Cressing Healthy Med Easy Group April Bring & Share

Healthy Med Easy have been running Mediterranean diet and lifestyle group classes since January 2023. These run Wednesdays 12.30-1.30pm term time at St Barnabas Hall, Claud Ince Avenue, Cressing, Braintree CM77 8HJ. It costs £5 per session, on a pay as you go basis. All are welcome. Plus you can help yourself to hot drinks, and there is plenty of free parking available.

The April Bring and Share was held on Wednesday 26th, and was absolutely fabulous. We had a table filled with Mediterranean style treats to share. Plus, as a bonus I handed not one, but two recipes of the week!

Debra kindly brought along squares of delicious vegetarian Pastitsio. This is a Greek based pasta dish, traditionally made with minced beef and béchamel sauce. It was mouth watering. Plus, it is family friendly. I heated it up and had it with salad in the evening with my husband and children, and they wolfed it down. Debra said it was made with "wholemeal pasta, halloumi cheese, eggs and zest pasta sauce".

Carol kindly brought along a deliciously decadent homemade energy bar. Energy bars are a healthier way of having a treat. It gave a great chocolaty hit, and both myself and my children loved it! Carol said she made it with "dates, cocoa, sunflower seeds, sultanas and peanut butter". She also said that sometimes she puts "figs and apricots" in. Plus, "Orange and cocoa work well, like chocolate orange".

I brought along two homemade dishes. There was a Mediterranean potato salad. This was made with extra virgin olive oil rather than mayonnaise, and it was a hit. Other ingredients were Kalamata olives, new potatoes, red onion, spring onions, parsley, coriander and a homemade lemon and mustard dressing. The second dish was a traditional Italian frittata. This was simply made with eggs, Italian hard cheese and seasoning and was so good.

Snacks and dips were also taken along to try. The dips available were caramelised onion houmous, pepper houmous, aioli and tzatziki. The snacks were big corn, salted and roasted sunflower seeds, large pumpkin seeds, shelled roasted almonds, cherry tomatoes, falafel, breadsticks, and wholemeal pitta.

The two recipes handed out to the members were for the foods taken in by myself. The members were thrilled that they could then make the dishes they had tried at home. They then sat down and enjoyed the sessions talk and cheered on the winner of the biggest achiever basket (well done Carol).

Do you like the idea of coming to our Mediterranean Bring and Share? If yes, get in touch at hello@healthymedeasy.co.uk. The next Cressing Bring and Share will be Wednesday 24th May 2023 at St Barnabas Hall in Cressing 12.30-1.30pm. All are welcome.

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