CORE Thai Turkey StirFry (or Pork or Chicken)

I used diced turkey fillet for this and it was lovely and moist. You could also use diced chicken thigh (breast may be too dry) or pork fillets.

Serves: 2

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

The stir fry:

• 400g turkey fillet, cubed to 2cm (or chicken thigh or pork fillet)
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 small red capsicum, sliced
• 1 1/2 cups green beans (frozen is fine)
• lemon wedges

Thai Marinade:

• 1 tsp mint
• 1 tsp lemongrass (or juice of 1 lemon)
• 1 tsp chilli paste
• 2 tsp coriander

The "nest" - choose 2 of the below in contrasting colours:

• bean sprouts
• baby spinach
• grated carrot
• shredded lettuce

Method:

Mix the herbs in a non-metallic bowl and add a few tsp of water to make a thinish paste (I use commercial tubes of wet crushed herbs. If using fresh, the quantity given is once pulverized - you could throw it all in the food processor).
Add the turkey to the herbsand stir in. Cover and marinate for 20 minutes.
Spray a nonstick frypan or wok with oil and heat to medium-hot.
Add the capsicum and onions and a few TB of water and cook for a few minutes.
Add the turkey and a few more TB of water. Water helps to steam fry food and reduces oil needed.
Cook turkey for about 5 minutes, then add beans (I added still frozen)
Stir fry for a few minutes until beans are done.
Meanwhile, prepare the nest on the plates/bowls by adding a layer or ring of nest vegetable 1 (I used 2/3 cup bean spouts per serve)
Add nest vegetable 2 leaving about a 2 cm ring showing vegetable 1 (I used a generous handful of baby spinach)
Serve the stirfry on the center of the nest with a wedge of lemon (the lemon is the "sauce" and dressing all in one)

Not on Core? The only points here are for the meat - 4 points for 200g of turkey, chicken thigh or lean pork fillets.

CORE Savoury Beef & Veg Crepes

Pictured with optional light mozarella topping (+1 pt)

Serves: 14-ish crepes depending on size (I ate 4)

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• Basic crepe recipe cooked as per recipe
• 200g premium mince fried with half an onion (aka savoury mince mix)
• 1 cup vegies chopped small (I used frozen mixed veg)
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 cube frozen spinach
• 1/2 cup plain tomato pasta sauce (like Sugo Bello)
• Italian herbs mix
• 1 Spring onion

Method:
Microwave the mixed vegies, spinach and corn.
Add the beef mince, tomato sauce, spring onion and herbs and mix. Allow to cool as hot filling and fingers don't mix.
Spoon 2-3 heaped teaspoons of the beef mince in a line down the center of the crepe, roll up and place on serving plate, 4 or 5 to a serve.

Optional - sprinkle with 20g shaved light mozzarella (+1 pt) and 1-2 TB of the tomato sauce.

Microwave for 1:30 - 2:00 minutes and serve

Not on Core? The total of the beef mix is approx 8 points + the total of the crepes 9 = 17 points to make 14 crepes (2.5pts for 2)

CORE Basic Crepes

Recipe is suitable for sweet or savoury crepes

This recipe keeps nicely in the fridge, cooked or in batter form.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap so it doesn't absorb other fridge flavours

Serving suggestion - a platter of sliced fruits and vanilla yoghurt (cream for non-watchers), build your own style for desert of breakfast.

Note - these cook very quickly and need all your attention for 10-15 minutes. Keep the kiddies occupied somehow :)

Makes: 14 crepes the size of bread and butter plates

Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 200ml nonfat milk
• 1/2 cup cornflour (80g or 6 TB)
• oil spray

You'll also need paper towel

Method:
Whisk eggs, milk, then add flour and whisk a little more.
Heat a small non-stick skillet (I used a 18cm) until very hot. A heavy based skillet is best.
Spray skillet lightly with oil.
Pour 20-30ml of the batter into the pan (I measured 30 ml in a medicine glass) and QUICKLY swirl the pan. The batter will cook in about 20 seconds, so be quick!
When the batter no longer looks shiny, flip and cook other side for about 20 secs.
Get a plate and put one sheet of paper towel on it.
Flip the crepe onto the plate.
Repeat, stacking the crepes with a sheet between each one (stops them getting soggy and sticking together.

To serve, put a few teaspoons of cold filling and roll up (or fold up). For hot crepes, microwave for about 20-30 secs each.

Not on Core? The total of this recipe is 9 points (2 pts for 3 crepes)

Note - the acceptability of using of corn flour in "Core" cooking is debatable, as not all brands corn flours are Core. If in doubt, the amount used is 4 points, divvy up.

CORE Steel Cut Oats Porridge

I have recently been exposed to steel cut oats and they are fabulous!

What are Steel cut oats?

Steel cut oats are whole grain groats (the inner portion of the oat kernel) which have been cut into only two or three pieces. Also known as Scotch or Irish oats. They look like a chopped up rice grain.

Rolled oats have usually been steamed, rolled and toasted (sometimes more than once), so steel cut is significantly less processed than traditiional rolled oats or quick oats.

Steel cut oats are different in texture and taste from rolled oats. They are a little chewier, have a nutty flavour and need to be cooked longer (like brown rice compared to white). They also take longer to digest and keep you full a lot longer! When I eat Steel cut, no snacks necessary between meals.

Generally not in supermarkets, but cheap from health food shops ($3-ish for 500g) or loose in bulk from grain/organics type places.

This recipe reheats well. I make a batch and put in 4 tubs.
I put 1/4 cup milk on the cold oats and microwave for 2-3 mins.

Serves: 4

Difficulty: Easy
Time: about 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup steel cut oats (200g)
• 1 TB olive oil (oil is optional, dry toasting works well in non-stick pans)
• 1 tsp mixed spice or cinnamon
• 1 cup nonfat milk
• 3 cups water

Method:
Warm a large non-stick pan with 1 TB olive oil.
Note, if you have a good non-stick pan you can dry toast without the oil (ie a pan which is black inside - eg Circulon, or any of the new post-Teflon breeds)
Add 1 cup steel cut oats and toast for a few minutes (go by smell and colour).
I like to add 1 tsp of mixed spice or cinnamon when toasting.
Then turn down to lowest heat, add 3 cups boiling water, cover and simmer for 20 mins WITHOUT STIRRING (hence the nonstick).
Stir, add 1 cup milk and simmer for another 5-10 mins.
Serve with a splash of nonfat milk and your favourite toppings.

Click here for lots of flavouring ideas

NB - if in a hurry, don't toast, but flavour is greatly improved by this
Not on Core? The total for this recipe is approx 15 points (4 points for serve)