Can I or can’t I

[Buffy6956]

Hope u don’t mind me asking such a silly question but can I cook a chilli if I use olive oil and lean mince plus just tin tomatoes and packet mix of powder ? I’m trying to eat healthily on Mediterranean diet and doing well with fibre fruits veg fish etc but never really know what I can and can’t have and cook

[080311]

Yep. Make sure it’s lean mice when you have browned the meat drain the excess fat off before you add your onions tinned toms tomato paste and chilli , if you’re using kidney beans make sure you give them a good rinse in cold water before you add them.

Hope you enjoy.

Pauline

[Buffy6956 in reply to 080311]

Tks that’s great ... I’d already cooked it tonight didn’t rinse beans (will now know next time to do this) didn’t drain the oil whoops .... I don’t add any salt to my cooking anymore so I can have a little sprinkle on my dinner when it’s cooked is that ok?

[080311 in reply to Buffy6956]

Try experimenting with herbs in your cooking, you wouldn’t need to put salt on after cooking. My weakness is black pepper!

[Maisie2014]

Just check the salt content of the packet mix.

[daveofpensby]

Yep fill your boots use low fat mince in fact I ate my chilli last night probably have chilli twice a month go for it

[Rose54]

Hi

I do the same as 080311

I do add extra kidney beans and no packet mix

Also add celery to bulk it out which means a portion has less mince content

It also freezes well.

Brown rice not white if you serve rice with it

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I make it adding a bottle of Big Tom plus a crushed clove of garlic and some chilli powder rather than using a sachet. And you can make a Bloody Mary before adding the Big Tom! 😊

[russino1]

Anything is ok - in moderation. although i’d look to avoid any packet mixes and just add in a tin of chopped toms , garlic , cumin , chilli powder or fresh chillis. and just a little salt and pepper.

If you’re sticking 80% to a med style eating plan, then letting your hair down a few times a month with a slice of cake , couple of biscuits or a chilli is going to be fine.

Mentally it’ll be far easier to stick (long term) to a sensible eating plan if you allow yourself the odd cheat meal or snack.

good luck

[Lonmayloon]

Adding a couple of squares of very dark chocolate improves chilli.

[dunestar]

You could try dry frying the mince. As long as you keep it moving round the pan and the heat is not too high it should not burn. I add tomato paste as well as the tinned toms to give it a better sauce. Also cumin and paprika. Sometimes I go off piste and add celery or possibly mushrooms. I have this about once a week. I add lots of green veg, cooked separately.

[RoyM]

Better still use Quorn mince no fat at all.

[Vinaigrette]

5% lean mince, tomatoes, garlic, (garlic is good for you), stock, Red Kidney Beans will be healthy, but rather than adding someone else's mix put chilli powder, paprika in yourself, it will be much better. If you are still going to the shops, get a couple of mild red chillis and chop them up finely, but remember to deseed. If you're pre-diabetic or Diabetic, try to use whole brown rice as it's digested slower and stops you having sugar spikes.

[1AnneMcC]

Hi Buffy

This reply is a bit late but you don't need to add any oil when cooking mince. Even 5% has more than enough fat to help with cooking. I've got a great non stick frying pan, use only 5% mince and still drain off excess fat.

Kidney beans need a really good wash. I put them in the colander or sieve and wash well under a running cold tap.

As with stir frying you can use a splash of water if things seems a bit sticky.

Stay safe and enjoy your meal.