Recipes Archives - Defying Diabetes

Turmeric Latte Recipe

21st January 202320th January 2023 christinasmithdd

Here is a turmeric latte recipe which is delicious and perfect for the winter months! This is also a great coffee alternative if you are looking to cut down on caffeine.

Turmeric and ginger have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, providing many health benefits! Cinnamon adds an earthy flavour, while aiding blood glucose balance by promoting insulin sensitivity.

Serves 1/2

Macros:

Calories: 72
Carbohydrates: 9.6g
of which sugars: 7g
Fibre: 1g
Protein: 1.5g
Fat: 3.5g

Ingredients:

350ml almond or oat milk
1/4 tsp ground turmeric
1/2 tsp vanilla essence
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp organic honey
Grind of black pepper (which aids the absorption of turmeric!)

Turmeric Latte Method:

1.Put all of the ingredients into either a milk frother or a saucepan.

2. If you are using a saucepan, continuously whisk on gentle heat until the milk is hot.

3. Now pour into your mug.

4. Next, enjoy! 🙂

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If you liked this post, be sure to check out Coffee and diabetes and Spiced Pumpkin Cappuccino Cake!

Recipes

Praline Yule Log Recipe!

17th December 202215th November 2022 christinasmithdd

Every Christmas I love to make a Yule Log as a treat, so here is my Praline Yule Log recipe! This is super fun to make with your family and is a great way to start the festive season.

Keep reading for the rest of the recipe and macros!

Serves 10

Macros:

Calories: 374
Carbohydrates: 54g
of which sugars: 43g
Fibre: 2g
Protein: 11g
Fat: 22.5g

Ingredients:

For the sponge:

3 medium eggs (use large if using gluten free flour)
85g golden caster sugar
85g plain flour
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking powder

For the filling and ganache:

200ml whipping cream, or Oatly whippable
150g dark chocolate (70%)
1 tbsp runny honey
Pinch Himalayan salt
50g Nutella

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Grease and line a 23 x 32cm tin with baking paper.

2. Next, use an electric whisk to beat the eggs and sugar together for around 5 minutes (until fluffy).

3. Fold in the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder until completely combined.

4. Spread the cake mixture into the tin and bake for around 10-12 minutes. Once it is cooked, set the cake aside to cool.

5. For the ganache, gently heat the cream in a saucepan until it is warm. Take it off the heat and break the dark chocolate into the cream. Once this is combined add the honey and a pinch of salt.

6. Let the ganache sit for 1 minute, then place it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. Next, use an electric whisk to whip the ganache for around 2 minutes.

7. Lay a piece of baking paper on the counter and dust lightly with icing sugar. Lay out the sponge and spread on a generous layer of Nutella. Next, spread a layer of ganache on top of the Nutella.

8. Starting with the end furthest from you, roll up the cake keeping it as tight as possible.

9. Once rolled, transfer the Yule Log onto your serving plate. Now spread the remaining ganache over the top, use a fork to create a ripple effect.

10. Sprinkle the Yule Log with icing sugar and your chosen Christmas decorations.

11. Next, enjoy! 🙂

Thank you for reading my Praline Yule Log Recipe! Give this festive treat a go and be sure to subscribe and follow me on Instagram!

If you liked this post be sure to check out Homemade mince pie recipe! and How to stay on track this Christmas!

top view of an elegant table set up for christmas

Recipes

5 Christmas Dinner Tips!

10th December 202215th November 2022 christinasmithdd

Here are 5 Christmas dinner tips to make your meal extra special. For me each component of the Christmas dinner plate needs to be jazzed up to bring the meal together!

1. Seasoning your meat

I think it is vital to add some flavours and seasonings to the meat to make it more interesting!

Place the bird on a large piece of foil. Stuff it with half a lemon and 5 cloves of garlic (or one per person).

On the exterior, coat with butter, turmeric, smoked paprika, garlic granules, salt and black pepper. Squeeze the other half of the lemon over the top.

Next, roast according to the size of the bird.

Before serving, let it rest in fresh foil and top with fresh rosemary.

2. How to Brussel up your sprouts

Brussels are probably the most hated part on the Christmas dinner plate. That’s why I add some flavours so (nearly) everyone likes them!

Firstly, steam your Brussels for 5 minutes.

Next, fry off some lardons, then add the Brussels (cut in half), 1 crushed garlic clove, chestnuts, oregano and black pepper.

3. Honey glazed carrots and parsnips

Peel the carrots/parsnips and chop them in half vertically. Put them in the roasting tray and drizzle of olive oil, roast for around 25 minutes.

Take them out and drizzle with honey and a dash of white wine vinegar. Roast for a further 15-20 minutes.

Add some sesame seeds before serving!

4. Jazzing up your potatoes

The key to delicious roast potatoes is all down to par-boiling them before roasting.

Wash and peel your potatoes, then add boiling water to the saucepan. Allow them to boil for around 8 minutes. In the mean time, heat the roasting tray with plenty of olive oil.

Next, drain the potatoes and toss them in the warm oil. Add a pinch of salt, black pepper, oregano and powdered garlic.

Now roast them for 1 hour on 200 degrees.

Once they are cooked, add a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds!

5. Roasted onion gravy

Gravy brings the whole plate together and adds moisture to each component of the dish. I love to add some onion to add richness to the plate.

To do this, peel and cut 1 or 2 large while onions in half and roast them with the potatoes, carrots and parsnips for 25-30 minutes.

Once they are cooked, use a sharp knife to cut them into slithers.

After you have made the gravy, stir the onions in with a generous crack of black pepper.

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If you liked this post, be sure to check out How to stay on track this Christmas! and Christmas activity ideas!

Recipes

Bang Bang Cauliflower for the Festive Season!

3rd December 202221st November 2022 christinasmithdd

Here is my bang bang cauliflower recipe, which is perfect to make for a festive buffet. You can even use your leftover cauliflower from your roast dinner!

Serves 4

Macros:

Calories: 58
Carbohydrates: 8g
of which sugars: 4g
Fibre: 2.5g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 2g

Ingredients:

1/2 Cauliflower
2 Spring onions

For the sauce:
2 tsps grated fresh ginger
2 crushed garlic cloves
1/2 tbsp sesame oil
1 tsp ketchup
1 tsp honey
Drizzle white rice vinegar
1/2 small red chilli
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tbsp soy sauce
Sesame seeds for garnish
Fresh coriander for garnish

Method:

1.Chop the cauliflower into small florets. Dry fry the cauliflower on a medium heat for around 2 minutes to give it colour.

2. Next, add the sesame oil and a splash of water, lower the heat and let the cauliflower soften for around 5 minutes.

3. While the cauliflower is cooking, add all of the sauce ingredients into a bowl and mix until combined.

4. Add the sauce and 1 chopped spring onion into the pan, heat this through for around 1 minute.

5. Serve into a bowl and garnish with the remaining spring onion, coriander and sesame seeds.

6. Next, enjoy! 🙂

Thank you for reading 3 Festive Canapés for this Christmas! Be sure to subscribe and follow me on Instagram!

If you liked this post, be sure to check out 3 must make Christmas canapés! and Ginger Cookies you have to make this Christmas!

Recipes

Orange & Mustard Chicken Pasta

19th November 202222nd October 2022 christinasmithdd

Here is my delicious Orange & Mustard Chicken Pasta, this dish is so fresh and perfect for this time of year! This is also super easy to make, so it will become a staple recipe for you!

Serves 2

Macros:

Calories: 742
Carbohydrates: 88g
of which sugars: 16g
Fibre: 5.5g
Protein: 56g
Fat: 17g

Ingredients:

Juice of 2 oranges
2 tablespoons mustard
1 tbsp olive oil
2 chicken breast
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Oregano
200ml chicken stock
30g flaked almonds
150g dried fusilli pasta
125g broccoli
1 large white onion
2 cloves garlic
3 handfuls of rocket
Salt and black pepper

Method:

1. Chop the broccoli, onion and garlic.

2. Next, cube the chicken into a large saucepan and brown with 1 tbsp olive oil. Once the chicken is browned, add the broccoli, onion, garlic and season with paprika, oregano, salt and pepper. Fry this off for around 5 minutes.

3. Now add the stock, soy sauce, orange juice, mustard and let this simmer for around 10 minutes. Cook the pasta while this is simmering.

reducing stock - orange & mustard chicken pasta

4. Once the pasta is cooked and the stock has reduced by half, stir the pasta and almonds into the chicken. Let this combine for a minute or two.

5. Once it is combined, serve up the pasta. Garnish with fresh rocket and grate some fresh orange zest over the top.

6. Next, enjoy! 🙂

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If you liked this post, be sure to check out Jamie Oliver’s Jerk Chicken Recipe and Butternut Squash soup recipe!

Recipes

Spiced Pumpkin Cappuccino Cake!

29th October 202228th October 2022 christinasmithdd

My Halloween recipe this year is an amazing Spiced Pumpkin Cappuccino Cake! It is absolutely delicious, and it’s a perfect treat for spooky season.

Serves 12-16 – this recipe makes two small loaf cakes

Macros: (18-20 portions)

Calories: 362
Carbohydrates: 45g
of which sugars: 23g
Fibre: 1g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 20g

Ingredients:

For the sponge:

300g self-raising flour
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp cinnnamon powder
2 tsp ground nutmeg
4 medium eggs
200g melted unsalted butter
200g brown sugar
75g sultanas
500g fresh grated pumpkin flesh
Zest of 1 orange
Juice of half an orange
3 tbsp coffee and chicory essence

For the icing:

100g icing sugar
200g softened unsalted butter – make sure it is room temperature!
Zest of 1 orange (save some for decoration)
Juice of half an orange
2 tbsp coffee and chicory essence
Pumpkin seeds for decoration
Orange zest for decoration
Chocolate powder for dusting

Method:

1.Preheat your oven to 160 degrees and line the tins with baking paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and sultanas.

3. In a separate mixing bowl combine the eggs, butter, coffee syrup, orange zest and juice.

4. Next, fold the liquid mixture into the dry mix. Now add the fresh grated pumpkin and fold until combined.

5. Pour the batter into the tins and bake for around 35 minutes, check it is cooked with a skewer.

6. For the icing, add all of the ingredients into a large mixing bowl, stir until combined.

7. Once the cake is cooked and cooled, top with icing and decorate with pumpkin seeds, orange zest and chocolate powder.

8. Next, enjoy! 🙂

Thank you for reading my Spiced Pumpkin Cappuccino Cake! Be sure to subscribe and follow me on Instagram!

If you liked this post, be sure to check out Halloween pumpkin soup recipe! and Healthy Halloween Rocky Road Recipe!

Recipes

Slow-cooked Beef Adobo

8th October 20228th October 2022 christinasmithdd

Here is my delicious slow-cooked beef adobo recipe! This is so easy and convenient to make, it will become a go-to recipe for the winter!

Serve with either rice or noodles.

*You can also make this in a slow-cooker, put in all the ingredients and leave it on low heat for at least 8 hours. Using slow-cookers is also great at saving electricity and money!

Serves 5

Macros: (no sides included)

Calories: 404
Carbohydrates: 16g
of which sugars: 7.5g
Fibre: 1g
Protein: 20g
Fat: 37g

Ingredients:

500g cubed beef (organic if possible)
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
400ml coconut milk
75ml rice vinegar
125ml soy sauce
Juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp light brown sugar
2 star anise
3 bay leaves
4 cloves of garlic
1 large white onion
1 small red chilli
Small bunch coriander
Black pepper

Method:

1.Heat the olive oil in a large pan and add the cubed beef, onion, garlic and chilli. Lightly fry until the beef is browned.

2. Next, add the rest of the ingredients with a generous crack of black pepper and bring to the boil.

3. Now reduce to a low heat, cover it with a lid, and allow this to cook for around 2 hours. Stir every 30 minutes if possible.

4. After 2 hours, check the consistency of the sauce. If it is really runny, increase the heat again to reduce it.

5. Once you are happy with the consistency, serve it up with your choice of side (I usually go for rice!). Top with fresh coriander.

6. Next, enjoy! 🙂

Thank you for reading my Slow-Cooked Beef Adobo recipe! Be sure to subscribe and follow me on Instagram!

If you liked this post, be sure to check out my Butternut Squash soup recipe! and my Delicious recipes for curry night!

Recipes

Thai-style Chicken Meatballs!

10th September 20227th September 2022 christinasmithdd

Here is the full recipe for my Thai chicken meatballs, made with fresh lemon grass and red chilli. The meatballs can be served with noodles, pasta or rice and drizzled with sweet chilli sauce.

This recipe is has great macros which you can see below. Keep reading for the full recipe!

Serves 4

Macros: (chicken meatballs only)

Calories: 233
Carbohydrates: 19g
of which sugars: 7g
Fibre: 1g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 5g

Ingredients:

500g chicken breast mince
1 small red chilli (finely chopped)
1 stalk fresh lemon grass (finely chopped)
5 spring onions (finely chopped)
2 tbsp Thai fish sauce
30g caster sugar
1 tbsp corn flour
4 tbsp fresh coriander (finely chopped)
4 tbsp Thai sweet chilli sauce
Black pepper

Method:

1.Gently heat the sugar and fish sauce in a saucepan. Once the sugar has dissolved, remove from the heat and stir in the lemon grass and red chilli. Let it cool for around 10 minutes.

2. Next, stir the sauce, spring onions, cornflour, coriander and black pepper into the chicken mince.

3. Lightly cover your hands with flour and shape the mixture into balls. Place them on a plate (it should make around 20 meatballs).

4. Put the meatballs in the fridge for around 30 minutes.

5. Next, gently heat some olive oil in a frying pan . Fry the meatballs for around 15 minutes, turning them so they cook evenly.

6. Once the meatballs are cooked, serve them up with your choice of carb, drizzle with sweet chilli sauce and some extra coriander.

7. Next, enjoy 🙂

Thank you for reading my Thai-style Chicken Meatballs! Give it a go, and be sure to subscribe and follow me on Instagram!

If you liked this post, be sure to check out my Turkey Burger recipe and Jamie Oliver’s Jerk Chicken Recipe

Recipes

3 Delicious Summer Dips!

13th August 202212th August 2022 christinasmithdd

Here are 3 delicious dips that are perfect for summer! The red pepper hummus, beetroot guacamole and salsa verde are all super easy to make, and will impress your summer party and BBQ guests!

The macros for all dips are listed below, the red pepper hummus, beetroot guacamole and salsa verde provide different colours and different essential nutrients to keep your diet varied!

Estimated macros per portions:

Red pepper hummus:

Calories: 75
Carbohydrates: 5g
of which sugars: 1g
Fibre: 1.5g
Fat: 5.5g
Protein: 2g

Beetroot guacamole:

Calories: 63
Carbohydrates: 7g
of which sugars: 3g
Fibre: 3g
Fat: 4g
Protein: 2g

Salsa Verde:

Calories: 63
Carbohydrates: 0g
of which sugars: 0g
Fibre: 0g
Fat: 7g
Protein: 0g

Ingredients:

Red pepper hummus:

1 can cooked chickpeas
2 roasted red bell peppers (either jarred or pre-roast them yourself)
60ml tahini
Juice 2 lemons
1 garlic clove
2 tbsp either extra virgin olive oil or sesame oil
1 tsp smoked paprika
2-3 tbsp water
Salt and pepper

Beetroot guacamole:

1 large avocado
80g marinated beetroot
Juice of 1 lime
1 spring onion
5 cherry tomatoes
1 small bunch coriander
Olive oil if needed
Salt and pepper

Salsa Verde:

1 bunch fresh parsley
1 lunch fresh mint
2 tbsp capers
1 garlic clove
2.5 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
120ml extra virgin olive oil

Methods:

Red pepper hummus:

1.Add the tahini and lemon juice to the blender and blitz until it whips.

2. Next, add the oil, garlic, paprika, salt and pepper to the tahini mix. Blend for another 30 seconds.

3. Open, drain and rinse the chickpeas then add half to the blender. Blend for around 1 minute, then add the remaining chickpeas along with the roasted red peppers.

4. Blend for another minute or so, add olive oil to loosen the mixture if necessary.

5. Next, enjoy!

Beetroot guacamole:

1.Scoop the avocado and place in the blender with the coriander, lime juice, tomatoes, spring onion, beetroot, salt and pepper.

2. Blend until smooth, if it is lumpy add some olive oil to add more liquid.

3. Next, enjoy!

Salsa Verde:

1.Put the capers in a bowl and cover with boiling water. Let this sit for 1 minute to remove some excess salt.

2. Next, put the mint, parsley, capers, mustard, olive oil, garlic and apple cider vinegar in a blender. Blitz until roughly chopped and combined.

Thank you for reading my 3 Delicious Summer Dips! Give them all a go, they are delicious! Be sure to subscribe and follow me on Instagram!

If you liked this post be sure to check out my My tasty 5 minute salad and Peri-Peri chicken recipe

Recipes

Healthy Cheesecake Recipe!

16th July 20226th July 2022 christinasmithdd

Here is my healthy cheesecake recipe which is the perfect summer dessert! Be sure to give this super easy recipe a go!

Serves 14

Macros:

Calories: 296
Carbohydrates: 21g
of which sugars: 8.5g
Fibre: 1.3g
Protein: 3.5g
Fat: 19g

Ingredients:

250g GF Nairn’s chocolate chip biscuits
100g coconut oil
2 tsp vanilla essence
400g mascarpone cream cheese
200g greek yogurt
250g Oatly whippable creamy oat
5 tablespoons organic honey
Strawberries for the top

Method:

1.Use coconut oil to grease the bottom of you1r loose-bottom tin. Next, place the Nairn’s biscuits and pulse until they resemble crumbs.

2. Pour the crumbs into a bowl with the melted coconut oil and stir until combined. Tip this mixture into the tin and use a spoon to press it down to form a firm base layer.

3. Next, place the cream cheese, yogurt, vanilla and honey into a bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Add the whippable creamy oat and continue beating the mixture until it is combined and smooth.

4. Pour the mixture on top of the base and smooth over with a spoon.

5. Chop up the strawberries and decorate the top of the cheesecake.

6. Leave the cheesecake to set for at least 6 hours (overnight is ideal!)

7. Next, enjoy! 🙂

Thank you for reading my Healthy cheesecake recipe! Be sure to subscribe and follow us on Instagram!

If you liked this post, be sure to check out my Strawberry jam cake recipe and my Apple and Blackberry Crumble