Here we are with my second fructmal dinner. I have discovered that people with fructose intolerance like to point out that the term actually is fructose malabsorption because fructose intolerance is something you have from birth and is extremely serious whereas fructose malabsorption is something that can develop at any time. The term is shortened to fructmal which is easier to say. ‘Fructmal’ and ‘malaborption’ both get red wriggly lines under them when I type them so I guess they are not in the dictionary yet. That’s how new this is. Anyway, from now on, I will refer to it as fructmal.
Adriano was yet again away for a race so it was just Dario and me. Three things that are well tolerated are fish, potatoes and spinach but I can’t keep bunging them on the plate as is, so I experimented with large fish cakes which incorporated them all. I minced them all up, seasoned, added a squeeze of lemon juice, and an egg and tapioca flour to bind them. They probably needed a little more binding but this was a first attempt. What was interesting was that, even though I didn’t add onions, garlic and heaps of herbs and spices, they tasted delightful. I did place some mozzarella balls on the top of the cakes before putting them in the oven. That was only because I had them in the fridge and needed to use them.
On to the recipe.
- 2 large potatoes
- 400gms/14oz fish
- 100gms/4oz spinach
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp tapioca flour
- Squeeze of lemon
- Salt & pepper
- Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C.
- Boil the potatoes and puree in a food processor.
- Chop the spinach finely in the food processor.
- Mince the fish in the food processor.
- Mix them all in a bowl with the eggs and flour.
- Season and add the lemon juice.
- Heat some butter in a frying pan and add big spoonfuls of the mixture.
- Shape into circles when in the pan.
- When browned on both sides, place in an oiled ovenproof dish and pop some cheese on top, if you like.
- Place in the oven for 10 minutes.
- Serve with your favourite sauce and a few sprouts or greens.
Are you starting to feel better now that you have pinpointed the problem or is it something that will take time?
I feel fine as long as I don’t let too much fructose into my body. What will take time is working out how to have a balanced diet. I am working on it and will see a dietician in two weeks when I have the official diagnosis.
It will make a perfect breakfast as well. Great recipe.
True, it would be perfect for breakfast. Actually, I had some leftover and had it for lunch.
I thought breakfast when I originally looked at this. I think it would be great any time of the day. I hope you get it sorted so you’ll feel top notch all the time.
Thanks, Maureen. I feel good most of the time as long as I am smart.
I guess what we eat at each meal is just a convention after all.
Lovely fructmal offering. I love a fish cake and this one is so healthy!
It’s surprisingly easy to keep them simple and still have great taste.
My mom used to make crispy fish cakes, and it was one of my favorite things she made. I love the addition of spinach, and the melted cheese on top looks great!
Mothers make the best food, don’t they! All those years of experience.
I love making tuna cakes and serving them on salad… these look very tasty!
Fish cakes and salad do make a very rounded, healthy meal.
I’m glad you’re finding meals that look interesting and tasty yet won’t have any ill-effect on you. I hope Adriano managed to stay on his bike!
It takes a bit of thinking but I am getting there, Charlie. No, he stayed on, which is surprising since he had a fever. Nothing will stop him but I think he regretted it afterwards.
Yum, yum, yum! Three of my favorite things in one place: spinach, potatoes and fish!
Simple foods combined to create a great dish.
I’m glad you’re able to find some creative meals while still staying away from fructose and those other dietary culprits. Your fish cakes sound wonderful…I love that you added spinach )
Spinach is one of the friendly foods, thank goodness. I can be strong like Popeye.
Hi Suzanne ,
I have never heard about a fructose intolerance. I’m sure it is not easy to live with that. The fish cakes with spinach look absolutely delicious and easy to prepare.
It was new to me too, Frank. But now I know heaps about it, needless to say.
The fish cakes were very easy to put together.
Great looking dish! I haven’t had fish cakes in quite some time. These look particularly nice – but anything with potatoes is nice in my book! Fructmal is great word! And a lot easier to say (and write) than the alternatives.
Fortunately I also love anything with potatoes because that’s one of the few vegetables I can safely eat.
I am glad I have found the word, Fructmal or I would get RSI from typing it all the time.
That looks awesome. Cheese is my bane, I am mildly lactose intolerant (getting worse with age), but I can still each cheese if I have my pills at the same time. In any case, I can see myself digging into that dish.
I have found that food intolerances do get worse with age, unfortunately. You are lucky you have some pills – there are none for fructose malabsorption. Go off track and you suffer.
Suzanne, these potato fish cakes looks so gorgeously oozing and appetizing! I’ve never heard of fructmal, so does this mean that those who have this condition can not eat fruits? Ahhh…if so, that’s a tough one for me because I love nature’s candies…
You know, I read somewhere that a good diet is something that emulates a diabetic’s diet – pick foods with low glycemic index. This dish seems to satisfy that requirement quite well. Great job, Suzanne! I always look forward to what you have in store!
Thanks, Jen. Yes, fructmal basically means no fruits with a few exceptions like citrus fruits and some berries but even those in small numbers. It also cuts out lots of vegetables, which complicates things. I agree that a diabetic diet is probably a very healthy diet for all of us.
Your photos and syyling is sooooo beautiful! I can spend hours just looking at these!
Thanks so much, Zirkie!