Walkie's Minimalist Recipes (First Instalment)

Nov 08, 2013 18:16

As you guys, know, I have big problems with all the following foods: gluten, grains, legumes (except soya milk), all fats and oils, spices (if derived from seeds, i.e most of them); cocoa; various chemicals esp aspatame. For some reason, most ground/powdered foods affect me too (eg dehydrated potato!) maybe contaminated in processing? I'm also veggie.
So, I need to cook most meals from scratch, but I also need to put minimal time and effort into cooking, due to fatigue and disco-ordination.
Occasionally, I re-introduce rice and/or cheese, since I'm a bit worried about getting all my amino acids. It doesn't last because I develop unmentionable reactions eventually, but I do keep these items in for guests at all times.

I don't make cheese sauce (nor other thick sauces) any more, because (besides the trouble involved, and usage of hot pans on hot stove) thickening agents are either poisonous to me or outrageously expensive.

I am attempting to eat every four hours, cos I find I most often get seizures and stuff when my blood sugar is low. Another reason for minimising on cooking.

I can't be arsed with measuring stuff. You soon get a feel for quantity if you dispense with all that

Anyways, thought you guys might like to try some of my ideas. Now that I'm getting the hang of this diet, i'm beginning to feel very well fed :)

Baked Potatoes

Yeah, you all know how to bake a potato I should think. (scrub it up , prong it with a fork, then bung it the microwave for 10-15 mins depending on size). I often eat the buggers several times a day, but now I can't bung butter, cheese, baked beans etc on the top , it's a bit of problem getting them moist and tasty.

Solutions: split it. mash it up with a fork and pile the salad below on top; various other of the recipes below work even better; or (oh! the simplicity!) drizzle a bit of soya milk over them, then add a liberal sprinkling of dried chives, or parsley. Plus salt of course, Mash it in. It's amazing how often I can eat this variant without getting bored with the flavour. Chives give it a sort of cottage-cheesey flavour, and the parsley variant is very reminiscent of my old favourite, parsley sauce.

Alternatively: you can have a pizza flavoured potato, by adding tomato (puree, tinned ,or chopped fresh tomatoes all work) and oregano. If using fresh tomatoes, mix in the oregano then bung them in the microwave for a few minutes, til mushy. You can add a bit of puree to intensify the flavour., if you like) Split the potato, mash a bit, pour the tomato over it (or squeeze your tube of puree on, if doing it the totally lazy way) then either eat it as it is or return to the microwave for 2-3 minutes with thin slices of cheese on top- if you dare!

Oil-free green salad

I can't eat any of the salad dressings that I used to make any more, but I've come to really like this very simple alternative. So do my son and my friend David! (I curently partly repay him for taking me shopping by sharing my meals with him once or twice a week)

Take your favourite leafy green salad mixture (I like a basic combo of iceburg lettuce and grated carrot, with tomatoes added) and toss with following:

The juice of one lemon (this will be enough for 2-3large helpings)
sea salt
torn fresh basil leaves.

That's it! Its well worth keeping a pot of basil on the windowsill just for this. Other fresh herbs (eg mint) also work well, but the basil one is best. (You can also add freshly ground black pepper of course, but I've been healthier since I stopped adding that to everything- and don't miss it near as much as expected.)

Dump it on top of your mashed up baked potato, then sprinkle with Salad Cress (if available). Or use as accompaniment to other dishes.

Mushroom and tomato bake

3-5 large open-cap mushrooms
liberal sprinkling of dried thyme
salt
large tin chopped tomatoes
cooked spinach or broccoli (optional. Frozen greens work well)
Brie or other cheese (optional)
(approx 3 servings)

Peel the mushrooms, break into chunks, and put into a large dish with the tomatoes, salt and thyme. Microwave on full for about 5 minutes (you should see black juice coming out of the mushroom by now) Stir well (and add other ingredients on top, if used) then microwave for a further 2 minute or so)

Thyme is a strong flavoured herb, so be a bit careful, but t goes so nicely with this dish , you can be unusually liberal with it (up to 3 teaspoons, at a rough guess)

If using greens, place them over the top in a layer, slice the cheese thinly(or as thin as Brie realisically goes) and lay that over the greens. Microwave til cheese bubbles (might take 3 minutes)

This keeps well in the fridge for reheating next day. Or you can share it your friends. Or you can make twice as much and do both!

This is really good heaped over the ubiquitous baked potato, for a really filling and nutritious meal. Or I'm sure you can think of other alternatives.

food

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