James Martin, the beloved ITV chef and presenter of James Martin’s Saturday Morning, has shared his favourite two-ingredient breakfast that helped fuel his incredible weight loss journey of three stone. Describing the dish as “simple and very tasty,” Martin’s recipe is accessible and easy to prepare at home.
During his recent trip to Spain, James explored regional cuisine for his new book, James Martin’s Spanish Adventure, creating recipes inspired by the local ingredients. Now 53, the chef credits his diet transformation to increased fish consumption, which constitutes around 80% of his meals, while maintaining a fondness for butter.
When asked by Hello! about his preferred breakfast, James revealed his all-time fav: “Grilled tomatoes on toast. It’s very simple and very tasty. And the barbecued leeks with lardons and hazelnuts also stand out.”
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His weight loss wasn’t driven by gym routines but by his passion for motor racing. James explained on the Spooning with Mark Wogan podcast that struggling to get out of racing cars motivated his healthier lifestyle. “I still try to race a few cars, but now I struggle to get out of them. Getting in is one thing, but getting out just doesn’t look very good,” he joked.
Despite his slimming success, James hasn’t given up on butter. He even authored a 517-page book dedicated to the dairy staple titled Butter: Comforting, Delicious, Versatile – Over 130 Recipes Celebrating Butter. While many were focusing on diets and healthy eating guides, James proudly brought out his butter book, emphasizing flavour over trends.
Reflecting on his approach, James attributes his weight loss to his “farmer’s kid” roots and love of simple, high-quality ingredients rather than gym workouts. “I don’t go to the gym,” he confessed, “It all comes down to being able to get my a**e in and out of a car.”
Today, fans can catch James back on ITV1 with Saturday Morning at 9.25am, ready to inspire with more of his straightforward and flavourful cooking.