Recipe: Mango Chicken Pasta Salad

Everyone loves convenience meals (especially from Woolworths) but they are DAMN pricey and full of hidden fats and sugar. One of my favs is their mango chicken pasta so I've re-created a (slightly) healthier version at home. This recipe makes one perfect single serving, enjoy! :)

Woolies Copycat Mango Chicken Pasta Salad with sweet curry dressing

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw wholewheat pasta
• 1/2 cup cooked chicken, diced
• 1/2 cup mango, diced
• 2 celery sticks, finely chopped
• 1 tbs pumpkin seeds

For the dressing:

• 2 tbs fat free yogurt
• 1 tbs mayonnaise
• 1 tsp apricot jam
• 1/2 tsp garlic, crushed
• 1/2 tsp curry powder
• salt and pepper
• squeeze of lemon juice
  
  
  Method:

1. Cook the pasta according to packet instructions then set aside.
2. Whisk together all the dressing ingredients and mix with pasta once cooled.
3. Mix in remaining ingredients. I served mine alongside rocket and broccoli.

5 Unexpected things that happen when you lose weight

1. Certain food and drinks are too sweet for you now. I can NOT drink ciders or my old poison rum & coke. It's like eating sugar straight up.

2. Your clothes don't fit anymore. Yes, this one is obvious, but it still comes as a surprise! No matter how much you desperately cling to your favourites, you have to let them go sometime.

3. Even your rings and shoes no longer fit. Who knew you lost fat in your fingers?!

4. You feel the damn cold. All that blubber insulation is gone.

5. You can't stop checking out your muscles. Okay, so I don't have big scary guns or anything... but I have very defined calves and thighs. When your teenage cousin says, "Geez Nik, your legs are so dak!" then you must know.

My recent feature in BONA magazine. Aaaalll the legs.

Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Salmon

I LOVE fresh salmon. I would eat it morning, noon, and night if I could. This is a super simple weeknight recipe - it takes 10 mins to make and it's incredibly satisfying.

So easy... you literally just chuck all the ingredients - maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic, chili flakes - in a bowl and then the oven. If you like it really spicy, you can add more chili flakes.

Line a dish with foil and add the salmon with half the sauce. Remember to spray your foil. I always forget and have to scrape my salmon out the tin. Pop it in a 180º oven for 8 mins.

There you have it! Delicious sweet and spicy salmon. Serve with rice and pour the remaining sauce over.

Sweet & Spicy Salmon

Ingredients:

• 1½ tbs maple syrup
• 1 tbs soy sauce
• ½ tsp crushed garlic
• ¼ tsp chili flakes
• salt and pepper
• 1 piece of fresh salmon
• handful of coriander

For serving:

• Rice or cous cous
• Lemon wedges
• Salad

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C.  
2. Mix the maple syrup, soy sauce, garlic and chili flakes in a bowl. Add salt and pepper according to taste.
3. Line an oven dish with foil and add your salmon. Pour half the sauce over the fish.  
4. Put the fish in the oven for 8mins or until cooked to your liking.  
5. Place the fish on rice and pour the remaining sauce over.
6. Sprinkle the whole dish with fresh coriander.