Recipe

Chicken is an excellent source of protein containing branched-chain amino acids, leucine, isoleucine and valine, which are used to boost protein synthesis in the muscles as well as provide energy. Chicken also supplies vitamin B12, needed to support healthy nerve function and red blood cell production.

This ginger cake is absolutely divine. The combination of fresh ginger, dried ginger and the crystallised ginger creates a very warming and spicy cake, perfect for all ginger fans. I’ve used a special combination of gluten-free flours: potato starch, buckwheat flour, brown-rice flour and almond meal. That creates a really light and fluffy cake that doesn’t taste or look gluten-free at all. You’ll be able to buy these flours at your local health food store or a bulk food store.

These bliss balls are the perfect sweet treat and the spices add a lovely warm and heated flavour. These would also be delicious with some dried ginger powder to create a ginger-nut flavour.

Beetroot may seem like an unusual ingredient in these brownies but it adds a lovely sweetness to the brownies as well as keeping them really moist. Trust me when I say you definitely can’t taste the beetroot in this brownie!

Seasonal fruits cooked in spice are a favourite in our home and this recipe is on high rotation throughout the winter months. Adding a fat such as coconut oil as well as cinnamon to the apples not only gives delicious flavour but slows the release of sugar from the fruit into the bloodstream and helps to keep your energy levels balanced.

This cake is a nourishing take on the more traditional fruity and chocolate cake recipes we all know and love. I’ve swapped grain-based flours for nutrient dense almonds and made the cake deliciously rich with dark chocolate and seasonal winter pears.

My Dutch background means I love croquettes — soft, tasty and often cheesy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. Normally, croquettes are not the healthiest option but I’ve put a healthy twist on these that makes them perfect to enjoy for an evening meal. Feel free to replace the free-range ham with any other cooked protein such as leftover shredded chicken or smoked salmon.

A traditional Dutch apple tart, or appeltaart as they say in Holland, is absolutely delicious and surprisingly easy to make. The pastry is thicker than any other pastry shell, which means the finished tart is crunchy on the outside but soft and cake-like on the inside.

The Dutch often combine smoked meats and legumes in stews and soups. This delicious soup is a hearty, wholesome meal. While it takes a long time to cook it really is a no-fuss, set-and-forget dish my whole family loves.

My memory of Dutch cuisine always includes big bowls of mussels, crusty bread, frites and beer. I love mussels but only used to eat them when I was out for dinner. I somehow had convinced myself they were too hard and fussy to cook at home. Wrong! They are so quick, easy and versatile. I have many favourite ways to eat them but this simple flavour combo is a classic.

Cultivators of the carrot, it seems only fitting to dedicate a Dutch style recipe to the humble but mighty orange root veg! I’ve added some pumpkin here for extra creaminess but it would work just as nicely as a pure carrot soup.

Not everyone loves Brussels sprouts but these mini cabbages floating in a rich, warming curry sauce make for a delicious dish the whole family will love.