Monthly Archives: August 2013

Skinny Gazpacho for a 5:2 Fast Day

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This chilled soup recipe is simply scrumptious and only 55 calories for a generous serving. I have avoided the bread and olive oil of my traditional recipe and can’t say I really miss them,  I found that by blending until as smooth as possible and then sieving out the seeds, the end result is just as satisfying.

Skinny Gazpacho

At this time of year, tomatoes are ripening quickly and this is a fabulous way of using them, especially if you are lucky enough to have a glut of home grown ones. The soup freezes well.

Skinny Gazpacho
Serves 8
A light and delicious summer soup to serve chilled. I have kept it to the barest and simplest, so you really need good sun-ripened tomatoes for the best flavour.
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Prep Time
45 min
Total Time
45 min
Prep Time
45 min
Total Time
45 min
Ingredients
  1. 2 kg ripe tomatoes
  2. 2 green peppers (capsicum), de-seeded
  3. 1/2 cucumber, peeled
  4. 2 shallots (or a few spring onions), trimmed
  5. 3 cloves garlic
  6. 1 tsp ground cumin
  7. freshly ground black pepper
  8. sea salt
Instructions
  1. Score the tomatoes and put into a large bowl or pan, cover with boiling water, leave for about 30 seconds and then lift out with a slotted spoon and leave to cool (you might need to do this in two batches).
  2. Remove the skins and cut out the cores, chopping the remaining flesh roughly.
  3. Finely the cucumber, pepper and shallots and set some aside for garnish.
  4. Finely chop the garlic.
  5. In batches, puree the tomatoes along with the cucumber, pepper, shallots and garlic, then pass through a sieve into a large bowl.
  6. Season with freshly ground black pepper and ground cumin and stir well.
  7. Chill thoroughly.
  8. Serve with a topping of chopped vegetables, a sprinkle of cumin and a crumble of sea salt.
Notes
  1. You can vary the quantities of vegetables.
  2. If your tomatoes are not sweet and ripe, a dash of sherry or balsamic vinegar may enhance the flavour.
  3. If you don't have time to get the soup really well chilled, serve with a couple of ice cubes floating on top.
  4. For non-fasters, you can add croutons or garlic breadsticks.
  5. For a more substantial meal, add chopped hard-boiled egg as a garnish too.
Focus on Flavour https://www.focusonflavour.com/

Celebrating a 5:2 Summer – Tomato and Feta Filo Tart <400 calories

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This recipes combines some of my favourite summer ingredients – tomatoes and basil, with filo pastry and feta cheese – to make a delightful starter when entertaining, or a yummy fast day meal.

 

Tomato and Feta Filo Tart

 

Recipe serves 4 as a main course (380 calories) or 8 as a starter (190 calories).

Tomato and Feta Filo Tart
Serves 8
a celebration of luscious ripe tomatoes - serves 8 as a starter or 4 as a main course
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
45 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
30 min
Total Time
45 min
Ingredients
  1. 6 sheets filo pastry
  2. 1.5 tbsp olive oil
  3. 2 tbsp pesto
  4. 100g feta cheese, crumbled
  5. 6 large tomatoes, sliced
  6. salt and pepper
  7. 12 basil leaves
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 210C
  2. Line a large baking sheet with a piece of baking parchment (facilitates removal of the tart later!)
  3. Lay as sheet of filo on the paper and brush lightly with oil.
  4. Lay another sheet of pastry on top, then lift and turn over (this helps to use much less oil than brushing each sheet)
  5. Repeat until all 6 sheets of pastry have been used.
  6. Turn over the edges to make a neat outer rim.
  7. Brush the pesto evenly over the top, then crumble over half of the feta cheese.
  8. Arrange the tomato slices over the top
  9. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle over the remaining feta cheese.
  10. Bake until the pastry is crisp and golden, about 30 minutes.
  11. Cool in the pan then transfer to a board.
  12. Scatter the basil over, then slice and serve warm or coo, with crisp salad leaves
Notes
  1. 8 servings of 193 calories each, or 4 servings of 386 calories.
Adapted from Eating Well
Adapted from Eating Well
Focus on Flavour https://www.focusonflavour.com/