Don't forget to have a look at Welcome to the Blog
for the latest grocery/food news
and tips on turning economy food into tasty satisfying dishes
Low-carb Diets and Budgets don't always get along very well...
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Springy low-carb noodles, crunchy veg & peanut-y dressing = wonderfully summery Asian salads. Add protein of choice, here prawns. 'really fresh and bright taste; peanuts & other crunchy bits give added interest.' |
But careful choices can make life a lot easier for slimming or health-conscious shoppers during out Cost of Living Crisis.
Cutting back on carbs often means more has to be spent on vegetables, fruit and expensive protein (animal or vegetable) to satisfy the appetite and balance intake.
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| Dieters' Delight Noodles |
Most of us could (should) not live without carbs and one of 67's favourite solutions is noodles made of green bean starch. (See How to Use Your Noodle/s) Also called 'glass' or 'thread' noodles, they are not totally carb free but the starch is of a different order to 'taters or wheat based products like bread and pasta. 'Glass' noodles are springy, transparent and quickly absorb flavour. They are found in Chinatowns. (Also, surprisingly, Sainsbury's & Tesco!). Costing £2 for 8x2oz individual portions, they sell out quickly. Spicy Glass Noodle Salad is a wonderful combo of Asian flavours and Western Veg & Protein. Triple Duty with a vegan base, it is easy to put together and can be made ahead. It'll also helps use up items 'resting' in the veg drawer!
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| Dieters' Delight Noodles |
Cost: £1.50 plus cost of protein (Prawn Noodle Salad using 140g/70z cooked prawns works out at £5 for 4 portions)
Feeds: 3-4; (recipe halves nicely)
Ingred:
114gm/4oz 'glass' green bean starch noodles
(OR rice or egg noodles) 6 tbsp spring onions, white & green, finely chopped
30g/1oz drained tinned water chestnuts, in fine matchsticks
30g/1oz drained tinned bamboo shoots, in fine matchsticks
30g/1oz finely sliced red bell pepper
1/4 cup defrosted frozen peas
any cooked leftover veg like cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, mange tout
generous handful salted roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped (if using store-bought, rub roughly with paper serviettes to remove smoky of the oil and salt)
min 140g/7oz protein, if using
pinch or two chilli flakes, to taste (opt)
Dressing:1 tsp sesame oil (opt)
2 tbsp peanut butter or tahini
1.5 tbsp cold jasmine tea (or stock or water)
1.5 tbsp soy sauce, pref reduced salt for oldies
1.5 tbsp red wine (or other) vinegar
1.5-2 tbsp sugar or honey or maple syrup
1.5 tbsp peanut or other light veg oil
2 med cloves peeled garlic, grated
30g/1oz peeled fresh ginger, grated
juice & zest of half an orange