Easy Lunchbox Slice

A blast from the past...

I came across Sha Ragnuath (the woman behind Sugar Free Kids) via Instagram and was so super impressed with all the recipes Sha was making that I wanted to invite her to our Fitness Food & Style 5 Q&A interview. Here's that interview again for those that missed it then, together with her amazing Easy Lunchbox Slice recipe, fitting for our current #noaddedsugar challenge. Enjoy!

Sha started cooking sugar-free, nutritious and tasty treats for her son after realising how many child-friendly recipes were shockingly full of sugar. Her friends' children also devoured her healthy food and the recipes were in demand so she started sending photos and recipes of her creations to her 'mummy network'. As many more health conscious parents became interested in making easy sugar-free snacks for their kids, she decided to create a website, www.SugarFreeKids.com.au, where she publishes new delicious recipes every week for free.

Here is the lovely Sha Ragnuath….

1. What fitness activity do you schedule into your daily routine to keep healthy? Taking a football to the park to kick around with my son is a really easy and fun way for us both to get some fresh air and get moving.

2. Describe your dream meal - what could we expect to find on your plate? When I went to Bali this year I ate the most delicious and amazingly simple fish dish, I dream of it often. The fish was basted in coconut oil and heaps of garlic then cooked over hot charcoal. It was served with a chili sambal and a gorgeous baby beans and coconut salad.

3. Who’s your go to style icon - who have you always admired for their style, and why? I love Charlotte York’s wardrobe from Sex and the City, she dresses to suit her lifestyle and character instead of following latest trends. I am likely to overdress, I would wear a lovely dress to the library story time or pretty earrings when I am just heading to the park. I don’t save my favourite clothes and accessories for a special occasion.

4. What’s a childhood habit or mannerism that has followed you into adulthood? I was taught to read labels on food when I was 9 years old and diagnosed with diabetes. It is such an important skill to have, I’m so pleased it is a natural habit for me to check what exactly I plan to put in my mouth.

5. Name three things you can’t leave the house without and why? A snack bag of Sugar Free treats for my son and his friends maybe some Sugar Free Muffins, Strawberry Shortcakes or Goji Amaretti biscuits. My iphone, mostly for the camera these days. Two bottles of water because my son doesn't like to share his water with me.

Thank you so much Sha for making such amazing sugar free recipes for our children and of course us adults. For those that wish to follow Sha she is on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

What's your favourite sugar free recipe?

XxDani

Easy Lunchbox Slice

Ingredients

For the slice

• Organic Rolled Oats - 2 cups plus 2 Tablespoons for the topping
• Almond Meal - 1 cup plus 1 Tablespoon for the topping (ANY other flour can be used here)
• Spoonable blended Stevia powder - 2 Tablespoons (available from supermarkets, can be called Natvia or Truvia)
• Rice Syrup - 2 Tablespoons or Rice Malt Syrup
• Blackstrap Molasses - optional 1 teaspoon (this adds a brown sugar taste, The Spiral foods brand has only 10% natural sugar, I don't recommend many other brands)
• Butter - 60 grams or 4 Tablespoons (coconut oil can be used if vegan or dairy free)
• Water - 1/4 cup or less
• Fruit for filling - See caramelized pineapple recipe below or try banana, peach or apple puree as discussed in the recipe for quantities
• Frozen Berries - An optional 1/2 cup of Frozen Blueberries or any type works well on top of the fruit layer below the crumble layer

For the Caramelized Pineapple (a slice filling option)

• Pineapple - 1/2 a pineapple with the skin and core removed
• Spoonable blended Stevia powder - 1 Tablespoon (available from supermarkets, can be called Natvia or Truvia)
• Blackstrap Molasses - optional 1 teaspoon (this adds a brown sugar taste, The Spiral foods brand has only 10% natural sugar, I don't recommend many other brands)

Instructions

If you are using my caramelized pineapple filling, prepare this first using the steps at the bottom of this recipe, if you wish (alternate fruit filling suggestions are listed below too)

• To make the slice Preheat oven to 180C fan forcedLine a small slice tray with baking paper
• Melt the butter and dissolve in the sweeteners (Rice Syrup, Stevia powder and molasses)
• In a large mixing bowl stir the oats, almond meal (or any flour in place of nuts) and the butter mix together til well combined, add a little water (up to 1/4 cup) to help the slice base come together when pressed
• Use about 2/3 of the mixture and pat it firmly into the slice pan to make the slice base
• Add your fruit of choice to cover the base: - caramelized pineapple as per recipe on this page - mashed banana, about 2-3 - soft peaches, about 4-5 - apple puree about 1 cup - any fruit that requires using up before it gets any more limp in your fruit bowl

• As an Optional you can sprinkle on some blueberries or passionfruit or any berry you have
• Combine 2 Tbs of Oats and 1 Tbs of almond meal (or any flour) with your remaining slice mix
• Sprinkle the oat mix on top of your fruit for a crumble effect
• Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes
• If the slice starts to brown faster you may wish to remove it, if you pull it out and it still looks soggy, put it in for a few more minutes until golden brown on top and firm on the base
• Slice once cooled and store in the fridge or freezer

To Make the Caramelized Pineapple

• Caramelized pineapple is a very delicious filling for this slice
• Simply finely chop or process 1/2 a peeled and cored pineapple and cook on high with the sweeteners until it has reduced a little, about 10 minutes is good
• This can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge