News location:

Canberra Today 15°/18° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Dining / Sweet dreams are made of this

Author Sabrina Muscat… "I want to break the stigma surrounding vegan food." Photo by Andrew Finch
Author Sabrina Muscat… “I want to break the stigma surrounding vegan food.” Photo by Andrew Finch

WHEN flipping through “Sweets and Treats”, the first cookbook published by Canberra’s Sabrina Muscat, it’s hard not to drool at its stunning images.

It’s hard to imagine that such decadent treats have been created by a wholesome lifestyle advocate studying nutritional science. I mean, wouldn’t anyone dedicated to a healthy, natural and organic life turn a blind eye to treats?

Sabrina says you don’t need to spend a lifetime denying yourself. Her approach is to substitute the unhealthy ingredients traditionally used in sweets and treats and substitute them for healthy ingredients that taste just as good. And so the new cookbook includes 50 gluten-free, refined sugar and dairy free, vegan and vegetarian recipes.

_D4S9253But is the proof in the pudding? Hand on heart, the answer’s “yes” because I’ve indulged in several of Sabrina’s recipes, including the salted caramel and chocolate fudge slice, and the raw, vegan, triple-choc mint slice. My tastebuds danced the tango.

“I want to break the stigma surrounding vegan food,” says Sabrina. “It’s not boring or restrictive unless you make it that way. It actually tastes amazing.”

The recipes are divided into smoothies, desserts, cakes, bars and slices, as well as biscuits and bites. Planning is underway for two other cookbooks, one for savoury food and another for kids.

Many recipes are raw and so quick and easy to prepare. Sourcing the specified ingredients is key and makes all the difference. Some ingredients pop-up regularly, such as medjool dates.

“I love using medjool dates because they’re a great binding ingredient,” says Sabrina.

“They naturally sweeten and can help normalise the digestive function. They contain soluble and insoluble fibre, amino acids, and minerals like copper, potassium, zinc, magnesium, calcium phosphorous, iron, as well as B vitamins, vitamin K and vitamin A.”

Who would have thought?

Sabrina isn’t advocating that fans devour her treats all day long, seven days a week.

“We all know that eating healthy requires a holistic approach and that a healthy lifestyle requires lots of water, fresh fruit and vegetables, exercise and fresh air,” she says.

“But you don’t have to fear the odd healthy treat.”

Sabrina developed the recipes, testing them in her home kitchen over many months. Her son’s favourite recipe is the paleo berry friands. Her husband’s is the peanut butter ice-cream cakes. And while Sabrina loves all her creations, she adores the smoothies and choc caramel and banana cake the most.

How sweet it is.
“Sweets and Treats” is on special for $15 through rawspirations.com  

Who can be trusted?

In a world of spin and confusion, there’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in Canberra.

If you trust our work online and want to enforce the power of independent voices, I invite you to make a small contribution.

Every dollar of support is invested back into our journalism to help keep citynews.com.au strong and free.

Become a supporter

Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

Wendy Johnson

Wendy Johnson

Share this

Leave a Reply

Related Posts

Follow us on Instagram @canberracitynews