I’m certainly not a Delia or Nigella. And I have no ambition to win MasterChef, however, food is one of the topics I really enjoy writing about on this blog. Whether that’s eating out or creating recipes for dining at home. I love cooking with and for my family, my boys like to get in on the act in the kitchen too, especially trying new recipes and foods, and creating dairy-free and meat-free alternatives to traditional recipes.

So I’m really pleased that I’ve been able to donate a recipe to Heart Research UK, a national charity who fund pioneering medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease as well as helping communities improve their lifestyles, and this week my recipe for a vegan Mushroom, fig and spinach pizza was published in their Happy Healthy Heart Cookbook.

Fighting Heart Disease with Vegan Mushroom, Fig and Spinach Pizza

Coronary heart disease is still the UK's biggest single killer with nearly 70,000 deaths a year. So in conjunction with Damart, the UK charity Heart Research UK has created the Happy Healthy Heart Cookbook, which is full of delicious, heart-healthy and filling recipes to enjoy at home all year-round.

Fighting Heart Disease

This recipe collection has been collated from food bloggers and food experts to bring the very best meals to your kitchen. It has yummy starters, main courses and snacks to recreate that you can re-create for yourself, friends and family. All these recipes have been analysed by a Nutritionist and have met the charities healthy heart guidelines so you can cook safely in the knowledge that these meals are not only delicious but are also good for your heart.

All the recipes meet AT LEAST TWO of the following criteria:

* Low in saturated fat 

* No added salt 

* Wholegrain, when available

* High in Omega 3

* Contains at least 2 of your 5 fruit or veg a day (at least 80 grams for a portion)

Download your copy of the Happy Healthy Heart Cookbook today by clicking on your chosen format on the right. To make a donation, just click on the Donate Now button the book!

The book is free to download but a small donation to Heart Research UK would mean they can carry on helping those people who are struggling with heart problems across the country every day of the year. With their research, we learn more about heart health every day and can reduce the risks for thousands of people through education.

Vegan Mushroom, Fig and Spinach Pizza

PREPARATION TIME 15 MINS & 1 HOUR WAITING

COOK TIME 12 MINS

SERVINGS 2 PEOPLE

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS VEGETARIAN / VEGAN / GLUTEN FREE / DAIRY FREE / NUT FREE

INGREDIENTS

• 100g chickpea flour
• 250ml water
• Pinch of black pepper
• 1 tsp mixed herbs
• A spray of rapeseed oil
• 2 tbsp sweet chilli hummus (homemade or bought)
• 4 mushrooms, sliced
• A handful of fresh spinach
• 2 fresh figs, in quarters

INSTRUCTIONS

• Step 1: Mix the chickpea flour, pepper, herbs and water together well in a bowl and leave to stand for at least 1 hour.
• Step 2: When you are ready to eat, heat the oven to 200°C / Gas Mark 6.
• Step 3: Coat the inside of two sandwich cake tins with a spray of rapeseed oil.
• Step 4: Pour the chickpea flour and water liquid into the tins evenly — approx. ½ cm-1cm deep.
• Step 5: Place in the oven for 10 minutes or until it starts to set.
• Step 6: Remove from the oven and spread hummus over the base, add sliced mushrooms, figs and spinach on top and return to the oven for 2 minutes.
• Step 7: Remove the pizza once again from the oven and drizzle with vegan chilli mayo (optional). Then serve immediately.

If you are not a fan of hummus I've also tried this recipe using my Dairy-Free Nacho 'Cheesy' Dip as the sauce. Delicious with that toping too.

Heart Research UK was founded in 1967 by the heart surgeon, David Watson, to make surgery safer.  Originally the National Heart Research Fund, they changed our name to Heart Research UK in 2005.  As the second largest heart charity in the UK, it funds pioneering medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease as well as helping communities improve their lifestyles with Healthy Heart Grants. 

What is your favourite healthy recipe?

Deb x

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