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Recipe: Papa rellena pie
Papa rellena pie is a casserole dish similar to shepherd’s or cottage pie with a Peruvian twist. Papa rellena (stuffed potato) is a typical Peruvian dish consisting of a mashed potato “dough” stuffed with a beef mince filling. The original papa rellena is shaped like a rugby ball and deep-fried. Instead, this version in pie format is baked similar to other mash-topped dishes, saving you oil, hassle and extra calories from fat. As many other Peruvian dishes, papa rellena is usually served with rice and salsa criolla. I like to serve mine with salad instead of rice and splash some hot sauce on top. The filling is made with the…
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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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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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Recipe: Oven-roasted pork ribs with bourbon BBQ sauce and red cabbage slaw
Oven-roasted pork ribs with bourbon BBQ sauce and red cabbage slaw is an easy meal that requires a little bit of time but not much work. The Mexican-inspired slaw brings brightness to the dish. Unlike most store-bought BBQ sauces, this homemade version is low in sugar and just as tasty. You can make the sauce alcohol-free by omitting the bourbon. The recipe calls for smoked salt but you can use regular salt if you don’t have any. The bourbon and the smoked paprika should contribute enough smokiness to the dish. Finally, you can cook the ribs in a slow cooker if you have one. It should take 7-8 hours in…
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Recipe: Grown-up radicchio salad
I call this grown-up radicchio salad because radicchio is not for everyone. As a general rule, children are more sensitive to the bitter taste, so grown-ups are more likely to appreciate bitter leaves in their meal. This salad is all about contrast and complement. The sweetness of the sultanas mellow down the radicchio’s bitterness. The saltiness of the cheese and the prosciutto counter-balance the sweetness. Finally, the different textures, from the crunchiness of the radicchio to the bite of the pine nuts and the softness of the boiled eggs, complement each other. If you want to up your grown-up game, go ahead and soak the sultanas in pisco or grappa…
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Recipe: Teriyaki-glazed salmon with corn and broccoli
This teriyaki-glazed salmon with corn and broccoli is an easy and healthy meal you can have ready in less than thirty minutes. This dish is packed with protein and omega-3 healthy fats from the salmon and fibre from the vegetables. Salmon also contains vitamin D, among other nutrients. The teriyaki glaze has only 2 ingredients: soy sauce and mirin, which are available in major supermarkets and Asian grocers. I use gluten-free tamari, but any soy sauce will do. I served this dish with cooked basmati rice. Feel free to use a lower carbohydrate substitute (such as cauliflower rice or konjac rice).
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Recipe: Roast pumpkin and lentil salad with lemon and sumac labneh
Roast pumpkin and lentil salad with lemon and sumac labneh is a healthy and filling vegetarian meal to have for lunch or dinner. It can also be served as part of a shared meal. What is labneh? It is a Middle Eastern strained yoghurt that is often used in savoury applications, e.g. as a dip. Its consistency is in between Greek yoghurt and cream cheese. This recipe is gluten-free and vegetarian. It can be made vegan by omitting the eggs and using plant-based yoghurt or cheese instead of the labneh. This salad is high in fibre and has a decent amount of protein, both of which will keep you satisfied…
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Recipe: Lazy eggs benny
Lazy eggs benny is one of my go-to favourite brunches. It’s the no-fuss quick and easy version of proper eggs Benedict, hence the name “lazy”. Below are my guidelines to make eggs benny lazy: use soft-boiled eggs instead of poached ones use smoked salmon or ham, which don’t need to be cooked, instead of bacon use mayonnaise instead of hollandaise (it’s easier to make and keeps longer in the fridge) use whatever bread you have in hand, no need to go out of your way to buy English muffins while spinach is the most common vegetable used in eggs Benedict, you can use whatever greens or other vegetables you have…
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Recipe: Walnut oil mayonnaise
Walnut oil mayonnaise has become a regular condiment in my household. We use it in salads, in lieu of hollandaise for eggs Benedict and we dip the occasional hot chips in it. I like to use cold pressed walnut oil because it has a neutral flavour and a great nutrition profile (poly- and monounsaturated fats). The fact that it’s cold pressed means that these delicate fatty acids are minimally broken down. Warning! This is an immersion blender (a.k.a. stick blender) recipe. If you don’t have one, be warned this technique won’t necessarily work in a regular blender. Below is a list of recipes where you can use this homemade walnut…
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Recipe: Pan con chicharrón (Peruvian pork roll)
Pan con chicharrón is one of the most iconic sandwiches of my home country. This is the Peruvian version of pork roll commonly eaten for breakfast or lonche (afternoon tea). Chicharrón commonly refers to fried pork in many former Spanish colonies. In Peru, however, you can also find chicharrón de pollo (chicken), pescado (fish), mariscos (seafood), etc. But back to pork! Peruvian chicharrón is cooked similarly to Mexican carnitas: boiled until the water is evaporated and then fried, traditionally in lard but these days usually in oil. Then it’s served in a French-style bread roll with slices of camote frito (fried sweet potato) and salsa criolla (lime-marinated onions). My version…
