Easy Low-FODMAP Cucumber Sesame Salad

I’m still obsessed with my spiralizer (for details, see previous recipe for zucchini pasta).

This cucumber salad is super easy and pretty adorable, if vegetables can be adorable.

Ingredients:1 cucumber
½ teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
½ teaspoon sesame oil
¼ teaspoon maple syrup (or sugar)
dash red pepper flakes (less than 1/8 teaspoon)

Directions:
-Spiralize the cucumber (do not remove the peel or it will fall apart). Toss with salt, then put cucumber in a colander and let it breathe for half an hour.
-Meanwhile, toast the sesame seeds in a pan.
-Mix together rice vinegar, sesame oil, maple syrup, and red pepper flakes.
-RINSE cucucumber thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels (I skipped this step once and the salad was intolerably salty).
-Toss with dressing

You can double or triple this recipe, depending on how many people you’re serving.

Easy Low-FODMAP Zucchini Spaghetti with Lemon Shrimp

My new obsession is my Oxo Spiralizer, which turns boring veggies into noodles:

For this dish, I noodle-ized zucchini. To make the noodles, just cut the tip off the zucch, press the un-peeled flat edge to the center of the Spiralizer, and twist. I’m 99% certain that zucchini tastes better in noodle form. Especially when it’s smothered in olive oil and herbs:

Ingredients:
2 zucchinis
10-12 shrimp
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ lemon, squeezed
¼ teaspoon fresh thyme (if you use dried herbs, use less)
½ teaspoon fresh oregano
½ teaspoon fresh basil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
Parsley for garnish (or you can skip the garnish)

Directions:
Drop the zucchini in boiling water until it starts to get soft, about 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile, sauté the shrimp on medium heat in the olive oil and lemon for 2 minutes per side. Add the herbs and let the shrimp continue to sauté while you briefly drain the zucchini in a colander. Add zucchini to the pan with the shrimp and herbs. Toss and sauté everything together for another 2-3 minutes, until zucchini is at desired level of softness. Total cooking time will probably be around 8 minutes – make sure the shrimp are cooked all the way through.

Garnish with parsley and additional lemon if desired.

Makes 2 servings.