Family Dinner Ideas - Taming Twins https://www.tamingtwins.com/category/collections/family-dinner-ideas/ Recipes and Meal Planning for Busy Families Tue, 27 May 2025 15:21:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 Doner Kebab RECIPE {Slow cooker & Air Fryer} https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-doner-kebab/ https://www.tamingtwins.com/slow-cooker-doner-kebab/#comments Fri, 30 Sep 2022 09:30:00 +0000 https://www.tamingtwins.com/?p=16581

Making a Homemade Doner Kebab is really throwing it back here for those of you who might have LIVED by…

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Making a Homemade Doner Kebab is really throwing it back here for those of you who might have LIVED by the king of late-night takeaways. And even if you didn’t, you’re going to love this one for a cheeky weekend fakeaway that manages to be simple, low cost and healthy.

Finished meal of doner kebabs and fillings.

After a lot of testing and tasting, it turns out that yes, a Homemade Doner Kebab can be easy AND healthy, made in a slow cooker!

Whether you’re serving this for a crowd to pile in their own fillings or a family Friday takeaway, I hope you love it as much as we do.


Why you’ll love this Doner Kebab recipe

⭐ Feels like a big treat

⭐ Low cost and full of flavour

⭐ Ideal for serving to guests


Tray with finished recipe for doner kebab.

Sarah’s notes

The doner kebab originated in Turkey centuries ago, and it’s thought it arrived in London in its current form (meat and veg inside bread) around the 1960s.

I love this Guardian report which talks about the origins of the humble doner, and how it’s so much more than just a post-pub indulgence.

This is my simple, homemade version with inspiration taken from the one we know and hold dear. I’ve kept it as family friendly as possible with budget, nutrition and convenience in mind.

You can also make this in the oven and details are in the FAQs below.


Homemade Doner Kebab Ingredients

Raw ingredients for homemade doner kebab on a counter.
  • Lean mince – You can use beef or lamb here. Whichever is your preference. I find 10% fat works very well, and 5% is also fine but can be quite dry, so be sure to pour over plenty of the cooking liquid if you use this low-fat mince
  • Onion powder – Or onion granules
  • Garlic granules – Or garlic powder
  • Ground cumin
  • Paprika
  • Dried oregano
  • Garlic – We cleverly roast off a whole bulb here to make the classic garlic sauce but even better!

    For the sauce: (Or use my Tzatziki recipe here)
  • Mayo – Use whichever type you prefer
  • Greek yoghurt – You can use natural yoghurt here but the sauce will be slightly more runny (which is fine)
  • Mint sauce – The vinegary type, not mint jelly

How to make a Homemade Doner Kebab (SLOW COOKER METHOD)

Step 1 of how to make a homemade doner kebab with mince.

1. Mix the slow cook ingredients (apart from the garlic bulb) together in a bowl with clean hands. You need to knead it with your hands until everything is fully combined and the meat is smooth.

Step 2 of how to make a homemade doner kebab with mince.

2. Put the meat mixture onto a sheet of tin foil and shape it with your hands into a brick/log type shape.

Step 3 of how to make a homemade doner kebab with mince. Roll into foil.

3. Roll it up very tightly, twisting the ends of the tin foil like a sweetie wrapper to secure. Prick the foil. Place it in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step 4 of how to make a homemade doner kebab with mince. Add garlic.

4. Take the unpeeled garlic bulb (yes a whole bulb!) and wrap up in tin foil. Place alongside the meat parcel in the slow cooker.

Step 5 of how to make a homemade doner kebab with mince.

5. Cook as per the recipe. When the meat has cooled slightly, unwrap it and use a very sharp knife to slice very thin strips. Drizzle over the meat juices from the bottom of the slow cooker to serve (this is important as it will be quite dry without this).

Step 6 of how to make a homemade doner kebab. Make the dressing.

6. Make the garlic sauce by squeezing the cooked very soft garlic from its skin. Just hold the bulb and squeeze from the bottom and it will squish straight out. Add the other sauce ingredients and mix well.


Substitutions

  • Mince – I used beef but you could use lamb if you prefer. I find 10% fat works very well, and 5% is also fine but can be quite dry, so be sure to pour over plenty of the cooking liquid if you use this low-fat mince

Leftovers

In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat fully in a hot pan with a little oil before serving.

In the freezer This freezes fairly well, Just wait until it’s totally cold and then put into a freezer-proof container and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost thoroughly before reheating in the microwave or on the hob.

The meat slices do tend to break up a little when reheated but if this doesn’t bother you, go for it.

Top Tips

Meat temperature

It’s really hard to tell if the meat is cooked through as you won’t be looking at the inside(!), so for this recipe I would recommend checking the internal temperature with a meat thermometer.

I find this one to be a good option. There are cheaper ones out there but this one tends to be really reliable. It should be 70℃ (160F) for 2 minutes.

How to slice the meat

It’s important to allow the block of meat to cool for about 15 minutes before slicing it or it will fall apart when it’s cut (although it doesn’t matter so much if you’re hungry and don’t mind it crumbling!)

You can reheat the slices of meat afterwards if you want it to be super hot. To do this, put the cooking liquid from the bottom of the slow cooker in a frying pan for 5 minutes or until it’s fully reheated.

FAQs

What goes into a Doner Kebab?

As well as the meat, we serve it into pittas or flatbread with shredded cabbage, tomatoes, cucumber slices, and chilli peppers (if you dare!) with a drizzle of yoghurt-mayo-mint sauce and chilli sauce.

Is this a Healthy doner kebab recipe?

Yes, it’s made with lean mince and everything else is low fat too. Doner kebabs are known for being calorific but this is when we’re talking about deep fried fast food versions.

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

Tray with homemade doner kebabs with salad, flatbread and yoghurt sauce.
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Homemade Doner Kebab {Slow Cooker Recipe}

A Homemade Doner Kebab is a great fakeaway treat for the whole family, and this slow cooker recipe is convenient and simple.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Family Food
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 644kcal

Ingredients

  • 750 g Lean mince
  • 3 tsp Onion granules
  • 3 tsp Garlic granules
  • 3 tsp Ground cumin
  • 3 tsp Paprika
  • 2 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1 tsp Sea alt
  • 1/2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 Bulb of garlic

For the sauce:

  • 75 g Mayo
  • 100 g Greek yoghurt
  • 2 tsp Mint sauce

Instructions

  • Mix the slow cook ingredients (apart from the garlic bulb) together in a bowl with clean hands. You need to knead it with your hands until everything is fully combined and the meat is smooth.
  • Put the meat mixture onto a sheet of tin foil and shape it with your hands into a brick/log type shape. Roll it up very tightly, twisting the ends of the tin foil like a sweetie wrapper to secure.
  • Take the unpeeled garlic bulb (yes a whole bulb!) and wrap up in tin foil.

To cook in the Slow Cooker:

  • Put the wrapped meat and wrapped garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker. Prick the wrapped meat with a sharp knife a few times.
  • Cook for 3-4 hours on HIGH or 5-6 on LOW or until cooked through when you test the internal temperature with a meat thermometer (see notes).

To cook in the Air Fryer:

  • Put the wrapped meat and wrapped garlic in the air fryer. Prick the wrapped meat with a sharp knife a few times.
  • Cook for 30 minutes at 170℃/325F.
  • Remove the garlic bulb from the air fryer and set aside to cool. Open up the foil top of the kebab meat to allow the top to brown. (Do this carefully so that the cooking juices don't run out of the bottom of the foil.)
  • Cook the meat for a further 15 minutes at 170℃/325F or until cooked through when you test the internal temperature with a meat thermometer (see notes).

To Serve:

  • Let the meat sit to cool for 15-30 minutes (save the juices at the bottom of the slow cooker or foil if cooked in the air fryer).
  • When the meat has cooled slightly, unwrap it and use a very sharp knife to slice very thin strips. Drizzle over the meat juices (this is important as it will be quite dry without this).
  • Make the garlic sauce by squeeze the cooked, very soft garlic from its skin. Just hold the bulb and squeeze from the bottom and it will squish straight out. Add the mayo, yoghurt and mint sauce, mix well. Add a splash of water if you'd like it to be more runny.
  • Serve the meat as it is with the usual kebab accompaniments and the garlic sauce, OR reheat the meat, with the cooking liquid in a frying pan for a few minutes until hot through (see notes).

Notes

Meat thermometer: I recommend this one as it’s reliable and accurate. The internal meat temperature should read 70℃  (160F) for 2 minutes
Reheating the meat after it’s cooled and sliced: It’s important to allow the meat loaf to cool for a while before slicing it, or it will all crumble and you won’t get those doner kebab strips. If you like your food hot, you can reheat the meat once it’s in strips. Do this by saving the cooking juice from the slow cooker and heating it up in a frying pan for a few minutes with the meat

Nutrition

Calories: 644kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 52g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 138mg | Sodium: 849mg | Potassium: 120mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 791IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 5mg

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Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake {SO EASY!} https://www.tamingtwins.com/chicken-pasta-bake-recipe/ https://www.tamingtwins.com/chicken-pasta-bake-recipe/#comments Tue, 28 Jun 2022 09:30:36 +0000 https://www.tamingtwins.com/?p=7758

This easy Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake is an absolute midweek winner that the whole family will love. Packed with…

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This easy Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake is an absolute midweek winner that the whole family will love. Packed with veggies with a delicious creamy sauce, it’s topped with cheese for extra crunch and flavour. 

As well as a family favourite nailed-on hit, it’s also ultra convenient for days when you want to prep dinner earlier in the day to save time later.

A big pan on a table filled with Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake, with grilled cheese on top, ready to serve.

Fill your boots with the cheesy, carby goodness that is SO satisfying in any season.

This Bacon and Chicken Pasta Bake recipe is comfort food, pure and simple. It’s a totally winning combination of flavours that even the fussiest of diners is going to approve of. 

A creamy chicken pasta bake has always been one of my go-to dishes, and there’s so many ways you can mix it up.

It’s a fantastic way of stretching a pack of chicken breasts, and the bacon and cheese obviously just take everything up a notch.
 
Every home cook needs an affordable and easy chicken pasta bake in their repertoire, right?

Here is my offering. I hope it’ll be one to add to your go-to midweek meal plans too.


Why you’ll love this recipe

⭐ Easy and adaptable (mix it up each week)

⭐ So comforting and delicious

⭐ Great for prepping ahead and leftovers


A bird's eye view of a corner of a pan filled with Chicken Pasta Bake, with a spoon stuck in, ready to serve.

How we came up with this recipe

A version of this recipe has been on the site here for a long time, but I wanted to give it a little refresh as the last version used three pans to cook with. Who needs that washing up in their lives?!

I’ve reduced it to two pans (hurrah!) and simplified things a little, without reducing the taste.

You could serve this as a regular chicken and bacon pasta dish, without adding the cheese on top and grilling if you prefer.

One of the things I love about this Chicken Pasta Bake is that I can make it ahead of time

So when I know it’s going to be a busy midweek evening, I do my initial cook in the morning and cover it in the fridge once it’s cooled, ready to then simply pop in the oven later.


Other make-ahead pasta bake recipes


Ingredients for chicken and bacon pasta bake laid out on a counter top.

Chicken and Bacon Pasta Ingredients

  • Olive oil
  • Pasta – Your choice
  • Bacon – Chopped into small pieces
  • Large chicken breasts
  • Onion – Use fresh or pre-prepared frozen
  • Garlic – Feel free to use jar/cheat garlic or fresh
  • Broccoli – You’ll need a whole head
  • Milk
  • Plain flour
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • Cheese – Your preference. I use half mozzarella and half cheddar
  • Wholegrain mustard – This is optional

How to make Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake

1. Cook the pasta. Meanwhile, fry the bacon, then the chicken, onions and garlic. Add broccoli into your pasta cooking water at the same time.

2. Add flour and stir for 2-3 minutes until coated well.

3. Pour in the milk.

4. Add half of the cheese, season and stir.

5. Add the drained pasta and broccoli.

6. Sprinkle cheese and grill for 10 minutes.

TIP: Be sure to drain pasta very well so the sauce isn’t watery.


Substitutions

  • Meat – If you want to mix this up, try using meatballs, sausage, ham or chorizo instead of the chicken and bacon. Alternatively, if you ‘d like to make this a vegetarian dish, just omit the meat completely and add extra vegetables.
  • Veggies – You can swap out the broccoli for another vegetable if you prefer. Something like peas would work really well.

Leftovers

In the fridge Pasta Bake is a brilliant dish to eat as leftovers or for a packed lunch or picnic.

Just store it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat it (for no more than 3 days) and enjoy.

If you want to reheat it, make sure it’s piping hot before serving again, and never reheat more than once.

In the freezer You can freeze pasta but it won’t be at its best and I wouldn’t recommend it. It goes a bit mushy after being defrosted.

My advice is to be as economical as you can with leftovers in the days after the initial cook (no-one will need any convincing to get rid of it for you!)

Top tips

Use up cooked chicken 

If you have some leftover chicken (from a roast chicken, for example), this recipe is a fantastic way of using it up to make it stretch to another meal. Just add it to the pasta and sauce with the pan-fried bacon and vegetables. There’s no need to fry it again. Other chicken pasta recipes you could try this with too include: 

I tend to do this with most of my pasta bake recipes because it just works better. I’ve tried it both ways and cooking the pasta first always has the best results, and as it takes such little time to cook, this step is always worth it for me. 

Just cook the pasta in fresh boiling water and drain off before adding to the sauce and ingredients to then bake together. 

Make in advance

Prepare up to the end of step 10 in the recipe and then when cold pop into the fridge (covered). When you are ready to eat, preheat the oven to 180C and cook for about 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and everything is hot throughout.

FAQs

Can I use the oven for this dish instead of the grill?

Yes sure, it’s your choice. And you may want to oven bake it if it’s totally cold beforehand.

Just preheat your oven to 180C/350F and cook for about 20-30 minutes until the topping is golden brown.

What should I serve with a chicken pasta bake?

Really this is a one-stop-shop easy recipe that’s a full meal on its own, so requires no further effort.

However, if you want to add a few extras to make it go further or because you’re entertaining, you could serve this with a side salad or garlic bread.

Is this a healthy Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake?

This pasta recipe is relatively low in fat compared to some as we don’t use butter in the sauce.

If you want to reduce the fat further you could use low fat bacon and omit the cheese.

Can this be made into a gluten free recipe?

Yes – just use gluten free pasta and check all other ingredients to be sure they are gluten free.

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

A big pot of chicken and bacon pasta bake with broccoli and cheese on top.
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Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake {SO EASY!}

This easy Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake recipe is a delicious and healthy dinner for all the family. The simple creamy sauce is packed with vegetables and bacon and topped with cheese. 
Course Main Course
Cuisine Family Food
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 People
Calories 683kcal

Ingredients

  • 300 g Pasta
  • 1 tsp Olive oil
  • 200 g Bacon Chopped into small pieces
  • 300 g Chicken breast chunks About x2 large chicken breasts
  • 3 Cloves garlic Peeled and crushed
  • 1 Large onion Peeled and chopped into chunks
  • 300 g Broccoli (Whole head) Chopped into small chunks
  • 500 ml Milk
  • 2 tbsp Plain flour
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 150 g Cheese See notes
  • 1 tsp Wholegrain mustard Optional

Instructions

  • Cook the pasta in a large pan of salted boiling water, set a timer for 5 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the bacon and cook for 5 minutes until starting to brown.
  • When the timer goes off for the pasta add the broccoli and cook for a further 6 minutes until both the pasta and broccoli are cooked. Drain and set aside.
  • Add the chicken to the bacon and fry for a further 5 minutes until coloured all over.
  • Add the onions, garlic and cook until just softened and the chicken is cooked through. About 10 minutes.
  • Sprinkle the flour into the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes stirring so everything is well coated.
  • Pour in the milk.
  • Add half of the cheese to the meat and sauce, plus salt and pepper and mustard if using, and stir well.
  • Preheat the grill.
  • Add the drained, cooked pasta and broccoli to the sauce and sprinkle the cheese on top.
  • Put under the grill for about 10 minutes until crispy and bubbling.

Notes

Cheese: You can use whichever cheese you like to top your chicken pasta bake. I like to use half mozzarella, for streeeeeeetchy-ness (is that a word?) and half cheddar, for flavour.
How to prepare in advance: ‌Prepare up to the end of step 10 in the recipe and then when cold pop into the fridge (covered). When you are ready to eat, preheat the oven to 180C/350F and cook for about 30-40 minutes or until the top is golden brown and everything is hot throughout.
Draining: Be sure to drain pasta and broccoli very well so the sauce isn’t watery.
Substitutions: You can omit the bacon for a vegetarian dish, or try using meatballs, sausage, ham or chorizo instead of the chicken and bacon. You can also swap out the broccoli for another vegetable if you prefer (peas would work really well).

Nutrition

Calories: 683kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 89mg | Sodium: 1430mg | Potassium: 982mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 1131IU | Vitamin C: 71mg | Calcium: 503mg | Iron: 2mg

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Veggie Enchiladas {Slow Cooker Fakeaways} https://www.tamingtwins.com/veggie-enchiladas-slow-cooker/ https://www.tamingtwins.com/veggie-enchiladas-slow-cooker/#comments Sun, 02 Oct 2022 09:30:00 +0000 https://www.tamingtwins.com/?p=16609

The next instalment of my Slow Cooker Fakeaways is the simple but flavour-packed Veggie Enchiladas. This is a hearty and…

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The next instalment of my Slow Cooker Fakeaways is the simple but flavour-packed Veggie Enchiladas. This is a hearty and filling dish that you really don’t need meat for. So easy and great value, throw it all in and let it work its magic.

Slow cooker pot filled with veggie enchiladas, cooked and topped with cheese.

If you’re vegetarian or looking to eat less meat, here’s a fakeaway just for you.

Filling and satisfying thanks to the beans and butternut squash, with plenty of spices for an aromatic, rich flavour that means you really don’t miss the meat. 

I thought I would give this vegetarian family meal recipe a go as a fakeaway after the success of my Slow Cooker Beef Enchiladas and Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas… if they worked so well I wondered if a veggie version would too.

Turns out, the answer is yes!


Why you’ll love this Veggie Enchiladas recipe

⭐ Super simple zero fuss recipe

⭐ Low-cost and healthy store cupboard ingredients

⭐ Ideal as a vegetarian buffet dish


A close up of veggie enchiladas made in the slow cooker.

How we came up with this recipe

The origins of enchiladas date back centuries, where corn tortillas became a staple cuisine in Mexico, evolving from much loved street food to a customisable favourite dish served up with a variety of fillings, toppings and sauces.

These days, the dish has travelled far and wide, and now us Brits regularly dish this up at our tables. 

This is my family-friendly version that is healthy, low cost and super convenient to throw together.

While I do love beef enchiladas and chicken enchiladas too, this recipe is great for vegetarians or if you’d rather omit meat from this dish.


Veggie Enchiladas Ingredients Notes

Ingredients for slow cooker veggie enchiladas on a counter.
  • Butternut squash – You can make this even easier for yourself by frozen chunks! 
  • Onion – You can use one whole fresh onion chopped up, or you can also use about 200g/7oz of frozen
  • Passata – I use the small cartons here which are the right size
  • Garlic powder – Not garlic salt! Garlic granules are fine too
  • Mild chilli powder – Use hotter if you dare!
  • Wraps – Wholemeal or regular is fine
  • Sweetcorn – Canned and drained, or use frozen but just allow it a little longer to heat up
  • Cheese – Use whatever you have in or your preference for this dish, I like a mozzarella and cheddar mix for flavour and cheese pull!

How to make Veggie Enchiladas

Raw ingredients for veggie enchiladas. Step 1 in the recipe.
  1. Put all of the slow cooker ingredients in the slow cooker, mix well and cook as per recipe at the bottom of the post.
Step two in the instructions of how to make veggie enchiladas in the slow cooker.

2. Mix in the wraps.

Step 2 in the instructions of how to make veggie enchiladas in the slow cooker.

3. Add the sweetcorn and stir.

Step 4 in the instructions of how to make veggie enchiladas in the slow cooker.

4. Sprinkle on the cheese and finish cooking as per the recipe.


Substitutions

  • Sweet potato – You could swap the butternut squash for this. I prefer the texture of butternut squash but either is fine.
  • Beans – I have used mixed beans here but you can use whichever tinned (pre-cooked) beans you prefer or have in your cupboard. For example, only using kidney beans is OK. Don’t use dried beans here unless you’ve pre-boiled them and followed the cooking instructions on the pack.
  • Peppers – These go really well in this kind of dish, so throw some in if you have some.

Leftovers

You can use the sauce (minus the wraps) as another dish if you have leftovers. It makes a fantastic lunch over a jacket potato or rice for another easy dinner.

In the fridge You can keep this recipe in the fridge for 3 days. Reheat fully in the microwave or oven before serving. The wraps to tend to go a little soggy when reheated, but honestly? I’d still eat them happily. Up to you.

In the freezer If you freeze leftovers, be prepared for the tortillas to be a bit soggy and not at their best. If you want to freeze leftovers, try and pre-empt this and take some of the sauce out to freeze before you add the tortillas if possible.

Top tips for making Veggie Enchiladas

Side dishes: I love it when a fakeaway recipe works as a feast-style meal for those weekends when you have guests or just want to enjoy some extra-special family time around the table.

What I LOVE about Mexican-style dishes is just how many sides you can easily serve that make up a banquet while the main dish merrily bubbles away. You can try some or all of these:
⭐ Tortilla chips
⭐ Dips including guacamole, salsa and sour cream/yoghurt
⭐ Mexican Chicken & Rice
⭐ Mexican-Style Salad
⭐ Veggie Loads Nachos (to start?)

Chilli: If you like a little more heat, add extra chilli flakes, fresh chillis or get your beans in a chilli sauce. If you’re serving this to children and they don’t like spicy, omit or reduce the chilli powder.

Prepare it the night before: This is one of those slow cooker favourites that allows you to throw all the ingredients in the night before if time is going to be tight in the morning.

Simply add the slow cook ingredients to the slow cooker pan and keep in the fridge overnight. All you have to do is pop it into the cooker in the morning (and don’t forget to actually switch it on!)

Then add the sweetcorn, wraps and cheese at the end of the cooking time as per the usual instructions.

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

Pan full of slow cooker veggie enchiladas.
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Veggie Enchiladas {Slow Cooker Recipe}

This is an easy fakeaway meal for the whole family. Slow Cooker Veggie Enchiladas are full of depth and spice that make this a hearty, delicious meal.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 872kcal

Ingredients

For the Slow Cook:

  • 500 g Butternut squash I use frozen, chopped
  • 800 g Mixed beans Tinned, drained and rinsed
  • 1 Onion Peeled and chopped
  • 500 g Passata
  • 400 g Tinned tomatoes
  • 2 tsp Garlic granules
  • 2 tsp Smoked paprika
  • 3 tsp Dried oregano
  • 4 tsp Ground cumin
  • 2 tsp Mild chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp Tomato puree
  • 1 tsp Soft dark brown sugar

To Finish:

  • 240 g Tortilla wraps
  • 340 g Sweetcorn Tinned, drained
  • 150g Cheese Grated

Instructions

  • Put all of the slow cook ingredients in the slow cooker, mix well and cook for 6 hours on HIGH or on LOW for 8-9 hours.
  • Cut the wraps into wide strips. Add these and the sweetcorn to the slow cooker. Mix in with the enchilada 'filling'.
  • Sprinkle over the cheese.
  • OPTION 1: Either pop the lid back on and slow cooker for another 30 minutes on HIGH until the cheese has melted (see notes).
  • OPTION 2: Or put the slow cooker pan under a hot grill or in the oven at 200C/400F for about 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.

Notes

To finish the dish Putting the tortillas back into the slow cooker for half and hour will make them a little soggier than if you put them under the grill. I much prefer the end result when I’ve just popped everything under the grill.
Obviously your slow cooker pan needs to be grill safe to do this!
Onions Use 200 g/7 oz if you’re using frozen onions instead of fresh.
Butternut squash Fresh or frozen butternut squash is fine. It is 500g/1.1lb of peeled and cut up butternut squash, so if using fresh weigh it after peeling.
 
 

Nutrition

Calories: 872kcal | Carbohydrates: 140g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 1190mg | Potassium: 2682mg | Fiber: 31g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 15557IU | Vitamin C: 59mg | Calcium: 622mg | Iron: 14mg

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Chicken Kebab Recipe – For Grill, Oven or BBQ https://www.tamingtwins.com/chicken-kebab-recipe/ https://www.tamingtwins.com/chicken-kebab-recipe/#comments Thu, 02 Aug 2018 18:30:00 +0000 https://www.tamingtwins.com/?p=7970

An easy and delicious Chicken Kebab recipe. This recipe includes a tasty yoghurt marinade. These chicken kebab skewers are so…

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An easy and delicious Chicken Kebab recipe. This recipe includes a tasty yoghurt marinade. These chicken kebab skewers are so versatile, they can be grilled, baked in the oven or cooked on the BBQ. A new healthy version of your favourite Greek takeaway.

Overhead photo of chicken kebab on bamboo skewers on white plate.

If there’s one food that reminds me of summer holidays, it’s a Chicken Kebab.

When I was in my 20s, my lovely BFF, Naomi and I were often adventuring (that might be a bit strong, laying by a pool somewhere hot is more accurate). Our holidays were heavily focussed around cocktails, feta and food cooked over charcoal.

The smell of kebabs cooking takes me right back there, wanting to order a mojito!

I can’t promise that these are authentic to the Greek or Turkish kebabs that Naomi and I ate then. But they are my own version and they are super delicious.

Overhead shot of a glass bowl with ingredients for chicken kebab recipe in, chicken, lemon, paprika, cumin.

How do you make Chicken Kebab?

Chicken kebabs are so simple to make, they are basically marinaded chicken, threaded onto skewers and cooked through.

For this recipe we use a marinade of yoghurt with paprika, cumin, a little cinnamon, chilli flakes, garlic and lemon.

Overhead photo of chicken kebab raw threaded on to bamboo skewers on a grill pan before cooking.

Can you cook Chicken Kebabs in the oven?

Yes, it’s perfectly safe to cook chicken kebabs in the oven, as always, just check that they are cooked through before serving.

If you’re using bamboo skewers, as always, soak them for about 30 minutes in water before using.

They will take about 20 – 30 minutes at 180C/350F.

How long do you cook Chicken Kebabs for?

If cooking these Chicken Kebabs under a hot grill (broiler) or on the BBQ (or barbecue!) they will take about 20 – 30 minutes depending on how thick your chicken is and how high your heat is.

Always be sure to check that the chicken is cooked through and not pink, before serving.

Overhead photo of chicken kebabs on bamboo skewers.

Are Chicken Kebabs good for you?

Homemade chicken kebabs are not unhealthy when cooked this way.

You can easily make this recipe even lower in fat by using chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs and using low fat, or fat free yoghurt.

(If you’re following the Slimming World plan, this would also make these Syn free chicken kebabs.)

You could also add in extra vegetables, like peppers or onions onto the skewers. These look good too!

Side photo of chicken kebabs sprinkled with mint. Chicken kebabs lying on a white plate.

Watch me making the Chicken Kebabs on Instagram Stories

Tips for making the Chicken Kebab recipe:

  • In these photos I used Bamboo Skewers. I like the way they look but they do burn! You need to soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using.
  • If you prefer metal skewers I like these ones. Once you’ve bought a set, you’ll wonder how you lived without them. I like these Metal Skewers Set on Amazon.
  • I like to use chicken thighs for this recipe as they become tender when marinaded with the lemon. They are also super tasty. Feel free to replace with chicken breasts if you prefer.
  • These Chicken Kebabs are delicious cold. We love serving them for a picnic! (There we are below eating them at one of our favourite National Trust spots.)
Chicken skewers at a picnic with peppers, tomatoes and a tartan picnic blanket.

Fancy some other easy kebab style recipes?

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.

I’d love to know how you got on and what you thought of it if you make this Chicken Kebabs recipe. Please rate the recipe and leave me a comment below if you do.

Also, if you fancy showing me a photo by tagging me on Instagram (@tamingtwins) I LOVE to see your creations.

How to make the Chicken Kebab recipe:

Side photo of chicken kebabs sprinkled with mint. Chicken kebabs lying on a white plate.
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Chicken Kebab Recipe

An easy and delicious Chicken Kebab recipe. This recipe includes a tasty yoghurt marinade. These chicken kebab skewers are so versatile, they can be grilled, baked in the oven or cooked on the BBQ. A new healthy version of your favourite Greek takeaway.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Family Food
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 People
Calories 336kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 kg Chicken thighs Boneless and skinless and cut lengthways

For the marinade:

  • 150 g Natural yoghurt
  • 2 tsp Paprika
  • 2 tsp Ground cumin
  • 0.5 tsp Cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp Dried chilli flakes
  • 2 tsp Garlic granules (or 3 cloves of fresh garlic)
  • 1 Lemon Zest and juice
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions

  • Mix the marinate ingredients together well in a large bowl.
  • Add the chicken thighs and marinade for at least 30 minutes or even better, overnight. (Cover with cling film and put in the fridge.)
  • Thread onto skewers and cook for about 20 minutes until golden on the outside and cooked through.

Nutrition

Calories: 336kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 242mg | Sodium: 246mg | Potassium: 751mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 750IU | Vitamin C: 14.3mg | Calcium: 90mg | Iron: 3.1mg

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