Reduced Fat Mince Beef Stroganoff

I love a beef stroganoff, but it's an incredibly rich dish and doesn't exactly make for the most healthy of meals. This is my attempt at making something that is both healthy(ish) and scratches that comfort food itch.

You will need:
1 calorie spray
500g 5% fat minced beef
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
300g mushrooms, sliced
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
2 tsp english mustard
½ tsp black pepper, ground
200ml beef stock
6 tbsp reduced fat creme fraiche
Salt to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped

Method:
1. Put a high sided pan over a medium/high heat to warm.
2. Spray in a few squirts of 1 calorie spray and add the minced beef. Once browned, tip the beef into a bowl and set aside.
3. Add the onions, to the same pan, and cook for about 5 minutes, until translucent.
4. Add the garlic and continue to cook until fragrant.
5. Add the mushrooms and cook until softened.
6. Add the worcestershire sauce, mustard and pepper, stir through until incorporated.
7. Add the beef stock, bring to the boil, reduce the temperature and simmer for 10 minutes, until reduced slightly.
8. Add the browned beef and creme fraiche and stir through.
9. Check for seasoning and add salt, if needed.
10. Serve over rice, pasta or mash and sprinkle with parsley to garnish.

Notes:
Stroganoff is a very widespread dish, with dozens of different variations, so adept it to suit your own taste. I often add a couple of spoons of paprika, mostly because I love paprika.

Apple And Cinnamon Cupcakes

The flavour combination of apple and cinnamon is a firm favourite of mine, also, I really love cake. This recipe combines apples, cinnamon and cake in a glorious amalgamation of heavenly delight.

You will need:
100g low fat spread
60g Half Spoon
2 Eggs, beaten
1 tbsp fat free creme fraiche
100g self raising flour
½ tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
2 apples, peeled, cored, chopped and lightly tossed in plain flour

Method:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 160°C.
2. Add the spread and half spoon to a medium sized mixing bowl and cream together until light and fluffy.
3. Add about ¼ of the beaten egg and stir until fully incorporated. Repeat with the remaining egg, until it’s all added.
4. Stir through the creme fraiche.
5. Add half the flour, cinnamon and nutmeg, fold into the mix, until fully incorporated, and repeat with the remaining flour.
6. Add in the apples and fold through the mix.
7. Using a spoon, add the mix to paper cupcake cases, filling to about ⅔ up the side of the case (the mix should make about 9, depending on the size of the cases being used).
8. Put in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, until a skewer comes out of the cake clean.
9. Remove from the tray immediately and place on a wire rack to cool.

Notes:
I like these on their own, but they’re also great with a super simple cream cheese frosting.