As the colder days are ushered in, our thoughts turn to comfort foods rather than salads. This is not always the best way to go when you're trying to lose weight. One way to be successful with a low fat or low-calorie diet plan is not let it stop you trying new ingredients and flavours. Another thing is that it stops you being bored, a sure diet killer. This recipe for Beef Stew with Chestnuts is both comforting and low-fat.
This unctuous rich casserole marries lean beef with gorgeously sweet chestnuts, an ingredient so often ignored until Christmas. Chestnuts are a great low-fat food because the calories come from carbohydrates rather than fat and they are cholesterol free and a good source of dietary fibre. The low-calorie count of this dish means you can add a baked potato or noodles and a pile of lovely steamed fresh green vegetables of your choosing.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 90 - 120 minutes
Serves: 4
Energy: 275 calories per serving
Equipment:
Casserole dish
Sharp knife
Ingredients:
500g lean braising steak
1 medium onion
3 cloves of garlic
100g frozen, canned, or vacuum-packed chestnuts
1 teaspoon hot smoked paprika
400g passata
Black pepper
Parsley
4 tablespoons half-fat sour cream
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 170°C
Cube the beef
Peel and finely chop the onion
Peel the garlic cloves and leave whole
Put the beef, onion, garlic and chestnuts in a large ovenproof casserole
Sprinkle over the paprika and add freshly ground black pepper to taste
Pour in the passata and stir then cover
Put in the oven to cook for 1½ - 2 hours until the meat is tender
Serve with a tablespoon of sour cream per person and a sprinkling of chopped parsley