A Healthier Bubble and Squeak

I am in the fortunate position whereby various companies in the UK and further afield, from time to time ask me to evaluate their products

Just before Christmas I was approached by Able and Cole, who operate an organic fruit and veggie box system, whereby they deliver the box's to your doorstep. I used to use Able and Cole, but cancelled my order some time ago

I jumped at the chance to have the free organic box. Lovely fruits and veggies, they were lovely. I have had another organic box since the free one and expect to receive one every other week

So what did I make with my free organic box ...



Bubble and Squeak is a traditional English recipe for using up left-over veggies, usually potatoes mashed with butter and milk and green vegetables, but can include just about anything else, all fried in lard. A cholesterol nightmare! So I wondered, as I do, if I could throw together a bubble and squeak that is a bit more healthy ...

2 - 3 carrots, chopped into chunks
1 lb potatoes, peeled
1 head of broccoli, chopped into small florets
2 -3 small white onions
Knob of butter
1 tbsp olive oil

Add the carrots and potatoes to a large pan of water, bring to the boil, simmer for ten minutes or until the potatoes are approaching being cooked through
Add the broccoli to the potatoes and carrots, simmer for a further five minutes or until all the vegetables are cooked through
Strain the vegetables, tip into a large bowl, fork through to break the potatoes up and combine the vegetables
In a large skillet of frying pan, add the butter and olive oil, fry the onions until they have a good brown singed colour
Add the vegetable mix and fry, turning occasionally, this will allow a light crust to develop on the veggies

Divide between two plates and serve with your favaourite gluten free dipping sauce :)

At Last!!!! .......... an Update

As happens, to the best of us, life sometimes gets in the way of blogging and I have abandoned this blog for the last three months, while leaving it available for anyone to read.

I continue to deal with chronic illness in my very near and dearest. I also continue to deal with terminal illness in my very nearest and dearest too. This all takes it's toll and something has had to give ... and I have needed my holiday from blogging

Over the coming months I plan to brighten up this blog, which could do with a fresher look and try to make at least one post per week ...



Christmas is going to be a very different experience this year. The celebrated Christmas lunch for twelve people is to be cooked by my son, age 23. He has to cope with his gluten issues and my gluten issues, so maybe not your traditional ingredients. We have managed to get gluten free gravy sorted out + a gluten free Christmas cake and pudding. We haven't done a huge amount of preparation for this gluten free Christmas feast, most of our gluten free alternatives have come from the high street, so to speak, as you can see!!

Bread sauce - I don't like this, so haven't even tried to find an alternative
Gravy - Bisto Best
Stuffing - home made alternative based on rice
Christmas Pudding - Sainsbury's
Christmas Cake - Sainsbury's

I also like a flavour of Italy with my Christmas, this crept into my Christmas experience about three years ago, so on the days leading up to Christmas I take a trip to Winchester News in Winchester. This is really a newspaper shop that has all sorts of Italian goodies. The man who runs this store shows me what he has in stock that is gluten free. I usually leave with a carrier bag laden with a 'Taste of Italy'. This time my haul included marzipan biscotti and a bottle of Il Santo

Try my gluten free cinammon coated nuts, recipe here

Happy Christmas to all of my readers :)