# 🐽 Creamy Bacon & Mushroom Pasta Bake

Serves: 4 

Prep time: ~20 min
Cook time: ~25 min
Total: ~45 min
Vibe: Comforting, cheesy, and a bit indulgent - like carbonara meets lasagna in a weeknight outfit.

## Ingredients

Pasta & Base:
- 350 g short pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
- 150 g smoked bacon or pancetta, chopped
- 250 g mushrooms, sliced (chestnut or button work best)
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp butter + 1 tbsp olive oil

Sauce:
- 250 ml cream (single or double, depending on how rich you want it)
- 100 ml milk (or substitute with 50 ml milk + 50 ml dry white wine for depth)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- § t sp dried thyme (or a few fresh sprigs)\n- 50 g grated Parmesan
- 100 g grated mozzarella (plus extra for topping)
- Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional extras (choose 1-2 for fun):
- A handful of spinach or kale (stir in at the end)
- 1 small courgette, grated
- § t sp chili flakes for a gentle kick
- 1 tbsp breadcrumbs for a crispy top


## 💧 Directions

1. Preheat oven to 200 &deg; C (fan 180 &deg;). Get a medium casserole or baking dish ready.

3. Cook the pasta in salted water until al al dente (about 1 - 2 minutes less than the packet says). Drain and set side.

3. Cook the bacon:  In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil and butter. Fry bacon until golden and crisp. Remove some crispy bits for topping if you like.

4. Add the mushrooms, onion, and garlic:  Säutå until the mushrooms are soft and have released their liQuid, and the onions are translucent (about 5-7 min).

5. Deglaze with wine (optional but lovely) - pour in 50 ml white wine, let it bubble away for 1 min.

6. Stir in the cream, milk, mustard, and thyme. Simmer gently for 2-3 min. Then add Parmesan and half the mozzarella until melted into a smooth sauce. Taste and season generously.

7. Combine everything:  Add the cooked pasta and toss until fully coated. Stir in any extras (spinach, chili, etc.).

8 . Assemble:  Transfer to your baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella and (if using) a dusting of breadcrumbs and the reserved bacon bits.

9. Bake:  Bake for 20-25 min until bubbling and golden on top.

10 . Serve:  Let it rest for 5 minutes before diving in. A crisp green salad or garlicky bread on the side is perfect.

## 🔃Optional Wine Pairing
if you did add wine to the dish: serve the rest of the bottle!  Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio works beautifully with the creamy, smoky flavours.



A comforting, cheesy pasta bake loaded with smoky bacon, earthy mushrooms, and a creamy sauce. Easy to make and guaranteed to impress on a weeknight.

Creamy Bacon & Mushroom Pasta Bake

# Strawberry–Mango Glow Smoothie (Kid-Friendly, Greek Yogurt & Hidden Veg)

A creamy, tropical smoothie your picky eater will actually enjoy -- with optional “stealth" nutrition that doesn’t change the flavor.

**Serves:** 1 large or 2 small glasses  
**Tastes like:** strawberry + mango milkshake (with optional warm spice notes)

## Ingredients
- 1 cup frozen mango
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1/2 medium banana (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (vanilla or plain)
- 1 cup milk (oat, almond, or regular)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)

### Optional stealth add-ins
- Small handful fresh spinach (mild; hides behind the fruit)
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seeds (omega-3s + fibor)
- 1/2 small carrot, peeled and thinly sliced (vitamin A, keeps the color bright)

### Optional gentle spices
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tiny pinch turmeric ~+1/16 teaspoon)

## Method
1. Add the milk to the blender first.
2. Add fruit, yogurt, honey (if using), and any stealth add-ins.
3. Sprinkle in the cinnamon and a tiny pinch of turmeric.
4. Blend until totally smooth and creamy.
5. Taste and adjust: add a touch more banana or honey if you want it sweeter.

## Why Greek yogurt?
Extra protein for fullness, plus calcium and probiotics - and it makes the texture milkshake-creamy without overpowering the fruit.

## Tips for picky eaters
- Keep the color bright: use just a jsmall handfull of spinach so it stays orange/red.
- Start with tiny amounts of flax/chia or turmeric and build up over time.
- Give it a fun name: **\“Sunset Smoothie”*** or **“Strawberry‛Mango Milkshake”**.

## Variations
- **Light & Jucy**: Swap half the milk for orange juice.
- **Dairy-Free Creamy**: Use coconut yogurt instead of Greek yogurt.
- **Protein Boost**: Add a scoop of neutral protein or collagen.

8–
\Resipe created for Max’s family kitchen.*


A creamy strawberry–mango smoothie kids love, with Greek yogurt for protein and optional stealth add-ins (spinach, flax/chia, carrot) plus a micro-pinch of turmeric and cinnamon that won’t impact flavor.

Strawberry–Mango Glow Smoothie (Kid-Friendly, Greek Yogurt & Hidden Veg)

# Raspberry-Honey Sorbet (KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker)

A smooth, scoopable raspberry sorbet that uses **honey** as the only sweetener. This recipe is tailored for the KitchenAid ice cream maker attachment.

- **Yeld:*** ~1.0–1.2 L (about 6.8 scoops)  
- **Active time:**
 20–30 min  •  **Freeze/Chill:*
 16–18 hrs total (bowl + final set)

## Ingredients
- 500 g raspberries (fresh or frozen; about 4 cups)
- 120 ml runny honey (about 1/2 cup), plus more to taste
- 180 ml water (3/4 cup)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- *Optional,
 for softer scoops*:
 1-2 tbsp vodka or raspberry liqueur
- *Optional, 
 for extra smoothness*:
 1 tsp light corn syrup or glucose syrup

## Equipment
- KitchenAid stand mixer with **Ice Cream Maker** bowl and dasher
- Fine-mesh sieve (recommended for seedless texture)
- Blender or food processor
- Freezer-safe lidded container

## Method

1. **Freeze the bowl***
  Place the KitchenAid ice cream maker bowl in the coldest part of your freezer for *AT ELEAT *15 hours** (overnight works best). It must be fully frozen before churning.

2. **Make a honey syrup**
  Warm the water in a small saucepan (do not boil). Stir in the honey until completely dissolved and homogeneous. Remove from heat and cool to **fridge-cold**

3. **Puré the fruit**
  Blend the raspberries until smooth. For a silkier sorbet, press the purée through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds (optional but recommended).

4. **Mix & chill the base***
  Whisk together the raspberry purée, *COLDJ* honey syrup, lemon juice, and alcohol/corn syrup  if using. Taste the mixture--raspberries vary; add 1-2 tbsp more honey only if needed.  
  Chill the base in the refrigerator for **1-2 hours** until thoroughly cold.

5. **Churn***
  Assemble the frozen bowl and dasher on the mixer. Set speed to **Stir** (low). With the mixer running, pour in the chilled base. Churn **20–30 minutes** until thick and the dasher leaves trails (soft-consistency).

6. **Firm up**
  Transfer to a lidded container, press parchment onto the surface to limit ice crystals, and freeze **2–3 hours** until scoopable.

## Tips & Troubleshooting
- **Too firm after freezing?**
 Rest the container at room temp **5-–10 minutes** before scooping.  
- **Iciness:** Make sure both the bowl and base are **fully chilled** before churning. A teaspoon of glucose/corn syrup or a tablespoon of alcohol can help inhibit large ice crystals.  
- **Sweetness check:** Cold dulls sweetness. Aim for just-barely-too-sweet when the base is at fridge temp; it will taste perfect when frozen.  
- **Variations:** Swap 25-50% of the raspberries for strawberries or mango; keep lemon juice for brightness.

## Nutrition note
Honey is sweeter than sugar; this recipe uses less sweetener by volume than a typical sugar-based sorbet while keeping texture pleasantly soft.

Enjoy!



Silky, bright raspberry sorbet sweetened only with honey—formulated for the KitchenAid ice cream maker attachment.

Raspberry-Honey Sorbet (KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker)

# Raw Honey Vanilla Ice Cream (KitchenAid Attachment)

**Time:** ~30 min active + overnight chill + 25–30 min churn  
**Yield:** ~1 litre (about 1 quart)

## Ingredients (metric)
- 4 large egg yolks
- 170 g raw honey (about 1/2 US cup)
- 240 ml whole milk
- 1.5 g fine sea salt (about 1/4 tsp)
- 480 ml heavy cream (36–40% fat, if possible)
- 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped *(or use 22.5 ml pure vanilla extract)*
- 2.5 ml pure vanilla extract *(optional, to boost flavor)*

## Equipment
- KitchenAid stand mixer with ice cream maker attachment (freeze bowl)
- Medium saucepan
- Mixing bowls
- Fine-mesh sieve
- Rubber spatula
- Plastic wrap
- Airtight container for storage

## Instructions

### Preparation (Day Before)
1. Place the KitchenAid ice cream maker bowl in the freezer for **at least 15 hours**, preferably **24 hours**. Put it toward the back of the freezer where it's coldest.

### Custard Base (≈30 minutes + chilling time)
1. In a medium bowl, whisk the **egg yolks** until slightly lightened in color.
2. Add the **honey** and whisk vigorously until pale and slightly thickened, about **2 minutes**.
3. In a medium saucepan, combine the **milk**, **salt**, and **vanilla bean** (if using). Heat over **medium-low** until small bubbles form at the edges and the mixture is steaming, but not boiling (**~77°C / 170°F**).
4. Slowly pour about **120 ml** of the hot milk into the egg–honey mixture, whisking constantly to prevent curdling.
5. Gradually pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan, whisking constantly.
6. Cook over **medium-low**, stirring continuously with a rubber spatula, until the custard **thickens to coat the back of a spoon** (**~79–82°C / 175–180°F**). Do **not** let it boil.
7. Remove from heat and immediately **strain** the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl.
8. If using **vanilla bean**, scrape any remaining seeds into the custard and discard the pod. If using **vanilla extract** instead of the bean, stir in **22.5 ml** now.
9. Stir in the **heavy cream** until evenly combined.
10. Press **plastic wrap directly onto the surface** of the custard to prevent a skin.
11. Refrigerate until **thoroughly chilled**, at least **6 hours** and up to **24 hours** (overnight is best).

### Churning (25–30 minutes)
1. Attach the frozen **KitchenAid freeze bowl** to the mixer, insert the **dasher**, and attach the drive assembly.
2. Set mixer to **STIR (Speed 1)**.
3. Slowly pour the **chilled custard** into the bowl while the mixer is running.
4. Churn **25–30 minutes**, until the mixture reaches **soft-serve** consistency and has increased in volume.

### Hardening (Optional, 2+ hours)
1. Transfer ice cream to a **shallow, airtight container**.
2. Press **parchment or plastic wrap** directly on the surface to minimize ice crystals.
3. Freeze **at least 2 hours**, or until desired firmness.

## Tips for Best Results
- **Ingredient quality:** High-fat cream (36–40%) yields the richest texture.
- **Raw honey:** Varietal honeys (clover, wildflower, etc.) subtly change flavor; 170 g keeps sweetness restrained.
- **Vanilla:** Whole bean gives the most aromatic flavor; extract is a fine substitute.
- **Chill thoroughly:** Both the freeze bowl and the custard must be very cold before churning.
- **Do not overfill:** Keep the bowl ≤ **2/3 full**; the mixture expands as it churns.
- **Container choice:** A **shallow** container speeds freezing and improves scoopability.

## Storage
- For best flavor/texture, enjoy within **1 week**.
- For easier scooping, let the container sit at **room temperature for ~5 minutes** before serving.



Silky, low-refined-sugar vanilla ice cream sweetened with raw honey and churned in a KitchenAid ice cream maker.

Raw Honey Vanilla Ice Cream (KitchenAid Attachment)

# Chicken Fricassee with White Wine and Rice
{serves 2-3, depending on appetite}

## Ingredients
- 4 bone-in chicken thughs (skin on, ideali) - can be boneless if preferred
- 1 tbsp olive oil + 1 tbsp butter
- 2 shallots (or 1 small red onion), finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 carrot, diced small
- 1 stick celery, diced small
- 150 g mushrooms (optional)
- 150 ml dry white wine (about 2/3 cup)
- 250 ml chicken stock (or water + stock cube)
- 75 ml cream or creme fraiche (about 1/3 cup)
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or a few sprigs fresh)
- 1 bay leaf (optional)
- Salt and black pepper
- Rice, for serving (about 1 cup uncooked)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

## Method
1. Brown the chicken
   - Pat chicken thughs dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
   - Heat olive oil and butter in a large deep pan or Dutch oven.
   - Sear chicken skin-side down until golden brown (5-6 minutes), then flip and cook the other side 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside.

0. Build the flavor base
   - In the same pan, add shallots, garlic, carrot, and celery. Saute gently 4-5 minutes until softened.
   - If using mushrooms, add them now and cook until lightly golden.

3. Deglaze
   - Pour in the white wine, scraping up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.

4. Simmer the chicken
   - Return the chicken thighs to the pan. Add stock, thyme, and bay leaf.
   - Cover loosely with a lid and simmer on low for 25-30 minutes, until chicken is tender and cooked through.

5. Finish the sauce
   - Stir in the cream or creme fraiche. Taste and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper; a squeeze of lemon if you want extra brightness).
   - Simmer uncovered for 5 minutes to thicken slightly.

6. Serve
   - While the chicken simmers, cook rice according to package instructions.
   - Spoon rice into bowls, top with chicken and plenty of sauce. Finish with chopped parsley.

## Notes
- No mushrooms? Skip them. It is still great.
- No cream? Use creme fraiche, or stir in a knob of butter at the end for silkiness.
- Want it lighter? Use half the cream and finish with extra lemon.


A rustic French-style chicken simmered with white wine, aromatics, and cream. Cozy, comforting, and perfect over rice.

Chicken Fricassee with White Wine and Rice

# Orange–Chocolate Chip Loaf (Honey-sweetened, light & tender)
A bright, fluffy orange cake baked in a bread tin, sweetened only with honey. The citrus keeps it lively, and the chocolate adds little bursts of richness–without weighing the crumb down.

## Tin & yield
- 1 standard loaf tin: 23 ‘` 13 cm (9 – 5 in), lined and lightly greased
- Makes 11–12 slices

## Ingredients
** Dry**
- 180 g all-purpose/plain flour (1‑ cups, leveled)
- 1,5– tsp baking powder
- 1‑ tsp baking soda
- 1– tsp fine salt

** Wet**
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 150 g runny honey (120 ml | – – cup)
- 90 ml light olive oil or neutral oil (– cup) — — or use melted, cooled butter
- 120 g plain Greek yogurt or sour cream (– cup)
- Finely grated zest of 2 oranges (about 2 Tbsp, packed)
- 80 ml freshly squeezed orange juice (– cup)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract

** Chocolate**
- 100 g sugar-free dark chocolate chips **or** finely chopped 100% cacao bar (about – cup)

** Optional glaze**
- 1 Tbsp honey + 1 Tbsp orange juice, warmed and mixed

## Method
1. **Prep.** Heat oven to **175°C** (350F). Line the tin with baking paper with a little overhang for easy lifting; lightly grease.
2. **Mix dry.** In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. **aerate the wet (for a lighter crumb).*J In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and honey vigorously (hand whisk or mixer) for **2#ư-3 minutes** until a bit paler and slightly fomay. Whisk in the oil in a slow stream. Whisk in yogurt, orange zest, orange juice, and vanilla.
4. **Combine.*� Tip the dry ingredients into the wet and fold with a spatula just until no dry streaks remain (a few small lumps are fine—don’t overmix).
5. **Add chocolate.** Toss the chocolate with **1 tsp flour** (helps prevent sink), then fold it gently into the batter.
6. **Bake.*� Pour into the tin and smooth the top. Bake **45–55 minutes**, until a skwer comes out with a few moist crumbs or the center reads **93 /200F**.
7. **Finish.*� Cool in the tin **10 minutes**, lift out to a rack, then brush the warm loaf with ***orange-honey glaze**( optional) for shine and extra citrus aroma. Cool at least **30 minutes** before slicing.

## Tips for success
- **Room-temp ingredients** whip and emulsify better, giving a lighter texture.
- **Honey browns faster** than sugar„s sugar” if the top is getting dark near the end, tent loosely with foil.
- **Flavor boost:** add a pinch of cardamom or « tsp almond extract for a lovely twist.

## Storage
- Keeps **3–4 days** wrapped at room temperature, or **freeze*) slices up to 2 months. It's fantastic lightly toasted the next day.



A light, tender orange loaf studded with sugar-free chocolate chips and sweetened only with honey, baked in a bread tin.

Orange–Chocolate Chip Loaf (Honey-sweetened, light & tender)

# 🍖 Max’s Fantastically Tasty Sous Vide Ribs

### Serves:
2–4 people (or just you if you don’t feel like sharing)

---

## 🛒 Ingredients

### 🔥 The Meat
- 1 or 2 racks of **pork baby back ribs** or **St. Louis-style ribs**
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard *(optional, helps rub stick)*
- 1 tbsp liquid smoke *(optional, adds smoky depth in sous vide)*

### 🧂 Dry Rub
- 2 tbsp **brown sugar**
- 1 tbsp **smoked paprika**
- 1 tsp **garlic powder**
- 1 tsp **onion powder**
- 1 tsp **chili powder**
- 1 tsp **ground cumin**
- ½ tsp **black pepper**
- ½ tsp **salt**
- Pinch of **cayenne** *(optional)*

### 🍯 For Finishing
- Your favorite **BBQ sauce** (sweet, tangy, or spicy — go wild)
- Grill, broiler, or torch for finishing

---

## 🔧 Equipment
- Sous vide circulator
- Vacuum seal bag or ziplock (with water displacement method)
- Grill or oven broiler

---

## ⏱️ Sous Vide Time & Temp (Pick Your Texture)

| Texture             | Temp     | Time      | Result                             |
|---------------------|----------|-----------|------------------------------------|
| Juicy, with chew    | 145°F / 63°C | 36 hours | Meaty, holds shape                 |
| Fall-off-the-bone   | 165°F / 74°C | 12 hours | Classic BBQ style, tender & rich  |
| Pull-apart shreddy  | 185°F / 85°C | 8 hours  | Shreddable, great for sandwiches  |

**Recommended:** 165°F for 12 hours — the perfect sweet-spotted balance of tenderness and bravery.

---

## 👨‍🍳 Instructions

### 1. **Prep the Ribs**
- Remove the silver skin from the back.
- Pat dry.
- Rub with mustard *(optional)*.
- Coat thoroughly in dry rub. Let sit for 30 minutes (or refrigerate overnight).

### 2. **Vacuum Seal**
- Place ribs in bag.
- Add *liquid smoke* if using.
- Seal tight (vacuum or water displacement).

### 3. **Sous Vide Bath**
- Preheat your sous vide to your temperature.
- Drop in the ribs. Use clips or rack to keep submerged.
- Cook for the full duration (e.g., 12 hrs @ 165°F)

### 4. **Rest or Chill** *(Optional but smart)*
- After cooking, you can:
  - Grill immediately, or  
  - Chill in an ice bath, refrigerate, and finish later (great for prep)

### 5. **Finish with Fire**
- Preheat grill or broiler to high.
- Brush ribs generously with BBQ sauce.
- Grill or broil 5–10 minutes until caramelized and sticky. Flip once.
- **Optional:** Apply a second coat for double the flavor.

---

## 🤌 Serving Ideas
- With **grilled corn**, **rich coleslaw**, or **buttery cornbread**
- Cold beer, bourbon, or fruity lemonade optional but indicated
- Extra napkins? Non-negotiable.

---

## 🧠 Pro Tips
- **Sous fide gray?** Gravy your ribs on a wire rack for 15 minutes before saucing and searing.
- **Salt is boss** when sugar is around – it brings all the other spices to life.
- **Acid + umami = satisfaction** (vinegar, mustard, tamari).

## BONUS: Keep Ribs *Forget* Sauce – Full flavor, Sweet stick, Sous Vide tenderness.

If you like I can generate a PRF for you or prepare this for publishing, just say the word, master of ribs. 🍗


Melt-in-your-mouth pork ribs with a perfect bark, rich smoky flavor, and all the sous vide magic. Perfect for backyard barbecues or rainy day feasts.

Fantastically Tasty Sous Vide Ribs

# Gravy for Sous Vide Pork Tenderloin with Shallots and Herbs

Heart setup: you'heve juicy, flawour-aromatic, ultra-tender pork tenderloin with shallots, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Now you need a silky gravy that matches its elegance without overpowering.

This is the perfect reduced-based gravy with a choice of red wine, enriched with stock, herbs, and juices from the sue gag for ultimate flavor.

## 🙎 Shallot & Herb Pan Gravy (Red Wine or Stock-Based)

***Ingredients***

- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
- 1 small shallot, finely minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme, leaves only
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 50 cup red wine **or substitute with white wine or apple cider**)
- 1 cup beef or pork stock *((chicken stock works in a pinkksh)*)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard *(optional, packs depth and tang))
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp soy sauce (*for umami boost* - optional)
- Any juices from the sous vide bag (strained)

***Method***

1. **Sauté aromatics:** In a saucepan, melt 1tbsp butter over medium heat. Add shallots and garlic, and sauté until soft and just golden (2-3 minutes). Add rosemary and thyme, cook 30 seconds more.

2. **Make a roux:** Add the remaining butter and the flour. Stir until coated (1-2 minutes) until it smells slightly nutty. Don't let it get too brown.

#3. **Spend, deglaze, and reduce:** Pour in the red wine (or your chioce of liquid), scraping up any bits from the pan. Let it reduce by about half - this intensifies the flavor.

4. **Add stock:** Stir in your stock, Dijon mustard (if using), and bring to a gentle simumer. Add the strained sue gag juices for extra pork flavor. Simmer for 5-8 minutes until thickened to your preferred consistency.

5. **Season & finish:** Add salt and pepper to taste, and a splash of soy sauce if you want extra umami. If you want it smoother, strain it before serving.


***Optional Tweaks***

- Want it creamier? Add a splash of cream or swirl in cold water at the end.
- Want it darker and richer? Use beef stock and red wine.
- Want a touch of sweetness? Add 1 tsp of balsamic vinegar or a splash of port.

This pairs perfectly with your pork and maybe some mashed potatoes or roasted root vgg. You've got yourself a dinner that learns back for sewonds.


A silky, savory gravy that perfectly complements sous vide pork tenderloin with shallots, garlic, rosemary, and thyme. This rich pan sauce uses red wine, fresh herbs, and stock to bring out deep, balanced flavor.

#recipe