I’ll be the first to say that I don’t believe cutting out an entire food group is a good thing, especially if it denies you scones. However, it would seem like a large majority of the wine industry have taken it upon themselves to partake in this lifestyle change and with places like Warwick Wine Estate now offering a Banting option in their restaurant, I guess I can’t ignore it anymore.
If you’re unsure what exactly Banting is, it’s an eating plan that dates back from 1861 when a surgeon prescribed Mr William Banting to a low carb, high fat diet (LCHF). The formerly obese Mr Banting lost a significant amount of weight and his health improved. Fast forward a few hundred years and Professor Tim Noakes has re-ignited a huge eating revolution that has seen a large number of SA foodies throwing aside their potatoes, flour and sugar, in favour of meats and a ridiculous amount of butter (BUTTER IS EVERYTHING!)
As with all diets, there is inevitably some backlash and
having heard that you should stay away from high carb fruits like grapes, one
immediately has to raise an eyebrow. However, it’s a largely followed lifestyle
plan and thus, I am forced to address it.
So, to keep the population drinking (pretend the bit about
grapes wasn’t true), here are 5 pairing ideas for those who like to Bant.
Cauliflower soup with spiced nut crumble
I do love me some
creamy soup in the winter to chill my bones.
Nuts, cream and butter sounds like my ideal pig-out party. If you ask nicely, I'll invite you to join.
Because of the cream and with the addition of the leeks, it needs a wine with some acid.
Recipe can be found here
Pair it with: A creamier viognier such as Backsberg Hillside Viognier 2009
Zucchini noodles, mozzarella and toms
All cooked together in a skillet...or a normal frying pan. Don't be fussy.
I am a cheese fiend so a recipe that lets you use mozarella, parmesan and ricotta is always a good 'un
Recipe can be found here
Pair it with: A lightly oaked Chardonnay that still has a nice zing to it because you want to bring out the freshness of the cheeses. Try Limestone Hill Chardonnay 2013
Beer Bourguignon
Comfort food at its best, and full of meat. It's also a dish that you can slow-cook which means you can put more effort into your drinking. Win!
An original recipe would call for a beautiful creamy mash - which you could do with cauliflower if you're so inclined. Otherwise, just serve it with more wine.
Recipe can be found here
Pair it with: Go French with a Bordeaux blend, choose a lush Cabernet Sauvignon or an easy-drinking Shiraz
Chicken with Rosemary and Mushroom Glaze
Crispy skinned chicken, garlic, herbs and mushrooms - only a fool (or a vegetarian) could say no.
I would probably pair it with courgette crisps but I'm sure you could get away with a wee bit of sweet potato?
Recipe can be found here
Pair it with: Get the earthy flavours with with a good Pinot Noir, try David Finlayson Pinot Noir 2013
Cinnamon Baked Apples with Almonds and Mascarpone
We all need something sweet in our lives and this was the lowest sugar recipe that didn't sound like it was made out of cardboard.
Recipe can be found here
Pair it with: if you're not here for the LCHF then go full out with a Noble Late Harvest (* is particularly lovely). If you balk at the word 'sweet', then try a dry bubbly such as Graham Beck Brut NV
And if after all that, you’re not convinced, here’s a recipe for cornbread.
p.s, if someone offers you LCHF Nutella, walk away. There is
no substitute for that deliciously wicked amount of E-numbers and saturated
fats.
Pp.s, these are recipes from the Internet that confess to be
LCHF.