FAMILY FEASTS

Delicious dishes that won’t pile on the pounds

As chefs on a mission to lose weight and eat healthily, we’re all about getting people back into the kitchen and cooking for all the family, while also giving you healthy, calorie-friendly swaps.

You don’t need to be cooking two different meals each evening in order to keep everyone happy. And you certainly don’t need to be eating alone.

Our recipes are designed to be enjoyed by everyone. When we ask the 1.5 million users who visit our website what they would like to see more of, family recipes are always high on the list.

And so that’s what we deliver — recipes that you can make and then share with family, friends and flatmates without anyone feeling like they are missing out.

We include gluten-free recipes, while nearly half the recipes in Pinch Of Nom everyday Light are veggie.

We’ve made sure the recipes in both our cookbooks follow simple methods and work whatever your cooking ability.

Based on the feedback we got from our panel of testers — 200 ordinary members of the public — we’re confident that even a novice cook can tackle these recipes and end up with a decent meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Indeed, you can prepare most of the everyday Light recipes in under 30 minutes. In the new book, every recipe comes in at under 400 calories per portion. We do this by making the most of key ingredients and clever swaps.

Lean meats are a great source of protein, providing essential nutrients and fantastic filling power. fish is another excellent provider of protein and is naturally low in fat. One of our favourite phrases is: ‘If it swims, it slims!’ SECRET HELPERS

ONe of Pinch of Nom’s favourite ingredients is the lowly stockpot. These are condensed, ready-made stocks that add instant flavour — they are so versatile. Wine stockpots are a genius invention — flavour without the calories!

cooking family meals from scratch is another key tip — and it can be economical, too. Don’t be afraid to bulk-buy some

tinned essentials: beans, tomatoes and sweetcorn. You’ll find you can add many of these ingredients to Pinch of Nom stews and salads.

They keep the cost of dishes down and, compared with fresh, it makes little or no difference to the flavour. Similarly, frozen veggies bulk out dishes and are great lowcost alternatives for recipes like stews.

high in both protein and fibre, tins of beans and pulses are perfect cupboard staples, too. Rice is really satisfying and, when flavoured with spices and/ or seasoning, it’s a great accompaniment to many of our recipes.

We often substitute low-fat soft cheese or yoghurt for higher-fat ingredients, while using a low- calorie cooking spray makes little difference to the way that most ingredients are cooked, but dramatically reduces calories because you’re not pouring oil into a pan.

LOW FAT, FULL FLAVOUR

WheN you remove fat from a recipe, flavours can dwindle. Carefully adding vinegar can restore a rich, deep balance.

Pinch of Nom love a bit of spice! One of the best ways to keep your food interesting is to season it well with herbs and spices.

Don’t be shy with spices — not all of them burn your mouth off! We use garlic granules in a lot of our recipes because they are a convenient and cheaper alternative to fresh garlic, and in slow cooks and stews, for example, you won’t be able to tell the difference.

Protein-rich, filling, tasty and versatile, eggs are the ultimate slimming yet satisfying ingredient — you’ll always want a box in the house.

Pinch of Nom recipes are synonymous with creating magic with wraps — wholewheat or wholegrain wraps provide fibre and filling power, too. We also use glutenfree rolls in some of our recipes. Generally lower in calories, they have a high fibredensity, which is a perfect way to balance a low- calorie diet. We sometimes use wholemeal bread, too — filling and another great source of fibre.

Lemons and limes are perfect for adding to recipes that need an extra bit of ‘zing’.

Today, we’ll show you how to make some of our best-loved healthy family recipes, including veggie spag bol and salmon risotto.