Low Calorie Highland Stew (5:2 Diet)

Serves	4
Prep time	15 minutes
Cook time	45 minutes
Total time	1 hour
Dietary	Vegetarian
Meal type	Lunch, Main Dish, Snack, Soup, Starter
Misc	Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Hot
Occasion	Casual Party, Christmas, Halloween, Thanksgiving
Region	British
By author	Karen S Burns-Booth

A hearty low-calorie Scottish inspired stew packed with vegetables and pulses, as well as low-fat smoked sausage if using. A bowl of this warming stew is only 150 calories per portion with the sausage or 125 calories without, making it a fabulous meal to have on fast days for those following the 5:2 diet or weight watchers. Vegetarian sausage can be added as an option, just make sure you add the appropriate calories.

Ingredients

1 organic, low-fat, low-salt vegetable stock cube (made up with 300ml of water)
1 large onion, peeled and diced
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
2 small leeks, cleaned. trimmed and sliced
2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
250g potatoes, peeled and cut into small dice
1 stick celery, cleaned, trimmed and diced
50g Pearl Barley,
50g red lentils

Optional

100g low-fat smoked sausage (cut into small slices)

Note

Directions

Step 1	Pour the vegetable stock into a large saucepan and add the onions, garlic, leeks, carrots, potatoes and celery and bring to the boil. Reduce to heat to a simmer, add the pearl barley and red lentils and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes or until the vegetables are soft and the pulses are cooked.
Step 2	Season to taste with salt and pepper, and add the smoked sausage if using. Adjust the liquid if the stew is too thick and continue to heat for a further 5 minutes before serving with dumplings (non-diet), bread, crisp breads or croutons.