the Salad:

- Baby Spinach Leaves
- Cherry Tomatoes
- A large Sweet Potato
- 1/2 block of Halloumi
- Small Sweetfire Beetroot (from Tesco)

For the Dressing:

In a jar I shook up, 1 teaspoon of Whole Grain Mustard, a squeeze of Agave Nectar, a good splash of Balsamic Vinegar and an even bigger splash of Extra Virgin Oil to taste (start with a little amount and keep adding until your dressing tastes how you like it). Simples.

And here's how it's done.

Pop the oven on at about 175 degrees.

Put a teaspoon of coconut oil in a baking tray/sheet, and stick in the oven for a minute or two to melt (liquify).

Whilst that's going on, chop your Sweet Potato into wedges.

Toss them in the Coconut Oil and some seasoning and bake them in the oven for about 25 mins.

Next up, prep those Veggies!

Put a teaspoon of olive oil in a small frying pan (20 cm), and on a medium heat cook your Veg for about 5 minutes.

I did mine in two batches.

Action shot...

Whisk up your eggs in a bowl with some seasoning and a handful of (freshly) grated parmesan.

Put all your veggies back in the pan with a splash more olive oil, and still on a medium to low heat, add your egg mixture.

Give it about 4-5 minutes to get some colour on the base and then put it on a low shelf in the oven to cook through the rest of the Frittata.

While that's cooking, grill your Halloumi and chop your Salad Ingredients.

After about 8-10 minutes take your Frittata out of the oven and check it's cooked through. If it's not pop it back in for a couple of minutes.

When it's done, turn it out of the pan, slice it up and chow down!

LOVE Meat-Free Monday! x

Life | Detox Diary Day 5

Phew! I could not have picked a worse week to detox!

Work is incredibly busy, and there's lots of stuff going on with the house - I feel like I'm running from one thing to the next and not "taking time for me", which is kind of the point of detox. The bit I'm struggling with isn't the food or lack of sugar, caffeine, or alcohol - it's the preparation! Thinking ahead for every meal of the day is actually pretty challenging for me.

That being said - the challenge is paying off. I can feel my energy levels are beginning to rise and I've lost an inch from my waist already!

Here's how Day 5 turned out.


07.00 am  Hot Water & Lemon

07.30 am I tried the Oatbran for Breakfast again. After Day 1, Dan is steering well clear but I thought I would give it another go. This time I made it with half almond milk and half water and it was so much better!

13.30 pm For lunch I had the Innocent Indian Vegetable Masala Veg Pot. I heated it in the morning and then popped it in my Thermos for lunch. For work, I'm in and out of hospitals all day and don't have access to a fridge or microwave - which means I have to get creative with a Thermos or a cool bag!

15.00 pm Vanilla and Roiboos Tea

18.00 pm An apple and a few pecans. This apple tasted so deliciously sweet! One thing I have noticed on the detox is that my sense of taste has definitely increased.

19.45 pm Dinner! We had "Healthy Roast Chicken" (a detox recipe) with Sweet Potato Wedges and Steamed Kale. Both of us enjoyed this so much!

21.00 pm Time for a little chill! I've never had a bath with Epsom Salts before, and was slightly sceptical as to whether I would notice any difference but they truly are very relaxing. They're great for soothing any muscle aches and pains (I've been hefting tiles around the house so my back is sore), and they definitely help to ease stress and calm those energy levels. I'm a convert!

22.00 pm Bed!