The Nations Favourite
Every adventure has a starting point, and mine begins with curry. For the very first post following a recipe and cooking from scratch, I decided to start with the nations favourite, an aromatic curry.
opened up the Slimming World Ultimate Curry Cookbook, flicked through its colourful pages, and landed on a dish that immediately caught my eye – Chicken Dhansak (page 48, if you’ve got the book). It felt like the perfect place to begin my Adventures in Cooking journey: a curry that’s rich in history, full of flavour, and yet still fits perfectly within the Slimming World plan. An added bonus is that Dhansak is Mr Rivett’s favourite curry, although he does usually does go for a Vegetable Dhansak from the Indian.
As I cooked, I realised this book is more than just a collection of recipes it’s an invitation to explore a whole world of curries without straying from healthy eating goals. The photography is vibrant, the instructions are clear, and the flavours are every bit as satisfying as your favourite takeaway, but with none of the guilt.
I’ve shared more about my experience cooking the Chicken Dhansak below, but I also wanted to step back and give a full review of the cookbook itself. If you’re curious about whether this belongs on your kitchen shelf, you’ll find my thoughts at the bottom section of the this post.
A Dish with History
Dhansak is traditionally a slow-cooked dish with Persian and Indian roots, often combining lentils, vegetables, and meat with a rich blend of spices. What makes this version special is how it stays true to those comforting flavours while being completely Slimming World–friendly. It’s hearty, warming, and filling without feeling heavy.
The Recipe
Unfortunately I am not able to list the recipe in full due to copyright, however, Ruth Langsford has shared the recipe countless times across social media, which Slimming World have approved, so feel free to take a look. I’ve made it even easier for you to find, by sharing her video from her Instagram post in the left hand column, you are very welcome.
My Cooking Experience
I laid out my ingredients: Chicken pieces, red lentils, onions, garlic, fresh ginger, tinned tomatoes, and that all-important array of spices. The kitchen quickly filled with the heady scent of aromatic spices, enough to make anyone hungry!
Cooking it was simpler than I expected. The lentils thickened the sauce beautifully, the chicken stayed tender, and by the time it was ready, I had a pot of curry that looked and smelled like something from a restaurant.
The Taste Test
The first mouthful was all we needed to know, this was a winner. It has the perfect balance of spice and tang, with the lentils giving it a velvety, comforting texture.
Of course, we couldn’t avoid the age-old debate: “Does pineapple have a place on pizza?” Mr Rivett wasn’t too sure, but the more we ate, the more it grew on us. The sharp tang and soft texture brought a fresh sour kick that really lifted the curry, just like the Dhansaks you’d expect from a traditional Indian restaurant.
Served with brown basmati rice, it felt like a complete meal, satisfying, comforting, and still firmly on plan.
Final Thoughts
This is a great dish, but one that needs a little attention while it cooks. The lentils do have a tendency to catch on the bottom of the pan, so it’s not one to leave alone. I used tinned lentils for ease, but it still took about an hour in the kitchen.
If I were making it again, I’d start earlier in the day. That extra resting time would allow the spices to deepen, mature, and marinate into the dish, giving it even more depth of flavour.
Would I Make it Again? – Yes
Our Rating – 8 / 10
Mr. Rivett agreed that this could be a new regular staple in the Rivett household.
Review – Slimming World Ultimate Curry Cookbook
The Slimming World Ultimate Curry Cookbook is a vibrant and inspiring addition to the Slimming World recipe collection. It brings together a wide variety of curry recipes, from lighter, slimming friendly takes on British Indian restaurant favourites, to authentic dishes with roots in South Asian and Middle Eastern traditions, as well as a few surprising new dishes that are definitely designed to spice up your life..
What Stands Out
- Range of Recipes: It covers everything from mild, comforting curries like Chicken Korma and Dhansak, to fiery dishes for spice-lovers, as well as sides and accompaniments like raitas, rice dishes, wraps and a section to blend your own spices, which I found really interesting.
- Slimming World Friendly: Each recipe is designed to fit within the Slimming World plan – low in fat, packed with vegetables and protein, and free from the hidden oils, creams, or sugars often found in takeaway curries.
- Accessibility: The recipes use straightforward methods and widely available ingredients, so you don’t need a specialist pantry to get started. The instructions are step-by-step and easy to follow, even for less confident cooks.
- Visual Appeal: The photography is colourful and appetising, making the dishes look both achievable and worth making.
Strengths
- Great for people who love curry but want healthier versions.
- Encourages variety and adventure in cooking without derailing weight-loss goals.
- Recipes are generous in portion size but carefully balanced in calories and Syns.
Things to Note
- Some recipes do involve longer ingredient lists mainly due to spice blends, so organisation helps.
- While authentic in flavour, these are optimised adaptations so those used to restaurant-style richness may find them lighter.
Verdict
The Slimming World Ultimate Curry Cookbook is an excellent resource if you’re following Slimming World or just looking for healthier curry options. It strikes a good balance between authenticity, flavour, and practicality. For me, it’s not just a cookbook but an invitation to experiment and build confidence with spices and it’s perfect for anyone wanting to add variety to their weekly meals while staying on track.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4.5 out of 5)
If you’ve got the Slimming World Ultimate Curry Cookbook, I’d definitely recommend giving the Chicken Dhansak page 48 a try. It’s a great recipe for anyone looking to build confidence with curries, and for me, it was the perfect first step on this new cooking journey.
Here’s to many more delicious spicy adventures ahead!
Leave a Reply