WW POINTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serves 4 – per serving = 510 cal, 8.5g fat, 60g carbs, 58.5g protein or 12 points per serving

INGREDIENTS

For the marinade

• 600g chicken breast, raw, chopped into bite size chunks
• 150g fat free greek yoghurt
• 1 tbsp each garlic paste and ginger paste
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp each turmeric, cumin and madras curry powder
• 1/2 tsp each salt and chilli powder
• Juice of 1 lemon

For the curry

• 1 tbsp tomato purée
• 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 250ml water
• 150ml Elmlea single cream
• 2 green finger chillies, sliced in half
• Handful of curry leaves, crushed
• 1/2 tsp each white sugar and salt
• 20g light butter
• Large handful fresh coriander, roughly chopped
• 240g basmati rice, dried

METHOD
1. Begin by marinading the chicken. Into a large bowl add the marinade ingredients and mix together. Then add the chicken and mix well so it’s well covered. Cover and leave to marinade for at least an hour (or up to 24 hours) in the fridge.
2. When you are ready to cook, take a large pan, spray with low calorie cooking spray and then add the chicken (reserve any left over marinade in the bowl). Fry on high for 6-7 minutes until the chicken is sealed (it doesn’t need to be cooked through).
3. Next add 1 tbsp tomato purée, fry for 2-3 minutes then add the chopped tomatoes, water, cream, chillies, curry leaves, salt and sugar.
4. Simmer for 20-30 minutes until the sauce starts to thicken and the chicken is cooked through.
5. Pop the rice on to cook after the sauce has been simmering for 10 minutes and it should time nicely for the sauce being ready.
6. Finish the curry with the butter a coriander, saving a tablespoon to garnish.
7. Serve the curry and rice together.
8. Enjoy!

#slimmingkitchensecrets #wwrecipe #healthcurry #butterchicken #fakeaway

The post Butter Chicken first appeared on Slimming Kitchen Secrets.

The key to this recipe is to simmer the sauce until it is thick and sticking to the chicken nicely. If your sauce is watery, it will make the wraps much softer inside the bake (still tasty though). This is a lovely straightforward recipe that the whole family can enjoy. If you like it a little hotter you can always add a sprinkle of chilli flakes with the other spices.

As always, if you like my recipes. Don’t forget my cookbook ‘Slimming Kitchen Secrets’ is available now!

WW POINTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serves 6 = 11  points per serving or 398 cals, 15.4g fat, 37.6g carbs, 30.8g protein

INGREDIENTS

1 red onion, peeled and finely chopped

1 pepper, deseeded and diced 

3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced 

1 tsp each chilli powder, smoked paprika, cumin and oregano

400g tin chopped tomatoes

200ml skimmed milk

1 chicken stock cube 

1/2 tsp salt 

450g roasted chicken, shredded 

100g half fat soured cream

8 mini tortilla wraps, halved  

150g grated cheese (I like to use the fiery blend from Asda) 

Handful coriander, finely chopped

1 medium avocado, sliced

METHOD

1. Pre heat the oven to 180c.
2. Take a large oven proof pan and pop on a medium heat. Spray with 1 kal and then add the onion, peppers and garlic. Fry for 5 minutes until the onion starts to soften. Add a little water if the pan gets dry.
3. Add the herbs and spices and fry for another minute (add a splash of water to stop the spices burning) then add the tomatoes, a tin of cold water, the milk, salt, stock cube (crumbled) and chicken to the pan.
4. Simmer on a medium/high heat for 10-15 minutes so the sauce starts to thicken and the water evaporates away. You want a nice thick sauce to stick to the chicken.
5. Remove the pan from the heat and then remove two thirds of the mixture from it, popping to one side in a large bowl.
6. You are now ready to assemble. Leave the last third of the chicken and sauce at the base of the pan. Top with two and a half tortillas (so the sauce is covered), and a sprinkle of cheese and coriander. Repeat with the next third of the chicken mixture and again with the last. You want to save most of the cheese for the top.
7. Pop on the oven on 180c for around 20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
8. Finish with a little light sour cream, sliced avocado and coriander.

Dish up and enjoy!

The post Mexican Layer Bake first appeared on Slimming Kitchen Secrets.

I tried a Christmassy pasta recipe a few years ago and loved it so last weekend, when we had a load of leftover cauliflower cheese, I decided to turn it into my own version of the festive dish. It’s so quick and easy too. So many of you have asked for the non WW recipes I cook too (and to be fair there aren’t many that aren’t WW dishes) so, before I share with you the healthier version, here’s the quick and dirty version to use up your Christmas Day/Sunday lunch leftovers. When I’m on plan, the key for me here is portion control. Use a small plate or bowl and don’t over load it. That way, even without it being fully pointed, you won’t go over your cals/points for the day.

WW POINTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS
Leftover Cauliflower Cheese
Dash if skimmed milk
Handful of sprouts
3 garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced
Pack of pigs in blankets
240g spaghetti
Squirt of honey
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Salt and pepper (to taste)
Sprinkle of crushed chillies

METHOD
1. Pop the pasta on to cook in a pan of salted boiling water.
2. Pop your pigs in blankets in the air fryer/oven and cook according to the packet instructions.
3. Slice your sprouts (I used a mandolin so they are super thin but you can use a normal knife too).
4. Wizz up the leftover cauliflower cheese with a dash of skimmed milk – you want a thick and creamy soup consistency.
5. Take a large frying pan, spray with 1kal and add the sprouts. Fry for 3-4 minutes until softed and taking on a bit of colour. Add the garlic for the last minute.
6. Add the sauce and season with salt and pepper.
7. Add the cooked pasta, sliced pigs in blankets, honey and lemon juice. Add a dash of pasta water to loosen the sauce and make it lovely and silky.
8. Finish with an extra bit of seasoning if needed and a sprinkle of chilli flakes.

Don’t forget, my cookbook ‘Slimming Kitchen Secrets’ is available now!

The post Festi Spaghetti first appeared on Slimming Kitchen Secrets.

If you like your sauce a little more set, you can top the dish with a ball of light mozzarella (125g) and split the Parmesan in half, adding half to the sauce and half on top at the end before baking in the oven for 15 minutes. I like it both ways but for quickness, the stove top method is the winner for me! The nutritional information below doesn’t include the mozzarella. If you add it, the dish would be another 50 cals or 2 points per serving.

WW POINTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serves 4 

Per serving = 14 points or 538 cals, 14.4g fat, 63g carbs, 40.3g protein 

INGREDIENTS

500g lean beef mince, raw

1 white onion, peeled and finely diced

3 x garlic cloves, peeled and finely minced

1 tbsp mixed herbs

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp onion powder and chilli flakes (chilli flakes optional)

1 tbsp tomato purée

400g chopped tomatoes

1 x chicken stock cube (made up with 1 litre of boiling water)

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp white sugar and salt

12 lasagne sheets (280g dried), broken into inch sized pieces

50ml light single cream (I use Elmlea)

30g Parmesan

Handful fresh basil

METHOD

1. Bring a large pan to a medium heat, spray with 1kal and add the onion. Fry for 5-6 minutes until it starts to soften, adding a little water if the pan gets dry.
2. Next add the garlic, fry for a minute and then add the mince a nd fry for 5-6 minutes until browned. All the herbs and spices and the tomato purée and fry off for a minute or two then add the chopped tomatoes, stock, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and salt.
3. Stir and then add the broken lasagne pieces. Stir so they are covered with the sauce and then reduce the heat to a simmer, popping on a lid.
4. Cook for 10-15 minutes until the lasagne sheets are nice and soft. If the sauce starts to dry out a little, add a little splash of water to make sure there is enough liquid to cook the pasta.
5. Once the pasta is cooked, add the cream and the Parmesan.
6. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh basil.

Don’t forget you can find more delicious recipes like this one in my book ‘Slimming Kitchen Secrets’ – get your copy now!

The post Broken Lasagne first appeared on Slimming Kitchen Secrets.

The result was delicious! I’ve made this a few times and served both this with and without noodles so have listed the points/calories for both below. If you don’t like peanut butter, just leave it out.

WW POINTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serves 4

With noodles – 15 points or 496 cals, 18.3g fat, 19g protein, 65.9g carbs per serving

Without noodles  – 12 points or 359 cals, 7.7g fat, 14.6g protein, 37.8g carbs per serving

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 white onion, peeled and sliced
• 1 cube each of frozen garlic and ginger (or 1 tbsp each of the equivalent paste)
• 3 tbsp Thai red curry paste
• 1 tbsp smooth peanut butter
• 1 chicken stock cube made up with 600ml boiling water
• 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
• 2 tsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp light brown sugar
• 400ml light coconut milk
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 2 x packs chicken gyoza (20 in total)
• 80g edamame beans
• 2 heads of pack Choi, base removed and washed
• 400g udon noodles (if having, I use the Tiger Toget brand from Tesco)
• 2 spring onions, finely chopped
• Handful fresh coriander and basil, roughly chopped
• Sprinkle of black sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp chilli oil (my fav is the Lao Gan Ma Crispy Chilli Oil)

METHOD

1. Take a large pan, add the sesame oil and bring to a medium heat.
2. Add the onion and fry for 4-5 minutes until it begins to soften then add the garlic and ginger and cook for a further minute. Add a drop of water if the pan gets dry.
3. Next add the curry paste and peanut butter and fry for a further minute. Then add half the stock, stir until the paste is nicely combined and then add the rest of the stock.
4. Add the soy, fish sauce, sugar and coconut milk and simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Finally add the gyoza, stir and pop on the lid, reducing the heat to medium/low. Cook the gyoza for 3/4 minutes. Don’t overcook as they will fall apart.
6. While the gyoza are cooking, pop the edamame, pak choi and udon into a separate sauce pan, top with boiling water and blanch for 2 minutes.
7. Drain in a colander, popping under the cold tap to cool the veggies so they keep their colour.
8. Now you are ready to assemble. Add the edamame, pak choi and noodles to a bowl. Top with the gyozas and then soup. Finish with a sprinkle of spring onions, coriander, basil, black sesame and crispy chilli oil. 

Don’t forget you can find more delicious recipes like this one in my book ‘Slimming Kitchen Secrets’ – get your copy now!

The post Thai Dumpling Soup first appeared on Slimming Kitchen Secrets.

If you struggle to get a hold of any of the ingredients (like me!!) Amazon has lots of the ingredients that you need, and most are on prime delivery. I’ll pop them in my shop here if you want to take a look. I bought them and have used them time and time again so they are worth the extra effort.

I serve my Thai curry with 60g (dried) fluffy jasmine rice per person (for an extra 6 points per portion).

WW POINTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

For the Curry – serves 4 = 5 points (+1 for non starchy veg) – add points for the rice separately 

Per serving – 298 calories, Fat 10.7g, Carbs 15.1g, Protein 42.3g

INGREDIENTS

For the paste

• 12 dried red kashmiri chillies, deseeded and chopped into rough 1cm chunks
• 1 tbsp each lemongrass paste and galangal paste
• 8 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped
• ½ tbsp shrimp paste
• 1 tsp each ground coriander, ground cumin, paprika and white pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh coriander, leaves and stalks
• 1 shallot, peeled and roughly chopped
• Zest of 1 lime
• 100-150ml reserved chilli soaking water
• ½ sp each sugar and salt

For the curry

• 1 tsp vegetable oil
• 250ml chicken stock (made up with 1 stock cube)
• 400ml can of light coconut milk
• 6 kaffir lime leaves
• 1 tbsp light brown sugar
• 2 tsp fish sauce
• 500g chicken breast, raw, cut into inch sized chunks
• Pack of green beans (170g), trimmed and halved
• ½ bunch of basil leaves (Thai basil if you can get it)
• Juice of 1 lime, quartered

To garnish

• Fresh red chilli, sliced (and deseeded if you don’t like it too hot
• Handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped
• Jasmine rice

METHOD

1. Begin by making the paste. Put the chillies into a large bowl, cover with boiling water and leave to soak. After 15 minutes, remove the chillies from the bowl and keep the soaking water to one side.
2. Take a blender and add the chillies along with all of the other paste ingredients. Blend for 10-60 seconds, adding more of the reserved water to get the right paste consistency if needed.
3. Take a large pan, heat 1 tsp vegetable oil and then add the curry paste. Fry for 2 minutes until the you can smell the aromas starting to release.
4. Add the stock, coconut milk, lime leaves, sugar and fish sauce. Stir to combine and then add the raw chicken.
5. Bring to a simmer and then reduce the heat. Simmer with the lid off for 15-20 minutes until the sauce has started to reduce and thicken up and the chicken is cooked through.
6. Taste and add a little fish sauce or sugar to taste.
7. Finally add the green beans and simmer for another 3 minutes until they have started to soften.
8. Add the basil and then get ready to plate up.
9. Serve the curry with some fluffy jasmine rice and garnish with a little fresh chilli, coriander and a slice of lime.
10. Enjoy!
    

    Print

    Thai Red Curry

    WW POINTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

    For the Curry – serves 4 = 5 points per serving (+1 for non starchy veg) - add extra points for the rice

    Per serving – 298 calories, Fat 10.7g, Carbs 15.1g, Protein 42.3g

    Servings 4

    Ingredients

    • For the paste
    • 12 dried red kashmiri chillies deseeded and chopped into rough 1cm chunks
    • 1 tbsp each lemongrass paste and galangal paste
    • 8 garlic cloves peeled and roughly chopped
    • ½ tbsp shrimp paste
    • 1 tsp each ground coriander ground cumin, paprika and white pepper
    • 1 tbsp fresh coriander leaves and stalks
    • 1 shallot peeled and roughly chopped
    • Zest of 1 lime
    • 100-150 ml reserved chilli soaking water
    • ½ sp each sugar and salt
    • For the curry
    • 1 tsp vegetable oil
    • 250 ml chicken stock made up with 1 stock cube
    • 400 ml can of light coconut milk
    • 6 kaffir lime leaves
    • 1 tbsp light brown sugar
    • 2 tsp fish sauce
    • 500 g chicken breast raw, cut into inch sized chunks
    • Pack of green beans 170g, trimmed and halved
    • ½ bunch of basil leaves Thai basil if you can get it
    • Juice of 1 lime quartered
    • To garnish
    • Fresh red chilli sliced (and deseeded if you don’t like it too hot
    • Handful of fresh coriander roughly chopped
    • Jasmine rice

    Instructions

    • Begin by making the paste. Put the chillies into a large bowl, cover with boiling water and leave to soak. After 15 minutes, remove the chillies from the bowl and keep the soaking water to one side.
    • Take a blender and add the chillies along with all of the other paste ingredients. Blend for 10-60 seconds, adding more of the reserved water to get the right paste consistency if needed.
    • Take a large pan, heat 1 tsp vegetable oil and then add the curry paste. Fry for 2 minutes until the you can smell the aromas starting to release.
    • Add the stock, coconut milk, lime leaves, sugar and fish sauce. Stir to combine and then add the raw chicken.
    • Bring to a simmer and then reduce the heat. Simmer with the lid off for 15-20 minutes until the sauce has started to reduce and thicken up and the chicken is cooked through.
    • Taste and add a little fish sauce or sugar to taste.
    • Finally add the green beans and simmer for another 3 minutes until they have started to soften.
    • Add the basil and then get ready to plate up.
    • Serve the curry with some fluffy jasmine rice and garnish with a little fresh chilli, coriander and a slice of lime.
    • Enjoy!

The post Thai Red Curry first appeared on Slimming Kitchen Secrets.

When we moved back to Newcastle, I had a rather large Sugo shaped hole in my heart and so I decided it was about time I tried to come up with my own version of the dish. The result below is the closest I could get to it tasting as good as the masters in Manchester. It’s a little higher in points for a pasta dish, but I promise you, its worth every single one of them. The recipe makes a huge batch of pasta sauce and so you can freeze plenty for another day. It’s a great dish to make family or friends as it feels so luxurious but it really doesn’t take much effort at all.

The pasta shape used in Sugo for this is usually Orecchiette and so when I can get my hands on it (usually in the Aldi special buys aisle) I always stock up. It’s the perfect shape to neatly cup the sauce and meat and is a lovely texture too. If you can find orecchiette, feel free to use the pasta of your choice.

You can get nduja in most supermarkets these days but if you are struggling have a look in your local Italian deli. This lovely spicy spreadable pork sausage takes this dish to a whole new level!

WW POINTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serves 8 = 9 points per serving for the sauce – add extra points for your serving of pasta – I usually serve 60g dried per person for a total of 15 points.

Per serving = 246 cals, Fat 4.6g, Carbs 11.5g, Protein 14.1g 

INGREDIENTS

• 400g beef shin, raw
• 400g pork shoulder, raw
• 2 carrots, peeled and finely diced
• 1 onion, peeled and finely diced
• 2 sticks of celery, finely diced
• 6 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely minced
• 2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped
• 50g njuda sausage (you can get this in most deli style shops now)
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 250ml red wine
• 500ml beef stock (made of 1 stock cube)
• 2 x 400g tins of chopped tomatoes (Mutti are the best but any will do)
• 2 bay leaves
• Spring of fresh thyme and rosemary
• 1 tsp oregano
• 50g parmesan, grated

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 150c (fan assisted).

Season the beef and pork with salt and pepper then take a large sauce pan, spray with 1kal and on a medium/high heat add the beef shin to the pan and brown on all sides. Remove from the pan, pop to one side and then do the same with the pork shoulder. Remove from the pan.

Spray the same pan with 1kal again and add the carrot, onion and celery. Fry on a medium heat until everything begins to soften (6-8 minutes). Add the garlic and anchovies and fry for another minute.

Add the nduja to the pan, fry for a minute or two until the oils start releasing and it starts to breakup and then add the tomato puree. Stir, fry for a minute and then add the red wine to the pan. Reduce the wine for a few minutes and then add the beef stock, tomatoes, bay, thyme, rosemary and oregano. Add the beef and pork back to the pan (chop into a few large chunks if you are struggling to get the meat to fit), make sure the sauce covers the meat and season well. Bring to the boil and then take off the heat, add the lid and then pop in the oven for 3-3.5 hours.

Once the cooking time is up the meat should be falling apart. You can either shred the meat in the sauce or take it out the pan and shred it on a plate. Either way, once shredded, put the pan back on the heat (with the meat and sauce) and reduce the sauce if it is still too thin until it thickens up. Adding the meat will help with this anyway.

Finally add the parmesan, stir and then season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with pasta of your choice.

Enjoy!

Print

House Sugo at Home

WW POINTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serves 8 = 9pp per serving for the sauce – add extra points for your serving of pasta – I usually serve 60g dried per person for a total of 15 points.

Per serving = 246 cals, 4.6g fat, 11.5g carbs, 14.1g protein

Servings 8

Ingredients

• 400 g beef shin raw
• 400 g pork shoulder raw
• 2 carrots peeled and finely diced
• 1 onion peeled and finely diced
• 2 sticks of celery finely diced
• 6 cloves of garlic peeled and finely minced
• 2 anchovy fillets finely chopped
• 50 g njuda sausage you can get this in most deli style shops now
• 1 tbsp tomato puree
• 250 ml red wine
• 500 ml beef stock made of 1 stock cube
• 2 x 400g tins of chopped tomatoes Mutti are the best but any will do
• 2 bay leaves
• Spring of fresh thyme and rosemary
• 1 tsp oregano
• 50 g parmesan grated

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 150c (fan assisted).
• Season the beef and pork with salt and pepper then take a large sauce pan, spray with 1kal and on a medium/high heat add the beef shin to the pan and brown on all sides. Remove from the pan, pop to one side and then do the same with the pork shoulder. Remove from the pan.
• Spray the same pan with 1kal again and add the carrot, onion and celery. Fry on a medium heat until everything begins to soften (6-8 minutes). Add the garlic and anchovies and fry for another minute.
• Add the nduja to the pan, fry for a minute or two until the oils start releasing and it starts to breakup and then add the tomato puree. Stir, fry for a minute and then add the red wine to the pan. Reduce the wine for a few minutes and then add the beef stock, tomatoes, bay, thyme, rosemary and oregano. Add the beef and pork back to the pan (chop into a few large chunks if you are struggling to get the meat to fit), make sure the sauce covers the meat and season well. Bring to the boil and then take off the heat, add the lid and then pop in the oven for 3-3.5 hours.
• Once the cooking time is up the meat should be falling apart. You can either shred the meat in the sauce or take it out the pan and shred it on a plate. Either way, once shredded, put the pan back on the heat (with the meat and sauce) and reduce the sauce if it is still too thin until it thickens up. Adding the meat will help with this anyway.
• Finally add the parmesan, stir and then season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with pasta of your choice.
• Enjoy!

The post House Sugo at Home first appeared on Slimming Kitchen Secrets.

Getting back to work on Tuesday meant getting back into new routines, meal planning and a big shop and so now I am firmly back in the land of goodness. Needing a quick and easy lunch for the next few days, I decided to put a new, speedy spin on one of my older soup recipes to come up with this ‘speedy tomato soup’. With minimal ingredients, it couldn’t be more straightforward to put together but the results are so, so good. I’ve used tinned cherry tomatoes here but you can use normal chopped tomatoes if you fancy. Try and use the best quality tomatoes you can get your hands on since the tomatoes make up most of the dish. This dish includes lots of garlic and it’s intentional. I’ve kept other herbs and spices to a minimum so the dish truly tastes of tomato and garlic and the pesto lifts the whole thing to the next level.

The home made basil pesto really is a game changer. It makes a huge batch so you can use in meals throughout the week in anything you fancy. Tossed through pasta, as an addition to garlic bread, tossed through salad as a dressing, the world’s your oyster. The pesto will last 7-14 days in the fridge in an airtight container. You can freeze the pesto too, I usually freeze it in teaspoon sized measures in an ice cube tray so I can just defrost a couple at a time (remember to pop the cubes into a food bag once frozen to minimise storage space). In the freezer the pesto should last 3-4 months.

You can make this recipe vegetarian by replacing the chicken stock cube with a vegetable stock cube and using a vegetarian alterative to parmesan.

POINTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

For the Soup – serves 4 – per serving = 4 points or 184 cals, 8.9g fat, 15.9g carbs, 9.2g protein

For the Pesto – this makes around 25 tsp sized portions 

Per serving – 2 points or 56 cals, 5.6g fat, 0.3g carbs,  1.1g protein 

INGREDIENTS

For the Soup 

• 1 white onion, diced
• 5-6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp light butter
• 3 x 400g tins of cherry tomatoes (or chopped tomatoes – Mutti are the best I’ve tried)
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• 1 chicken stock cube made up with 300ml boiling water (replace with vegetable if vegetarian)
• 80ml single cream
• 50g light mature Cheddar cheese, grated

For the Pesto

• 50g pine nuts
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• ¼ tsp salt
• 60g basil leaves (two small packs)
• 100ml olive oil
• 50g Parmesan cheese, grated (replace with vegetarian alternative if vegetarian
• Salt and black pepper to taste

METHOD

1. Begin by making the soup. Take a large saucepan, spray with low-calorie cooking spray, and then add the onion. Fry for 4–5 minutes until the onion starts to soften (add a little water if the pan gets dry).
2. Next, add the garlic and butter and fry for another 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt, paprika and cayenne pepper and stir, and then add the chicken stock. Stir, bring to the boil, and then reduce to a simmer for 30 minutes.
3. While the soup is simmering, you can make the pesto. Put all the ingredients in a food processor with 30ml cold water and blitz, adding more water to get your preferred consistency. I like mine so it’s still a little chunky but nice and wet. Pop the pesto into an airtight container and set to one side.
4. Once the soup has simmered for 30 minutes, blitz with a hand blender until smooth (or if you have a bench-top food processor, wait until the soup has cooled a little to blend).
5. Pour the soup back into the pan, add the cream and cheese, then simmer until the cream is well combined and the cheese has melted. Taste and season as required. Add a little more water to get the consistency of soup you prefer. I like it so it’s not too thick.
6. Serve in bowls and top with a teaspoon of the homemade pesto, a drizzle of cream and a twist of black pepper.

The post Speedy Tomato Soup with Home-Made Basil Pesto first appeared on Slimming Kitchen Secrets.

A portion of this delightful little number comes in at only 237 calories, including the toffee sauce. To put that into context, an average sticky toffee pudding (from, say, a pub) comes in at an average of 750 calories.

POINTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serves 8 – per serving = 10 points or 237 cals, 10.8g fat, 24.7g carbs, 8.0g protein

INGREDIENTS

For the pudding

80g pitted dates

65g unsalted butter (plus extra to grease the tin)

1 tsp vanilla extract

40ml maple syrup

40ml golden syrup

1 tsp black treacle

2 medium eggs

100g self raising flour

1 tsp baking powder

½ tsp each mixed spice and ground ginger

¼ tsp cinnamon

For the sauce

2 tsp maple syrup (or golden syrup)

2 tsp black treacle

20g unsalted butter

4 tbsp light single cream

Pinch each of sea salt and ground cinnamon

To serve

6 tbsp fat free Greek yoghurt

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan).
2. Pop the dates in a small pan with 100ml boiling water and simmer for 5 minutes, until the dates have softened. Once soft, add the dates and water to a food processor and blend until smooth.
3. To the food processor, add the butter, vanilla, half the maple syrup, half the golden syrup, the treacle and eggs, and pulse until you have a loose paste. Do not overmix.
4. Add the flour, baking powder, mixed spice, ginger and cinnamon to the paste in the food processor and pulse until you have a smooth batter. Again, do not mix for longer than necessary.
5. Grease the sides of a small 15cm square cake tin with a little butter and on the bottom of the tin, spread over the rest of the maple syrup and golden syrup, then pour the batter mixture on top.
6. Take a second, large, deep baking dish and sit the smaller cake tin inside it. Cover the smaller tin tightly with foil and then add boiling water into the larger tin so it comes 2–3cm up the sides of the tin.
7. Bake in the oven for 30–35 minutes until a cocktail stick inserted into the pudding comes out cleanly. You are aiming for a light and airy texture, so the sponge should bounce back a little when pressed.
8. A few minutes before the pudding comes out of the oven, make the sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, black treacle and unsalted butter. Once melted, pour in the cream and add a pinch of sea salt and cinnamon, then whisk and remove from the heat. Tip the pudding out onto a serving plate or board and cut into portions. You want the sticky side facing up!
9. Plate up, pour a little sauce over and serve each portion with a tablespoon of Greek yoghurt.

The post Sticky Toffee Pudding first appeared on Slimming Kitchen Secrets.

Before you start making the sauce, decide which accompaniment you fancy. I’ve made this with several options but my favourites are roast potatoes, pan fried new potatoes (boil potatoes til soft, smash a little and then crisp up in a frying pan) or rice. I usually serve with green beans (boiled for a few minutes and then finished in a 1sp of light butter, lemon juice and salt and pepper) or asparagus. All make for a lovely dish that feels like a real indulgence. Just remember to add the extra points for whichever accompaniment you prefer (I usually have 6sps worth of potatoes or rice).

SMART POINTS AND NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serves 4 – 3sp on BLUE and PUPLE, 5sp on GREEN for the chicken in tarragon sauce

Per serving – 330 calories, Fat 5.1g, Carbs 10.4g, Protein 64.8g

INGREDIENTS

4 x chicken breasts (around 200g raw weight per breast)

1 large leek, washed, woody end removed and sliced into thin rounds

3 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped

300g chestnut mushrooms, cleaned and sliced

1 heaped tbsp of plain flour

125ml white wine

2 tsp Dijon mustard

500ml chicken stock (made of 1 chicken stock cube)

4 tbsp light crème fraiche

Few sprigs of fresh tarragon (one left whole and 2 chopped finely)

METHOD

Note – Before you start cooking this one, have a read of the short blurb above so you can choose your accompaniment and pop it on at the right time whilst cooking the sauce.

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Take a large saucepan or frying pan, spray with 1kal and on a medium/high heat fry the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this point, you just want some colour on the meat. Remove the chicken from the pan and pop to one side.
2. In the same pan, spray again with 1kal and add the leek. Season with salt and black pepper and fry for 3-4 minutes until the leek starts to soften. Add a little water if the pan starts to get dry.
3. Add the garlic and mushrooms and fry for 2 minutes.
4. Finally add the plain flour, stir through and fry for another minute.
5. Next add the white wine, simmer for a few minutes until reduced by half and then add the chicken stock, the mustard and the whole sprig of tarragon. Add the chicken back to the pan. Bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer.
6. Simmer for 20 minutes until the liquid is reduced slightly and has started to thicken.
7. Reduce the heat to low/medium and then add the crème fraiche. Stir through until well combined, simmer for another few minutes and then remove from the heat.
8. Finally stir through the fresh tarragon. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if required.
9. Serve with the accompaniment of your choice.
10. Enjoy!

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Creamy Tarragon Chicken

WW - 3sp on BLUE and PUPLE, 5sp on GREEN for the chicken in tarragon sauce

Calories per serving – 330 calories, Fat 5.1g, Carbs 10.4g, Protein 64.8g

Servings 2

Ingredients

• 4 x chicken breasts around 200g raw weight per breast
• 1 large leek washed, woody end removed and sliced into thin rounds
• 3 cloves of garlic peeled and finely chopped
• 300 g chestnut mushrooms cleaned and sliced
• 1 heaped tbsp of plain flour
• 125 ml white wine
• 2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 500 ml chicken stock made of 1 chicken stock cube
• 4 tbsp light crème fraiche
• Few sprigs of fresh tarragon one left whole and 2 chopped finely

Instructions

• Note - Before you start cooking this one, have a read of the short blurb above so you can choose your accompaniment and pop it on at the right time whilst cooking the sauce.
• Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Take a large saucepan or frying pan, spray with 1kal and on a medium/high heat fry the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until browned. The chicken doesn’t need to be cooked through at this point, you just want some colour on the meat. Remove the chicken from the pan and pop to one side.
• In the same pan, spray again with 1kal and add the leek. Season with salt and black pepper and fry for 3-4 minutes until the leek starts to soften. Add a little water if the pan starts to get dry.
• Add the garlic and mushrooms and fry for 2 minutes.
• Finally add the plain flour, stir through and fry for another minute.
• Next add the white wine, simmer for a few minutes until reduced by half and then add the chicken stock, the mustard and the whole sprig of tarragon. Add the chicken back to the pan. Bring to the boil and then reduce to a simmer.
• Simmer for 20 minutes until the liquid is reduced slightly and has started to thicken.
• Reduce the heat to low/medium and then add the crème fraiche. Stir through until well combined, simmer for another few minutes and then remove from the heat.
• Finally stir through the fresh tarragon. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if required.
• Serve with the accompaniment of your choice.
• Enjoy!

The post Creamy Tarragon Chicken first appeared on Slimming Kitchen Secrets.