jaimie oliver

Hi i was wondering if anyones using jaimies 15 minute meals and losing weight. What r the meals like? I love his previous books but theres a lot of cream etc. I understand this book has been written with a nutritionist

Replies

  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    I was given the book yesterday, and am trying my first recipe tonight!

    All the recipes are calorie counted, and they range from 400-750, and additional nutritional info is given in some thumbprint pages at the back. I wont be aiming to do them in as little as 15 minutes, but at least they'll be quick. They all look delicious, I'll be trying a few of them over the next few weeks.

    Tonight its chicken breasts with spinach and puy lentils - book says 616 calories.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    Oh boy that was rather fabulous, and even my fussy husband cleaned his plate and requested it again soon!

    Chicken breasts, rubbed with salt, pepper, and cayenne, beaten flat. Fry in a little oil, with some thyme leaves and unpeeled garlic cloves. When cooked through, add asparagus spears and pancetta and cook until asparagus is soft and pancetta crispy.

    In another pan, cook some food-processor-blitzed carrot, onion and rosemary leaves. Add in puy lentils, spinach, a chopped tomato, dash of red wine vinegar.

    Splodge the lentil mix on a plate and add dots of natural yoghurt. Top with chicken (in chunks), asparagus and pancetta, and serve with crusty bread.

    I', looking forward to trying more recipes!
  • sarahslim100
    sarahslim100 Posts: 485 Member
    Thanks. I guess if you take out the pancetta itll b healthier. I aim for about 400 cal per meal. So might leave it this time. Maybe will purchase later for weekend meals with friends over. Think i might stick with michelle bridges for a while...her stuff looks good for learning a healthy lifestyle.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    You could do some tweaks to bring them down to about 400, but they would be great for serving to friends, knowing that they're a healthier choice than, say pizza or Chinese takeaway.
  • Aventuria
    Aventuria Posts: 151
    Didn't have a look into his book yet. I am vegetarian so most meals don't fit anyway. :laugh:

    But I wanted to say you can always try and substitute!

    Cream e.g. with milk or low fat ricotta cheese, taking only half the amount of sugar, etc...

    :-)
  • TheArmadillo
    TheArmadillo Posts: 299 Member
    I didn't realise this was more of a diet book. Might look into it.

    If you're looking for good diet cookbooks the hairy dieters one is really good and decent recipes.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    It's not strictly a diet book. It's trying to be nutritionally balanced, and the dishes average at 570 cals. If you were maintaining at about 2000 cals a day, then that would be fine, but on 1200 a day that's going to be about half your days cals.

    I did say that I'd like to see some of the calorie content of Nieglla's dishes!
  • TheArmadillo
    TheArmadillo Posts: 299 Member
    Bought this yesterday and am really impressed (and rarely am by J.O.). By being careful on the amount of oil added to dishes (he tends to be overly generous in my experience) and by skipping the yoghurt with everything (why?), and by taking a bit more time to bake or grill things rather than fry them tbh I think most dishes will be 600cal max with a lot being 350-400cal range.
  • melaniecheeks
    melaniecheeks Posts: 6,349 Member
    We tried the chicken Caesar salad last night. The dressing was made with yoghurt, basil, anchovies, lemon juice, and was one of the best Caesar dressings I've ever had- even husband loved it!
  • sarahslim100
    sarahslim100 Posts: 485 Member
    Thanks everyone. The chicken casar sounds really good! I think i might buy when i get to maintenance level...hoping that wont b long :flowerforyou: