Book review: Lose Weight for Good by Tom Kerridge

In recent years Tom Kerridge has become a household name though a plethora of TV shows: from his appearances on Great British Menu in 2010 and 2011, which propelled him into the limelight, to his first presenter role on his own BBC Two food programme, Tom Kerridge's Proper Pub Food. His more recent BBC Two series, Tom Kerridge: Lose Weight For Good, saw a group of struggling dieters try to lose weight by following the low-calorie recipes in this book.

 

Kerridge has inspired a nation, first by creating delicious and indulgent pub food, then through his initiatives in promoting healthy eating, encouraging the viewing public to join in with his new approach to cooking.

 

Some recipes have an extensive ingredients list which may be too complicated for consumers to whip up for lunch at home, but operators may be able to capitalise on the healthy dishes that tap into the vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian market. The apple and raisin muffins, apricot and cranberry muffins and baked doughnuts with a sweet five-spice crust could give inspiration to vendors wanting to expand their healthy breakfast takeaway options or for contact caterers’ breakfast spreads.

 

Soups range from classic cream of tomato and pea and mint to Tom Yum soup with tiger prawns, lemon grass, chilli and chicken, and a North African soup filled with bold flavours. Salads follow suit, with the likes of Cajun prawn and kale, jerk chicken and tomato.

 

For those wanting to expand their vegetarian range, the grilled veg and halloumi with couscous, creamy wild mushroom courgetti and spinach and paneer curry recipes offer hearty mains, while the baked falafel with tzatziki could work as a starter, side or snack.

 

Kerridge is all about not denying yourself the foods you want to eat, and the book also gives alternatives for fats and sugars, along with a recipe for cauliflower ‘rice’.

 

As Kerridge explains: “Food is one of the biggest pleasures in life, as well as one of the most important factors in our health, and we just won’t succeed if we stop enjoying it.”

 

Lose Weight for Good By Tom Kerridge (Absolute Press, £22)

 

Recipe of the week: North African soup >>