Featured

Gluten free lemon and poppyseed loaf

Gather

3 eggs

200g caster sugar

75g butter

120g total greek yoghurt (or lactose free yoghurt)

1 tsp powdered vanilla essence

1/2 tsp xanthan gum

170g self-raising gluten free flour

Zest of 3 lemons

10g poppy seeds

10ml almond milk

Method

1.) Preheat the oven to 160 degrees fan. Prepare a loaf tin with parchment paper. 2.) Using an electric whisk or handheld whisk, beat the eggs, sugar and butter until frothy. Mix in the Greek yogurt afterwards.

3.)In another bowl, sieve the flour, xanthan gum and vanilla essence. In three goes, add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and whisk each time until a batter forms.

4.) Fold in the lemon zest and poppyseeds and almond milk. Pour the batter into the prelined loaf tin. Bake for 50 minutes. Lower the temperature to 150 degrees (fan) 10 minutes before taking out the loaf.

5.) Leave in the tin for 10 minutes to cool before taking it out and serving.

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Low FODMAP meatballs and celeriac

I can’t take full credit for this recipe because, like so many of my adapted recipes, this one’s inspired by Ottolenghi. Making his food accessible to my low FODMAP diet has formed such a part of my curiosity for and creativity with food. So, without further ado, here’s the chefmarinie take on Ottolenghi’s meatballs – with my own flavour and interpretation!

Serves 5, generously

Gather

1kg beef mince, 5% fat

1 leek, green half only and finely chopped

70g parsley, finely chopped

1 egg

1 tsp lebanese spice

1 1/2 tsp cumin

1 tbsp garlic infused oil

65g gf breadcrumbs

30 sprays of frylight oil, or 2 tbsp olive oil

1 medium sized celeriac, peeled and roughly chopped into 4x4cm pieces

1/2 tsp turmeric

11/2 tsp smokey paprika

1 tsp morrocan spice

1 tsp harissa spice

700ml boiling water

2 chicken stock cubes

salt and pepper

Method

1.) Start by preparing the meatballs. Mix together the mince, lebanese spice, cumin, leeks, egg, oil and gluten free breadcrumbs until well combined. It’s easier to use your hands, but you can also use a spoon if you prefer. Next, pinch about half a handful of the mince and roll it into the balls of your hands until a meatball forms. Repeat this process until all the mince is used up (you should end up with between 16-18 meatballs).

2.) Heat up half the amount of olive oil or spray in a pan on a medium temperature. Place the meatballs in the pan to sear for 5 minutes, making sure to turn them around every minute or so so that each side become golden and crispy.

3.) Once they look golden brown, take them out and place on a clean plate and leave aside.

4.) Add the other amount of oil into the pan, along with the spices. Add the chopped pieces of celeriac and stir so that each piece is covered in spice. Leave to cook for 2 minutes.

5.) Using a jug, mix the chicken stock and boiling water until both cubes are dissolved. Slowly pour the stock into the pan, and gently place the meatballs on top of the celeriac (allowing them to float in the stock). Lower the temperature and place a lid on the pan, and cook for 40 minutes. About half way in, stir the stock and, at about 5 minutes to, take the lid off and leave the stock to simmer. The stock will thicken and eventually become a similar consistency to sauce.

6.) Once you’ve taken the pan off the heat, leave the meatballs to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

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Yemista – or ‘stuffed peppers’

I have fond memories of this dish because it reminds me so much of my childhood and the times my grandmother used to make it for me and my family. It always went down a treat! So, I tried recreating this traditional Greek/ Mediterranean classic, with my own sort of twist. I used leeks to make it low FODMAP, and some extra spices (such as cinnamon) to add character to the tomatoey mince. It’s a full of flavour and makes for such a hearty meal.

Serves 4

Gather

7-8 peppers, green and / or red, stalk cut off and de-seeded

1 leek, chopped (green parts only)

15-20 sprays of fry light, or 2 tbsp olive oil

2 tsp mixed spice

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp italian mixed herbs

1 tbsp oregano

1kg beef mince (I personally like 5% fat)

400ml passatta

5 tbsp tomato puree

2 chicken stock cubes

500ml boiling water (plus extra if needed)

4 bay leaves

70g fresh parsley, finely chopped

200g basmati rice

Salt and black pepper

Method

1.) Preheat the oven to 160 degrees (fan). Pre-grease a pyrex dish or rectangular tray and set aside. Place a saucepan on a medium heat, and fry the leeks in all the herbs and spices and oil for 2 minutes until they soften. Stir thoughout.

2.) Add the mince beef and cook until it browns. Meanwhile, prepare the stock by adding 500ml boiling water in a jug and stirring until both cubes dissolve.

3.) Add the passatta, puree and stock water, and mix well. Then add the rice,bay leaves, and salt and pepper. Stir again until all the ingredients are mixed well. Lower the temperature and place a lid on the saucepan, keeping it slightly ajar.

4.) Cook the mixture for 20-25 minutes, making sure to monitor it throughout and adding any extra water if it’s looking dry. Once the rice as softened, switch off the heat and place the saucepan on a heat mat.

5.) Fill each pepper with approx. 4 tbsp of the meat mixture, or until each one is completely full (but not spilling). Repeat this process until each pepper is stuffed (although you may have extra filling, which works well as a snack or side dish the next day). Place the peppers in the pre-greased tray and cover with tin foil. Place in the oven for 40 minutes.

6.) Leave to cool for 2-3 minutes before serving!

Featured

‘The good thing’ – traditional Cypriot gluten free polenta

I've been on a Cypriot cooking bender this week, and it's safe to say I'm not stopping - especially not with this syrupy, zesty dessert! A traditional pudding, typically made from semolina (but replaced it with polenta so it's gluten free), with a hearty amount of sugar that makes for an irresistible treat. Although, the orange zest and juice helps to cut through the sweetness, so it's not saccharine.
I’ve been on a Cypriot cooking bender this week, and it’s safe to say I’m not stopping – especially not with this syrupy, zesty dessert! A traditional pudding, typically made from semolina (but replaced with polenta so it’s gluten free), with a hearty amount of sugar that makes for an irresistible treat. Although, the orange zest and juice helps to cut through the sweetness, so it’s not saccharine.

Makes 16 pieces

Gather

3 large eggs

1 cup caster sugar

1 cup oat milk

1 cup sunflower oil

2 1/2 cups of polenta

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp xanthan gum

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp rose water

1/2 orange, juiced

2 tsp zest orange

For the syrup

1 cup of caster sugar

80ml water

1 cinnamon stick

Method

1.) Preheat the oven to 150 degrees (fan). Add all the cake ingredients together in a big bowl and whisk until the batter is thick and slightly frothy.

2.) Pour the batter into a pyrex dish or rectangular baking tray (pre-greased) and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.

3.) While the cake is baking, prepare the syrup by mixing the caster sugar and water in a small saucepan. Add the cinnamon stick. Place the saucepan on a medium temperature and bring the syrup to boil. This should take between 5-8 minutes.

4.) Slowly pour the syrup all over the cake, allowing it to absorb before continuing to pour the remaining amount. Cut the cake up into 16 evenly sized pieces and serve warm!

Featured

Oat pancakes

Makes 7 pancakes

Gather

1 cup gluten free oats (or oat flour)

1 cup almond milk

2 medium eggs

70g almonds (or ground almonds )

2 medjoul dates, de-pipped

1 tsp baking powder

Fry light spray oil (or butter)

Method

1.) Blitz up all the ingredients in a food processor

2.) On a low heat, preheat the frying pan with a few sprays of fry light or a small knob of butter. Add 2 tbsp of the batter. Fry each side for 25-30 seconds. Repeat this process with the rest of the batter.

Featured

Low FODMAP chicken curry

The flavour of this curry is just to die for. And I don’t say that lightly. I was up last Saturday night just thinking about it! I fancied a warming dish that would heat up my belly as much as my tastebuds, and this dish just did. If you are too, you’ve come to the right place!

Serves 6

Gather

400g finely chopped leaks

50g garlic infused oil

1 tsp tumeric

2 tbsp hot curry powder

1 tbsp chilli powder

1 tbsp garam masala

1 tbsp cumin

1/2 tbsp mixed spice

1/2 tsp clove

1/2 cinnamon

6 bay leaves

500ml passata

3 tbsp tomato puree

500ml vegetable stock

2 baby chicken (chopped into pieces)

3 tbsp total greek yoghurt (or lactose free yoghurt)

salt

Method

1.) Start by frying the chopped leaks in garlic oil on a high heat. After a minute, add all the spices and mix well. Keep stirring the pot for about 5 minutes. Add the passata and tomato puree and mix again.

2.) Add the vegetable stock and then the chicken pieces. Stir the pot so that the tomato and spices cover the chicken. Lower the heat and keep the pot lid closed. Stir the pot every 5 minutes and cook the curry for a total of 1 hour and 20 minutes, adding the yoghurt half way through.

3.) Add as much salt to your preference. Once the curry has thickened and the chicken has softened, switch the gas off and leave to cool with the lid off for 10 minutes.

Featured

Autumnal spiced loaf cake

Tuck into this malty spiced loaf cake – one that’s just the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea. It’s simple and seriously moist with the finest crumb. What’s great is how easily available mixed spice is most supermarkets. What’s even greater is how easy this is to whip up and enjoy on autumn days like these.

Serves 12

Gather

180g butter

180g soft dark brown sugar

180g soft light brown sugar

3 eggs

150g lactose-free Greek yoghurt

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 tsp mixed spice

225g plain gluten-free flour

1/2 tsp xanthan gum

1/2 baking powder

1 tsp apple cyder vinegar

Method

1.) Preheat the oven to 170 degrees (fan). Grease a regular loaf tin or line with parchment paper and set aside.

2.) Place the butter and sugars into a mixing bowl and cream until light and smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and yoghurt until smooth, then add into the creamed mix. Whisk again until well combined.

3.) Sift the flour, mixed spice, baking powder and xanthan gum into the batter and repeat the whisking process until the dry ingredients have mixed in. Pour in the vinegar (you may notice the batter fizzing up – this is to be expected). Using a spatula, fold the vinegar into the batter for about 20 seconds.

4.) Scrape the mixture into the loaf tin and bake for 50-55 minutes. Once baked, set aside to cool and serve.

Featured

Ottolenghi-inspired gluten free tahini and halva brownies

Ingredients

250g caster sugar

250g lactose free butter

280g caster sugar

30g vegan cocoa powder

120g plain gluten free flour

4 eggs

¼ tsp xanthan gum

¼ tsp vanilla

12 tbsp. tahini

200g halva (broken into chunks)

Method

1.) Preheat the oven to 180°. Grease a rectangular baking tray with butter
or place parchment paper and set aside.

2.) Place the butter and chocolate (broken into pieces) into two separate
bowls and put in a microwave to melt for 2 ½ minutes at a medium temperature.
Once melted, pour into mixing bowl and whisk until combined. Next, add the
sugar and eggs and repeat the whisking for a further two minutes.

3.) Combine the cocoa powder, xanthan gum and gluten free flour and sieve into
the wet mixture in three goes, whisking before each addition.

4.) Finally, stir the broken pieces of halva into the batter before pouring
into the prepared baking tray. Add about 12 tablespoons of tahini on top of the
batter and with a skewer or knife, create a marbling effect to your taste.
Place in the oven to bake for 23 minutes. Once baked, leave to cool for 20
minutes before serving.  

Featured

FODMAP friendly version of Ottolenghi’s cherry tomato and aubergine quinoa

Who said Ottolenghi’s cherry and aubergine (previously-bulgar-wheat-but-now-quinoa) recipe can’t be made FODMAP friendly? I adored this dish and I’m positive you will too. Oh, and, did I mention this is also vegan?

Serves 4 people

Prep time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

200g quinoa

600ml water

1 aubergine, chopped 4cm wide and 2cm thick

300g cherry tomatoes, halved

2 tsp. tomato purée

4 tbsp. olive oil

3 tsp. all spice

3 tsp. salt

1 tsp. coarse black pepper (crushed)

Method:

1.) Preheat the oven to 200° fan. Prepare a large rectangular flat tray with parchment paper and place the chopped aubergines. Drizzle half the amount of olive oil, 1 tsp salt and the black pepper. Place in the oven for 30 minutes, turning the sides over using a spatula approximately half way.

2.) Add oil, the remaining salt and all spice in a saucepan and heat for a minute before adding the chopped tomato. Mix well and once softened (approximately 5 minutes later) use a potato masher to crush the cherry tomatoes to form a mushy paste. Add the tomato purée and stir well.

3.) Pour the quinoa and the water, and cook for 20 minutes on a low heat, or until the quinoa has softened and fully absorbed the water.

4.) Once the aubergines have also softened, add to the cooked quinoa and mix well. Lightly drizzle 2 tsp. garlic oil (optional). Leave to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Featured

Courgette, balsamic vinegar glazed cherry tomatoes and goats cheese pastry

I’m especially proud of this recipe here. A mid-week banger; to be whipped out at any gathering; and most importantly, to be shared!

Prep time: 40 minutes

Ingredients :

1 pre-made gluten free pastry roll

250g cherry tomatoes

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar glazed

2 tbsp garlic oil

1/2 tsp salt

1 courgette, sliced with a peeler

40g goats cheese, roughly crumbled

Method:

1.) Preheat the oven to 200 degrees(fan). Prepare your tray by cutting a large sheet of parchment paper. Start by slicing the cherry tomatoes in half; base them in the garlic oil and two thirds of the balsamic vinegar glaze and place on a tray. Cover in foil and cook for 10 minutes.

2.) Take off the foil and with a spatula mix the tomatoes and place back in the oven to cook for an additional 10 minutes.

3.) Unroll the pre-made gluten free pastry and pinch the four corners to create height on each side. Base the bottom of the pastry with the cooked cherry tomatoes. Lattice the courgette slices decoratively to your preferences until the cherry tomatoes are fully covered. Add the crumbled goats cheese on top and finally, drizzle the remaining amount of balsamic vinegar glaze.

4.) Place in the oven to cook for additional 20 minutes, or until the pastry has flaked and browned.

Featured

FODMAP friendly tomato and spring onion baby gem lettuce salad

Bite-sized, fresh and crunchy, serve this showstopper salad at any occasion. Particularly ideal for summer parties and picnics. Scale up the quantity of ingredients for however many guests.

Bite-sized, fresh and crunchy, serve this showstopper salad at any occasion. Particularly ideal for summer parties and picnics. Scale up the quantity of ingredients for however many guests.

Serves 4

Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

6 pre-washed baby gem lettuce leaves

130g cherry tomatoes, finely chopped

3 sprigs of spring onions, finely chopped and with the white ends removed

5g ginger, crushed

½ tsp. salt

1 tbsp. garlic oil

1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

Method:

  1. Finely chop the cherry tomatoes into quarters and then eighths until the consistency looks salsa-like. Place the tomatoes in a bowl and leave to one side.
  2. Finely chop the spring onions, crush the ginger and add to the bowl of tomatoes.
  3. To season, add the salt, garlic and balsamic vinegar and mix well.
  4. Scoop up a tablespoon and a half of the tomato salad and place in each cup of the baby gem lettuce. Repeat this until all have been filled roughly equally.
Featured

Gluten-free, Ryvita-style chili thins

 
 Don’t let the lack of gluten-free Ryvita thin option stop you from making your own equally dippable (and also vegan) thins yourself. In under 20 minutes, you can!

Don’t let the lack of gluten-free Ryvita thin option stop you from making your own equally dippable (and also vegan) thins yourself. In under 20 minutes, you can!

Serves: 4

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

65g buckwheat flour

30g brown rice flour

90ml oat milk

1 egg

1 ½ tbsp. olive oil

½ tsp. maple syrup

½ tsp. dried chilli flakes

1 tsp. garam masala

½ tsp. dried coriander

½ tsp. crunched black coarse pepper

Pinch of salt

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC fan. Prepare a rectangular baking tray with parchment paper.
  2. To make the thins, add the buckwheat flour, brown rice flour, oat milk, egg, olive oil, maple syrup, dried chili flakes, garam masala, dried coriander, black pepper and salt and mix until well combined.
  3. With a spatula, pour the batter onto the pre-prepared baking tray and spread out thinly and evenly to ensure maximum crisp.
  4. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the base is golden brown and firm. Leave to cool for 2-3 minutes before cutting up the rectangular base into slim slices of about 5cm in width and 15cm in height.
Featured

FODMAP Friendly thin and crispy pesto buckwheat pizza

 All thanks to Emma Hatcher’s genius gluten-free recipe that I bring you a mid-week snap of what I prepared for lunch, with my own choice of toppings!
All thanks to Emma Hatcher’s genius gluten-free pizza based recipe that I bring you a mid-week snap of what I prepared for lunch, with my own FODMAP-Friendly tweaks to the toppings! This deliciously thin, crispy and entirely gluten-free (and vegan!) pizza base is so versatile that it suits any topping of your preference. Super quick and super simple, and especially handy to know during mid-week lunch preps / last-minute dinner plans!

Makes 3 pizzas

Prep time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

For the base

125g buckwheat flour

70g white rice flour

1 tbsp. dried Italian mixed herbs

½ tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1 egg

1 tsp. maple syrup

180ml oat milk

3 tbsp. olive oil

For the topping:

3 tbsp. gluten-free pesto per pizza base

60g lactose free cheddar cheese, grated or sliced

60g smoked ham, shredded

½ courgette, peeled

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC fan. Prepare three baking trays by roughly splashing a tablespoon worth of oil.
  2. To make the pizza bases, combine the buckwheat flour, rice flour, Italian herbs, egg, milk, maple syrup, olive oil, salt and pepper until well mixed. Ladle two or three spoonful amounts of the batter onto the greased baking trays, using a spatula to spread out the mixture into a circle.
  3. Bake for 10 minutes until lightly golden brown.
  4. Once baked, add the pesto to each pizza base, topping with the cheese, ham and peeled courgette. Bake for a further 10 minutes until the base is golden brown and the ingredients on top have softened.
Featured

FODMAP friendly spiced carrot batons


Shake up Sunday roasts with these sweetly spiced carrot batons, delicately roasted in garlic infused oil. Super simple.

Serves 4

Prep time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

6 large carrots

2 tbsp. garlic infused oil

1 ½ tsp. paprika

½ tsp. cinnamon

½ salt

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC fan. Peel and chop the carrots into finger-length batons and place on a baking tray.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the garlic oil, salt, paprika and cinnamon. Drizzle the batons and ensure that each one is equally covered with the spiced oil.
  3. Bake for 25 minutes, or until soft and golden.
Featured

Vegan, FODMAP friendly buffalo wings


Stuck for FODMAP friendly party food ideas? Impress your guests with these fiery, hard-to-resist wings! With LEON’s original recipe in mind, I use broccoli as an equally hearty, moreish and deliciously vegan substitute to meat. They make for a perfect accompaniment to any summer party.
  Stuck for FODMAP friendly party food ideas? Impress your guests with these fiery, hard-to-resist wings! With LEON’s original recipe in mind, I use broccoli as an equally hearty, moreish and deliciously vegan substitute to meat. They make for a perfect accompaniment to any summer party.

Serves 4

Prep time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

1 broccoli

60 ml oat milk

60 ml rapeseed oil

20 ml garlic oil

1 tsp. cider vinegar

1 tbsp. cornflour

3 tbsp. polenta

1 tsp. mustard

2 tsp. smoky paprika

½ tsp. crushed black pepper

½ tsp. salt

100g gluten-free breadcrumbs

5 tbsp. vegan American-style hot sauce (Frank’s Red Hot)

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC fan. Cut the broccoli into fairly large florets of about 3cm in width.
  2. Whisk the milk, rapeseed oil, vinegar, cornflour, polenta, mustard, smoky paprika, salt and pepper. This will form a thick batter for each floret to be individually covered in. Once coated, ensure to work the thick batter into the crevices of the floret and to scrape off any excess.
  3. In a separate bowl, place 100g of gluten-free breadcrumbs, dipping each floret into the bowl to be coated all over. Then place the coated floret on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Repeat this process with the rest of the battered florets.
  4. Liberally drizzle garlic oil on top of the battered and coated florets before placing in the oven to cook for 10 minutes. Using tongs, turn over the florets to bake for an additional 10 minutes and liberally drizzle the hot sauce on top.
  5. Once tender and crispy, leave the broccoli wings to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Featured

FODMAP friendly cornbread with jalapeño and feta


On an unexpected day off I chose to spend my afternoon baking this Southern delight, with a fun, Ottolenghi-inspired twist – made with feta, spring onion and jalapeño, ideal as a tear-and-share summer side.

Generously serves 6

Prep time: 15 minutes

Baking time: 25 minutes

Equipment: Square baking tin

Ingredients:

330g polenta

60g lactose-free butter

4 eggs

1 cup dairy-free alternative milk (preferably oat)

7g salt

20g gluten-free yeast

50g feta, cubed

5 sprigs of spring onion, green tops only, finely chopped

5 tbsp. pickled jalapeño rings

1 tsp. cumin

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC fan. Base the baking tin with oil or lactose-free butter until fully covered.
  2. In a saucepan, combine two thirds of the polenta, butter, milk and salt and stir on a low heat for 8-10 minutes, or until puffed and thickened.
  3. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs and remaining milk along with the yeast before adding the final third of the polenta. Slowly combine the pre-cooked polenta mixture into uncooked mixture.
  4. Add the cumin, spring onions, jalapeño rings and feta into the batter, stirring until well combined. Then pour into the pre-based baking tin to bake for 25 minutes, or until firm and golden.
  5. Leave to cool for 10 minutes before removing the corn bread from the baking tin.
Featured

FODMAP friendly lemon and lavender loaf

An idea I’ve been mulling over for a while now, I combine the zest of two lemons along with a few droplets of natural flavoured lavender to create this delicately floral and supremely spongey loaf cake ideal for spring baking. As with many of my baking recipes, I take inspiration from Ottolenghi’s dessert cookbook ‘Sweet,’ using his lemon and poppyseed loaf cake recipe to inform this FODMAP friendly creation. Instead of double cream, I use Oatly’s completely dairy-free (and vegan) single cream for a hearty sponge.

Serves 8

Prep time: 1 hr and 10 mins

Equipment: rectangular loaf tin

Ingredients:

3 eggs

125g caster sugar

75g lactose-free butter

175g gluten-free self-raising flour

125ml lactose-free, or a non-dairy alternative, single cream

Zest of two lemons

Lavender flavouring (10 droplets)

1/4 tsp xanthum gum

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)

Method:

1.) Preheat the oven to 180° and base the loaf tin with butter. Combine the eggs and sugar until frothy. In a saucepan, melt the butter and lemon zest on a low heat; once complete, add to the batter mixture and combine.

2.) In a separate bowl, mix the gluten-free flour, xanthum and baking powder. Add the dry mixture to the batter mixture in three goes, whisking each time before the next addition.

3.) Add the double cream along with the vanilla extract and lavender flavouring.

4.) Pour the mixture into the pre-buttered loaf time and bake for 45 minutes, or until the golden brown.

5.) Once baked, leave to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Featured

FODMAP friendly soups: broccoli and blue cheese

As a self-professed cheese lover, the more pungent, the tastier. An acquired taste in which many of the vegetables typically harvested in March are incorporated (spring onions, spinach and broccoli), I like to enrich this earthy soup with the full-bodied flavour of blue cheese — and it’s still FODMAP friendly.

Serves 6

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

2 heads of broccoli (chopped)

150g blue cheese (cubed)

250g spinach

5 stalks of spring onions (with the bulbs removed)

2 small sweet potatoes, or 1 large, cubed

1 gluten free vegetable stock cube

400ml hot water

Equipment:

Large saucepan

Hand-held blender

Method:

1. Boil 400ml water. Place the broccoli, sweet potato and stock cube in a large saucepan, pouring the boiling water on the vegetables and switching on the gas to a medium heat.

2. Leave to cook for 20 minutes, stirring the saucepan every 5 minutes. Once softened, add the spinach and spring onions, lowering the heat and leaving to simmer for an additional 10 minutes.

3. Switch off the gas and blend the mixture until there are no lumps. Lastly, add the blue cheese to the soup and stir until melted and well combined.

Featured

Mustard and balsamic vinegar kale with toasted seeds

I’ll preface this caption with a shout out to one of my closest friends who introduced me to the wonders of kale. Thank you.

Eaten raw, I prepare the kale by massaging a balsamic vinegar dressing mixed with garlic infused oil and classic English mustard. Taking inspiration from Ottolenghi’s legendary cookbook, Simple, I toast pumpkin seeds and flax seeds in a maple syrup and olive oil dressing that gives the kale additional crunch and texture.

Serves 2

Prep time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

300g kale

2 tbsp. garlic infused oil

3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

2 tsp. classic English mustard

½ tsp. salt

30g pumpkin seeds

30g flax seeds

2 tbsp. maple syrup

1 tbsp. olive oil

¼ tsp. salt

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC fan.
  2. Start by prewashing the kale, ensuring that it is fully dried before placing in a mixing bowl. To make the kale salad dressing, mix the garlic infused oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard and ½ tsp. salt until well combined. Add to the kale and massage for 1 minute, or until the kale has softened.
  3. Line a small baking tray with parchment paper (approximately 15cmx15cm). Combine the seeds with the olive oil, maple syrup and ¼ tsp salt. Evenly spread out onto the parchment paper and bake for 15 minutes until the seeds are golden.
  4. Leave to cool for an additional 15 minutes. Once hardened, roughly snap the seeds and sprinkle into the kale ready for serving.
Featured

Fluffy, spiced gluten free pancakes

Super simple. Perfect for Sunday brunch. Stack them; fold them; roll them — make them however small or big. But the one absolute must is: always add a pinch of nutmeg.  

Makes about 10 small pancakes, or 5 big ones

Ingredients:

100g gluten free self-raising flour

45g light brown sugar

1 egg

1 glass oat milk

¼ tsp nutmeg

Coconut spray (or lactose free butter)

Method:

  1. Beat the egg and the milk until frothy. Add the sugar and continue whisking.
  2. In a separate bowl, combine the gluten free self-raising flour with the nutmeg and sieve the dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
  3. Heat the frying on a medium heat with one spray of coconut spray or a small cube of lactose free butter. Once melted, add two tablespoons of batter. Wait until small air bubbles begin to appear (or once a spatula can easily slide underneath the pancake) and flip it over to cook on the other side for approximately 10-15 seconds.
  4. Continue this method with the remaining pancake batter, covering the cooked pancakes with foil to keep warm (optional).
Featured

Gluten free spiced courgette loaf cake


It’s been a week of celebrating the versatility of courgettes – yes, even in cakes! Trust me, this one never ceases to amaze people. It’s one of the most flavourful, malty and delicious loaf cakes. Try it out yourselves – and adapt the spices to your taste.

Serves 8

Prep time: 10 minutes

Baking time: 50 minutes

Equipment:

Oneloaf tin

Ingredients:

1courgette

160g darkbrown sugar

60g coconut sugar

100ml vegetable oil

2 large eggs

170g gluten free self raising flour

¼tsp. xanthan gum

2tsp. cinnamon

¾tsp. ground nutmeg

¼tsp. ground cloves

¼tsp. ground ginger

¾tsp. salt

Method:

  1. Heat the oven 175ºC or 150ºC fan. Line a loaf tin with grease proof paper.
  2. Whisk the sugars, neutral cooking oil and eggs. In a separate bowl, blend the flour, baking soda, baking powder, xanthan gum, and all the spices. In three goes, sieve the dry ingredients in the wet mixture and whisk until combined.
  3. Grate the courgette and fold well into the batter until combined.
  4. Pour the mixture into the greased loaf tin. Bake for 50 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove from the tin and allow to cool on a rack for 10 minutes before serving.
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Bowls of goodness: Courgette and chilli pasta

One of the wonderful things about this dish is that it’s cost-effective, incredibly quick and easy to make and can also be made vegan if you choose to leave out the grated parmesan cheese at the end. I made this for the first time when I was a student in my final year (all those months ago) and was in desperate need of a nutritious and delicious recipe, without being time-consuming – and I’ve been making it and passing it onto friends ever since.

Generously serves 1, or 2 as a side

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

100g gluten-free fusilli pasta

½ gluten-free stock cube

400 ml water

1 courgette, grated

2 tbsp. garlic infused oil

½ tsp dried chilli flakes

½ coarse black pepper

½ tsp salt

Approximately 5g grated parmesan cheese

Equipment:

Two medium sized saucepans

Method:

  1. Cut both inedible ends of the courgette and grate. Boil approximately 400ml of water;once boiled, pour into one of the saucepans and add half of a gluten-free stockcube along with the gluten-free pasta. Boil for ten minutes, or until soft, onmedium heat.
  2. In the second saucepan, pour 1 ½ tbsp. of garlic oil and add the dried chilli flakes, salt and black pepper to cook for a minute on medium to low heat. This releases the heat of the chilli flakes. Once the oil has heated up, add the grated courgettes, stirring regularly for ten minutes, or until the courgette’s liquid content has cooked off.
  3. Drain the pasta into a colander and pour into a bowl, then liberally spread the cooked courgette on top before delicately drizzling the remaining garlic oil and garnishing with grated parmesan cheese (although this is optional).

Low FODMAP macaroni cheese

This dish serves 4 hearty portions. And all you need is,

200g gluten free macaroni

500ml boiling water

1 tbsp olive oil

25g fresh chives, chopped

200g wafer thin ham, chopped into small pieces

300ml oat milk

6 tbsp gluten free plain flour

70g cheddar cheese, chopped

40g Red Leicester cheese, chopped

Salt pepper

2 tbsp nutritional yeast

Method

1.) Preheat the oven to 170 degrees (fan). Place the water in a saucepan and leave until it begins to boil. Submerge the pasta and leave to boil for 10-12 minutes.

2.) Using another saucepan, add the olive oil, chives, ham and salt and pepper on a medium temperature. Stir for about a minute until the ham begins to sizzle.

3.) Add the milk and stir again. Leave to simmer for another minute. Using a whisk, slowly stir the flour into the milk with each tablespoon. This will eventually thicken up and turn into a bechamel sauce (you can add more milk if you need to); once it does, throw in the cheddar cheese to melt and switch off the gas.

4.) Drain the boiled pasta and mix it into the sauce. Then pour the pasta in a pre-greased casserole. Sprinkle nutritional yeast, cover the dish in tin foil, and bake for 25 minutes. Take the foil off and bake for another 5 minutes until the pasta is golden and crisp. Leave to cool for a few minutes and serve!