Posts

Lunch box ideas: Roast beef with aubergine cream

,

Here come more ideas for your out-of-home lunch! In our lunch box today, protein, vitamin and fibre are the stars.  What am I talking about? Of a delicious Roast beef with aubergine cream to be served with a slice of bread for a complete, balanced and tasty lunch to take with you for every occasion.

In my ideas for out-of-home meals you find the carb count of the whole lunch box: it will be super easy for our kids to calculate how much insulin to inject and lunch will be a joyful moment to share with friends.

If you need a container to take with you, find here the LUNCH BOXwe use.

Have a look at the recipe to prepare my Venere rice salad with cherry tomatoes and pistachio nuts.

Roast beef with aubergine cream

15.9g carbohydrates for the whole lunch box

Ingredients for 1 lunch box

  • 300g aubergine
  • 140g roast beef, sliced
  • 15g raisins or dried apricots
  • 10g desalted capers
  • 10g pine nuts
  • 1 tbsp of lemon juice
  • 3 mint leaves
  • aromatic herbs to taste
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

Preparation

  1. Cut the aubergine into dices of a couple of centimetres, sprinkle with salt and put in a strainer to draw out excess moisture.
  2. Pat the aubergine dry with a piece of kitchen paper and sautée it in a non-stick pan with a dribble of oil until cooked.
  3. Blend 2/3 of the eggplant with a tablespoon of lemon juice, a tablespoon of oil and 3 mint leaves; adjust salt and pepper, flavour with chopped aromatic herbs to taste.
  4. Dress the remaining aubergine with a tablespoon of vinegar, pine nuts, raisins and capers.
  5. Assemple the lunch box with slices of roast beef topped with aubergine cream and complete with the aubergine salad.

roastbeef con crema di melanzane

Version with gluten of Roast beef with aubergine cream 

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

 

 

/0 Comments/by

Tomato Bruschetta sauce

If you want to surprise your friends with simplicity, this Tomato Bruschetta sauce can be an idea: with 3 ingredients and the aromatic herbs from your garden, you can have a topping that is as irresistible as cherries!

With so few ingredients, the secret for success is their quality and especially peeled tomatoes make the difference. My recommendation is for you to try Ciro Flagella Peeled Tomatoes that you will never forget after trying once.  Then, if you really want a treat, prepare 2 sauces following the same procedure, but using red tomatoes for one sauce and yellow tomatoes for the other: it will be like having a cone of Gelato with two scoops of your favourite flavours.

For a perfect Bruschetta sauce, remember to remove all the seeds from the peeled tomatoes and avoid pieces of aromatic herbs: use a specific bag or container for the herbs so that they can release their essential oils, but not lose leaves or seeds.

And if you have time to chop some extra shallot, make some extra sauce and store it in a jar in the refrigerator to serve with starters or main courses.

ingredienti

Tomato Bruschetta sauce

6.6g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • 500g peeled tomatoes
  • 150g shallot
  • 50g extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1 bunch of aromatic herbs (rosemary, thyme, marjoram, summer savoury)
  • extra virgin olive oil, chilli pepper, garlic, salt

Preparation of the Bruschetta sauce

  1. Cut the peeled tomatoes in half, remove the seeds and dice the flesh.  Chop the shallot finely and sweat it with 50g olive oil, then add the diced tomato, the garlic and the aromatic herbs bouquet in a bag or colander so that it just releases its aroma.
  2. Allow to cook over low heat until the tomato has become creamy and the liquid has completely evaporated, therefore at least 1 hour.
  3. Use the sauce to top Bruschettas or with meat or fish.

salsa di pomodori gialli

Version with gluten of Tomato Bruschetta sauce 

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

/0 Comments/by

Herb-marinated chicken salad

You know those recipes you can no longer do without? Herb-marinated chicken salad is definitely one of them. I therefore decided to share it at the beginning of summer because it will be the ideal solution for many occasions, from a trip to the mountains, to a lunch on the beach or in the office, this cold dish has an irresistible aroma and a flesh as soft as tuna.

Another not insignificant aspect is that you can prepare the chicken and marinate it in the aromatic oil even one or two days in advance and the result will be even more extraordinary because the meat will be even tenderer.

In addition to the courgettes in the marinade, serve the Chicken Salad with any other seasonal vegetables and you will have solved a naturally gluten free and virtually carbohydrate free meal. A possible pairing could be Cherry tomatoes with bread and anchovies.

Herb-marinated chicken salad    

negligible carbohydrates per 100g

 Ingredients for 4 servings

  • 800g boiled chicken breast
  • 300g courgettes
  • 150g extra virgin olive oil (which you will re-use once you have eaten the chicken)
  • 30g Pantelleria capers in salt
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 cloves
  • 4 star anise berries
  • 1 tuft of thyme
  • oregano
  • chili
  • salt
  • lettuce and mixed leafy greens to taste

Preparation

  1. Cut the courgettes into ribbons with a mandoline and grill them for a few minutes on a grill or in the oven at 200°C on a baking tin covered with parchment paper. Put the oil in a saucepan, add the cinnamon, star anise, cloves, thyme, salt, chilli and peeled garlic in fillets. Let everything gain flavour on a low heat for about 10 minutes, taking care not to fry the spices.
  2. Desalt the capers, cut the cooked chicken into pieces, put it in an airtight jar with the capers, the still-warm aromatic oil and the courgette ribbons, possibly adding more oil to cover the chicken; close the container and refrigerate for 24 hours.
  3. Remove the chicken from the refrigerator a few hours before serving, mix well, season with a pinch of oregano and serve accompanied with lettuce and other mixed leafy greens to taste.

Note: the marinade oil remaining in the container will be excellent for dressing other salads and as a base for preparing other dishes.

L'insalata di pollo pronta per essere gustata

Version with gluten of Herb-marinated chicken salad

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

/0 Comments/by

Pork loin with herb flavoured mango

Pork loin is one of the leanest and least expensive cuts of meat we find in butcher shops in our country since it is not very often used to make charcuterie and considering that traditional charcuterie production requires high quality meats, Pork loin with herb flavoured mango becomes an affordable and very quick gourmet dish.

I have revealed why pork loin is an interesting choice: lean, convenient, good and, for our needs, it is (like all meats) carbohydrate and gluten free. The key thing is to treat loin in such a way that it retains all its juiciness, so remember three important steps:

  1. give aromas and flavours through a good maceration,
  2. cook it for a short time,
  3. let it rest wrapped in aluminium foil to allow the liquids in the meat to balance through the piece.

The cooking sauce made from apple cider is a pleasant surprise, but if you do not have this ingredient on hand, you can opt for a Marsala wine that will be a perfect alternative.

In this recipe, the pork loin is accompanied by another juicy and fragrant ingredient: mango with aromatic herbs, a source of carbohydrates and vitamins, as well as the exotic touch of its flavour. So enjoy this autumn recipe, which will be ready to be served at noon or dinner in about 30 minutes.

Pork loin with herb flavoured mango   

15g carbohydrate per 100g mango

negligible carbohydrates in pork loin  

 Ingredients

  • 700g pork loin
  • 500g mango already cleaned, pulp to be cut into pieces
  • 200g apple cider
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 bunch of chives
  • 1 bunch of basil
  • 1 red chilli pepper
  • 1 bunch of cilantro
  • ½ lime
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and peppercorns

Preparation

  1. Macerate the pork loin with sliced garlic, a few basil leaves, a few crushed peppercorns, a drizzle of oil and cider. Marinate for at least 1 hour, turning the meat occasionally.
  2. Peel the mango and cut the flesh into cubes, removing the large central core. Chop up a small bunch of cilantro, some chives and basil and add everthing to the mango in a bowl, as well as a pinch of salt, sliced chilli, grated lime zest and lime juice. Let the meat marinate.
  3. Heat a little oil in a frying pan and brown the loin drained from the marinade; season with salt, cover with a lid and cook over a high heat for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally and basting with the cider marinade. When the loin is cooked, place it to rest in aluminium foil for 10 minutes before cutting it. In the meantime, possibly thicken the cooking juices. Slice the loin and serve it accompanied by the cooking juices and marinated mango.
Lonza di maiale con mango alle erbe

Slices of pork loin served with herb flavoured mango

Version with gluten of Pork loin with herb flavoured mango

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

/0 Comments/by

Chicken rolls with pears and Gorgonzola

Have you returned from work, have little time and a dinner to prepare? A common scene for many of us practically every week. But who says it takes hours to prepare something good? Our answer is Chicken rolls with pears and Gorgonzola cheese.

It only takes few ingredients and dinner will be a success: I like saying that we are often not missing the time to cook, but rather some ideas and the necessary ingredients for preparing them, and this is a good example!

Would you like a tip for your side dish? Try the chicken rolls with Vegetables au gratin or some nice Mint flavoured beans.

Chicken rolls with pears and Gorgonzola cheese

1.83g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 600g chicken breast (cut into 16 thin slices)
  • 150g pear
  • 150g Gorgonzola cheese
  • 125g white wine
  • extra virgin olive oil, stock, salt and pepper

Preparation

  1. Cut the pear into 16 wedges. Lay out the chicken slices and place a small piece of Gorgonzola cheese and a slice of pear on each. Roll every slice up and secure with a toothpick.

involtini-pere-gorgonzola-uno-chef-per-gaia-ph-chiara-marando

involtini-pere-gorgonzola-uno-chef-per-gaia-ph-chiara-marando

  1. Brown the rolls in a frying pan with a little oil for about 2 minutes. Turn them, adjust salt if necessary, add a grinding of pepper and douse with wine.

involtini-pere-gorgonzola-uno-chef-per-gaia-ph-chiara-marando

  1. Continue cooking so that the wine evaporates, add a little stock to complete cooking. Place the rolls on a serving plate and douse with the cooking liquid.

involtini-pere-gorgonzola-uno-chef-per-gaia-ph-chiara-marando

  1. Serve with a few slices of pear to taste.

Version with gluten of Chicken rolls with pears and Gorgonzola cheese

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

/0 Comments/by

Original main courses: Ricotta and speck patties

, ,

For our ‘friends ‘ recipes‘ section, we have prepared the recipe suggested by Emanuela, an original main course with a full, enveloping flavour: Ricotta and speck patties.

It is a preparation that can suit the palates of young and old alike, as it combines the pleasure of delicate yet mouth-watering flavours with the enjoyment of fun and quick patties.

Here is how to prepare them.

Ricotta and Speck patties

9.33g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 250g ricotta cheese
  • 40g bacon*
  • 40g breadcrumbs**
  • 30g Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
  • 20g extra virgin olive oil
  • parsley, 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 parsley, put it in a bowl and add the ricotta and chopped speck. Mix everything together, add the Parmesan cheese and 15g of breadcrumbs. Finally, season with salt.
  2. When the dough is ready, form small balls, dip them lightly in oil and then in breadcrumbs. Then place them on a baking tin covered with parchment paper and bake at 180°C in grill mode for 15 minutes.

Polpette_ricotta_e_speck_uno_chef_per_gaia

  1. Once cooked, they can be presented on skewers and served on a layer of mixed greens.

Version with gluten of Ricotta and Speck patties

Replace gluten free breadcrumbs with standard breadcrumbs.

/0 Comments/by