LOW-CALORIE COMFORT DINNERS

Enjoying an indulgent supper doesn’t mean you have to pause your diet, as these recipes from Pinch of Nom prove

- SAMUEL GOLDSMITH

Chicken, bacon and leek cottage pie

SERVES 4

A comforting cottage pie, but not as you know it! Adding chicken and bacon brings a wonderful flavour, different from your typical pies. Serve with gravy and steamed veggies if you like, for an easy family dinner.

TIP IF YOU ARE NOT A FAN OF LEEKS, SLICED MUSHROOMS WOULD WORK WELL TOO

UNDER 450 CALS

YOU WILL NEED

740g potatoes, peeled and quartered

Low-calorie cooking spray

1 large leek, trimmed, washed and sliced

1 onion, peeled and finely chopped

500g diced chicken breast

100g unsmoked bacon medallions, cut into strips

2tsp English mustard powder

325ml chicken stock (1 very low-salt chicken stock cube dissolved in 325ml boiling water)

100g low-fat cream cheese

1 sprig of fresh thyme, leaves chopped

10g fresh parsley leaves, chopped

Sea salt and ground black pepper

25g reduced-fat Cheddar, grated

PREP TIME: 15 MINS

COOK TIME: 1 HOUR

SKILL LEVEL: EASY

CALS: 403 FAT: 7G

SAT FAT: 3.5G CARBS: 39G

HOW TO DO IT

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C/Gas mark 7.

2. Put the potatoes in a saucepan with enough water to cover, add a pinch of salt and bring to the boil. Cook for 15-20 mins until soft

3. Meanwhile, spray a frying pan with low-calorie cooking spray and place over a medium heat. Add leek and onion and fry for 2-3 mins until soft, then add chicken and bacon, and cook for 5 mins. Add mustard powder, then stir 300ml chicken stock into the pan. Bring to simmer and cook for 10 mins.