Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 07.10

Autumn has officially arrived and it’s getting a little bit colder out there. Luckily there’s plenty of goodies in this week’s Weekly Pinch of Shopping that you’ll want to cosy up with…Grab a cuppa and your Family Meal Planner.

You’ll want to take note of the salsa-stuffed chicken breasts we spotted in Sainsbury’s. They come coated in crunchy tortilla breadcrumbs with a mildly-spiced tomato filling. Talk about spicing up your midweek menu!

We’re so glad Twirl’s NEW chocolate orange flavoured dessert pots have arrived just in time to curb our autumnal sweet cravings. They taste so much more indulgent than 205 calories per pot – that’s our kind of pudding!

Eeeek! We’re so excited that our NEW cookbook, Pinch of Nom: Enjoy, is available to pre-order now! Enjoy is all about turning mealtimes into memories. It comes chock-full with 100 brand-new recipes family and friends will be excited to make, share and eat together, time and time again. 

From fakeaway favourites to midweek wonders, every dish comes big on flavour without taking you off track. Put the food you love back on the menu by ordering your copy here.

If you can’t wait until December 8th for some new Pinch of Nom recipes, you can try 26 exclusive new recipes in our Family Meal Planner right now! It’s our most family-friendly food planner yet – plan meals and organise what you need to buy with our game-changing freezer tracker! You can order your copy here.

You can share your recipes and photos by posting over in our Facebook group, where you’ll also find our members having a good old chat about lots of these shopping items too. You can join the group by clicking here. Make sure to let us know if you spot any yummy looking, slimming-friendly new products on the supermarket shelves – we might just feature them in our next article!

Our Weekly Pinch of Shopping list aims to show you slimming-friendly products that you can find online or in one of your local supermarkets. We try to make it as easy as possible for you to pick up these items as part of your usual weekly shop, and we’ll always include the calorie information and the RRP for you. 

Please remember that, although all prices are correct at the time of writing, supermarkets can change their prices often, so this should be used as a guide only. 

Along with our favourite new finds from the supermarket shelves, each week we include details of the Aldi Super 6. Every fortnight Aldi discounts a selection of 6 fruits and veggies that you can pick up for a fraction of the price. There’s a fresh selection this week, so scroll down to find out what’s included, along with some ideas on how to make the most of the ingredients. 

Want to make sure you never miss a Weekly Pinch of Shopping? You can sign up to receive the Weekly Pinch of Shopping in your inbox here, so you’ll always be the first to read the new articles. 

**A note on our shopping list: we do not take payment, promotion or gifts for including any of the items mentioned in these articles. We bring them to you because we love them and hope you will too!**

Nature Valley Crunchy Dipped Milk Chocolate – 94 calories per 2 bars

Sweet and satisfying, these Crunchy Dipped Milk Chocolate biscuits from Nature Valley will break up your day nicely with an oaty crunch. Each serving is made up of two individually-wrapped biscuits, delicately covered in a layer of smooth milk chocolate. At 94 calories per serving, we’d say they’re well worth taking for a dip in your cuppa. 

You’d be forgiven for thinking that biscuits aren’t the most slimming-friendly snack out there, but it’s a whole other story when it comes to our Double Choc Chip Cookies. Irresistibly dippable at only 40 calories per chocolatey round, they only need around 12 minutes in the oven before they’re baked to perfection! Someone get the kettle on…

Nature Valley Crunchy Dipped Milk Chocolate is available from Morrisons, priced at £1.50 for a pack of 8.

Proper Chips Crisps Cheese & Onion Potato Crisps – 118 calories per 25g serving

These oh-so-crunchy potato crisps from Proper Chips come loaded with cheese and onion flavours, without a hint of cheese in sight! Using a vegan-friendly faux cheese blend, each sharing bag of moreish savoury chips is gluten-free, high in fibre and totally plant-based. Plus, they contain 30% less fat than standard ridged potato crisps. Winner!

Psst! If cheese and onion isn’t the proper choice for you, Thai Chilli and Flame Grilled Steak flavours are available too.

Cheese and onion is a flavour combination made in heaven as far as we’re concerned, and our Cheese and Onion Pasties are proof of that. There’s no hidden surprises in our tortilla wrapped pasties (no one ever notices that they’re not pastry!) – just an oozy, cheesy filling in a crunchy, oven-baked parcel. That’s lunchtime sorted!

Proper Chips Crisps Cheese & Onion Potato Crisps are available from Asda, priced at £1.25 for a 100g sharing bag.

The BAKERY at ASDA Spicy Crumpet Wedges – 91 calories per crumpet wedge

An alternative way to start the day, it’s safe to say we’re intrigued by these Spicy Crumpet Wedges from Asda. Mildly spiced with a kick of cayenne pepper, pop each wedge in the toaster and heat until they’re crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle. 

How will you top your crumpet wedges? We’re betting the warming flavour will be absolutely delicious with a melty topping of reduced-fat cheddar cheese (like a breakfast pizza!)…

From crumpet wedges to potato wedges, our Chilli Cheesy Nachos come infused with warming spices too! The ultimate shareable comfort food, we’ve topped our potato ‘nachos’ with yummy chilli con carne and an oozy layer of cheese. What’s not to love about that?

The Bakery Spicy Crumpet Wedges are available from Asda, priced at £1.25 for a pack of 4.

BOL Protein Boosting Power Soup Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato – 186 calories per 1/2 pot

This hearty Protein Boosting Power Soup from BOL packs so much veg-based goodness into a single pot, it gets you well on your way to 5-a-day. Super high in protein and fibre, this energising recipe is just as good whether you enjoy it hot or cold. 

We’ve gone for roasted red pepper and tomato, but other nutritious combinations are available from the same range. If you’re feeling extra hungry, there’s nothing to stop you enjoying the full pot (just be sure to count all 372 calories, if you’re keeping track!).

To make our budget-friendly Creamy Roasted Red Pepper and Chicken Pasta, we blend the roasted red peppers, herbs and cream cheese until silky smooth. You can even keep extra portions of sauce in the fridge for a few days. Ideal when you fancy throwing together a crowd-pleasing pasta dish at a moment’s notice!

BOL Protein Boosting Power Soup Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £2.00.

Philadelphia Intense Garlic & Herbs – 83 calories per serving

Said to be even richer in flavour than their classic cream cheese collection, we couldn’t resist taking Philadelphia’s new ‘Intense’ cream cheese for a whirl. Infused with a heavy helping of garlic and herb (or Herbs de Provence, if you’d prefer), each pot of whipped full-fat cheese is an airy, indulgent treat. 

If you can’t say no to creamy dishes, our Marmite Mushrooms on Toast is bound to go down a storm. To keep the calories low without compromising on luxurious silkiness, we’ve calmed down the savoury Marmite punchiness with Philadelphia Light.

To mix things up a bit, there’s nothing to stop you swapping in Garlic and Herb Philadelphia. The ultra-garlicky cream cheese sauce would be to die for! 

Just be sure to count the additional calories if you’re following a diet plan like Weight Watchers.

Philadelphia Intense Garlic & Herbs is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £1.75. 

Lean Beef Stir Fry Strips – 124 calories per serving

When you’re in a bind over what to cook after a long day, having these Lean Beef Stir Fry Strips in the freezer will rescue you time and time again. There’s no need to defrost before you cook – simply throw the lean beef strips into a piping hot wok with a spritz of low-calorie cooking spray.

Add noodles, your favourite stir-fry sauce and chopped, crunchy veggies for an inexpensive medley of midweek deliciousness. 

With a silky cream cheese sauce and a dash of paprika, transform your lean beef strips into a decadent dream with our silky Beef Stroganoff. The apple of any keen batch cooker’s eye, we love that it’s just as moreish served over rice, pasta or Creamy Mashed Potatoes. 

Lean Beef Stir Fry Strips are available from Iceland, priced at £4.00 for a 350g bag.

Meatless Farm Plant-Based Chicken Joint – 219 calories per serving

Looking to enjoy the roast dinner season, without eating meat? Thanks to Meatless Farm’s game-changing Plant-based Chicken Joint, you can enjoy all the flavours of a chicken dinner – without chicken meat in sight! Made with an ingenious blend of pea protein and topped with a herbalicious crust, the chickenless joint is ready to carve after just 40 minutes in the oven. 

Nestled in with Yorkshire puds, roast potatoes and veggies, we’re betting no one will taste the difference. Don’t forget the veggie gravy…

On Sundays or any day of the week, there’s no denying that Roast Potatoes are the main event on any plate they’re part of. Our recipe comes in at just 275 calories per crispy portion!

Meatless Farm Plant-Based Chicken Joint is available from Tesco, priced at £4.50.

Luxury Chunky Roasting Vegetables – 101 calories per serving (oven baked)

An easy way to enjoy a plateful of oven-roasted veggies, these Luxury Chunky Roasting Vegetables from Iceland are a freezer drawer dream. 

Pre-seasoned with a tasty mixed herb glaze, there’s nothing to worry about other than evenly spreading the parsnips and carrots on a tray and baking them in the oven. After around 35 minutes, they’ll be piping hot and ready to steal the show!

Even if you’re in a time pinch, our Honey Glazed Roast Parsnips are a fuss-free accompaniment you can count on to level up your roast dinner plate. Parboil them the night before and store them in the fridge coated in our sticky, homemade glaze. That way they’re ready to go when you are!

Luxury Chunky Roasting Vegetables are available from Iceland, priced at £2.50 for a 750g bag.

Birds Eye Mild Salsa & Tortillas Chicken – 261 calories per chicken breast

We love any excuse to enjoy Mexican-style flavours, and these Birds Eye Mild Salsa and Tortillas Chicken Breasts are no exception. They come pre-coated in an ultra-crunchy tortilla chip breadcrumb, and stuffed with a herby, tomatoey salsa filling. 

At 261 calories per breast, there’s room to serve them with steamed vegetables and our Nando’s Spicy Rice – perfect for a Mexican-inspired fakeaway night!

Tortilla chips are such a useful ingredient. We’ve added them to a sandwich bag and crushed them with a rolling pin to make the irresistible crunchy coating on our Katsu Chicken Curry breasts. A fun way to get creative in the kitchen (and therapeutic too!), why not dig out your rolling pin ready for tonight? We’ve mostly used veggies and store cupboard ingredients to put our Katsu-style dish together, so it’s easy to throw together at short notice. 

Birds Eye Mild Salsa & Tortillas Chicken is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £3.00 for 2 chicken breasts.

Cadbury Twin Pot Twirl Chocolate Orange – 205 calories per pot

Calling all chocolate orange fanatics! Cadbury have stepped up their game with these nifty Twirl Chocolate Orange Twin Pots. With a decadent Twirl chocolate mousse and an optional topping of orange-flavoured biscuits, you can crumble over as much (or as little!) as you’d like. 

At 205 calories per pudding, they make us want to grab a spoon and curl up in front of the telly. 

Don’t put your spoon away just yet! These Chocolate Orange Trifles are begging to fill the dessert slot at your next special occasion. We’ve layered Jaffa Cakes, orange segments, jelly, chocolate custard and cream to create an utterly glorious pud you’ll be proud to serve.

The drizzle of chocolate orange syrup is the perfect final touch!

Cadbury Twin Pot Twirl Chocolate Orange is available from Tesco, priced at 90p per pot.

NEW Aldi Super 6 Fruit and Veg Selection

We love Aldi’s Super 6 selection of fresh fruit and veggies! Each fortnight they choose six different items for a special offer where you can pick them up for much less than the normal price. Here’s the rundown of this week’s offering, along with some recipe ideas for you. 

Baking Potatoes – 63 calories per 100g

Who doesn’t love a jacket potato? A go-to lunchtime option, an oven-baked spud that’s topped with tuna or Coleslaw is so easy to prepare at a moment’s notice. Pop one in the oven to get crispy on the outside and fluffy in the middle and then load it up with these Coronation Chickpeas for a satisfying, nutritious and healthy meal.

There are so many different kinds of potato you can rustle up delicious dishes with. You can read our guide on different types of potato and how to cook them here. 

Chestnut Mushrooms – 17 calories per 100g

Getting plenty of nutrition doesn’t have to be tricky with mushrooms on the menu. Filled with vitamins and easy to cook, they’re a versatile veggie you can always count on. From risottos to pasta dishes to stews, they’ll add a deeper, satisfying flavour to so many dishes. 

With mushrooms in the mix, our Mushroom Carbonara doesn’t leave you missing bacon or ham at all! It’s just as creamy and delicious as the original Italian inspiration. Don’t just take our word for it! Try for yourself…

Fine Green Beans – 31 calories per 100g

Roast them, air fry them, throw them into stews and pasta dishes or use them to bulk out crispy salads – nutritious green beans are versatile and easy to cook. 

A much lighter alternative to eating fries with your dinner, our Crispy Green Beans add a satisfying pop of colour on your plate. We’ve made ours in the air fryer, but they’re just as yummy straight from the oven to the side of fish or meat! 

Oranges – 47 calories per 100g

Fruit is always a delicious way to curb sweet cravings when you’ve hit the mid-afternoon lull. We love having oranges on hand as a picky treat to enjoy straight from the fridge or on the go. High in fibre and immune-boosting vitamin C, they’ll leave you full and satisfied. 

If you love a bit of orange-flavoured deliciousness, why not try our Mini Spiced Orange Mince Pie Crumbles? It’s never too early in the year to tuck into fruity, crumbly goodness! 

Conference Pears – 64 calories per 100g

Sweet and juicy pears, anyone? One of the most fibrous fruits you can introduce to your daily routine, pears are full of vitamins and minerals for your gut and heart. Eating the peel is a great way to guarantee you get maximum nutritious value from your pears – so much goodness is in the skin!

A warming pud for colder evenings, our Pear and Ginger Crumble is a sweet, juicy dream. It tastes so good, you won’t believe you can have it ready in 30 minutes…

Baby Plum Tomatoes – 18 calories per 100g

From the same family as cherry tomatoes, baby plum tomatoes are sweet and versatile. We’ve added finely-sliced baby plum tomatoes to our aromatic Indian Fried Rice. A side dish that really steals the show on any Indian-inspired fakeaway night, the fine plum tomato segments add a moreish burst of juiciness. Any leftover plum tomatoes will work perfectly tossed into a salad or as a light snack.

**Remember: we do not take payment, promotion or gift for any of the items mentioned in these articles. We bring them to you because we love them and hope you will too!**

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