Conversations with Nish

It has been just over 48 hours but feels like a lot longer given the boredom and lack of motivation to do anything. The lack of motivation is particularly concerning seen as I am usually very self-motivated and initiate useful projects in the absence of tasks. This means I am always busy and productive.

However the most useful thing I have done in the past 2 days was to take my dog for a walk. Ok, I hear you – am I allowed to do that? As it happens, there hasn’t been the clearest directive about what Scott Morrison means when he says ‘self-isolation’. Strictly speaking, the term is erroneous, as what he is asking of us (those who have returned from overseas post 15 March 2020) is along the lines of self-quarantine. He has, however (bless him for this) mentioned that we should all be using common sense. When hefty fines and public health is at stake, I like to support my common sense with some sensible research. As I have discovered, going for a walk and/or a bike ride on your own are the easiest ways to stay physically and mentally fit while still fulfilling the requirements of the home-quarantine. One could exercise at home but a change of scenery is very welcome after being within 4 walls for days on end.

Some people get bored quicker than others but eventually everyone feels the desolation and irritability that accompanies isolation of any kind. So how do you stay sane, get your supplies and also stay married while fulfilling the public interest requirements of 14 day home-quarantine?

Well, I made a list of the things I could do including watching a new show on Netflix and then eventually did none of them and spent my day vegging out in front of daytime news on free TV because I couldn’t even be bothered entering my friend’s Netflix password.

The truth is, inactivity makes you lazy. Having free time does not mean that one’s outstanding tasks will now get done because other than time, you also need initiative to commence or complete those. The drive to do things is naturally lowered when you have indefinite amounts of time, when you’re facing uncertainty or even anxiety regarding your future and feel helpless in more ways than one.

A low carb and low fat recipe

Minced chicken is much harder to work with than any other mince meat however the lower caloric content of chicken certainly makes it worth the effort.

• 500 grams chicken mince
• Fresh Ginger 1 inch, grated
• Fresh Garlic, finely sliced
• Sriracha sauce 1 tsp
• Lime or lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• Sesame or peanut oil 1tsp

Mix all ingredients except oil and roll into golf size balls.

Heat a large non-stick frypan and cook turning occasionally. I didn’t add oil at the time of ‘frying’ however placed the oil in a plate onto which I removed the meatballs. This gives them a hint of the sesame flavour. You may fry them in the sesame oil instead if you prefer.

Serve the meatballs with an Asian style salad. For the salad, toss together – thinly sliced Chinese cabbage(wombok), rocket leaves, carrots, cucumbers, torn mint leaves, chopped corriander leaves, a tsp of vinegar or any other low cal dressing.

A low carb and low fat recipe

I decided to write this post, partly to document a successful trial run but mostly because I need to create my own journal of low carb & low fat recipes.

I desperately need to lose weight, or perhaps I am desperate to lose weight – either way, I need to permanently alter what I put into my body in an effort to stop yo-yoing. To give myself a kick-start, I’m going on a very low-carbohydrate and very low-fat diet. Once I lose circa 10 kgs, I plan to continue a more or less similar diet altering it only to allow social eating and an odd drink or two. A lifestyle change, some might say.

So, about the recipe –

1. 500 grams Lamb mince (I got mine from Coles)
2. Approx 2 cups of chopped celery
3. Half an onion, chopped
4. Leggos Napoletana sauce
5. Fresh Tomatoes x 3 , chopped or pureed
6. Cooking oil, 1 tablespoon
7. Garlic cloves, 3 to 5
8. Basil Leaves
9. Zucchini (to make vegetti instead of spaghetti)
10. Salt and Chilli flakes to taste

Before starting, ensure that all ingredients are on the kitchen counter and chopped as required, particularly garlic & celery. The lamb mince should be sitting on the counter also.

Method:

Heat oil in a deep pan, sauté onion for 5 mins on medium flame, add garlic, saute for 1-2 mins, add celery, saute for further 5-7 mins, add lamb mince, continue stirring, breaking up any large lumps of meat.

Add the bottle sauce as well as the fresh tomatoes, a very small amount of salt, chilli flakes as desired and stir to combine. Cover and let simmer, stirring occasionally for approx. 45 mins.

Use a spiraliser to make vegetable pasta from the Zuchhini (Zuchetti?) and serve raw with the bolognese on top. Garnish with torn basil leaves.

NB: This recipe uses lamb because the earlier ones with beef just haven’t had the same level of satisfaction for me.