Saturday, January 4, 2025 |
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January is here – the month of resolutions, resets and ruthless self-improvement. Whether you're tackling a new diet, looking to save money or simply craving comfort in these cold, grey weeks, we've got plenty to inspire you.
First up is the ketogenic diet, which continues to reign supreme as a transformative way of eating. Lisa Butterworth and Caroline Hwang's 28 Days Keto is your ultimate guide to mastering it – an approach that focuses on fat and protein while ditching carbs for energy. Butterworth explains how to stay on track, from prepping your meals to adapting the diet for different lifestyles. Day one of our exclusive meal plan includes a warm cinnamon porridge, an avocado and prosciutto salad and a roast chicken that'll see you through the week.
Day two brings energy and gut health into focus, with recipes for berry chia seed pudding, curry chicken with cauli-rice and a deeply satisfying vegetarian lasagne. By day three, the menu takes a turn for the adventurous – think keto "oat" meal sweetened with physalis, prosciutto and goat's cheese salad, and Mediterranean "meat" balls with a bold beetroot dip. Keep an eye out for the rest of the week's recipes to stay ahead of your keto game.
If the new year also means tightening the purse strings, it's time to embrace "Canuary" – Flic Everett's take on cooking with tinned food. With fresh ingredients at eye-watering prices, pantry staples are the answer to wholesome meals on a budget. From tinned potatoes whipped into an effortless salad to chickpeas roasted for a protein-packed snack, tinned food deserves more respect. As Everett points out, sometimes the best comfort comes from a bowl of Heinz tomato soup – no judgement here.
For those leaning into Veganuary, our vibrant vegan recipes prove plant-based eating needn't mean compromise. Dishes like Moroccan roasted vegetables with bulgur wheat, crispy tofu noodles and Cajun kale jambalaya make vegetables the star of the show, while the creamy saag chana masala is as comforting as it gets. These are meals that burst with colour and flavour – perfect for brightening up January's gloom.
Protein is a concern for many dabbling in veganism, but plant-based nutrition coach Gigi Grassia is here to set the record straight. In her new book Plant Protein, she highlights hero ingredients like tofu, pulses and nutritional yeast – the secret to packing flavour and protein into your meals.
Grassia's recipes go beyond the obvious, blending her Italian roots with global inspiration to deliver dishes like sweet potato gochujang soup – a spicy, creamy winter warmer loaded with protein. If you're after something to impress, her "marry me lentils" transform humble red lentils into a dish so good it might just lead to a proposal. For dessert, Grassia's quinoa protein brownies are the perfect sweet treat – indulgent yet wholesome, with a hit of peanut butter and cacao.
Finally, there's no better way to cap off your weekend than with a proper Sunday roast – and we've rounded up London's finest. From the Michelin-starred decadence of Dinner by Heston to the comforting pub charm of The Parakeet, there's a roast to suit every mood. Acme Fire Cult takes vegetables as seriously as its meats, while Claridge's offers a truffle-stuffed twist on tradition. Whether it's a roast lobster at 108 Brasserie or Fitz's bargain three-course lunch, these meals are worth booking for the Yorkshire puddings alone.
So whether you're dieting, economising or simply indulging in the joy of good food, there's plenty here to set you on the right path this January. Stay tuned for more recipes, ideas and inspiration to keep your new year delicious. |
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EXCLUSIVE: How the keto diet can reboot your mental health and reduce belly fat this January |
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Not all diets are created equal. Lisa Butterworth, co-author of '28 Days Keto', chats to Hannah Twiggs about how to achieve a fat and protein balance for optimum results and shares day one of an exclusive week-long meal plan | January often feels like the month of dietary redemption. After weeks of indulgent roasts, endless cheese boards and the steady stream of festive drinks, many turn to the latest health trends in search of balance. From juice cleanses to intermittent fasting and vegan "detox" plans, there's no shortage of options for those seeking a reset. But among the crowd, the ketogenic diet continues to stand out – offering a structured, science-backed approach to transforming not just the way you eat but the way your body fuels itself.
First developed in the 1920s as a treatment for epilepsy, keto has evolved far beyond its medical origins. The diet's central premise is simple but radical: by drastically reducing carbohydrate intake and prioritising fats, you force the body into a state of ketosis, where it burns fat for energy instead of glucose. Advocates tout benefits ranging from weight loss to increased energy and mental clarity. Now, a new book, 28 Days Keto, co-authored by Lisa Butterworth and Caroline Hwang, aims to make this once-intimidating diet accessible to everyone.
"It's always challenging to shift habits and patterns, especially when it comes to diet," Butterworth says. "But it's much easier when the decision-making is alleviated, which is what having a daily meal plan does." And alleviated it is. The book presents a full 28 days of meticulously planned meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner all sorted, with weekly shopping lists and prep tips thrown in for good measure. It's a formula designed to leave readers little excuse to deviate.
Keto, for the uninitiated, is not a diet that allows much wriggle room. Butterworth acknowledges that it's "not for everybody", but for those who commit, she paints an appealing picture of life on the other side. "Eliminating the highs and lows of glucose spikes can lead to greater, more sustained energy – and that clear-headedness is built-in motivation for continuing to eat a keto diet." At its heart, the keto lifestyle taps into a broader trend: the intersection of food and mental health, and the idea that what we eat affects how we feel.
The recipes themselves are where the book really gets interesting...
Read the full article and get the first recipes here |
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| The presenter and adventurer chats sustainability, M&S's Plan A initiative, and how Percy Pigs helped him climb Everest |
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| More tasty recipes inside |
Enjoy endless inspiration with recipes, interviews and more in your latest Indy/Eats food and drink magazine, one of your Independent Premium subscription benefits |
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| Plant Protein by Gigi Grassia |
Foodie influencer, vegan nutrition coach, ultra-marathon runner and personal trainer Gigi Grassia merges her love of cooking and her expertise with her need to fuel an active lifestyle powered by plants. Gigi demystifies how protein works and how we can easily incorporate it in our diets without relying on animal products. You'll also find a handy list of pantry and fridge staples, plus tips for batch-cooking to get you organised for busy weeks. |
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| Treat yourself in the January sales: This Ninja air fryer is reduced to under £70. |
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