Edam and Sweet Tomato Chicken Parcels

I had a plea from Angela recently to say, ‘Don’t forget DS (duodenal switch) and BD (biliopancreatic diversion) patients on your website. We need some very high protein recipes if we are to reach our 100-120g daily requirement’. So here is a recipe that fits the bill, it has a massive 43.7g protein in a normal serving and, as a wls patient, you might be able to manage 2/3 portion. Serve with sauteed green Savoy cabbage for a nutritious meal. It can be prepared well ahead of time and cooked at the last minute. Ideal too for entertaining since it looks spectacular when sliced to serve.

Edam and Sweet Tomato Chicken Parcels

Ingredients

4 x 130g skinless and boneless chicken breasts

75g reduced-fat Edam cheese, grated

100g pack semi-dried tomatoes, coarsely chopped

1 tsp chopped fresh thyme

salt and freshly ground black pepper

85g pack Parma ham

Fry Light low-fat cooking spray

Method

1.  Preheat the oven to 200C/gas mark 6.

2.  Using a sharp knife, make a sharp cut down the length of each chicken breast, but not all the way through, to form a pocket.

3.  Mix the Edam with the tomatoes, thyme and salt and pepper to taste. Spoon into each chicken pocket, fold over to enclose.

4.  Wrap each stuffed breast with the Parma ham slices. Spritz with the low-fat cooking spray on all sides.

5.  Heat a non-stick frying pan until hot. Add the chicken and sear  for 2 minutes on each side until golden. Transfer to a baking dish and cook in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Slice open to serve, on stir-fried cabbage if liked.

SERVES 4

WLS PORTION: 2/3

CALORIES: 258

PROTEIN: 43.7g

CARBOHYDRATES: 8.2g

FAT: 5.8g

Image courtesy of www.edam.co.uk