Tag Archive for: senza glutine con conta dei carboidrati

Black Kale Ricotta Bites with Pumpkin Fondue

Today I’m bringing you a simple, tasty and wholesome first course: Black Kale Ricotta Bites served with a silky Pumpkin Fondue. This recipe is easy to make yet impressive on the plate—perfect for anyone looking for a colourful, nutritious and naturally gluten-free dish.

Black kale is a true nutritional powerhouse: rich in vitamins A, C and K, fibre and antioxidants, it adds both colour and a pleasant slightly bitter note, beautifully balanced by the creaminess of the ricotta. The pumpkin fondue completes the dish with its natural sweetness and velvety texture, creating a harmonious and irresistible contrast.

These little bites are well-balanced mouthfuls, ideal for those who want a healthy yet satisfying meal—perfect for everyday lunches or dinners with family and friends, as well as for special occasions. An inclusive recipe that celebrates the flavours of autumn with creativity, lightness and taste.

ilaria-bertinelli-pepite-al-cavolo-nero-con-fonduta-di-zucca

Black Kale Ricotta Bites with Pumpkin Fondue

10.4 g carbohydrates per 100 g

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • 375 g ricotta cheese
  • 100 g grated Parmigiano Reggiano
  • 90 g potato starch*
  • 20 g brown rice flour*
  • 150 g black kale
  • 1 egg
  • 1 garlic clove
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • brown rice flour*, for dusting
  • salt and pepper

 Ingredients for the pumpkin fondue

  • 300 g milk
  • 200 g cooked, peeled pumpkin (see below on how to cook it)
  • 100 g grated Parmigiano Reggiano
  • nutmeg
  • salt and pepper

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

 Preparation

  1. Wash the black kale, remove the tough stems and slice the leaves into thin strips. Place them in a non-stick pan with olive oil, a garlic clove, a pinch of salt and a ladle of water. Cook until the kale is tender.
  2. Set aside a few leaves to decorate your plates, then transfer the remaining kale to a blender and blend into a smooth mixture.
  3. In a bowl, combine the ricotta, flour, grated Parmigiano Reggiano, blended kale and the egg. Adjust the seasoning with salt, then shape the mixture into small balls about 3 cm in diameter. Place some wholegrain rice flour in a shallow bowl and roll the ricotta bites in it to lightly coat the surface.
  4. Pour the milk into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the grated Parmigiano Reggiano, stir well, then add the cooked pumpkin mashed with a fork. Whisk until you obtain a smooth, creamy fondue. Adjust with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
  5. Spoon a little of the pumpkin fondue onto each serving plate.
  6. Bring a pot of water to a boil, salt it, then gently add the ricotta bites. Cook them until they rise to the surface. Remove them with a slotted spoon, place them on the pumpkin fondue and top with a little more fondue. Finish with the black kale leaves you set aside for decoration.
  7. Serve hot.

How to cook the pumpkin: Cut the pumpkin into cubes and cook it in the microwave at 800 W for 4 minutes, or in a small saucepan with a splash of water.

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White corn tortillas with activated charcoal and vegetable chili

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Bold colours and intense flavours come together in a recipe that celebrates plant-based cuisine with a creative and inclusive twist: these White corn tortillas with activated charcoal and vegetable chili are the perfect option for anyone looking for a satisfying yet balanced dish, also suitable for those who have to keep an eye on their blood sugar levels or following a gluten-free diet.

The tortillas are made with white corn flour, a naturally gluten-free ingredient rich in resistant starch and generally with a lower glycemic index than yellow corn. The addition of activated charcoal not only gives a striking look but may also help reduce bloating thanks to its adsorbing properties.

The vegetable chili is a powerhouse of fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants: bell peppers provide vitamin C and beta-carotene, carrots contribute soluble fibre and vitamin A, and Mexican black beans are an excellent source of plant-based protein, iron, magnesium, and more fibre to help regulate carbohydrate absorption, making the dish even more balanced. Chili pepper and paprika add a pleasant spiciness and help stimulate metabolism—without needing to rely on a lot of salt for flavour.

Let’s take a flavourful trip into Mexican-inspired cooking with this wholesome and satisfying dish and if you like Latin American cuisine, try also this Dominican Salad.ilaria-bertinelli-tortillas-di-mais-bianco

White corn tortillas with activated charcoal and vegetable chili

18g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients for the tortillas

  • 250g water
  • 170g white corn flour*
  • ½ teaspoon of activated charcoal
  • a pinch of salt

For the vegetable chili

  • 400g tomato purée
  • 300g yellow bell pepper
  • 300g red bell pepper
  • 250g carrots
  • 250g cooked Mexican black beans
  • 40g onion
  • 1 small piece of chili pepper
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • paprika
  • parsley
  • salt

To complete

  • avocado

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

Preparation

  1. Place the white corn flour in a mixing bowl, add a pinch of salt and the activated charcoal, then pour in the water and mix until you get a smooth, uniform dough. Cover and let it rest for at least 15 minutes. If mixing by hand, your fingers may get stained black—but don’t worry, it rinses off easily.
  2. Finely chop the onion and sauté it in a deep skillet with a drizzle of olive oil, along with a clove of garlic and a small amount of chili pepper according to your heat preference. Meanwhile, slice the carrots and dice the peppers, then add them to the pan along with the tomato purée. Season with salt and paprika. Cook for about 15 minutes, then add the black beans. Let everything simmer for another 10 minutes, stir in chopped parsley, and adjust seasoning if needed.
  3. Prepare the tortillas: divide the dough into 10 pieces of about 40 g each. Flatten each one between two sheets of parchment paper to about 1–1.5 mm thickness.
  4. Cook the tortillas in a very hot non-stick pan on both sides, flipping them twice—the second flip will often make them puff up slightly. Once cooked, stack them between two plates to keep warm.
  5. Fill each tortilla with the vegetable chili and a slice of avocado.
  6. ilaria-bertinelli-tortillas-di-mais-bianco

 

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Tuna melt, the irresistible wholemeal sandwich

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The Tuna Melt is one of those timeless comfort foods, likely born by accident, as often happens with the best recipes. Its origins date back to the 1950s in the United States, when a cook at a diner in South Carolina supposedly added melted cheese to a classic tuna sandwich by mistake. The result? An absolute hit that has delighted generations ever since.

My version of the Tuna Melt is reimagined to make this indulgent sandwich lighter, as I’ve completely removed butter and made it more diabetes-friendly by using homemade wholegrain gluten-free sandwich bread — a recipe I’ll be sharing with you soon. I also simplified the sandwich by using only two slices of bread instead of three, avoiding the double filling. After all, it’s hard to stop at just one sandwich, so I opted for smaller portions!

The combination of savoury tuna and gooey melted cheese is simply irresistible — perfect for a casual dinner, just like the one we treated ourselves to!

If you’re a sandwich lover, don’t miss my Stuffed picnic baguettes.

Tuna Melt

17.71g carbohydrates per 100g

ilaria-bertinelli-tuna-melts

Ingredients for 4 sandwiches

  • 250g non-smoked scamorza cheese or other melting cheese
  • 8 slices of sandwich bread** (about 240 g)
  • 200g drained tuna in oil
  • 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise*
  • 2 teaspoons of mustard*
  • 1 celery stalk
  • 20g honey
  • 10g lemon juice

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

Preparation

  1. Mix the tuna with the mayonnaise until you get a smooth cream. Finely chop the celery and add it to the tuna. Stir in the mustard, honey, and lemon juice, mixing well. Taste the mixture and adjust with salt and pepper if needed.
  2. Place slices of scamorza cheese between two slices of sandwich bread. Toast the sandwiches in the oven or on a flat toaster until the bread turns golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted.
  3. Complete the sandwich by spreading the tuna mixture on top of the melted cheese, then close the sandwich.
  4. Serve the sandwich whole or cut it in half.
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Giarratane onions stuffed with Legumotti

September is one of the months in which the Giarratane onions, the sweet, extra-large Sicilian onions that are perfect for stuffing and preparing in a thousand ways, are harvested: try these Giarratane onions stuffed with Legumotti.

The Giarratana onion is an onion grown in the area of the municipality of Giarratana in the south-east of Sicily. Its size is variable and a single bulb can weigh up to 3 kg. Its main characteristic is sweetness, which makes this onion particularly popular and part of the traditional Italian produce (P.A.T.) list created by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Precisely because of its sweetness, this onion is also often eaten raw, but it is excellent with all types of cooking: boiled, grilled and baked au gratin.

Stuffed with my beloved Legumotti topped with lots of vegetables and a touch of melting cheese, it is a perfect main course for people affected by diabetes and coeliac disease for both lunch and dinner.

If you like Legumotti, try them in the Legumotti salad with caramelised Tropea onion.

Giarratane onions stuffed with Legumotti

carbohydrates 13.13g per 100g

cipolle-giarratane-ai-legumotti

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • 4 Giarratane onions of about 350g each
  • 180g courgettes
  • 150g leek
  • 120g Barilla Legumotti*
  • 50g sharp Provolone cheese
  • breadcrumbs*
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • oregano
  • salt and pepper

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

Preparation

  1. Peel and trim the Giarratane onions then cut them in half horizontally.
  2. Put a pan of water on the heat, when it comes to the boil throw in the Giarratane onions cut in half and boil them for 5 minutes. Drain them with a skimmer and lay them on a cutting board to dry.
  3. Chop the leek very finely and sweat it in a non-stick pan with a little oil. Add grated sharp Provolone cheese and stir to melt.
  4. Use, if you like, the water used to blanch the onions to cook the Legumotti for 9 minutes, then drain and throw them into the non-stick pan with the vegetables; stir and season with salt and pepper.
  5. Remove some internal layers of the onions to form a hollow for the filling; use the inside of the onions for any other preparation (sauces, onion stuffing, caramelised onions, etc.).
  6. Stuff the emptied onions with the Legumotti, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and a drizzle of oil and put in a convection oven preheated to 200°C for 15 minutes to gratin.
  7. Serve the stuffed onions warm.

cipolle-giarratane-ai-legumotti

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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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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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May and its fortified salads

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May brings us two ideas for what we call fortified salads, i.e. salads that are nutritionally complete and therefore perfect as one-course meals for lunch in the office, at school or for dinner.

The rule applies that ingredients must be in season in order to maximise their nutritional contribution, so asparagus and mixed greens, as well as frozen edamame beans, will be the vegetable protagonists of the dishes.

The protein part of our salads is mainly of animal origin, being represented by grilled chicken and egg, not forgetting the contribution of edamame beans, an excellent source of plant protein.

As always, fibre is our best ally and is provided not only by vegetables, but also by buckwheat grains, an excellent alternative to rice and cereals containing gluten (for those who can eat them).

So here’s how to prepare reinforced salads that you can put in your lunch box for an absolutely perfect lunch out.

Discover more ideas for your salads here!

Buckwheat and asparagus salad

carbohydrates 24.48g for the whole serving

insalata-di-saraceno-e-asparagi

Ingredients for 1 serving

  • 4 asparagus
  • 40g buckwheat grains*
  • 1 egg
  • 15g Pecorino Romano cheese in very thin slices
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and pepper

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

Preparation

  1. Cook buckwheat grains in lightly salted boiling water, then drain and set aside.
  2. Place 4 asparagus in a container suitable for microwave cooking and cook for 4 minutes at maximum power.
  3. Put a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a non-stick pan, break the egg into it and cook for a few minutes until the egg white is cooked.
  4. Assemble the salad by placing the buckwheat grains in a soup plate, add the asparagus cut in pieces; dress with a sauce prepared whisking a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, a teaspoon of lemon juice, salt and pepper.
  5. Lay the hot egg on top of the asparagus and complete with very thin slices of Pecorino Romano cheese and a grinding of pepper.insalata-di-saraceno-e-asparagi

Chicken and edamame salad

carbohydrates15.77g for the whole serving

insalata-di-pollo-ed-edamame

Ingredients for 1 serving

  • 120g chicken breast
  • 50g edamame beans
  • baby lettuce or mixed greens
  • 15g raisins
  • 2 tablespoons of soy milk*
  • 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon of mayonnaise*
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
  • salt and pepper

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

Preparation

  1. Boil the edamame beans in lightly salted water for a few minutes, then  throw them in cold water. Drain them and set them aside.
  2. Grill the chicken breast. Cut it into strips horizontally.
  3. Prepare the dressing by putting the mayonnaise, lemon juice and soy milk in a small bowl, mix well with a fork and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Place the desired amount of lettuce or mixed greens in a soup plate, add the edamame beans and lay the chicken on top. Season with the mayonnaise emulsion, then top with raisins and pumpkin seeds.

insalata-di-pollo-ed-edamame

Version with gluten of Fortified salads

These recipes contain only naturally gluten free ingredients, so no adaptation is necessary for their version with gluten.

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Gluten-free Apulian focaccia: soft and fragrant

Who can resist a soft and fragrant freshly baked Apulian focaccia ? Indeed, it is one of those treats that it is good to indulge in from time to time.

So prepare the ingredients to reproduce this recipe from the traditional cuisine of an area with genuine and simple flavours, but which is always a great success.

Needless to say, this is a strictly gluten free preparation. To make it, we decided not to add sugar, as the original recipe calls for, so you simply have to be a little more patient to let it rise.

Gluten-free Apulian focaccia 

40.60g carbohydrates per 100g

Ingredients

  • 450g flour mix for bread, brand Nutrifree**
  • 450g water
  • 250g potatoes (weight of cooked and peeled potatoes)
  • 250g cherry tomatoes
  • 50g buckwheat flour*
  • 50g wholemeal rice flour*
  • 20g brewer’s yeast
  • extra virgin olive oil, fine and coarse salt, oregano

**Ingredients specific for celiacs

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

Preparation

  1. Take the flours, put them in a bowl or planetary mixer and mix with water in which you have dissolved the yeast. Knead, then add fine salt and 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Once everything is mixed together, put it to rise for 1.5 hours inside the mixing bowl.
  2. Meanwhile, boil the potatoes and, once cooked, peel, mash and let them cool.
  3. Take the risen dough, add the mashed potatoes and mix until the potatoes are completely incorporated.
  4. Pour the soft dough into a large baking tin covered with lightly greased parchment paper. Oil your hands well and flatten the dough, forming the typical holes with your fingers, then leave to rise for at least 1 hour.

Uno_Chef_per_Gaia_preparazione focaccia pugliese

Preparing Apulian focaccia

  1. Now cut the cherry tomatoes in half and let them sink slightly into the focaccia from the cut side. Finish the preparation with coarse salt, extra virgin olive oil and oregano.
Uno_Chef_per_Gaia_focaccia gluten free

Focaccia ready to be baked

  1. Bake in a hot oven at 200°C for about 40-45 minutes, then let it cool before serving.
Uno_Chef_per_Gaia_focaccia pugliese senza glutine

Apulian focaccia

Version with gluten of Apulian focaccia

Just replace the Nutrifree flour with 500g wheat flour and mix with 300g water.

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