SERVES 4 READY IN ABOUT 40 MINUTES
Ingredients:
12 rashers of back bacon, all visible fat removed
400g frozen peas
Low-calorie cooking spray
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
4 celery stalks, finely chopped
350g dried risotto rice
1.2 litres boiling vegetable stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
A few pea shoots, to garnish
2 level tbsp finely grated fresh parmesan, to serve (optional)
A mixed leaf salad, dressed with lemon juice, to serve
Method:
1 Preheat your grill to medium-hot. Grill the bacon for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until crispy Cut into small strips.
2 Meanwhile. put half the peas in a heatproof bowl. Cover with boiling water, leave to stand for 2-3 minutes, drain and whizz in a processor until roughly pureed.
3 Spray a large heavy-based pan with low-calorie cooking spray and place over a medium heat Add the onion, garlic and celery and cook. stirring, for 3-4 minutes, or until softened and stir in the rice 3/4 of the bacon, the pea puree and remaining peas and cook for 1-2 minutes.
4 Add a ladleful of stock and stir well Simmer for 1-2 minutes. or until it has been absorbed. then add another ladleful and stir again Continue adding the stock like this for 15 minutes. or until the rice is Just tender and the risotto looks creamy
5 Remove from the heat and season to taste. Divide the risotto between 4 bowls and garnish with the remaining bacon and the pea shoots. Sprinkle each with a little parmesan. Serve with a large mixed leaf salad.
Syns per serving: Extra Easy 1 and 1/2 (without parmesan, FREE)
Helping you to get motivated
When you join Slimming World, you’ll become a member of a large supportive community of people in a similar situation to you, with a wealth of advice and tips on recipe ideas, meal planning and motivation whenever you need it.
You’ll also be assigned your own highly-trained consultant — a former member who can help you to set your own weight-loss and fitness goals. Members agree that this support is often key to their success.
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All offer full details of how Slimming World’s Food Optimising programme works.
There is a huge list of Free Food to choose from, which doesn’t need to be weighed, calorie counted or measured.
You can also snack on these to satisfy your hunger in between meals.
In addition, you are encouraged to eat measured quantities of certain foods, known as ‘Healthy Extras’ that provide nutrients essential for a healthy, balanced diet.
These include milk and cheese (for calcium) and cereals and wholemeal bread (for fibre and minerals).
And so you never feel deprived you can enjoy limited amounts of treats which are higher-calorie, less filling foods that include chocolate, crisps and alcohol.