As we approach mid-February, the initial excitement of New Year’s resolutions tends to dwindle. The allure of batch-cooking lentil soup has faded, the air fryer has been stored away, and the temptation of ordering takeout is becoming stronger. But don’t despair, Joe Wicks, also known as The Body Coach, has partnered with Asda to offer you some much-needed assistance.
These are not your typical diet meals; there are no bland salads or uninspiring grilled chicken here. Wicks has curated three easy-to-prepare midweek dishes that are bursting with flavor, family-friendly, and require minimal cleanup. These recipes cater to families (Wicks, a father of four, understands the chaos) but are equally suitable for anyone seeking a hassle-free dinner option.
Utilizing pantry staples, sneaky vegetables, and taking only 25 minutes to prepare, these recipes are a lifesaver for busy individuals. The lineup includes a slow cooker sweet potato hotpot, a twist on a British classic featuring layers of golden sweet potato, lentils, onion chutney, and thyme. For a Mexican-inspired meal, there’s a traybake of meatballs packed with beans and Cajun spice, topped with cooling yogurt. Pasta enthusiasts will love the Italian chicken and orzo bake, combining tender chicken, roasted veggies, butter beans, olives, and a rich tomato sauce.
Conveniently, all the ingredients can be found at Asda, streamlining your weekly grocery shopping. These affordable, nutritious, and soul-warming recipes are bound to make your week a bit brighter. Here’s what’s on the menu:
**Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Hotpot**
This dish showcases that comfort food can be healthy without being heavy on carbs. A sweet potato topping adds a vibrant touch to this Great British favorite, ideal for the season. Once you’ve grabbed the Rollback sweet potatoes, the rest of the ingredients are mostly pantry and freezer staples, making it a perfect solution for busy households.
**Serves**: 4
**Prep Time**: 15 minutes | **Cook Time**: 3½-5½ hours (depending on preference)
**Ingredients**:
– 650g sweet potatoes, peeled
– 200g frozen vegetable base mix
– 50g tomato puree
– 50g onion chutney
– 1 vegetable stock pot
– 4 tbsp plain flour
– 2 tsp dried thyme, plus extra for garnish
– 2 x 390g tins green lentils in water, drained
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– ½ head broccoli, cut into small florets
– 175g frozen peas
For the full recipe instructions, please refer to the original source or visit the Asda website.
Enjoy cooking and savoring these delicious and easy-to-make meals!
Recipe 1: Upside-Down Potato Pies with Broccoli and Peas
Instructions:
1. Begin by baking the upside-down potato pies as directed, sprinkling with a bit more dried thyme and baking until golden and bubbling.
2. While the pies are finishing in the oven, boil the broccoli and frozen peas in a large saucepan of boiling water. Drain and serve with the pies.
Traybake Mexican Meatballs
This traybake recipe is full of flavor yet requires minimal effort. It features family-favorite peppers, pantry staples like kidney beans and sweetcorn, all combined with beef meatballs. Serve it simply with rice, or try it with jacket potatoes or warm wraps.
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes (all oven time)
Ingredients:
– 12 beef meatballs
– 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
– 1 red onion, cut into wedges and halved
– 2 peppers (red and orange), cut into chunks
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 2 x 400g tins red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
– 198g tin sweetcorn, drained
– 2 x 250g packets wholegrain microwave rice
– Zest of 1 lime, cut into wedges
– 250g fat-free Greek-style yogurt
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7 and place the meatballs in a roasting tin.
2. Coat the meatballs with half of the Cajun seasoning. Add onion, peppers, remaining seasoning, and olive oil to the tin and toss to combine.
3. Roast in the oven at 200C/180C fan/gas 6 for 20 minutes until meatballs are browned.
4. Add sweetcorn and kidney beans to the tin and cook for another 5 minutes until hot.
5. Microwave the rice, then mix lime zest with yogurt. Serve meatballs on top of rice with yogurt and lime wedges.
Italian Chicken and Orzo Bake
Enjoy the flavors of a slow-cooked Italian feast with this quick and easy orzo bake. Minimal cleanup and hearty comfort make this dish a midweek winner.
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
– 2 x 400g trays Mediterranean-style vegetables
– 6 garlic cloves, peeled
– 600g chicken breast fillets, seasoned
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 400g tin butter beans, drained
– 400g tin chopped tomatoes
– 2 tsp Italian seasoning
– 200g orzo pasta
– 50g pitted black olives, rinsed
– Optional: grated hard cheese
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas
A good mix is essential to ensure that everything is evenly coated in sauce. When serving, consider adding a sprinkle of grated cheese on top if desired.
