Carbo-loading for London - Taglioni pasta and venison steaks

If you are carbo-loading for London this week then you won't go wrong with the meal I made last night - Italian in essence and really well balanced and delicious, high in low G.I. carbs, protein, good fats and minerals, including the all-important iron factor that I and many female long-distance runners need so badly. Paula Radcliffe eats venison and other low fat game meats as they are low in fat and provide a very good source of protein and B vitamins, plus iron, phosphorous, selenium, zinc and copper. What's more, the steaks were surprisingly cheap - £5.49 for two in Sainsburys.

L'antipasto - Prawn ceviche in little gem lettuce leaves - Raw prawns marinated in lime juice, a little finely chopped red chilli, some ginger syrup and thai sweet basil served in little gem lettuce leaves

El Primo  - Fresh Taglioni with semi-dried tomatoes, basil and olives - Pasta really does not have to be boring!  I served a bowl of fresh taglioni with semi-dried tomatoes, fresh basil and chopped black olives, seasoned with plenty of salt and pepper, some really tasty extra virgin olive oil and topped with some freshly shaved parmesan. Sorry, it got eaten before I had the chance to take a photo - the above photo is a similar idea but with walnuts and lemon zest.

El Secondo - Seared venison with a redcurrant balsamic jus and tenderstem broccoli spears - I sprinkled the venison steaks with some freshly crushed black pepper and fennel seed  and the seared them on the griddle...absolutely mouthwatering served rare with a jus which I made by reducing some some redcurrant jelly, a little red wine and some good quality balsamic vinegar.