Meatless Monday : Low calorie vegan - chilli stuffed squash

This week's recipe is a great one to include if you are trying to shift a few winter pounds now that spring has arrived.  It is a low carb meal but satisfying.  Now, I'm no calorie expert but I reckon that this is 450 calories per portion.  Add a green vegetable and you still have a main meal for around 475 calories. Who knew trying to lose a few pounds could be this delicious?

Chilli stuffed squash

1 whole butternut squash, cut lengthways into 2 and seeds removed.
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, peeled and chopped 
2 cloves garlic
100g dried soy mince
1/2 - 1 tsp chilli flakes
1/2 ground cumin 
1/2 tsp coriander
3/4 tsp pink salt in 400ml boiling water
pinch stevia
100g tomato puree
20g vegan cheese, grated

Place the butternut squash on a baking tray and roast at 200 degrees about 45 minutes until tender.  

Heat the oil and cook the onion for 3 minutes.  Add the garlic and cook for a further minute. Add the dried soy mince together with the pink salt in boiling water, the chilli flakes, cumin, coriander and tomato puree.  Cook for 10-15 minutes. Serve with  the butternut squash, a sprinkle of grated vegan cheese and a green vegetable.  


If you do not need to count calories a side of guacomole makes a nice addition.

Note  - a woman needs to eat 1200-1500 calories per day to lose a pound a week, a man around 2000.