Family feast in 15 minute or less... Ts es
The fitness guru explains why his favourite speedy recipes will be a hit with everyone around the table, big and small
Joe Wicks is on a mission. Not content with keeping the nation fit during lockdown, he is now hoping to change the way we eat.
Last year, fitness guru Joe became something of a national treasure, getting families up and down the country moving with his free PE lessons, streamed live on his Youtube channel.
For his work helping kids keep mentally and physically fit, the 34-yearold received an MBE.
And now, he’s on a mission to tackle the nation’s mealtimes too.
“I believe that the earlier you start introducing varied healthy foods and a bit of fun simple movement, the more healthy and well-rounded our children will be as they grow up,” says Joe.
“The focus isn’t on weight or calories, but on mental health and happiness. Food affects our mood so we want to eat as much good food as possible.”
Married to model Rosie, 30, Joe is dad to daughter Indie, three, and 18-month-old son, Marley.
For the family, making time to eat together is important.
“It isn’t always possible for families to eat together but I think when you can, you should make the most of it,” says Joe.
“It’s the most amazing time to connect, catch up, be a role model for good food behaviours and try new recipes.
“We manage it most evenings. I take that as time to
put my phone away, switch out of work mode and focus on the people I love. Rosie and I take turns with the cooking and often the other will be outside entertaining the children before they get too ‘hangry’.
“I didn’t get a lot of that quality time around the dinner table with my family as a child, so it means a lot to be able to do that for my children now.”
Joe says cooking a speedy dinner is easier than you think. “You can whip up a tasty and healthy dinner in 15 minutes or less,” he says.
“Just like every family we love to order the odd pizza and don’t eat healthily 100 per cent of the time, but during the week when we’re in a regular routine, we do manage to incorporate lots of healthy veggies, protein and carbs.”
And eating well doesn’t have to be expensive.
“Not everyone has the knowledge or the means to create elaborate healthy recipes, but that is why I create so much free content with basic ingredients so that my version of healthy cooking is available to as many people as possible.
“You can go straight to my website or Instagram to find those dishes.”
So what gets Joe’s mouth watering?
“My favourite meal as a kid was a burger and chips and to be honest that is probably the same now.
“As a family we absolutely love a veggie filo pie or chicken thighs with seasoning and fresh veggies. Nothing fancy, just delicious home-cooked food.”
Here Joe shares five super speedy recipes, which from prep to plate take just 15 minutes or less. Each recipe serves two adults and two children.
h of the smaller jars place:
brown miso, 1tsp dark soy ch sugar, ½tsp bouillon stock tsp garlic paste, ¼tsp ginger p sesame oil, ½tsp tomato
the juice of 1⁄4 lime. ach adult jar with 100g dried
t noodles and each smaller jar breaking noodles into smaller fit.
vegetables, coriander and en between the jars, adding ss to the smaller jars and verything down as you go.
you are ready to eat your pot e, pour in enough freshly
water to just cover all the ts and quickly put the lids on.
jars to sit for four to five hen shake gently to disperse
rs. traight from the jar, using a fork
poon, or pour the contents into you prefer. If serving straight ar for kids, make sure the jars
hot before serving. You can the jars ahead of time and he fridge for up to three days,
t water when ready to eat.