Mushroom and pak choy spinach gnocchi

Mushrooms and gnocchi? Although this wasn't planned, they go surprisingly well together. I had bought this gnocchi because it was spinach flavoured, and in retrospect, I could have put it to better use, like spinach and ricotta gnocchi. Despite this, I don't regret this meal. The slightly sour flavour of the spinach gnocchi compliments the opposite flavour of the mushrooms, and the juxtaposition of textures between the gnocchi (starchy and firm) and the mushroom (firm in a more gelatinous way) offer interest.

Pizza omelette

Pizza is without a doubt one of my favourite foods ever. I can turn my nose up at most savoury snacks – chips of every description, nuts, dips. However, the smell of hot mozzarella on freshly baked bread is one of those things that can make the most strict of dieters go weak at the knees with hunger. This is why we do low carb versions of our favourite foods. Here, I am using my microwave omelette maker. All you need to do is beat 3 eggs, pour the mixture into each half, and microwave for 2 minutes. Then you add the toppings (in my case it was cheese, onion, pasta sauce and bottled capsicum), then microwave for another 2 minutes. You can make the omelette fluffier by beating the egg whites until they become frothy and then folding in the beaten egg yolks. You can also choose to use one of those cartons of egg whites they sell at the supermarket instead. Some of these are flavoured with things like spinach and ricotta.

Making the most of pre-made pasta meals

This is spinach and ricotta canneloni. Previously, I wouldn't have touched this kind of cheesy pasta dish with a ten foot pole. But when I was shopping, it was on special and I happened to be craving it. Luckily, a single serving is a bit less than 400 calories, and with some vegetables there is a complete meal. That wasn't so hard, was it?