Kickstart the new year with healthy and delicious recipes to shed those Christmas pounds

QUEEN La Toya Egerton of Wholesome Fakeaways helps shift Christmas pounds with these delicious recipes.

Latoya, 31, from Devon, said:

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“But these low-calorie recipes I’m sharing with you are aimed at people who like to cook flavorful dishes with minimal effort. Eating a good meal can be difficult.” Because there is no

“I like the easy life, so I try to bake on trays, prepare lunches and breakfasts ahead of time, and create dishes that are easy to prepare even for the less confident cook.”

• Slimming and Tasty: 100 delicious, low-calorie recipes and healthy fakes are out now by Latoyah Egerton (£20, Greenfinch).

Thiramushi Overnight Oats

1 serving

6

preparation time: 5 minutes + cool

calorie: 309

Things necessary:

• Porridge oats 40g
• 120ml strong black coffee
• 3 tablespoons non-fat vanilla Greek yogurt
• Small squirting “light” squirting cream
• ½ tsp cocoa powder

Method: Place the oats in a small bowl, pour in the coffee and mix well. Add half a tablespoon of non-fat yogurt and mix until combined.

I like to use mason jars to prepare overnight oats, but any glass will do. and then add more oats to create a layer in the jar.

Drizzle some low-fat fluffy whipped cream on top and finish with a sprinkling of cocoa powder. Chill in the refrigerator overnight or at least 3 hours.

sunny breakfast casserole

4 servings

6

preparation time: 10 minutes

cooking time: 45 minutes

calorie: 445

Things necessary:

• Lean minced turkey 500g
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 finely diced red onion
• 300g cherry tomatoes cut in half
• 2 tablespoons pitted black olives (cut in half)
• 6 eggs
• skimmed milk 100ml
• 120g low-fat feta cheese
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• low calorie cooking spray

Method: Preheat oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7. Heat skillet over medium heat and spray with low calorie cooking spray.

Add the minced turkey and saute until the turkey is browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Spray a baking dish with low-calorie cooking spray and transfer the browned minced turkey to a plate. Spread peppers, onions, tomatoes and olives on top.

Whisk the eggs and milk in a bowl or jug, add the feta cheese, oregano, a pinch of salt and pepper, and whisk again. Pour the milk mixture over the mince and vegetables and stir so everything is spread evenly over the plate.

Bake 35 minutes or until eggs are set. This can be served immediately or allowed to cool completely before slicing and storing in an airtight container.

Bursin Chicken Pasta Tray Bake

4 servings

6

preparation time: 10 minutes

cooking time: 35 minutes

calorie: 450

Things necessary:

• 150g pack Boursin cheese (or garlic and herb cream cheese)
• 120g cherry tomatoes
• Chestnut mushroom 100g chopped
• 150g spinach
• 500g skinless chicken breast
• 4 smoked bacon medallions, trimmed of all fat and chopped
• pour balsamic vinegar
• low calorie cooking spray
• 180g dried pasta

Method: Preheat oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas mark. 5. Place the boursan or cream cheese in the center of the baking tray and sprinkle the cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and spinach around the cheese.

Add the diced chicken and bacon, sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper, and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

Bake for 35 minutes or until tomatoes are tender.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in a pot of boiling water according to packet directions. Set aside some cooking water for later use.

Remove the tray from the oven and mix everything to crumble the cheese.

Make sure the chicken is cooked through at this point. Add a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water to create a smooth sauce.

Add the boiled and drained pasta, mix with the rest of the dish and serve.

greek nachos

4 servings

6

preparation time: 10 minutes

cooking time: 3-6 hours depending on the slow cooker settings

calorie: 400

Things necessary:

• 2 large skinless and boneless chicken breasts
• 1 lemon juice
• 3 cloves of crushed garlic
• 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons fat-free Greek yogurt
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 red onion

for tzatziki:

• 1/2 cucumber
• 100g fat-free Greek yogurt
• 1 small clove of finely chopped garlic
• ½ teaspoon dried mint
• For pitta nachos:
• 4 slices of whole wheat pitta bread, cut into small triangles
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• low calorie cooking spray

For Greek salsa:

• 100 g cherry tomatoes chopped
• 1/2 finely chopped red onion
• 30 g pitted black olives chopped
• 1/2 cucumber, chopped
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 100 g reduced-fat feta cheese, diced

Method:

Place chicken, lemon juice, garlic, vinegar, yogurt, dried herbs, and onions in a slow cooker and cook over low heat for 6 hours and high heat for 3 hours.

Alternatively, cook in a cast iron casserole dish in an oven preheated to 160°C/140°C fan/gas mark 3 for 1 1/2 hours.

Once the chicken is cooked, use two forks to shred it into small pieces and place it in the slow cooker to keep warm while you prepare the rest of the dish. Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7.

To make the nachos, arrange the pitta triangles on a baking sheet.

Season with salt, pepper and oregano and spray with a low-calorie cooking spray. Bake for 10 minutes until golden brown and beginning to crisp.

Mix all salsa ingredients in a bowl.

Prepare the tzatziki by mixing all ingredients in another bowl.

Place the crunchy nachos on a serving dish and layer the chicken, salsa and tzatziki on top.

cheese chili chicken enchiladas

4 servings

6

preparation time: 10 minutes

cooking time: 55 minutes

calorie: 550

Things necessary:

Enchilada filling:

• 4 skinless and boneless chicken breasts
• 4 teaspoons cumin
• Garlic powder 4 tsp
• 4 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 x 500g carton passata
• 2 cloves of crushed garlic
• 1 green chilli, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 finely chopped red onion

To assemble:

• 160g extra light cheddar
• 8 tortilla wraps
• low calorie cooking spray

Method:

Preheat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas mark.

Combine all enchilada filling ingredients in a large ovenproof dish and mix well. Bake for 40 minutes.

Remove chicken breast from plate and use 2 forks to shred meat.

Return the cut chicken to the plate and mix well. Spray a separate bakeware with low-calorie cooking spray.

Place 2 tablespoons of chicken filling on plastic wrap and fold edges to wrap filling.

Place the plastic wrap in a heatproof dish with the crease facing down. Repeat until you run out of wraps, reserving some filling for toppings.

Pour the rest of the filling over the enchiladas on the plate and top with the cheese. Bake 15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.