Saffron & Pine Nut Pilaf

Pilaf is an Indian style of cooking where seasoned rice is simmered gently allowing the flavour to infuse. Ideal as a side dish that would go great with grilled chicken or fish, you could also turn it into a main meal by adding some cooked chicken or prawns or keep it veggie by adding dried raisins and cooked peas.

The toasted pine nuts in the dish go very well with the rice and add additional texture. Toasted mixed nuts, flaked almonds or even pumpkin seeds would all work as substitutes.

Arancini - Crispy Risotto Balls

Arancini is a rustic Italian dish that's a great way to use up any left over cooked risotto rice. In my version, a little low fat cheese is hidden inside a ball of cooled risotto rice, coated in breadcrumbs and gently pan fried so the outside crisps up, while the cheese inside melts. Perfect as a starter, they are great served with a little Tomato Pesto or pasta sauce on the side for dipping.

Also, this post is the 100th recipe I've posted on the site. Since it's been set up in February, over 2,500 unique visitors have viewed more than 5,000 page impressions and I'd like to thank you all for your support and encouragement. Here's to the next 100!

Prawn Massaman Curry with Brown Rice

Massaman curry is a delicious Thai style curry that contains potatoes. When ordered in a restaurant or takeaway, this dish will be made with gallons of coconut milk hugely increasing the calories and fat content. (Even 'low fat' or 'reduced fat' tinned coconut milk contains pots of calories and should be avoided!).

This recipe replaces the coconut milk with a cornflour/milk mixture that maintains the consistency and mirrors the taste.

You could omit the prawns and chicken stock and add some butternut squash or sweet potato (and vegetable stock) for a veggie version of the curry. Alternatively, some chopped cooked chicken would also work, but take this into account when counting the calories.

Vegetable Risotto

Spring has definitely sprung and something a little lighter is called for! This vegetable risotto is tasty and filling, but not too heavy or stodgy.

This recipe is very versatile and can be made to go further by adding a little cooked chicken or cooked prawns. You could also throw in some left over veg without anyone noticing!

Mushroom & Chickpea Curry with Brown Rice

This Indian style curry is delicately spiced and can be as hot as mild as you like by simply adjusting the strength of the curry powder used. Mushrooms and chickpeas are combined with spices and potato to gently thicken into a delicious sauce.

The recipe calls for onions, garlic and ginger to be liquidised to a pulp. The easiest way to do this is with a hand blender or food processor. If you don't have this equipment, simply grating them would also work.

Egg Fried Rice

Egg fried rice is a simple delicious dish that is a great accompaniment to almost any Chinese sauce. This version is a lower fat option, but still has an authentic taste.

The dish would work well with either white or brown rice and is a great way to use up any left over rice. You can add additional veg such as sweet corn, sugar snap peas or cooked mushrooms. You can also meat it up by adding cooked chicken, prawns or ham.

Prawn Masala Curry with Brown Rice

Most Indian curry recipes call for gallons of butter, needless to say not this doesn't, yet still maintains the base flavours! This delicious blend of onion, garlic and spices can be as hot or mild as you like.

The recipe asks for onions to be liquidised to a pulp. The easiest way to do this is with a hand blender or food processor. If you don't have this equipment, simply grating them would also work.

Yuk Sung

Yuk sung is a traditional Chinese dish that's usually made with pork mince and fried noodles, served in iceberg lettuce. In this lower fat version, I swap the pork for turkey and fried noodles for brown rice, the result is just as as nice!

We've joked that this dish should be the chief recipe given by the lettuce marketing board! It's crispiness is a great background to the oriental flavours. 

The dish would be great for a Friday night treat and will well and truly banish any idea of ordering a Chinese takeaway.

Pork & Tomato Rice One Pot

It doesn't seem this winter is ever going to end! But at least it's a good excuse to make delicious winter warmer recipes. This dish combines pork, tomato and rice to make a fantastic winter meal.  

Similar to beef, pork is another meat that can still be eaten in moderation when trying to lose weight. Although make sure it's well trimmed before hand, removing all visible fat.  

This dish is ideal for a midweek meal as it's ready in approximately 45 minutes and better still, as it's cooked in one pot, there's less washing-up!

Vegetable Curry with Brown Rice

Vegetable Curry is another vegetarian option that has kept us going over the winter. This Indian style curry is delicately spiced and can be as hot or mild as you like. Onion, butternut squash and courgette form the base vegetables, while spinach and chick peas add contrasting texture.

The recipe calls for onions and apples to be liquidised to a pulp. The easiest way to do this is with a hand blender or food processor. If you don't have this equipment, simply grating them would also work.

Spicy Vegetable & Prawn Risotto

This risotto recipe is main dish in itself. Warm and spicy flavours await your taste-buds. Veg teamed with prawns and spices make this another great midweek meal. Don't forget to use your wide flat spoon/spatula to ensure the rice doesn’t stick to the base of the pot.

Basic Risotto

Basic risotto is a great creamy dish and tastes like there's far more calories than there really is. People think that making risotto is difficult, but it's fine if you stay with it (it's only 20 minutes!) This basic risotto recipe goes well with prawns, fish or chicken.

I've found out (the hard way!) it’s best to stir your risotto with a wide flat spoon/spatula to ensure the rice doesn’t stick to the base of the pot. There's one pictured in the Tips and Tricks section on the right hand side. (Go on click it, I'll wait).

Pea & Mushroom Risotto

Following on from the basic risotto, this recipe takes it to the next level. This dish goes great with fish or chicken.

It's warm and welcoming and is ready in less than 30 minutes. Don't forget it’s best to stir your risotto with a wide flat spoon/spatula to ensure the rice doesn’t stick to the base of the pot.

Brown Rice

There's just nothing better than a bowl of rice. It's great with curries, stews and casseroles.

When trying to lose weight, brown rice is the best option to go for. While it does take longer to cook, the benefits far outweigh the additional time and effort. I recommend adding a stock cube when cooking rice as it's a great way to get additional flavour into your meal.