Christmas, along with the traditional festive period of indulgence, is over. But all is not lost. In fact, January has never tasted so good – and here’s why.

 

Firstly, nobody needs to jump from feast to famine – or, at least, from tasty food to bland and uninspiring food. Being ‘good’ doesn’t’ mean that you have to deprive yourself of all that tastes good. Secondly, just because something is healthy, it doesn’t mean that it tastes bad, or that eating healthily should be perceived as a negative.

 

Whilst it might be time for many to put aside the chocolate and leave the alcohol OUT of the fridge, there are countless tasty dishes that won’t leaving you feeling as though your punishing yourself – and that contribute to your New Year diet.

 

Here are two to get you started. And, as always, if you have any gems that you’d like to share with us (and our readers) then please send them to johnrossjr@johnrossjr.com or share them via our Facebook page. The person to share the most inspiring recipe will win a side of John Ross Jr’s Traditional Smoked Salmon.

 

Smoked Salmon Zucchini

(Serves 2)

 

Ingredients

• Three zucchini (large)
• 300g John Ross Jr Traditional Smoked Salmon (if you don’t have any leftover from Christmas then you can buy a 454g pack and save what’s left for another meal)
• Three tablespoons of pesto

 

Method

 

Julienne the zucchini so that all you’re left with are long, thin strips, before placing it in a saucepan. Cut the salmon into large squares and add into the pan with the zucchini. Warm the pan, add a large tablespoon of water and stir as it heats through. When heated to your desired temperature, toss the contents and mix in the pesto. Serve and garnish with a couple of fresh basil leaves (optional).

 

Smoked Salmon Salad

(Serves 2)

 

Not only does alcohol typically get given the boot in January, but people also tend to cut out the bread, too. This recipe provides a great lunchtime alternative to the sandwich – and it’s absolutely delicious.

 

Ingredients

 

• 150g green beans – trimmed and halved
• 200g John Ross Jr Traditional Smoked Salmon cut into 4cm squares
• 12 small mixed colour cherry tomatoes
• 6 cups salad greens, preferably with different varieties such as rocket and watercress
• 5 radishes – thinly sliced
• 3 baby beetroots – sliced
• Half a cucumber, halved and cut into thin slices
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Worcester sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 slices of lemon – to garnish

 

Method

 

Steam the beans for approximately 4 minutes, or to your preferred texture. Whilst the beans are cooking, mix the vinegar, Worcester sauce, mustard, pepper, dill and lemon juice in a bowl that’s large enough for you to mix the dressing and the rest of the salad ingredients. Add the salad greens, the drained green beans, the tomatoes, radishes, beetroot and the cucumber. Toss the entire contents, making sure that the dressing is evenly distributed. Divide the mixture, serve on two plates and equally share the squares of smoked salmon on each of the plates, making sure that it’s evenly spread across each serving.

 

Happy New Year from everyone at John Ross Jr and don’t forget to share any healthy smoked salmon recipes that you enjoy.