To celebrate Slimming World’s Free Food Festival, we’re sharing some of our superstar slimmers’ favourite Free Food feasts. We’ve already tucked into Kathryn’s seriously satisfying stew and discovered the surprisingly delicious delights of Jon’s squiche recipe. Now it’s time for our Young Slimmer of the Year 2019, Lucie Hadley, to share the meal that fills her with that amazing ‘Slimming World feeling’.
If you’re a fan of our famous diet cola chicken recipe, you’re in for a meltingly tender treat! Lucie changes up the flavours in this slimmer’s favourite by swapping the chicken for slow-cooked pieces of pulled gammon to make a Syn free dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Weeknight inspiration
Lucie says: “This recipe is so easy to do! I got the idea when my hours increased at work and I needed to think of quick and easy recipes to make during the week. My boyfriend, Sam, and I bought a slow cooker, then looked into the dishes we could prep in the morning and leave to cook all day – and this recipe immediately jumped out at me!
I love that the meat is so tender (it literally melts in your mouth!), juicy and full of flavour. We normally have it with a side of Slimming World chips, veg and a fried egg, but you can have the gammon in so many different ways! We’ve used it in a Sunday roast, on top of a salad and inside a roll.
It makes more than one meal, which helps as we have to budget, and it’s so good to have in your fridge as one of those go-to things when you feel like you need a snack.”
Lucie’s slow-cooked diet cola gammon
Serves 4
Free
Ready in 7-8 hours
What you need:
1.2kg boneless gammon joint, visible fat removed
1.5 litres diet cola
What you do:
1. Place the gammon in a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil. Boil for 12 minutes, then drain the water away. Repeat the process twice more, using fresh water each time. (This is to remove any excess salt from the gammon.)
2. Place the gammon in the slow cooker. Pour the diet cola over the gammon, then cook on low for 7-8 hours. The gammon is ready when it falls apart when pulled with 2 forks.
3. Remove the pork from the slow cooker and place on a cutting board. Allow the meat to cool for about 15 minutes, then shred into bite-size pieces using 2 forks.
4. Divide between 4 plates and serve with your favourite vegetables.
Budget-friendly meal ideas
As Lucie discovered, maximising your meals is a brilliant money-saver! The good news for slimmers on a budget is that we’ve got lots of recipe ideas to help you save pennies while losing pounds. Whether you’re looking for a low-cost family feast or a brilliant batch to fill your freezer, these meal ideas will keep your weight loss on track, without breaking the bank:
Tuna and sweetcorn jacket potato
Black-eyed bean and vegetable chilli bowl
Beef ragu pasta bake
Crustless red onion and courgette quiche
Mushy pea curry
You’ll discover a whole host of fantastic recipe ideas – as well as endless weight-loss support – at your local Slimming World group or at Slimming World Online.