Recipes

There is something so satisfying about making bread at home.  Kneading the dough, the smell of it baking in the oven and it is a fabulous activity for kids. H loves measuring the ingredients and getting his little fingers into the dough.  It’s also very calming for little ones if things are getting crazy…  What do you do…

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This one-pan spiced chicken with tomatoes is H’s absolute favourite dish.  Ever since I made it the first time he has requested it again and again.

He loves to drown his rice in all the spiced tomatoes juices that happen once it’s cooked.  It’s a real winner.

It’s also minimum fuss and happens in the one pan.  We like to serve it with rice however you could serve it with crusty bread, polenta or even pasta.

Print Pin Prep Time 10 minutes minutes Cook Time 45 minutes minutes Total Time 55 minutes minutes

• 1 large whole chicken (about 1.5 – 2kgs)
• 8 tomatoes ,halved
• 1 onion ,cut into small wedges
• 3 cloves garlic crushed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 handful fresh herbs to garnish ,parsley or coriander work well

• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C (390 degrees F).  Combine the spice rub ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside. 
• Butterfly the chicken by cutting out the backbone (cut down each side of the bone to remove) and then place the chicken breast side up and flatten it with your hands.  
  Dry with paper towel and rub the spice mixture all over. 
• Heat an oven proof frying pan or dish on the stove over medium heat.  Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil.  Add the chicken breast side down and cook until just golden.  Set the chicken aside on a plate. 
• Using the same frying pan with the heat off add the tomatoes, onion, garlic and extra olive oil. Season well with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.
• Add chicken on top of the tomatoes and roast for 45 minutes.  It is ready when inserted with a skewer the juices run clear. 

Adapted from Curtis Stones book ‘What’s for dinner’

If you make my one-pan spiced chicken with tomatoes, be sure to take a picture and upload to Instagram with the hashtag #littlebigh.  I’d love to see your creation. xx

I couldn’t resist buying these super cute minikin pumpkins.  I have stuffed them with pearl barley and mixed veggies and it did quite nicely for a healthy meat-free dinner. Slice into portions or scoop out the flesh along with the pearl barley and mash for your little one.

Baked fish parcels make a fun weeknight meal.  Super easy to prepare and by cooking it in baking paper it is harder to over cook and dry out the fish.    H was pretty excited to get a parcel for dinner. ‘oh that looks nice’  he said – he is my greatest fan… If serving this to your…

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There is something so satisfying about making bread at home.  Kneading the dough, the smell of it baking in the oven and it is a fabulous activity for kids.

H loves measuring the ingredients and getting his little fingers into the dough.  It’s also very calming for little ones if things are getting crazy…  What do you do if things are going down hill? – we often bake.  Its fun, it requires concentration and it really works.  Give it a try 🙂

This recipe is easy and very tasty.  You could substitute the pancetta for a veggie alternative or simply leave it out altogether.  Freeze what you don’t use for another day.  Simply warm in the oven to defrost and they are great. xx 

Print Pin

• 350 ml warm water
• 2 teaspoons yeast
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 30 ml oil (about 2 1/2 tablespoons)
• pinch of salt
• 4 cups (550g) flour
• 5 slices of pancetta; finely sliced
• Parmesan cheese; grated

• Put the water, yeast and honey in a bowl and stir to combine. Let sit for 10 minutes (bubbles will appear on the surface and it will look creamy)
• Add the oil, salt, and half the flour to the yeast mixture and give it a mix. Add the additional flour 1/2 a cup at a time until the mixture no longer sticks then add the pancetta. Knead until smooth either by hand or with a dough hook. Cover and allow to rise for about an hour or until doubled in size.
• Punch the dough down, then divide it into 12 pieces. Roll those in to balls and place on a baking sheet to allow to rise a second time. (They will double in size so leave a little room around each ball). Cover with a light cloth and allow to rise for another 30 – 40 minutes.
• Pre-heat oven to 200 degrees C (400 degrees F). Sprinkle with parmesan and cook for about 15 – 20 minutes.

Little Big H wearing:

T-Shirt: Target, Pants: Zara Baby

H and I went to the Northside Produce Market last weekend and bought these gorgeous fresh figs.  It was our first time there but we will definitely be going back.  We also bought a huge box of cherries, rhubarb, golden beets, zucchini flowers and H’s favourite, tomatoes… NORTHSIDE PRODUCE MARKET , NORTH SYDNEY  

This page is no longer updated because we moved to Italy and lunch is provided in Italian schools. Best thing ever!

Healthy lunch box ideas for the little people in your life.  All recipes are easy to make, nutritious and have something from each food group – mostly! I have a link to recipes where I can.

At H’s school they don’t have morning tea but rather an early lunch, so although it looks like a lot of food for a 5 year old, he tells me this is the right amount for him.  I also pack one piece of fruit for an afternoon snack.

His lunch box varies according to what he has for breakfast. He will most often alternate between: muesli with natural yoghurt, berries and seeds, egg omelette or chia pudding with fruit. If he hasn’t had fruit with his breakfast I will usually add extra to his lunch (because he loves it). If I have dinner planned and it contains some form of animal protein I will keep his lunch vegetarian.

~corned beef on light rye ~chickpeas with salt and lemon~cucumber, carrot, feta~watermelon, pineapple, grapes
~dates

~salmon patties~avocado & tomato salad~carrot, edamame~berries~camembert 

~tortilla, avocado~natural yoghurt, cucumber~blackbean & tomato salad~mango, pomegranate 
~dried apricot

~zucchini muffin~carrot, natural yoghurt~tomato, cucumber~dragon fruit, strawberries~brie

~quinoa salad~broccoli stems, cauliflower ~roasted tomatoes~avocado, goats cheese~strawberries, pomegranate 
~sunflower seeds

~corned beef sandwich ~cauliflower~cucumber, carrot~blackberries, raspberries
~parmesan cheese

~salmon patties~H's birthday cake~capsicums, broccoli stems~watermelon 
~dates

~honey Sandwich on light rye~edamame, carrot
~hemp and apricot ball, apple~kiwi, blackberry, raspberry
~sunflower seeds

Chia seed pudding is one of the first recipes I posted on this blog.  H and I both love it, and I love the convenience of it when served for breakfast.  I always make it the night before and it is ready to go in the morning.  It is so easy to make and requires…

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Frozen yoghurt is so easy to make – it only has 4 ingredients.  I’ve added banana to give it some sweetness and a little maple syrup, but that is totally optional.  It freezes quite hard so sit on the bench before serving to allow it to soften a little. Substitute the blackberries for whatever you have on…

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I love to make my own pastry and when I came across this recipe in one of my favourite cookbooks I couldn’t wait to try it out.  It is very simple and sugar-free.  I have added a little orange blossom water because the combination of that with the strawberries is heavenly.   The only sugar in…

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