Christmas / Lamb / Main course / Welsh / Winter

Leek Braised Mutton with Creamy Leek and Mint Sauce

With mutton currently experiencing a well-deserved revival, this is a great recipe to serve as an alternative Christmas dish, a hearty winter warmer or to celebrate St. David’s Day. Gentle braising with leeks, aromatic cinnamon, cloves and orange gives full flavoured tender meat and the juices are used in the accompanying leek sauce.

Chicken and turkey / Light lunch / Main course

Leek and Chicken Noodles

If you’re doing lots of exercise, you’ll be using lots of energy so you need to ensure you match your energy needs to help your body recover. Make sure that you have a balanced meal and aim for larger portions of carbohydrate-rich foods such as the noodles in this simple stir fry. When you finish training, aim to have a carbohydrate-rich snack or drink within 30 minutes and a balanced meal within 2 hours.

Fish / Light lunch / Main course / Salad

Leek, Mackerel and Avocado Salad

Regular hard exercise can take its toll on the immune system as levels of valuable vitamins and minerals in the body are depleted. That is why it is important to put them back though a diet rich in immunity boosting nutrients. The mackerel is one of the richest sources of long chain omega 3 fatty acids, needed to counteract inflammation, while the leeks contains powerful antioxidant substances that can help to prevent cell damage. The avocado is a great source of vitamin E needed for immunity and heart health.

Cheese / Main course / Pasta / Vegetarian

Leek, Red Pepper and Cashew Nut Lasagne

Whether you are doing a lot of weight bearing exercise such as running or non-weight bearing such as swimming, it is vital you look after your bone health by meeting your calcium needs. Milk and low fat cheese are an important source of calcium, which is needed to build and maintain healthy strong bones and the calcium in dairy products is easily absorbed. Other sources of calcium include nuts and green vegetables such as leeks.