Category: Sugar free

Sugar free banana cake (with video)

Published on by Teresa Ulyate4 Comments
It is March and in my house that equals birthdays and lots of baking! I made this cake earlier in the month for my daughter’s school birthday and wanted to avoid added sugar but still make something delicious that the children would love. This cake has a soft, light texture and a delicate banana flavour. Rather than cover the cake with icing I drizzled it with delicious melted carob. This is a great alternative to chocolate!

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A trio of summer spreads – hummus, tzatziki, tuna pâté

Published on by Teresa Ulyate5 Comments

Greetings and Happy New Year everyone! I have had a lovely break, albeit a busy one packed with get togethers with family and friends, bits of admin that we did not get to during the year and plenty of feasting. We even managed to end off with a few days away in beautiful Franschhoek – just my little family, which was a perfect way to end off a busy holiday. It almost made up for the administrative portion of the holiday – because nothing screams “holiday fun” more than having to queue for five hours to renew your car licence and another eight hours for passports! Hey ho.

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Homemade tomato sauce recipe

Homemade tomato sauce

Published on by Teresa Ulyate4 Comments
In the last few months I have been hearing more and more about sugar, particularly the negative effects it has on body and mind. I have become more conscious of my sugar intake, especially the hidden sugars that lurk in most convenience foods, and thinking of ways to reduce it. Wouldn’t it be great, I thought, to develop some sugar-free versions of some of my family’s favourite condiments, starting with that oh-so-delicious but oh-so-sugary tomato sauce. I started working on a recipe, but then life just got crazy busy and my poor little recipe slowly slipped down the to do list and was forgotten for a few weeks.

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Date and nut balls (with video)

Published on by Teresa Ulyate6 Comments

Date balls for snacking.

Warning: parental ramblings ahead! I am sure parents everywhere are breathing a collective sigh of relief as school resumes for the third term. If I am honest I actually quite enjoyed the 3 week break from lunchboxes, school runs and most of all the dreaded “lurgies” that always make their way home from the playground. Yes, the holidays can push any parent’s patience to the limit at times, but all too often I am reminded of how quickly time goes and that this chapter in our family journey is really so fleeting and special. Even when I am knee deep in stuffed toys, picking tiny bits of muesli off the soles of my feet (did I not just sweep that floor 5 minutes ago?!?) and answering the same question for the tenth time whilst pureeing a chicken and veggie concoction for the babe. All to the soundtrack of the washing machine and Disney radio. Special times, chaos and all!

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Strawberry and peach yoghurt pops

Published on by Teresa UlyateLeave a comment
It has been a hot, hawt summer down here in the Cape. Stick-to-your-seat, get-that-fan-on-now kind of hot. If you were a fly on the wall in our home you would witness a similar scene most afternoons. In an attempt to cool down, our three year old (having gradually discarded each item of her clothing as the afternoon has gone on) is usually running around with nothing on by supper time, and small items of clothing and empty princess water bottles are strewn all over the house. Maybe you have a toddler at home too and can relate – please say you do! It must seem a crazy sight.

Having endured some frightfully cold European winters and not so summery summers I do not want to complain too much about the heat, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to autumn just a tiny bit. Yet, in the spirit of summer here is a new recipe for you to enjoy.
In an attempt to beat the heat I whipped these up a few weeks ago. These easy to make yoghurt pops are a fantastic treat to keep in the freezer for those hot and sticky days. My little one loves this two tone snack and its a very effective way to get her to eat some extra fruit. Now, if only I could get her to stay fully clothed for an entire day…
Cook’s note – I only a used a little honey in this recipe, but feel free to add more if you prefer your lolly to be a bit sweeter. This recipe would also work well with other kinds of berries and stone fruit, and you could even play around with different yoghurt flavours. Get the kids involved and have fun!

 

 

STRAWBERRY AND PEACH YOGHURT POPS

  • 250g fresh strawberries, stalks removed and halved
  • 200ml plain yoghurt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 3 peaches, peeled and stoned
  • 6 x 100ml lolly moulds
1.) Place the strawberries, 100ml of the yoghurt, 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp honey in a food processor (or use a stick blender) and whizz until smooth and combined. Taste and add more honey if you prefer a sweeter lolly.

2.) Divide the strawberry mix between the moulds, so that they are each half full. Place in the freezer for 1 hour, or until they are firm to the touch but still soft enough to insert the lolly stick.

3.) Cut the peaches into chunks and whizz up along with the remaining yoghurt, vanilla and honey until combined. Again, you can add additional honey according to taste if you wish. Top up each lolly mould, insert the stick and leave to chill in the freezer until firm.

 

Cheese and rosemary star biscuits.

Cheese and rosemary stars

Published on by Teresa Ulyate1 Comment
 
As we hurtle towards Christmas I am once again left wondering where the time has gone! I always love spending time in my kitchen at this time of the year – preparing food for friends or edible gifts for the family. This time last year I was preparing to host a big family Christmas feast, but this year will be a lot more low-key.

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Mielie bread (corn bread) with sun dried tomatoes

Mielie bread with sun dried tomatoes (with video)

Published on by Teresa Ulyate6 Comments
 

Today’s recipe is going against the current trend somewhat. It seems that every other restaurant I visit has a new banting section on their menu, or is advertising dishes that would make Tim Noakes proud. While I applaud anyone making an effort to eat less sugar and more cauliflower (if you can get your hands on one that is!) I for one will not be cutting out my grains anytime soon. And I am sure that there are many readers out there who feel the same.

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Grilled veggies with za’atar yoghurt

Published on by Teresa UlyateLeave a comment
This last month seems to have flown by in a flurry of activity, and I have popped my head up to find that we are in November already with the weather warming up and Christmas trees springing up all around! It has been a very busy month and I was lucky enough to attend some wonderful events including the launch of the stunning new NoMU Baking Kit range, a fun “Cook With Spice” workshop and a delightful evening at Sinns Restaurant with the Come Wine With Me bunch. My family and I also managed a very short but lovely trip up the east coast to Hermanus. This in between all of the usual running around and family commitments – I am sure you know how it goes!

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