So the new year brings about that feeling of positivity I think; of wanting to change things up and do things better than we did last year. For me that usually links straight to my stomach. Honestly, if the food in my life is good and organised then I feel like everything else in my world is a little bit easier and more calm. To get to the good and organised food place though, we need to have a plan.

Going to the "stupour-market" daily is something I definitely avoid. It wastes precious time, valuable cash and just generally makes me feel annoyed. I make a big effort to plan my meals every week (including lunch boxes and breakkies) and do one shop. This planning ritual usually takes place over a nice cuppa with my meal planning notepad and my shopping list, sitting close to the pantry/fridge/freezer so I can do a quick stocktake of what I have to use up and what I might need to replace as I go. I actually enjoy spending an hour doing it because I know the future calm it will bring. Another thing we think about in the possibility filled, early stages, of a new year, is our health and wellbeing. This too links back to food and I think planning what you eat also helps to eliminate some (certainly not all) of those rushed nights of chicken and chips or the local Thai. Don't get me wrong - I love a bit of takeaway as much as the next guy, but I like to do it because I want it, not because I have no other option. The lunchbox is a classic example of when a lack of planning can lead to a morning crisis. No bread? Run out of muesli bars? I can just feel the sweat beading. So here are a few little ideas to put up your sleeve (or on your menu planner) that will cheer up your little plastic box as well as keep you organised and totally "zenned out"!

Hawaiian Pita Pizzas (makes 6)
Ingredients:
6 small wholemeal or white pizza (the thicker kind) or 1 pkt English muffins (white or wholemeal)
225g can pineapple pieces in juice (drained)
1 cup grated tasty cheese
200g shaved ham
1 cup tomato passata
½ tsp each caster sugar, salt & pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
fresh basil to serve if you like

Method:

1. Select Hot Air+Steaming (or Combination Steam). Set the temperature to 230°C. Allow to pre-heat. Line two baking trays with baking paper.

2. Lay the pitas onto the lined trays.

3. Combine the passta, caster sugar, salt, pepper and oregano in a bowl and spread some onto the top of each pita. Lay some ham on top of each, then add some pineapple pieces and sprinkle with cheese.

4. Place trays into the preheated Combi Steam on Levels 1 and 3 and cook for approx 10 minutes or until bubbling and browned to your liking. Remove and serve warm or allow to cool and store in an airtight container to add to lunch boxes.

   Tips:
   *You can also wrap individually in two layers of cling film and freeze for up to 3 months. Remove from freezer the night before putting in lunch boxes.
   *Vary the toppings to your hearts content - try other deli meats, veggies like mushies and capsicum and other cheeses.

   *These can also be made on split English style muffins for a quick snack.

Happy New Year loyal subjects. I hope it's filled with lots of foodie love.

Happy Combi Steaming!
Yours in the kitchen,

The CSQ. x