Friday, 13 November 2015

Shredded Crispy Chicken with Spicy Sweet Chilli Sauce

Serves 1


Ingredients

1 chicken breast
25g instant potato mix
1 medium egg, beaten. 
1 small onion
1/2 of a green, red & yellow pepper
3 1/2 tablespoons white rice vinegar
3 1/2 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons tomato puree
2 teaspoons chilli paste
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 teaspoons fresh ginger minced
1 tablespoon sweetener
Low calorie cooking spray


Method


  1. Preheat the oven to gas mark 6/200C/400F. Spray a baking tray with low calorie cooking spray.
  2. Finely slice the half peppers & onion, add these to one half of the baking tray.
  3. Bufferfly the chicken, finely slice into thin stripes.
  4. Add the well beaten egg to one bowl and the potato mix to another. Dip a chicken strip into the egg mixture and then into the potato mix before placing onto the baking tray. Repeat the process until all the chicken is coated. 
  5. Spray the chicken, peppers and onions with low calorie cooking spray before placing in the oven.
  6. Allow to cook for 30 minutes, turning the chicken and vegetables occasionally.
  7. Approximately 10 minutes before your chicken is ready combine your sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Place on a medium heat to simmer & reduce, stirring occasionally. 
  8. When the chicken and vegetables are done, toss together and either serve coated in the sauce or with the sauce drizzled on top.

I must admit since I've first made this dish I've been pretty addicted to it...it just tastes AMAZING! It does take some time to make but it is well worth it! I used garlic frylight for extra flavour. 


Happy cooking!
                            Sally
                              xxx


Snapchat: slimmingsally

Friday, 23 October 2015

Honey Spice Drumsticks

Ingredients

12 skinless chicken drumsticks
2 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons dry mustard
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 cup agave nectar/honey (I used agave nectar)
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 cloves garlic 
Low calorie cooking spray

Method

  1. Mix  all the marinade ingredients, minus the low calorie cooking spray, in a bowl.
  2. Place the chicken in a glass baking dish, cover with the marinade and leave for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight.
  3. Spray the chicken with low calorie cooking spray and place in a preheated oven at 200C/Gas 6.
  4. Cook for 50 minutes, turning occasionally, until no longer pink at the bone, the juices run clear and the chicken is golden.
These drumsticks are just scrumptious! They are zesty, sweet, garlicky and tangy....all things delicious! I served the drumsticks with a massive side salad and mexican spicy rice. This marinade would also be delicious with pork. 

Happy cooking!
                           Sally
                            xxx

Snapchat: slimmingsally

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Potato, Leek & Bacon Soup

Serves 5



Ingredients

9 smoked bacon medallions
1 medium onion 
5 medium potatoes
400g leeks, trimmed and sliced 
Fresh ground black pepper & sea salt
1.4L hot vegetable stock
Low calorie cooking spray

Method

  1. Chop four of the bacon medallions and the onion. Peel and dice the potatoes. 
  2. Spray a large saucepan with low calorie spray, add the onions and bacon medallions and fry  until golden. 
  3. Tip in the leeks and potatoes, stir well, cover and turn down the heat. Cook for approximately five minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure the mixture doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
  4. Add the hot vegetable stock, season and bring to the boil.
  5. Cover and simmer for approximately thirty-five minutes until the vegetables are soft. 
  6. While the soup is cooking, grill the five remaining bacon medallions these will be used to top the soup. Slice when cooked.
  7. Leave to cool then blend until smooth with a hand blender or in batches in a food processor.
  8. Return to the pan and reheat gently without boiling.
  9. Adjust the seasoning if necessarily.
  10. Ladle into warmed soup bowls, serve with scattered bacon medallions. 
This is a fabulous tasty and filling soup. It is suitable for home freezing which makes it ideal for a quick and easy lunch. 

Happy cooking!
                            Sally
                             xxx


Snapchat: slimmingsally

Friday, 16 October 2015

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

Snapchat: slimmingsally

Sunday, 11 October 2015

Barbeque Shredded Chicken

Serves 3


Ingredients

3 chicken breasts
500g passata
5 tbsp worchester sauce
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
3 tbsp splenda
1 tsp mustard powder
Ground sea salt
2 cloves garlic crushed


Method

  1. Place the three chicken breasts in a slow cooker. Add all the remaining ingredients and mix well. 
  2. Ensure the chicken is well coated and leaving to simmer on medium overnight.
  3. In the morning shred the chicken using two forks, season to taste and leave on low until you are ready to serve. If possible stir occasionally.
I served the shredded chicken in a seeded thin with melted cheese, a massive side salad, corn on the cob and actifry chips- it was absolutely scrumptious! You could also serve it with vegetables such as green beans, peas or broccoli and rice and it would be equally as delicious. This dish would also be beautiful with beef or pork. 

Happy cooking!
                           Sally
                            xxx

Snapchat: slimmingsally

Friday, 9 October 2015

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

Snapchat: slimmingsally

Monday, 5 October 2015

Ratatouille

Serves 4-6


Ingredients

3 cans of chopped tomatoes
3 peppers
1 aubergine
2 courgettes
2 medium onions
4 cloves of garlic
2/3 bay leaves
1 tbsp mixed herbs
Ground black pepper & sea salt
Low calorie cooking spray

Method

  1. Slice the aubergine into one inch thick slices and place into a colander. Sprinkle with one and a half tablespoons of salt and leave aside for 20 minutes. You may want to place a plate under the colander as some liquid may drip off the aubergine during this time.
  2. Dice your onions and courgettes. Chop the peppers into bite size chunks. Spray a large heavy based saucepan with low calorie cooking spray and place on a medium heat. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally, for approximately 5 minutes. Crush the garlic into the saucepan and cook until the onions are soft.
  3. Add the peppers to the saucepan, allow to cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. After the 20 minutes squeeze the excess water out of the aubergine. Add the aubergine, courgette, tomatoes, bay leaves and mixed herbs to the saucepan. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Partially cover, allow to simmer, for approximately 40 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the sauce is thick.
  6. Remove the bay leaves, check the seasoning (add extra if needs be) and serve.

I like my ratatouille with lots of tomato sauce, if you don't like this omit one can of chopped tomatoes. For an extra kick you can add some finely chopped chilli/chilli powder with the garlic, it is delicious! This dish is suitable for freezing. 


Happy cooking!
                           Sally
                            xxx
Snapchat: slimmingsally