Low Iodine Recipes - Part 3

As we busy ourselves to take care of work, family, and children, we tend to forget to take care of ourselves. Many times we procrastinate, putting off things we want to do till a later date without realising that who knows, that 'later date' will never come. And we never get to do want we want to do in mind.

With this recent illness scare, I learn to appreciate life more and take things a little easier. I have also learnt that whatever we want to do, it is best not to hold it off too long. Besides having to take care of so many other things, we have to learn to take care of ourselves and also do things that makes us happy.

Life is short, live it to the fullest and with no regrets.

Boneless Pork Chop with Apple Chutney
4 slices of boneless pork chop
1 tsp non-iodized salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Method:
Heat 2 tbsp of oil.
Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides of the pork chop.
Salute till pork chop till golden brown. (2mins on each side)
Place pork chop in the oven and roast for 5mins at 200 degrees C or till cooked.

Serve with Apple Chutney Sauce

Low Iodine Recipes - Part 2

During these 2 weeks, I realised that simple cooked vegetables and meats can taste as good. Salt naturally brings out the flavours of food. In the past, I would have added all sorts of seasoning such as oyster sauce, soya sauce, chicken stock, chicken granules while cooking a plate of vegetables. Here is a simple stir fry vegetable dish which goes well with 小白菜. Again, no photos.

Stir Fry Greens
300g 小白菜 / or any green leafy vegetables
1 tsp garlic
dash of salt and sugar

Method:
Heat up 1 tbsp of oil in frying pan.
Stir fry garlic till fragrant.
Add in vegetables and stir fry quickly.
Sprinkle a dash of salt and sugar
Serve. (Once cooked dish out immediately)

Rostti (Potato Pancakes)
1kg of potato (choose those from Indonesia or any type that is not too starchy)
Salt
Some flour

Method:
Shred the potatos into thin sticks.
Sprinkle with salt and some flour.
Heat up flat frying pan. Put some oil.
Spread out shredded potatoes sticks to form a pancake
Fry till edges are crispy. Serve.

Note: This can be served with sour cream and chopped spring onion if it is allowed in your diet.

Low Iodine Recipes - Part 1

Having your whole thyroid removed and needing to go through a session of Radioactive Iodine therapy, one needs to be on a low iodine diet for 2 week before the therapy. This means a big no no for any form of seafood and also any food items which are high in iodine.

Generally safe food to take would be fruits, vegetables, fresh chicken/pork. I have came up with or modified some recipes that can be used during this period. Apologies that there are no photos for these recipes.

Pork with Chopped Lotus Roots
600g minced pork
300g piece of lotus roots (chopped)
1 tsp of non-iodized salt
1 tbsp of sugar
some pepper
1 egg white
1 tbsp cornstarch
3 tbsp water
dash of sesame oil

Method:
Put the above in the bowl and mix well.

Note : This meat mixture is versatile and can be pan fried into patties, steamed into balls or deep fried.

SAUCES for pan fried / deep fried meat balls/patties
Orange/Lemon/Lime Sauce
Juice from 1 orange/lemon or 3-4 limes
Add 2-3 tbsp water to dilute the juice if you find it too tart.
2 tbsp sugar (depending on how sweet you want to sauce to be
1/2 tsp corn starch mix with 1tbsp water

Method:
Mix juice, water and sugar together and bring to a simmer.
Add cornstarch mixture to thicken it slightly into a sauce.
Serve with meat patties/balls

Apple Chutney
1 large onion (cut into 1/2" cubes)
4 green apples (cut into 1/2" cubes)
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup golden raisins
1 tsp ginger powder
Non Iodised salt and pepper

Method:
1. In large saucepan, heat 2 tbsp oil
2. Add onion, salute till translucent and beginning to brown. (About 6 min). Add apples, salute 4 mins more.
3. Add vinegar, raisins, and ginger powder. Stir well to combine. Cover
4. Simmer till apples are tender but can still hold their shape. (About 3 min).
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve with meat patties or pork chop (Recipe)

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