Be inspired to cook...

From next week Arlene will be starting a new column with tasty, easy to cook recipes which will inspire even those who can’t cook or won’t cook.

Arlene is part of Sainsbury’s Try Team which is made up of 12 community food and health advisors who work with local groups and organisations, communicating the importance of good food and simple cooking.

Arlene will be cooking in lots of venues in Ballymena over the coming months including at Ballymena Show, WI events, fundraisers and Parent Teacher events.

Arlene regularly works with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and has cooked in the X Factor house for contestants. Together with the Try Team she is currently hosting a series of online cooking guides featuring some of their favourite recipes and tips which are available on www.sainsburys.co.uk/trynation Arlene can be seen sharing a recipe for delicious lamb and rosemary skewers.

Arlene said: “I am really looking forward to sharing my passion for cooking with the people of Ballymena, Antrim and the surrounding areas through the column and my local demonstrations. There is lots of excellent local produce available in Northern Ireland to enable anybody to cook healthy, nutritious meals for the whole family, even on a budget. All of the ingredients I use are available in the local Sainsbury’s and at the moment we have a series of meal planners which I will be featuring. These show people how to cook five weekday evening meals for a family of four for under £20 and they are all delicious.”

To see Arlene and the Try Team in action, visit www.sainsburys.co.uk/trynation

Over the coming weeks, Arlene will be sharing her favourite recipes with Ballymena and Antrim Times readers.

Arlene’s first Try This dish is a tasty, succulent chicken recipe for a special treat for your Valentine.

The chicken parcels can easily be made up the night before, giving you more time to light the candles and enjoy a perfect meal for a perfect night in.

Look out for more Try This recipes in the coming weeks.