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Recipe: Easy pulpo al olivo
Pulpo al olivo is a typical Peruvian dish made with octopus and olive mayonnaise. It is often eaten as an entrée or appetizer. This recipe is called easy pulpo al olivo because I’ve included a couple of shortcuts. The invention of this dish is attributed to Peruvian-Japanese chef Rosita Yimura. My lazy version involves no cooking and minimal preparation by using the following ingredients: I also used Peruvian botija olives but you may use kalamatas.
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Product review: Hahn Ultra Crisp beer
One of the major beer manufacturers has launched a new brew: Hahn Ultra Crisp beer. This beer is not only gluten-free but also has lower carbohydrates than other brews. Win-win! Hahn Ultra Crisp As per the label, this beer is lower carb than regular beer, 99% sugar free, preservative free and gluten-free. As you may know, beer is traditionally brewed using gluten-containing grains, such as barley and wheat. Some gluten-free beers are brewed with non-gluten grains, some have the gluten removed after brewing. Hahn Ultra Crisp is brewed with rice. Therefore, it is truly gluten-free. In fact, it is endorsed by Coeliac Australia as a safe beverage for individuals with…
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Recipe: My mum’s tuna croquettes
Another mum recipe! Tuna croquettes (“croquetas de atún”) was a weeknight dish that was on a semi-regular rotation at our house. I always looked forward to the next time we’d have them. Mum served the croquettes with a lot of rice and some veggies: green beans, peas and carrots that were first blanched in water and then fried in butter. I would always add a big dollop of tomato sauce on my rice. No wonder I was a fat kid! I’m not complaining but this was the hardest mum’s recipe for me to re-create because she did not give me even a remote approximation of quantities. I do know she…
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Recipe: My mum’s arroz chaufa (Peruvian fried rice)
Chaufa comes from chao fan, which apparently means “fried rice” in Chinese (not sure if in Mandarin, Cantonese or both). So yeah, arroz chaufa = “fried rice rice”. Arroz chaufa in Perú is very popular (as we have a large Cantonese community) and it comes in many varieties: chicken, pork, chicken + pork, chicken + pork + prawns (a.k.a. “special”) and I’m guessing nowadays also vegetarian/vegan. My mum’s version of arroz chaufa had chicken and egg omelette. Although I didn’t realise this at the time, this was one of my favourite weeknight meals. I would eat an entire serving out of the pot before it even left the kitchen. Mum…
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Product review: Gluten-free Vegemite
Vegemite is one of the most iconic Australian foods. The spread, made from brewer’s yeast extract, is finally available in a gluten-free version. ‘Pure Vegetable Extract’ was developed in the early 1920s. The product went through a few name changes and a rough start due to the already established popularity of Marmite, the British version. Eventually marketing succeeded and Vegemite is now the spread of choice of many Australians. Gluten in Vegemite Original Vegemite is not gluten-free because the malt extract is derived from barley and the yeast extract is made from yeast grown on barley and wheat. My Vegemite story The first time my husband and I came to…
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Recipe: BBQ chicken drumettes with coleslaw
Chicken drumettes are the fleshy part of chicken wings. You can use it in place of regular wings any dish, for example these BBQ chicken drumettes with coleslaw. The recipe features a quick BBQ sauce that doesn’t need cooking or blending. In addition, it is lower in sugar than regular BBQ sauce if you can get your hands on a sugar-free ketchup (I used this brand). The coleslaw dressing is not made with mayonnaise, but with either kefir or buttermilk. Buttermilk is the classic choice but I prefer the tanginess of kefir. Either way, the dressing is light and great for summer. You can make this recipe as a main…
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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…
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Recipe: Lamb kofta with roasted Mediterranean vegetables
Kofta are basically meatballs or sausages that can be made in several different ways depending on where in the World they are made. I like them made with lamb and either a Middle Eastern or Mediterranean twist. This recipe for lamb kofta with roasted Mediterranean vegetables is not only easy to make but also gluten-free, low-carb and highly customisable. You can swap the meat, spices and vegetables for whatever you have in hand.
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Recipe: Gingerbread bliss balls
These gingerbread bliss balls are a great treat to make in the holiday season. This is mainly because unlike actual gingerbread, you don’t have to rely on baking nor decorating skills. Make a batch or two to enjoy during the holidays or to give as gifts. I like using dry roasted nuts mainly for flavour. Feel free to use raw nuts if that’s what you have on hand. You may also use regular dried dates instead of Medjool but you may need to soak them in hot water and then drain them to soften them up. This recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan.
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Product review: Slendier Ready To Eat Meals
Slendier is a brand of low carb “noodles” made of konjac, an Asian plant that has been used forever in Japanese cuisine. Slendier Ready To Eat Meals is a range that includes “pasta” and sauce in one package. The meals The meals currently in this range include a bag of “fettuccine” and a pouch of sauce. The sauce options (all tomato-based) are: organic Italian capers and olives, organic Italian basil and arrabbiata. All Slendier Ready To Eat Meals are low in carbohydrate, energy, fat and sugar, high in fibre, vegan and free from artificial colours and flavours. Ingredients Vegetable Fettuccine with Organic Italian Capers and Olives Sauce: konjac fettuccini (63%)…
