LOW-CARB 'GLASS' (GREEN BEAN STARCH) NOODLES: good for pre-diabetics and weight loss

Love noodles but worried about carbs?  Noodles made from green bean starch are a great solution. 

Springy low-carb noodles, crunchy veg & peanut-y dressing = healthy bright, fresh Asian dishes.  Add protein of choice.  Taster: 

Most of us could/should not live without carbs and one of 67's favourites solutions is noodles made of green bean starch. (See How to Use Your Noodle/s). 

Also called 'glass', 'thread' or Dieters' Delight noodles, they are not totally carb free but the starch is of a different order, producing transparent threads which quickly absorb flavour.

They are found in Chinatowns and, surprisingly some Sainsburys & Tescos.  They're reasonably priced and come in large bundles or in bagged individual portions. 

This Spicy Glass Noodle Salad featured here is Triple Duty with a vegan base.  It comes together easily and can be made ahead.  It also helps use up items 'resting' in the veg drawer!

Dieters' Delight Noodles

Cost:  £2.00 (2/24) plus cost of protein (Prawn Noodle Salad using 140g/70z cooked prawns works out at £6 for 4 portions)
Feeds: 3-4; (recipe halves nicely)

Ingred:
   114gm/4oz 'glass' green bean starch noodle3

   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

Method:

EASY/PREP-AHEAD VALENTINE'S DAY DINNERS 2024:

Valentine's Day falls on a Wednesday this year, and partners will be looking for something special that's part make-ahead or quick & easy.  It'll be a bonus if the dish is healthy'ish and doesn't cost the earth.

    

67goingon50's Archive choices meet the need.  And there's a choice of frugal, luxury and in-between.

FRUGAL/WALLET-FRIENDLY

Quick & Easy Poultry Escalopes: perfect for a meal after work

Who wouldn't love a thin layer of tender poultry encased in crunchy batter?

Couple's Easy 3 course meal for a fiver'ish

Couple's spicy, succulent Asian spiced pork steaks with potatoes & salad
'Hurrah!  Meat & two veg and no gloopy teeth jarring sauce.'

IN BETWEEN

SPICED PHEASANT WITH ORANGE: wallet-friendly, low-fat; healthy

Slow-cooked game birds in a rich full-bodied sauce is ready when you get home. Tasters said:'Really great non-trad English flavour.'

CHILLI & GINGER SALMON

Taster: 'One of the finest fish dishes I have eaten; the chilli doesn't overwhelm the salmon.  Who'd guess the fish was frozen?"   

Vegan Wholemeal Pasta with Mushrooms, Peas & Chive Oil:  option for no-common-wheat 

Surprisingly delicious; nutty & layered with gorgeous flavours

VEGETARIAN: 

Avocado Pilaff (Warm): sublime, low salt/cholesterol 

Taster: 'the first time I had this, I thought I'd died and gone to heaven' 

Sensational Spinach Roulade: lower-fat pillowy green roulade layered with cream cheese and taramasalata; vegan opt. 

LUXURY

Special Occasion Chicken

Special treatment and a good-quality bird makes this chicken sensational

Perfect steak for a special someone

 Steak, cooked restaurant-style: a carnivore's dream

Seafood Pasta with Wine & Cream Sauce, Italian Style

Healthier High-Fibre Indulgence uses spelt pasta but there's an option for common wheat' 'Subtle layers of flavour.  Wouldn't have tried this normally but half-fat, lower-carb is a winner.' Taster

See also: 67's  wallet-friendly Valentine treats

PD/WLP (Pre-diabetic/Weight Loss) Week 5: Report

 Week 5

I may be getting better at a low-carb diet but am not feeling well on it.  A meal delayed for an hour or more leads to light-headedness & nausea.  Now planning to have a good meal before activity.   Also carry nuts, chicken legs, boiled eggs or half sandwiches for emergencies.

Sleep is disrupted: body adjusting to changes?

My gentleman guinea pigs are both finding it difficult to find time to cook but hoping to do so soon.

NO-ADDED-SUGAR MOCHA WALNUT BROWNIES: 4 ingreds, fat-free, gluten-free

Don't forget Welcome to the Blog (nav bar above)

with 67's bargains of the week & the latest food news

Ideal for sugar-phobes and lazy bakers...

Updated 3/26/first posted 1/24

 Brownies for sugar-phobes & pre-diabetics  
not quite as we know them but extremely tasty & not sweet

A 2-ingredient recipe from the net caught the Blogger's eye when researching low/no sugar treats for Pre-diabetics.  

Sugar is not forbidden for pre-diabetics but obviously is kept to a minimum.  And if you can have a chocolate treat without added sugar, well...is anyone going to complain?

The brownie base consists of eggs and chocolate, which means it is also gluten free.  Add-ins of your choice give great versatility. 

But be warned: if you like your treats with plenty of sugar and a layer of icing, these are not for you.

The No-added-sugar Mocha Walnut Brownies were tested on a team of builders.  Those with blood sugar problems or are into healthy eating loved them, noting the chocolate's intensity.  But 'ordinairy' people who normally love brownies were disappointed and thought a thick layer of icing wouldn't go amiss.  

If you're keen to try this recipe, be careful. The eggs need to be whipped at least 8 mins until pale yellow and voluminous.  The chocolate has to be melted gently and cooled to an oozing texture before being folded with the whipped eggs.

They brownies are worth it. The chocolate is intense, satisfies a craving but doesn't set up the usual clamour for more, more, more.

Which is just as well.  This is not a frugal bake but it makes a lot of portions which can be frozen for 6 months.  

If you're not worried about sugar, a layer of icing sugar, lighter buttercream or if budget allows, chocolate ganache adds a punch of sweetness.

Cost: max £67ish (3/26)

Makes: 20-odd bars or 9 squares (keeps very well)

Ingreds:

Base:

6 raw eggs

340g/12oz chocolate chips or baking chocolate  (67 used M&S bars of dark baking chocolate £1.30)

Add-ins:

1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1 tbsp instant coffee

Method: