20 low-calorie spring recipes

2. Artichoke & aubergine rice

As well as being colourful and delicious, this paella-style rice with aubergine and artichoke is low fat, low calorie and cost effective. Make a large batch – it's just as good eaten cold the next day.

3. Pea, ham hock & watercress salad

Pea, ham and parsley are one of life's great combinations. Enjoy this green salad with mustard dressing for simple, healthy lunch.

4. Ricotta, broccoli, & new potato frittata

Make this quick frittata using seasonal new potatoes and have it on the table in 30 minutes. Packed with broccoli and ricotta, you'll also have leftovers to enjoy the next day, too.

5. Quinoa with roast asparagus, eggs & capers

With quinoa, asparagus, eggs, beetroot, beans and courgettes, this filling veggie salad packs in all of your five-a-day.

6. Asparagus & broad bean lasagne

Make the most of spring vegetables and try this light, low-fat lasagne that delivers three of your five-a-day. It's flavoured with lemon, basil and garlic.

7. Spinach dhal with harissa yogurt

Combine spinach, harissa, yogurt and almonds to make this easy dhal. Packed with nutrients, it's wonderfully healthy.

8. Chicken piccata with garlicky greens & new potatoes

For a quick midweek dinner, serve chicken piccata with spring greens and new potatoes. Chicken breast is fried until golden then simmered with stock, capers, lemon and garlic to make a flavoursome sauce.

9. Asparagus & broad bean fattoush with crispy asparagus ends

Instead of tossing out the ends of asparagus spears, make our Middle Eastern-style salad with radishes and broad beans for a light spring lunch.

10. Allotment salad

Tom Kerridge celebrates the best of spring veg in this delightful salad with French-style dressing. Great for a barbecue, it could sit alongside chicken, lamb or halloumi.

11. Carrot pilaf with coriander chutney

Try this crunchy, toasty pilaf for an easy midweek meal. With cashew nuts, carrots, caramelised onions and spices, it's not only tasty but good for you, too. Top with zingy coriander chutney and dig in.

12. Curried chicken & new potato traybake

New potatoes and chicken drumsticks are baked with garam masala, turmeric, ginger, garlic and yogurt to make this lightly spiced family supper. Keep this in your repertoire when you need an easy midweek meal.

13. Asparagus & lemon spaghetti with peas

This pleasing vegan pasta is ready in under 20 minutes and provides three of your five-a-day. Asparagus is boiled with wholewheat spaghetti until al dente, so it still has good bite.

14. Puffed salmon & spinach fish pie

On one of the chillier days, try this lighter take on comforting fish pie. Mashed potato and spinach go wonderfully with the creamy yet low-calorie filling.

15. Baked eggs with spinach, tomatoes, ricotta & basil

Try this Italian-style baked eggs for an easy brunch – make sure you serve with crusty bread for mopping up the sauce. If you’re not vegetarian, you could also add chorizo.

16. Tuna, asparagus & white bean salad

This nourishing spring salad is ready in minutes, making it the perfect work-from-home lunch. You could serve alongside some dressed rocket, or with a slice of toasted sourdough.

17. Super-green tofu curry

Going meat-free? Enjoy this delicious tofu and spinach curry that you can prep in minutes. Serve with wild rice and a scattering of coriander.

18. Courgette curry with lemon rice

The chickpeas in this recipe are a good source of manganese, needed for healthy bones. They also contain fibre, which helps regulate cholesterol, as does garlic.

19. Curried spring veggie pilaf

Make a spiced plant-based pilaf with spinach and peas. A one-pot wonder, it’s a good way to clear out your freezer as any frozen mixed veg would work well.

20. Chunky vegetable soup

Make this spring veggie soup for a healthy lunch. Cottage cheese is the secret ingredient in the gluten-free dumplings – you'd never know but it keeps them light, tender and high in calcium.

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