A collection of recipes, skills and tips to get you cooking.

Foreword by Rt Hon Ed Balls MP and Phil Vickery

Forewords

As both a parent and a keen cook myself I know how important

cooking is. It’s a skill everyone should have and once mastered
it’s quick, easy and fun.
Cooking is already compulsory for all children in primary schools
and from 2011, all 11 to 14-year-olds will study it, with millions
of pounds being invested in building and revamping teaching
kitchens in schools and recruiting motivated, highly skilled staff.
This cookbook has more than 30 healthy, easy versions of
classic dishes, including those voted for by the public as their
favourites. These recipes will help you learn the basics so you can
go on and try different variations of traditional dishes and even
make your own stocks and grow your own fresh herbs. But it’s not
just down to schools and teachers. Parents have a big role to play
too – I know I got my love of cooking from mine.
So I’d like to see children preparing meals in school and at home
and then enjoying food they have cooked with their own hands.

Rt Hon Ed Balls MP

Cooking is a skill for life and often it is not learned at an early

enough age.
Once you can cook the basics you will have the best survival tool
in the box to take you into adult life. Eating good quality meals
made from basic ingredients should be part of everyone’s daily
experience and by learning how to prepare simple and nutritious
meals we will make this a reality.
I am personally delighted that cooking in schools is being made
a compulsory part of the curriculum and this cookbook will be
made available to all schools. There is no excuse not to get

cooking and try out these recipes at home and at school.

Phil Vickery
 Real Meals is a recipe pack ju
st for young people like you. It sh
you how to cook healthy, tasty me ows
als - whether you're in a lesson
school or at home with your family at
. Each recipe uses simple ingredi
and equipment, and serves bet ents
ween 2 - 4 people.
Real Meals has been produced b
y the Department for Children,
Schools and Families, together
with the British Nutrition Foun
The Design and Technology As dation,
sociation, School Food Trust and
Specialist Schools and Acade the
mies Trust. As well as selecting
that are easy to make, these e meals
xperts have made sure that ev
recipe in this book meets healthy ery
eating guidelines - so you can h
fun making them and keep healt ave
hy.
The first time you cook these re
cipes you may need to ask for he
your teacher, mum, dad or gran lp from
dparents.

ies
d stews 5. Stir-fries and curr
1. Soups, casseroles an • Chow Mein
• Minestrone • Fajitas
• Spicy Tomato Soup • Sizzling Stir Fry
• Leek and Potato Soup • Lamb Rogan Josh
• Beef and Veggie Stew • Chicken Tikka
• Chicken Casserole • Vegetable Curry
• Beef Curry
2. Traditional mains
• Cottage Pie 6. Veg and salad
• Hotpot • Speedy Potato Salad
• Chicken Pasta Salad
trimmings • Coleslaw
3. Roast and all the
• Roast Chicken Legs
• Crispy Potatoes 7. Sauces
• Vegetables • Cheese Sauce
• Custard
shes
4. Rice and pasta di • Ragu
• Mushroom Risotto
• Savoury Rice 8. Desserts
• Spaghetti Bolognese • Apple Crumble
• Paella • Summer Pudding
• Chilli Con Carne • Fruit Pie
• Vegetarian Lasagne
 Fish slice
Weighing scales
Wooden spoon

Measuring
Ladle spoon Colander
Can opener

Sieve Frying pan Mixing bowl

Palette knife

Oven-proof
Saucepan Measuring jug
serving dish Wok

Knife & Chopping Flour dredger Grater

board
Metal spoon

Juice squeezer Garlic press Vegetable

Pastry brush peeler

Whisk Pudding
Baking tray Kettle
bowl

Casserole dish Saucer

with lid Oven gloves

Fork

Rolling pin Potato masher

 G ro w yo ur Ow n
Do you know your onion
s? They ,re the
basis for lots of dishe
s, so why not give
them a go? They don ,t
need much work
- and if you store them
carefully, you
can keep them for a fe
w months. Leeks
are just as easy and
can be used in
lots of soups and cass
eroles.
Ingredients
1 clove of garlic 1 x 10ml spoon oil
¼ cabbage 1 stock cube (or you could use fresh stock)
1 onion 800ml boiling water
1 stick of celery 1 x 5ml spoon mixed herbs
1 carrot 1 x 15ml spoon tomato puree
1 potato Black pepper
1 tomato 5g small pasta shapes
2
1 rasher of bacon or broken spaghetti

Equipment

x2

Method
1. Prepare the vegetables and bacon:
kl e of
• peel and crush the garlic; • S er ve wi th a sp rin
• shred the cabbage; pa rm es an ch ee se .
s of
• peel and chop the onion; • Tr y di ff er en t ty pe
at is
• slice the celery; ve ge ta bl es - us e wh
• peel and dice the carrot; in se as on .
of
• peel and dice the potato; • A dd 2 x1 5m l sp oo ns
• chop the tomato;
ca nn ell ini be an s.
•

chop the bacon, with a fresh knife on a clean

chopping board.
2. Fry the onion, garlic and bacon in the oil for 2 minutes.
3. Stir in the carrot, celery and potato.
4. Add the stock (water and stock cube mixed together). Preparing an onion
5. Stir in the sliced tomato and finely shredded cabbage. Using a knife
6. Add the mixed herbs, tomato puree and black pepper,
Boiling & simmering
bring to the boil and then simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Add the pasta and allow to simmer for a further 10 minutes.
8. Serve.
Ingredients
1 onion 500ml water
1 carrot 1 stock cube
1 potato ½ x 5ml spoon dried chilli flakes
1 x can chopped tomatoes (400g) 1 x 15ml spoon tomato puree

Equipment

Method
1. Prepare the vegetables:
the
• Place a cloth over
• peel and slice the onion;
t any
• top and tail, peel and slice the carrot; liquidiser to preven
t.
• peel and cut the potato into 8. soup from splashing ou
erent
2. Put all the ingredients into a saucepan. • Use a range of diff
,
3. Stir everything together, bring to the boil and vegetables, e.g. leeks
then simmer for 20 minutes. peppers, mushrooms.
ain bread.
4. Pour the mixture into the liquidiser and blend • Serve with wholegr
s and
• Add different herb
until smooth.
or
5. Serve. spices, such as basil
e r v e w it h warm paprika, for a differ
en t
S
r u s t y b read for flavour.
c s nack!
s p ic y
a hot q u id iser
ee d a li
You will n
ecipe!
for this r Using the
vegetable peeler
Using a knife
Using the hob
Combining ingredients
together
Preparing an onion
Ingredients
2 large leeks
4 medium potatoes
850ml stock (water and stock cube)
Black pepper

Equipment

Method
1. Wash and peel the leeks and potatoes.
s of
• Tr y di ff er en t ty pe
2. Chop the vegetables into small chunks.
ot s,
3. Place the vegetables in a saucepan and add the stock. ve ge ta bl es - ca rr
pe pp er s
4. Heat until the stock is boiling. sw ed e, ca bb ag e or
co uld al l be ad de d.
5. Turn down the heat and cook gently for 30 minutes.
adding
6. Add some black pepper. • You could also try
ken
chopped cooked chic
eese
or a little grated ch
7. Serve the soup hot.
tes
for the last five minu
of cooking.

Using a knife
t for
Perfec
Measuring
ing
a warm cold
Using the hob

c h o n a
lun Preparing
or a
day or f
vegetables

!
starter
Ingredients
6-8 baby onions 1 x 15ml spoon flour
2 carrots 600ml stock (water and beef stock cube)
8 small mushrooms 1 bay leaf
500g lean stewing beef 1 x 5ml spoon thyme
1 x 15ml spoon oil

Equipment

x2

Method
1. Prepare the vegetables:
th bo ile d
• S er ve th e st ew wi
• peel the onions;
.
• peel and chop the carrots; or ma sh ed po ta to es
tables
• slice the mushrooms in half. • Add some more vege
as or
2. With a fresh knife on a clean chopping board, such as parsnips, pe
stew.
dice the beef. broad beans to the
3. Brown the beef in the oil in a saucepan. • Have some peas or
e.
4. Stir in the flour, so each piece of beef is covered. sweetcorn on the sid
5. Add in the onions, carrots and mushrooms.
6. Pour in the stock and add the bay leaf and thyme.
7. Bring to the boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover with the lid
and cook for 1 hour.

Handling raw meat

Using a knife
Using the hob
Ingredients
1 onion 8 chicken thighs
1 carrot 1 x 15ml oil
1 leek 1 x 15ml spoon flour
1 potato 800ml stock (water and cube)
8 mushrooms 1 x 5ml spoon mixed herbs

Equipment

x2

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC or gas mark 4.
th e
• C oo ki ng ba co n wi th
2. Prepare the vegetables:
t
• peel and chop the onion; ch ic ke n giv es a gr ea
• peel and chop the carrot; fla vo ur .
tarian
• trim the leek and slice; • Make a tasty vege
g the
• peel and cut the potato into 8; casserole by swappin
g.
chicken for extra ve
• slice the mushrooms in half.
3. With a fresh knife on a clean chopping board, remove the
chicken skin and cut into chunks.
4. Fry the chicken for 5 minutes in oil, until it has turned
white. Place in an oven proof dish.
5. Add the potatoes to the chicken.
6. Fry the onion for 2 minutes, then add the leeks, Preparing raw meat
mushrooms and carrots.
Using the hob
7. Sprinkle over the flour, then gradually add the stock, and oven
stirring all the time until thickened.
Preparing a range
8. Pour this mixture over the chicken and then add the herbs.
of vegetables
9. Cover the oven proof dish and cook for 1-1.5 hours.
Using a knife
 n
Grow your Ow
hy carrots:
Crisp, crunc al
fe c t s n a c k or a tradition
a per
can pick from
side dish. You s,
rent varietie
plenty of diffe is
M a n c h e s t e r Table, Par
like add
humbelina. Or
Market or T me
of fl a v ou r w ith fresh thy
a bit ant
r os e m a r y . A rosemary pl
or
to 20 years!
can live for up
Ingredients
1 onion 1 x 15ml spoon tomato purée
1 carrot 1 x 15ml spoon Worcestershire sauce
3 medium potatoes (700g) 300ml water
¼ Savoy cabbage 1 stock cube
250g lean minced beef 150ml semi-skimmed milk
1 x 15ml spoon plain flour

Equipment

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC or gas mark 6.
es to th e me at
• A dd ot he r ve ge ta bl
2. Prepare the vegetables:
en pe as .
• peel and chop the onion; mi xt ur e su ch as fr oz
veggie mince
• Swap the mince for
• peel and dice the carrot;
n.
• peel and cut the potatoes into chunks; for a vegetarian optio
th e ma sh ed
• A dd mi xe d he rb s to
• shred the cabbage.
a lit tl e
3. Place the potatoes in a saucepan of water, bring to po ta to , or to p wi th
re pu tt ing in
the boil and simmer for 20 minutes, until soft. gr at ed ch ee se be fo
4. Meanwhile, in a non-stick frying pan, dry fry the beef th e ov en .
with the onion and carrots, until the mince is browned. • A lw ay s re me mb er to us e ov en
tt ing th ing s int o,
5. Stir in the flour, tomato purée and Worcestershire sauce. glo ve s wh en pu
of , th e ov en .
or ta ki ng th em ou t
6. Add the stock cube to the water to make up the stock.
7. Add the stock to the meat mixture, bring to the boil
and simmer for 5-10 minutes, until the carrot is soft.
8. During the last 5 minutes of cooking the potatoes add
the cabbage. Using the hob
and oven
9. Drain the potatoes in a colander, return to the saucepan
and mash with the milk. Using a
vegetable peeler
10. Place the oven proof dish or foil tray on a baking tray.
Spread the meat mixture into the dish, and spoon the Weighing and
mash over the top. measuring
11. Cook for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Combining ingredients
together
Preparing a selection
of vegetables
Ingredients
1 onion 00ml stock (reduced salt lamb
2
1 carrot stock cube and water)
1 small leek 1 x 5ml spoon Worcestershire sauce
1 potato 1 bay leaf
400g lean lamb 1 sprig of thyme
1 x 15ml spoon oil Freshly ground black pepper
1 x 15ml spoon plain flour

Equipment

x2

Method
1. Pre-heat the oven to 170ºC or gas mark 3.
es fir st !
• W as h th e ve ge ta bl
2. Prepare the vegetables:
• peel and slice the onion; tables
• Try different vege
nip or
• peel, top and tail, slice the carrot; such as turnip, pars
.
• trim and slice the leek; cabbage in the hotpot
ad
• peel and thinly slice the potato. • Tr y ro se ma ry ins te
3. Using a clean knife and chopping board, trim away any of th ym e.
visible fat from the meat and cut into cubes. ss er ole
• W at ch ou t, th e ca
t
4. Heat the oil in the frying pan, then brown the meat. di sh ca n ge t ve ry ho
ov en
When brown, place the cubes of meat into a casserole dish. so re me mb er to us e
5. Fry the onion, carrot and leek for 2-3 minutes. glo ve s.
6. Sprinkle flour into the frying pan and stir.
7. Pour in the stock, stirring all the time.
8. Pour all the ingredients from the frying pan to the
casserole dish. Handling raw meat
9. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, bay leaf and thyme.
Using a knife
10. Arrange the potato slices on top in an overlapping pattern.
Using an oven
11. Add the black pepper, then cover with a lid or foil.
Measuring
12. Cook for 1 hour 15 minutes.
13. Turn the heat up to 200°C or gas mark 6, remove the lid
and cook for a further 15 minutes to brown the potatoes.
 n
Grow your Ow
t
c a n
,
t h a v e a proper roas
You ot
oes - so why n
without potat , got a fresh
ve
make sure you s in
an grow spud
supply? You c
ub.
a bucket or t
Ingredients
2 chicken legs

Equipment

fo re
• R em ov e th e sk in be
se rv ing .
,
• Pu sh sl ic es of lem on
rb s
Method ga rli c or fr es h he
re yo u
1. Preheat the oven to 190ºC or gas mark 5. un de r th e sk in be fo
s.
ro as t th e ch ic ke n leg
2. Place the chicken legs into the baking dish.
ke n in
3. Roast the chicken legs for 30-40 minutes. • M ar ina te th e ch ic
illi
a lit tl e so y sa uc e, ch
4. Check that the chicken is cooked completely by piercing
an d ga rli c.
the thickest part of the leg with a clean knife. The chicken
ic ke n?
is cooked when the juices run clear. • Fa nc y ta nd oo ri ch
n
M ar ina te th e ch ic ke
mi xe d
in ta nd oo ri pa st e
t fo r
ith wi th a bi t of yo gh ur
Serve w nd a co up le of ho ur s be
fo re
sa
potatoe co ok ing .

e g e t a b les, or
v
hy
a crunc
salad! Roasting
Using the oven
Handling raw meat
Ingredients
4 large potatoes
1 x 15ml spoon oil

Equipment

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC or gas mark 6. Place the baking
tray in the oven. ve s
• A lw ay s us e ov en glo
int o,
2. Peel the potatoes and cut into large chunks (8 per potato). wh en pu tt ing di sh es
of ,
3. Place the potatoes in the mixing bowl and pour the oil over. or ta ki ng th em ou t
4. Mix the potatoes with the oil. th e ov en .
es
5. Remove the baking tray from the oven. • Sprinkle the potato
6. Carefully place the potatoes on the tray, and place back with black pepper,
h)
herbs (dried or fres
u
or mustard before yo
in the oven.
7. Bake for 45-50 minutes, turning them over after roast them.
25 minutes, until golden.

Using the
vegetable peeler
Using a knife
tic
Fantas t Using the oven
os
with alm .
ing
everyth
r
Use you
tion!
imagina
Ingredients
2 carrots
½ head broccoli
½ cauliflower
50g mange tout, optional

Equipment

Method
1. Wash all the vegetables.
te ad of
• In a ru sh ? Th en ins
2. Peel and slice the carrots.
th em
3. Remove the green leaves and hard stalk from the broccoli st ea mi ng th e ve g, do
t th em
and cauliflower and cut into florets. in th e mi cr ow av e. Pu
di sh ,
in a mi cr ow av ea bl e
4. Place all the vegetables into a colander over a saucepan pie rc e
co ve r wi th cl ing fil m,
of boiling water with a plate over the top. hig h
th e fil m an d co ok on
5. Allow to steam for 10 minutes. fo r 2 -3 mi nu te s.
6. Serve. of
• Va ry th e se lec ti on
y ve ge ta bl es to giv e
Crisp les a co lou rf ul mi x at an
y
ab
veget etter ti me of th e ye ar .
b
taste ain • Use a mixture of fr
esh,
et
and r amins! frozen and canned
vegetables throughout
it
more v the year for variety
.

• C he ck ou t wh at is
in se as on .

Preparing a selection
of vegetables
Using a vegetable
peeler
Using a knife
Using the hob
 n
Grow your Ow
l Italian
For that rea
eed a bit of
flavour, you n
grows happily
fresh basil. It
your kitchen
in the sun on h
adds a splas
windowsill and ow
ing of which, h
of colour. Talk oe s?
a few tomat
about tr, ying e,
d a greenhous
You don t nee
love and care
just a bit of
perfect for
every week -
auce.
your pasta s
Ingredients
1 onion 1 x 5ml spoon vegetable stock powder
150g chestnut mushrooms 1-1.5 litres water, boiling
2 cloves garlic 1 x 15ml spoon parmesan, grated
1 x 15ml spoon olive oil 1 x 10ml spoon thyme, chopped
250g risotto rice

Equipment

Method
1. Prepare the vegetables:
t
• peel and chop the onion; • Tr y us ing di ff er en
• slice the mushrooms; ing re di en ts , su ch
peel and crush the garlic. as ch ic ke n, pr aw ns
or M ed it er ra ne an
•
2. Fry the onion and garlic in the oil until soft. ve ge ta bl es .
3. Add the mushrooms, and fry for another 2 minutes. s an d
• A dd di ff er en t he rb
rs ley
4. Stir in the rice. sp ic es , e. g. ba si l, pa
r ex tr a
5. Mix the stock powder with the water. or ch illi po wd er , fo
6. Add a little of the stock to the rice and keep stirring till fla vo ur .
the stock is absorbed.
7. Continue adding the stock until the rice cooks – this will
take 20-25 minutes. The rice should be soft, but still retain
a nutty bite.
Using the hob
8. Stir the parmesan and thyme into the rice.
Using a knife
Preparing an onion
Ingredients
1 onion 1 x 5ml spoon vegetable stock powder
3 mushrooms or cube
½ red pepper 550ml water, boiling
1 tomato 50g peas
1 x 10ml spoon oil 1 x 10ml spoon curry powder
150g long grain rice

Equipment

Method
1. Prepare the vegetables:
on al
• Us e di ff er en t se as
• peel and chop the onion;
• slice the mushrooms; ve ge ta bl es .
ch ic ke n,
• deseed and dice the red pepper; • A dd co ok ed ha m,
• chop the tomato. be an s or len ti ls .
t
2. Fry the onion in oil until soft. • Tr y us ing di ff er en
or
sp ic es , e. g. pa pr ik a
3. Add the mushrooms and red pepper and cook for
ch op pe d he rb s.
a further 2 minutes.
4. Stir in the rice.
5. Mix the stock powder with the water.
6. Add the stock, peas and curry powder.
7. Simmer for 15 minutes, until the rice is tender.
8. Serve the rice in a bowl and sprinkle the
chopped tomato on top.
Using the hob
Preparing an onion
Weighing and
measuring
Combining ingredients
together
Using a knife
Ingredients
1 onion 1 x 400g canned chopped tomatoes
1 clove garlic 1 x 15ml spoon tomato puree
1 carrot 1 x 5ml spoon mixed herbs
1 celery stick 100ml water
1 x 15ml spoon oil black pepper
250g minced beef 150g spaghetti

• To serve, add some

Equipment grated parmesan
cheese and fresh
basil.
• For a vegetarian
x2 option, swap the
minced beef for veggie
Method mince or lentils.
1. Prepare the vegetables: • Serve the sauce
with different
peel and chop the onion;
types of pasta.
•

• You could use stock

• peel and crush the garlic;
• peel and slice the carrot; instead of water.
• finely chop the celery. • Oregano is a great
2. Fry the onion, garlic, carrot and celery in the oil. herb to try in
Italian dishes.
3. Add the meat and cook until the mince is lightly browned.
4. Add the tomatoes, tomato puree, mixed herbs and water
and mix all the ingredients together. Then add a few twists
of black pepper.
5. Bring to the boil, then simmer for 20 minutes.
Using the hob
6. Meanwhile, place the spaghetti in a separate saucepan of
boiling water. Cook for 10-12 minutes or until the spaghetti Using a knife
is ‘al dente’. Preparing an onion
7. Drain the water from the spaghetti using a colander. Boiling & simmering
8. To serve, pour some of the bolognese sauce over
the spaghetti.
Ingredients
1 onion 750ml stock (1 x veg
1-2 clove/s garlic or chicken stock cube)
1 red pepper 250g rice
1 chicken breast (or 4 thighs) 25g frozen peas
1 x 15ml oil 100g mixed cooked seafood
(e.g. prawns, mussels and squid),
1 x 5ml spoon turmeric
optional
1 x 5ml spoon paprika

Equipment

x2

Method
1. Prepare the vegetables:
th is
• Tu rm er ic is us ed in
• peel and chop the onion;
• peel and crush the garlic; re ci pe as S af fr on is
• chop and deseed the red pepper. ex pe ns ive .
chopped
2. Remove any skin from the chicken, then dice into chunks • Why not add some
h feast?
with a fresh knife on a clean chopping board. chorizo for a Spanis
bl es
3. Fry the onion and pepper in the oil for 5 minutes. • A dd ex tr a ve ge ta
4. Add the garlic, turmeric and paprika and cook for a further su ch as to ma to es .
th
• S er ve th e pa ell a wi
2 minutes.
5. Add the diced chicken and cook until it turns white. we dg es of lem on .
6. Pour in the stock, bring to the boil and cook for 5 minutes.
7. Add the rice.
8. Bring to the boil, and then allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
9. Stir in the frozen peas and seafood, and cook for a further
5 minutes. Using a knife
Measuring
Using the hob
Handling raw meat
Ingredients
1 onion 1 x 10ml spoon flour
1 clove garlic 250ml stock (water and stock cube)
1 green pepper 1 x 400g can red kidney beans
1 x 10ml spoon oil 1 x 15ml spoon tomato puree
250g minced beef 1 x 5ml spoon chilli powder

Equipment

Method
1. Prepare the vegetables:
ja ck et
• S er ve wi th ric e, a
• peel and chop the onion;
dg es .
• peel and crush the garlic; po ta to or po ta to we
r
• deseed and chop the pepper. • Freeze leftovers fo
2. Fry the onion and garlic in the oil for 3-4 minutes. another day.
wd er fo r
3. Add the minced beef and cook until it has browned. • A dd ex tr a ch illi po
4. Stir in the flour. a ki ck .
5. Pour in the stock.
6. Drain the red kidney beans and add to the meat.
7. Stir in the tomato purée and chilli powder.
8. Bring to the boil, then allow to simmer for 20 minutes.
9. Add the green pepper and allow to cook for a further
15 minutes.

Handling raw meat

Using a knife
Preparing different
vegetables
Ingredients
1 onion 1 x 5ml spoon mixed herbs
1 garlic clove 1 x 15ml spoon tomato purée
1 carrot 200ml reduced fat crème fraiche
2 celery sticks 25g grated parmesan
1 x 10ml spoon oil 100ml semi-skimmed milk
100g green lentils Black pepper
1 x can chopped tomatoes (400g) 6 lasagne sheets

Equipment

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 190ºC or gas mark 5.
ff er en t
• Ex pe rim en t wi th di
2. Prepare the vegetables:
si l
• peel and chop the onion; he rb s, lik e fr es h ba
en t
• peel and crush the garlic; or or eg an o, fo r di ff er
fla vo ur se ns at ion s!
• peel and slice the carrot;
• slice the celery. • Try using different
vegetables such as
courgettes, peppers
3. Fry the onion, garlic, carrot and celery in the oil until soft.
4. Add the lentils, tomatoes, herbs and tomato purée. or aubergine.
t
• Tr y us ing di ff er en
5. Pour in some water, just enough to cover the mixture,
bring to the boil and then allow to simmer for 15 minutes ch ee se s.
with the lid on.
6. Mix the crème fraiche, milk, pepper and half the grated
cheese together in a small bowl till you have a smooth sauce.
7. Place an oven proof dish on a baking tray and spread some
lentil mixture in the bottom. Cover with lasagne sheets and Using the hob and oven
a little crème fraiche sauce. Repeat this, finishing with the
sauce on top. Preparing an onion
8. Sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top and bake for Weighing and measur
ing
20 minutes. Using the grater
Combining ingredients
together
 n
Grow your Ow
ries
a t t h e in g r e dients for cur
Think th om miles
s t ir - fr ie s h ave to come fr fect in
and
k a g a in ! P ak choi is per .
away? Th in
a s y t o g r ow in the garden
d e
a stir-fry an h c or iander or chill
ies
ow fr e s
You can gr or out. And for
that
- in d oo r s en
at home r , t r y yellow and gre
c ol ou
special bit of h e ir beautiful fl
owers)
e s (w it h t
courgett broccoli. They
taste
pl e s pr ou t in g
or pur
ey look.
as good as th
Ingredients
150g dried noodles 4 x broccoli florets
1 clove garlic 1x10ml spoon oil
1 small piece fresh ginger 50g bean sprouts
2 spring onions 1x15ml spoon soy sauce
4 mushrooms

Equipment

Method
1. Cook the noodles as instructed on the packaging and
then drain. bl es ,
• A dd ex tr a ve ge ta
,
2. Prepare the vegetables: su ch as fr oz en pe as
pa k
• peel and crush the garlic; ca nn ed sw ee tc or n,
pp er .
• peel and shred the fresh ginger; ch oi, ch op pe d re d pe
, chicken,
• chop the spring onions; • Stir in cooked tofu
• slice the mushrooms; ham or beef.
no od les
• cut each broccoli floret into 4. • Us e re ad y to wo k
be
3. Heat the oil in the wok or frying pan. wh ic h do no t ne ed to
bo ile d to sa ve ti me .
4. Fry the garlic, ginger and onions for 1 minute.
5. Add the mushrooms and broccoli and cook for 3 minutes.
6. Stir in the bean sprouts and cook for another 2 minutes.
7. Add the cooked noodles and soy sauce.
8. Stir fry everything together for 3 minutes.
9. Serve. Using the hob
Using a knife
Stir-frying
Measuring
Ingredients
½ lime ½ green pepper
1 clove garlic 1 tomato
½ green chilli 25g Cheddar cheese
Small bunch coriander 2 tortillas
1 x 10ml spoon oil 1 x 15ml spoon guacamole
1 small chicken breast (or 3-4 thighs) or salsa (optional)
½ onion

Equipment

x2 x2

Method
1. Prepare the marinade:
for
• Swap the chicken
• squeeze the lime;
or kidney
• peel and crush the garlic; extra vegetables
n
• de-seed and slice the chilli; beans for a vegetaria
alternative.
• chop the coriander;
at co uld
stir everything together with the oil. • Ot he r ty pe s of me
• rip s of
be us ed , e. g. th in st
be ef or tu rk ey .
2. Remove any skin from the chicken and cut the meat into
strips. Mix with the marinade and place in the fridge,
covered, until needed.
3. Prepare the remaining ingredients with a clean knife on
a clean chopping board:
• slice the onion and green pepper;
Using the hob
• chop the tomato;
Handling and marinat
• grate the cheese. ing
raw meat
5. Add the marinated chicken to the wok or frying pan
and stir-fry for about 4 minutes. Check that the chicken Stir-frying
is cooked. Using the grater
6. Add the onion and green pepper and continue to cook for Weighing and
a further 2 minutes. measuring
7. Warm the tortillas in a microwave oven for 20 seconds,
Combining ingredients
then lay flat on a plate. together
8. Spread a little chicken in the centre of the tortilla, add
Preparing a selection
some tomato, cheese and guacamole, then roll up. of vegetables
Ingredients
100g noodles ½ yellow pepper

1 x chicken breast (or 3-4 thighs) 3 mushrooms
1 clove garlic 1 pak choi
½ red chilli 1 x 10ml spoon oil
1cm fresh ginger x 10ml spoon soy sauce
1
½ red onion (reduced salt)

Equipment

x2

Method
1. Cook the noodles in boiling water. Check the packet
for details.
2. While the noodles are cooking, remove any skin from
s-
• Vary the vegetable
the chicken and cut into strips. Cover and place in the
d carrots
fridge until needed. leeks, courgettes an
3. Prepare the vegetables with a fresh knife on a clean all work well.
of chicken
chopping board: • Go for tofu instead
rnative.
• peel and crush the garlic; for a vegetarian alte
could be
• de-seed and slice the chilli; • Other types of meat
of beef
used, e.g. thin strips
• peel and finely slice the ginger;
or turkey.
chop the onion, pepper and mushrooms; noodles
• Mix in ready cooked
•
in meal.
• shred the pak choi. or rice for a quick ma
4. Heat the oil in the wok or frying pan.
5. Add the onion, garlic, chilli and ginger. Allow to cook
for 1 minute.
6. Add the chicken and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes. Check that
the chicken is cooked – it should be white right through. Using the hob
7. Add the remaining vegetables and soy sauce and continue Stir-frying
to cook for a further 2 minutes.
Using a knife
8. Drain the water from the noodles using a colander.
Combining
9. Stir in the cooked noodles and cook for
2 minutes until hot. Handling raw meat
Ingredients
225g lean lamb leg steaks 1 x 5ml spoon oil
or neck fillet 2 x 15ml spoons Rogan Josh
1 onion curry paste
2 tomatoes 200g can chopped tomatoes
1 clove garlic 1 x 15ml spoon fresh coriander

Equipment

x2

Method
1. Slice the lamb.
ric e,
2. On a clean chopping board with a fresh knife, slice the • If yo u do n't fe el lik e
d an d
onion, cut the tomatoes and crush the garlic. se rv e wi th na an br ea
3. Heat the oil in a large pan and add the lamb. si de sa la d.
Cook for 3-4 minutes. • R ep la ce th e fr es h
sli ce d
4. Add the Rogan Josh curry paste, sliced onion and garlic. to ma to es wi th th inl y
or
Cook for a further 2-3 minutes. co ur ge tt es , pe pp er s
ok ra .
5. Add the canned and fresh tomatoes and cook for further
u ca n
2 minutes. • C oo k ple nt y an d yo
ra iny -
fr ee ze so me fo r a
6. Chop the coriander.
or bu sy - da y!
use
You can
7. Stir in the fresh coriander.
ce
this sau r
8. Serve.

ho
with fis
pa
Handling ra ws a!
metat
Using the hob
Using a knife
Ingredients
2 chicken breasts
2 x 15ml spoons tikka paste
3 x 15ml spoons plain yogurt
½ lemon

Equipment

Method
1. Remove any skin from the chicken and cut into
large chunks.
?
• No lem on sq ue ez er
2. Mix the tikka paste and yogurt together.
Us e a fo rk !
3. Squeeze the lemon and add to the yogurt mixture. as they
• Use chicken thighs,
are less expensive.
4. Stir the chicken into the yogurt mixture, cover and
marinade for at least 30 minutes.
d sa la d.
5. Preheat the grill, so that it is very hot. • S er ve wi th ric e an
6. Place the chicken on a non-stick baking tray, and place
under the hot grill, for about 10-15 minutes.
7. Turn over the pieces of chicken, so that it cooks
throughout.

i n a de
Mar hicken
c
the ight Handling raw meat
n
the e for
r ! Using a knife
befo sy dish
a Using the grill
an e
Ingredients
1 onion 300ml water
1 clove garlic 400g can chopped tomatoes
1 large potato 410g canned chickpeas, (drained)
1 x 5ml spoon oil 3 handfuls of fresh spinach
2 x 15ml spoons curry paste

Equipment

Method
1. Prepare the vegtables:
ric e, na an
• S er ve wi th bo ile d
• peel and slice the onion;
la d.
• peel and crush the garlic; br ea d an d a si de sa
es with
• peel and cut the potato into 1cm cubes. • Replace the tomato
es,
2. Fry the onion and garlic for 2 minutes in the oil. thinly sliced courgett
3. Stir in the curry paste, potato and water. peppers or okra.
u ca n
4. Drain the chickpeas and add to the pan. • C oo k ple nt y an d yo
iny -
5. Add the tomatoes, then simmer for 20 minutes, until the fr ee ze so me fo r a ra
potato is tender. or bu sy - da y!

6. Stir in the fresh spinach, and allow to cook for a further

2 minutes.
7. Serve.

Using the hob

Combining ingredients
together
Stir-frying
Weighing and
measuring
Ingredients
1 onion 25g sultanas
1 apple 1 x 5ml curry powder
1 clove garlic 1 - 2 x 5ml spoon ginger
250g beef 350ml water
1 x 15ml oil 1 x 15ml spoon tomato purée

Equipment

x2

Method
1. Prepare the fruit and vegetables:
th ric e
• S er ve th e cu rr y wi
• chop and slice the onion;
• core and slice the apple; an d a sa la d.
bles,
• peel and crush the garlic. • Add extra vegeta
peas
2. With a fresh knife on a clean chopping board, such as mushrooms,
dice the meat. and peppers.
3. Fry the onion and garlic in the oil for 5 minutes.
4. Add the meat and cook until it has browned.
6. Stir in the apple, sultanas, curry powder and ginger,
and cook for 5 minutes.
7. Pour in the water and tomato purée.
8. Bring to the boil, then simmer and cover to cook
for 30 minutes.

y a d ding
Tr
e
a littl rry
Preparing an onion

u
more c for a
Using the hob

r Crushing garlic
powde ish!
t e r d
hot
 n
Grow your Ow
ss, you
c ol ou r , fl a v our or crispne
For , Get the
t b e a t a fresh salad.
c a n ket
m ix w it h s om e lettuce, roc
right and as
d r a d ic c h io - easy to grow some
an Or how about
a s fl ow e r s .
pretty eeps
,
pe t ua l
,
s pi n a ch... it just k
per a
can use it as
on growing! You build
a b le or in a salad - and
veget
gth.
up your stren
Ingredients
1 large can new potatoes 2 x 15ml spoons low fat mayonnaise
2-3 spring onions ½ x 5ml spoon mustard (optional)

Equipment

Method ion s,
• In st ea d of sp rin g on
,
1. Drain the potatoes using the colander over the sink. wh y no t tr y re d on ion
Y ou
2. Cut any large potatoes in half. ce ler y or ch ive s?
nd fu l
co uld ev en ad d a ha
3. Chop the spring onions. of dr ied fr uit !
4. Mix the mayonnaise and mustard. ch ill
• Pr ep ar e, bo il an d
u
5. Combine all the ingredients together. fr es h po ta to es , if yo
6. Cover and chill in the fridge. ha ve ti me .
us e
• Fo r a lig ht er di sh ,
mi x.
a ma yo an d yo gh ur t
ai se
• Fl av ou r th e ma yo nn
es h
wi th ga rli c, lem on , fr
he rb s or pe st o!

Draining
Using a knife
Ingredients
100g pasta shapes 1 carrot
1 baby gem lettuce 100g cooked sliced chicken
1 tomato 2 x 15ml spoons low fat dressing
¼ cucumber

Equipment

Method
• S wa p th e ch ic ke n
1. Bring a small saucepan of water to the boil, and then fo r gr at ed ch ee se or
d
add the pasta. Simmer for about 8-10 minutes (check fis h: tu na , sa lm on an
the packet instructions). ma ck er el al l
wo rk br illi an tl y.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the other ingredients:
shred the lettuce and chicken; • G o fo r di ff er en t
• tr y
dr es si ng s - wh y no t
ba ls am ic vin eg ar ?
• slice the tomato;
• chop the cucumber into small chunks; ae sa r
• C re at e yo ur ow n C
tu ce ,
sa la d, us ing co s let
• peel and grate the carrot.
an d
3. Drain the boiling hot water away from the pasta into cr o^u to ns , dr es si ng
a colander in the sink. Cool the pasta by rinsing it under pa rm es an ch ee se .
fr uit ,
• W hy no t ad d so me
a cold tap for a few moments. Drain well.
tr a
4. Place the pasta in the serving dish and stir in 1x15ml spoon se ed s or nu ts fo r ex
of dressing. te xt ur e?
5. Add the other ingredients and mix with a spoon.
6. Lastly, drizzle over the remaining dressing.

Using the hob

Preparing a selection
of vegetables
Using the grater

Using the vegetable pe
eler
Weighing and measur
ing
Ingredients
¼ white cabbage
1 carrot
1 medium apple
2 x 15ml spoons of low fat mayonnaise

Equipment

Method
d
• W as h th e fr uit an
1. Shred the cabbage into thin strips. e.
ve ge ta bl es be fo re us
2. Top and tail the carrot, then peel and grate. a
• W hy no t tr y ma ki ng
3. Peel and grate the apple. n
su pe r sa la d? Y ou ca
t
4. Place the cabbage, grated carrot and apple us e lot s of di ff er en
in the mixing bowl and add the mayonnaise. ing re di en ts su ch as
ts ,
5. Mix all the ingredients together. fr uit , me at , fis h, nu
po ta to es or ric e.

c t w ith
Perf e
a d s , tuna
sal d m eat
o l
fish, c with
n
or eve ich!
dw
a san
Using a knife
Using the grater
 Grow your Ow
n
Liven up your
sauces with s
delicious fres ome
h herbs. You ,
a garden - pa don t need
rsley, tarrag
chives all grow on and
really well in po
your windowsill ts on
(spring onions
do too).
Ingredients
75g cheddar cheese 250ml semi-skimmed milk
25g margarine or butter Black pepper
25g plain flour

Equipment

Method
1. Grate the cheese on the chopping board.
2. Place the margarine or butter, flour and milk into
a small saucepan. • A dd fr es h he rb s to
pe d
th e sa uc e, lik e ch op
3. Bring the sauce to a boil, whisking it all the time pa rs ley or ba si l.
until it has thickened.
4. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer for 2 minutes.
5. Stir in the grated cheese.

Grating
Using a hob

use
You can with
s a u c e
this a bles
v e g e t
fish,
a!
or past
Ingredients
500ml milk
2 x 15ml spoons custard powder
1 x 15ml spoon sugar

Equipment

Method
1. Mix a little of the milk with the custard powder and sugar
d
in the mixing bowl. • S er ve th e cu st ar
pe d
2. Heat the remaining milk nearly to the boil. Watch that wi th fr uit , lik e ch op
it doesn’t boil over! ba na na or be rr ies .
ma ke
3. Pour the hot milk over the custard powder mixture, • Us e th e cu st ar d to
whisking all the time. mi ni tr ifl es .
4. To thicken the custard, return to the saucepan and
bring to the boil, whisking all the time.

Using the hob

Weighing and
measuring
Whisking

r v e with
Se
n g hot
p i p i
r u m ble.
c
apple out
k
Chec cipe!
e
the r
Ingredients
1 onion 1 x 15ml spoon oil
1 clove garlic 2 x 400g canned chopped tomatoes
Handful of fresh basil Black pepper

Equipment

Method
1. Prepare the vegetables:
yo u
• peel and chop the onion; • Us e dr ied he rb s if
• peel and crush the garlic; do no t ha ve fr es h.
h re d
• tear the basil leaves. • A dd a ch op pe d fr es
th
2. Fry the onion and garlic in the oil for 5 minutes, until soft. ch illi , fo r a sa uc e wi
3. Add the tomatoes and the basil. a ki ck .
s an d
4. Add a few twists of black pepper, then allow to simmer • A dd 7 5g mu sh ro om
r
gently for 30 minutes (longer if possible). 7 5g co ur ge tt e, af te
le
st ag e 2 , fo r a si mp
ve gg ie sa uc e.
g
• A dd an d br ow n 2 00
mi nc ed be ef af te r
st ag e 2 fo r a si mp le
me at sa uc e.
s
• S ti r in bl ac k oli ve
an d tu na fo r a fis h
al te rn at ive .
er
• Po ur th e sa uc e ov
e wi th
wh it e fis h, sp rin kl
r
Using a knife ch ee se an d ba ke fo
en .
2 0 mi nu te s un ti l go ld
Preparing an onion
Using the hob
Measuring
 n
Grow your Ow
ummery
h e r e
,
s n ot h ing quite as s n
T
r r ie s . T r y pl anting your ow t
as be
ie s in n e a t r ows with a ne ,
strawberr they re
- t h e n e n jo y them when
over the m you can
e t a n d ju ic y . Sometimes row in
swe
w ild b la c k b erries that g ve
even pick ,
e lu c k y , maybe you ha
y ou r
hedges, or if pl um , damson or app
le
w it h a
a neighbour h elp them to ha
rvest.
a t y ou c a n
tree th
Ingredients
50g butter or margarine 25g sugar
100g plain flour 2 eating apples
50g oats 50g sultanas

Equipment

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 190ºC or gas mark 5.
2. Rub the butter or margarine into the flour until di sh
• Pu t th e ov en -p ro of
so if
on a ba ki ng tr ay -
it looks like breadcrumbs.
er , it
3. Stir in the oats and sugar and make sure they’re well an yt hin g bu bb les ov
, no t
mixed in. wi ll la nd on th e tr ay
4. Cut the apples into quarters and remove the core. th e ov en .
Slice thinly. • B e cr ea ti ve an d
r
5. Arrange the apple slices in the oven-proof dish, ex pe rim en t wi th ot he
s,
and then add the sultanas. fr uit s, su ch as pe ar
ric ot s,
bl ac kb er rie s, ap
s,
ra sp be rr ies , pe ac he
6. Sprinkle the crumble topping over the apple slices.
.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the apple is soft and ne ct ar ine s or plu ms
the crumble is golden. es h
• If yo u ca n't ge t fr
uit .
fr uit , us e ca nn ed fr
Serve
ing
with pip rd.
ta
hot cus
out
Check
h e r e c ipe!
t Using an oven
Rubbing in
Using a knife
Coring an apple
Ingredients
150g blackcurrants 100g caster sugar
150g redcurrants 2 x 15ml spoons water
150g raspberries 5-6 slices white bread

Equipment

(600ml)

Method
1. Remove the currants from their stalks.
st .
2. Put all the fruit, sugar and water into the saucepan. • W as h th e fr uit fir
3. Bring the fruit to the boil, then simmer for about 5 minutes. ed
• Us e fr oz en or ca nn
4. Cut away the crusts from the bread, then cut all but one fr uit ins te ad .
slice in half. en t
• W hy no t us e di ff er
5. Arrange the slices in a pudding basin. Press the edges ch as
ty pe s of fr uit , su
down firmly. st ra wb er rie s, plu ms
s?
6. Spoon the fruit mixture into the basin. Keep a little of the an d/ or go os eb er rie
juice for serving. An
• No t go t a we igh t?
7. Cover with a whole slice of bread, making sure that there un op en ed ca n or ja r
are no gaps around the edge. wo rk s ju st as we ll.
8. Place the saucer on top and then add the weight – this will
press everything together.
9. Allow to cool and then place in the fridge overnight.
10. To serve, turn out onto a plate and cut into wedges.
Pour over the remaining juice. Using the hob
Boiling and simmering
Using a knife
Ingredients
100g plain flour 100g blackberries
50g butter/margarine 1 x 15ml spoon sugar
2 – 3 x 15ml spoons water 1 x 10ml spoon milk
400g cooking apples

Equipment

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200ºC or gas mark 6.
t
2. Make the shortcrust pastry: • Us e lot s of di ff er en
• sift the flour into a bowl;
se as on al fr uit s
.
•

cut the butter/margarine into small pieces

th ro ug ho ut th e ye ar
and add to the flour;
• S er ve wi th yo gu rt
•

rub the butter/margarine into the flour, using your or cu st ar d.

fingertips, until it looks like breadcrumbs;
• add the cold water and start to mix together;
• mix to form a firm, smooth dough;
• allow to rest while you prepare the filling.
3. Core and slice the apples. Rubbing in
4. Place the apple slices and blackberries in the oven proof dish. Rolling out pastry
Sprinkle the sugar over the top.
Preparing different
5. Roll out the pastry thinly on a lightly floured surface, until it fruit
is large enough to cover the pie dish.
Weighing and
6. Brush a little water around the edge of the pie dish.
measuring
7. Carefully place the pastry over the pie dish.
Using a knife
8. Trim away any pastry that hangs over the edge of the dish.
9. Press down the edges with a fork. Using the oven
10. If you want, decorate your pie with pastry trimmings,
then brush them with milk to keep them in place.
11. Make an air vent in the centre of the pie lid.
12. Brush the top of the pie with milk and bake for 20-25
minutes, or until golden brown.
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ISBN 978-1-84775-242-0
Crown Copyright 2008
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Issue date: September 2008

Information and advice contained in this leaflet is correct
at the time of going to press.