Ham & Spinach Pasta Salad

 

Happy Sunday night everyone! 

We have had a great weekend catching up on odd jobs around the house and getting things ready for another week.

On Friday I made this pasta salad and had a few followers asking for the recipe so here it is:

Serves: 4

• 200gm Spiral pasta (or any shape)
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 200gm smoked ham, diced
• 1 capsicum, diced
• 1 red onion, diced
• 120gms spinach
• 40gms cheddar cheese, grated

         Dressing:

• 2 TBSP Greek natural yoghurt
• 2 TBSP mayonnaise
• 1 TBSP lemon juice

    1. Cook pasta as per packet instructions

    2. Cook frozen corn & peas as per packet instructions

    3. Combine yoghurt, mayonnaise and lemon juice and set aside

    4. Toss the remaining ingredients with the warm pasta

    5. Pour in the dressing and stir gently

    6. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top and serve

This salad is perfect on its own, or as a side. Saving this one for the nicer weather, it would go great with a bbq!

Would love to know if you make it, tag me on instagram @partymix.

Hope you all have a fantastic week.

                                                                                                                                     Enjoy!

                                                                                                                   Love Mel xox

Nutty Granola

This nutty granola is so easy, quick and makes so much you'll never buy store brought again. I serve mine with Greek yoghurt, fresh mixed berries and a drizzle of honey for a delicious breakfast or as a snack. I have also be known to add some dark choc chip bits from time to time in as well! Let me know if you make it and tag me on Instagram @partymix....

• 150g Walnuts
• 150g Almonds
• 150g Cashews
• 150g Pumpkin seeds
• 480g Rolled Oats
• 7TBS Honey
• 5TBS coconut oil

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees
2. Blend all nuts in a processor until chopped
3. Combine nuts, rolled oats and pumpkin seeds into a big bowl
4. In a separate bowl melt the coconut oil and honey in microwave stirring every 30 secs 
5. Once melted add to bowl with nuts, oats and pumpkin seeds and stir through
6. Place in a sprayed baking tray
7. Cook for approximately 40 mins stirring every 5 mins so it doesn't burn
8. Store in a airtight container

Enjoy!

Love Mel xox

Healthy Bliss Balls

I don't know about anyone else but between isolation and Melbourne's cold weather I've been eating so much lately and it always seems to be the naughty stuff!

So on the weekend I decided this week was going to be all about willpower, planning meals and snacks for the week ahead.

On my meal plan this week are these delicious, healthy caramel bliss balls, which have been perfect for morning tea, afternoon tea or after dinner and I'm finding I'm not reaching for the naughty treats. Although I've had to freeze them in portions because between my family and I they wouldn't last long! In the morning I just take them out of the freezer to defrost ready for a quick snack. 

INGREDIENTS

80g desiccated coconut

100g oats

170g Medjool dates (pitted)

2 tsp vanilla essence/extract/or paste (I use vanilla extract)

1 tblsp rice malt syrup

40g coconut oil soft (I use the liquid)

2 tblsp water (you can use coconut water)

extra desiccated coconut to roll balls in (optional)

METHOD

Add everything to your blender (except extra coconut) and blitz until all ingredients are finely chopped and come together (so you can roll into balls)

Roll into balls and coat in your extra desiccated coconut

**I used the Thermomix to make mine- add all the ingredients in the mixer bowl and blend on high for approximately 15secs/speed 8. 

Enjoy you won't be able to stop at one!

Valetine's Gift Idea- That YOU and your Valentine will love....

I LOVE Valentine's Day, and for Valentine's Day a few years back I organised 12 prepaid and pre-planned dates! It was a huge hit not only for my husband but for me to, so this year I am doing the same.We always say we are going to have more date nights but life passes by and we get so busy with the kids, work, afterschool activities etc... we miss out! Not this year..... I brought gold class tickets, food vouchers (keep a lookout on Scoopon, catch of the day etc... for great deals), a night away in the city, massages, I also planned dates like a picnic in the park, fishing, a beach day with no kids, and my favourite Gumbuya world...

I made labels for the envelopes with each month and printed off a little note to go inside the envelope explaining what we will be doing on that particular date and popped them all in a box ready to be wrapped....Here's what I've organised this year:
February- Rooftop Cinema
March- Picnic at the beach
April- Fishing
May- Bowling Night
June- Dinner date at home- I'll cook your favourite meal
July- Camping just me & you
August- Movie at Gold Class
September- Couples Massage
October- Day at Gumbuya World (No kids lol) I'm so excited about this one!
November- Overnight stay in the city- dinner and dancing
December- Bushwalk and picnic 

Now all we need is 11 babysitters, luckily enough we have a big family with lots of aunty's and uncle's and also awesome grandparents which will be getting a call soon lol!

Hope you all have a awesome Valentines Day!! 

What's your ideal Valentine's date? Do you love or hate Valentine's day?

Love Mel xo