Who can resist a good Marie biscuit?

I still remember when I was a child, that commonly the biscuits Maria were consumed with butter spread, are you still from that time? In fact, it’s not a very healthy suggestion and, fortunately, nowadays we have several options for our snacks (and much healthier ones!).

Even so, with the cold weather coming, I confess that on rainy days, with some blankets and a sofa, a cup of tea with biscuits is very good, isn’t it?

Well, the problem arises when you have an intestinal problem that due to malabsorption, intolerances or allergies, you can not consume any type of biscuit.

Damn it! And now what?

I came across this question for months, through my own process and while I was starting the Low FODMAP diet. The vast majority of biscuits sold in supermarkets have fructans, polyols and lactose in their composition (carbohydrates are considered FODMAP and, therefore, to be careful for those who have irritable bowel syndrome). In addition they may contain high doses of sugar and fats, which in themselves may not be the best ingredients for those with inflammatory bowel diseases (as is also my case). Of course, there are many biscuits on the market without these ingredients. Are there few options? Yes, but they exist. And who likes a sweet and fatty biscuit? For the majority of the population there is no major problem. What about for those who have irritable bowel syndrome and/or inflammatory bowel disease? It may be harder to find, but it’s not impossible. The thing is that you need to be well informed about the food labelling of products and what ingredients you can consume, especially if you are in the first phase of the low FODMAP diet. I too had this difficulty in finding some products suitable for me. So I “took revenge” in my kitchen and created lots of tasty recipes suitable for the first phase of the Low FODMAP diet (because nutritionists also like to eat and enjoy eating!). I cooked so much that I already have 2 ebooks with delicious recipes available on my website, which you can purchase. 

But today I will share with you the recipe for the Maria Biscuits that I created and that is adapted for the first phase of the Low FODMAP diet and also for vegetarians (WARNING: the biscuits are very gluttonous and there is danger of eating more than you should!!!).

I hope your rainy afternoons, spent between blankets and sofa, gain another taste and sweetness.

A hug with sweetness,

Sara Barreirinhas

Nutrisciente’s Marie Biscuit

For 20 Units

Ingredients:

• 70g cornstarch
• 70g potato starch
• 100g rice flour
• 60g sugar
• 50ml olive oil
• 30g vegetable margarine
• 15g psyllium
• 1 dessert spoon of yeast
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla flavouring
• 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed
• 70ml of water

Preparation:

1. In a bowl place the starch, the rice flour and the sugar. Mix everything together.
2. Add the olive oil and the cold vegetable margarine. Mix well until the margarine is completely crumbly.
3. Add the psyllium, baking powder, salt and vanilla flavouring. Mix again.
4. Now add the linseed and water and stir the dough very well until it becomes consistent.
5. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
6. Place a baking paper under a baking tray and stretch the dough slowly (Note: this step has to be done little by little and more than once, as the dough is fragile. If it breaks, mix it again).
7. With a glass or a biscuit mould shape the biscuits. The recipe yields about 20 biscuits.
8. Take them to the oven for about 15 minutes.
9. Remove them from the oven and let them cool. Keep them in an airtight jar and bon appétit!