EACH WEEK, WE ask a home cook about the dishes they’ve been whipping up of late. The kind of food you don’t need a recipe for, from quick snacks to empty-the-fridge dinners.

This week, self-proclaimed “slow cooker queen” Eimer Fitzgerald (@eimers_healthy_eats) shared five classic dishes she’s created with a healthy twist.

“I’ve always enjoyed cooking, but only in the past number of years have I really started to love it,” she says.

From breakfast muffins to creamy chicken and mushroom pasta, below are five of Eimer’s go-tos…

1. Bolognese bake: First up is my bolognese bake. It features lots of healthy ingredients, including meat-free mince. I love making this. It’s a family favourite here and is very filling. Here’s the recipe. 

2. Breakfast muffins: This is a great healthy breakfast option as they’re lovely hot or cold. You can make them using as many or few ingredients you want. I make these at least once a week using turkey rashers, mushrooms, peppers, spinach and eggs.

3. Slow cooker chicken tikka masala: This is so delicious! It’s full of lots of flavour and spices, with Greek yoghurt in there too. I love food, so I tried to make it healthy without losing the flavours. This definitely hits the spot! 

4. Slow cooker beef stew: I love a stew that has been slow cooked as the meat is so tender and everything has so much flavour. To make, cook lean beef steak and chopped onion in a pan. Transfer to a slow cooker and add beef stock, tomato puree, paprika, rosemary and thyme. Add some gravy granules, Worcestershire sauce, potatoes, carrots and bay leaves, and leave it to cook on high for four or five hours.

5. Creamy chicken and mushroom pasta: This is so filling and has lots of healthy ingredients. Again, I cook this in my slow cooker, and the recipe is super easy.

More: ‘It leaves you satisfied but not stuffed’: 5 recent favourite dishes from a Ballymaloe-trained cook>