Aside from Children's Cookery Parties, I am keen to feed my family on healthy food and although we all have our mad moments of indulgence (chocolate, gooey cakes, biscuits), my own favourite being Tiffin, generally speaking, we try to eat good food most of the time.  It is not necessarily expensive food, but we do not eat many processed meals as they are often high in salt, fat or sugar and contain far too many additives for my liking.

It is difficult sometimes to give the children what they enjoy and yet keep within the healthy eating guidelines, so I will attempt, through my blog, to bring you some tried and tested recipes which are often winners with young families.

HEALTHY COTTAGE PIE

This recipe is very inexpensive to make - giving all the flavour of beef, but using much less than normal and substituting some for red lentils and carrots.  No-one will know the difference, but you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are giving the family several additional vegetables that are hidden and also pulses, which are nutritious and cheap.

WHAT YOU NEED		Method
Minced Beef	300g	1.             Chop onion and put in a large saucepan 2.           Add oil to pan and put over a moderate heat 3.           Chop celery stick and add to pan 4.           Cook until onion is soft and transparent 5.           Turn up the heat a little and add the minced beef, turning it over in the pan until it is no longer red. 6.           Add the grated carrot and continue stirring 7.           Add the chopped tomatoes and lentils and one can of water 8.           Add the stock cube and herbs and simmer for 20 to 30 mins. 9.           Meanwhile, peel the potatoes and put in a medium pan. 10.       Cover with water and boil until tender. 11.        Drain the water from the pan and mash with the margarine 12.       Mix the cornflour with some water and add to the meat mixture, stirring carefully until the mixture has thickened.  Season to taste. 13.       Put the grill onto “high” 14.       Pour the meat mixture into an ovenproof dish 15.       Cover with the mashed potato. 16.       Put under the grill until golden brown.
Carrots grated	2
Red Lentils	100g
Beef Stock Cube	1
Celery stick	1
Onion - Large	1
Oil	1 tbspn
Chopped tomatoes	1 tin
Freshly ground black pepper & Salt	To taste
Cornflour	1 tbspn
Margarine	25g
Dried Mixed Herbs	1 tspn