Your Slimming Essentials – The Weekly Pinch of Shopping 23.06.23
It’s Friday and it’s the first edition of our Weekly Pinch of Shopping where we can say…Pinch of Nom: Budget is OUT NOW!
We’re honestly over the moon, and we’re celebrating the only way we know how – with a shopping list chock-full of sweet and savoury slimming-friendly goodies!
Fancy a blast from the past? You’ll want to try the nostalgic, sprinkle-topped cakes we’ve found – they look and taste like they should be on a school dinner tray with a glug of custard…
Plus, we’ve got a few quick and easy savoury ideas for midweek lunches and dinners, including a Chinese-style chicken stir-fry kit that’ll deliver takeaway flavours in under 15 minutes.
Eeek, what a MEGA week it’s been! We’re so proud that Pinch of Nom: Budget is out in the world. Has your copy arrived yet? Don’t forget to let us know and tag us in our Facebook group. We can’t wait to hear what you think!
From Meatball Mash Bake to Veggie Quesadillas, there is something for everyone in our first-ever paperback cookbook (if you’ve not got yours yet, order one here!).
You’ll get 50 brand-new recipes and 25 fan-favourites dishes that cut down on costs, without compromising on the Nom flavours you know and love.
Split into two chapters, dinners and desserts, ‘Budget’ is all about turning affordable ingredients and store cupboard staples into food that the whole family will love.
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!**
Gullón Zero Zingy Dark Choc Ginger Oaties – 74 calories per biscuit
If you’re someone who appreciates a punchy ginger treat, you’ll want these Gullón Zero Zingy Dark Choc Ginger Oaties on your shopping list. A simple, crumbly combination of oats and sweetener, topped with a silky layer of dark chocolate, there’s no need for any added sugar in Gullón’s recipe.
At 74 calories per dunkable serving, it’s well worth trying one (or two!) next time you pop the kettle on.
For our Pear and Ginger Crumble, we’ve simmered sliced pears in a saucepan until they’re soft, syrupy and naturally sweet. To give each warm, fruity spoonful a zingy kick, we’ve topped each ramekin with a root ginger infused blend of crumbled ginger biscuits and oats.
It’s every bit as crunchy as a traditional crumble, without the need for butter or sugar!
Gullón Zero Zingy Dark Choc Ginger Oaties are available from Asda, priced at £1.80 per pack.
Morrisons Peach Protein Yoghurt – 170 calories per pot
When you’ve got a long day ahead, it’s always a good idea to keep sweet, slimming-friendly snacks on standby. Morrisons’ Peach Protein Yoghurt is the ideal pick-me-up for your mid-afternoon lull – it’ll curb your sweet cravings and leave you feeling fuller for longer, with up to 24 grams of protein in every serving.
If you’re not feeling peachy, you can pick up a strawberry-flavoured pot from the same range for 164 calories.
It’s not summer without a pitcher of peachy Pink Sangria on the table. Fun, fruity and fizzy, it’s got everything you need to quench your thirst on a sunny day, for a fraction of the calories you’d expect.
By adding sparkling water and sweetener, we’ve kept things more slimming friendly without spoiling the party.
Morrisons Peach Protein Yoghurt is available from Morrisons, priced at 95p per pot.
Sainsbury’s Smoky BBQ Shredded Beetroot – 56 calories per serving
We’ve got our fingers crossed for another sunny weekend ahead. If you’re cracking out the BBQ, try serving up Sainsbury’s Smoky BBQ Shredded Beetroot as part of your spread.
A yummy, nutritious veggie side dish that’ll help get everyone on their way to 5-a-day, it also comes ready-infused with a smoky seasoning to complement chargrilled meat, fish or veggie alternatives.
Why not try adding smoky shredded beetroot to our colourful Halloumi Fries Salad? We’ve served our golden breadcrumb-coated halloumi fingers on a bed of vibrant veggies, so their squeaky savoury middle really pops.
Right before serving, don’t forget to add a drizzle of our home-style chilli dressing with a flourish of pomegranate seeds and mint leaves. Trust us, it’s a festival of flavour for your taste buds!
Sainsbury’s Smoky BBQ Shredded Beetroot is available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £1.40 per pack.
Itsu Chick-N Ramen Rice Noodle Cup – 217 calories per cup
Vegan, gluten-free and low in fats and sugar, there’s really no excuse not to try Itsu Chick-N Ramen Rice Noodle Cup. A combination of chicken-flavoured rice noodles and dried vegetables in a warming, sesame miso broth, it’s a satisfying lunchtime option you can have ready at a moment’s notice (add boiling water, stir and enjoy!).
When your fakeaway cravings just won’t wait, there’s no need to reach for a restaurant menu – our Spicy Chicken Noodles are the ultimate ‘fast’ food for only 321 calories per serving.
To give our noodles their sweet and savoury magic, we’ve stir-fried everything together in a homemade Mee Goreng inspired sauce.
We’ve added crunchy pak choi and spring onions to our portion, but there’s nothing to stop you throwing in any wok-friendly vegetable leftovers from the back of the fridge (just be sure to adjust the calories, if you’re keeping track).
Itsu Chick-N Ramen Rice Noodle Cup is available from Tesco, priced at £1.85 per cup.
Young’s Gastro Tempura Battered Roast Garlic & Herb Sole Fillets – 209 calories per oven-baked fillet
Just the ticket for a meat-free midweek menu, Young’s Gastro Tempura Battered Roast Garlic and Herb Sole Fillets take next to no effort to rustle up. Pre-battered in a garlic and herb breadcrumb coating, they’re safe to cook straight from the freezer.
Simply oven-bake them to flaky perfection until they’re ready to serve with your favourite chippy-inspired sides. Who fancies chips and peas?
With so much colour and flavour, it’s impossible not to love our Fish Finger Tachos. Each home-baked wrap comes loaded with fish finger pieces and shredded slaw-style veggies.
Since you can’t have ‘Tachos’ without nachos, you’ll find low-salt tortilla chips inside too – they give every bite such an irresistible, cheesy crunch!
Young’s Gastro Tempura Battered Roast Garlic and Herb Sole Fillets are available from Iceland, priced at £4.75 for a pack of 2.
Specially Selected Jalapeño Cheese Croquettes – 66 calories per bite
Hot or cold, these Specially Selected Jalapeño Cheese Croquettes from Aldi are real crowd-pleasers. It’s hard to say no to an oh-so-gooey, mildly-spiced cheese centre coated in a crispy layer of breadcrumbs – especially if you’ll be taking them for a dip in sour cream or sweet chilli sauce.
Soft and spicy at 66 calories per croquette, you’ll never regret adding them to your picnic basket.
We can’t talk about jalapeños without mentioning our Jalapeño Popper Sausage Rolls. Instead of the full-fat pastry you’d find with bakery-bought versions, we’ve used low-calorie tortilla wraps to bundle up our mildly-spiced, Mexican-inspired filling.
You can find the full recipe on pages 48-49 of our Family Meal Planner. If you’ve not got a copy at home yet, you can grab one here.
Specially Selected Jalapeno Cheese Croquettes are available from Aldi, priced at £1.99 per pack.
Sainsbury’s Chorizo Regato Pinwheels – 46 calories per pinwheel
When it’s warmer out and you’re in the mood for snacky bits, give Sainsbury’s Chorizo Regato Pinwheels a whirl. We’re talking about smoky chorizo, Regato cheese and mature Cheddar, swirled into layers of crispy puff pastry.
You can enjoy them cold while you’re on the go, but we think they taste best when they’re warm, crispy and fresh from the oven.
With pizza-inspired flavours in every bite, our Pizza Swirls are sure to keep everyone happy until dinnertime rolls around.
While we’ve gone for a classic tomato, cheese and basil filling, there’s nothing to stop you taking inspiration from your favourite pizza toppings.
Swirls are so easy and convenient to make for sweet cravings too! We’ve got more slimming-friendly swirl recipes you’ll want to scroll through here.
Sainsbury’s Chorizo Regato Pinwheels are available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £2.95 for a pack of 8 wheels.
Slush Puppie Blue Raspberrie Fizzie – 1 calorie per 100ml
It’s tough to miss Slush Puppie Blue Raspberrie Fizzie in the drinks aisle at Morrisons. Available in both the iconic blue ‘raspberrie’ and red ‘strawberrie’ Slush Puppie flavours, they’re a fun, zero-sugar soft drink option for summer.
At only 1 calorie per 100ml, you can cool down with a glass over ice, add a drop of blue to your boozy creations or use a freezer mould to create Slush Puppie lollies at home.
Speaking of ice cold slushy treats, you can’t beat our gorgeous Strawberry Daiquiri. Perfect for treating yourself to a cocktail night at home, our daiquiri mixture looks and tastes luxurious for only 84 calories per berry-licious serving.
Slush Puppie Blue Raspberrie Fizzie drink is available from Morrisons, priced at £1.35 for a 2 litre bottle.
ASDA Sticky Chinese Style Chicken Stir-Fry Kit – 257 calories per 1/2 pack
We love finding products that make busy days easier, and this ASDA Sticky Chinese Style Chicken Stir-Fry Kit does just that. Each kit includes tender, pre-marinated chunks of chicken breast, alongside a sachet of sweet chilli sauce for drizzling.
Toss it all together in a hot wok with the medley of ready-chopped red peppers, sweetcorn, spring onions and mangetout. You’ll have dinner on the table in less than 15 minutes!
Our Vegetable Spring Rolls with Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce are a cracking accompaniment to any Friday night feast, and they’re only 114 calories per serving – dip included!
For the full recipe, grab your copy of our fifth cookbook from your shelf and turn to pages 196-199 (if you’ve not got Pinch of Nom: Enjoy at home, you can order a copy here!).
ASDA Sticky Chinese Style Chicken Stir-Fry Kit is available from Asda, priced at £4.40 for a pack that serves 2.
The BAKERY at ASDA Sweet Treat School Cakes – 248 calories per cake
It’s no secret that we love a trip down memory lane at Pinch of Nom, so we couldn’t resist picking up these The BAKERY at ASDA Sweet Treat School Cakes. A sprinkle-topped nostalgic treat, they’ll take you back in time for 248 calories per spongy square.
If you’re feeling extra indulgent and you fancy the full experience, why not try them ‘school dinner style’ with a glug of custard?
Fun, colourful and absolutely delicious, our FABulous Lollies are a surefire freezer staple for summer and beyond. To make our retro-inspired recipe taste wonderful (rain or shine!), we’ve used low-sugar strawberry squash and almond milk to form an eye-catching, slimming-friendly duo of layers.
Don’t forget to serve them dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with lots of colourful hundreds and thousands!
The BAKERY at ASDA Sweet Treat School Cakes are available from Asda, priced at £2.00 for a pack of 4.
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
A must-add ingredient for stir-fries, soups or salads, spring onions will freshen up any dish in an instant. Their satisfying onion crunch is so easy to include in your cooking, and packed with vitamin goodness!
They’re even more of a key ingredient in Chinese takeaway inspired dishes like our Beef and Spring Onion Chow Mein. With fresh veggies, tender strips of beef and egg noodles, it’s the perfect family-friendly dish for Fakeaway night.
Red Pepper – 31 calories per 100g
You can always count on peppers to brighten up your cooking. With a sweet, mild flavouring, red peppers blend seamlessly into a variety of lunchtime options for your return back to the office, including fresh salads, wraps and soups.
Often found in dishes with a kick of spice, you’ll find colourful, chopped peppers at the centre of our Cajun Spiced Stuffed Chicken. We’ve combined them with cheese, garlic, onions to make our irresistible filling.
Beef Tomato – 20 calories per 100g
You know barbecue season has properly arrived when beef tomatoes are out to play. Easy to slice and the perfect size for a burger-loaded bite, we love having these in the fridge ready for when we’re having dinner in the garden.
Why not use a slice to add a juicy burst of tomatoey goodness to Turkey Burgers? They’re packed full of delicious flavour for only 176 calories per bun. That definitely leaves room in your calorie budget for a side of coleslaw too…
Mini Easy Peelers – 35 calories per 100g
Bursting with vitamin C, easy peelers add a boost of goodness to breakfast, or you can save them to be enjoyed as a fruity pick-me-up at lunch time. They’ll definitely curb your cravings in the mid-afternoon lull!
If you’re a lover of zesty, orange flavourings, you need to try our Chocolate Orange Brownies. There’s no denying that chocolate and orange is a classic combo, and these chocolatey squares make the most of it for only 72 calories each.
Mini Apples – 53 calories per 100g
An apple a day helps you on your way to your 5-a-day! Crunchy and sweet, biting into a crisp apple can stop you rooting around in the snack cupboard in the middle of the day.
Munch on one as part of your lunch, or slice an apple and serve it with your breakfast. Such a versatile fruit, you can cook it into desserts or even use it in your dinner recipes.
Put this bag of bargain apples to good use and make our Apple Pie Porridge for breakfast next week!
Jersey Royal Potatoes – 75 calories per 100g
At the heart of a meal or on the side, it’s hard not to love potatoes! Mashed, boiled, fried or oven-baked, they’re a nutritious crowd-pleaser you can count on.
Nutty, with a firm texture, these Jersey Royal potatoes are perfect for fuss-free dishes like Potato Salad – they’re so easy to throw into the pan with the skin on! Their thin skin adds a satisfying bite that goes so well with our homemade, creamy chive dressing.
**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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