The festive season is the perfect time to indulge a little, but once it’s over you can be left feeling a little guilty. With these healthy winter warmer recipes you can feel better about treating yourself over Christmas. We know you’re busy, so here are some quick, easy and most importantly, healthy dishes to make this January.
Thai fried prawn and pineapple rice
Don’t be put off by the word fried. At just 311 calories per serving, this delicious meal is quick and simple to make.
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 2 tsp sunflower oil
- 1 bunch spring onions, sliced
- 1 green pepper, chopped into small pieces
140g pineapple- 3 tbsp Thai green curry paste
- 4 tsp light soy sauce
- 300g cooked brown basmati rice
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 140g frozen peas
- 250g frozen prawns
- 1 juiced lime
- Handful of coriander leaves (optional)
140g pineappleHeat the oil in a wok or frying pan and cook the spring onion whites for 2 minutes, stir in the pepper for 1 minute, followed by the pineapple for another minute. Then add in the curry paste and soy sauce.
Add in the rice, stirring until hot. Move everything to one side of the pan, scrambling the eggs on the clear side. Add in the peas and prawns for 2 minutes. Then add spring onion greens, coriander and lime juice. Stir until piping hot and then serve.
Fish stew
Something to keep you warm during the winter months! 346 calories per serving.
Ingredients (serves 2)
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery sticks, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, finely diced
- 2 leeks, sliced
- 400g chopped tomatoes
- 500ml hot fish stock
- 2 skinless Pollock fillets, chopped
- 85g raw shelled king prawns
Heat the oil in a large pan, add in the fennel seeds, celery, garlic and carrots, cooking for 5 minutes until soft. Then tip in the leeks, tomatoes and stock, bring to the boil then cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add the fish and prawns and cook for 2 minutes then serve.
Chipotle chicken tacos with pineapple salsa
For those who aren’t too keen on fish, here’s a recipe for chicken tacos which are only 392 calories per serving.
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 500g boneless chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp chipotle paste
- 200ml passata
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ small pineapple, cored and chopped
- ½ small pack coriander, chopped
- Corn or flour tortillas
- Hot sauce to serve
Chop the chicken into bite-size pieces. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, adding in half the onion and the chicken. Season and then cook on a high heat until brown. Add the spices, vinegar, chipotle paste, passata and sugar. Cook for 5 minutes then remove from the heat. In a separate bowl, mix in the remaining onion, pineapple and coriander. Heat up the tortillas and then serve.
Miso aubergines
For those of you that are vegetarian / vegan, here is a hearty dish that comes to 390 calories per serving.
Ingredients (serves 2)
- 2 small aubergines, halved
- Vegetable oil
- 50g brown miso
- 100g giant couscous
- 1 red chilli, thinly sliced
- ½ small pack coriander, chopped.
Heat the oven to 180C / 160C fan / gas 4. Criss cross the aubergine flesh and brush with vegetable oil, placing on a baking tray.
Mix the miso with 25ml water to make a thick paste. Brush the paste over the aubergines, then cover them with foil and place in the oven, cooking for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and roast for a further 15-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, bring a saucepan of saltwater to the boil and heat ½ tbsp of vegetable oil in a frying pan. Add in the couscous, toasting for 2 minutes until golden brown. Then tip the couscous into the pan of boiling water and cook for 8-10 minutes. Drain well. Place the aubergines with the couscous and sprinkle with the chilli and coriander to serve.
These recipes show that you don’t have to have all the time in the world to cook healthy meals, and you can still enjoy your favourites whilst reducing the calorie content.
All recipes are from BBC GoodFood.
For some new year exercise inspiration take a look at our previous blog post here
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