Tag Archive for: carb count

Travelling to South America: Pao de queijo

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Pao de queijo or cheese bread is typical throughout South America, with some interesting regional variations that define its distinctiveness. The key element, however, is that it is prepared with naturally gluten free flours.

In many cases it is fried rather than baked, but it is always extremely rich and tasty, so much so that it can be eaten not only with other foods, but also on its own as a snack.

It is also extremely easy to prepare, so it can be a solution when we do not have the time to prepare a leavened bread. Another bread idea if you do not have time for leavening is this Yoghurt flat bread.

Pao de queijo

37.95g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 300g milk
  • 265g quinoa flour*
  • 150g Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
  • 130g rice oil
  • 80g wholemeal rice flour*
  • 60g rice starch*
  • 2 eggs
  • 5g salt

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

Preparation

  1. Put the milk, oil and salt in a saucepan and bring to the boil. As soon as it comes to the boil, remove the pan from the heat and add all the starch and flours to the liquids, stirring with a wooden spoon: the mixture will be firm leaving the saucepan sides clean.
  2. Let the mixture cool, then add one egg at a time and finally the grated Parmesan cheese. Finish mixing the ingredients well by placing the dough on a cutting board and, when it is perfectly homogeneous, form into small loaves about 4 cm in diameter. Place the balls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and bake in a static oven preheated to 180°C for about 30 minutes.
  3. Cheese bread can be eaten warm or cold.
ricetta-senza-glutine-pao-de-queijo-uno-chef-per-gaia

Cheese bread ready for a snack

Version with gluten of Pao de queijo

The recipe contains only naturally gluten-free ingredients, so no adaptation is necessary for its version with gluten.

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Risotto or salt cod? Salt cod risotto

Risotto or salt cod? 

The anser for me is Salt cod Risotto! A few weeks ago I went to Vairano Scalo in the province of Caserta. Before the trip, I had imagined that I would taste wonderful buffalo mozzarella, fantastic artichokes, a long-awaited saffron, but never did I think I would eat salt cod in all its possible preparations!

Yet it is in this very village in Campania that you will find the Osteria del Baccalà where Antonio Ruggiero enchants everyone with the magic he can create with this extraordinary ingredient. And you know what? The experience with his salt cod is so good for the health and good mood that Antonio calls the dinner in his osteria a ‘therapeutic salt cod dinner‘! And I

Well, on those very same days, I read on the page of the Italian Food Bloggers Association that some colleagues from Veneto had organised a contest dedicated to Veneto and risotto entitled: “How do you cream it?” The connection was straight! The recent experience of salt cod and my beloved Veneto could only make me prepare a risotto that combines two of my favourite dishes: so here is my Salt cod risotto.

E-tu-come-lo-mantechi

Any other pleasant coincidences? The fact that I had gone to Vairano to prepare a risotto for the students of the ISISS Marconi hospitality school and that this is the season of asparagus, of which Veneto is a famous producer. I thought it was a bit daring, but since everyone at home liked this risotto, here is the recipe for you to try it too!

Salt cod risotto

23g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • approx. 1.5 litres of previously prepared vegetable stock
  • 360g Carnaroli rice
  • 200g desalted cod
  • 200g milk
  • 16green asparagus
  • 60g Prosecco from a winery of your choice
  • 40g Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
  • 60g extra virgin olive oil
  • 30g spring onion
  • 30g fresh cream
  • 4 g parsley
  • 1 clove garlic
  • salt

Preparation

  1. Cook the cod covered in water and milk with the garlic clove for about 20 minutes.
  2. Remove the skin, garlic and any bones, then place the cod in a blender with the washed parsley leaves. Start blending by adding 50g of oil in a trickle, as if you were whipping mayonnaise. Also add the cream while continuing to whip and finally add salt to taste.
  3. Prepare the asparagus. Wash them, remove the woody ends, then separate the tips from the rest. Place the tips in a non-stick pan with a little oil and let them soften, then season with salt and set aside. In a saucepan, pour 10g of oil and the chopped spring onion, allow it to soften, then add the asparagus spears, allow them to take on flavour for a few minutes, then cover with water and cook. Once cooked, blend the asparagus to a perfectly smooth, stringless cream. Set it aside.
  4. Now let’s prepare the rice. Dry-toast the rice in a large pan (it took me 3 minutes to get the grains nice and transparent with a white kernel in the centre). Add Prosecco and allow to evaporate stirring until you can no longer smell the wine alcohol. Start adding the boiling stock. Continue stirring and only add stock when the rice has absorbed almost all the liquid. When the rice is still al dente, remove from the heat and start adding the creamed salt cod, continuing to stir the rice well so that the starch is released to form a nice creamy mixture, add the grated Parmesan cheese and continue stirring until it is completely incorporated. Taste and adjust salt if necessary.
  5. Plate the risotto: with the help of a piping bottle or pastry bag, place little tufts of asparagus cream on the surface and 4 asparagus tips on each plate.
  6. Serve the risotto and enjoy!

Risotto-al-baccala-uno-che-per-gaia

Version with gluten of Salt cod risotto

The recipe contains only naturally gluten-free ingredients, so no adaptation is necessary for its version with gluten.

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Gluten-free olive buns

Bread represents the greatest challenge in the world of gluten free and the pleasure of variety of shapes and flavours is central to the experience. Olive buns are a moment of joy for us because they are one of my son Nicolò’s favourite breads and he loves them so much!

Olive buns are also perfect as a school snack or garden party, but they add a touch of flavour and colour to the bread basket that I love to put on the table whenever possible with as much variety as possible: white bread, dark bread seed bread, cheese bread and so on and so forth!

So, let’s knead!

Olive buns

43.5g carbohydrates per 100 g

Ingredients

  • 370g water
  • 250g pitted green and black olives
  • 220g flour mix for bread, brand Schär B**
  • 150g gluten-free flour, brand Revolution**
  • 150g flour mix for bread, brand Pedon Easyglut**
  • 20g extra virgin olive oil
  • 12g brewer’s yeast
  • 5g salt
  • extra virgin olive oil to brush the surface
  • rice flour* for dusting

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

Preparation

  1. Place water and crumbled yeast in a bowl or food processor and stir for a few seconds to dissolve the yeast. Add all the flours, salt and oil, then knead until you have a homogeneous and firm mixture that can be rolled out with a rolling pin.
  2. Divide the mixture in half and roll out each half with the help of a little rice flour to form a rectangle about 40cm long and 25-30cm wide.
  3. Place the sliced green and black olives, slightly offset from the centre of the rectangle lengthwise. Cover the olives with the dough to form a roll.
  4. Cut the roll into pieces of about 10cm. Place them on a sheet of parchment paper, leaving them far enough apart to allow them to rise. Brush the surface with olive oil and leave to rise for at least 1 hour. Bake in a convection oven preheated to 200°C for 20 minutes.

panini-alle-olive-senza-glutine-uno-chef-per-gaia

Version with gluten of Olive buns

Prepare the dough with 500g wheat flour and 250g water.

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Carrot and almond cakes: the perfect breakfast

Carrot and almond cakes are a perfect solution for so many eating occasions: breakfast, snack, end of meal, garden party or picnic, the combination of carrots and almonds in the preparation of cakes and desserts is always a winner.

These sweets bring together the needs of type 1 diabetes and celiac disease with ease and great taste: the two main ingredients are in fact almonds and carrots, a much-loved classic, the right mix of lightness and taste that brings to mind the flavours of yesteryear, the ones we used to taste when we were kids.

Since you will be able to make so many sweets with this recipe, you can store them in the freezer and take them out at the last moment, perhaps by popping them for a few seconds in the microwave or a few minutes in the conventional oven, and you will always enjoy them as if they were freshly made.

If you are thinking of breakfast, also try the Braid with ricotta, apricots and chocolate chips.

Carrot and almond cakes

46g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 300g almonds, peeled
  • 300g carrots
  • 250g sugar
  • 150g wholemeal rice flour*
  • 4 eggs
  • 16g baking powder*
  • 1 bit of vanilla from the pod
  • a pinch of salt

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

Preparation

  1. Chop the almonds and carrots separately and set them aside. Whip the egg whites and set them aside for a moment.
  2. In a bowl or planetary mixer, whip the egg yolks with the sugar until white and frothy, then add the almonds, carrots, flour, baking powder, vanilla, salt and, as a last ingredient, the egg whites.
  3. Pour the mixture into cupcake tins of the desired size: they are perfect size for breakfast in the morning!
  4. Bake in a convection oven preheated to 160°C for about 25 minutes.
dolcetti-carote-mandorle-senza-glutine-uno-chef-per-gaia

Carrot and almond cakes

Version with gluten of Carrot and almond cakes

The recipe contains only naturally gluten-free ingredients, so no adaptation is necessary for its version with gluten.

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Loaf with raisins and walnuts

Today we felt like getting our hands covered with flour, kneading and smelling the unmistakable, irresistible scent of warm, freshly baked bread. That fragrant smell that fills the house with goodness and makes you want to share and enjoy good food. The recipe we propose is that of a homemade Loaf with raisins and walnuts, perfect to accompany a few slices of Parma ham, in a contrast between sweetness and savouriness, but also delicious with some jam. If you prefer a wholemeal bread, try my Dark bread with flaxseeds.

Well, let’s knead!

Loaf with raisins and walnuts

47.78g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 350g flour mix for bread, brand Nutrifree**
  • 350g water
  • 70g flour mix for bread, brand Fibrepan Farmo**
  • 60g wholemeal rice flour*
  • 50g shelled walnuts
  • 30g raisins
  • 20g chia seeds* (to be soaked in 50g water)
  • 20g extra virgin olive oil
  • 12g brewer’s yeast
  • extra virgin olive oil for the surface, rice flour* to form the bread

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

Preparation

  1. Place the chia seeds in a container with 50g water and wait about ten minutes, stirring occasionally, so that a kind of mucilage forms. Meanwhile, place the remaining water and the crumbled yeast in a bowl or a food processor and stir for a few seconds to dissolve the yeast. Add the flours, chia mucilage, oil, walnuts and raisins, then knead until the mixture is smooth and firm.
  2. Dust a chopping board with rice flour and place the dough on it; again with the help of a dusting of flour, shape the mixture into a large cylinder and place it in an elongated bread basket or in a container that can hold the dough while it rises and give it the desired shape. Let rise for about 1.5 hours or until doubled in volume.
  3. Cover a baking tin with parchment paper, place the loaf of bread on it and brush the surface with olive oil. Bake in a convection oven preheated to 200°C for about 40 minutes.

filone-uvetta-noci-senza-glutine-ph-chiara-marando

Loaf with raisins and walnuts

Version with gluten of Loaf with raisins and walnuts

Replace the 420g of Nutrifree and Farmo flours with a standard bread flour of your choice and reduce the amount of water to about 270g.

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Christmas biscuits

Christmas is only a few days away, and in the air you can smell that good scent of celebrations, warmth and longing for closeness that characterises this time of year. It is the time when we think of our loved ones, get together to exchange greetings and gifts and since we believe that a sweet homemade gift is always much appreciated, why not bake these Christmas biscuits?

Enjoy not only baking them, but also wrapping them in nice paper with colourful ribbons and lace.

Let’s begin!

Christmas biscuits

51.25g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 100g granola*
  • 100g gluten-free bread flour mix, brand Revolution**
  • 70 g butter
  • 50g brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 45g milk
  • 20g oatmeal*
  • 10g cocoa
  • 8g baking powder*
  • 3g salt
  • cinnamon and ginger powder, icing sugar* for decoration

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

Preparation

  1. In a food processor, chop the granola somewhat coarsely, then add all the other ingredients and mix to obtain a smooth and even mixture; flavour with cinnamon and ginger powder to taste.
  2. Cover the dough with cling film and leave to rest for 30-40 minutes in the refrigerator.
  3. Roll out the dough to a thickness of about half a centimetre, cut out the biscuits with a star-shaped mould and bake them in a static oven preheated to 180°C for about 13 minutes.
  4. Dust the biscuits with icing sugar to taste. Try them dunked in milk for breakfast.

 

biscotti-di-natale-senza-glutine-ph-chiara-marando

Christmas biscuits

Version with gluten of Christmas biscuits

Replace the gluten-free flour with wheat flour.

 

 

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Turkey meatballs with saffron

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Our much-loved meatballs are back on the table with these Turkey meatballs with saffron, the perfect dish to please young and old alike. Why? Simply because they contain the right nutrients, they can be prepared with vegetables and have that nice shape typical of goodies that are eaten one after the other.

Meatballs are also a practical solution for household supplies: when you make them, you can make extra amounts and, once cooked, you can put them in the home freezer to have them ready in minutes in case of emergency. You can defrost them first in the microwave oven and then heat them in a non-stick pan, or simply wait for them to defrost and heat directly on the stove.

Today’s proposal is a light, delicate and lightly spiced recipe: Turkey meatballs with saffron.

Prepare your shopping list with these ingredients and fire up the cooker… let’s get started!

Turkey meatballs with saffron

6.9g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for 6 servings

  • 700g ground turkey meat
  • 450g milk
  • 250g leek
  • 100g robiola cheese
  • 80g breadcrumbs**
  • 40g Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
  • 1 egg
  • 1 sachet of saffron
  • rice flour*, extra virgin olive oil, salt, herbs

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

Preparation

  1. Chop the leek very finely and sweat it in a non-stick pan with a little oil.
  2. Place the minced meat in a bowl, add the stewed leek, season with salt and add the Parmesan, robiola cheese, breadcrumbs, egg and chopped herbs, then mix well.
  3. Form patties 3-4 cm in diameter, roll them in rice flour and brown them on both sides in a non-stick pan with a little oil. Now dissolve the saffron in the milk, add a little salt and pour it over the meatballs. Cover and cook, allowing the saffron sauce to thicken well.

polpettine-di-tacchino-allo-zafferano-senza-glutine-uno-chef-per-gaia

Version with gluten of Turkey meatballs with saffron

Replace gluten-free breadcrumbs with standard breadcrumbs.

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Dairy-free fruit cheesecakes

December is the month of dinners, aperitifs and delicious social moments, accompanied by the desire to wish each other well and celebrate the arrival of Christmas. But delicious doesn’t necessarily mean heavy, and Dairy-free fruit cheesecakes are perfect for those who have to deal with diabetes and coeliac disease, but also for those who are lactose intolerant.

This very simple, yet colourful and tasty recipe is therefore an idea not only for an end-of-meal dessert, but also for a snack or a fun breakfast.

These cheesecakes were also enthusiastically received at the last Parma Ham Festival where the focus was on food intolerances and how to look for solutions to avoid giving up taste and eye catching ideas. And for a savoury snack idea, try the Gluten free potato pizza with olives.

Dairy-free fruit cheesecakes

carbohydrates 13.47g per 100g without chocolate decorations

Ingredients for 12 servings

  • 500g white soy yoghurt*
  • 250g blueberry soy yoghurt*
  • 120g mixed fruit (kiwi, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, mango, etc.)
  • 70g sugar coated peanuts* or nut brittle*
  • 30g brown sugar
  • 12 dark chocolate decorations*

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

Preparation

  1. Add brown sugar to the white soy yoghurt and mix well.
  2. Take 12 single-portion cups and place 4 sugar coated peanuts or small pieces of nut brittle on the bottom of each one. Place 2 heaped tablespoons of white yoghurt on top of the base, then a heaped tablespoon of blueberry yoghurt, spreading it so that it covers the light yoghurt: the colour is in strong contrast, so you should see a clear separation.
  3. Decorate each cup with 2 slices of fruit, varying so that they are very colourful and cheerful. Finally, add a chocolate decoration to each cup and serve.
finte-cheesecake-alla-frutta-senza-glutine-uno-chef-per-gaia

Dairy free fruit cheesecakes

 

Version with gluten of Dairy free fruit cheesecakes

The recipe contains only naturally gluten-free ingredients, so no adaptation is necessary for its version with gluten.

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Buckwheat and rice focaccia

Today we are ready to bake something really very tasty and delicious: gluten-free Buckwheat and rice focaccia.

Soft and, at the same time, with that crunchy touch that satisfies the palate, this focaccia is perfect to be eaten plain, but also to accompany enticing aperitifs. Try also my Apulian focaccia.

Try it stuffed with grilled vegetables or with some slices of Parma Ham or Salami, and then tell us what you think.

For us who love baking, this focaccia can be addictive.

Here’s how to prepare it!

Buckwheat and rice focaccia

54.11g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 450g water
  • 350g flour mix for bread, brand Nutrifree**
  • 80g flour mix for bread, brand Fibrepan**
  • 70g buckwheat flour*
  • 40g wholemeal rice flour*
  • 35g rice oil
  • 25g extra virgin olive oil
  • 20g fine corn flour*
  • 12g brewer’s yeast
  • 10g salt
  • extra virgin olive oil, salt and water for brushing the surface

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

 Preparation

In a bowl or planetary mixer, mix all the ingredients together. When the dough is even and fairly compact, pour it onto a baking tin covered with parchment paper, pour a good amount of oil on the surface to help you flatten out the dough using your hands, lightly sinking your fingers in to give it the typical focaccia appearance. Let rise for about 2 hours or until the dough has doubled in volume.

Bake for about 30 minutes in a static oven preheated to 200°C.

Let the focaccia cool and brush the surface with an emulsion of water, extra virgin olive oil and a pinch of salt.

Focaccia-senza-glutine-al-grano-saraceno-e-mais-uno-chef-per-gaia

Version with gluten of Buckwheat and rice Focaccia

Replace the Nutrifree and Fibrepan flour with equal amounts of traditional flours and reduce the water to 360g.

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Pumpkin spoon-shaped gnocchi

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Autumn in the kitchen means pumpkin and pumpkin means Pumpkin spoon-shaped gnocchi! Pumpkin is an ingredient with innumerable properties, a delicate taste that goes well with even daring combinations, but above all with many uses.

And we love it. We like it for its bright colour that brings vitality to dishes, for its full-bodied flesh that lends itself to making any recipe interesting and tasty, for its transformation into sweet or savoury preparations following your creativity.

Today we want to pay tribute to this gift of nature with a very simple yet impressive recipe.

Ready to find out? Pumpkin spoon-shaped gnocchi

Pumpkin spoon-shaped gnocchi

14.5g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for 6 servings

  • 1 kg cooked pumpkin (corresponding to approx. 1 pumpkin of the Delica variety, green skin and orange flesh)
  • 160g Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
  • 140g gluten-free pasta flour mix, brand Petra 3**
  • 2 eggs
  • salt, pepper and nutmeg
  • butter, sage and Parmesan cheese for seasoning

** Ingredients specific for celiacs

Preparation

  1. Cook the pumpkin in pieces in a static oven preheated to 200°C for 20 minutes or in a thick-bottomed pan, adding a bit of water until soft and well-dried.
  2. Mash the pumpkin in a potato masher or blend it in a food processor.
  3. Mix the mashed pumpkin with grated Parmesan cheese, eggs and flour; season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
  4. Once the mixture is ready, put a pot of water on the stove, bring it to the boil, salt it and then throw in a few teaspoons of pumpkin mixture the size of a walnut at a time. Watch also the video of how to prepare Pumpkin spoon-shaped gnocchi.
gnocchi-di-zucca-senza-glutine-ph-chiara-marando

Cooking pumpkin spoon-shaped gnocchi

  1. When the gnocchi have risen to the surface, let them boil for 1 minute, then drain with a slotted spoon.
  2. Finally, dress them with melted butter, sage and grated Parmesan cheese.

gnocchi-di-zucca-senza-glutine-ph-chiara-marando

How to dress pumpkin gnocchi

Gnocchi di zucca al cucchiaio

The pumpkin gnocchi ready to be enjoyed

Version with gluten of Pumpkin spoon-shaped gnocchi

Replace the Petra 3 flour with 100g of wheat flour and 40g corn or potato starch.

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