A new low-carb support thread for 2016

I missed the programme, but found the recipe on line and it seems to include a lot of date syrup? I was thinking that it might be possible to add figs (and a spot of brandy?) to my chocolate mousse made with only chocolate and eggs.

I have just watched 'Eating Well With Hemsley and Hemsley' on Channel 4. They cook without grains, gluten or refined sugar. Tonight's programme included cauli mash and a yummy chocolate and fig dessert. It looks like a useful series for low carb eaters.

I have just ordered Za'atar from Amazon. Lots to choose from*Blinko*, and welcome.

Hi, I'm new to this thread (though not to GN) and I'm loving reading everyone's yummy recipe suggestions. Can someone please tell me where I can buy za'atar? Great! Looking forward to trying as many as poss [yum]

I feel a bit more positive this morning. We had 2 fasting days back to back and 2 long walks, and I have lost 2lb. The lovely weather has helped. A bit overcast today though. Still glass half full

How was the cauliflower merlot? I keep meaning to try that.
We are trying to clear the freezer before we start on this year's crops, so tonight it will be a selection of things labelled "possibly Persian vegetable stew" or "courgette jalfrezi or similar".
We are off to one of the big markets round here today and I think the summer fruit is starting to come up from the south so the annual temptation of cherries, apricots, melons and peaches will start....

All sounds delicious! Barbecued veal chops and ratatouille from freezer here as we have been flogging away in the garden - will it ever end?

We are on a fast day. So it was a walk this morning ( heard a cuckoo) then back for breakfast . DH smoked salmon and scrambled egg, me , avocado and scrambled egg. Tonight chicken salad.
Bit down at the moment as weight again seems to be stuck . Hey Ho onward and upward

We're trying roasted (half) cauliflower today. A liberal drizzle of oil rubbed over the top and a sprinkling of 1/2 tspn sumac and 1/2 tspn ground cumin. Roast for half an hour (I will check because my oven is quite fierce) then another drizzzle of oil and chopped parsley.

Should go nicely with chicken.

The aubergine cheesecake was a great success and so easy to make - highly recommended.

I followed The Guardian recipe and just doubled the amounts and used a deep roasting tin. Next time I will add a bit more oregano and a hint of chilli flakes.

Wish I'd taken a photo as it looked really lovely - better than the picture in the article! I served it with a green salad and roasted red peppers

Boys? Bits!

TOD - thank you for the memory nudge. There was a dish I used to cook - a sort of ratatouille (though I often tossed extra veggies in) into which I dropped a few eggs, grated cheese on top and then popped under the grill to set the eggs and melt the cheese.

Now you've reminded me that's lunch sorted and it's great for using up those boys of left-over veg and left-over cheese. Good one for veggies too.

Nana3 spag bol with spiralised veg (sweet potato our favourite, but courgette, carrot, butternut squash {or a mixture of these}) is really great too.

I think I did okay Thursday and Friday.
I made spaghetti bolognese for the GC yesterday and OH and I had the sauce with roasted vegetables no pasta.
Took the GC for a walk in the bluebell woods today (it was beautiful) and there was an icecream van, yes I had one, no will power.

I sometimes make a roasted butternut squash frittata based on one of Nigella's recipes, baked in the oven. I have to make half quantities, as I know I shall keep returning to the fridge until it has gone! I include anything I have in the house, like leeks, bacon, cream, Parmesan and Feta, which make it delicious!

Yes I have made the aubergine cheesecake several times Riverwalk. It is delicious and equally nice cold the next day. Oregano and Za'atar are perfect.

2.45am ! I was using stuff up last night and roasted a sweet potato and a squash , just before they were ready I cracked eggs into the dish then finished it off until the eggs were set . Gosh , it was so good that's why I'm up - I woke and could still smell it so have run down and eaten out of the fridge with a fork ! A wee bit like Nigella !
Having the rest for lunch today ! Being on this diet has made me enjoy food more !

Tomorrow I'm cooking a vegetarian dinner - has anyone made Ottolenghi's aubergine cheesecake?

It's been around for ages but I've never actually made it but do use aubergines quite often.

Does it need anything else other than the oregano and za'taar?

Aubergine cheesecake

That sound yummy Mamie - enjoy

Sorry, forgot to welcome desistew2

Welcome now (hangs head in shame)

Welcome desistew2
That sounds really nice Anya. I love haddock.
We are having a barbie again - lemon chicken and "riste d'aubergine" a sort of aubergine and tomato stew that we buy from the organic supemarket.

I did a new take on cauliflower cheese by adding fish as I felt I needed a bit more protein that day. Honest it tasted great.

I used haddock and popped it in the oven for a few minutes while I steamed the cauliflower lightly (please note Rowan ) and made the cheese sauce as per usual but substituting flour with cornflour (sp?) (need less, no gluten) and added a healthy dash of Dijon mustard.

Then I layered half the sauce over the fish. added the cauliflower, topped that with the rest of the sauce and some grated cheese and popped it back in the oven. I served it with steamed broccoli for extra veggie value.

I've been sugar-free for the last 6 weeks - it's been a bit of a learning curve and a process of discovery. You can't cut out every bit of sugar all at once but I've learned to read labels on everything I buy and gradually got rid of everything in my fridge and cupboards that contain sugar. I'm shocked to discover how much "hidden sugar" is in everyday foods.... in packet soup, in ketchup, sauces, mayonnaise even in my favourite spice blends.... We are getting hooked on sugar without knowing it!
The great thing about my new diet is that I never feel hunger pangs anymore - I feel full for much longer and really don't crave anything sweet anymore. Added bonus is not feeling so tired, sleeping better and losing weight! Yeah!!!

Cauliflower mash...yum! Anybody ever frozen it, or was there never any left?

Just to say what a lovely thread this is where everyone is supportive and helpful with recipe ideas. It really encourages me to keep plodding on, not sure how well would have coped alone. Thank you everyone

Lazigirl they do say if you lose 10% of your body fat you are well on the way to normalising your blood sugar. I lost 18lb on the 8 week reverse bs diet and am now on low carb and 5:2 mixed. I continue to lose weight but a little more slowly than before. I have however stuck religiously to the diet and feel energised, sleep better and never need an antacid tablet. I too shall probably stick with this way of eating.