Homemade meatballs with a rich tomato and bean sauce

Serves 2/3

Ingredients

500g lean beef mince
2 onions (one small & one large)
4 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons mixed herbs
1 egg (beaten)
1 can baked beans (I used sugar free)
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 chicken stock cube
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
Low calorie cooking spray
Freshly ground salt and pepper

Method

1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 5/190°C/375°F.
2. First we will begin by making the meatballs. Finely dice a small onion and soften it in a frying pan using some low calorie cooking spray. Place aside in a bowl to cool.
3. Add the mince to a bowl along with the mixed herbs, one clove of crushed garlic, the cooled onions, some freshly ground salt and pepper and the egg (I added half an egg at a time just to check the mixture wasn't too wet). Combine well and shape into meatballs.
4. Slice the remaining large onion and fry with three cloves of crushed garlic until soft in a large frying pan. 
5. Add the meatballs and fry for approximately five minutes until golden in colour.
6. Transfer the meatballs and onions to an oven proof casserole dish. 
7. Dissolve the chicken stock cube in a minimal amount of boiling water to create a paste. 
8. Add the beans, crushed tomatoes, smoked paprika, chicken stock paste and some freshly ground salt and pepper to the dish. 
9. Place a lid on the casserole dish and transfer to the oven for approximately 30 minutes until the meatballs are cooked and the sauce is blipping away nicely.

I served this dish with a lovely creamy mash containing just a little mustard powder. It was absolutely delicious, so hearty and tasty! Typing this right now is making me think about the bowl of leftovers I have in the fridge....perhaps I will have a cheeky midnight snack! 

Happy cooking!

                            Sally xxx

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Snapchat: slimmingsally

Succulent Double Bacon Cheese Burger

Serves 1

Ingredients

200g lean beef mince (5% fat or less)

1 spring onion (finely sliced)

1 tsp chilli paste

1 clove garlic (crushed)

Ground black pepper & sea salt (to taste)

2 bacon medallions

30g cheddar cheese

1/4 small onion (diced)

Lighter than light mayonnaise

1 X 60g wholemeal roll

Low calorie cooking spray

Method

1. Add the mince, spring onion, chilli, sea salt, pepper and garlic to a bowl, combine together well and shape into two patties.
2. Preheat your grill to high. Cook the burgers for approximately 5 minutes on each side or until cooked fully through.
3. Spray a frying pan with low calorie cooking spray. Fry the diced onions and bacon medallions until cooked.
4. When the burgers are fully cooked, top with cheese and return back under the grill until the cheese is nice and melted.
5. Assemble the burgers- spread mayonnaise on the bun, lay some of the fried onions on the bun, then the bacon followed by the burger. Repeat the process again before topping with a bun lid.

This burger is fantastic, I actually prefer it more than the local chipper and it is far healthier! I used a seeded thin as a burger bun and served my burger with massive salad on the side. I used just mayonnaise on my bun as I am not a massive fan of ketchup but feel free to use any sauces you like! You may have noticed I used 1 teaspoon of chilli paste in the recipe I like my burger spicy, if you aren't so keen on the heat reduced this amount.  

Happy cooking!

                            Sally

                             xxx

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Snapchat: slimmingsally

Spicy Chinese Stir Fry

Serves 1

Ingredients

Stir fry

Lean rump steak

1/2 onion

1/2 red, green & yellow pepper

50g mushrooms

Low calorie cooking spray

Sauce

1 tbsp minced garlic
1/4 red chilli finely chopped

1 tbsp diet coke

1/2 cup finely diced onion

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 dstspn worchester sauce

2 tbsp tomato puree

1 tbsp oyster sauce

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Chop the peppers and onions for the stir fry into bite sized pieces. Slice the mushrooms. Slice the rump steak.
2. Spray a heavy based frying pan with low calorie spray, add the onions and cook for 4 minutes.
3. Add the beef, peppers and mushrooms, stirring occasionally.
4. Meanwhile, spray a saucepan with low calorie cooking spray. Add the finely diced onions and garlic from the sauce ingredients and cook until the onions are translucent.
5. Add the rest of the sauce ingredients to the saucepan, stirring to ensure everything is mixed well. Cook for 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened.
6. Stir fry the vegetables and beef until fully cooked. Add the sauce and serve immediately.

This dish is the perfect fakeaway and is so delicious. I served mine with brown rice however, it would also be lovely with noodles or cauliflower rice. Chicken could also be substituted instead of the beef. 

Happy cooking!

                          Sally

                           xxx

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Snapchat: slimmingsally

Ragù

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

500g lean mince (5% fat or less) or quorn mince
1 medium onion (diced)
3 peppers (finely diced)
200g mushrooms (quartered, sliced or diced- your preference)
4 cloves of garlic (more of less your preference)
2 cans of diced tomatoes
1 carton of passata
Ground black pepper & sea salt (to taste)
1 teaspoon sweetener
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes or 1 fresh medium chilli (seeded & finely sliced)
1/2 teaspoon dried basil or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh
1 or 2 bay leaves
Low calorie cooking spray

Method:

• Place a large heavy bottom saucepan on a medium heat. Saute the diced onion using low cal spray until soft. Reduce the heat add the peppers, mushrooms and garlic, cook for 8-10 minutes until tender.
• Increase the heat slightly and add the mince/quorn mince. Stir until the meat is browned.
• Stir in the tinned tomatoes, passata, sweetner, herbs and chilli. Reduce the heat to a low medium heat, put a lid on and leave simmering for about an hour and 15 minutes until the flavour develops into a rich thick sauce. 
• Season to taste just as the sauce is nearly ready. Remove the bay leaf before serving. 

I love this ragu with courgetti, it is super tasty! However, it can also be served with pasta. This dish can be made in a slow cooker and is suitable for home freezing. If desired you can add other vegetables to this dish such as carrots or celery (finely diced) or omit the current ones in it. 

Happy cooking!
                          Sally
                           xxx

 Facebook

Instagram
Twitter
Snapchat: slimmingsally