Family-Friendly Meals – Dani Valent

One of my favourite aspects of Thermomix cooking is that this trusty machine meets you wherever you are. If you are lacking in confidence it’s there as a reliable friend. If you want to get cheffy, it’s up for it. And if you simply want to get dinner on the table for the family or any kind of crowd, it’s on board for that too. Here are some of my beloved family-friendly recipes: easy, tasty and approachable.

Soulful Chicken Soup

Everybody needs a simple chicken soup in their repertoire: this one is warming, sustaining, nurturing and nourishing, plus you have extra chicken for sandwiches the next day.

Goulash

Goulash is traditionally a soup, served with steamed potatoes. This version is very juicy but it’s more of a stew. I love serving it with mashed potatoes, though you can stick with the traditional steamed, if you like.

Spaghetti Bolognese

If ever I tell the family that it’s spaghetti bolognese tonight, they are so happy. It’s always a winner. My recipe includes lots of veg, a couple of nonna tricks, and avoids mince mush.

Cauliflower-Crumbed Schnitzel

These schnitzel are crumbed with cauliflower – extra veg in a gluten-free crumb = WIN. And you can literally get dinner on the table in 30 minutes. Steam some extra veg or change up the salad however you like. Use veal, beef, pork, chicken, turkey or lamb schnitzel…so adaptable!

Gnocchi

Gnocchi anguish be gone! Make light, bouncy, silky gnocchi by using the right potatoes and a gentle touch. If you’re cooking with kids, they’ll love getting involved. Bonus – they’re gluten free.

Tandoori Chicken

Use chicken on the bone and reduce the chilli if that’s an issue for your brood. You can also make this with lamb cutlets. It’s beautifully spiced, gently marinated and comes up a treat in the oven.

Mushroom & Millet Minestrone

This soup is comforting and nourishing, tasty and satisfying, cooked on a pesto base and dolloped with extra pesto at the end. If you don’t have millet, you could also add noodles to bulk it out. Change the vegies depending on what you have on hand.

Inside-out Chicken Parmigiana

This is one of my all-time most popular recipes, fancy to look at but easy to prepare. People always tell me how happy they are that they gave it a go! Think classic pub flavours with a little extra pizzazz. Importantly, it’s the perfect dish to prepare ahead of time: make your rolls, steam your spuds, then finish it all off when the family is clamouring.

Beef Stir-Fry

There are so many things to love about this recipe. It’s an all-in-one dinner that feeds a crowd. It’s tasty and adaptable: do it with chicken, pork fillet, lamb, or even tofu. So many families enjoy this on a regular basis – you MUST make it if you haven’t already!

Cauliflower Hummus with Spiced Beef

This cauliflower hummus is a favourite for its big flavours and creamy texture. Add inexpensive spiced beef, cooked for longer than you’d think, and you’ve got a dish that’s fancy enough to make it onto the menu at Maha, Shane Delia’s glam and gorgeous Melbourne restaurant, but relaxed enough to serve to the family.

Boeuf a la Ficelle

This classic French peasant dish of poached beef and vegetables is simple, clean and presents elegantly. It’s a great one to serve to the family because everything is separate – fussy eaters can pick and choose, and grown-ups can amp up the flavours with mustard and cornichons.

Chicken Tart

While making this freeform chicken tart, I share a few fun tricks: flavoured pastry (mustard, mmm), shredded chicken (Thermo-genius), and a simple technique for creating a pastry lattice. I also let you into my love affair with buttered leeks – could they be the key to happiness?

Emergency Lentil Soup

Amazingly tasty and nourishing, made with pantry staples in 20 minutes, this dish was created in a moment of panic and has now become one of my much-loved staples.

Lamb Shank & Barley Casserole

I’m excited to share this hearty lamb shank recipe with you. It’s so warming, sustaining and filling, with succulent lamb, the goodness of barley and greens, and the bright zing of dill oil to add shine and silky texture.

Thai Beef Ribs

Ribs are one of my favourite winter meals and this is an easy, flavoursome way to cook and eat them. Thai spices and aromatic lime give the rich meat a lift, and a peanutty coleslaw adds texture and tone.

BeetROOT Burgers

Everyone loves burgers and these kangaroo patties include an extra serve of hidden veg. Plus, my bread buns are the fluffiest, fastest and easiest you’ll encounter! (Use other meats if you don’t want to chew roo.)

I love my Elk top & Obus pants

What’s this site all about?

My business card says ‘Writer. Eater. Traveller. Cook.’ I do all these things with equal passion, which is why I’m sometimes sitting at my laptop with an apron on! This is where I share all my best bits of writing, recipes and videos. There are free areas of the site where you can stay up to date with my journalism and get a taste of my cooking adventures. Sign up as a member and you’ll get access to my awesome and ever-growing library of cooking videos and recipes, focusing on Thermomix.

This is a place for inspiration, chefs’ secrets, practical tuition and happy creativity. If you like cooking and eating delicious food and basking in the compliments of family and friends, this site is for you. You’ll be amazed what you can create with my recipes and videos as your guide.

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2018-08-09T12:16:57+10:00
© Dani Valent 2024