Alex Botting, Author at Alexarciab Healthy Recipes

07Dec 2025 by Alex Botting No Comments

Apple and Ginger Fizz Mocktail

Gluten Free, Other, To Share, Vegetarian

If you’re looking for a festive, non-alcoholic drink that’s as flavorful as it is refreshing, this Apple and Ginger Fizz Mocktail is your new go-to. As a nutrition coach, I love showing people that holiday drinks don’t have to be loaded with sugar or alcohol to feel indulgent. This apple ginger mocktail recipe combines sparkling apple cider with warming ginger flavors, a hint of lime, and subtle spices — perfect for family gatherings, Christmas celebrations, or just a cozy winter evening. It’s light, naturally sweetened, and versatile, making it an easy addition to your seasonal menu. Whether you’re serving it to kids or adults, it works beautifully as a festive holiday mocktail and a refreshing winter mocktail idea. Plus, it’s quick to make and can be dressed up for presentation. …

07Dec 2025 by Alex Botting No Comments

Christmas Cheese and Charcuterie Board

To Share

I absolutely love hosting friends over Christmas. There’s something magical about filling the house with people I care about, putting out some festive food, and watching everyone chat, laugh, and nibble their way through the evening. And without fail, my Christmas cheese board is always a total crowd pleaser. Over the years I’ve learned a few tricks that make it easy to create a beautiful, balanced board without any stress. So if you’re planning your own cheese boards for Christmas, here’s exactly how I put mine together. Choosing the Best Cheeses for a Christmas Cheese Board I’ve found that keeping things simple really is the secret. Too many cheeses can feel overwhelming, so I always stick to three or four. That gives everyone enough choice without overpowering the board.…

04Dec 2025 by Alex Botting No Comments

Crispy Roast Dinner Spring Rolls

Air Fryer, Gluten Free, Lunch, Snacks, To Share

If you’re staring at a fridge full of christmas dinner leftovers wondering how to transform them into something exciting, let me introduce you to one of my favourite post-holiday ideas: crispy spring rolls made with a simple rice paper wrapper. As a nutrition coach, I love recipes that reduce waste, add balance, and make it easy to portion mindfully. These spring rolls crisp beautifully in the air fryer, and the filling can be as veggie-forward or protein-rich as you prefer. This is one of those christmas recipes that feels playful yet practical. The flavours of your roast dinner get tucked inside a crunchy shell, turning yesterday’s meal into a brand-new christmas appetizer you’ll actually crave. Whether you’re new to using rice paper or looking for a fresh idea for Boxing…

27Nov 2025 by Alex Botting No Comments

Easy and Delicious Spicy Kimchi Ramen

Dinner, Lunch, Vegetarian

If you’ve followed my noodle adventures for a while, you know I love taking something quick and humble, like instant ramen and giving it a nourishing, flavour-forward upgrade. This spicy kimchi ramen is inspired by a recent bowl of Hyakuyaku soup noodles I had at my local Japanese restaurant. It was so layered and aromatic that I came home determined to recreate it, but in a way that fits my nutrition-coaching philosophy: simple, balanced, customisable, and supportive of a healthy routine. Kimchi has been a staple in my kitchen for years. Beyond its addictive tang and heat, it offers natural probiotics and micronutrients—making this bowl not just delicious, but gut-friendly. Whether you enjoy spicy miso ramen recipes, a creamy ramen recipe, or lean toward spicy chicken ramen recipes, this version…

27Nov 2025 by Alex Botting No Comments

Crispy Spicy Tuna Rice Paper Rolls

Air Fryer, Gluten Free, Low Carb, Lunch, Snacks, To Share

If you’ve been around my kitchen for a while, you already know I have a soft spot for anything wrapped in rice paper. It’s one of those versatile staples that turns simple pantry ingredients into something exciting. Today’s crispy rice paper rolls recipe brings together spicy tuna, nori, and a clever egg-dip technique that mimics the crunch of traditional fried rolls—without the heavy oil. From a nutrition coaching perspective, these spicy tuna rice paper rolls hit several wins: lean protein from the tuna and eggs, slow-and-steady carbs from the rice paper, and plenty of satisfaction thanks to that crisp bite you’d normally get from fried rice paper rolls. They’re ideal as a high-protein snack, a light lunch, or even a fun appetizer to share. If you love rice paper egg…

24Nov 2025 by Alex Botting No Comments

Christmas Egg Casserole with Cottage Cheese

Bakes, Breakfast, Gluten Free, Meal Prep

Every year after Christmas Day, I look forward to this christmas egg casserole almost as much as the main feast itself. It is one of my favourite ways to reduce food waste, use up leftover turkey and veg, and create something wholesome and satisfying with very little effort. As a nutrition coach, I love recipes like this because they strike such a great balance between convenience and nourishment. With plenty of protein, colourful vegetables, and almost no prep, this cottage cheese egg casserole makes the days after Christmas feel calmer, easier, and a little more delicious. This recipe has become a tradition in my home for a reason. It’s incredibly flexible, naturally a healthy egg casserole, and works beautifully as breakfast, lunch, or an easy dinner. Plus, it’s naturally a…

23Nov 2025 by Alex Botting No Comments

Caramelized Onion and Bacon Jam

Sauces and Spreads, To Share

Every time I make this caramelized onion and bacon jam, I’m reminded that some of the most irresistible recipes start with the simplest ingredients. I recently served it to my in-laws, and they could not stop talking about how good it was. As a nutrition coach, I love recipes like this because they bring so much satisfaction in small portions—meaning you get big flavour without needing a lot. This caramelized onion jam recipe is deeply savoury, slightly sweet, and beautifully balanced. It transforms everyday ingredients; bacon, onions, vinegar, and a little maple syrup into something rich and jammy that elevates even the most basic dishes. Whether you want to add it to a christmas appetizer board, fold it into brussels sprouts with bacon jam, or spread it on a bacon…

23Nov 2025 by Alex Botting No Comments

Crispy Brussels Sprout and Carrot Fritters

Lunch, Meal Prep, Snacks, To Share, Vegetarian

If you’re looking for a creative, flavour-packed way to use brussels sprouts and carrots, these crispy fritters may become your new favourite. They’re easy, versatile, and ideal for everything from a christmas appetizer board to a savoury brussels sprouts breakfast. As a nutrition coach, I love recipes like this because they provide a fun way to bring nutrient-rich vegetables to the table in a form both kids and adults genuinely enjoy. Brussels sprouts often get a bad reputation, but when shredded, seasoned, and pan-fried into golden little cakes, they become downright irresistible. This brussel sprout and carrot recipe creates a wonderfully crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and full of flavour. Whether you’re making them as a brussels sprouts appetizer, a side dish, or part of your weekly meal…

23Nov 2025 by Alex Botting No Comments

Best Colombian Buñuelos Recipe (Cheese Fritters)

Bakes, Snacks, To Share, Vegetarian

If you grew up in Colombia, you know the arrival of Colombian Buñuelos on bakery counters means the Christmas season is on its way. Even though buñuelos are enjoyed year-round, they hold a special place in Colombian holiday celebrations. As someone who grew up with these cheesy, golden bites of joy, I can tell you that the first warm bite—crispy on the outside, soft and airy inside—always brings back childhood memories. From a nutrition-coaching perspective, I love sharing recipes like this because they encourage a mindful, cultural approach to food. These cheese fritters are traditionally deep-fried, but they are naturally light rather than greasy, and incredibly satisfying in just one or two portions. If you’ve ever wondered how to make buñuelos at home or wanted a simplified, reliable Colombian buñuelos…

23Nov 2025 by Alex Botting No Comments

Christmas Spiced Bread Pudding

Air Fryer, Bakes, Dessert And Sweets, Snacks, To Share

There is something magical about pulling a warm christmas bread pudding from the oven on a cold December afternoon. It’s the kind of old fashioned, easy christmas dessert that feels both nostalgic and deeply comforting. As a nutrition coach, I love this recipe because it transforms leftovers—especially those end pieces of brioche bread or slightly stale loaves into a wholesome, satisfying treat without unnecessary fuss. This festive version is lightly sweetened, gently spiced, and beautifully adaptable. Whether you lean toward a classic bread pudding christmas flavour or prefer something closer to pumpkin spice pudding, this holiday bread pudding fits right in. It’s also a great entry-level baking project for anyone wanting an easy christmas bread dessert that’s homemade, family-friendly, and warming from the inside out. Ingredients 200 g stale…

Author: Alex Botting