Low Carb Diabetic Diet

Soaking: Dried pulses are easy to cook, but you need to plan ahead as must pulses have to be soaked in cold water for about twelve hours, sometimes more (e.g. dried broad beans are soaked for two days, but this is unusual). Lentils do not usually require any soaking at all. Don’t put off by the thought of soaking pulses; it is really no work at all. First rinse pulses and remove any dark-looking ones and any of the small stones that sometimes find their way into the pack. Soak pulses in 3 or 4 times their volume of cold water and keep in a cool place. Too warm an atmosphere could make them ferment.

Quick soaking: A long soaking is preferable, but no one is perfect and you may have forgotten to put your beans in water. In this case, bring the rinsed pulses and cold water to the boil for 2-3 mins. Turn off the heat, cover and wait till the beans get plump before cooking again as indicated.

Low Carb Diabetic Diet

Eggplant has a bitter but rich, satisfying taste that marries well with other full-flavored Mediterranean-style vegetables, like capsicum, tomatoes, garlic and zucchini.

Select: small but full-looking eggplants with glossy, dark purple skins and no blemishes.

Preparation: Wash eggplant first. Small eggplants can be pan-fired or baked as they are. Large or older ones need to be halved or sliced and either soaked in very salty water or sprinkled with salt and left to stand for about 30 mins. The salt absorbs moisture and bitterness. After this time, squeeze the eggplant by hand or dry with a cloth or kitchen paper before cooking.  Baked eggplant is delicious and the vegetable can also be stuffed. To do this, halve the eggplant and remove a little of the flesh before cooking. Baked eggplant is delicious, and the vegetable can also stuffed. To do this, halve the eggplant with either a forcemeat, a vegetable preparation such as ratatouille, or a rice and vegetable stuffing.

Suggested seasoning: Thyme, rosemary, oregano, parsley, basil, garlic, lemon juice.

Low Carb Diabetic Diet

Children love raw celery, and it is an excellent way for them to start a meal when they are ‘starving’. Raw celery is delicious in salads.

Select: Celery with fresh-looking, unblemished leaves. The outer stalks should be light green, crisp and firm, and the inner, more tender stalks paler in colour.

Preparation: Cut and discard thick, tough, upper portion of celery, leaves included. The thicker, outer sticks sometimes need to be peeled to remove tough strings. Wash and cut celery into pieces before steaming, stir-frying, microwaving, boiling or cooking in a casserole. The smooth, buttery texture of blended cooked celery mixed with a little cooking liquid makes an ideal substitute for cream, or butter in sauces to accompany fish, white meats and vegetables.

Suggested Seasoning: Freshly  ground black pepper, parsley, tarragon, chopped tomato, cummin.

Low Carb Diabetic Diet

You may be surprised to learn that leeks are the favorite vegetable of the French. Leeks are most readily available in winter, and like all vegetables are best when in season.

Select: small leeks with deep green, unblemished leaves and a shine white base.

Preparation: Cut length wise into quarters, leaving the base intact. Wash well in lukewarm water to dissolve dirt caught between the leaves. RInse in cold water before either steaming, stir-frying, boiling ot microwaving. Leeks are delivious cooked in a broth with other vegetables and are usually cut into about three pieces and ties together with string before going into the pot.

Suggested seasoning: Lemon juice, grated cheese, parsley, chervil, chives, freshly ground black pepper.

Low Carb Diabetic Diet