Recipe of the week

Slow cooker apricot chicken

SERVES: Four

TOTAL TIME: Six hours and 30 minutes

CALORIES PER PORTION: 462. INGREDIENTS

One tbsp olive oil

600g chicken thigh fillets

One onion, diced

Two tsp garlic, minced

400ml apricot nectar

1/2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

One tsp parsley

One tsp thyme

400g tinned apricot halves, drained

INSTRUCTIONS

Bring a large skillet to high heat, add the oil and brown the chicken for about three to four minutes.

Transfer to a 5.5L slow cooker. Add onion to the same pan and cook for about five minutes or until translucent.

Add the garlic, apricot nectar, balsamic vinegar, parsley and thyme.

Pour the mixture into the slow cooker, cover and cook on low for six hours. Add the apricot halves for the last 30 minutes. Optional: serve with brown rice or couscous.

Health experts say: Apricots are very nutritious and contain many essential vitamins and minerals.

Just two fresh apricots (70 grammes) provide: Calories: 34. Carbs: eight grammes. Protein: one gramme. Fat: 0.27 grammes. Fibre: 1.5 grammes. Vitamin A: 8% of the Daily Value (DV). Vitamin C: 8% of the DV. Vitamin E: 4% of the DV. Potassium: 4% of the DV. Furthermore, this fruit is a decent source of beta carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

Graham Low, owner of East Coast Fitness, is an award-winning personal trainer based in Seaham. The ex-professional footballer won Sole Trader Of The Year in 2016 and 2017, and Highly Commended Health & Lifestyle Business Of The Year in 2018, at the Sunderland Echo Portfolio Awards. Graham also won the Leisure Excellence Award at the North East Hotels Association Awards while working as gym manager at Seaham Hall in 2012. If you need help with your health and fitness

email graham@eastcoast-fitness.com or visit www.eastcoast-fitness.com