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Recipe: Vegan mash
If you love mashed potatoes but can’t or won’t eat dairy, this vegan mash recipe is for you. Even if you’re partial to traditional mash, you should give this version a go. People wanting to veganise the classic potato mash, which often contains butter, cream and/or milk, will use margarine and non-dairy milk instead. However, there is a better (read: healthier and tastier) way of doing it! A good vegetable stock (homemade or otherwise) and extra virgin olive oil add a ton of flavour and a silky texture to the mash. I used Dutch cream potatoes but you can use your favourite potatoes for this recipe. If you’re looking for…
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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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Plant-based burgers
Plant-based burgers are becoming more available in Australian supermarkets and fast food chains. Read on to find out which burger options are out there, what are their ingredients and their nutritional breakdown. Plant-based vs vegan It is common to use the terms “plant-based” and “vegan” interchangeably. However, plant-based does not necessarily mean vegan. Instead, it means that is predominantly vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts and other plant foods (you can argue here if this is to be determined by volume, weight or energy percentage). Vegan means no animal products whatsoever. Having said that, most food products that are advertised as “plant-based” are actually vegan. The interest in both terms has experienced…
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5 easy vegan swaps
Last week we spoke about red meat, eggs and dairy, but what if you choose not to eat any animal products? The following 5 easy vegan swaps can help you navigate this style of eating. 1. Yoghurt These days there is a wide variety of dairy free yoghurt in supermarkets. These are generally made with coconut or almond milk. However, note that the flavour, texture and, most importantly, nutrient content are not the same as real yoghurt. 2. Parmesan cheese Probably the most popular hippie health food is nutritional yeast. This is because it has an umami flavour that helps fill the void left by the absence of cheese, especially…
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Product review: Bega Simply Nuts Peanut Butter
Bega Simply Nuts Peanut Butter is yet another great choice in the spreads aisle. It is great to see that big companies are responsive to consumers expectations of products without added oil and sugar. Bega Simply Nuts As the name implies, Bega Simply Nuts Peanut Butter is made with just peanuts (and salt in 2 of the 3 products). Okay, if you want to be pedantic about it, peanuts are not nuts (they’re legumes). The range includes crunchy, smooth and rustic grind. You can find them in the spread aisle in major supermarkets. Ingredients Crunchy: Roasted peanuts (99.5%), salt Smooth: Roasted peanuts (99.5%), salt Rustic grind: Roasted peanuts (100%) Nutrition…
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Dairy-free yoghurt
Is “dairy-free yoghurt” an oxymoron? If you’re of the opinion that nut/legume milk is not milk, then maybe you think dairy-free yoghurt cannot be called yoghurt. However, if you think that the bacteria defines the food, then yeah, making yoghurt out of soy/almond/coconut milk qualifies as yoghurt. Lastly, if you prefer looking at nutritional content, you might be against this nomenclature. Read on and find out. What is yoghurt According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, yoghurt (or yogurt) is “a fermented slightly acid often flavored semisolid food made of milk and milk solids to which cultures of two bacteria (Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) have been added”. (1) Oxford dictionary…
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Recipe: Smashed potatoes with roasted garlic chimichurri
These smashed potatoes and roasted garlic chimichurri are great as a side dish, as part of a grazing table or on their own as a snack. This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan. The secret to golden, crunchy potatoes is to cook them twice and smash them in between. I used Spud Lite lower carb potatoes but you can use any waxy potato you like. This recipe will make extra chimichurri, which you can store in a jar in the fridge. You can eat it with steak, lamb chops, eggs, octopus, etc.
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Recipe: Macadamia coconut and lime bliss balls
Bliss balls are the perfect snack when you are not that hungry and/or you intend to share. You can bring them to the office, the gym, picnics, etc. These macadamia, coconut and lime bliss balls are not only delicious, gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan but also sugar-free. (That does not mean you should eat the whole batch, though). Enjoy! I normally use Macro macadamias and shredded coconut from Woolies. Use a natural sweetener, such as this one or this one.
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Recipe: Quinoa, lentil & beetroot vegan bowls
These quinoa, lentil & beetroot vegan bowls are a tasty meal packed with plant-based protein, iron and fibre. The dressing contains lemon to provide vitamin C, which your body needs to absorb the non-haem iron. You will also get some healthy unsaturated fats from the olive oil and seeds, and calcium mainly from the tahini. These bowls taste great warm but can also be eating straight out of the fridge if you have leftovers. If you’re a vegetarian or omnivore, feel free to add or substitute part of the protein with other foods such as boiled eggs, cheese, tuna, smoked salmon or poached chicken. One final note: I have specified…
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Product review: Obela Hommus To Go
You feel peckish in the middle of the day and find out the only option around is a pack of chips from a vending machine. You resolve to pack a healthy homemade dip with some carrot and celery sticks starting “tomorrow”. When you come home that night you realise you have no time or energy to make the dip, prep the veggies and put them in containers to take to work. We all have been there but even the best intentions to eat healthy go out the window when hunger strikes and we’re caught off-guard. Most of us can picture a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner, but many people find…
