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Recipe: Low carb silverbeet and ricotta pie
This low carb silverbeet and ricotta pie is a spin on “pastel de acelga” (a.k.a. “torta Pascualina” in Argentina and Uruguay). It’s great for brunch or any other time of the day. In Perú, “pastel de acelga” is commonly found in bakeries and cafes, from the humblest to the fanciest. The filling commonly features bread, milk and Parmesan cheese. I prefer to use ricotta for better texture and flavour. I used an almond meal crust to make it both low-carb and gluten-free but you can use your favourite savoury pie crust recipe or pre-made pie crust.
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Product review: Nonie’s hot cross buns
Nonie’s hot cross buns are an Easter treat by the artisan gluten-free bakery from Botany NSW. They come in classic and chocolate flavours. Nonie’s hot cross buns Nonie’s hot cross buns come in two flavours: classic and chocolate. They are gluten-free and vegetarian. You can buy them in bags of 4 or 6 buns, each weighing 125g (classic) or 110g (chocolate). They are available on the weeks leading to Easter at Nonie’s HQ in Botany and some of their stockists. Check their website (at the bottom of this post) for more details. Ingredients The ingredients list in these buns is long, mainly because getting a good texture in gluten-free baked…
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Recipe: Green shakshuka
Green shakshuka is a tasty variation to the traditional tomato-based Middle Eastern breakfast dish. It is a great way to get a few serves of vegetables during the first half of the day. The beauty of green shakshuka is that you can use any green vegetables and herbs you have in hand. In that sense, it’s a lot more customisable than the original version, in my opinion. This recipe is gluten-free and low-carb. It can be made dairy free by omitting the cheese or using a plant-based one. Serve it with your choice of bread. I used some outstanding gluten-free pita from Nonie’s Food.
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Product review: Denada ice cream
Denada ice cream is another healthier treat alternative for those following a low carbohydrate or keto diet. Some flavours are also vegan. Denada ice cream Denada ice cream comes in colourful 475ml tubs. They contain (mostly) natural ingredients and no added sugars. They are sweetened with xylitol and are low in carbohydrates and sugar and gluten-free. A couple of their flavours are also dairy-free and vegan. There are currently 8 flavours which you can find in Coles and other smaller supermarkets (such as IGA and Foodworks) and health food shops. Check Denada’s website at the bottom of this page for more information about stockists. Not sure if this is the…
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Recipe: Roasted zucchini hummus
Roasted zucchini hummus is another alternative recipe for those looking for a lower carb version than the traditional one made with chickpeas. It’s a great way to use up surplus zucchini. Similar to the cauliflower hummus I posted a while ago, this recipe is gluten-free, vegan, keto and low-carb. As a bonus, this roasted zucchini hummus is also low in FODMAPs. You can eat enjoy roasted zucchini hummus as a dip or as a proper meal with optional toppings (there’s a list of suggestions below). This recipe is lower in protein than the traditional chickpea-based version, so make sure you are eating some protein with it.
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Product review: Olina’s Simply Seed crackers
Olina’s Simply Seed crackers are a new addition to the line of gluten-free line of crackers under the Olina’s Bakehouse brand. These are a great snack for people following a gluten-free and/or low-carb diet. Olina’s Simply Seed crackers Each box contains a plastic tray wrapped in a non-resealable plastic bag. Each pack contains four 20g servings. The currently available flavours are Original, Cracked Pepper, Rosemary, and Herb & Garlic. Similar to Carman’s crackers, Olina’s Simply Seed crackers are gluten-free, vegan, low-carb and low in sugar. They have a good amount of dietary fibre. You can find these crackers at major supermarkets. They are a little more expensive than similar products…
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Product review: Bounce keto low carb bars
Bounce keto low carb bars are a snack alternative for health-conscious active individuals following a keto or low carb diet. Bounce This Australian company started out selling single serve packaged protein balls and now has a wider range of products targeted to active populations. Other product ranges include the aforementioned protein balls (whey and plant-based), brekkie bars and milkshake powders for kids. Bounce keto low carb bars These bars are gluten free, vegan, low in sugar, high in fibre and have some protein (but not a lot). They are also free of artificial flavours, sweeteners and other additives. The fat content comes from nuts and MCT oil (from coconut). Bounce…
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Product review: Macro rigatoni with hemp
Macro rigatoni with hemp is a version of this short tubular pasta made with rice and hemp flour, making it higher in protein and gluten-free. Macro rigatoni with hemp This is part of the pasta range made by Macro, Woolworths’ brand of organic products. The pasta is vegan and gluten-free and comes in 200g packages with 2 serves per pack. Rigatoni are small tubes larger in diameter but shorter in length than penne. They have ridges and straight edges. This type of pasta works well with chunky sauces as the bits and pieces can stick to the ridges and get into the tubes. It is also good for cheesy baked…
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Recipe: Spiced lamb
This spiced lamb is a Middle-Eastern inspired protein source that pairs well with cauliflower hummus or regular hummus. If hummus is not your thing, you can eat this lamb with vegetables and/or rice, quinoa or other grains. This recipe is gluten-free, high in protein and low-carb. If you don’t like lamb, you can use beef mince instead. You can use a plant-based substitute but check ingredients as some of them are highly processed. You can also use lentils or other legumes instead of the mince with the same aromatics and spices.
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Recipe: Cauliflower hummus
Cauliflower is popular in paleo, gluten-free, keto and low-carb circles thanks to its ability to substitute starchier or gluten-containing foods. Besides rice, mash and pizza you can also use this cruciferous vegetable to make cauliflower hummus. This recipe is gluten-free, vegan and low-carb. Unfortunately, it’s high in FODMAPs so if you avoid legumes to prevent bloating this recipe might not be much of an improvement. You can eat enjoy cauliflower hummus as a dip but in the Middle East is eaten as a meal with optional toppings (there’s a list of suggestions below). This recipe is lower in protein than the traditional chickpea-based version, so make sure you are eating…
