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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: 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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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…
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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.
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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,…
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Product review: Slendier konjac pasta and rice
As its name implies, Slendier is a brand of food products designed to help with weight loss. Slendier konjac pasta and rice come in different styles to suit your culinary needs. What is konjac? The dictionary tells us konjac is “the swollen underground stem of a herb that grows in parts of Asia and is often used for adding fibre to food, or the herb itself.” (1) Konjac is very low in carbohydrates and very high in a type of fibre called glucomannan, which is linked to several health benefits, including appetite control and digestive health. Slendier konjac range All Slendier konjac pasta and rice style products come in 2-serve…
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Recipe: Chile verde pork ribs with Mexican slaw
I first tried chile verde in a Mexican restaurant in Sydney that no longer exists. I loved it, mainly because it reminded me of Peruvian seco. Unlike the most common chilli con carne, the sauce in chile verde is made with tomatillos, green chillies and coriander. It is normally made with pork shoulder but I decided to use the sauce to marinate pork ribs instead. The result: chile verde pork ribs with Mexican slaw. A few notes on ingredients and cooking method: Tomatillos can be found canned in ethnic grocery shops and some supermarkets such as Panetta in Marrickville Metro. I use this brand. The jalapeños used in the sauce…
