When it needs to be quick and healthy and fast is there anything better than a stir fry? The varieties and flavours that you can make, the ease with which this meal can be prepared and the gorgeous warmth and love that comes from a serve of it. On this particular evening it the weather was cold and rainy and we’d been out all day, so a quick chicken and broccoli stir fry was very welcome. Chicken and broccoli was what we had in the fridge, but you could use a protein of your choice and whatever vegetables you like. The sauce I used was made up of lots of ginger and garlic, good to ward off the colds and flus at this time of year.

Enjoy this loving, easy food

Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

500g chicken tenderloins, sliced

3 cloves garlic, crushed

3cm chunk ginger, grated

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/2 chilli, diced finely

Half head of broccoli, cut in to florets

1 carrot sliced

1 cup snow peas

1 cup cashews

Sesame oil to stir fry

Rice or noodles to serve

Placed the sliced chicken in a bowl with the garlic, ginger, soy sauce and chilli and stir to coat the chicken. If you have time this can marinade in the fridge for a few hours, but that’s not necessary if you’re short on time

Heat the sesame oil in a wok and once hot fry the chicken in batches. Place the cooked chicken aside. Now stir fry the broccoli, carrots and snow peas. Once they’ve softened slightly return the chicken to the wok, then add the cashews

Serve with rice or noodles

Making up a platter of food is something we consider doing when we have a group of people over, something to nibble on and share before a meal, whilst having a drink. However, there are times when a platter can be a meal. Honestly. You can put whatever you have in the fridge or pantry on a board, or make something fresh like a frittata, and serve it up. Things you could use to make a platter;

• Cold meats
• Dip- fresh or bought. Guacamole, hommus, beetroot- whatever you’re inclined to make or have in the fridge
• Different breads and crackers
• Sliced fruit- strawberries with Camembert, pear and blue cheese are just a couple of suggestions
• Sliced vegetables
• Pickles, olives
• Cheese
• Frittata
• Chippolatas (small sausages)
• Chicken wings
• Rocket
• Sweets. A platter could be put together for dessert with fruit, biscuits, cake

Yesterday my husband and I did just that. We are fortunate enough to be able to have days together without the interruption of work, or the rushing around after children. Time to sit and talk, laugh, fight (let’s be honest, it’s not all roses all the time), plan and reminisce. We had hard cheeses, fresh Turkish bread from the bakery down the road, pickles, olives, caviar, avocado and halloumi, washed down with a bottle of white. It was a wonderful meal to share with my Love, easy to put together so that all we needed to do was sit, eat and spend time together talking about plans for the garden, life, the future, our children and whatever else crossed out minds. 

Whether it’s an impromptu visit from a friend, a quiet night in with your loved ones, a picnic or just to use up what you’ve got in your fridge, a platter is one of those things that will feed hungry tummies and be exciting and fun. An opportunity to explore new flavours and tastes. Something that is easy to prepare and little time to clean up.

I hope you’re loving easy food