-
Recipe: Zenzai (adzuki bean dessert soup)
Zenzai is a simple and comforting Japanese dessert made with adzuki beans, sugar and glutinous rice cakes (mochi). It can be described as a sweet bean soup great for the colder months of the year. Even though I grew up eating many variations of sweet beans such as “frejol colado” (black bean paste) eaten as dessert and as a filling in Chinese pastries, the adzuki bean paste in mochi, and my aunties’ treat made with canario beans (white beans similar to canellini) and sugar. During our trip to Japan last year we learned you can buy warm cans of sweet adzuki bean soup in many vending machines. We also came…
-
Product review: Kooee! meat sticks
Kooee meat sticks are the better quality answer to cabanossi. Made with great quality Australian free-range meat and natural ingredients, these are great portable snacks for when you are on the go. Kooee! meat sticks Kooee! is a Tasmanian-based company that sells meat snacks such as jerky and meat sticks. Their products are made with Cape Grim free-range and grass-fed beef and free-range pork. Kooee! meat sticks are low in sugar and gluten-free and have a decent amount in protein. The sticks come in 5g packs that can be bought in 20-pack boxes or in 10-stick sample packs. Ingredients Free-range pork stick (classic): Australian free-range pork (95%), sea salt, black…
-
Product review: Zero Food
Zero Food is an Australian company from Victoria that sells black and red rice-based pizza crust and toasties, in addition to black, red and brown rice. Zero Food Zero Food products include toasties (black rice and red rice protein, pizza crusts (black rice and red rice protein) and rice (black, red and brown). All Zero Food products are certified organic and GMO free. They are also vegan, gluten-free, low FODMAP, high in fibre, low in fat and salt and do not contain added sugars. As their name implies, the red rice protein toasties and pizza crusts are also high in plant-based protein. Red and black rice are great alternatives to…
-
Recipe: Easy seco de cordero (Peruvian lamb coriander stew)
Easy seco de cordero is a weeknight-friendly version of the classic Peruvian lamb and coriander stew, which happens to be one of my favourite Peruvian dishes. What makes it easy is the use of ground lamb instead of stew cuts that must be cooked low and slow. This recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free. Seco is traditionally served with rice plus beans, potatoes or yuca (cassava). The starches help soak up the sauce. Feel free to serve it with cauliflower rice or your choice of vegetables and/or salad for a lower-carb version. Top with some salsa criolla for added freshness. If you don’t have ají amarillo paste, you can sub other…
-
Recipe: Salsa criolla (Peruvian pickled onions)
Salsa criolla (Peruvian pickled onions) is an essential accompaniment to all sorts of dishes, such as tamales, arroz con pollo, chicharrón, seco and papa rellena. Of course you don’t need to make Peruvian food to enjoy salsa criolla. You can pair it up with any rich and/or dish that is on the dry side and could use some a bit of juicy tangy zing. If you have time, prepare the onions several hours before using them. They keep well in the fridge for 3-5 days.
-
Gluten free sliced bread
If you follow a gluten free diet for health or preference reasons, you might know that good gluten free sliced bread is hard to find. This applies to taste, texture and, most importantly, nutrition. Brands Some of the most popular sliced bread brands offer gluten free options, including the big supermarket brands. Examples include Helgas, Abbott’s Village, Woolworths and Coles. A little harder to find are Genius Gluten Free, Well & Good, Venerdi, Deeks and Naturis. Ingredients While regular bread can be made with 3-4 ingredients (flour, water, salt and yeast – which you can omit as a deliberate ingredient if making sourdough), gluten free bread is not easy to…
-
Product review: PBCo protein shakes
PBCo, formerly known as The Protein Bread Co, specialises on high protein, low carb products. Their PBCo protein shakes are a good alternative to similar powders in the market that contain sugar or artificial ingredients. PBCo protein shakes These protein shakes come in three flavours (banana, chocolate and vanilla) in 500g resealable bags, which equals 14.3 servings. Each serve contains 23g of protein that come from whey protein concentrate. The shakes are gluten free, low carb and contain vitamins and enzymes making them more digestible. They have no artificial colours, flavours or sweeteners (they’re sweetened with stevia). Ingredients Banana: Australian whey protein concentrate, vitamin blend (calcium carbonate, whey protein isolate,…
-
Recipe: Niçoise salad
Niçoise salad, or salade niçoise is a classic French dish quite popular worldwide. It originated in the city of Nice, in the Southeast coast of the country. There are several ways of making niçoise salad and I won’t claim mine is the right one (especially because I’ve never been to France!!). My recipe is simple, cheap, nutritious and delicious. Salade niçoise is naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, high in protein and moderate in carbohydrates. It’s also pretty filling thanks to the protein, fibre and healthy fats including omega-3 from the tuna and monounsaturated fats from the olives and extra virgin olive oil.
-
Recipe: Miso bolognese
Miso bolognese is an example of fusion cuisine done well, if I may say so. Miso is just another way of adding umami to the classic pasta sauce. This recipe is gluten-free if you use suitable pasta. I used red miso paste but you can use any colour. I use Feather and Bone’s organic beef mince with organs for added nutrition but plain ground beef, pork, veal, turkey or a combination would work well. You may serve this sauce with your favourite pasta (gluten-free such as this one or this one, or otherwise) or pasta substitute, such as zucchini “noodles” (zoodles), konjac noodles, steamed vegetables, etc.
-
Product review: Rokeby Farms probiotic milk
Rokeby Farms is a dairy food company based in Melbourne, Victoria. Their product Rokeby Farms probiotic milk is made the traditional Swedish way. Rokeby Farms probiotic milk Like Filmjölk, this product is made with fresh cow’s milk and fermented slowly. The manufacturer claims it contains 15 live and active cultures and 50+ billion bacteria per serve. The benefits of this product are similar to those of other fermented milk drinks. It is a good source of protein and calcium and helps with digestion and gut health. Fermented dairy foods contain little lactose as most of it is digested by the bacteria. Therefore, this product may be suitable for some people…
