Trying Something New

I’ve been on this FODMAP journey for a few years now, since the end of 2013.  I followed the Stanford University FODMAP plan, completing the full elimination diet before testing what could be added back in. Since that time, I have felt an incredible improvement in how I feel based on what I eat. There have been many days, though, where I would start the day feeling great and as the day went on my stomach would begin to expand and feel uncomfortable, despite not eating anything outside of my normal FODMAP diet.

So, I decided to make a few additional changes to my diet – a combination of some of the Blue Zone guidelines and avoiding inflammation that can be caused by meat.  I’ve completely removed dairy again as well – so we will see how I do without mozzarella for my pizza : (

I’d love to know how you all are doing with the FODMAP diet and what changes you have made as time has gone on with the diet.

This has nothing to do with my new food plans, but this guy is so adorable 🙂

Low-FODMAP Eggplant and Zucchini Casserole

Ingredients

1 medium Italian eggplant, stemmed, peeled, and sliced into 1/4 in. rounds

1 medium zucchini, sliced lengthwise into 1/4 in. thick strips

1 medium yellow summer squash, sliced lengthwise into 1/4 in. thick strips

1 small red bell pepper, chopped

1 tbsp. salt

2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, plus more for baking pan

1 medium onion, chopped into large pieces

1 clove garlic

1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped

Directions

Spread the eggplant slices, zucchini strips, and squash strips on paper towels on your work surface; sprinkle with half of the salt. Turn the vegetables and sprinkle with the remaining salt. Set aside for 30 minutes, then rinse the vegetables and pat dry with fresh paper towels.

Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly oil the inside of a 9-inch square baking dish.

Warm the remaining olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and bell pepper, cooking until soft and fragrant.  Remove the onion and garlic.

Stir in the tomatoes and  basil. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook, uncovered, until the consistency of a thick sauce, about 15 minutes, stirring often.

Spread half the tomato sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Top with even layers of the eggplant rounds, zucchini strips, and summer squash in that order. Spread the remaining tomato sauce on top.

Bake until bubbly and lightly browned, about 45 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Summer Snacking

We spent a lot of time this summer looking at art and adding new decorations to our apartment – both homemade crafts and new art purchases.  One of the exhibits we saw that we both loved was at the Rebecca Hossack gallery in SoHo.  These little guys are made of toy parts and concrete!

 

 

It was great we came upon this gallery when we did. After a morning of SoulCycle and wandering in the city heat, I was feeling some intense hunger exacerbated by the fact we were steps away from our amazing lunch destination of Rubirosa.   I should have packed a snack, but I was running low on exciting snack options, which has prompted me to look into some new recipes.

Low-FODMAP Chocolate Almond Bars

Ingredients

3/4 cup raw almonds

1/2 tsp. sea salt

 1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

2 tsp. cocoa powder

1/3 cup maple syrup

Directions

Grease a cookie sheet or square pan with coconut oil or another non-stick agent.

Pour the almonds into the food processor along with the salt. Process until the mixture becomes like almond butter, which will take several minutes.

Add the oats, cocoa, cinnamon and maple syrup and process until smooth.

Press the mixture onto the cookie sheet or pan using the back of a spoon and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before cutting.

Store any uneaten bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Using My Urban Garden

I have enjoyed my little fire escape garden more than I expected this summer.  I used the basil, oregano and thyme nearly every weekend and made a few meals of chicken and potatoes with the fresh sage.  It really made the city summer feel a little less oppressive having access to my own fresh herbs!

 

 

 

The other new fun of this summer was tandem bike riding.  We had an awesome time on Governor’s Island riding around for hours on the bike – it was a great way to get my son practicing riding while still comfortable that I am in control.

 

 

After a nice day out like that, it’s great coming home to my little garden and making a hearty dinner using fresh herbs.  I have missed pesto a lot lately in my FODMAP diet.  I used to love a heavy garlic pesto, adding cream to make a nice thick cream sauce – YUM.  Well, I decided it was time to come up with an alternative recipe so I no longer need to feel like I’m missing out.

Low-FODMAP Creamy Pesto Chicken and Pasta

Ingredients – Pesto

2 cups fresh basil leaves (no stems)

2 tbsp. toasted almond slivers

1/2 cup garlic-infused olive oil

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions – Pesto

Combine basil leaves and almonds in a food processor and combine until finely minced.

If possible, leave the machine running slowly and drizzle the oil in until the mixture is smooth.  Otherwise, add the oil in 2 – 3 sections until smoothly processed.

Add the cheese and process for a few seconds, long enough to combine.

Store the pesto in the refrigerator if serving on its own.  Otherwise, place to the side while you make the cream sauce.

Ingredients – Cream Sauce

3 tbsp. butter

3 tbsp. gluten-free flour

1 1.2 cups milk (I use almond)

salt and pepper to taste

Directions – Cream Sauce and Final Dish

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Whisking constantly, add the flour to make a roux.  Cook for about 2 minutes.

Slowly add the milk, whisking to fully incorporate.  Bring to a simmer and cook until the sauce is thickened.

Stir in the pesto you made earlier and season with salt and pepper as needed.

Pour over cooked pasta and chicken and serve with herb garnish. Enjoy!

Basil Pesto Low FODMAP

Low FODMAP creamy pesto sauce