Pinch of Nom’s December Recipe Roundup
Hello 2023! Christmas and New Year have flown by and we’re looking forward to seeing what exciting things the year ahead has in store. January is the perfect time for a fresh start, whether you’re trying to get back on track, or cracking open a new meal planner to get organised.
We brought you lots of new festive party recipes in December, as well as delicious slimming-friendly side dishes for your Christmas dinner. In case you fancy bookmarking a few for next year, here’s a reminder of all the new recipes that we added to the website last month.
Don’t forget that we can send our latest recipes straight to your inbox. Make sure you’re signed up to a free account on our website and check that ‘New Recipes’ is ticked in your account preferences so you’ll always be one of the first to try them!
Pavlova Wreath
If you’re looking for a new Christmas centrepiece, you just found it! This impressive Pavlova Wreath might have the ‘wow’ factor, but it’s surprisingly slimming-friendly. Too tasty to save for once a year, this is a recipe that you can change up with the seasons – simply swap the frozen berries for fresh, seasonal fruit.
We’ve kept the calories down by switching whipped cream for a low-fat yoghurt and mascarpone combo. It’s the perfect pairing with the sweet meringue and tart berries.
Mincemeat Christmas Wreath
Staying on theme, this next festive dessert also comes in the shape of a Christmas wreath. Made with flaky puff pastry, our Mincemeat Christmas Wreath really looks the part in the middle of your buffet table.
This one is so easy to make – and fun to decorate too! Why not get the kids involved with piping on the icing and sprinkling the sugar decorations? Made for sharing, the wreath slices neatly into 16 portions (and each one is just 101 calories!).
Frozen Christmas Pudding
While not everyone is a big fan of Christmas pudding, we’re sure our Frozen Christmas Pudding will be a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Forget dried fruit and brandy, this ice cream-based dessert is loaded with meringue pieces, chocolate chunks and fresh fruit, before being topped with chocolate sauce.
It might look like a Christmas pudding, but this is another recipe that doesn’t need to be saved for the festive season. Try serving it at your next dinner party – there are sure to be clean bowls all around!
Christmas Hasselback Potatoes
These Christmas Hasselback Potatoes are filled to the brim with festive flavour. Each little spud is carefully sliced, seasoned and stuffed with a cheesy bacon, onion and sage mixture, before being baked in the oven until golden.
There’s no denying these are perfect for a Christmas buffet table, but think how delicious they’d be on the side of your Sunday roast too. They make any plate of food taste a little bit more special!
Chocolate Orange Mince Pies
You can’t celebrate Christmas without bringing out the mince pies. These ones are deliciously different, with a zesty pastry and chocolate added into the filling.
That’s right, you’d never know our Chocolate Orange Mince Pies are super slimming friendly. For 115 calories each, you can bite into the homemade chocolate orange pastry, with a juicy mincemeat filling. A fresh twist on the festive classic, you’ll want to save this recipe to make every year!
Pigs in Blankets Christmas Wreath
What’s better than a couple of pigs in blankets on your plate? This incredible Pigs in Blankets Christmas Wreath of course! A showstopping centrepiece, it combines crispy golden pastry with everyone’s favourite bit of Christmas dinner.
To keep things slimming friendly, we’ve used low-fat chipolatas and light puff pastry. You can use any low-fat sausages you find at your local supermarket – just be sure to adjust the calories accordingly, if you’re counting.
Carrots with Honey and Orange
Save some space on your next Sunday Roast for these Carrots with Honey and Orange. Simple to make with just a handful of budget-friendly ingredients, we’ve coated them in a moreish sweet yet sticky glaze that’s too good to miss
These don’t take long to rustle up and you’ll always be glad to spot them on your plate. With their vibrant colour and sweet, zesty flavour they make eating your veggies so much more fun!
Cheesy Parsnip Gratin
You won’t miss the potatoes when this Cheesy Parsnip Gratin is on the table! We’ve simmered layers of earthy parsnips in a mouth-watering blend of veg stock, cream cheese and horseradish sauce, all infused with herby thyme.
Baked in the oven with LOADS of Cheddar cheese and Parmesan sprinkled into the mix, you’re left with a super cheesy, golden side dish that tastes so rich, you’ll find it hard to believe there’s no double cream in sight.
Cranberry Fizz
You need a bit of sparkle for the festive season, and this Cranberry Fizz really delivers. Made with prosecco, cranberry juice, Russchian pink soda and a dash of lime, it’s sweet, bubbly and perfect for any celebration.
You might want to make a couple of pitchers, because this is sure to go down a treat! At 101 calories per serving, it’s a slimming-friendly choice for anyone who’s keeping their eye on their intake over the festive season.
Chicken Bhuna
Who fancies a thrifty, home cooked curry that tastes as good as the takeaway? This Chicken Bhuna has such a thick, rich sauce, you won’t believe it’s so low in calories. It’s well worth prepping this recipe the night before, so you can leave your chicken to marinate in the punchy spice mix.
When it’s time to cook, this curry comes together so quickly – you’ll be dishing it up with some Pilau Rice in just half an hour.
Creamy Biscoff Pie
If you’re already a fan of our Biscoff recipes, you’ll be pleased to add another stunning sweet treat to the collection. This Creamy Biscoff Pie looks and tastes super indulgent, but it’s really only 283 calories per slice!
The crust is made from crushed Lotus Biscoff biscuits, so you get a lovely crunch in every bite. Our airy, light filling is inspired by our Biscoff Mousse recipe, made from reduced-fat cream alternatives, yoghurt and Biscoff spread. This is a great dinner party dessert, if you’re looking to impress your guests!
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