Sweets
Gluten-free Lemon Cheese Tart
Serves 8-10
Ingredients
Base
135 g firmly packed almond flour
90 g rice flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup melted butter or coconut oil
3 Tbsp maple syrup or honey or brown rice syrup (see note)
Filling
250g fresh ricotta
150g cream cheese (room temperature)
2 egg yolks (use 70g eggs)
1 lemon -finely grated rind
½ tsp of vanilla bean paste (available in large supermarkets)
½ cup of maple syrup or honey or brown rice syrup (see note)
To serve
Fresh seasonal fruit, double cream or yoghurt
Method
Tart base
To prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 170oC (338oF) and lightly grease (even if your pan is non-stick) a 22 cm tart tin with removal base In a medium mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, rice flour and salt, and stir to combine. Drizzle in the butter, maple syrup and stir until the mixture is moistened throughout.
Dump the mixture onto the prepared tart pan. Press the mixture evenly across the base, using the heel of your palm to press it up the sides as well. Use your fingers to try to press the mixture along the sides of the pan so its even in height and depth. Prick the base of the crust all over with a fork to prevent it from bubbling up. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until it’s lightly firm to the touch and just starting to turn golden at the edges. Set aside.
Filling
1. Place ricotta, cream cheese, egg yolks, vanilla rind, vanilla paste and syrup of choice in a food processor and process until you have a smooth consistency.
2. Turn the oven to 150o C (302o F)
3. Spread this filling over the tart base and return to the oven and bake for about 20 mins until just set.
4. Let the tart cool in the tin and remove carefully onto a serving plate
5. Serve with seasonal fruit of choice
Chef’s Notes
Alternative syrups to replace sugar
Firstly, what’s glycemic load mean and how does it affect your body? It relates to how quickly a sweetener will raise your blood sugar levels. A sweetener that has a higher GI will cause blood sugar levels to rise more quickly than one that has a low GI. Keeping blood sugar levels at a steady, lower level has many benefits in terms of health and is especially important for people with Diabetes mellitus.
Honey
Honey is typically consumed in liquid form and can range in colour from pale yellow to dark brown. It also contains trace amounts of enzymes, amino acids, B vitamins, vitamin C, minerals and antioxidants. Many of the antioxidants found in honey are classified as flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. The exact nutritional makeup of honey varies based on its origin with each variety of honey having a distinct colour and flavour.
No matter which type you prefer, any kind of honey can spike blood sugar levels. Honey is higher in fructose than glucose, so sweeter than sugar so smaller amounts can be used in your food or drink without sacrificing sweetness. Glycemic index is 50 [as opposed to sucrose/ordinary sugar at 65]
Nutritional Benefits
The trace amounts of vitamins and minerals found in honey may also have added health benefits such as; it may help kill off germs because it has antimicrobial properties and when used as a salve in gel form, it may help promote healing in wounds and minor burns and help ease coughing and sore throats.
Honey is not to be given to infants younger than 1 year-old as it may cause severe allergic reactions and botulism.
Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is made from the circulating fluid, or sap, of sugar maple trees. There are several different grades of maple syrup characterised by colour, though classification can vary between countries and its used a natural sweeter. When buying maple syrup, please buy pure maple and or organic not just maple-flavoured syrup, which can be loaded with refined sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. Glycemic index is 54 [as opposed to sucrose/ordinary sugar at 65].
Nutritional Benefits
It contains Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Zinc and Manganese as well as being high in antioxidants. Make no mistake although its not refined sugar in the form that we are used too, it is high in sugar, however it contains minerals and antioxidants that set it apart. Consumed in excess, sugar may be a leading cause of some of the world’s biggest health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.