Naked Barley Salad with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Grapes
Monday, August 04, 2014Healthy and delicious, this salad is a perfect low GI meal as it uses naked barley, sweet potato and grapes. The lower a food's glycemic index or glycemic load, the less it affects blood sugar and insulin levels.
Naked barley, aka hulless barley, is a low glycemic food that is not just good as part of a diabetic-friendly diet, It also helps to fight diabetes. Its soluble fiber slows the absorption of sugar and reduces the risk for developing Type 2 diabetes.
It has a chewy texture and more fiber and nutritional value than pearl barley, which has been processed to remove the hull and bran. You can use naked barley everywhere that you formerly used rice.
Salad | Dressing |
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- Rinse barley under cold running water and drain. In a medium saucepan, bring water with salt to a boil. Add barley and bring back to boil, then reduce to low heat and cook, covered, for 50 minutes or until barley is tender. Drain and rinse with cold water. Transfer to a bowl.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 200C/400F. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Peel sweet potatoes and cut into 3cm cubes. Toss the cubed sweet potatoes with maple syrup and olive oil, then arrange them on a baking tray in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper and roast for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
- In a small bowl, combine white balsamic vinegar, garlic, and mustard. Whisk in olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine barley, sweet potatoes, grapes, red onion, carrot and spring onions in a large salad bowl. Pour the dressing over the barley mixture and toss. Spoon the salad over the Romaine lettuce halves and serve.
Matcha Coconut Popsicles (Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Vegan)
Thursday, July 31, 2014These coconut matcha popsicles, that happen to be gluten-free, dairy-freeand vegan, are a deliciously refreshing and delectable treat on a hot summer day. They are lightly sweetened with pure stevia extract powder and the combination of creamy coconut milk and antioxidant-packed matcha green tea powder tastes amazingly delicious. I was trying to make these sugar-free, but you can feel free to use maple syrup or sugar instead if stevia isn't your thing.
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- In a glass pitcher, whisk together the coconut milk, matcha powder and stevia extract powderuntil well blended.
- Pour the mixture into moulds and freeze for at least 4 hours or until set. Release from the moulds and enjoy!
Raspberry Vinaigrette with Homemade Raspberry Vinegar
Saturday, July 26, 2014This raspberry vinegar recipe is fuss free and takes minutes to make, you only need to let the vinegar rest for 6 days before you strain and bottle it. Not only is this homemade raspberry vinegar beautiful, it is also inexpensive to make. And it makes a fantastic gift.
Raspberry vinegar can be used in a variety of salad dressings or sauces to add complexity, depth and fruity, delicious flavour. Tangy and sweet, this vinaigrette dressing can be made with fresh or frozen raspberries and enjoyed any time of the year.
Raspberry Vinegar | Raspberry Vinaigrette |
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- Combine all the ingredients of raspberry vinegar and divide in a large glass bottle. Close the bottles and leave them in a dark cool place for 6 days. Strain and store in the bottles with air-tight top.
- Place raspberry vinegar, chopped shallot, truffle mustard, honey and salt in the blender. Process until combined. Gradually blend in olive oil, and add in raspberries. Pulse to combine. Cover and chill. Whisk just before using.
Chocolate Cups with White Chocolate Pastry Cream
Monday, July 21, 2014Pastry Cream, a very versatile cream used to fill cakes, pastry shells or as a filling for those cute chocolate cups. It is quite simple to make at home, and can be easily flavoured many different ways including chocolate, coffee, with liqueurs, lemon or any extracts, although vanilla remains the most common.
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- In a saucepan, heat the whole milk, vanilla bean and seeds over medium heat until simmering.
- Combine the cornstarch, stevia extract powder, salt and egg yolks. Once the milk has come to a simmer, remove the vanilla bean and add 1/3 of the milk into the egg mixture and whisk until combined and smooth.
- Now return it to the saucepan and cook over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Whisk it constantly for 3-5 minutes until thick. Remove from the heat and add in orange liqueur if using and white chocolate chunks. Whisk until smooth. Press a plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate until well chilled. Fill the chocolate cups with the pastry cream and garnish with berries and lemon balm leaves.
Freekeh Black Quinoa Cookies
Thursday, July 17, 2014These delicate buttery wholegrain cookies, made with ground green spelt berries, black quinoa, butter and egg, sweetened with pure stevia extract, are delicious plain, dipped in dark chocolate, or sandwiched with flavoured cream.
Freekeh (also known as Grünkern in Germany) is roasted green spelt berries. The spelt is harvested when it is still young and green. It is then slow roasted over coals in the hulls, and is then de-hulled resulting in a beautiful green spelt berry.
Freekeh Black Quinoa Cookies
adapted from Eat Smarter
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- Combine together the ground green spelt, black quinoa, stevia extract powder and pinch of salt. Add in cubed butter and rub into flour until mixture resembles breadcrumbs, then, using your hands, add in egg to bring it together.
- With your hands, flatten out the ball of dough until it is about 2cm thick, then wrap it in cling film and leave in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Roll out the dough between two parchment sheets until about 3 mm thick. Cut out cookies with cookie cutters and place on a baking tray lined with parchment. Bake for about 10 minutes. Let cool on the tray for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Summer Salad with Goji Berries and Poppy Peach Vinaigrette
Sunday, July 13, 2014This fresh, colourful summer salad with a vibrant fruity vinaigrette is quick and easy, and the perfect way to enjoy all the produce that's in season now. Antioxidant-rich goji berries add a note of exotic sweetness to this light summery salad. If goji berries aren't your thing, you can always swap them out for dried cranberries or cherries.
Poppy Peach Vinaigrette | Salad |
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- To prepare the dressing. Peel and pit the peaches. Cut the peaches into chunks and place in a blender with the white balsamic, truffle mustard, salt and olive oil. Whirl until smooth. Stir in poppy seeds.
- Pile the mixed salad leaves, cherry radishes and peaches on two serving plates. Scatter the goji berries over. Drizzle the salad with dressing and toss gently to coat.
Peanut Butter Banana Popsicles (Vegan, Gluten-free)
Tuesday, July 08, 2014There's nothing like a cold and healthy popsicle to cool you down on scorching hot summer days. These creamy icy treats, featuring ripe banana, peanut butter and coconut water, will satisfy your craving for something frosty without adding on extra pounds, esp. if you adore the combination of peanut butter and banana.
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- Combine all of the ingredients in a blender, and process until well combined.
- Divide the mixture into 8 moulds and place a stick in the middle of each mould, and freeze for at least 6 hours, or until firm.