Over the last month or so I’ve been using the cookbook, The Top 100 Low-Carb Recipes by Nicola Graimes. This neat little book is packed full of low-carb, quick and easy recipes.
The introduction to the book is short but straight to the point. It explains the benefits of ‘good carbs’ as well as talking about the effects of refined and processed foods within the body. It’s split up into 6 sections so you can easily find your way through the book; breakfast & brunch, soups, salads, light meals & snacks, main meals, side dishes and desserts.
Everything in the book has a carb count just incase you’re being mindful about what you’re eating.
I particularly like the size of this book. I can carry it around to meal plan and it doesn’t take up too much workspace in my kitchen.
The recipes consist of a maximum 5 steps. There are photographs to accompany many of the dishes. They aren’t fancy photos but they’re clear and to the point. You can see exactly how the finished dish should look and that’s what is important.
The book contains a mixture of meaty and vegetarian based dishes. Whenever a recipe called for dairy I simply swapped it out for something else.
I’ve been making this very simple side dish – Spicy Chickpeas & Spinach – multiple times a week and I’m going to share it with you now.
Ingredients:
200g spinach leaves
1 tbsp olive oil
1 large clove garlic
1 tsp cumin seeds – I used paprika instead
85g chickpeas
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/4tsp dried chilli flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
What to do:
– Wash the spinach and squeeze out the excess water.
– Cook the spinach leaves in a covered pan on a medium heat.
– Heat the oil in a frying pan and add the garlic, spices and chickpeas.
– Continuously stir the chickpeas for 2 minutes.
– Combine the spinach and chickpeas and sprinkle chilli flakes, salt, pepper and lots of lemon juice.
– Now it’s time to serve. Yes, it really is that simple and we tend to have this as a side with salmon and veg.
If you’re an experienced cook then this book will probably be too basic for you. However, if you’re simply looking for quick, easy and low-carb dishes to throw together before or after work then you’re going to find this very handy. I often plan my meals in advance but when I haven’t had time I pop this little book into my handbag. I can then plan my meals while I’m in the supermarket.
Send me a photo on Twitter if you try making this side dish.