Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 22.12.23
We can’t believe there’s only 3 sleeps left before Santa arrives! If you’re just about to make your final dash to the shops, today’s Weekly Pinch of Shopping is brimming with goodies you’ll want to grab for the tastiest roast dinner of the year (and the picky buffets in the run-up!).
If you’re in the mood for a light yet cheesy festive bite, we’ve found some Camembert and Cranberry Profiteroles that are only 25 calories each – that’s our idea of a Merry Christmas!
We’ve even included some gorgeous little cocktail-inspired truffles with a filling that tastes just like a sip of Espresso Martini.
Plus, there’s always room for pudding! Keep scrolling for Apple Crumble Mince Tarts that’ll go down a treat with a scoop of the Blonde Chocolate Ice Cream on this week’s list.
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 (and it’s PERFECT for Christmas gifting).
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!**
Specially Selected Brussels Sprouts With Chestnuts, Cranberries and Butter – 158 calories per serving
Here’s to time-saving veggies that keep you out of the kitchen, so you can have more fun with the Christmas Day festivities! These pre-mixed Specially Selected Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts, Cranberries and Butter are ideal to pop straight in the oven without a fuss.
You can also shallow-fry them in a pan with a few spritzes of low-calorie cooking spray; keep stirring until the butter has melted, and the chopped chestnuts and juicy cranberries are evenly mixed in.
Love or hate them, everyone knows a Christmas dinner isn’t complete without sprouts. Our Cheesy Sprout Bake comes with a melty, golden brown topping that looks and tastes indulgent, for only 181 calories per leafy green serving.
Specially Selected Brussels Sprouts With Chestnuts, Cranberries and Butter are available from Aldi, priced at £1.59 per pack.
Belvoir Farm Mulled Winter Cordial, Festive Edition – 17 calories per 100ml (1 part cordial, 10 parts water)
Bursting with Yuletide inspired flavours, this Belvoir Farm Mulled Winter Cordial is perfect to have in for an alcohol-free treat. Dilute with cold water over ice for a refresher, or add hot water to make the seasonal hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and cranberry even cosier.
When you’re under a fluffy blanket in front of a Christmas film, hug a mug of Mulled Wine for maximum comfort. Our recipe is every bit as joyful as traditional versions, for a fraction of the calories you’d expect.
We favour the sweet nuttiness of amaretto for our liqueur base, but there’s nothing to stop you swapping in your favourite tipple – just be sure to take note of additional calories, if you are keeping track while the celebrations are happening.
Belvoir Farm Mulled Winter Cordial, Festive Edition is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £4.00 per bottle (or £3.00 with a Nectar card).
ASDA Extra Special Hot Toddy Chutney – 22 calories per 15g (tablespoon)
We’ve got just the thing for your smorgasbord of Christmas Eve picky bits: Asda’s Extra Special Hot Toddy Chutney. Inspired by the warming whiskey drink, a deliciously sweet, boozy teaspoon will go down a treat spread over cheese and crackers.
You can never have too many buffet bites around the house in the run-up to Santa’s arrival. Our Cheese and Pickle Twists are absolutely perfect because they’ll keep nicely in an airtight container until you’re ready to enjoy them with your favourite dip.
Once you’ve mastered the art of creating pickley twists, why not try a whole-new festive flavour combination? Swirl Stilton and cranberry sauce into your second batch for a bit of variety – you can never have too much choice on Christmas!
ASDA Extra Special Hot Toddy Chutney is available from Asda, priced at £2.15 per jar.
Ballycastle Espresso Martini Chocolate Truffles – 50 calories per truffle
Who can say no to truffles? These Espresso Martini Chocolate Truffles from Aldi are available at a cracking price, and they’re filled with an irresistible serving of their own-brand Baileys rival, Ballycastle.
Bite through each chocolate shell and you’ll find an espresso-flavoured middle, blended with vodka and a velvety country cream.
Everyone knows that trifle is a classic Christmas dessert, but our Espresso Martini Trifle offers a scrummy, cocktail-inspired alternative for coffee lovers.
With layers of boozy espresso-infused jelly, chocolatey yoghurt, brownie pieces and cream, it’s just the ticket for finishing off a special occasion.
Ballycastle Espresso Martini Chocolate Truffles are available from Aldi, priced at £2.59 per pack.
Morrisons Plant Revolution No Turkey Roast Crown – 233 calories per 1/4 pack
If you’re trying to keep the most wonderful time of the year meat-free, Morrisons’ Plant Revolution No Turkey Roast Crown is the perfect main event for an assortment of plant-based trimmings.
Made with wheat, soy and pea protein, and coated in a herb crumb, you’ll get all the traditional flavour without an ounce of meat in sight.
The festive inspiration doesn’t stop there – take a scroll through our blog for more veggie-friendly Christmas recipe ideas.
Forget chestnuts roasting on an open fire, you need to try them in our wholesome Chestnut Roast. Packed with filling mushrooms and store cupboard staples, it’s an easy-peasy turkey alternative everyone around the table can tuck into.
Morrisons Plant Revolution No Turkey Roast Crown is available from Morrisons, priced at £5.00.
Sainsbury’s Baos of Holly, Taste the Difference – 82 calories per bao bun
These Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Baos of Holly look and taste so impressive, for only 82 calories per fluffy, steamed bun. Decorated to look like adorable little Christmas puddings, each beautiful bao comes brimming with a savoury centre of finely-shredded veg.
Infused with fragrant ginger, garlic and sesame oil, the crunchy filling pairs like a dream with a soy sauce dip.
You’ll find the perfect Chinese-style dish to warm up with this winter on pages 63-63 of Pinch of Nom: Express… our super speedy Peanut Ramen.
Ready in just 20 minutes, each slurp-worthy spoonful serves up your fix of takeaway-style satay chicken flavours, for just 304 calories per portion. To take things to the next level, garnish with a sprinkling of coriander and a squeeze of lime.
Sainsbury’s Bao’s of Holly, Taste the Difference are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £6.00 for a pack of 8 buns (or £4.00 with a Nectar card).
ASDA Extra Special Camembert and Cranberry Profiteroles – 25 calories per profiterole
It’s no secret that cranberries and cheese are a match made in Christmassy heaven, so we couldn’t resist these Extra Special Camembert and Cranberry Profiteroles from Asda. Simply pop them in the oven for 10 minutes, until the delicate choux pastry casing is gorgeously golden brown and crisp.
A balance of sweet and savoury, each roll comes ready-topped with dried cranberries and parsley, to complement the creamy Camembert-sauce centre.
You won’t believe how simple it is to rustle up our Cranberry and Pomegranate Sauce. Better for you and your budget than a shop-bought version, we’ve kept things so simple that you’ll only need to add 6 ingredients to your shopping list (chances are, you’ve already got most of them!).
ASDA Extra Special Camembert and Cranberry Profiteroles is available from Asda, priced at £5.50 for a pack of 10.
Sainsbury’s Fizzy Frosted Christmas Trees – 93 calories per 1/5th pack
Spruce up your selection of Xmas treats in instant with Sainsbury’s Fizzy Frosted Christmas Trees. A lip-smacking tree-shaped treat, they’ll keep your taste buds tingling while dinner’s in the oven on the big day.
Pour the fizzy fir trees into a bowl and you’ll notice they’re a mixed bag of red and green ‘frost’ covered shapes – that’s because they’re in two flavours: tangy strawberry or apple!
Speaking of fruity foliage, there’s no shortage of colour or flavour in our evergreen Fruit Christmas Tree. We’ve used sliced melon, strawberries, tangerines, grapes and kiwi to make ours, but there’s nothing to stop you changing things up a bit.
To make our edible ornaments, we’ve used cheap and cheerful star cutters in large and small sizes. They’re so easy to get a hold of, and they’re nice and safe, so the kids can get involved too!
Sainsbury’s Fizzy Frosted Christmas Trees are available at Sainsbury’s, priced at £1.25 per pack.
Sainsbury’s Blonde Chocolate Ice Cream, Taste the Difference – 153 calories per serving
Who can say no to a decadent scoop of Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Blonde Chocolate Ice Cream? Whipped together with indulgent West Country double cream and caramelised white chocolate pieces, it’ll melt in the mouth on its own or alongside your favourite warm, comforting dessert.
We’re not saying you can beat a traditional Christmas Pudding, but our Frozen Christmas Pudding recipe serves up a fresh twist for ice cream lovers.
We’ve used shop-bought ice cream, berries, meringue pieces and chocolate chunks to bring the Yuletide cheer, without taking you off track.
You can get this one prepped well in advance, but you’ll want to save the fun of decorating with chocolate sauce, raspberries and mint leaves for the 25th!
Sainsbury’s Blonde Chocolate Ice Cream, Taste the Difference is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £3.00 per tub.
Specially Selected Caramelised Apple Crumble Mince Tarts – 178 calories per mince tart
If you love mince pies and apple crumble, head to Aldi to pick up a box of their Specially Selected Caramelised Apple Crumble Mince Tarts. The best of two classic sweet treats in one, they’re filled with caramelised, appley mincemeat and covered with a wintery cinnamon-spiced crumb.
After a cold, blustery, Christmas Day walk, there’s nothing better than coming home to a mince pie and a warming Christmas Hot Chocolate. Topped with reduced-fat aerosol cream, mini marshmallows and fun-coloured sprinkles, it’s far lighter than coffee shop versions at just 185 calories per mug.
The handy part about this recipe is that you can whip it up in large batches, and save it for reheating over the Christmas period (it’ll keep nicely in the fridge for a few days).
Specially Selected Caramelised Apple Crumble Mince Tarts are available from Aldi, priced at £2.49 for a pack of 6 tarts.
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 (this week’s firmly in the Christmas spirit, with every item being sold at 15p!).
Here’s the rundown of this week’s Super 6 offering, along with some recipe ideas for you.
Parsnips – 75 calories per 100g
Easy to cook with plenty of health benefits, parsnips are great for chopping into stews and curries, or blitzing into a healthy soup – so we’re very happy to see them on this week’s Super 6 for only 15p.
A Christmas feast wouldn’t be complete without our Honey Glazed Roast Parsnips. Our top tip is to smother them in the sweet, sticky honey coating the night before; that way, they’re ready to pop straight in the oven on the big day.
White Potatoes – 92 calories per 100g
There are so many different ways to enjoy the humble white potato, especially on Christmas! Whether you have one kind of potato or a selection on your spread, it’s well worth grabbing a bag of versatile, nutritious spuds for the Christmas period.
Our Roasted Potatoes with Smoked Bacon hold no shortage of good tidings, with a smoky coating of onions, bacon strips and fiery paprika.
Carrots – 41 calories per 100g
Grab your carrots from Aldi this weekend, and we can promise it’s not just Santa’s reindeer that’ll enjoy them! Raw or cooked, they’re easily one of the yummiest root vegetables out there.
While we’ve used smaller Chantenay carrots for our Maple Glazed Carrots recipe, there’s nothing to stop you trying our sweet, sticky, maple-style glaze with freshly-chopped carrot batons. Your side dish will be just as scrumptious!
Red Cabbage – 31 calories per 100g
It’s not often we get to see red cabbage on Aldi’s Super 6! Bursting with immune-boosting vitamins and antioxidants, shredded red cabbage isn’t just beautiful to look at – it’s delicious too!
Why not try serving a spoonful with our BBQ Turkey Sliders and Christmas Slaw? We’ve piled all of our favourite Christmas dinner flavours high for this burger-night recipe, so there’s no doubt a slaw with cabbage would pair perfectly.
Swede – 38 calories per 100g
A seriously versatile veggie, you’ll be surprised by how many delicious dishes you can add swede to. You’ve probably tried it mashed up with carrots, and they’re great in soups, stews or curries too.
For our Layered Potato and Swede Gratin, we’ve baked it together with potatoes and onions, and added a herby, golden brown breadcrumb crust on top. This cheesy side dish comes in at just 217 calories per portion!
Brussels Sprouts – 43 calories per 100g
Is it just us, or are Brussels sprouts finally getting the love they deserve? One of the tastiest leafy greens out there, they’re at their best baked or shallow fried with a spritz of low-calorie cooking spray, to get maximum flavour for minimum effort (they’re especially yummy with Marmite!).
You should try adding them to our Pigs in Blankets Skewers. This festive recipe is essentially Christmas dinner on a stick, trimmings included.
**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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