Four for Fasting

We are well on our way with the 5:2 fasting diet now, and even though we don't own any scales, my partner in crime (and reform!), has definitely been leaving the pounds behind. He's gone down belt holes and can flap the top of his now gaping jeans around with joy! Not bad for only 3 weeks and still being able to stuff our faces and enjoy our weekends.

Have at thee with some recipes!

For the record, most recipes will actually feed more than two, they're really quite filling, I've tended to only eat half of my meal portions. Or you can eat two helpings and continue to feel the joy of gluttony, as is recommended by my munching mate.

Quinoa Salad

Serves 2

160g cooked quinoa (147)

2 boiled eggs (148)

100g carrot (30)

100g swede (21)

100g leeks (25)

2 garlic cloves (8)

1 chili (4)

Stock (50)

salt & pepper to taste

Total 433 calories

 216.5 each

1. Thinly slice the garlic, swede, carrot, leeks and chili and blanch all the veg in the stock and then remove the veggies from the stock, but reserve the liquid.
2. Set the eggs to hard boil.
3. Cook the quinoa in the reserved stock until fluffy and fully absorbed. Weigh out the correct amount of quinoa, add the veggies back to the measured mix. Quarter the eggs and top the salad. A filling and nutritious, low calorie meal.

Veggie Bake

Serves 2

200g Aubergine (30)

200g Celeriac (54)

500g Pasata (81)

200g Swede (42)

200g Pumpkin (52)

2 cloves garlic (8)

50g cheddar (245)

Salt & pepper

Rosemary & thyme
Total 512 calories

256/serving

1. Thinly slice the aubergine, celeriac, swede, pumpkin and garlic. In boiling water, blanch all the veg quickly.
2. Layer, (or just upturn), all of the veg into an ovenproof dish or casserole. Season and add the herbs to the pasata and pour over the veggie mix.
3. Bake in a medium oven for 30 minutes, sprinkle the cheese over the top and pop back in the oven until melted.
4. Stuff in your face and say mmmmmm.

Cauliflower Curry

Serves 2

500g Pasata (81)

300g Cauliflower (93)

1 tsp Oil (41)

200g Leeks (50)

20g thinly sliced ginger (18)

2 Garlic Cloves (8)

60g Onion (25)

Red chili (4)

90g Purple Sprouting (17)

67g Black Kale (33)

60g cooked mixed, wholegrain rice (233)

1tsp ground coriander

1tsp turmeric

1tsp garam masala

1tsp cumin

1 tsp ground mustard seeds

salt & pepper

Total calories 603

301.5 per person

1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, and fry off the onion, garlic, ginger, leeks and chili. Add all the spices and stir to coat.
2. Add the cauliflower and stir, then add the pasata, top with just under the same amount of water and season to taste.
3. Set the rice to steam and chop up the kale and broccoli.
4. Blanch the greens in salted boiling water, weigh out the rice (30g per plate), and serve.
5. Spice up your life!

Swede & Carrot Soup

 Try this recipe.