Pavlova Recipe

This favorite dessert of Australia was named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova by a chef who wanted to create something "as light and ethereal as the dancer herself."  He achieved his goal with this meringue crust topped with whipped cream and an assortment of fresh fruit.

Ingredients:
Meringue:
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tspn cornstarch
6 large egg whites
1 tspn distilled white vinegar
1/4 cup boiling water
1 1/2 tspn pure vanilla extract

Whipped Cream:
2 cups heavy cream
2 tbsp sugar
1/2 tspn pure vanilla extract
1/2 tspn pure almond extract

4 cups mixed fresh fruit, such as blueberries, blackberries, red currants, gooseberries, strawberries and/or raspberries

Preparation:
For the Meringue:

1. Position an oven rack in the center of the oven.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and trace a 12-inch round on the paper with a pencil.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the sugar and cornstarch.  Stir with a whisk until smooth.  In a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on high speed until they begin to froth and turn opaque.  Decrease mixer speed to low, and add the sugar mixture in 1/2 cup increments, immediately followed by the vinegar.  Continue to beat on high speed for at least 2 minutes, until the whites form stiff peaks.  Increase the mixer speed to high and pour the boiling water into the egg whites all at once.  The egg whites will swell up considerably.  Beat the egg whites until the water is totally incorporated, stopping once to scrape down the sides of the bowl.  Add the vanilla and continue to beat for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the egg whites form stiff, glossy peaks.
3. With a rubber spatula, take some of the meringue and carefully fill in the base of the traced circle.  Continue to add meringue to make a thick cake.
4. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and bake for 40 minutes, or until set.
5. Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the pan on a wire rack.  Gently remove the parchment paper by rolling it out from under the meringue; take care, as the meringue will be very delicate.

For the Whipped Cream:

1. In a deep bowl, beat the cream until it begin to hold its shape.  Add the sugar and the vanilla and almond extract.  Beat until soft peaks form.
2. Carefully spread the whipped cream over the top of the meringue and top with the mixed fresh fruit.  Serve at once, cut into wedges.

The baked meringue can be refrigerated and lightly covered for up to 2 days.

Recipe courtesy of Blackbird Bakery Gluten-Free by Karen Morgan

Australia  [ print this recipe for Pavlova ]

Baked Chocolate and Orange Pudding Recipe

This is really quick to make. Everyone loves this one!

Ingredients:
600 ml (20 fl oz) low-fat milk
zest of 1 orange
1 tspn vanilla extract
90 g (3 oz) agave syrup
2 tbsn cocoa powder, sifted
2 eggs
2 tbsp butter
3 thick slices seeded brown bread
cocoa and icing sugar, for dusting
sugar-free ice cream, to serve

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
2. Bring milk to the boil in a saucepan with orange zest, vanilla and agave syrup. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
3. Mix cocoa to a paste in a cup with a spoon of cold milk, then whisk into the hot milk. Lightly whisk the eggs in a bowl. Pour the hot milk mixture over the top (ensure the milk is not boiling). Continue to stir.
4. Spread butter onto the slices of bread and arrange in a small baking dish. Pour the chocolate custard mixture evenly over the top. Allow to stand for 15 minutes to allow bread to absorb custard.
5. Bake in oven for 35 minutes. Dust with a little cocoa and icing sugar. Serve warm with some light or sugar-free ice cream.

Serves 6

Recipe courtesy of Blood Sugar: Inspiring Recipes For Anyone Facing The Challenge of Diabetes and Maintaining Good Health by Michael Moore.

Australia [ print this recipe for Baked Chocolate and Orange Pudding ]

Power Food Salad Recipe

A fantastic source of protein! I often add low-fat feta to this salad.

Ingredients:
1 X 150g (5oz.) can chickpeas
1 X 150g (5oz.) can 3 bean mix
1 large red onion, finely diced
1 green apple
2 large celery sticks
2 carrots
Juice and zest of 1/2 lemon
6 egg whites
1 cucumber, diced
1 cup fresh podded peas
1/2 bunch dill, leaves picked
180g (6oz.) hot smoked salmon, flaked
1 tbsp each pumpkin and sunflower seeds
2 tbsp olive oil
Low-fat feta cheese to garnish (optional)

Preparation:

1. Rinse and drain chickpeas and mixed beans. Place into a bowl with finely chopped red onion. Using a juicer, juice apple, 1 celery stick and 1 carrot. Mix with lemon juice and zest. Pour this juice over chickpea, bean, and onion mix, cover and refrigerate overnight.
2. Lightly beat egg whites and pour into a large hot non-stick skillet (frying pan). Cook a few minutes each side, then turn the omelet out onto a board and roll up. Allow to cool and slice finely.
3. Drain the chickpea and bean mixture. Place into a large bowl, retaining the liquid. Add 1 diced cucumber, 1 diced celery stick, 1 diced carrot and the smoked salmon with all remaining ingredients.
4. Whisk half of the reserved liquid with olive oil and drizzle over the salad to serve. Crumble feta over the top if desired.

Serves 4

Recipe courtesy of Blood Sugar: Inspiring Recipes For Anyone Facing The Challenge of Diabetes and Maintaining Good Health by Michael Moore.

Australia

Banana and Berry Iced Smoothie Recipe

This is an iced breakfast treat. Use ripe fruit.

Ingredients:
3 large ripe bananas, peeled and sliced
juice and zest of 1 lemon
1 tbsp agave syrup
1 cup non-fat natural yogurt
1 cup low-fat milk
1 cup bran
1 punnet (150 g/5 oz.) raspberries

Preparation:

1. Blend bananas with lemon, agave, yogurt , milk and bran until smooth. Pour into a deep dish. Cover with plastic wrap and freeze until semi-frozen for about 2 hours.
2. To serve, spoon balls of banana mixture and layer in tall glasses. Top with fresh raspberries; serve immediately.

Serves 4 - 6

Recipe courtesy of Blood Sugar: Inspiring Recipes for Anyone Facing the Challenge of Diabetes and Maintaining Good Health by Michael Moore

Australia [ print this recipe for Banana and Berry Iced Smoothie ]