Pasta with baked anchovies and cherry tomatoes

Pasta with baked anchovies and cherry tomatoes is a dish that brings together colour, flavour and wellbeing in a single, balanced recipe. This month’s colour is grey – an unusual tone in the kitchen, yet surprisingly rich in inspiration when you choose ingredients like fresh anchovies and sunflower seeds. They prove that even grey can have a tasty and creative soul.

Anchovies are a nutritional treasure for anyone following a diet that supports metabolic health: rich in high-quality proteins, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, they help reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity. This makes them an excellent protein source for people with diabetes. They are also naturally gluten-free and easy to digest.

Sunflower seeds, often used as a crunchy topping, add not just texture but also valuable nutrients: they’re rich in unsaturated fats, magnesium and phytosterols, which help control blood sugar and maintain a healthy lipid profile.

Moreover, both anchovies and sunflower seeds are good sources of selenium – a mineral that protects cells from oxidative stress and helps prevent cellular ageing. In short, this is a simple dish with the qualities of a true natural supplement!

If you like anchovies, try my Onion and anchovy flat bread too.

Pasta with baked anchovies and cherry tomatoes

 28g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • 500g cherry tomatoes
  • 400g fresh anchovies (to be cleaned)
  • 300g gluten-free pasta Gnocchi or Caserecce by Massimo Zero**
  • 60g gluten-free breadcrumbs**
  • 50g grated Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 15g salt-preserved capers
  • 1 lemon (zest only)
  • sunflower seeds
  • 1 garlic clove
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • oregano
  • chilli pepper
  • salt

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten-free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. First, clean the anchovies by removing the head, innards and central bone. Rinse and pat them dry.
  2. In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, rinsed and chopped capers, a pinch of finely chopped garlic, oregano, chilli pepper, and grated lemon zest.
  3. Lightly coat the bottom of a baking dish with some of this aromatic breadcrumb mixture. Arrange the anchovies open like a book in a single layer, then top with halved cherry tomatoes, cut side down on the fish. Sprinkle with the remaining breadcrumb mixture and drizzle with olive oil.
  4. Bake in a preheated fan oven at 250°C for about 10 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile, cook the pasta in lightly salted boiling water. Drain and toss with the baked anchovies and tomatoes.
  6. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds and serve hot.

ilaria-bertinelli-pasta-con-alici-e-semi-di-girasole

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Flour and water gnocchi with beans

Flour and water gnocchi are an ancient recipe that takes us back to the roots of Italian cuisine, long before potatoes arrived from the Americas.
Made with just two ingredients and no eggs, these gnocchi have deep roots in peasant tradition, where simplicity and ingenuity went hand in hand. In fact, to bind the flour—rice flour in my gluten-free version, specifically brown rice flour from Mulino Marello—boiling water is used. This technique gelatinizes the starch, acting as a kind of pre-cooking step that makes the dough more flexible and prevents it from falling apart when cooked.

To accompany them, I chose a legume I discovered thanks to the Chamber of Commerce of Rieti and Viterbo: the Fagiolo Secondo or Fagiolo Giallo della Stoppia di San Lorenzo. This bean is a typical product of the Alta Tuscia Laziale Mountain Community, grown using sustainable farming methods that respect natural cycles.
Its curious name tells the story of its traditional cultivation: Secondo refers to the agricultural practice of sowing the beans as the second crop of the year, while della Stoppia (i.e. of the stubble) refers to the fact that they were sown directly onto the wheat stubble just after harvest, using crop residues as a natural growing medium.

This late cultivation allowed the beans to be harvested as early as the end of August, offering farming families a valuable source of plant-based protein as autumn approached. These small brown beans are not only delicious but also quick to cook and naturally sweet, qualities attributed to the volcanic origin of the local soil.

Rich in plant proteins and fiber, these beans are ideal for those looking for balanced dishes full of flavor and suitable even for beginner cooks.

ilaria-bertinelli-gnocchi-di-farina-e-acqua

Flour and water gnocchi with beans

  24.16g carbohydrates per 100g without onion topping

Ingredients for the gnocchi for 4 servings

  • 200g brown rice flour*
  • hot water
  • a pinch of salt

For the bean sauce

  • 400g tomato purée
  • 150g dried Fagioli secondi or Gialli della Stoppia
  • 70g carrot
  • 40g celery
  • 2 bay leaves
  • wild fennel
  • extravirgin olive oil Canino DOP
  • salt and pepper

For the onion

  • 5 Tropea onions
  • extravirgin olive oil Canino DOP
  • oregano
  • salt and pepper

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten-free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Soak the dried beans overnight. The next day, boil them over low heat with two bay leaves until fully cooked. Turn off the heat and reserve the cooking water.
  2. Place the whole grain rice flour in a mixing bowl, add a pinch of salt, and pour in just enough lightly salted boiling water to create a smooth dough. You’ll need about half the weight of the flour in water. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for at least 15 minutes.
  3. Finely chop the carrot and celery, and sauté them in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the vegetables and tomato purée to the pan, season with salt, and let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes. Then add the cooked beans and allow to cook together for another 15 minutes. Finish with chopped wild fennel.
  4. Slice the Tropea spring onions and gently soften them in a pan with a little olive oil. Season with oregano, salt, and pepper.
  5. Prepare the gnocchi: roll the dough into cylinders on a board dusted with rice flour, cut into 2 cm pieces, and place them on a tray.
  6. Cook the gnocchi in lightly salted boiling water until they reach your preferred texture. Note: they are not ready as soon as they float—they’ll need a bit longer.
  7. Lift them out with a slotted spoon and add directly to the bean sauce. Stir to combine, then serve with the Tropea onions and a drizzle of Canino olive oil.

ilaria-bertinelli-gnocchi-di-farina-e-acqua

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Polenta gnocchi with artichoke cream and toasted almonds

Polenta gnocchi with artichoke cream and toasted almonds: a no-waste recipe with great nutritional value.

Turning leftover polenta into a new and surprising dish is a fantastic way to reduce food waste while still enjoying delicious flavours. These alternative gnocchi, with their soft texture and delicate taste, pair perfectly with the artichoke cream, enhanced by the crunch of toasted almonds and the freshness of lemon zest.

A special touch comes from Miso, a fermented ingredient rich in probiotics, which adds depth of flavor and digestive benefits. This simple, nutritious, and inclusive dish is perfect for those who love sustainable and creative cuisine.

If you love gnocchi, try a classic with a spicy twist: Potato gnocchi with tomato sauce and ‘Nduja.

Polenta gnocchi with artichoke cream and toasted almonds

17.73g carbohydrates per 100g 

ilaria-bertinelli-gnocchi-di-polenta-ai-carciofi

Ingredients for the gnocchi

  • 300g cooked polenta*
  • 50g potato starch*
  • 50g brown rice flour*
  • 1 egg
  • 20g grated Parmigiano Reggiano
  • salt

Ingredients for the artichoke cream

  • 200g cleaned artichokes (about 4)
  • 100g medium potato
  • 30g shallot
  • 20g almonds (for garnish)
  • 1 scant teaspoon miso* (optional)
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • zest and juice of ½ lemon
  • salt and pepper

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten-free” (or, in Italy, present on Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Blend the cold polenta and mix it with the egg, flour, grated Parmigiano Reggiano, salt, and pepper until you get a smooth dough.
    Lightly flour your work surface and shape the gnocchi.
  2. Clean the artichokes by removing the tough outer leaves, cutting off the tips, and slicing the hearts into thin wedges. Soak them in lemon water to prevent browning.
  3. In a non-stick pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil and sauté the chopped shallot with a garlic clove. Add the drained artichokes and the diced potato, letting them sauté for a few minutes. Then, add vegetable broth and cook for about 15 minutes, until the artichokes and potato are soft.
  4. Transfer everything to a blender and blend until smooth. Adjust with salt, pepper, and a scant teaspoon of Miso for an extra umami note.
  5. Cook the gnocchi in lightly salted boiling water, drain them, and toss them in a pan with the artichoke cream, adding a ladle of cooking water if needed. Plate and finish with toasted, lightly crushed almonds and grated lemon zest

 

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Sweet potato and artichoke soup with a Middle Eastern touch

This warm and creamy soup is true comfort food. Alongside its excellent nutritional properties, it features a delightful Middle Eastern touch with za’atar. Try my Sweet Potato and Artichoke Soup for a wholesome and flavourful dish!

Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients!

Sweet potatoes, often mistaken for regular potatoes, are actually quite different in both taste and nutritional value. Naturally sweet, they have a lower glycaemic index than regular potatoes, are rich in fibre, and contain a large amount of beta-carotene, ideal for boosting the immune system.

Artichokes, with their delicately bitter flavour, perfectly complement the soup by providing valuable fibre, inulin, and antioxidants, promoting digestive health and intestinal well-being.

What is za’atar? It’s an aromatic spice blend typical of Middle Eastern cuisine, traditionally made with thyme, oregano, sumac, and sesame seeds. In my version, I’ve replaced oregano with pumpkin seeds to create a more nutritionally interesting combination, thanks to their healthy fats.

Sumac is a bright red spice with a fresh, slightly citrusy flavour. It’s made from the dried and ground berries of the Rhus coriaria plant, native to the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. Just a touch is enough to create the perfect balance between tradition and creativity!

Fancy more soups? Try the Chestnut and Grass Pea Soup.

Sweet potato and artichoke soup with za’atar

7g carbohydrates per 100g

Ilaria-bertinelli-vellutata-di-patate-dolci-e-carciofi

Ingredients for 4-6 servings

  • 1 lt ca. vegetable stock* or water
  • 8 cleaned artichokes (approximately 600 g)
  • 2 sweet potatoes (approximately 500 g)
  • 1 shallot (approximately 30 g)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Ingredients for za’atar

  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon sumac
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Extra virgin olive oil

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten-free” (or, in Italy, present on Prontuario AIC)

Preparation 

  1. Finely chop the shallot and sauté it in a saucepan with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the artichokes cut into wedges and the cubed sweet potato. Let them sauté for a few minutes, then cover with water or vegetable stock and cook for about 30 minutes or until the artichokes are perfectly tender.
  2. Blend everything until smooth and adjust with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Prepare the za’atar. Toast the pumpkin seeds in a non-stick pan with a tablespoon of olive oil. Add the other ingredients and let them sauté for a few minutes, then set aside.
  4. Serve the soup with a spoonful of za’atar.
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Pizzicotti with Fagiolo gentile di Labro bean cream and aromatic oil

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Would you like an original idea coming from the tradition of a land very dear to me? Here are the Pizzicotti with Fagiolo gentile di Labro bean cream topped with an irresistible oil flavoured with ginger and marjoram.

Once again, the gastronomic journey is in Lazio thanks to the Rieti Chamber of Commerce, which sent us the local ingredients to prepare this recipe with a very special ingredient: Fagiolo gentile di Labro a Slow Food Presidium and a product included in the list of Italian Traditional Agricultural Products (PAT in Italian).  It is a variety of bean that grows exclusively in the Avanzana Valley at the foot of the village of Labro, in the province of Rieti. It is light brown in colour and its fame is due to the tenderness of its skin and its delicate, sweet taste: the adjective ‘gentile’, i.e. gentle, by which it is called derives from such sweetness.

This traditional dish from Lazio is a perfect meal from a nutritional point of view, so why not use it as a holiday season dish? It is perfect both to brighten up banquets and to alternate meals characterised by the presence of meat and fish with a vegetarian recipe rich in plant protein and plenty of fibre.

To discover the great classic of the Rieti land, read my article and recipe for the The Perfect Amatriciana.

pizzicotti-con-crema-di-fagioli-di-labro

Pizzicotti with Fagiolo gentile di Labro bean cream and aromatic oil

29.6g carbohydrates per 100g 

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • 250g flour mix for bread, brand Nutrifree**
  • 180g water
  • 150g dried Fagiolo gentile di Labro beans
  • 4g brewer’s yeast
  • 50g extravirgin olive oil Sabina DOP
  • 20g dehydrated tomato flakes
  • 2 shallots
  • 2 celery sticks
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 piece of fresh ginger
  • 1 sprig of rosemary
  • marjoram
  • vegetable stock
  • grated Pecorino cheese
  • 1 pinch of bicarbonate of soda or 1 piece of Kombu seaweed

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten-free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Soak the beans the night before in plenty of water and baking soda or a piece of Kombu seaweed.
  2. Warm up 50g of extra-virgin olive oil and infuse it with pieces of fresh ginger and marjoram leaves: you will obtain an aromatic oil that you can also use for other preparations.
  3. Dissolve the brewer’s yeast in a bit of water at room temperature, then pour it into a bowl with the flour and a pinch of salt and add the water required to obtain a smooth, not too hard dough.
  4. Divide the dough into at least 4 pieces, cover them with a tea towel and leave them to rise for about 20 minutes.
  5. In a saucepan, brown 1 shallot and 1 chopped celery stick in a little extra virgin olive oil and a sprig of rosemary, then add the soaked beans and bay leaves, cover with vegetable stock and cook (for at least 1 hour). When the beans are cooked, remove the bay leaf and rosemary and whisk to obtain a thick and creamy velouté. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. In a non-stick pan, put a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and sauté the remaining shallot and celery finely chopped, season with chopped rosemary and sprinkle with vegetable stock to cook.
  7. After the dough has risen, bring a pot of water to the boil and lightly salt it. Take the pieces of dough, shape them into thin cylinders of about 1.5cm diameter and pinch them cutting off small knobs to be thrown into boiling water. Continue throwing the dough knobs into the boiling water and let them cook for at least 5 minutes considering that they would not become too cooked. Drain the ‘Pizzicotti’ with a slotted spoon, toss them into the non-stick pan with the chopped shallot and celery and allow them to cream slightly, adding a little cooking water.
  8. Serve on individual plates, preferably in a soup dish, forming a layer of bean cream topped with Pizzicotti and a dribble of aromatic oil, grated Pecorino cheese and a pinch of dried tomato flakes.

pizzicotti-con-crema-di-fagioli-di-labro

Version with gluten of Pizzicotti with Fagiolo gentile di Labro bean cream and aromatic oil

Replace the flour mix for bread Nutrifree with an equal amount of wheat flour and adjust the amount of water to obtain a bread-like texture.

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Oat pasta with cannellini beans

Can you think of those simple flavours that spark memories?  Oat pasta with cannellini beans is the perfect combination of traditional flavours and a touch of novelty.

One of the most typical dishes of Italian cuisine is in fact Pasta e fagioli (pasta and beans), a recipe often prepared with Borlotti beans and the addition of lard or bacon, which in the past were useful to give the necessary energy to face the hard work in the fields.

Instead, this version of Pasta e fagioli uses cannellini beans combined with oat pasta, where the wheat protein, gluten, is replaced by the high protein content in oat. Remember that beans are a valuable source of complex carbohydrates, plant proteins, fibre and are cholesterol-free, so the consumption of legumes is always a valuable ally in a balanced diet.

The flavour variation is the presence of sautéed cherry tomatoes with aromatic herbs that transform a classic taste into a fresher, juicier one.

If you love beans and tradition, try my Pisarei e fasò.

Oat pasta with cannellini beans

carbohydrates 13.63g per 100g

Mezzi-rigatoni-di-avena-ai-cannellini

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • 500g boiled cannellini beans (about 180g dry beans)
  • 240g cherry tomatoes
  • 140 g Oat pasta Felicia**
  • 1 shallots
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • dried sweet pepper or Crusco pepper
  • bay leaf
  • oregano
  • thyme
  • rosemary
  • chilli pepper
  • salt and pepper

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Soak the cannellini beans for at least 12 hours, then boil them slowly in plenty of water with the addition of a bay leaf and, if available, a piece of Kombu seaweed to facilitate the beans’ future digestibility. Drain the beans and keep the cooking water.
  2. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and sautée them for a few minutes on high heat in a non-stick pan with a little extra virgin olive oil, a clove of garlic cut in half, a chilli pepper and chopped herbs.
  3. Put a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a pan, brown a finely chopped shallot and a clove of garlic and add the cooked cannellini beans, cover with plenty of cooking water or vegetable stock and leave them to take on flavour for 10 minutes.
  4. Keep a few tablespoons of cannellini beans aside and blend the rest with an immersion blender, then reassemble the bean soup.
  5. Cook the oat pasta in plenty of salted water, drain and pour it into the cannellini soup, then complete the dish: place the pasta and beans on individual plates, complete with the herb flavoured tomatoes, a grinding of pepper, a drizzle of oil and some chopped dried sweet pepper or Crusco pepper.

Version with gluten of Oat pasta with cannellini beans

The recipe contains only naturally gluten-free ingredients.

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Couscous with octopus and avocado

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Couscous combined with fish is a great classic, try it in this fresh version for summer: Couscous with octopus and avocado.

You can also indulge in the choice of the type of gluten-free couscous, the Bia company offers a wide range: maize and rice, chickpeas, peas, chickpeas and red lentils, buckwheat are all available options, although with this seasoning I would avoid buckwheat whose characteristic taste would risk covering that of fish.

Couscous combined with fish and vegetables, besides being a source of good fats such as avocado, makes this recipe a perfect one-course meal for lunch or dinner.

If you like couscous in summer, try also Couscous with prawn and courgette curry.

cous-cous-con-polpo-e-avocado

La ricetta del Couscous with octopus and avocado

15.3g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • 1kg approx. octopus
  • 200g BIO Corn and rice couscous**
  • 200g courgettes
  • 100g avocado
  • 1 onion
  • 1 carrot
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • lemon peel
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • mint
  • parsley
  • salt
  • pepper

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten-free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Cook the octopus in a large saucepan with onion, carrot, celery and garlic, putting a few centimetres of water on the bottom and covering with a lid. Cook over low heat for about 45 minutes.
  2. Prepare the couscous according to the instructions on the packet, i.e. by soaking it with an equal amount of hot water.
  3. Julienne cut the courgettes and sauté them for a few minutes in a non-stick pan with a little oil. Season with salt and pepper.
  4. Separate the couscous well with a fork and season it by adding the courgettes, chopped mint and parsley, grated lemon zest, salt and pepper and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
  5. Assemble the plates by placing the couscous on the bottom and the chopped octopus and avocado on top. Complete to taste with another drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and, if necessary, salt and pepper.

cous-cous-con-polpo-e-avocado

Version with gluten of Couscous with octopus and avocado

Replace the Corn and rice couscous with wheat couscous, while all other ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

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Pasta salads: Greek-style Strozzapreti

Pasta salads are one of the most popular dishes in summer and every year I like inventing new ones to make a tasty and balanced dish suitable for all occasions.

The protagonists are the Strozzapreti Zero+, organic pasta made with 100% red lentil flour and eggs from free-range hens by the Spinosi pasta factory, a pasta designed to reduce the glycemic index of Italy’s most popular dish while providing a high protein and fibre intake: discover the entire range of gluten-free egg pasta with legume flours to have fun in the kitchen.

This pasta salad proposal is meant to take us tastefully to Greece, using the same ingredients we find in traditional Greek salads, but combined in a slightly different way.

Thanks to the presence of egg in Strozzapreti, the pasta salad has a perfect texture even when cold, which is very unusual in the world of gluten-free pasta, especially with a legume base, so you can enjoy an exquisitely fresh dish that is both healthy and balanced.

If you are looking for more pasta salad ideas, try my Coronation Pasta Salad.

Greek-style Strozzapreti pasta

10.8 g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • 250g Strozzapreti Zero+ with red lentil flour*
  • 200g fat free Greek yoghurt
  • 200g cherry tomatoes
  • 100g Greek pitted black olives*
  • 100g Greek feta cheese
  • 70g pickled cucumbers*
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • mint
  • salt and pepper

Preparation

  1. Boil Strozzapreti in lightly salted boiling water for 7 minutes. Drain them, mix them with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and leave them to cool.
  2. Cut the cherry tomatoes into 4 wedges and add them to the Strozzapreti together with the black olives, then crumble the feta cheese and mix well.
  3. Prepare a sauce mixing Greek yoghurt with finely chopped pickled cucumbers, season with salt and pepper and pour it over the cold pasta. Complete by adding a few mint leaves and serve.

strozzapreti-alla-greca

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One-course meals: Vegetarian Mussakàs

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If you have been to Greece, you cannot have missed the Classic Mussakàs made with eggplants and meat sauce, a one-course meal rich dish that I thought I would revisit to create a lighter, vegetarian version: here is my
Vegetarian Mussakàs.

This Vegetarian Mussakàs is the perfect substitute for Lasagna for the warmer months when light recipes rich in seasonal vegetables are preferred, but it is also loved by everyone in the family, including the little ones. It is also very useful for those who have to organise family meals, as it can be prepared in advance and then cooked with 30 minutes to spare.

If you don’t like peppers or find them indigestible, replace them with courgettes!

Remember that you can also prepare this recipe lactose-free by replacing the milk in the béchamel with vegetable stock: all other ingredients are lactose-free!

When you have eggplants in season, this recipe will be a dinner-saving one-course meal for every family need: enjoy!

mussakas-vegetariano

Vegetarian Mussakàs

9.26g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for 6 servings

  • 1kg eggplants
  • 450g potatoes
  • 300g red pepper (or courgettes)
  • 200g tomato sauce
  • 150g carrots
  • 120g onions
  • Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
  • breadcrumbs*
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • basil
  • sage
  • salt and pepper

Ingredients for the béchamel sauce

  • 350g milk
  • 35g brown rice flour*
  • 35g grated Parmesan cheese
  • 30g extra virgin olive oil
  • salt

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Slice the eggplants and place them on a baking tin lined with parchment paper,  bake in a convection oven preheated to 180°C for about 20 minutes.
  2. Boil the potatoes with their skins on until they are soft enough to be sliced.
  3. Prepare the vegetable ragout browning the garlic in a little oil, then add the diced carrots and peppers; season with chopped basil and sage, add the tomato sauce, season with salt and pepper and cook for 15 minutes.
  4. Prepare a béchamel sauce by mixing the rice flour with the oil, then gradually add the milk so that no lumps form and heat until the mixture starts to thicken. Remove from the heat, add the Parmesan cheese, mix well and add salt to taste.
  5. Take a rectangular oven dish, form a layer of vegetable ragout, cover it with the wilted eggplants, the sliced potatoes, a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese and start the layers again: you should have two layers of aubergines and ragout and only one layer of potatoes. Finish with a layer of béchamel sauce and a sprinkling of breadcrumbs.
  6. Bake the Mussakàs in a convection oven preheated to 190°C for 20-30 minutes until crispy.

mussakas-vegetariano

Version with gluten of Vegetarian Mussakàs

Replace gluten free breadcrumbs with standard breadcrumbs; the rest of the recipe is naturally gluten-free, so no adaptation is needed for the version with gluten.

 

 

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Ideas for out-of-home meals: Legumotti with vegetable ragout and Jerusalem artichokes

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What does our lunch box contain today? When Gaia lifts the lid of the container, there are always new ideas waiting for her for lunches away from home, and today’s Legumotti with vegetable ragout and Jerusalem artichokes will be a surprise in terms of taste and energy.

Legumotti will provide you with carbohydrates and plant proteins that will help  you keep your blood sugar under control thanks to the fibre present in the many vegetables on the plate. What about Jerusalem artichoke? Do you know this exotically named ingredient?

Jerusalem artichoke is the root of a plant that is very common throughout Italy, so vital that it is considered almost a weed, growing in wet environments, preferably along watercourses. The root can be eaten either raw or cooked, just like in our lunch box, so you can enjoy its artichoke-like flavour when cooked and its pleasant crunchiness when eaten raw.

It is very suitable for people with diabetes as it has a low carbohydrate content and a high percentage of fibre, in addition to its high digestibility which makes it suitable for everyone. So what are you waiting for to try the recipe?

Follow me not to run short of ideas for out-of-home meals! And if you are looking for a lunch with a lower amount of carbs, try my Roastbeef with aubergine cream.

Legumotti with vegetable ragout and Jerusalem artichokes

42.26g carbohydrates for the whole lunch box

Ingredients for 1 lunch box

  • 280g Jerusalem artichokes
  • 80g carrot
  • 50g leek
  • 40g celery
  • 70g Barilla Legumotti*
  • 30g Parmigiano Reggiano 36 months
  • 20g shelled walnuts
  • 1 tbsp of lemon juice
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

*Ingredients whose labels must read “gluten-free” (or, in Italy, present on  Prontuario AIC)

Preparation

  1. Chop the leek and sweat it in a non-stick pan with a little oil; dice the carrot, celery and some Jerusalem artichokes and add them to the pan with leek, then cook all the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Cook Legumotti in lightly salted boiling water, removing with a skimmer the foam that forms on the surface during cooking. Drain Legumotti and mix them with the vegetable ragout, seasoning with a little oil, salt and pepper.
  3. Preparate l’insalata di topinambur. Slice the Jerusalem artichokes with a mandoline or a well-sharpened knife; add Parmigiano Reggiano cheese cut into slivers, then season with lemon, extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper, then top with walnuts.
  4. Fill the lunch box by placing Legumotti in one of the containers and the Jerusalem artichoke and Parmigiano Reggiano salad in another container. Close everything and take the lunch box with you!

legumotti con rafù di verdure e topinambur

Version with gluten of Legumotti with vegetable ragout and Jerusalem artichokes

The recipe does not need any adaptations for the version with gluten.

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