Dieting/Low Carbs

[EmmaG]

Well I do feel better today, I think it must be a bug as I was very very sick on Saturday and my tummy is very tender today although I am getting my appetite back. I had the day off work yesterday and I spent most of it asleep.

It could have been something I ate, but I don't think it was, Oh well one of those things I will never be sure about.

Donna I don't think anybody should ever beat themselves up on a diet if they have the odd mishap, just put it down to being human and continue.

Even when I low carb I sometimes have the odd thing that is perhaps not so low carb, it cannot be avoided sometimes. Don't feel bad about it

[EmmaG]

Originally Posted by Donna

Do you make this all yourself? Would love to know the recipe and what/how do you do roasted veg? (Yes I know I sound like a complete dunce!!! )

Donna meatballs are Sainburys own brand. I am sure I can find a recipe for you though

When I roast my veg I use the following

Carrot peeled and cut into large chunks
Butternut squash peeled and cut into large chunks
Parsnip peeled and cut into large chunks

You can also use onions, aubergines, courgettes etc (parsnips and carrots are quite high in carbs, but I still manage to eat them ok, and I have them in moderation)

Place all veg on baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and pop into an oven 200c for about 30 mins until they have just started going black around the edges, this makes them very sweet.

[Donna]

So do you buy meatballs in a tin or from the fresh meat or what? Happier to buy ready made, but what sauce do you use?

God I am useless at cooking food!!

[EmmaG]

Meatballs in tomato sauce

Ingredients
For the meatballs
2 tbsp olive oil
150g/5oz onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
900g/2lb freshly minced beef
2 tbsp freshly chopped herbs, such as marjoram, or 1 tbsp rosemary
1 free-range egg, beaten
salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 tbsp olive oil
For the tomato sauce
3 tbsp olive oil
110g/4oz onion, sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed
150g/5¼oz fresh mozzarella, grated
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 x 400g/14oz cans tomatoes

Method
1. Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a heavy stainless steel saucepan over a gentle heat and add the onion and garlic. Cover and sweat for four minutes, until soft and a little golden. Allow to cool.
2. In a bowl, mix the minced beef with the cold sweated onion and garlic. Add the herbs and the beaten egg. Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
3. Fry a tiny bit to check the seasoning and adjust if necessary. Divide the mixture into approximately 24 round balls. Cover the meatballs and refrigerate until required.
4. Meanwhile, make the tomato sauce. Heat the oil in a stainless steel saucepan.
5. Add the sliced onion and the crushed garlic, toss until coated, cover, and sweat on a gentle heat until soft and pale golden.
6. Slice the canned tomatoes and add, with all the juice, to the onion mixture.
7. Season the contents with salt and freshly ground pepper.
8. Cook the tomatoes uncovered for approximately 30 minutes or until the tomato softens (while this is cooking make the meatballs).
9. Heat a frying pan and cook the meatballs for about 10 minutes in about three tablespoons of olive oil.
10. When they are cooked, put them into an ovenproof dish with the tomato sauce and top with the grated mozzarella. Place under a preheated grill until the cheese has melted.
11. Serve with roasted veg

[Donna]

Thanks Emma. Thats not too hard!! And all I need to buy is herbs and the olive oil. Never bought it in my life!!

To show you just how bad a cook I am, I dont even own kitchen scales!!! Finding it hard at the moment as Emma my daughter is doing cooking for school and we are guessing measurements - must get some!!

[EmmaG]

Originally Posted by Donna

So do you buy meatballs in a tin or from the fresh meat or what? Happier to buy ready made, but what sauce do you use?

God I am useless at cooking food!!

They were in a foil try in Sainsburys, they are called "just cook - meatballs with spicy tomato sauce" Most of the sainsburys "just cook" is just fresh ingredients, and quite low carb. The carb level for 1/2 packet is 9.6 but I am only having 5 meatballs out of the 12 in the packet and only a bit of the tomato sauce as the OH will have the rest with some pasta. Most of the carbs in this dish is coming from the tomato sauce

[EmmaG]

I got my scales from argos many moons ago they are digital ones and very good, not too expensive either.

[Donna]

Yes I have seen a nice digital/chrome/glass one for £9.99 in there which will go nice in my kitchen when it gets done. But its just going out to buy them. Not desperately needed so keep forgetting/putting off etc.

[EmmaG]

after a while Donna of cooking food from scratch you will get a feel for how much of an ingredient you need in a recipe, the only time I do use my scales now is if I am making pastry.

[Donna]

So many things I dont have: scales, mixing bowls, ingredients, how have I managed for so long????

I moved into my house three years ago and all I had was a carrier bag of belongings!!! Now it is fully furnished and very comfortable, but I still dont own kitchen scales!!!