Healthy "Nutella" Overnight Oats

This rich and creamy breakfast tastes so indulgent. It's hard to believe that it's good for you! The combination of chocolate and hazelnuts really captures that classic "Nutella" flavour, whilst raisins, toasted nuts and fresh blackberries add interesting textures and extra goodness.

Three great health benefits: anti-inflammatory, promotes healthy skin, beneficial for heart health

Serves 1

Ingredients:
1/4 cup gluten free oats
1/2 cup hazelnut milk
1 tbsp raw cacao powder
1 tbsp whole hazelnuts
1 tbsp hazelnut butter
2 tbsp raisins
15 fresh blackberries, washed

Method:
1) Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Put the hazelnuts in a baking tin and bake for 5 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool. (Note: In reality, I tend to do this in larger batches so I always have roasted hazelnuts to hand)
2) Place the oats, hazelnut milk and raw cacao powder in a jar, replace the lid and shake to combine. Refrigerate overnight.
3) In the morning, stir the oat mixture and then top with hazelnut butter, raisins, roasted hazelnuts and blackberries.

Let me know if you try out this recipe! Tag me on Twitter @HaloEats or Instagram @halo.eats 

Courgette "Frittata" with Avocado Aioli

There's no denying that most of my breakfast recipes are based on sweet flavours but the other morning, I was craving something savoury so created this courgette frittata with avo aioli. Topped with sweet baby plum tomatoes, the flavours work so well together for a light yet satisfying breakfast or brunch. That's not to say you couldn't enjoy it for lunch or dinner too though! As well as the delicious flavours, one of the aspects that I love most about this dish is that it packs in the fruit and vegetable portions, making it the perfect way to start the day.

Three great health benefits: good source of fibre, promotes healthy skin, anti-inflammatory

Serves 1
Enjoy immediately

Ingredients:
2 medium courgettes, washed and grated
1 tbsp chia seeds
2 tsp olive oil
Handful of baby plum tomatoes, chopped in half lengthways (cherry tomatoes would work too- I just like the extra sweetness of the baby plum tomatoes)

For the aioli:
Flesh of 1 ripe avocado
1 clove of garlic, crushed
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Sea salt and black pepper

Method:
1) Make a chia "egg" by mixing together the chia seeds with 3 tbsp water. Set aside for approximately half an hour (it's fine to do this the night before if you know you'll be wanting this for breakfast in the morning & want to save time). Stir the gel that forms.
2) Place the grated courgette in a clean muslin cloth or tea towel and squeeze over a bowl or sink until most of the excess water is drained- you'll be surprised how much is released! Keep going as you really do need to remove most of that excess water!
3) Stir together the courgette with the chia "egg" until thoroughly combined.
4) Heat the 2 tsp olive oil in a small, oven proof frying pan over a medium-high temperature on the hob. Add the courgette mixture and press into the pan so that it fills the frying pan and resembles a frittata shape. Cook for approx 2-3 minutes. Transfer the courgette mixture (still in the frying pan) under a hot grill to lightly brown the top.
5) Meanwhile, make the avocado aioli by mashing the avocado with a fork then adding the garlic, lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil and salt & pepper (to taste). Stir to combine. Transfer to a serving dish (or simply straight onto the same plate that you'll serve the frittata on).
6) Place the courgette frittata onto a serving plate and top with the tomatoes.

Let me know if you try out this recipe! Tag me on Twitter @HaloEats or Instagram @halo.eats 

Healthy "Nutella" Shake

This chocolate & hazelnut shake tastes like liquid Nutella and is great for satisfying any sweet cravings. What's more, it's so quick & easy to make!

Three great health benefits: boosts mood, beneficial for heart health, promotes healthy skin 

Makes 1 glass
Enjoy immediately

Ingredients:
250ml hazelnut milk
2 tbsp hazelnut butter
1 tbsp raw cacao powder

Method:
1) Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend together until smooth. Enjoy immediately.

Let me know if you try out this recipe! Tag me on Twitter @HaloEats or Instagram @halo.eats 

Pear and Chocolate Bliss Balls

The classic flavour combination of pear and chocolate comes together in these bliss, or energy, balls- which I think might just be my favourite yet! They're absolutely delicious and as always, so simple to make. What's more, they're a great option for those who don't like date-based energy balls.

Three great health benefits: good source of fibre, promotes healthy skin, anti-inflammatory 

Makes 8- 10 balls
Keeps for approx 1 week refrigerated in an airtight container and freezes well for a couple of months

Ingredients:

125g almonds

250g soft dried pear

3 tbsp raw cacao powder

1 tbsp coconut oil

Method:

1) Whizz the almonds in a food processor until finely chopped

2) Add the remaining ingredients and whizz in the food processor until the mixture comes together

3) Form into balls and chill in the fridge for approx 1 hour, until set.

Let me know if you try out this recipe! Tag me on Twitter @HaloEats or Instagram @halo.eats 

Apple & Cinnamon Quinoa Porridge

This is such a healthy way to start your day! Quinoa offers a complete protein source, making it the perfect choice for those who follow a plant based diet. It makes for a slightly nutty tasting porridge which has a touch of "bite" compared with traditional oat porridge. The classic apple & cinnamon flavour combination is so comforting and it adds interest and sweetness to what would otherwise be a fairly bland breakfast (quinoa porridge lends itself particularly well to getting creative with toppings and flavours). The textures and flavours work so well together for a satisfying breakfast that's really quite addictive!

Three great health benefits: beneficial for heart health, good source of fibre, good source of antioxidants

Serves 1

Enjoy immediately

Ingredients: 

For the porridge:

1/3 cup quinoa, rinsed 

1 cup almond milk

For the apple & cinnamon topping: 

1 apple, peeled, cored and chopped into segments lengthways

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tbsp maple syrup

1-2 tsp coconut oil (liquid)

Pinch of ground ginger

Pinch of sea salt

Method: 

1) Combine the quinoa and almond milk in a small saucepan and bring to the boil over a medium heat on the hob. Cook for approximately 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has mostly absorbed. There's no need to drain it. 

2) While the porridge is cooking, prepare the apple & cinnamon topping. Place all of the ingredients in a small saucepan or frying pan and stir together. Simmer over a medium heat on the hob for approximately 5 minutes or until the apple is slightly softened and the sauce is caramelised.

3) Pour the porridge into a bowl and top with the apple & cinnamon mixture. Enjoy immediately.

Let me know if you try out this recipe! Tag me on Twitter @HaloEats or Instagram @halo.eats 

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

I love hummus. It's one of my favourite snacks to reach for when I need something quick and healthy to satisfy a hunger pang and equally, I like to add it to salad bowls for a protein punch.

As I eat a lot of hummus, I like to switch up the flavours and one of my current favourites is this roasted red pepper version. I'm not alone in my love of this- I served a bowl at a recent BBQ and my friends quickly demolished it!

Three great health benefits: good source of fibre, good source of plant-based protein, boosts immunity

Makes approx. 2 cups
Keeps for approx 1 week refrigerated in an airtight container

Ingredients:
1 x 400g tin chickpeas, drained
2 large red bell peppers
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1 heaped tbsp tahini
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 tsp sweet paprika
Salt & pepper

Method:
1) Preheat oven to 180 degrees C.
2) Remove the stems and central core, including seeds, of the peppers. Chop the peppers into quarters and place on a baking tray. Drizzle with 1 tbsp of the olive oil.
3) Roast in the oven for approx 20 minutes until char-grilled. Remove and set aside to cool.
4) Put all of the ingredients (I like to include the oil from the roasting tin as well) in a food processor and whizz together until smooth.

Let me know if you try out this recipe! Tag me on Twitter @HaloEats or Instagram @halo.eats 

Mango Madness Tropical Smoothie Bowl

This tropical smoothie bowl instantly transports me to the sunshine! It's banana free and nut free, making it a great choice if you choose or need to avoid those ingredients.

Three great health benefits: good source of fibre, promotes healthy skin, rich in antioxidants

Serves 1
Enjoy immediately

Ingredients:
1 cup frozen mango, pineapple and kiwi (mixed)
1/2 cup (canned) coconut milk
1/4 cup blueberries
1 "jawbone" of a mango, sliced (approx 1/3 of a mango)
1 tbsp desiccated coconut

Method:
1) In a blender, blend the frozen fruit and coconut milk until smooth. Pour into a bowl
2) Top with the sliced mango, blueberries and desiccated coconut

Let me know if you try out this recipe! Tag me on Twitter @HaloEats or Instagram @halo.eats 

Broccoli and Pear Juice

There's no denying that this fresh tasting juice does have an undertone of broccoli flavour but the apple & pear add a sweetness that makes it more drinkable. As something of an in-betweener, it's a good choice for those looking to transition from sweet green juices to more intense versions.

Three great health benefits: boosts immunity, beneficial for heart health, good source of antioxidants

Serves 1

Ingredients:
1 Pear
1 Apple
1 Small head of broccoli, including stalk (mine weighed 175g)

Method:
1) Pass the ingredients through a juicer and enjoy immediately.

Let me know if you try out this recipe! Tag me on Twitter @HaloEats or Instagram @halo.eats