A new low-carb support thread for 2016

First official BG blood test tomorrow. I wonder how I have done?

Will your GP recognise the sylph-like new you?

I soaked the figs in no alcohol cider Mamie and some of them were beautifully caramelised.

Not if I stand sideways Anya

Another 34F then?

Spot on Anya

Went into a Nordic Cafe in New Forest. They had chilled water with lemon and mint leaves to help yourself to in this hot weather. No calories but very refreshing.

We got red mullet at the market, for the barbecue tonight. I am making a Greek salad and saffron aioli to go with it.
Apart from that the 2016 courgette mountain has started. We had steak last night and I did a courgette dauphinoise with cream and parmesan.

We have started on our own courgettes too. Yellow and green this year. Tonight , as it's a fast day, we are having Portobello mushrooms stuffed with crab meat, plus a green salad.
I have just made some red currant icecream ? Used double cream,, Greek yogurt, a pinch of Stevia, red currants and mixed it all together. Tasted lovely . So now it is in the freezer. Waitrose do an excellent low carb icecream called Oppo. Haven't tried it yet but have heared good things about it.

Low-carb ice-cream! Will have to try it at DD's though. Don't think I could get it home!

Just told DH about your courgette dauphinoise Mamie Cougettes are not his favourite. He said " I suppose I' ll have to make another stirling effort". Bless
We wil try that though and he wil probably like it

I put a bit of butter in the bottom of a dish, layer the sliced courgettes with salt and pepper, dollop some thick cream over it, then parmesan. Cook for about 30-40 minutes on 180°.

All the above make me hang my head in shame. All I can rustle up (if I ever get up off this seat to start cooking) is a chilli con carne using turkey mince and chickpeas.

I'm totally exhausted as it's out town's annual folk festival and I've managed 12,000 steps in this heat wandering around, watching men in funny outfits wth painted faces and feathers in their hair, dancing wth other men and bashing sticks together.

Then there were the belly dancers with enough wobble to,qualify as jelly dancers. Not a pretty sight on a hot afternoon.

BUT. I avoided all the stalls selling cakes, home made fudge and ice cream, gourmet hot dogs and other street food. Very nearly succumbed to a curry though.

Yikes! Sounds exhausting....
We have reached the stage when rural Normandy has emptied as everyone is away on holiday (except for us and the farmers). The Brits are about to arrive though!

Then run for the hills Mamie

The worst bit is if we get accused of being tourists.
Je ne suis pas un grockle! (As we used to call them in Bournemouth).

Same here Mamie.

Courgette mountain: Dry grill, then toss in lemon & oil with masses of coriander. Add a bit of pepper.

Slice longways first!

ffinnochio can you use another herb as I don't like coriander?

Lovely to see you on the thread ffinn.
Sounds delish but we only have a small patch of coriander and I just can't buy it here.
Is it as hot in your bit of France?
I think our farmers are going to be harvesting all night from the sound of it.
The saffron aioli was fabulous. Soak saffron threads in a tiny bit of water, make aioli and add saffron. Lovely subtle back-taste.

Thanks Mamie . Been following it for quite some time now.

Pity you can't get coriander where you are. The supermarkets here stock it, but one can tell when the summer visitors arrive - the shelves get cleared of it very quickly. Tried growing it, but it bolts very quickly.

BBevan - I think I'd try mint or basil, although with the basil, less lemon.

Yes, it's very hot. Adapting and enjoying.

Thanks ffinnochio will do, and a belated welcome

So - courgettes, courgettes, courgettes.....
Sunday we had lamb shanks cooked in a bag with mint, rosemary and raz-al-hanout, with courgette dauphinoise.
Monday was baked courgettes, onion, peppers and eggs added at the end.
Tuesday was a courgette curry with coconut milk served with aubergines baked with turmeric.
Ho-hum, tonight?
It will need to be easy because the winter wood (8 cubic metres) is being delivered.

Raining here, but off down the garden to pick some courgettes soon. Chicken Paprika from the Hairy Dieters this evening. I tend to add any vegetables I have So onion, aubergine, courgette and peppers.
Tried that Oppo icecream . Pretty good. Comes in Choc Chip, Vanilla and Salted caramel.

We're overrun with beetroot, big ones! Yes, I know there's a lot of sugar in them but there's a lot of goodness in them too.

Pulled up,a couple of huge ones, just scrubbed them, pulled off the leaves and boiled them in their skins. Much easier just to rub skins off by running in cold water after they're boiled isn't it?

Sliced them, topped with goats' cheese and grilled till golden and bubbly for lunch.

Despite being over-large the beetrro were sweet and delicious. Wish I could remember what variety they were (know it wasn't Bolthardy)