Spicy Tomato Pigs Trotters paleo recipe offal dinner ideas-min

Recipe: Spicy Tomato Pigs Trotters

On my quest to cook with more offal, the thought of doing something with pigs trotters filled me with dread. I’d always seen them sitting, forlorn and lonesome in the far corner of my butcher’s counter whilst crowds flocked towards the chicken breasts and fillet steaks. However lonely they may have looked, I never had the bravery to give them any sort of interest (maybe it was the nails!) – until the other day, that is. After cooking them slowly, the meat came out super tender, and I was pleasantly surprised with the results.

Pigs Trotters Ingredients:

  • 4 large pigs trotters
  • Sea salt and black pepper
  • Olive oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 4 red chillies, deseeded and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 x 400ml cans chopped tomatoes
  • 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped into chunks
  • Large handful fresh basil, torn, to serve

Pigs Trotters How To:

Score the skin on the trotters, and season well with sea salt and plenty of black pepper.

Heat a little olive oil in a large saucepan to a high heat. Brown the trotters by frying them in the oil for a couple of minutes. Remove and set aside.

Lower the heat to medium, then add the onion. Soften for 5 minutes, then add the chilli, garlic and oregano. Fry for another minute or so, then add the two cans of chopped tomatoes. Stir well, then add the trotters back to the pan. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer for an hour and a half. Stir every now and then and top up with a little extra water if needed.

20 minutes before serving, add the chopped carrots then cover again. Serve garnished with the fresh basil.

Have you tried cooking with pigs trotters – or another type of offal? I'd love to hear what you did with it in the comments below.

Spicy Tomato Pigs Trotters paleo recipe offal dinner ideas-min

Fish head stock chowder broth paleo diet recipe

Recipe: Fish Head Stock

Whilst home-made bone broth or chicken stock is pretty common place, people still seem to turn their noses up at Fish Stock. This is a huge shame, because it really doesn't get much more nutritious than this. Fish head stock is packed with fat soluble vitamins and crucially the thyroid gland, which gives us the thyroid hormone – hugely significant in our metabolism.

The other great thing about fish head stock? It's full of gelatin too. What more could you want?

Recipe: Fish Head Stock
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Fish & Seafood
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • Carcasses of 4-5 whole non-oily fish
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 2 carrots, chopped,
  • 1 stick of celery, chopped
  • A few small bunches of parsley
  • A couple of bay leaves
  • 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
Instructions
  1. Put the fish, vegetables and apple cider vinegar in a large pan and cover with water
  2. Bring the pan to a boil
  3. Skim off any scum that comes to the surface and add the thyme and bay leaves
  4. reduce the heat to a simmer and allow to simmer for 4 to 24 hours depending on your schedule
  5. When finished, strain the mixture and store the liquid in air tight containers, such as jars.
  6. Label, and store in the fridge or freezer until you need it

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Fish head stock is great in soup and as a base for many meals – or just keep it simple and heat it up with some veggies and fish, for a quick nutritious dinner.

Slow Cooked Chicken Livers with Cayenne and Paprika paleo diet recipe offal organ meat nutrition primal-min

Recipe: Slow Cooked Chicken Livers with Cayenne and Paprika

After finally acting on my resolution to use more offal in my cooking, I went to the butchers and purchased some chicken livers (along with some other interesting looking cuts, which I’m sure you’ll read about soon!). My first attempt was pretty unsuccessful; the meat was tough, and although the flavour was good, it felt like it hadn't quite reached its potential.

Next time around, I told myself, I would cook them much more slowly, so that they are ultra tender and full of rich flavour. I paired them with the smoky and pungent flavours of paprika and cayenne, which turned out to be a match made in heaven.

Slow Cooked Chicken Livers Ingredients:

  • 750g organic, free range chicken livers
  • 2 large onions, peeled and finely chopped
  • 2 red peppers, deseeded and chopped into slices
  • 1 tbsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 200ml tomato passata
  • Olive oil
  • Sea Salt and Black Pepper

Slow Cooked Chicken Livers  How To:

Cut any stringy bits away from the livers, then cut into strips. Heat a little olive oil in a heavy based frying pan to a high heat, then brown off the offal by cooking for 2 minutes each side. Remove from the pan and set aside.

Lower the heat to medium, add a little more olive oil, then add the onions. Fry until softened, for about 5 minutes, then add the paprika and cayenne. Fry gently for another couple of minutes, before adding the passata and about 200ml water.

Return the offal to the pan along with the peppers. Lower the heat to its lowest setting, stir well, and leave to simmer very gently for around 2 hours. Check occasionally, adding more water if needs be. Season to taste with a little salt and pepper.

Slow Cooked Chicken Livers with Cayenne and Paprika paleo diet recipe offal organ meat nutrition primal-min

Recipe-The-Paleo-Diet-Pate-Offal-Liver-Duck-Chicken-Kangaroo-min

Recipe: Paleo Chicken Liver Pâté

In keeping with my new years resolution to eat more offal, Pâté seems to be a great place to start.

You can make Pâté with lots of different meats, but my favourite is chicken liver Pâté.

With offal, I'm always very careful to make sure the meat is really high quality – organic, pasture raised is ideal.

Pâté Ingredients

  • 200g (6oz) chicken livers
  • 150g (5oz) butter, diced (or use the same volume of tallow, bacon fat or coconut oil)
  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced
  • 2 small brown shallots or 1/4 onion, finely diced
  • ¼ tsp fresh thyme leaves
  • 1tbsp brandy (optional)
  • 1/4tsp grated nutmeg
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Pâté How To:

Remove any unsightly pieces from the liver, such as any green or black spots, or any tough stringy pieces. Rinse the livers, then dry using kitchen paper.

Melt a spoonful of the butter in a pan over a medium heat, before adding the garlic and shallots. Cook for 4 or 5 minutes, until the shallots start to soften and turn translucent.

Add in the chicken livers and thyme and continue to cook for 3 or 4 minutes, stirring constantly. When the livers have browned on the outside, but are still pink on the inside, it’s time to add in the brandy.

After a few seconds, add in the remaining butter and the nutmeg and stir into the ingredients for a couple of minutes.

Take the pan off the heat, then use a blender or food processor to puree the contents of the pan, until it reaches a smooth paste.

Season to taste, before spooning into a bowl or jar. Chill in the fridge for at least two or three hours before serving.

Liver Pâté is great as a snack, or served with raw veggies like celery, carrots and cucumber. If you have an leftovers, it should keep for about a week in the fridge.

Have you tried making Pâté yet? Which other types of Pâté do you enjoy?

Recipe-The-Paleo-Diet-Pate-Offal-Liver-Duck-Chicken-Kangaroo-min