RECIPES from "Simply Swap Foods"

CARROT CAKE IN A MUG with zesty cream cheese icing

Prep: 10mins    Serves: 2

One of my favourite variations using our Vanilla “hug in a mug” mix, this healthy gluten-free/sugar-free/low-carb carrot cake can be ready in less than 10 minutes. Recipe below is for making two cakes from one of our mug cake packs but you can also make one at a time and reseal pack for later use. Check out our website and social media pages for a full video showing how easy this is to prepare.

Ingredients

• 1 pack Vanilla “Hug in a Mug” Mix

• 2 tblsp melted butter (or coconut oil/ghee)

• 2 large eggs, beaten (room temp)

• 4 tblsp grated carrot

• 1 tsp cinnamon

ZESTY CREAM CHEESE ICING

• 200g cream cheese

• ¼ cup natvia or similar granulated sweetener (ground in nutribullet if possible) 

• 1 tblsp lemon zest, finely grated (or more to taste) (chopped walnuts and lemon zest for decoration on top)

• 1 tsp vanilla essence 2 tsp cream

Method

1. Place 1 tblsp melted butter in each standard size mug (butter can be melted in microwave 30-60 seconds).

2. Pour half pack of mug cake mix into each mug (approx. ¼ cup).

3. Grate carrot and place 2 tblsp into each mug.

4. Place 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 egg in each mug.

5. Stir really well to combine.

6. Microwave one mug at a time for 90 seconds. Turn cake out of mug onto plate (cake will be hot) then invert so top is back on top (Can also bake in an oven if preferred on moderate temperature for 15-20 minutes in ovenproof mug or ramekin).

7. Let cool for a few mins then slice each mug cake in half and spread icing in middle and on top.

8. Chop walnuts to sprinkle on top along with lemon zest.

Zesty cream cheese icing:

Place all ingredients except lemon zest in medium bowl and use hand beater to beat until combined and smooth. Stir through lemon zest.

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CHOC MARSHMELLOW BITES

Prep: 15mins    Serves: 20 (40 pieces @ 2 per serve)

These bites are a delicious after-dinner treat, especially when topped with lots of grated dark chocolate. Really easy to make and they store well in the fridge for up to a week, not that ours ever last that long!

Ingredients

• 400ml water

• 100g natvia sweetener (or similar granulated sweetener)

• 60g gelatin powder (grass-fed and organic if possible)

• 2 tsp vanilla essence

• Optional: 1-2 tlbsp collagen powder, protein powder or MCT powder

• ¼ cup sugar-free berry jam (available in supermarkets or recipe on my website)

• Dark chocolate (min. 70% cocoa), grated

Method

Line a baking dish or slice tray (approx. 26 x 16cm) with plastic wrap.

1. Place 200ml of water and sweetener in a small saucepan and stir over medium heat until dissolved.

2. Place remaining 200ml water in a cup and stir through gelatin to bloom (ie. gelatin will become firm).

3. Add bloomed gelatin to saucepan and keep stirring with a spatula or whisk until dissolved (should be just before boiling point).

4. Pour hot mixture into a mixmaster and blend on high speed until mixture becomes white, thickened and glossy. Use whisk attachment if possible for a fast result otherwise normal beaters will work, just takes a few minutes longer to thicken.

5. Fold through vanilla essence and optional extras eg. collagen powder, MCT powder.

6. Pour mixture into lined baking tray and place in fridge for 10 minutes until firm. Remove and slice into squares.

7. Place a small dollop of sugar-free jam on top of each piece and grate dark chocolate over the top.

8. Store in airtight container in fridge.

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MEATZA

Prep: 10 mins     Serves: 6

This meat based pizza style dish is super quick and easy for family meals. Very versatile, add whichever toppings you enjoy on pizza and serve with a green salad and mayo (easy mayo recipe on my website). This is a deliciously healthy and filling meal the whole family will love.

Ingredients

• 1kg beef mince

• 1 egg

• 2 tblsp dried Italian herb mix (plus extra for top)

• ½ cup pizza sauce (or more to taste)

• Pizza toppings of choice finely chopped onions, mushrooms, salami, ham, olives, anchovies etc.

• 350g shredded mozzarella cheese (or more to taste)

Method

Preheat oven to 180ºC and grease and line a baking tray or dish (approx 32 x 22cm) with baking paper.

1. Put mince in a large bowl with egg and Italian herbs.

2. Mix together well using large spoon or hands (I have a box of food-grade gloves which are great to wear while mixing any mince meat recipes).

3. Once mixture is combined well, take chunks of mixture and press evenly into baking dish. Use the back of a large spoon to smooth out top and ensure thickness is fairly even.

4. Spread top of mince with pizza sauce.

5. Add your selected pizza toppings then sprinkle top with mozzarella cheese and some more Italian herbs.

6. Bake for 35-40 mins or until meat is cooked through and top is golden brown and bubbly. The mince will shrink a little from the sides of the baking dish.

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