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Recipe: Garbanzos con acelga (chickpeas with silverbeet)
Garbanzos con acelga (chickpeas with silverbeet) is a traditional Spanish stew. This recipe is gluten-free, high in fibre and vegan if you use vegetable stock. Like many other dishes from Spain, this one has been adopted and adapted in Peruvian cuisine. We tend to make it with ají panca instead of tomato paste, and serve it with rice instead of bread. My unorthodox contribution is that squeeze of lemon juice at the end to add brightness. Most importantly, the vitamin C from the lemon will help you absorb the non-haem iron present in the chickpeas and the silverbeet (a.k.a spinach in Australia). Last but not least, as with any stew,…
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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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5 misconceptions about vegan
These days vegan, a.k.a. plant-based diets are all the rage. Veganism is normally regarded as a morally superior and/or healthier lifestyle. However, there are a number of arguments for it that are not objectively true. Keep reading to clarify these 5 misconceptions about vegan. 1. Vegan = healthy A vegan diet is not inherently a healthy diet. In particular, vegan fake meats, fried foods and confectionery are not healthy at all. 2. Vegan = sustainable All-plant diets are not inherently sustainable. It takes resources to grow wheat, corn and soy, the major components of vegan diets. There is a lot of packaging involved and fuel consumed to get some vegan…
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Product review: PBCo protein pizza bases
The folks at PBCo (previously The Protein Bread Co) have added ready-made pizza bases to their product range of mixes. WIth PBCo protein pizza bases you can enjoy pizza without derailing your body composition goals. Protein pizza bases Each packet of PBCo protein pizza bases comes with 2x 28cm, thin bases. These are very high in protein, lower in carbs and vegan. However, unlike the protein pizza mix, they are not gluten-free. Ingredients Water, lupin protein, high protein wheat flour, rice protein, olive oil, golden flax meal, yeast, salt, bread improver (inactive dry yeast, vitamin C, enzyme). Nutrition information Nutrient Per serve (1/2 pizza base) Energy (kJ) 1073 Energy (Cal)…
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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: Quinoa & mixed beans vegan bowls
These quinoa & mixed beans vegan bowls are inspired by Latin American food. Like the quinoa & lentil bowls, these are packed with plant-based protein, iron and fibre. The capsicum and lime provide vitamin C, which your body needs to absorb the non-haem iron. You will also get some healthy monounsaturated fats from the olive oil. 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…
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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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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%)…
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Recipe: Black sesame baba ganoush
Black sesame baba ganoush is also (see my recipe for black sesame hummus) my kind of dip. Tasty, healthy, black. It looks scary enough for people to avoid it, so there’s always more for me. Make it for Halloween or any other day. Black sesame seeds are widely used in Chinese medicine. Science suggests they may lower blood pressure and protect against oxidative stress (1). They may also reduce total cholesterol and LDL levels as well as protect cardiovascular, liver and kidney function, among other positive outcomes. Scientists have found at least 20 metabolites that are higher in black sesame seeds than in the white variety and might be responsible…
