Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 08.12.23
A very merry Friday everyone! Get cosy and grab a pen and paper, a new festive Pinch of Shopping is ready for you…
This week we’ve spotted snacky bits, buffet bites and sweet treats that’ll help you put on a Christmas cracker of a seasonal spread. Whether you pick up the Garlic and Chilli Marinated King Prawn Ring or add the Baking British Brie with an Apple, Plum and Cinnamon Glaze into your basket, your guests will be in for a real treat.
You won’t want to miss the chocolate pudding with an oozy, boozy middle we’ve found in Sainsbury’s…is it even Christmas until you’ve tasted Baileys?
IT’S HERE! Pinch of Nom: Express is out NOW! Keep your eyes peeled in the shops, because you can finally pick up a copy of our brand-new book.
Dedicated to bringing you all the food you love in even less time, Express is jam-packed with 100 brand-new slimming-friendly recipes. If you pre-ordered a copy THANK YOU!
Don’t forget if you’ve already made any of the new dishes, we’d love you to share photos with us on our Facebook group or on instagram @pinchofnom.
You can order a copy here if you still need to grab one!
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.
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**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!**
Iceland Garlic and Chilli Marinated King Prawn Ring – 101 calories per 100g (excluding shell)
We’re kicking things off with a Christmas classic! In many homes, it isn’t the festive season without a prawn ring stashed in the freezer – and this Iceland Garlic and Chilli Marinated King Prawn Ring takes the flavours to a whole new level.
The circle of juicy cooked and peeled prawns (with their tails still on) only needs to be defrosted, and then it’s ready to be the centrepiece of your buffet table. Whether it’s for a pre-Christmas gathering, Boxing Day feast or New Year’s Eve, they’ll go down a treat!
Speaking of centrepieces, this Pigs in Blankets Christmas Wreath is a new tradition in our house. Just when you thought bacon-wrapped sausages couldn’t get better, we’ve wrapped them in golden pastry to make our impressive-looking (but easy to make!) shareable snack.
Iceland Garlic and Chilli Marinated King Prawn Ring is available from Iceland, priced at £5.00.
Gallo Pronto Mushroom Risotto – 254 calories per 1/2 pack
A creamy, rich risotto usually takes a fair bit of time, patience and plenty of stirring – but not when you have this Gallo Pronto Mushroom Risotto in the cupboard. The shortcut to a tasty dinner in next to no time, you only need to heat it up in a pan or in the microwave, then finish with a little butter and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
There are two flavours in the range that we’ve spotted at Sainsbury’s, so if you’re not a big fan of mushrooms, you could pick up the Saffron Risotto to try instead.
If you’re not in a hurry, you’ll be rewarded with bags of flavour when you make our Carbonara Risotto from scratch. The best of two banging Italian-inspired classics, it’s mouthwateringly creamy, with the perfect balance of salty gammon and silky mushrooms.
Gallo Pronto Mushroom Risotto is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £2.00 for a pack that serves 2.
Kopparberg Premium Cider Winter Punch – 169 calories per 330ml can
For anyone planning to indulge in a festive tipple over the Christmas party season, this Kopparberg Premium Cider Winter Punch is just the thing! The apple cider has hints of blackberries and blackcurrants, for extra fruity flavour.
Delicious poured into a glass over plenty of ice, it’s refreshing and light, at just 169 calories per can. If you’re ever unsure about which alcoholic drinks are the best when you’re on a slimming journey, don’t forget we have a guide to calories in alcohol right here.
Anything with a Prosecco base is always a good choice. One of the lowest calories drink options, we’ve mixed it with fruity beverages to make this festive Cranberry Fizz. At 101 calories per glass, it’s perfect to serve with your Christmas dinner.
Kopparberg Premium Cider Winter Punch is available from Asda, priced at £10.00 for a pack of 10 x 330ml cans.
Jacob’s Cheddars Cheese & Pickle Flavour – 21 calories per biscuit
Over the countdown to Christmas, it’s essential to have a cupboard full of snacks on standby! From snuggling up to watch a festive film, right through to hosting cute, cosy get-togethers, you need lots of nibbles close at hand.
These new Cheese and Pickle Flavour Jacob’s Cheddars are a slimming-friendly savoury snack that’ll keep you crunching! The extra tang of pickle makes a nice change from the usual cheesy biscuits, and they’re just 21 calories each.
Since it’s such a dreamy flavour combination, why not double-up on cheese and pickle goodness? Our Cheese and Pickle Twists are so easy to make, and they’re perfect for parties. You only need 3 ingredients and a sprinkle of salt and pepper!
Jacob’s Cheddars Cheese & Pickle Flavour are available from Asda, priced at £1.25.
Asda Meal for One Butternut & Chickpea Dahl Soup – 243 calories per pack
You’ll look forward to lunchtime all day when this Asda Meal for One Butternut and Chickpea Dahl Soup is on the menu. Quick, convenient, hearty and warming, it’s ideal for those days when you don’t have time to rustle up something from scratch.
There’s a whole range of new ‘meals for one’ at Asda recently, including a meatball soup (302 calories) and a spicy chicken ramen soup (212 calories) that are perfect for grab and go lunches.
Did you see that we added a Meatball Soup recipe to our website a few weeks ago? Imagine how comforting it is to sit down with a bowl of velvety tomato soup and scoop up herby pork meatballs. You need to add this to next week’s meal plan!
ASDA Meal for One Butternut & Chickpea Dahl Soup is available from Asda, priced at £3.00.
Iceland Salt & Pepper Chicken Toasts – 49 calories per toast
‘Tis the season for picky bits and buffet bites, so these Salt and Pepper Chicken Toasts deserve a spot in your basket this week. You’ll find them in the freezers at Iceland, since they cook (either in the oven or the air fryer) straight from frozen.
When they’re crispy and golden, the crunchy triangles of toast are ready to be served – and at 48 calories each, they won’t be around for long!
Don’t worry if they run out…you can have our Sesame Chicken Toasts ready in just over half an hour. Every bite brings the perfect crunch you expect – without all the calories of a deep-fried version.
Iceland Salt & Pepper Chicken Toasts are available from Iceland, priced at £2.50 for a pack of 10.
Baileys Chocolate Melt In the Middle Pudding – 346 calories per pudding
You know it’s officially Christmas once you’ve had your first taste of Baileys! Why pour a glass when you can enjoy these Baileys Chocolate Melt In the Middle Puddings instead?
The fondant-style desserts have an oozy, boozy centre, hidden instead a dark Belgian chocolate sponge. Simply heat them in the microwave or in the oven, grab a spoon and get stuck in! At 346 calories each, they’re perfectly portioned for an indulgent festive treat.
If you’re after something a little lighter, you only need a handful of ingredients and a spare 9 minutes to whip up our decadent-tasting Chocolate Lava Mug Cakes. We’re not exaggerating when we say these are the gooiest, easiest treats to make…for just 208 calories per cake.
Baileys Chocolate Melt In the Middle Puddings are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £3.50 for a pack of 2.
Asda Baking British Brie with an Apple, Plum & Cinnamon Glaze – 183 calories per 1/4 pack
Grab the crackers and pop the oven on – this Asda Baking British Brie with an Apple, Plum and Cinnamon Glaze is every bit as irresistible as it sounds! Made in Somerset, the creamy cheese is designed to be baked in the oven until it’s gooey and gorgeous.
Before baking, score the top of the brie and drizzle over the fruity glaze to add a boost of warming, festive flavour.
Cheese and Christmas go hand in hand, which is why our Cheesy Sprout Bake makes so much sense. If you think you don’t like sprouts, it’s only because you haven’t tried them like this yet!
ASDA Baking British Brie with an Apple, Plum & Cinnamon Glaze is available from Asda, priced at £4.00.
Iceland Ice Cream Tree Lollies – 63 calories per ice cream
Kids and adults alike will love these Ice Cream Tree Lollies that we’ve spotted in Iceland this week. The festive frozen treats are super slimming friendly, at just 63 calories each.
The vanilla flavoured ice cream trees are decorated with little white chocolate baubles, making them the perfect sweet snack for the most wonderful time of the year.
If the cold weather hasn’t put you off frozen desserts, you need to make our Frozen Christmas Pudding. As well as looking joyful, it’s completely delicious, made with ice cream, meringue, berries and chocolate.
Iceland Ice Cream Tree Lollies are available from Iceland, priced at £2.00 for a pack of 6.
Elmlea Brandy Cream Flavoured Alternative To Dairy – 157 calories per 50ml
We’re always keeping an eye out for free-from products that mean everyone can have a taste of Christmas. If you can’t enjoy a mince pie without a decent dollop of brandy cream, we’ve got good news!
This Elmlea Brandy Cream Flavoured Alternative To Dairy is made from lentil protein and plant oils, so it’s milk-free and vegan-friendly. Perfect for pouring or whipping, it’ll come in handy all season long.
We’ll be pouring a glug all over one of our Mini Spiced Christmas Apple Pies to really get into the festive spirit. Just the thing if you’re not a fan of traditional mincemeat, warming ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg gives our fresh apple filling a sprinkle of Christmas magic.
Elmlea Brandy Cream Flavoured Alternative To Dairy is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £2.00 for 250ml.
NEW Aldi Super 6 Fruit and Veg Selection
We love Aldi’s fortnightly selection of fresh fruit and veggies! They choose 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 Super 6 offering, along with some recipe ideas for you.
Spring onions – 32 calories per 100g
Whether in a salad or a stir-fry, spring onions add a lovely crunch and a burst of fresh flavour. They’re great when they’re cooked and equally delicious raw, sliced and sprinkled as a garnish.
Grab a bunch while they’re in the Super 6, and use them as an excuse to make our Stir-fried Beef with Ginger and Spring Onion for your next fakeaway night.
Savoy cabbage – 27 calories per 100g
A veggie that’s packed full of vitamins and nutrients, cabbage is a great option for stews or soups and is especially delicious when sautéed. We prefer to use it as a creamy side dish, just like our Creamed Cabbage and Leeks recipe. Using very simple ingredients, it’s a great alternative to the strong flavour of sprouts if you’re looking to get more seasonal greens into fussy eaters over the festive season!
Lemons – 17 calories per 100g
If you need a vitamin C boost to fight the winter chill, you’re in luck! These unwaxed lemons will come in handy for sweet and savoury recipes alike.
If you’re looking for something lemony and light to enjoy with a mid-afternoon cuppa, you won’t find anything better than our Lemon Drizzle Cake. At 73 calories per slice, no one will blame you for going back for a second helping!
Salad potatoes – 75 calories per 100g
These little potatoes have a dense texture and hold their shape well when cooked – so they’re super versatile!
If you’re looking for something a little bit different for your Christmas dinner plate this year, our Garlic and Parmesan Potatoes are a delight. The salty, savoury, cheesy coating gets golden and crispy in the oven, for mouthwatering flavour in every bite.
Brown onions – 40 calories per 100g
With a handful of onions in the kitchen, you can make a start on so many different dishes. Brown onions have a strong flavour, which is why they make a great base ingredient for all kinds of cooking.
There’s no better pairing than cheese and onion, especially when they’re bundled together into our Cheese and Onion Pasties. Shhh..just don’t tell anyone we didn’t use real pastry to make them!
Easy peelers – 35 calories per 100g
You can’t go wrong with a few mini easy peelers in your fruit bowl. Next time you’re craving cake or chocolate, reach for one of these instead and the sweet, juicy citrus treat will keep you going.
Full of vitamin C, they make a great addition to your breakfast spread, no matter what type of brekkie you like waking up to. Start your morning right with our fiery Harissa Eggs and sweeten the deal with an easy peeler afterwards.
**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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