Fennel leaf and mint cream cheese dressing – low Fodmap

Just the ticket to dress thinly sliced cucumber for a fresh salad or sandwich filler. The cream cheese is lactose free but not cows milk protein free. If you have a small amount (less than two tablespoons) you could use standard cream cheese dressing as this is entirely suitable in that portion size for the low fodmap diet – this dressing is also gluten free.

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons of low lactose cream cheese

2 shoots of Fennel leaves

2-3 mint leaves

Grated lemon rind

1/2 grated cucumber

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Method

Chop the fennel and mint leaves finely

Grate the rind of 1 lemon

Mix with the low lactose cream cheese

If the dressing is too thick you can add a little water to thin down the dressing, if needed.

Serve as a sandwich filler with cucumber or as a dressing on half a finely sliced cucumber as a salad. Serves 1-2 depending on it’s use.

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A word about the flowers: these have not been fodmap tested but fodmap and food intolerance is all about the portion size you have and very small amounts are not likely to be an issue, however if you do wish to avoid using them that is also OK – they are not integral to the dish. These flowers used to dress the dish are borage and calendula (pot marigold) flowers, which are edible – (only use calendula petals in small amounts). There are lots of anecdotal reports of the benefits of these flowers – I have used them simply because they are pretty. If you do forage for these ensure you know what you are looking for, take care about where you are gathering – some flowers may have been treated with insecticide so it is best to avoid those – and do wash them thoroughly before use.

Pecan and radish salad with strawberry ketchup – low fodmap

I had to use the rest of the radish I bought and thought I would make a bright salad for this very sunny day. Balsamic vinegar enhances the flavour of strawberry and when combined with radish shoots and sliced radish the strawberry reduces the heat of the salad nicely. The dressing tastes a little of ketchup – but more decadent than the standard tomato variety! I hope you enjoy it! If you have problems with resistant starches you may want to use the rice whilst it is still warm.

 

Ingredients

A large handful of pecan nuts

8 radishes sliced thinly

A large handful of radish sprouts

A handful of green leaves (rocket, kale, lettuce or chard – it really doesn’t matter)

3 strawberries sliced thinly

100g of cooked wholegrain rice

Dressing

1 tablespoon of hazelnut oil

2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar

3 strawberries (mashed)

seasoning

Method

Combine all the salad ingredients together

Mix the dressing ingredients and drizzle the dressing over the salad

Season then serve

enjoy!

Serves 2

Hot radish salad

Do you want a side salad with some heat but avoiding chilli and spices? Then radish is your choice. Here I have used three coloured radish but this works just as well with the basic red variety that is common in most supermarkets. This is a salad to accompany other dishes, it is not a good source of carbohydrate or protein so cannot form the only part of a balanced meal. I have also added some nasturtium petals – these can be omitted if you are strictly following the low fodmap diet, they can also add to the heat of the dish.

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Ingredients

1 bag of radish

A bag of green salad leaves (I used mixed chard and red lettuce.)

One or two edible washed nasturtium flowers

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Method

Wash then prepare the radishes three ways. – thinly slice, slice in two and prepare radish flowers.

Radish flowers are made by cutting a zigzag pattern with a knife half way along the radish then separating it in half – makes two flowers, then slice the base to provide a flat surface for it to sit on.

Add the washed salad leaves and radish to the dish with some nasturtium petals and chopped chard  stems for colour.

Serve as a side salad, you could add some dressing – but do check for those fodmaps!