Tag Archive for: recipes with carb count

Buckwheat Salad with Chicken Ragout and Grilled Peaches

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After a morning or evening run, your body needs clean energy and high-quality protein to recover at its best. This Buckwheat Salad with Chicken Ragout and Grilled Peaches is designed exactly for that: a complete meal rich in noble proteins from the chicken and edamame, low glycemic-index carbohydrates thanks to buckwheat, and plenty of vitamins and minerals from the peaches and cherry tomatoes, which refresh and hydrate.

A mix of delicate flavours and different textures that satisfies without weighing you down – perfect for those who love to take care of themselves at the table after a workout.

Discover all the secrets for perfect post-workout recovery with Bianca Balzarini, nutrition coach, with whom I created this very useful e-book.

Buckwheat Salad with Chicken Ragout and Grilled Peaches

8g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for the salad

  • 140 g nectarines or peaches
  • 120 g edamame
  • 100 g buckwheat groats*
  • 10 cherry tomatoes

 Ingredients for the chicken ragout

  • 600 g chicken meat, finely chopped by knife
  • 100 g carrot
  • 40 g onion
  • 30 g celery
  • 1/2 glass of Marsala wine
  • chopped sage, mint, and thyme
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper

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

Preparation

  1. Prepare the chicken ragout first. Finely dice the onion, carrot, and celery, and soften them in a saucepan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil without letting them fry. Add the chopped herbs and the minced chicken meat.
  2. Mix well until the chicken turns white, then pour in the Marsala wine and let it evaporate. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes. Adjust with salt and pepper.
  3. Meanwhile, boil the buckwheat in lightly salted water and drain when cooked but still al dente.
  4. Blanch the edamame in lightly salted boiling water for 1.5 minutes, then drain and plunge them into cold water.
  5. Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the drained buckwheat, then add the edamame and finally the chicken ragout, mixing everything well. Serve with a few slices of nectarine or peach.

ilaria-bertinelli-insalata-di-grano-saraceno-e-pesche-grigliate

Version with gluten of Buckwheat Salad with Chicken Ragout and Grilled Peaches

The recipe is naturally gluten-free, so no adaptation is needed for the version with gluten.

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Chicken and asparagus pie with Feta cheese

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Spring brings us wonderful and versatile ingredients like asparagus — grown in many regions of Italy and the star of this simple yet impressive recipe. This Chicken and asparagus pie is a complete meal that combines flavour, nutritional balance and practicality. It’s perfect for anyone following a gluten-free diet with a mindful eye on the recipe’s composition, particularly its carbohydrate content.

Asparagus is an excellent source of fibre, B vitamins (especially folate), vitamin K and natural antioxidants. Thanks to its asparagine content, it also supports kidney function and has a natural diuretic effect. Combined with chicken, a great source of lean protein, and brown rice flour, which adds fibre and complex carbohydrates, this dish offers all the essential macronutrients and is suitable for those with specific dietary needs.

The crisp gluten-free puff pastry topping adds a rustic and visually appealing touch, making it ideal even for a last-minute dinner with guests when you don’t want to give up on seasonal vegetables. If you’re looking for another all-in-one dish, try the Vegetarian Moussaka too!

ilaria-bertinelli-pie-di-pollo-e-asparagi-al-feta

Chicken and asparagus pie with Feta cheese

7.8g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for 6 servings

  • 1 pack of gluten-free puff pastry** (you will use about 200g)
  • 850g chicken breast
  • 420g asparagus
  • 120g Feta cheese
  • 70g leek
  • 30g brown rice flour*
  • 1 egg for brushing the surface
  • meat or vegetable stock*
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and papper

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

Preparation

  1. Slice the leek and let it soften in a non-stick pan with a drizzle of olive oil. Add the chicken breast cut into cubes and cook until it turns white on all sides.
  2. Trim the woody ends off the asparagus, then divide the stalks from the tips. Cut the stalks into small pieces and add them to the chicken. Pour in a few ladles of broth, season with salt and pepper, and cook.
  3. When the chicken is nearly done, add the asparagus tips. Sprinkle in the rice flour and, if needed, add another ladle of broth — it will thicken into a sauce similar to béchamel.
  4. Transfer the chicken and asparagus mixture into a baking dish, top with crumbled Feta cheese and cover the top with the puff pastry. Seal the edges well to create a lid, cut a few slits to allow steam to escape, and brush the surface with beaten egg.
  5. Bake in a preheated fan oven at 180°C for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven, let rest for 10 minutes, then serve.
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Eggplant rolls with sun-dried tomatoes and breadcrumbs

To celebrate Earth Day, which this year falls on 22 April, I created a simple and delicious recipe as my small contribution to reducing food waste. These Eggplant Rolls with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Breadcrumbs are bursting with flavour and born from the desire to give leftover bread a second life. The filling is fragrant and enriched with Mediterranean ingredients like basil, almonds, and sun-dried tomatoes.

This dish is both light and nourishing: eggplants are an excellent source of fiber and antioxidants, wholemeal bread provides complex carbohydrates, while Pecorino cheese and almonds contribute protein and healthy fats. Everything is brought together by a simple, aromatic tomato sauce that makes the dish not only wholesome but also incredibly satisfying.

A tasty way to celebrate Earth, make the most of leftovers, and cook with awareness.

Eggplant rolls with sun-dried tomatoes and breadcrumbs

8g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for the rolls

  • 2 eggplants (about 400g)
  • 100g milk
  • 70g leftover bread**
  • 50g Pecorino cheese, grated
  • 50g sun-dried tomatoes*, drained
  • 40g almonds
  • 12 basil leaves
  • salt and pepper

Ingredients for the sauce

  • 600g tomato purée
  • 1 shallot
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 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. Slice the eggplants and bake them in a preheated static oven at 180°C for about 20 minutes until soft.
  2. Soak the bread in milk, then place it in a blender along with the sun-dried tomatoes, almonds, and basil leaves. Add the Pecorino cheese in small pieces and blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Fill the eggplant slices with the mixture and roll them up tightly.
  4. For the sauce, sauté the finely chopped shallot in a non-stick pan with a drizzle of oil and the garlic clove. Add the tomato purée and chili pepper, then gently place the rolls in the sauce.
  5. Cook for 20 minutes and serve warm.

ilaria-bertinelli-involtini-di-melanzane-con-pane-avanzato

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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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Garlic-free Bagna cauda

My first encounter with Bagna Cauda dates back to a trip to Piedmont many years ago when I fell in love with the unmistakable flavour of this iconic dish, blissfully unaware of its after-effects. The potent and lingering “aroma” of garlic was so overwhelming that my husband made it clear there would be no second chance for this culinary experience.

From that amusing episode was born my version of Garlic-Free Bagna Cauda, which I jokingly call “anti-abandonment”: no garlic, but instead Jerusalem artichokes, which lend creaminess and a delicate flavour without any unpleasant aromatic consequences.

Jerusalem artichokes are not just a great substitute for garlic but also a true health ally. They are rich in fibre, particularly inulin, a prebiotic substance that supports gut health and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels. They are low in calories but high in minerals such as iron, potassium, and magnesium.

The result? A dish that saves lunches, marriages, and sensitive noses.

Discover how to prepare it, and if you love dipping sauces, be sure to try my Pinzimonio with Pistachio and Courgette Hummus.

Garlic-free Bagna cauda

12.3g carbohydrates per 100g of sauce

Ilaria-bertinelli-bagna-cauda-senza-aglio

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • boiled potatoes and vegetables of your choice
  • 400g Jerusalem artichokes
  • 200g milk
  • 40g salted or oil-packed anchovies (weight after cleaning)
  • extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

  1. Desalt and debone the salted anchovies or opt for oil-packed anchovies for convenience. Place them in a small pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and let them melt.
  2. Wash and peel the Jerusalem artichokes, then cut them into cubes. Add the cubes to the melted anchovies. Cover with milk, place a lid on the pan, and cook until the Jerusalem artichokes are soft enough to be mashed with a fork.
  3. Mash the Jerusalem artichokes and anchovies well with a fork until creamy.
  4. Serve the sauce with boiled potatoes and other vegetables of your choice, perfect for dipping into this incredibly tasty mixture.
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Summer vegetarian rolls

I think it has happened to everyone to have bought a product to be used in a recipe and then have the leftover part lying in a corner of the kitchen not knowing what to do with it: this is how Summer vegetarian rolls came about.

I had bought a packet of rice paper with the claim ‘gluten-free’ prominently displayed on the front because I wanted to cook some spring rolls in a moment of nostalgia for trips to Asia, but after using them for this recipe, the leftover sheets stared at me for a long time from the cupboard without me finding a creative and easy way to use them.

Then, obsessed by the heat and the desire for tasty snacks, I came up with the idea of trying to use the rice paper simply wet, so without the need to turn on the cooker or oven: they were so good that I decided to buy another packet of rice paper! Not only that: they will be ready in a matter of minutes!

If you are a fan of oriental flavours, also try the Basmati rice with curry, tuna and peppers.

Involtini-di-verdure-con salsa-di-soia-agrodolce

Summer vegetarian rolls 

 4.5g carbohydrates per roll without sauce

Ingredients for 1 roll

  • 1 sheet of rice paper*
  • 1 sprig garden rocket
  • 1 handful grated carrots
  • 1 tablespoon soft cheese
  • 1 scant teaspoon olive pâté*

Ingredients for the sauce for about 6 rolls

  • 4 spoonfuls rice oil
  • 2 spoonfuls apple vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup*
  • 2 teaspoons of soy sauce*

Preparazione

  1. Soak the rice paper briefly in a bowl full of cold water.
  2. Spread the rice paper sheet out on a board and stuff it quickly so that it does not stick to the board itself: form a layer of rocket, lay the soft cheese in a sort of strip in the middle, also spread the olive pate and finally add a handful of grated carrots. Wrap everything up to form a fairly tight roll.
  3. Prepare the sauce for dipping the rolls: put all the ingredients in a small bowl and emulsify well using a fork.
  4. Serve the rolls with a small bowl containing the sauce in which to dip them.

Involtini-di-verdure-con salsa-di-soia-agrodolce

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July salads: discover peaches and tomatoes

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Beat the heat with these July salads that will feature some of the most beloved seasonal ingredients, peaches and tomatoes.

Furthermore, back from my holidays in Sardinia, I wanted to use a Slow Food Presidium that I had never tried before: the cheese called Frue or Casu axedu, meaning “sour cheese” in Sardinian dialect, made with sheep’s or goat’s milk leaving the curd in the whey. The resulting cheese is a product that is a combination of yogurt and cheese, it is without rind, soft and sour. It is sold in small cubes or larger pieces always covered with whey.

Because of its sour taste, Frue may be too strong for many people, so I decided to combine it with sweet grilled peaches and a savoury Prosciutto di Parma matured for 24 months: simply delicious!

The second salad is a fun way of eating lentils also in summer making them fresh and colourful with cherry tomatoes, and the aroma of garden rocket and basil.

In addition to these July salads, for other fresh and easy-to-make ideas, have a loot at my June salads.

Salad of grilled peaches and Prosciutto

carbohydrates 6g for the whole serving

insalata-di-pesche-grigliate-e-prosciutto

Ingredients for 1 serving

  • 100g peaches with peel on
  • 80g Frue sour cheese or Mozzarella cherries
  • 40g Prosciutto di Parma (2 slices)
  • a handful of baby lettuce
  • a handful of garden rocket
  • 15g shelled pistachio nuts
  • spray extravirgin olive oil Fratelli Mantova
  • Balsamic vinegar of Modena
  • salt and pepper

Preparation

  1. Cut the peaches into thin segments and grill them without adding any grease or dressings.
  2. Form a layer of baby lettuce and garden rocket on the serving dish, then arrange the grilled peaches on top; dress with a pinch of salt, freshly ground pepper, a spray of extravirgin olive oil and a dribble of Balsamic vinegar.
  3. Complete with pieces of sour cheese or Mozzarella cherries, the slices of Prosciutto torn into smaller pieces and the pistachio nuts.

insalata-di-pesche-grigliate-e-prosciutto

Salad of lentils and sautéed cherry tomatoes

carbohydrates 37.41g for the whole serving

insalata-di-lenticchie-e-pomodori-arrostiti

Ingredients for 1 serving

  • 180g cherry tomatoes of various colours
  • 150g boiled lentils (about 50g dry lentils)
  • 70g Mozzarella cheese
  • garden rocket
  • basil
  • oregano
  • extravirgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper

Preparation

  1. Boil the lentils in water with carrot, celery, onion and garlic; drain and allow to cool down.
  2. Pour a dribble of extravirgin olive oil in a non-stick pan and sautéed the cherry tomatoes cut in half, intially with the cut side downwards. Adjust flavour with salt, pepper and oregano and cook for a couple of minutes.
  3. Dress the lentils with the sautéed tomatoes, adjust flavour with olive oil, salt and pepper if necessary, then finish with pieces of Mozzarella, strips of garden rocket and some basil leaves.

insalata-di-lenticchie-e-pomodori-arrostiti

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Pineapple chicken poke

Poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish prepared with marinated raw fish accompanied by other ingredients making it a fresh, tasty and complete meal; my Pineapple chicken poke is my interpretation of a one-course meal that is equally tasty and complete, but made with meat as a source of protein.

In fact, who has difficulties in finding fresh chicken and pineapple? Normally nobody, therefore having a recipe that can answer the age-old question of what to cook for dinner is a great relief, also because this Poke will be ready in 10 minutes, practically the time Basmati rice takes to cook.

If you can, remember to soak the Basmati rice for 10 minutes before boiling it: its grains will be plump and long once cooked for an extra taste pleasure!

Try also Basmati rice with curry, tuna and peppers if you want a touch of Oriental cuisine on your table.

Pineapple chicken poke

22.28g carbohydrates per 100g

poke-di-pollo-allananas

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • 350g chicken breast sliced very thinly
  • 200g Basmati rice
  • 200g fresh pineapple
  • 100g green onions
  • 20g corn starch*
  • 1 piece of fresh ginger
  • gluten-free soy sauce*
  • Goji berries to taste
  • poppy seeds to taste

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

Preparation

  1. Soak the Basmati rice in water for 10 minutes before boiling it in 400g of water and a pinch of salt. Once cooked, set it aside.
  2. Coat the chichen slices with corn starch making sure you shake them well so that only a think layer of starch remains on the meat. Cut the chicken slices to strips.
  3. Cut a thick slice of pineapple, remove the peel and dice it.
  4. Cut the green onions into rounds and sweat them in a non-stick pan with a dribble of oil, ginger to taste chopped very thinly and some spoons of water. When the green onions are soft, add the chicken on high heat, stir and douse with soy sauce cooking for some minutes.
  5. Add the pineapple, half a glass of water to form a runny sauce and cook for some more minutes.
  6. Assemble your poke: put the basmati rice in a soup dish or bowl, top it with the pineapple chicken and finish with Goji berries and poppy seeds to taste.

poke-di-pollo-allananas

Version with gluten of Pineapple chicken poke

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

 

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Three 5-minute salads

I love salads and am constantly thinking of new combinations that can be prepared with tasty ingredients in a very short time, so here’s how to prepare Three 5-minute salads.

Each of these salads will delight both the eyes and the palate, and as they are ready in a matter of minutes, you can indulge yourself and prepare all 3 in case you want to use them for a complete dinner instead of just a side dish.

Follow me not to run short of ideas for everyday cooking and have a look at my Lentil and chickpea burgers to discover a solution for your lunches away from home.

Tre-insalate-da-5-minuti

Treviso radicchio salad

5g carbohydrates for 1 serving

Ingredients for 1 serving

  • 1/2 tuft of Treviso radicchio
  • 40g pear
  • 2 shelled walnuts
  • slivers of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
  • Balsamic Vinegar of Modena
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper

Preparation

  1. Cut the Treviso radicchio into small pieces and put them in a salad or soup dish.
  2. Add the Parmesan slivers, the sliced pear and the walnut kernels slightly broken up using your hands.
  3. Complete with salt, pepper, balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

insalata-di-trevigiano

Aromatic cabbage and carrot salad

14g carbohydrates for 1 serving

Ingredients for 1 serving

  • 1 handful of thinly sliced white cabbage
  • 1 handful of thinly sliced purple cabbage
  • 1 carrot (mine was 80g)
  • 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard*
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup*
  • 1 tablespoon apple vinegar
  • sunflower seeds
  • pumpking seeds
  • 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. Cut the cabbage using a slicer or by hand so that it is very thin and grate the carrot into julienne.
  2. Prepare the aromatic dressing by mixing mustard, maple syrup, apple vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. Mix well with a fork.
  3. Place the sliced cabbage and carrot in a deep dish, then drizzle with the dressing and top with sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.

insalata-di-cappucci-aromatica

Chickpea salad with pink chicory

13.9g carbohydrates for 1 serving

Ingredients for 1 serving

  • 1/2 tuft of pink chicory
  • 100g cooked chickpeas
  • 30g avocado
  • lemon juice
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper

Preparatio

  1. Cut the pink chicory leaves and place them in a salad or soup dish.
  2. Top them with the cooked chickpeas and sliced avocado.
  3. Drizzle with a little lemon juice and complete the seasoning with extra virgin olive oil, salt and pepper.

 

Insalata-di-ceci-e-radicchio-rosa-mantovano

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Out-of-home meals: Broad bean puree with vegetables

Would you like some ideas for out-of-home meals that come directly from the traditions of southern Italy? Here is how to prepare Broad bean puree with vegetables, a very simple dish, but absolutely extraordinary in terms of taste and well-being.

Once prepared, put a serving in the lunch box (I prepared a larger amount to use for the whole family), complete with boiled or baked seasonal vegetables and lunch is served!

Broad bean puree is prepared from dried broad beans, so you can cook it in any season, while the accompanying vegetables will change: have fun changing vegetables! At this time of year, rapini are the stars, so they couldn’t be missing alongside this soft, smooth puree.

Mashed broad beans are certainly more interesting than their more famous potato-based dish as they are rich in plant protein and slow-absorbing complex carbohydrates. Moreover, by accompanying it with vegetables, we will have a high percentage of fibre, our great ally of well-being.

Follow me not to run out of ideas for out-of-home meals and have a look at Legumotti with vegetable ragout and Jerusalem artichokes.

Broad bean puree with vegetables

32.16g carbohydrates for the whole lunch box

Ingredients for 1 lunch box

  • 60g dried broad beans
  • water
  • rapini and other boiled or baked vegetables to taste
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 bay leaves
  • salt and pepper

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

Preparation

  1. Rinse the broad beans and soak them in water the night before.
  2. Transfer the broad beans to a pan (use the soaking water for kneading the bread!) and cover them with water in such a way to have about 3cm of water above their surface. Simmer for about 1 hour or until the broad beans have dissolved.
  3. Pour the broad beans into a blender and blend them while pouring in extra virgin olive oil in a drizzle to make the puree nice and creamy, then add salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Assemble the lunch box with mashed broad beans accompanied by blanched rapini and other vegetables to taste: I added onion and baked beetroot.

Purè di fave con verdure

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