Low Carb Christmas Cake

This cake was devised for Christmas cake lovers who don't want to upset their energy balance - traditional cake is very heavy on dried fruit. 

Note that because the cake has a low sugar and alcohol content, it will not keep for more than a week but can be frozen.

Ingredients

• 170g pitted prunes
• 115g dried apple rings
• 115g dried apricots
• 50ml brandy or tea
• 1 small apple, washed and grated
• Zest and juice of 1 orange
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1⁄2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 170g soft butter
• 85g Stevia
• 4 medium eggs
• 85g ground almonds
• 85g rice flour
• 1 tsp gluten free baking powder

Method:

• The day before you make the cake, chop the dried fruit into a bowl and pour over the brandy / tea. Leave overnight, stirring as you are passing / when you can.
• Line a 20cm deep cake tin with a double layer of greaseproof paper. Set the oven to 160˚C (140˚C fan). Cream the butter and Stevia, then stir in the chopped fruit, orange zest and grated apple. Add the vanilla and spices and beat the eggs in, one at a time. Don’t worry if it looks a bit curdled.
• Stir in the ground almonds, rice flour and baking powder and mix thoroughly. Finally, stir in the juice from half the orange to start with, adding more, if necessary, to make a soft consistency.
• Pour into the cake tin and level the top. Tie a double thickness of baking paper around the outside with string.
• Bake for 1.5 – 2 hrs until a skewer comes out clean. If the top is getting too dark, put a piece of foil over it. As soon as it is cool enough to touch, put a piece of foil tightly over the top and leave until completely cold - this softens the top of the cake. Remove from the tin and wrap in a double thickness of foil to store.
• Enjoy!

Lamb and Spinach Curry

This one takes a while to cook due to the cut of meat, but it is well worth it for that Saturday night curry.

Alternatively cook on a Sunday, whilst prepping your breakfasts and lunches for the week.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 red onion

4 garlic cloves

600g lamb shoulder

2 tbsp coconut or oliveoil

1tsp cayenne

3tsp ground coriander

3tsp ground cumin

1tsp turmeric

1/2tsp ground cinnamon

2 cardamom pods

2 tins chopped tomatoes

1 tin coconut milk

200g fresh spinach

200g frozen peas

1 lemon

Seasoning to taste

Method:

1. Finely slice the onion, crush and finely chop the garlic and on a separate board, cut the lamb into cubes

2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan on a medium heat and cook the onion for 4-5 mins until browned. Then add the garlic, cayenne, coriander, cumin, turmeric, cinnamon and cardamom and a couple twists of black pepper. Add 4 tbsp of water and fry  for a few mins until fragrant.

3. Add the lamb to the saucepan with a big pinch of salt and brown for 3-4 mins, adding water if it gets dry to prevent the spices from burning.

4. Add the tomatoes and bring the curry to a simmer. Cook for  45 mins, stirring every 15 mins.

5. Add the coconut milk, stir well and cook for a further 45 mins, again stirring every 15 mins.

6. Add the spinach and the peas and stir again until the spinach wilts.

7. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Serve with cauliflower rice or a side of steamed vegetables.

8. Enjoy!

Sesame Salmon

When we’re looking to balance hormones, what we put into our bodies is extremely important. This is an excellent recipe to choose – salmon is high in anti-inflammatory omega 3 fats; broccoli is a source of sulforaphane which helps with oestrogen clearance; and sesame seeds are rich in phytoestrogens. Plus, it’s quick and delicious!

Serves 2

Ingredients:

2 tsp olive oil

2 salmon fillets

6 spring onions, trimmed and cut into 3 pieces

12 cherry tomatoes

Black pepper

200g long-stemmed broccoli, trimmed

1 tbsp tamari

1 tsp sesame oil

½ tsp crushed chilli flakes (optional)

2 tsp sesame seeds

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 200C. Drizzle a baking tray with olive oil.
• Place the salmon fillets onto the tray, skin side down. Add the spring onions and tomatoes and season with black pepper. Bake for 8 minutes.
• Steam the broccoli for 5 minutes.
• Remove the tray from the oven and add the broccoli. Drizzle the tamari and sesame oil over the fish, and sprinkle everything with the chilli flakes and sesame seeds.
• Return to the oven for 4-5 minutes, or until the salmon is just cooked.
• Enjoy!

OVEN-BAKED RATATOUILLE

This is a family favourite and a great way to use up a glut of courgettes if you have them! I tend to make multiple batches of this, as it freezes quite well and then you can bring it out a later date. 

It goes really nicely with chicken or white fish, or for a veggie option you can add some chickpeas or puy lentils. Yum!

Ingredients:

3 x aubergine, cut into bite-size chunks

6 x courgette (or one giant marrow of a courgette!), cut into bite-size chunks

8 x red onions, cut into 1/8s

3 x red peppers, sliced

1 bulb garlic, peeled and cloves left whole

1 jar olives

Herbes de Provence

Olive oil

Seasoning

Green beans, sliced diagonally

3 x tins chopped tomatoes

Method:

• Preheat oven to 200 degress celsius
• Prepare all veg (except for green beans) and divide evenly between 3 oven trays
• Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle Herbes de Provence liberally, and season well
• Pop in the oven to cook for 20 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the edges catching
• When 20 mins have elapsed, add the chopped tomatoes and the green beans
• Return to the oven for 10 minutes
• Voila! Simple oven-baked ratatouille ready to eat and some to be frozen for another day.
• Enjoy!

MEDITERRANEAN FRITTATA

This is a fantastic quick and easy protein-rich lunch. Plus, you can make it in advance and stash it in the fridge. If you cook it in an individual muffin tray, then you get mini frittata which are perfect for packed lunches or picnics.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

200g baby spinach

1 tbsp olive oil/coconut oil

1 onion, thinly sliced

40g black olives, pitted and halved

6 free range eggs, lightly beaten and seasoned with salt and pepper

115g feta cheese, cubed

Method:

1. Wilt the spinach in a covered saucepan for 2 to 3 minutes. Squeeze out any excess water.

2. Heat the oil in an ovenproof frying pan and fry the onion until soft.

3. Pre-heat the grill to medium while the onions are cooking.

4. Spread the onion, spinach and olives over the base of the pan.

5. Pour the eggs over the mixture and scatter the feta on top.

6. Set the base by cooking over a moderate heat for about 5 minutes.

7. Cook the top of the frittata under the grill for about 3 minutes, until golden. Serve with a fresh green salad seasoned with lemon juice and olive oil.

8. Enjoy!

 

Black rice, squash and chickpea salad

This is a gorgeous blood-sugar-balancing recipe, when you used this instead of bog-standard rice in your meal. 

Pair with a good quality source of protein such as tofu, chicken or fish, and you have a delicious meal that will keep you feeling fuller for longer and energised.

Ingredients:

195g black rice

80g wild rice

Kosher salt

1 medium butternut squash, peeled, seeds removed, cut into pieces

100ml olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper

50ml red wine vinegar

2 teaspoons honey

2 spring onions, thinly sliced

2 pomegranates (seeds only)

400g tin chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 bunch parsley, roughly chopped

50g roasted pistachios, chopped

Method

• Preheat oven to 220C˚. Cook the black and wild rice in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender – about 35–40 mins. Drain and rinse. Spread out on a rimmed baking sheet and let cool.
• Meanwhile, toss squash with 50ml oil on another baking sheet. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for about 20 to 25 mins, tossing part way through cooking, until golden brown and tender. Leave to cool.
• Whisk the vinegar, honey and remaining oil in a large bowl. Add the rice, squash, spring onions, pomegranate seeds, chickpeas and pistachios. Season with salt and pepper and toss to combine.
• Enjoy!