City pupils find recipe for healthy cookbook

MOST ten-year-olds would happily live off a diet of sweets, chocolate and fizzy drinks.

But youngsters at James Gillespie's Primary are going out of their way to steer clear of sugary foods – by coming up with a cookbook that specifically avoids ingredients that cause tooth decay.

The healthy eating book contains recipes pulled together by pupils and their families, with dishes contributed by celebrity chef Rick Stein and MasterChef judge Greg Wallace.

Some of Edinburgh's own top chefs – Martin Wishart and Jeff Bland, executive chef at the Balmoral Hotel – have also added recipes to the Healthy Smiles Cookbook.

The book is now being distributed to around 20,000 primary six pupils across Edinburgh and the Lothians, and is aimed at improving dental health and diet. It contains 37 recipes for breakfasts, smoothies, lunches and dinners, ranging from boiled egg with toast to avocado salad and beach barbecue kebabs.

Rick Stein contributed a recipe of steamed mussels, while Greg Wallace has offered up his tomato tarts for the recipe book.

Jeff Bland has donated a recipe for fruit soup, while Martin Wishart chose his organic crisp chicken to be included in the book, which comes complete with illustrations by the pupils and top tips about dental hygiene.

It has been a year in the making, with the school working with NHS Lothian and Scotmid, which has funded the project.

Anthea Grierson, headteacher at James Gillespie's Primary, said: "Health promotion is at the heart of everything we do at James Gillespie's, and in getting the book to thousands of children our pupils have achieved something very special.

"We decided to give this to every P6 pupil because around ten years old is the age where they can start to cook for themselves. If you get them interested in cooking, they will try new foods and hopefully eat healthier.

"The recipes in the book are all low-sugar, and when the team came out from NHS Lothian, they made the children aware that if they actually stopped eating sugary foods for a few days, their taste buds would perk up a bit and they would stop needing it as much."

Robert Naysmith, clinical director of community dental services at NHS Lothian, said: "We are delighted to have been involved with the Healthy Smiles Cookbook.

"These recipes don't just look and taste delicious, but are good for our teeth as well as our health.

"The recent National Dental Inspection Programme results are very encouraging, with Lothian primary seven children having the best dental health on record.

"Good and regular dental health practice is vital, and books such as this are a great way of getting this important message across in a fun way."

Pupils have been involved with its creation every step of the way, from coming up with the recipes to design, sponsorship, distribution and promotion.

City education leader Marilyne MacLaren added: "Encouraging children to make meals and to think about ingredients is a fantastic way to help them set a course for a healthy lifestyle."

FIN-TASTIC FLAVOURS

Two recipes from the book:

• Hamish's haddock on toast by Hamish Stewart P6

Heat some olive oil in a frying pan.

Chop one clove of garlic into very small pieces and add it into the frying pan.

Put your haddock fillets into the frying pan and your bread into the toaster.

When the toast is ready, spread it with butter.

Add seasoning to the haddock.

Take the sizzling fillets out of the frying pan, put them on the toast and let the butter melt.

Squeeze on some lemon and enjoy.

• Heidi's Thai tuna melt by Heidi Miller P1

Mix a tin of tuna with 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and add sweet chilli sauce to taste.

Cut a baguette in half lengthways and spread on the tuna mixture.

Sprinkle grated cheese over the top and grill until the cheese has melted.