Light Meals

Moroccan Apricot Couscous Salad

| roeliaschoeman

I really love Moroccan-style flavours – cumin, ginger, coriander, cinnamon!   And the best is – there is a fabulous ‘short-cut’ available – Woolies’ Moroccan Rub!  I use it so often, that I always buy 2 containers at a time!  Very versatile and convenient 🙂 And it works great with lamb, chicken and veggies.

Here’s a quick and healthy salad to make the most of those flavours:

 

Serves 1

 

80g cooked couscous

75g chickpeas (tinned/cooked)

A big handful of fresh rocket

30g soft dried apricots, chopped

10g toasted almond slivers

 

Dressing

100g plain fatfree yogurt

1/2 tsp Woolworths Moroccan Rub (if you don’t have this – you can make up your own morrocan blend -this recipe is great http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/moroccan-spice-blend-109356)

 

Mix couscous and chickpeas and place on bed of rocket, lightly stir through yogurt dressing.  Season to taste. Sprinkle chopped apricot bits and toasted almonds over it.

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2 CC, 1 Prot, 1 Fat, 1 Fruit, 1/2 Veg, 1/2 Milk

Inspired by Buzzfeed Recipe

Summery Strawberry Salad

| roeliaschoeman

It seems as if we jumped straight from winter to summer!  And, it is also time to concentrate on getting rid of this ‘winter body’.  Yes, one step at a time!

This salad is so simple, with only a handful of ingredients – and really yummy 🙂

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Serves 1

Lettuce and Herb mix (to serve)

150g fresh strawberries, cut in quarters or bite sized bits

25g red onion, sliced

90g smoked chicken, sliced

10g cashew nuts

Salt and pepper to taste

Put strawberries, red oinion, and smoked chicken on bed of lettuce and herbs.  Sprinkle chopped cashew nuts over, season and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic reduction.

Super quick and easy!

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1 Veg, 1 Fruit, 1 Prot, 1 Fat

Thai Chickpea Curry

| roeliaschoeman

If it is Thursday night it must be ‘vegetarian’ night!  🙂  Super healthy, quick and easy – curry for 1 coming up!

 

50g finely chopped onion

5ml peanut oil

1/2 teaspoon ginger and garlic paste

100g chopped red pepper

5ml Thai 7 Spice (Cape Herb & Spice)

a generous sprinkling of Robertsons Exotic Thai Season

75g chickpeas (tinned/cooked)

200ml fat free milk + a few drops coconut essence (saving calories, instead of using coconut milk)

Salt to taste

 

Fry onions in peanut oil until soft, add ginger and garlic paste.  Fry for another minute or two.  Add red pepper, spices and chickpeas.  Add some water if needed – simmer for a few minutes until red pepper is soft.  Add ‘coconut’ milk, season to taste and simmer for about 5 minutes.

And done!

Serve with some basmati or brown rice.  And fresh coriander (that I forgot this time around!)

(Not the best pic, I know!)

Thai Chickpea Curry

1 Prot, 1.5 Veg, 1 Fat

Mexican Corn & Samp Salad (with Citrus Dressing)

| roeliaschoeman

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Okay, this was VERY experimental!  I haven’t even HEARD of a samp salad before 🙂 But inspiration hit (while looking for a new ‘carb’ option to try) and this is what transpired.

Dressing: (leave to infuse a bit).  By the way, this salad can be made in advance, just add the tomatoes and salt just before serving otherwise it becomes soggy.

Okay, where was I…  yes, the dressing (mix it all together):

1oml olive oil

2 TBSP freshly squeezed orange juice

2 TBS lemon juice

2 TBS White Wine Vinegar

1/4 tsp fresh garlic

A dash of cayenne pepper

A dash of ground cumin

Then,

Mix together (or pack in layers if preferred):

200g corn kernels (I used frozen corn, covered with boiling water and left to stand for 10 minutes, no need to cook)

140g cooked samp (I cooked this in advance, because it does take a while to cook – and then left to cool)

200g red kidney beans (tinned and drained)

100g chopped tomato

50g chopped onion

100g chopped mixed peppers (I used green and red)

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

Pour dressing over, and voila!  I actually wanted to add some fresh coriander as well, but realised I was all out.  Next time 🙂

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WL Breakdown, serves 2 (LARGE portions), 1 Serve = 2 CC, 1 Prot, 1.5 Veg, 1 Fat

 

 

 

 

Corn and Mussel Chowder

| roeliaschoeman

I hang my head in shame – no post in 3 months… crazy!  But I think most people feel like me – this year is simply going too fast.  May, June and July simply seems like a blur!  Phew…  Anyway, time to get back on track!  Here we go 🙂

This soup is super tasty and super easy to prepare!

Corn and Mussel Chowder

150g chopped onion

10ml olive oil (lemon infused – or add a good squirt of lemon juice)

1 chopped chilli (can be omitted)

500ml chicken stock

400g frozen corn (pour boiling water over and leave to stand for a few minutes)

400g potato (cubed)

400g mussel meat

Salt and Pepper to taste

Fresh coriander or parsley to serve

 

Fry chopped onions in olive oil until soft.  Add potato cubes and chicken stock and simmer until soft.  Add 1/2 of corn and liquidise soup with handblender.  Add rest of corn and mussel meat, season.  Simmer on medium heat for about 5 minutes (mussel meat cooks quickly)

Serve with fresh coriander or parsley.

 

Serves 4.

1 Serving = 1 Prot, 2 CC, 1/2 Fat, 1/2 Veg

 

 

 

 

 

Roasted Tomato Soup with Risoni

| roeliaschoeman

A lovely filling and tasty soup!  🙂  I added the risoni (pasta rice or orzo) to add a little more ‘body’ to the soup – you can have some chunky bread or toast with it, but it actually isn’t necessary, it is filling enough as is 🙂

10 ml olive oil

800g cherry/baby tomatoes

1 onion, quartered

Fresh thyme

400ml chicken stock (if vegetarian – use veggie stock)

200g cooked risoni (tip: cook in only for about 8 minutes, it tends to get soggy quite quickly!)

1/2 tsp Garlic and Herb Spice (I use Robertson’s Masterblends)

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

To serve:  low fat feta (about 30g per person if serving 2, 15g if serving 4 ‘starter’ portions)  and fresh parsley

Place tomatoes, onions and thyme sprigs on a baking sheet (with foil and non-stick cooking spray) and a drizzle of olive oil.  Roast in a pre-heated oven at 180C for about 30 minutes (until tomatoes start to blister)

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Transfer to a pot (medium sized, stove top), and remove some of the thyme sprigs (it can get a little ‘tough’.  Add stock, spice mix, salt and pepper and simmer for about 15 minutes.  You can add more stock if you find it too thick.  Liquidise (I used a stickblender – liquidise the soup in the pot).  Stir in cooked pasta rice.  Simmer for another couple of minutes to make sure the pasta rice is the same temperature than the soup.  Dish up and serve with feta and fresh parsley (I actually wanted to use fresh basil, but we were all out!  The parsley was yummy as well.   And how ‘Italian’ does it look?  :):)

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Tip:  Hubby added blue cheese instead of low fat feta and said it worked well!  Also, if you prefer a more ‘meaty’ meal – serve with some fried bacon bits.

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Makes 2 large portions (that’s how we had it!) – or 4 ‘starter’ portions.

If serving 4:  1 CC, 1/2 Protein, 2 Veg, 1/2 fat

20 Minute Chickpea Curry (with Pumpkin Tagliatelle – and I can’t take credit for ALL that!)

| roeliaschoeman

Okay, I can’t take credit for the Pumpkin Tagliatelle – all the thanks go to Woolies!  But you can make your own using a veggie peeler 🙂  I’ve got a small spiraliser, but I found it works best for veggies like cucumber, baby marrow and carrots – nothing too ‘chunky’….

Anyway – Meatless Thursday – again!  Time sure flies…  😉

 

20-minute (cheat’s!) Chickpea Curry

1 tin chickpeas, drained

1/2 onion, finely chopped

5ml olive oil

1/2 tin tomato and onion mix

1 teaspoon curry powder (I used Woolies’ Korma mix)

1/2 teaspoon garlic and chili paste

1/2 tin lite coconut milk

Salt and Pepper to taste

 

To serve

Pumpkin “Pasta” – microwave in bag as per instructions for 3 minutes

100g cooked angelhair pasta

Fresh Coriander

 

Fry onions in olive oil for about 2 minutes – top up with a little veggie stock if needed.  Stir in garlic and chili paste, fry for another minute.  Add chickpeas, curry powder, tomato and onion mix.  Simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes.  Stir in coconut milk.  And it’s ready to serve!

Mix cooked pumpkin Tagliatelle carefully with cooked pasta. Top with chickpea curry and fresh coriander 🙂

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Serves 2

Cauliflower and Cheese Soup

| roeliaschoeman

Sounds and tastes extremely decadent, but it is so  easy and quick to make and a very healthy and filling meal!  🙂

200g Potato, cubed

300g Cauliflower (I used frozen cauliflower and it worked well)

200ml Chicken stock (or Veggie Stock, if preferred)

250ml Fat free milk

60g finely grated low fat cheese

White Pepper and salt

Smoked Paprika

Boil potato cubes in chicken stock for 10 minutes on medium heat.  Add milk and cauliflower and cook until soft.  Season with salt an d pepper to taste.  Liquidise with handblender.  Stir in grated cheese and dish up in soup bowls.  Sprinkle with a bit of Smoked Paprika and stir through – it gives a lovely colour and taste!

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Serves 2:  1 Serving =  1 CC, 1.5 Veg, 1/2 Milk, 1 Prot

PS:  Make this “Best Choice” by using Low Fat Feta!

Butternut Spaghetti with Bacon and Herbs

| roeliaschoeman

I am, like most people, a little obsessed with spiralised veggies at the moment.  I guess it is the fact that, by simply changing the shape of a veggie, it makes it a little more versatile and ‘fun’ to work (and play) with 🙂  And who doesn’t like pasta-shaped stuff!  😉

This is a super quick meal – honestly, it took about 10 minutes to prepare!

175g lean bacon (I used Eskort Weigh-Less Smoked bacon), cut into strips

5ml lemon infused olive oil (or plain olive oil with a dash of lemon juice if you don’t have infused olive oil)

200g Butternut Spaghetti (super excited about this new product from Woolies!  But again, if you can’t get hold of it, make your own spiralised veggies.  Spiralisers are widely available, I got a very cool one from Clicks, for R99.  You can even use coarsely grated butternut)

20g chinese style noodles (we often make trips to Cyrildene, Johannesburg’s China Town.  Very affordable produce and a very exotic and interesting range of products available.  It is a treat!  If you feel nervous to venture out on your own, join the Chef Ishvara’s group on Facebook – it is called “African Secrets – cultural walks in the inner city of Joburg” and he offers insightful and very interesting tours to the various cultural hotspots in Johannesburg. A true treat!  Look out for his Cyrildene and Fordsburg tours)  Okay, and after all that – you can use angelhair pasta as well!  LOL!

Robertsons Masterblends – Garlic and Rosemary seasoning

Salt and Pepper to taste

Fresh basil to serve

Fry bacon strips in pan coated with non-stick spray – add a few mls of boiling water to prevent from sticking – it will take about 4 minutes.  In the meantime, place the butternut spaghetti in the microwave (can just microwave it in the bag or with a little bit of water) for 2 minutes.  Also cook the pasta in boiling water – the pasta is very thin, so it takes only 5 minutes to cook.  Add a generous sprinkling of Garlic and Rosemary seasoning to the bacon strips.  Stir in drained pasta and butternut strips and season with salt, pepper and infused olive oil.  Fry at high heat for 1 minute (we don’t want the butternut and pasta to get soggy and overcooked)

Serve with fresh basil

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Voila!  10 minute meal!  And it is yummy!

PS:  You can make this a vegetarian option by replacing the bacon with feta.  Cook butternut and pasta as above, mix together, season and serve with basil 🙂

2 Prot, 1 Fat, 2 Veg, 1 CC

Creamy Pumpkin & Herb Pasta with Feta Crumble

| roeliaschoeman

The title of this dish is slightly deceiving because it contains NO cream!  But the pasta sauce has got a lovely ‘creamy’ texture indeed!

100g chopped onions – 1 Veg

10ml olive oil – 2 Fat

1/2 tsp garlic and herb paste

1/2 tsp mixed herbs

400g cooked pumpkin chunks (I bought a prepared pack and just popped it in the microwave for 4 minutes –  are per the instructions) – 4 Veg

10oml prepared chicken stock (or veggie stock)

Salt and pepper to taste

60g crumbed feta mixed with a sprinkling of dried sage and parsley – 2 Prot

Pasta serving according to your formula/daily allowance

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Fry onions in olive oil until soft.  Stir in garlic and herb paste and herbs and fry for a minute or so.  Add pumpkin chunks and chicken stock and cook until pumpkin is soft.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Liquidise if preferred or just mash with a fork.

Stir cooked pasta in (I used linguine) and simmer for a few minutes.

Dish up and serve with a crumbed feta mix.

Serves 2