Quick bites
This month Fran Abdallaoui shines a light on some healthy options you may have not yet discovered.
NATURAL SWEETENERS
The range of new sugars at supermarkets is growing and two new types have caught our eye. Rapadura sugar is an unrefined sugar made from evaporated cane juice. The molasses content in the juice gives it a golden colour and delicate caramel flavour, perfect in recipes that call for palm sugar. Coconut sugar is made from the sap of the blossoms of the coconut palm tree; it looks and tastes a little like raw or light brown sugar.
Coconut flavour minus the fat
There’s no arguing that coconut milk is a pantry essential in South-East Asian cooking, and we’ve just discovered coconut juice for cooking – it’s perfect for replacing stock in braising and curries, and also desserts and baking. It adds a natural, sweet coconut flavour without the fat.
Available from major supermarkets.
MEETING
THE “KNEAD”
Pastry supremos, Claire and William Wood of Carême Pastry, have finally nailed a wholemeal spelt pastry range. Health conscious bakers will now be able to enjoy delicate nuttyflavoured pastry items without compromising on the deliciousness of real butter puff and shortcrust pastries. Visit caremepastry.com.au.
Finding balance
How many times have you promised yourself to overhaul your diet? The Weekly’s latest cookbook, The Balanced Diet, shines a focus on simple everyday recipes that will make you feel more energised. It has loads of sensible, easy to understand health advice, including a healthy food guide identifying specific foods for nourishing your hair, skin, nails, bones and eyes. $34.99 from all good booksellers and awwcookbooks.com.au.
What is lupin?
Lupin is a legume that can be milled into flour, splits and flakes. It’s a truly versatile ingredient and delicious used in baked goods, soups, salads and protein shakes. A nutritional powerhouse, lupin offers the highest source of natural unprocessed plant protein, is gluten-free and high in antioxidants.