Week 5: Happy and Healthy Summer Holiday

Week 5 Summer Holiday

The end is nearly in sight but that does not mean the delicious recipes or fun-packed activities have to slow down! This week we have lovingly selected some great British classics with a healthy twist, which are simple to make but extremely enjoyable to eat. There is no reason that you have to feel like you should choose between being healthy and having an enjoyable summer because here at The Slimming Clinic, we’ve got you covered…

Recipes

This super-fast super healthy meal will become the new family favourite, as it offers all the goodness of a classic dish with the convenience of it all being made in one pot, which means very little washing up! This recipe is particularly low in salt and can be easily doubled if you’re expecting guests…

One-pot chicken & chickpea pilau

Serves 4

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 30 mins

 

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 chicken thighs, skin removed and trimmed of fat
• 2 large leeks, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 400g can chickpeas in water, drained and rinsed
• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• 200g easy-cook brown rice
• 450ml chicken stock
• 1 head broccoli, broken into florets

 

• 1. Heat a large, lidded frying pan or flameproof casserole and add the oil.
  2. Fry the chicken thighs for 2 mins, turning halfway through cooking, until lightly coloured, then lift onto a plate.
  3. Add the leeks to the pan and stir-fry for 3 mins, then add the garlic and tip in the chickpeas, most of the lemon zest and rice. Stir together until well mixed.
  4. Nestle the chicken in the rice mix. Pour over the stock and season lightly.
  5. Cover and cook on a low heat for 20 mins until the chicken is nearly cooked through and the rice has absorbed nearly all the liquid.
  6. Sit the broccoli on top of the rice, cover and continue to cook until the rice and broccoli on top of the rice, cover and continue to cook until the rice and broccoli are tender and the chicken cooked.
  7. Sprinkle with the remaining lemon zest to serve.

 

Everyone’s heard of the prawn cocktail, but not like this they haven’t. Try a lighter, modern version of this ever-popular retro starter that steers away from the traditional high mayonnaise content and relies on fresh produce and vegetables to offer a flavoursome, Summer starter or snack…

 

The ultimate makeover: Prawn Cocktail

Serves 4

Prep time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 650g prawns in their shells, cooked (to give 200g/8oz cooked, peeled prawns)
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 100g/4oz cucumber
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp snipped dill
• 1 small ripe avocado
• 50g watercress
• Pinch cayenne pepper, for sprinkling
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 5 tbsp fromage frais
• 1 ½ tbsp tomato ketchup
• Splash Tabasco sauce
• Splash Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp brandy

 

• 1. Peel the prawns. Rinse them in a large sieve under a cold tap, the pat dry with kitchen paper. Lay the prawns in a shallow dish and squeeze over 1 tbsp of the lime juice, then add a twist of pepper. Set aside.
  2. Chop the cucumber into small dice and top into a dish. Spoon over the vinegar, scatter over the dill and a grating of pepper, then set aside.
  3. Halve, stone and peel the avocado, then chop into small dice. Spoon over the rest of the lime juice and toss together gently with a twist of pepper.
  4. For the sauce, mix together the mayonnaise, fromage frais and ketchup. Sit in the Tabasco, Worcestershire and brandy with a twist of pepper.
  5. To serve, put a small spoonful of the sauce into the bottom of each cocktail glass. Very coarsely chop most of the watercress, leaving a few sprigs whole. Lay the chopped watercress on top of the sauce.
  6. Drain the cucumber well, then spoon it over the watercress with the avocado.
  7. Pile over the prawns, then spoon over the rest of the sauce. Tuck in the sprigs of watercress and serve with a sprinkling of cayenne.

 

Activities

It can sometimes be hard to keep yourself inspired with Summer activities 5 weeks in, which is why we have a few cheeky suggestions that will pack your days full of fun for all the family! Most of these activities are inexpensive and easy to arrange, so why not give em’ a try?

• Play miniature golf: Miniature golf isn’t just for teenage date nights. Bring the whole family and show them your putt-putt skills (or lack thereof).

 

• Ride bikes: How long has it been since you’ve ridden a bike? Dig yours out of the garage, put some air in the tires and hit the road with your kids.

 

• Go berry picking: Growing your own garden is one thing. Visiting a commercial farm and standing in a massive field of fresh berries is completely different. See who can fill their bucket the highest, then go home and create something delicious together. We suggest a big batch of strawberry jam.

 

• Have a picnic: It doesn’t matter if you’re in your local park or in your own back yard. Pack a delicious picnic lunch and enjoy a meal together while you’re surrounded by nature.

 

• Plant a garden: Food tastes so much better when it’s fresh — and when you know what went into growing it. Plant a family garden and reap the benefits of fresh food.

 

• Go for a hike: Put on your hiking boots (or a sturdy pair of tennis shoes) and hit the trail with the fam. Whether you’re hiking a well-known local trail, or exploring some new territory, it’s sure to be an adventure.