Lamb curry: a low fat version, perfect for new year slimmers

After the excesses of Christmas so many of us pledge to get on that healthy eating plan we've been saving for the new year. The Hairy Dieters have got it just right, they cut out a lot of fat without sacrificing the flavour and have come up with some real winning dishes. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hairy-Dieters-Love-Food-Weight/dp/0297869051/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1361224511&sr=1-1 This is no diet cook book that will allow you to lose a stone in two or three weeks but more likely one to three pounds a week, but that's the best way to do it so we're told, as the weight is more likely to stay off. But don't be  put off by the fact this book is aimed at dieters: the food is so delicious everyone can appreciate these recipes. What's really appealing to me, is if you follow this diet you don't have to give up curry or sweet and sour chicken as they have a great section on what they call 'fakeaways'. There are also chapters on pies, stews, pasta and rice and puddings and cakes.

Lamb, spinach and potato curry served with rice and natural yogurt

I must admit this book is in my current top ten and we've already sampled the lamb hotpot (page 83) - perfect winter comfort food with that potato carb fix. The coconut prawn curry (page 133) is fresh and filling and served with a small portion of rice really does set you up. My personal favourite is the sweet and sour chicken on page 122, what's better than making your own fresh food and avoiding that unsatisfying heaviness of batter and sauce from the local Chinese?

The lamb, spinach  and potato curry recipe (page 128) that follows is fabulous, it is so satisfying that you don't really need any rice, although we did serve it with  some as we're extra greedy! I always make it using the quantities in the recipe which serves six and freeze the leftovers into individual portions so you've got your own homemade ready meals for after work. (I must confess since making it for the first time for this blog and photographing, I have now made it twice more!)

Lamb, spinach and potato curry (copyright Byte Brook Limited and Sharp Letter Limited 2012)

Serves 6
600g lamb leg steaks (about 4 steaks)
1 tbsp sunflower oil
2 large onions, roughly chopped
4 large garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
25g piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
1 red chilli, chopped
75g curry paste (any strength depending on taste)
400g can chopped tomatoes
350g potatoes (Maris Pipers are good), peeled and cut into 3cm chunks
450ml water
2 bay leaves
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
3 ripe medium tomatoes, quartered
100g spinach leaves
freshly ground black pepper

Prepared ingredients, ready to go. Hang on dog, you better wander off somewhere else!

Browning the lamb

Frying onions, garlic etc

Blending the mixture

1. Trim any fat off the lamb and cut into rough chunks of about 3cm. Season with salt and pepper. Heat 1tsp of the oil in a large frying pan or wok and if need be fry in 2 batches until lightly coloured all over. Transfer the lamb to a plate.
2. Heat the remaining oil in a large flameproof casserole dish and add onions, Cook for 6-8 minutes until soft and lightly browned. Turn down the heat, add the garlic, ginger,chilli and curry paste and cook for 5 minutes more, stirring frequently.
3. Remove from the heat and blitz the mixture with a handheld blender or in a food processor and then return to the casserole on the hob over a medium heat. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 190 degrees.
4. Add the browned lamb to the spiced puree in the dish and cook over a gentle heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring. Add the canned chopped tomatoes, potatoes, water, bay leaves, tsp of salt and the sugar. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover with a lid and place the casserole in the oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes or until the lamb is tender and the sauce has thickened. Check after 1 hour and give the contents of the casserole a good stir.
5. Take the dish out of the oven, stir in the quartered tomatoes and spinach leaves. Cover and return to the oven for a further 5 minutes or until the tomatoes are soft and the spinach has wilted. If you want serve with fat-free natural yogurt.

Ready to serve up

If you serve this without the rice, you are talking about 293 calories per portion which isn't bad for an evening meal! So if you are trying to cut down this is an extremely tasty curry that will leave you feeling satisfied. with the potatoes and really rather tender meat.

A real winner in our household. Being on a diet doesn't mean having to give up your curry!

 Coming up in the pipeline: Millionaire's shortbread and sesame prawn toasts ( perfect with the Hairy Dieters sweet and sour chicken...)