a new challenge...

It's been so long since ive been in here!! So much has happened with our new business and our family I havent had any time to keep up!!
I've decided to challenge myself to a 12 week body transformation so I thought it was about time I got back into my recipe  writting zone and create some yummy, low cal recipes to enjoy throughout my new lifestyle :) it cant be all about salads!!!

so over the last few days I have created a few things that would keep me on the right path... a yummy dinner and a nice afternoon tea treat. Beef, spinach and sweet potato lasagna and a banana, oat and white chocolate loaf.

firstly i'll start with the lasagna and then I will post the loaf in another post for ease of reading.

Beef, spinach and sweet potato lasagna:

YOU'LL NEED:

Meat sauce:
1x medium onion
6 medium mushrooms
300 grams of lean beef mince
1 tbsp of olive oil
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 tbsp dried basil
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 jar of passata
100mls water
salt and pepper to taste

Cheese sauce:
30g of butter
1/2 of plain flour
1 - 1.5 cups of milk
1 cup of grated light cheese
salt and pepper to taste.

lasagna layers:
1 large sweet potato
2 cups of baby spinach (fresh)
1/2 an eggplant
1/2 cup light grated cheese


HOW TO:

Preheat the oven to 190 degrees.

Meat sauce:

1. slice up the mushrooms and onion and put on a medium heat with the olive oil and garlic and brown well.
2. peel and slice the sweet potato into thin discs and slice the eggplant into thin slices... you can salt it if you like, I just like it as is. put aside.
3. add the meat and basil to the onion mixture and brown well...add the tomato paste and fry for 30 seconds before adding the passata and 100 mls of water.
4. simmer for 10 minutes then add salt and pepper to taste.

Cheese sauce:
1. melt butter in a saucepan, once melted throw in the flour and mix until it is well combined and forms a ball.
2. cook for 30 seconds then slowly start adding the milk while constantly wisking to combine, it should continue to thicken as you pour the milk in.
3. cook for a further 3 minutes adding more milk to desired thickness.
4. add salt and pepper and the grated cheese and stir until it melted into the sauce, adding more milk if required. take off the heat and set aside.

Lasagna:

1. put a layer of sauce down in an oven dish and cover with a thin layer of sweet potato, followed by spinach, eggplant and more sauce. Repeat until all the sauce and vegetables are layered. cover in the cheese sauce and cheese and place in the over for 30-40 minutes or until the sweet potato is well cooked. (If the top starts to brown too much cover loosley with foil.)

serve with garlic bread/chips for those wanting to add more carbs and a nice salad.
ENJOY!