With March 5th approaching, not everyone is lucky enough to go to New Orleans. That doesn’t stop folks from hosting extravagant creole-inspired parties for all to enjoy though and we have some tasty recipes (from the UK’s favorite weight-loss organization – Slimming World) that are perfect for the health-inspired party-planner.
Try these tasty Mardi Gras-inspired recipes and enjoy the celebrations safe in the knowledge that you’re enjoying healthy food and that your weight loss goals will still be terrifically on track.
Shrimp And Ham Jambalaya
Bring the taste of the Big Easy to your weekend table with this flavorful jambalaya.
Ingredients
- Cooking spray*
- 1 large onion chopped
- 1 large clove garlic minced
- 1 red bell pepper seeded and cut into strips, strips cut in half
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and cut into strips, strips cut in half
- 2 large celery sticks with some leaves, thinly sliced
- 2 cups chicken broth boiling
- 1/4 lb. ham cut into 1/2" chunks
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. thyme dried
- 1/8-1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 cup long-grain rice dried
- 1 14 1/2-oz. can tomatoes drained, diced
- 1/2 lb. large shrimp cooked, peeled and halved lengthwise
- 4 scallions sliced
- 2 Tbsp. parsley fresh , chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 F. Spray a Dutch oven with cooking spray* and place over medium heat.
- Add the onion, garlic and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, for about 5 minutes, until starting to get tender.
- Stir in the bell peppers, celery and 1 tablespoon of the broth. Cover and cook, stirring a couple of times, for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Stir in the ham, then the paprika, thyme, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds.
- Stir in the rice, drained tomatoes and the remaining broth, increase the heat to high and bring to a boil.
- Cover and place in the oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, stirring with a fork halfway through, until the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender.
- Remove from the oven. With a fork, stir in the shrimp, cover and let stand for 5 minutes to heat through. Sprinkle with the scallions and parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
*Please note to protect your weight loss, use up to 10 short sprays of any spray oil per day.
Cajun Chicken With Spicy Potato Wedges And Kale-Carrot Salad
Spicy chicken, sweet corn and a fresh kale salad—gather the family around and dig in!
Ingredients
- Cooking spray*
- 4 chicken drumsticks bone-in, skinned, visible fat removed
- 4 chicken thighs bone-in, skinned, visible fat removed
- 2 lbs. new potatoes large, quartered into wedges
- 2 Tbsp Cajun seasoning or Creole
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 4 ears corn shucked, each cut in half crosswise
- 1 handful parsley fresh, flat-leaf, chopped, to serve
- For the salad:
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt plain, fat-free
- 2 tsp. lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp. yellow mustard
- 1 Pinch sugar substitute
- 4 cups baby kale thinly sliced
- 2 medium carrots peeled and coarsely shredded
- 4 scallions thinly sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a large roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray*.
- Make a few slashes into the chicken drumsticks and thighs and put them in the prepared pan with the potato wedges. Sprinkle with the Cajun or Creole seasoning and lemon juice and toss everything together.
- Roast for 50 minutes, turning occasionally. Halfway through the cooking time, move the chicken and potatoes to one side of the pan. Add the corn and continue cooking with the chicken and potatoes until all is tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Meanwhile, make the salad. In a medium serving bowl, stir together the yogurt, lemon juice, mustard and sugar substitute with a fork, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the kale, carrots and scallions and mix well, adding more salt or lemon juice to taste.
- Divide the spicy chicken, potatoes and corn among 4 plates, sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with the salad on the side.
Notes
*Please note to protect your weight loss, use up to 10 short sprays of any spray oil per day.
Black-Eyed Pea And Vegetable Chili Bowl
Warm up the kitchen with this mildly spiced, smoky vegetarian chili that's sure to please the whole family. Serve with freshly cooked rice or quinoa. Lime wedges add a fresh touch.
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 large onion coarsely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 sticks celery cut into 1/2” slices
- 2 large carrots peeled, halved lengthwise and cut into 1” chunks
- 1 bell pepper orange or red, seeded and cut into 1/2” pieces
- 1 tsp. cumin ground
- 3/4 tsp. paprika smoked
- 1/2 tsp. oregano dried
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 16-oz. can black beans drained, or chili beans in tomato sauce
- 1 15.5-oz. can black-eyed peas drained, rinsed
- 1 14.5-oz. can tomatoes undrained, diced
- 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped, fresh
- wedges lime to serve
Instructions
- Spray a Dutch oven with cooking spray* and place over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, celery, carrots and bell pepper and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook, stirring often, for 5–6 minutes, until crisp-tender.
- Add the cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne and ½ teaspoon each salt and black pepper and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the black beans and their sauce, the black-eyed peas, the tomatoes and their juices and 1/4 cup water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15–20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have blended.
- Remove from the heat and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve hot with lime wedges and freshly cooked rice or quinoa.
Notes
*Please note to protect your weight loss, use up to 10 short sprays of any spray oil per day.
Slimming World’s flexible healthy eating plan, called Food Optimizing, makes losing weight easy and enjoyable. There’s no calorie counting and no tiny portions – just healthy everyday foods you’ll find at the grocery store and hundreds of recipes for filling, family-friendly meals.
Slimming World aims to help you make changes to how you shop, cook and eat, so you’ll lose weight without ever feeling hungry or deprived.
For more tasty recipes visit www.slimmingworld.com
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