Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 19.11
We made it to Friday…let’s celebrate with a brand new Weekly Pinch of Shopping!
This week we’ve rounded up even more slimming friendly supermarket finds, including a few festive favourites in case you’re starting to stock up for Christmas.
Along with a delicious dessert that tastes homemade, we’ve also found some frozen Brussels sprouts that are going to save so much time. These are no ordinary sprouts though! Scroll to the bottom to find out what makes them such a taste sensation…
Pssst…did you know that our NEW cookbook Pinch of Nom Comfort Food is out in under 3 weeks time? It hits the shelves on December 9th, but you can pre-order now if you want to make sure you’re one of the first to get your hands on it!
We’ve also dropped in the details of the brand new Super 6. Every fortnight Aldi discounts a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, so we’re giving you the rundown of this week’s selection.
Please remember that all prices are correct at the time of us writing this article and so they should be used as a guide only.
Make sure that you make a note of your favourite products so that you can pick them up with your weekly shopping. Our new Quick & Easy food planner is perfect for this as it will really help you to plan out your meals and keep track of exactly what you’re eating or need to buy.
Lots of these products have been talked about over on our Facebook Group, so if you’re not a member then make sure that you click here to join now so that you don’t miss out (and don’t forget to share any delicious new products that you come across).
Our Weekly Pinch of Shopping list aims to show you slimming friendly products that are available in a wide range of stores so that you can pick them up during your weekly shop, and to make things really convenient we’ve also listed any relevant nutritional info and the RRP.
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**A note on our shopping list: 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!**
ASDA Butcher’s Selection Free From Gluten Lamb Shepherd’s Pie Kit – 180 calories per 1/4 pack
We’re firmly in Comfort Food season and it’s hard to beat a good, old fashioned Shepherd’s Pie for dinner. This ASDA Butcher’s Selection Free From Gluten Lamb Shepherd’s Pie Kit makes everyone’s favourite midweek meal so much quicker and easier to cook.
The mixture of lamb mince and veggies is pre-seasoned and ready to be thrown into a pan. It cooks in just six minutes – and then it’s time to top it with some mashed potatoes and pop into a hot oven.
Best of all, there’s no gluten in this kit so you don’t need to worry if you’re cooking for people with a gluten allergy.
If you prefer beef mince to lamb, why not try making a Cottage Pie instead? You still get all that familiar fluffy mash and meaty flavour, perfect for warming you up on a chilly night.
ASDA Butcher’s Selection Free From Gluten Lamb Shepherd’s Pie Kit is available from Asda, priced at £3.70 for a 650g pack.
Propercorn Caramelised Biscuit Popcorn – 121 calories per serving
Staying in is officially the new going out! We’re ready to hibernate, cosying up at home with snacks in front of the telly. This Propercorn Caramelised Biscuit Popcorn is our new go-to snack.
Flavoured to taste similar to Lotus Biscoff biscuits, this popcorn has an irresistibly caramel-y flavour. If (like us) you’re obsessed with anything Biscoff, this is a way to enjoy that buttery, slightly spiced flavour without all the calories.
If you want to whip up a sweet treat that features the real thing, these Biscoff Swirls are so easy. Filled with Lotus Biscoff spread, each individual little swirl is just 89 calories. They’re so good with a cuppa!
Propercorn Caramelised Biscuit Popcorn is available from Tesco, priced at £1.60 for a 90g pack.
Ambrosia Desserts Chocolate & Fudge Pots – 125 calories per pot
When you need chocolate, these Ambrosia Desserts Chocolate & Fudge Pots are guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. Deliciously thick and creamy, not only do you get a rich chocolate dessert, there’s also a layer of silky smooth fudge sauce underneath.
This double whammy of sweet delights makes for an incredibly luxurious tasting treat – so good in fact, that you’ll be surprised to know there are just 125 calories in each pot!
Whether for pudding or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, these heavenly little pots are hard to beat.
Why not try chocolate for breakfast? These Chocolate Waffles feel like such a treat, but they’re slimming friendly and delicious served with lots of fresh fruit.
Ambrosia Desserts Chocolate & Fudge Pots are available from Iceland, priced at £2.50 for a pack of 4.
Jacob’s Mini Twiglets Drum – 104 calories per serving
You’ll either love or hate this next slimming friendly snack! Flavoured with yeast extract, these marmite-y Jacob’s Mini Twiglets come in a handy drum shaped container.
These mini versions of the classic oven baked, twig shaped sticks are perfect for savoury snacking, with just 104 calories in each serving.
A Christmas party essential, we love to serve little bowls of Twiglets at buffets, or enjoy a handful in front of a festive film.
If you’re a big fan of Marmite then you’re also going to love our Marmite Mushrooms on Toast recipe. It’s so quick and easy, with a punchy flavour that’ll have you feeling wide awake in no time.
Jacob’s Mini Twiglets Drum is available from Morrisons, priced at £1.60.
Boursin Hot Cheese Bites with Mushroom – 80 calories per bite
Cheese lovers, this one’s for you! These Boursin Hot Cheese Bites with Mushroom are little balls of cheesy goodness. On the outside you get a crunchy crust of sunflower seeds and parsley, with creamy cheese and mushrooms inside.
These are just the kind of picky bits we love to snack on – and, at 80 calories per bite, they’ll fit into whichever diet plan you’re following.
Ready in under 10 minutes, you can pan fry these, or cook them in the oven until they’re golden, crispy and melty in the middle.
These Cheese and Pickle Twists are another cheesy snack that’s perfect for parties and buffet tables. You only need a couple of ingredients and a spare half an hour to throw these together. At 41 calories per twist, snacks don’t come much lighter than this!
Boursin Hot Cheese Bites with Mushroom are available from Asda, priced at £2.50 for a pack of 6.
M&S Small Wholemeal Pittas – 42 calories per pitta
These M&S Small Wholemeal Pittas prove that good things come in small packages! Just the right size for snacking, they’re great for dipping or loading up with your favourite fillings.
A good source of fibre, these would work well in packed lunches, or add a couple on the side of your dinner – pitta is delicious with soup or hummus.
They taste best when they’re heated up, so pop them under the grill or into the toaster for a couple of minutes. Keep an eye on them though – they won’t need long.
Toasted pitta dipped in fresh hummus is always delicious. Why not have a go at making our Hummus Style Dip to serve on the side of these mini pittas? It’s much more slimming friendly than similar dips that you can pick up at the supermarket.
M&S Small Wholemeal Pittas are available from Ocado, priced at £1.20 for a pack of 12.
Soreen Gingerbread Christmas Lunchbox Loaves – 98 calories per loaf
Lightly spiced, squidgy and delicious, these Soreen Gingerbread Christmas Lunchbox Loaves are a yummy seasonal snack. Individually wrapped, each little loaf is less than 100 calories and perfect for on-the-go snacking.
Pop them in a packed lunch or throw a couple in your bag in case you start getting peckish as the day goes on – they’ll stop you reaching for less healthy options. With the festive flavour of gingerbread, these low fat, high fibre malt loaves are such a handy tasty treat.
Looking for more on-the-go snack inspiration? You only need two ingredients to make these Marshmallow Bars! They’re great for a midday energy boost, and can be wrapped up for picnics and lunchboxes.
Soreen Gingerbread Christmas Lunchbox Loaves are available from Tesco, priced at £1.00 for a pack of 5.
Sainsbury’s Fairtrade Merry Mince Pie Flavour Tea Bags – 1 calorie per serving
All the flavours of a mince pie, without the calories? These Sainsbury’s Fairtrade Merry Mince Pie Flavour Tea Bags might not be quite the same, but they make a delightfully festive cuppa nonetheless.
Flavoured with apple, hibiscus, clove, orange, lemon and liquorice, this black tea has a warming hint of spice that’s ideal on a chilly afternoon. Fragrant and comforting, pop the kettle on and make a cup to enjoy with a real mince pie for double the festive flavour!
Better yet, make your own mince pies using one of our slimming friendly recipes. These Mini Spiced Orange Mince Pie Crumbles are a delicious twist on the traditional recipe, and just 86 calories each.
Sainsbury’s Fairtrade Merry Mince Pie Flavour Tea Bags are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £1.50 for a pack of 20.
Luxury Brussels Sprouts Loaded with Bacon – 87 calories per 1/4 pack
If you don’t think you like Brussels sprouts maybe it’s just because you haven’t tried these Luxury Brussels Sprouts Loaded with Bacon yet! With a herb glaze and finely diced smoky bacon, these are not your ordinary sprouts.
We love how much fuss and faff these festive frozen veggies save – you can pan fry or oven cook them straight from the freezer. No chopping, no dicing and no mess!
These are too good to save just for Christmas day. Try adding them to your usual Sunday roast – Brussels sprouts are full of goodness and such a tasty addition to your dinner plate.
If you’re looking for a vegetarian way to add more flavour to your sprouts, we’ve got you covered with our Balsamic Roasted Sprouts. So simple, but far tastier than boring boiled Brussels!
Luxury Brussels Sprouts Loaded with Bacon are available from Iceland, priced at £1.75 for a 400g bag.
Aunt Bessie’s Scrumptious Apple Crumble – 251 calories per 1/4 pack
Puddings don’t come much more comforting than a traditional apple crumble. With an oaty topping and sweet filling, this Aunt Bessie’s Scrumptious Apple Crumble is ideal to have in the freezer for dessert emergencies.
It cooks from frozen in less than an hour, so you’ve got time to whip up some slimming friendly Custard while it’s cooking. Homely and satisfying, this pud will warm you up and leave you feeling like you enjoyed a hearty, homemade dessert.
If you’d rather make your own crumble from scratch, this Tropical Crumble is a fun twist on the classic winter warmer. Serve it hot with ice cream to get your taste buds tingling!
Aunt Bessie’s Scrumptious Apple Crumble is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £1.50.
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 our rundown of this fortnight’s selection, plus a little inspiration for how you could use each ingredient:
Asparagus Tips – 25 calories per 100g
Low in calories and full of nutrients, asparagus is a super versatile veggie that adds flavour and crunch to your meals. It has a subtle taste and can be cooked in a variety of ways – steam it, grill it or roast it to bring out the nutty flavour.
We love it in this Cajun Baked Cod with Asparagus and Cherry Tomatoes recipe. You bake the ingredients together in a foil parcel so all the flavours mix and mingle. It’s typically a light lunch or dinner, but we like to enjoy it with a jacket potato when it’s chilly outside.
Extra Large Mild Onions – 40 calories per 100g
Onions are the base flavour of so many dishes, adding that savoury aroma and enhancing the taste of your other ingredients.
These ones are huge, with a milder flavour than some varieties of onions give. They’re ideal for any dish where you want subtle, background flavour, without really tasting the onion. Chop them up and throw them into stews, soups, sauces, gravies – anything goes.
You could use them to make this Creamy Pepper Sauce to go with a delicious steak dinner this weekend. At just 42 calories, it’s much lighter than the version you’d get at a restaurant.
Large Flat Mushrooms – 16 calories per 100g
Large flat mushrooms are such a handy ingredient for slimming friendly recipes. Not only are they flavourful and low in calories, they’re also fairly meaty, meaning they’re filling too.
They’re delicious roasted or grilled and served on the side of a meat dish, but we also love to use them when we’re cooking for vegetarians.
This Mushroom and Spinach Lasagne really puts the flat mushrooms in the spotlight. Layered with sheets of pasta and creamy ricotta, it tastes rich and indulgent – and you’d never miss the meat. Even if you’re not veggie this is not a dish to be missed!
Oranges – 47 calories per 100g
Well known for being high in vitamin C, oranges are always a sweet, refreshing treat. Whether you peel them, slice them or juice them, they’re a handy fruit to have around the house, especially during winter.
Although they make a lovely snack, you can also use them in your savoury cooking. Our Carrot, Orange and Thyme Soup recipe calls for fresh orange juice – and we can’t imagine anything better than the juice from freshly squeezed oranges in your own kitchen!
This winter warmer is full of goodness and just the thing you need to warm you up on a frosty afternoon.
Baby Plum Tomatoes – 18 calories per 100g
Sweet and juicy, baby plum tomatoes are always handy to have in the house. Whether you chop them up into a salad or roast them to serve with chicken or fish, they’re low in calories and full of flavour.
They work especially well in pasta dishes like this Black Pepper and Parmesan Spaghetti with Garlic and Thyme Tomatoes.
Cooked in balsamic vinegar, they soak up all the fragrant, garlicky flavours, adding sweetness to complement the salty parmesan.
Pineapple – 50 calories per 100g
At this time of year, tropical fruit might not be high up on your shopping list. Snap it up while it’s in Aldi’s Super 6 and you’ll be able to make the most of those summery flavours.
Pineapple is juicy, sweet and sharp all at once, and it’s perfect for pairing with savoury ingredients to create really intense flavours.
Instead of heading to the takeaway this week, why not try this Lemon Chicken in your own kitchen? It’s much lighter than the version you’d get from the Chinese, and it’s a great way to use that fresh pineapple.
**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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