Recipe Grain-Free Crackers Potato Rosemary Dehydrator Paleo Network

Recipe: Grain-Free Crackers

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One thing I've really missed from my pre-paleo days is the humble cracker. They're just the perfect thing to go with cheese, hummus, all sorts of dips.

Recipe Grain-Free Crackers Potato Rosemary Paleo Network

But with fairly typical cracker ingredients looking like this:

Wheat Flour, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Malt Extract, Yeast Raising Agent (E336, E500), Emulsifier (E322:Soy), Milk Solids

That's a high price to pay for a vessel for a bit of cheese….

So I've been experimenting with my dehydrator, and have come up with these paleo crackers. Yes, the main ingredient is white potato. But these would work just as well with sweet potato or parsnip. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out!

Recipe: Grain-Free Crackers
Recipe type: Snacks
Prep time: 
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A simple grain-free alternative to shop-bought crackers.
Ingredients
  • 1 large potato, peeled and diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons rosemary
  • sea salt &black pepper
Instructions
  1. Boil the potatoes as you would to make mashed potatoes (this helps to breakdown the starch)
  2. Drain, and mash in with the olive oil
  3. Add in the rosemary and season.
  4. Spoon a spoonful of the mixture onto a dehydrator sheet and use the back of the spoon to shape into whatever cracker shape and size you prefer.
  5. I dehydrated for about 16 hours on 145 degrees - but please check regularly and adjust accordingly!
  6. You an also make these in an oven if you don't have a dehydrator (but please research times and temperatures carefully!)

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Recipe Grain-Free Crackers Potato Rosemary Dehydrator Paleo Network-min (1)

Recipe Raw Zucchini Shoe-String Fries Paleo Network 680-min

Recipe: Raw Zucchini Shoe-String Fries

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So I had a couple of trays free in my dehydrator, and some zucchini's that had to be used… so I came up with some zucchini fries that are a great snack, or would make a perfect side dish for dinner. I know a lot of people miss crunchy textures when they go paleo – if that's you, you'll love these!

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If you don't have a dehydrator, get one! No seriously, you can also make these in an oven on a very low heat.

Recipe: Raw Zucchini Shoe-String Fries
Recipe type: Snacks
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A tasty side dish, or a snack on it's own. Crunchy zucchini shoe-string fries!
Ingredients
  • 2 zucchini's
  • splash of olive oil
  • sea salt
Instructions
  1. Slice the zucchini into thin strips
  2. Toss the strips in a drop of olive oil and season
  3. Arrange on a dehydrator sheet
  4. I dehydrated for 16 hours at about 145 degrees - but check regularly!

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This would be great with so many other vegetables too, carrots, parsnips even capsicum. Note by adding the oil, they won't keep for as long as if you dehydrate them on their own.

Recipe Grain-Free Crackers Potato Rosemary Dehydrator Paleo Network 2-min

Grain-Free Cracker Balls

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In my experimentation to make the perfect grain-free cracker, I came up with these cracker-balls, which if I do say so myself, are delicious!

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I used white potatoes and sweet potatoes, but I think you could easily use parsnips or even pumpkin or squash. The key is in the dehydration to give the crunchy end result. If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can use your oven on a low heat instead (though I've not tested this method). If you’re keen to try a dehydrator (and I highly recommend them), you can go really cheap like this one, or go all out on an Excalibur like this. There are so many ways to use them.

Grain-Free Cracker Balls
Recipe type: Snacks
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These grain-free crackers use potatoes as a base ingredient and thanks to the dehydration, have that satisfying cracker-crunch!
Ingredients
  • 2 large white potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 3 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons rosemary
  • sea salt to taste
Instructions
  1. Boil the potatoes in two separate saucepans, as you would if you were making mash
  2. Drain the saucepans and add in half the oil to each
  3. Mash the potatoes and mix in the rosemary, then season.
  4. Once cool enough, roll the mixture into small balls of about 1cm diameter.
  5. Arrange the balls on dehydrator sheets alternatively and "press" them into each other, to ensure they stick together.
  6. Dehydrate at 145 degrees for about 18 hours (but this will depend on the thickness of your crackers, so please check and adjust accordingly!

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Recipe paleo chocolate cookies biscuits dehydrator-min

Recipe: Paleo Chocolate Cookies

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Let's get one thing clear – these are a treat – not a daily indulgence (whenever I post sweet recipes I get comments about how cavemen wouldn't eat dessert, yet they're also the most popular recipes I post!).

Recipe Strawberry Date Almond Cashew Cookies Paleo Network-min

As the weather's been a bit cooler, it's been the perfect time to get my dehydrator out. This recipe was a case of making do with what I had and seeing what I could come up with, but very pleased with the results.

If you don't have a dehydrator, you can use your oven I believe, but do some research first. If you're keen to try a dehydrator (and I highly recommend them), you can go really cheap like this one, or go all out on an Excalibur like this.

Recipe: Paleo Cookies
 
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Recipe type: Dessert
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These cookies are a sweet treat straight from the dehydrator. Just six ingredients is all it takes to make these delicious treats!
Ingredients
  • 20 small medjool dates
  • 1 cup almonds
  • 1 cup cashews
  • 10 strawberries
  • 2 tablespoons cacao powder
  • Few drops vanilla essence
Instructions
  1. Pit the dates and leave them to soak for a few minutes in a cup of water
  2. I was too mean to buy expensive almond meal, so I put the almonds and cashews in a paper bag on a heavy chopping board, and bashed with a rolling pin until they were almond completely ground down. If you have almond meal - you're done!
  3. Put the date mixture into a blender and pulse until the mixture is consistent, then add in the ground nuts and strawberries. Add in the vanilla and cacao and blend until it's thoroughly mixed and smooth.
  4. Spoon onto a dehydrator sheet and flatten with the back of the spoon to make the cookie shapes.
  5. Recipe Strawberry Date Almond Cashew Cookies Paleo Network Making
  6. I dehydrated at 145 degrees for about 20 hours, but keep checking as you may prefer a different texture.

 

Tuna Celery salad paleo network-min

Recipe: Tuna & Celery Salad with Tartar Dressing

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If you're eating the same old salad day in, day out, it's time to change it up! This Tuna and Celery Salad is a personal favourite – and the homemade dressing finishes it off nicely.

When buying canned tuna make sure you get a good brand. Wild Planet Wild Albacore Tuna is a good go-to brand as it's wild and line caught. You'll need to refer to my paleo mayonnaise recipe too, but don't worry, it's so simple you'll never buy shop mayonnaise again!
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Recipe: Tuna & Celery Salad with Tartar Dressing
Recipe type: Salads
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Ingredients
  • Juice ½ lemon
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to drizzle
  • 1 x 130 g (4.5 oz) can tuna in brine, drained
  • ½ red capsicum (bell pepper), seeded & finely diced
  • 1 stick celery, finely sliced
  • 4 iceberg lettuce leaves
  • 2 tbsp paleo mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp finely chopped capers
  • Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Combine lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl. Add the tuna, capsicum, celery and some seasoning and combine.
  2. Arrange lettuce leaves on a plate and the tuna mixture on top. Mix mayonnaise and capers together in a small cup and drizzle over the tuna. Finish with olive oil, salt and pepper.

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Recipe simple paleo stir fry-min

Recipe: Simple Chicken Stir Fry

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Sometimes it's nice to make something simple and easy for dinner. And it doesn't get much easier than a stir fry.

Whilst you can buy packets of ready to use vegetables to throw into a pan – don't do this! Where I live a packet of pre-prepared veggies is upwards of about $7.50 a kilo. Or you can buy your vegetables individually. I get carrots for about $1 a kilo and cabbage for about $3 a head. Cheaper, probably fresher and only the nice bits. The only difference is that the prepacked veg are drier which is better for stir frying. I just use a cheese cloth to remove the excess liquid from my freshly grated veg – and save lots of money in the process.

Recipe simple paleo stir fry-min

 

 

Recipe: Simple Chicken Stir Fry
 
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Recipe type: Dinner
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Sometimes it’s nice to make something simple and easy for dinner. And it doesn’t get much easier than a stir fry. Whilst you can buy packets of ready to use vegetables to throw into a pan – don’t do this! Where I live a packet of pre-prepared veggies is upwards of about $7.50 a kilo. Or you can buy your vegetables individually. I get carrots for about $1 a kilo and cabbage for about $3 a head. Cheaper, probably fresher and only the nice bits. The only difference is that the prepacked veg are drier which is better for stir frying. I just use a cheese cloth to remove the excess liquid from my freshly grated veg – and save lots of money in the process.
Ingredients
  • Large spoonful of coconut oil
  • Chicken breast (free range, obviously)
  • 2 carrots
  • Half a head of cabbage
  • Dash coconut aminos
  • Sea salt
Instructions
  1. Melt the coconut oil in a pan over a medium heat
  2. Cut up the chicken as you like it (strips or diced) and throw into the pan
  3. Grate the vegetables in a food processor*, or using an old school grater. In a clean tea towel or cheesecloth, wring out the excess liquid. I used cabbage and cauliflower – but throw in whatever you have!
  4. Once the chicken starts to look golden and is cooked through, add in the grated vegetables.
  5. Add the dash of coconut aminos for flavouring and season to your taste. You can also add in some herbs and spices if you want to change it up.
  6. *I usually prepare a lot of veg to take make enough for several meals. If you’ve got the food processor out, you might as well get good use out of it!

How to grind your own beef mince ground grinder paleo network-min

How to Grind Your Own Ground Beef Mince

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A while ago I wrote about why I don't buy ground beef (or any mince meat for that matter). But I love cooking with it. Making it yourself is the only way you can possibly:

  • Know exactly what's in it
  • Be sure it only contains good cuts of meat
  • Know how fresh it is
  • Know it's safe to eat medium-rare
  • Know it will taste good

How to grind your own beef mince ground grinder paleo network-min

The first time I tried it I used an old fashioned mincer like the one in the photo above. It was a total mess, with meat juice going everywhere! So since then, I've worked out how to do it properly with the mincer – but also far faster with my food processor.

How to Grind Your Own Ground Beef Mince:

1) Find a good cut of meat, not too lean – a bit of fat makes all the difference. I often buy a cut that is on special offer, then freeze the ground meat that I make.

2) Depending on what you're making with the mince, you might also grind another type of mince too. For example, I like to make my bolognese with half beef and half pork mince.

3) This is the step I found out the hard way. Cube the meat evenly, then put in the freezer for a couple of hours. Do this, it makes a huge difference and stops your kitchen resembling a crime scene. I've even taken to putting the grinding plate into the freezer too. Without it being super cold it won't grind properly and will be a mushy nasty mess. You have been warned.

4) In small batches feed the meat cubes into the food processor or grinder

5) Check for any un-ground pieces to put through again, and get rid of any gristle that has made it's way through.

6) Whatever you don't use, straight away freeze in small batches for use in a future recipe.

And once you've ground your meat? Try some of these recipes:

Chilli and Cumin meatballs with a mango and pomegranate salsa
Texan Style Sweet Potato and Bison Burgers
Spiced Beef Kofte with a Pomegranate Glaze
Tomato-Free Bolognese Recipe
Mexican Turkey Burgers with Coriander Guacamole

Recipe paleo egg muffins-min

Recipe: Paleo Egg Muffins

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Egg Muffins are a win for quick and easy breakfast options. When I make them I make a big batch and keep them in the fridge.

I use whatever vegetables I have left over, so you can go as plain or complex as you like.

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Recipe: Paleo Egg Muffins
 
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Recipe type: Breakfast
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Ingredients
  • 1 Onion, diced
  • Large spoon of coconut oil
  • Broccoli, diced
  • Handful of Mushrooms, sliced
  • Large bowl of spinach
  • 6 Eggs
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • Handful of grated cheese (if primal, completely optional)
Instructions
  1. Fry the onions in some coconut oil over a medium heat
  2. When the onions soften, add in the broccoli, then the spinach
  3. Meanwhile beat the eggs and season
  4. Arrange the muffin cases and spoon the vegetables into the bottom of each case
  5. Add a pinch of grated cheese to each case (if desired, otherwise leave out)
  6. Spoon in the egg mixture
  7. Bake in the oven at 175C (350F) for about 45 minutes
  8. Enjoy or store in the fridge to enjoy for breakfast tomorrow

 

Recipe Paleo Deviled Eggs-min

Recipe: Paleo Deviled Eggs

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Deviled eggs are so easy to make, but create a big impact. Traditionally, they're made with non-paleo mayonnaise, but with a simple switch to my paleo mayonnaise, they're back on the menu again!

I love devilled eggs as a party food, or just for a snack. Why have hard-boiled eggs, when you can make these?

Recipe Paleo Deviled Eggs-min

 

Recipe: Paleo Deviled Eggs
 
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Recipe type: Sides
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Ingredients
  • 4 free range eggs
  • 2 tablespoons paleo mayonnaise
  • ½ teaspoon mustard powder
  • sea salt and ground pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
  1. In a large pan of cold water, add the eggs, then bring to the boil.
  2. Allow the eggs to boil for at least 12 minutes, then cool them quickly by pouring cold water into the pan, allowing the hot water to drain away in the sink.
  3. Remove the eggs and peel the shells off. I find it easiest to lightly smash the eggs on the counter so the whole shell is cracked, then peel off neatly. Be careful to do this cleanly and not damage the egg white.
  4. Using a good sharp knife (be careful!) cut the egg in half lengthways.
  5. Remove the egg yolks and place in a bowl.
  6. Add the mayonnaise, mustard and seasoning to the bowl and mix well.
  7. If you have the skills, transfer the mixture into a piping bag and pipe the mixture back into the egg halves. Otherwise, just spoon it in!
  8. Finally, sprinkle the paprika onto the egg halves to garnish.
  9. Serve and enjoy

 

 

Recipe Kielbasa and Cabbage Soup paleo-min

Recipe: Kielbasa and Cabbage Soup

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Ever tried Kielbasa? Biala Kielbasa is a Polish smoked sausage traditionally made with pork, and seasoned with garlic and marjoram before being smoked. If you can find it – and it sticks to its traditional Polish routes, chances are it will be paleo – but make sure you check the ingredients. This is a really flavoursome soup- and completely paleo!

Recipe Kielbasa and Cabbage Soup paleo-min

Recipe: Kielbasa and Cabbage Soup
 
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Recipe type: Soups
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Ingredients
  • Drop of coconut oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 1 clove crushed garlic
  • 120g (1/4 lb) Kielbasa (or substitute with another smoke sausage)
  • 5 tomatoes, chopped
  • ½ shredded cabbage
  • ½ litre (2 cups) chicken stock
  • dash of apple cider vinegar
  • pinch paprika
  • bay leaf
  • Ground pepper & sea salt
Instructions
  1. ) Put the coconut oil in a pan, and over a medium heat cook the onion, carrots, garlic and sausage. You'll want to cook these until the onions start to soften.
  2. ) Add in the tomatoes, cabbage, chicken stock and apple cider vinegar
  3. ) Cover the pan and bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer. If it gets too dry, add more stock or water.
  4. ) Add in the paprika, bay leaf and seasoning and allow to simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
  5. ) Remove the bay leaf, serve and enjoy.