Comfort food, but make it healthier

Comfort foods have an undeniable appeal. They bring a sense of nostalgia, warmth, and satisfaction, whether it’s a bowl of creamy pasta, a slice of rich chocolate cake, or a hearty shepherd’s pie.

But as much as we love them, these indulgent dishes are often packed with excess calories, refined sugars, and unhealthy fats. The good news? You don’t have to give up your favourites to eat healthily. 

• Beef & bean curry

Ingredients

500g lean beef stewing steak, cubed

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 tbsp curry powder

1 can sugar beans, drained

1 can chopped tomatoes

1 cup beef stock

Salt and pepper

Method

• Brown the beef in a pot. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened.
• Stir in curry powder and cook for 1 minute.
• Add tomatoes and stock, then simmer for 1 hour until the beef is tender.
• Stir in sugar beans and cook for another 10 minutes. Serve with brown rice or steamed vegetables.

• Chicken & sweet potato stew

Ingredients

500g skinless chicken thighs

2 sweet potatoes, cubed

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, sliced

1 can chopped tomatoes

1 cup chicken stock

1 tsp paprika

Method

• Brown the chicken pieces. Add onion and carrots and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add tomatoes, stock, paprika, and sweet potatoes. Simmer for 35–40 minutes.
• Serve hot with a side salad.

• Lean mince & cabbage pot

Ingredients

500g lean beef mince

½ head cabbage, chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 tomatoes, diced

1 carrot, grated

1 tsp mixed herbs

Method

• Brown the mince and onion together. Add tomatoes, carrot, and herbs.
• Stir in cabbage and cover. Simmer for 15–20 minutes until the cabbage softens.
• Serve on its own or with a small portion of samp.

Hearty Turkey Meatball Curry

Ingredients

500g turkey mince

1 egg

½ cup oats

1 onion, chopped

1 tbsp curry powder

1 can chopped tomatoes

1 cup light coconut milk

Method

Mix turkey mince, egg, and oats and form meatballs.

Brown the meatballs and set aside. Cook onion and curry powder until fragrant.

Add tomatoes and coconut milk. Return meatballs to the pot and simmer for 20 minutes.