Deliciously Dairy Free

 Almond Tartlets with Lemon Cream & Summer Fruits

Whilst more and more restaurants and cafes are catering for special diets, eating out can still be a "hit and miss" affair when you don't eat meat, eggs or dairy. So it's a real treat when the majority of dishes on the menu are plant based and there's even a choice of dishes to deliberate over!

This year Eric and I came across three such places on our travels and I can recommend them all. 

The Green Rocket Cafe, Bath

Bon Lloc, Palma, Mallorca

Wildebeest, Falmouth, Cornwall

For me, it's a luxury to be served exciting, appetising dishes created by talented chefs and to enjoy them safe in the knowledge that they are totally animal free.  There's no doubt that being vegan and eating a plant based diet is becoming trendier each year.  When you see queues of people waiting for a table, you know the menu and more importantly the food is going to be good. 

These vegan restaurants can be a huge inspiration to us home cooks and offer proof that it's possible to eat well whatever diet you choose to eat. The days of being offered a very basic fruit salad for dessert are hopefully long gone! 

Making your own dairy free dishes at home is hugely satisfying and simple too! We made the Almond Tartlets pictured above on my last cookery course in August.  

Health on a Plate August 2015

DELICIOUSLY DAIRY FREE 

My next course at Bodnant Cookery School is in just a few weeks so I have been preparing some equally fabulous recipes! If you think eating dairy free and egg free means missing out on luscious, creamy desserts and deliciously light cakes and pastries, this course will hopefully convince you otherwise and show that you can have your cake and eat it .... and look after your health too!  

"Deliciously Dairy Free" is on Saturday, 21 November 2015. The day starts at 10.45am with a welcome drink and ends at 4pm when you will pack up and take home all your dishes!  It costs £95 and includes all your ingredients and lunch.

You can find all the details on the Bodnant website here.

More photos from my last course ....

See you at Bodnant on the 21st!

Health on a Plate 2015

If you could eat the healthiest meal, what would it be?   A bowl of green gazpacho, a freshly made salad with organic leaves picked from your garden, a fat-free Portobello mushroom burger,  a fruit filled sugar-free dessert?  I'm sure each one of us would come up with a different dish - and why not?   The options are endless and eating well has never been easier or more exciting!  

I'm particularly thrilled to see so many young people these days getting interested in naturally healthy foods. With so many bright, talented food writers and bloggers spreading the word and offering inspiration and encouragement,  there has never been a better time to eat healthily. At last, taking care of our bodies is trendy!  Gone are the days when we were considered cranky odd bods who ate nut roasts and lived on salad leaves!

With more and more people diagnosed with food intolerances and allergies too,  interest in foods free from dairy, gluten and sugar is at an all time high.  The good news is that whatever your reason for trying these foods, your body is likely to benefit in all sorts of ways.  You may feel lighter or have more energy, your digestion may improve, you may even sleep better or feel more relaxed but I can guarantee you will feel better!

On all the courses I have taught at Bodnant,  it's sitting around the big wooden table together for lunch that has been a real highlight for me.  It's here that people relax after a busy morning in the kitchen and discover shared interests, new tastes and different flavours.  Eating a meal of purely plant-based foods for the first time can be a revelation. People are often surprised how filling the dishes are and how deeply satisfying it is to make your own food from scratch, using simple fresh ingredients.

Once again this year,  I'll be running a one-day course at Bodnant Cookery School called "Health on a Plate."  With a set of brand new recipes I've developed specially for this year's course,  it will be a full day focusing on the best of healthy eating.  As always, the day will be practical and very hands-on. You will be cooking and preparing food all day and receive lots of help and advice, plus you will have some wonderful food to take home too!

The course is on Sunday, 16th August from 11am to 4pm.  I do hope you'll be able to come and you will find all the details on the Bodnant website.  

Here are some more of the photos from my last course in April.

 

Inspiration to Eat Well ..... permanently!

I love eating good food especially when it's as tempting as these little dairy free cheesecakes!  Yes they taste just as good as they look and the good news is they are completely free from gluten and refined sugar too.

I've put together the recipe for my next course at Bodnant and I know we'll have lots of fun making them on the day.  I've even got some individual containers ready so everyone can take theirs home to share with family and friends!

Delicious, Fresh, Simple 

"Lighten Up for Summer" is on Sunday 26th April from 10.30am to 4pm and will be an inspiring day for anyone wishing to eat well  ... permanently!  If you've ever wished you could put an end to cravings for unhealthy foods and would love to start making your own fabulously tasty meals from scratch, this is for you!

Orzo Pasta with Slow-Roasted Vine Tomatoes, 
Spinach and Basil

Mallorcan Tumbet

Eating well has everything to do with good ingredients and, for the course, there will be a colourful range of fresh produce waiting for us to transform into deliciously light and healthy dishes including my low fat, high flavour version of the classic Mallorcan dish, Tumbet.


 

Courgette & Fennel Salad

We'll also be making a Mediterranean inspired pasta dish that can be eaten hot or cold and a wonderfully fresh tasting Courgette and Fennel Salad with an amazing creamy dressing!   All your ingredients and lunch are included so all you have to do is arrive .... hungry!

If you would like to join us at Bodnant Cookery School on Sunday 26th April, there are still a few places left.  Contact Bodnant on 01492 651100 or visit the website by clicking here.

Lighten Up for Summer

On Sunday 26th April, I'll be at Bodnant Cookery School running a course called "Lighten Up for Summer."  Last year's course was a popular one and,  once again, I'm looking forward to creating dishes that are designed to make us feel brighter and lighter for summer. Recently I've been working on a brand new batch of exciting recipes with exactly that in mind.

Most people know that what we eat and drink can directly impact our body.   Too many processed foods, saturated fats, sugar and alcohol can leave us feeling bloated, heavy and lethargic - hardly the way we want feel in the midst of summer!  So now's the time to give our body all the good things to make us look and feel amazing when the warmer weather arrives.

   Lighter, Healthier and Delicious!

I gave up eating meat and animal products a long time ago - thirty five years to be exact - and have never regretted my decision.  I've had plenty of time to learn how to make meals that are both healthy and delicious AND reap the benefit. Thankfully it's much easier these days to enjoy a healthier, more plant-based diet - without being considered the least bit cranky either. In fact, it's actually quite trendy to eat this way now! 

Just recently, Ella Woodward's first book, Deliciously Ella,  became the fastest selling debut cookbook in the UK and it's completely free from meat, eggs, dairy and refined sugar!  The story of how she overcame a serious illness that kept her bedridden by simply changing her diet is inspiring and exciting and gives hope to anyone struggling to cope in similar circumstances. She admits that before her life-changing decision, she wasn't a cook, rarely ate any fresh fruit or vegetables and was a total sugar addict!

Ella is a wonderful advertisement for healthy eating and absolutely glows with vitality.  But we don't have to be ill, unfit or overweight to make healthy changes to our diet though sometimes this can give us just the incentive we need.  Everyone can look and feel better when they decide to eat their way to good health and vitality! 

Creative Cooking with Fresh Ingredients

With the days growing longer and sunnier, now is the perfect time to start planning a healthier diet and lifestyle to take you into summer.  Even doing just one thing differently today can make all the difference to your well-being this summer, whether it's going for a weekly swim at your local pool, taking the dog for a longer walk (which I'm sure he'll love!) or,  better still,  trying out a new recipe!

Having like-minded people around you can make such a difference when you're starting something new.  I've been delighted to meet the lovely people who come along to my cookery days.  For some, it's their first time. For others it's their second or third time! And everyone says how much fun it is, cooking together, learning new skills, being introduced to different ingredients and flavours and chatting with each over over lunch in the amazing dining room that overlooks the Conwy Valley.

New Year Detox    January 2015

I've been thrilled at the growing interest in my "Simple and Natural" courses.   The last one in January was sold out two weeks before the actual day so, if you are thinking of coming in April, don't leave it too late to book.  Numbers are strictly limited to 12 people and quite a few places have already been taken.

Simple and Natural - Lighten Up for Summer

Sunday 26th April, 2015         10.30 am - 4 pm 

£95.00 (same price as last year!) inc all ingredients and lunch

Further details can be found on the Bodnant website here

New Year Detox

With the Christmas festivities fast approaching, I just wanted to tell you about the Cookery Workshops I have planned for 2015!  Altogether I'll be teaching four courses at Bodnant over the next twelve months in a Series called "Simple and Natural"  starting in January with the popular New Year Detox.  Here are all the dates to put in your diary!

Sat  10th January       New Year Detox

Sun 26th April            Lighten Up for Summer

Sun 16th August        Health on a Plate

Sat  21st November   Deliciously Dairy Free 

Each workshop will include a variety of appetising dishes which you will make alongside me in the spacious Cookery School.  No experience is necessary so please don't feel you have to be a food expert. I'll be there to guide you all the way.

I develop new recipes specially for my courses and they are always packed full of beautifully fresh ingredients.  They are dishes the whole family will enjoy and are totally free from meat, dairy, eggs and refined sugar and are usually gluten free too.

Each workshop starts at 11am (10.45am for a welcome drink!) and ends at 4pm when you'll leave laden with containers filled with all the dishes you've made.  The price for the day is still the same too - £95 which includes lunch and all your ingredients.

NEW YEAR DETOX

The first workshop in January is almost full (ten have booked so far) so if you are thinking of coming on the New Year Detox course, please don't leave it too long. It's a brilliant way to start the year and you'll meet other like-minded people who are keen to be healthy in 2015.

Detoxing has been practiced for centuries by different cultures around the world as a way of de-cluttering and cleansing the body. It can do wonders for the way you look and feel but it certainly doesn't mean going hungry!  By incorporating detox-friendly foods into everyday living, you can revitalise your body naturally from the inside out. And the food is so delicious, you won't even realise you are eating the healthy option!

BE HAPPY AND HEALTHY IN 2015

If being fitter and healthier is important to you, imagine how you would look and feel in a few months if you chose to be more health conscious in 2015.  It's really not that difficult.  It can even be fun and I'd love to show you how!  

To book online or go to the Bodnant Cookery School website, please click here or phone 01492 651100 

Or if you have any questions, don't hesitate to email me

Hope to see you at Bodnant!

Healthy Eating on the Go

If you have a busy lifestyle (and who doesn't these days!) then eating well throughout the day can be a real struggle.  When you're always on the go, out at work or away from home, finding healthy meals and snacks to buy can be a nightmare.  Even so-called healthy products often contain loads of sugar and very little in the way of natural goodness.  If you don't eat meat, eggs or dairy like me, then it is often impossible.  

So I'm delighted to tell you my next course at Bodnant Cookery School on Sunday 14th September is "Healthy Eating on the Go".  It's all about creating your own lunch box with healthy snacks and treats that are good for you and your body!  With a little forward planning, it's possible to produce delicious food to enjoy at any time of the day and be something you'll look forward to tucking into!

  Fast Food - the Natural Way

I've really enjoyed putting together the recipes for this course.  Maybe it's because I've always loved picnics!  There's something special about eating food out of doors in a lovely location so making up a packed lunch to take out on a walk is pretty normal for me.  I certainly don't want to spend hours in the kitchen though so I've got plenty of tips on making things quick and easy - and fun to make!

For me, the most important thing is to use fresh, natural ingredients that my body thrives on but that certainly doesn't mean living on fruit and a salad!  I'll be showing you some completely new ideas I've been working on as well as some of my favourite recipes that are visually appetising, deliciously energising yet require minimal preparation. Wherever you spend your day, I hope you'll never be tempted to buy an unhealthy snack again!

How to book

If you feel inspired to come along, I'd love you to join me for this brand new course.   You can book your place online at the Bodnant website or by ringing 01492 651100.  

The day starts at 11am (10.45am for a welcome drink!) and finishes at 4pm, costs £95 and, as with all my courses, you'll have lots of goodies to take home!

The Cookery School at Bodnant Welsh Foods Centre is a fabulous place with superb facilities and amazing views along the Conwy Estuary.  The courses are always lots of fun and friendly too with a small group and plenty of space to work and relax.  We make all the recipes together so, however much or little experience you have, you'll be able to enjoy the day and hopefully go away with a new confidence and enthusiasm to eat healthily!

Book online here  or phone 01492 651100. 

These are some photos from my last course in July  ...

 

Health on a Plate

 

 

 

 

 Hope to meet you at Bodnant very soon!

Making Healthy Eating Fun for Children

 

Just to let you know that this coming weekend, 16th and 17th August,  I'll be running some short cookery workshops for children.  Bodnant Welsh Foods Centre in the Conwy Valley are holding their annual Children's Food Festival with lots of events happening on both days and I'm really thrilled to be involved this year.

The focus of my 30 minute workshops, which will be in the main courtyard (under cover!) at 12 noon and 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday, is on having fun and being creative with fresh, healthy natural ingredients.   In the morning session at 12, we'll be making a simple tasty idea for lunch whilst at 2 pm, something sweeter and fruitier will be on the menu, even though absolutely no sugar or dairy will be involved!

If you know any children who love trying something new or who already enjoy helping out in the kitchen, then do bring them along.   You'll need to book their place on the workshops as numbers are limited and there will probably be a small charge (£2 I think, but do check!) 

If you just fancy coming along,  the Welsh Foods Centre is a fabulous place for a day out and is in an amazing location along the Conwy Estuary.  The Festival starts at 11 pm on Saturday and Sunday and finishes at 4pm.  Here are all the details. 

And if you are there, do come and say hello!

 

Health on a Plate

 

At the end of April, I taught my third course at Bodnant Cookery School in the Conwy Valley and here are the six lovely people who signed up for the day designed to "Lighten Up for Summer."  In the morning, we made some fabulous Mediterranean inspired dishes including Roasted Ratatouille with an Olive Polenta topping and a colourful Couscous Salad packed with fresh tomatoes, peppers, olives, artichokes and herbs. 

Just before lunch, I demonstrated a Fennel and Carrot Ribbon Salad with rocket and orange vinaigrette.  In the afternoon, we made a summer fruit kantan (pictured) and scrumptious raw cacao chocolates! 

I thoroughly enjoyed the day and from the lovely emails I received afterwards, I think everyone else did too!  It's wonderful to have the opportunity to pass on some of my favourite recipes and spend the day cooking together in the fabulous facilities at Bodnant.  It feels good just being there!   

I can't remember a time when I wasn't interested in eating for health. To me, whatever we consume each day has everything to do with the way we look and feel. With this in mind, I'm delighted to tell you my next course in July is called "Health on a Plate."  

When I cut out meat and dairy in 1980, there were very few good cookbooks around to help me so I got used to adapting recipes and experimenting on my own.  Nowadays, with access to the internet and an abundance of resources online, there's never been a better time to make eating well a priority.   

Whilst preparing a healthy plateful of food has become second nature to me, it isn't necessarily welcome news if you've just been diagnosed with high cholesterol, diabetes or a heart condition and been told by your doctor to drastically alter your diet.  Or if you've discovered you have a dairy intolerance and had to rethink everything you eat and drink.   

Adapting to these changes not only depends on your willingness to put your health needs first but also on your ability to be adaptable in the kitchen.  Whilst food manufacturers have jumped on the bandwagon offering free from and low fat products to tempt health conscious customers, the reality is many of them contain high levels of sugar and very little in the way of natural goodness.    

The solution is to buy "real" ingredients - unprocessed, fresh food as close as possible to it's natural state - and create your own meals from scratch.  However, learning to prepare food in a completely different way can be daunting, especially if you are the only one in your family/household making the changes. 

Whilst my main aim on the cookery days is to demonstrate how to cook delicious, health promoting food,  it is also hopefully to inspire everyone to have fun, be adventurous and enjoy a new way of eating.  So my next course is just as much about the enjoyment of preparing and eating healthy food as creating wonderfully appetising platefuls! 

  HEALTH ON A PLATE:  Recipes for Healthy Living

Saturday 12th July 2014 

 11 am - 4 pm

 

£95 inc lunch and all ingredients

 

• Hands-on practical experience preparing, cooking and tasting health-promoting food 
• Simple guidelines and personal support to make lasting dietary changes  
• Easy to follow recipes that are full of flavour and natural goodness

 

I have no doubt at all that eating a healthy balanced diet can have an amazingly positive effect on both our mind and body and I would love you to experience the benefits and the enjoyment of eating for good health.

 

Contact me on 01286 676838 or email me for more details

To book your place,  go to the Bodnant website or phone 01492 651108.

                                      Look forward to seeing you there!

 

 

 

Lighten Up For Summer

With just a few weeks to go until my next Cookery Course on 26th April,  my mind has been focussed on food recently and, in particular, food that is fresh, light and summery!   I like to take my time planning the day and putting together a collection of recipes that will be fun to make and fulfils the "brief," in this case, "recipes for a lighter, healthier body!" 

I can spend weeks experimenting with different ingredients. Maybe I am a bit of a perfectionist but I know when a finished dish tastes right and looks good too.  As usual, I'm not interested in counting calories. To me, it's far more important to get the balance of fresh ingredients right and make food as exciting and appetising as possible so you don't even notice you are eating the healthy option! Then, preparing food that your body loves and thrives on becomes second nature, not a chore.

Summer is a time of abundant fresh produce that reflects the warmth and radiance of sunny days.   Bodnant Welsh Foods is well-known for it's farm shop and, if you have been on one of the cookery courses before,  you'll know how amazing the quality of the fresh ingredients are.   At Bodnant they always seem to find the juiciest oranges and largest lemons, the lushest of herbs, the earthiest onions and the most gigantic garlic!

 

There will be plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs waiting for us on 26th April and some other treats too!  On previous courses, I've included lesser known ingredients, such as miso, agave nectar, quinoa and agar flakes and this course will be no exception.  Whether you are a complete beginner or a more experienced cook,  you'll pick up some valuable tips for creating fabulous healthy food that's completely free from meat, dairy, eggs and sugar!

With a definitely summery "feel good" theme, this one day course will get you in the mood for long sunny days on the beach. And if the idea of getting shorts, bikinis and summer dresses out of hibernation fills you with dread, I'll be showing you how you can eat really well and get your body in shape!

Lighten Up for Summer

Saturday 26th April 2014

 Bodnant Cookery School,  Tal-y-cafn,  Conwy, LL28 5RP  (map) 

11 am - 4 pm

 

  £95.00 inc. lunch and all ingredients

There will be a break for lunch which we'll eat together in the attractive dining room which overlooks the Conwy Estuary. Lunch will comprise of one of the dishes prepared during the morning and you will take the rest of the dishes you've made home with you.   Don't forget to bring some containers!

This will be my third course at Bodnant Cookery School.  Here are some of the comments I've received:

"Lovely day, lots of interesting dishes. Thank you Rhona"

"Excellent instruction"

"A really fabulous day with Rhona. Great to use only the freshest produce to make some truly delicious detox dishes."

"The venue was first class and no-one could ask for more"

"Super day, made healthy eating fun.   Wonderful food, thank you Rhona."

"The cheesecake was really impressive and tasted gorgeous - definitely a recipe I will use for special occasions."

   "A fantastic day from start to finish. Delicious recipes and lots of great new ideas. Thoroughly enjoyable, thank you."

"Lunch was delicious."  
"Great Day. Would like to do many more classes. Thanks for a good day!"

To book your place,  go to the Bodnant Cookery School website or phone 01492 651108.

Look forward to seeing you there!