paleo diet recipe Roasted Fennel with Toasted Almonds-min

Recipe: Roasted Fennel with Toasted Almonds

Completely unique in flavour, fennel is one of my favourite vegetables to have as a side with chicken and lamb. You don’t need much in the way of spices, as it does the talking all on its own. It's very much ‘love it or hate it’ though, just to warn you!

Roasted Fennel Ingredients:

  • 4 fennel bulbs
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Sea Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • 1 handful of flaked almonds
  • A few sprigs fresh parsley

Roasted Fennel How To:

1)     Preheat an oven to 200C / 400F / Gas mark 6

2)     Remove the stalks and the hard bottom from the fennel bulbs. Cut into wedges.

3)     Combine the olive oil with the lemon juice, then drizzle over the fennel wedges. Season well, then add to the oven. Cook for 15 minutes, turn, then for another 20.

4)     Meanwhile, in a pan, dry fry the flaked almonds over a medium heat until the turn golden brown. When the fennel is nice and crispy, toss the almonds on top. Garnish with a few sprigs of fresh parsley.

What’s your verdict on fennel? Do you love it, or hate it?

paleo diet recipe Roasted Fennel with Toasted Almonds-min

Raw Chocolate Coconut Macaroons paleo dessert sweet treat snack primal gluten free sugar free-min

Recipes: Raw Chocolate Coconut Macaroons

Let’s face it; sometimes, we all crave a bit of chocolate. Even we Paleo folk have our weaknesses. Fortunately though, our chocolate fixes don’t have to be laden with sugar and dairy. In moderation, raw cacao is extremely healthy, bursting with antioxidants and beneficial phytochemicals. There are loads of different ways you can enjoy it, and for me it's much more delicious than the cheap and nasty stuff people buy stacks of in the supermarket. What better way to enjoy it than as part of some delicious, no bake, easy to make, mini macaroons?

Makes 12

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons Ingredients:

  • 1 banana
  • ¼ cup Almond Butter
  • ¼ cup Coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp Maple Syrup
  • 5 tbsp raw cacao powder
  • 1 ½ cups unsweetened shredded coconut
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Chocolate Coconut Macaroons How To:

Cover a flat baking tray with some baking parchment.

Mash the banana in a large bowl. Whisk in the almond butter, coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla if using to form a paste.

Add the cacao powder to the mix, one spoonful at a time, stirring well.

Stir in the coconut, making sure all the mixture is well combined (I used my hands for this part!). Form the mixture into 12 mini ‘macaroon’ shapes, and place on top of the baking parchment.

Leave in the fridge for at least an hour to fully set. If you can’t wait that long, 10 minutes in the freezer is just as good!

Raw Chocolate Coconut Macaroons paleo dessert sweet treat snack primal gluten free sugar free-min

Recipe paleo Perfect Almond Butter peanut butter nut-min

Recipe: Perfect Almond Butter

Not only is almond butter absolutely delicious on its own, its great to use in loads of different Paleo desert recipes. It’s a store cupboard staple in my house, and this recipe is perfect every time.

Almond Butter Ingredients:

  • 250g organic almonds
  • Pinch of sea salt

Almond Butter How To:

1)     Preheat the oven to 180C / 350F / Gas Mark 4. Cover an ovenproof tray with some baking parchment and lay out the almonds, making sure they are spread out next to, and not on top of, one another.

2)     Roast for 6 minutes, then shake, then roast for another 6. Remove from the oven, then leave to cool for 10 minutes.

3)     Pop the almonds into a food processor with a pinch of salt. On the highest setting, blitz for around 10 minutes. At first, the ground nuts will stick to the side of the food processor – just push them back in to the barrel with a spatula. You may have to do this 4 – 5 times depending on your food processor!

4)     You should watch the nuts turn from solid, into a ball, into a thick liquid. At this point, YOU ARE NOT FINISHED! Keep processing until a thin layer of oil begins to rise to the top. Here, the nuts have released their natural oils, and at the optimum for taste, texture and digestion. Pour into an empty jar, then keep in the fridge. What’s the best thing about making your own almond butter? Scraping the remains off the side of the food processor!

Have you tried making your own nut butter yet?

Recipe paleo Perfect Almond Butter peanut butter nut-min

http://paleo.com.au/recipesauteed-turmeric-sweet-potatoes/

Recipe: Sauteed Turmeric Sweet Potatoes

Earthy and wholesome, these sweet potatoes make a lovely side dish to chicken, pork or lamb. Add red and green capsicum (bell peppers) for a real explosion of colour!

Sautéed Sweet Potato Ingredients:

  • 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1cm cubes
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped
  • 2cm knob of ginger, chopped
  • Coconut Oil
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • A pinch of cayenne pepper
  • Juice of ½ lemon

Sautéed Sweet Potato How To:

1)     Heat a pan to a medium heat with a little coconut oil.

2)     In a bowl, combine the onions and sweet potatoes with the lemon, turmeric and cayenne. Add the garlic and ginger and mix together.

3)     Fry for about 10 minutes, until the potatoes are nice and crispy.

Don’t forget to share in the comments what you enjoyed them with!

Recipe paleo Sauteed Turmeric Sweet Potatoes-min

Paleo Diet Primal Recipe Baba Ganoush-min

Recipe: Baba Ganoush

It’s no secret that living Paleo can sometimes leave us longing for a thick, creamy, indulgent dip for crudités, sweet potato fries or even barbequed meat. Baba Ganoush has to be one of the best things you can do with an aubergine – so good, in fact, it’ll have your non-paleo friends throwing away their hummus and sour cream and raiding your fridge instead.

Baba Ganoush Ingredients:

  • 2 large aubergines
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • A small handful fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • A small handful fresh coriander, finely chopped
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 2 tbsp cashew nut butter
  • 1tsp cumin
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Baba Ganoush How To:

To roast your aubergines, preheat your oven to 180C / 350F / Gas Mark 4. Cut the aubergines into halves, removing the stem. Scoop out the seeds, then cut into half again. Lightly score the flesh with a sharp knife, being careful not to cut too deep. Pop into a roasting dish, drizzle with a little olive oil, salt and pepper, then roast for approximately 30 minutes until tender. Leave to cool.

Peel off the skin of the aubergines. Chop into chunks, and drain off any excess liquid. Throw into a food processor, and blitz with the cashew nut butter and lemon juice.

When smooth in texture, but not too fine, throw in the garlic, herbs, and cumin. Blitz again just enough to combine the flavours. Remove from the food processor and serve.

Paleo Diet Primal Recipe Baba Ganoush-min

http://paleo.com.au/recipe-vegetarian-sweet-potato-boats-capsicum-stew-labna/

Recipe: Sweet Potato Boats with Roast Capsicum Stew & Labna

I thought I’d share with you another recipe from my new Paleo Vegan and Vegetarian recipe ebook. The recipes in the book are designed for Vegans and Vegetarians keen to ditch grains and legumes – and adopt more of a Paleo diet. In the book I aim to show how even without meat, making the right choices, it is possible to avoid grains, legumes and dairy. If you’re interested in the book and more of a vegetarian paleo approach, you can find it here.

This recipe is for sweet potato boats, loaded with a roast capsicum stew & labana – and will wow anyone you serve it to, vegetarian or not!

Recipe: Sweet Potato Boats with Roast Capsicum Stew & Labna
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Lunch
Cuisine: Classic
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
This is a recipe from my vegan and vegetarian paleo cookbook - enjoy!
Ingredients
  • 4 medium sized sweet potatoes (about 250 g or ½ lb each), scrubbed & halved
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 onions, halves , peeled & sliced
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp coriander seeds
  • 2 tsp sweet paprika
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp chilli powder
  • 700g (25oz) jar roasted peppers, drained well & roughly chopped (make sure the ingredients don’t include sugar)
  • 8 tomatoes, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup mixed herb leaves (parsley, coriander, dill, chives), roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp unhulled sesame seeds, toasted
  • ⅓ cup labna
  • sea salt & freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven 180ºC (350ºF). Rub half the olive oil over the sweet potatoes halves and arrange cut side down on lined baking trays. Roast for about 40 minutes, or until very tender and beginning to caramelise. Remove from the oven, turn to face up and slit across down the centre- the cut should be about 1 cm from the ends. Press a spoon into the slit and push the sides apart gently to create a of boat shape to hold the stew.
  2. Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat and add the onions. Sauté, stirring, for about 10 minutes or until brown. Add the spices and salt and continue to cook for a minute or two, until everything is fragrant. Add the peppers and tomatoes and adjust the heat to a steady simmer. Cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
  3. To serve arrange 2 sweet potato halves on each serving plate and divide the stew between them. Garnish with herbs and sesame seeds and serve with labna on the side.

Recipe paleo sweet potato boats with roast capsicum bell pepper stew and labna vegan pegan diet-min

http://paleo.com.au/recipe-cauliflower-and-sweet-potato-curry/

Recipe: Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Curry

Cheap to make and wonderfully comforting, this vegetarian curry is great on its own or as a side to some chicken drumsticks. Great for curling up in front of the fire with on a cold winter’s day.

Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Curry Ingredients:

  • 2 cauliflowers, broken into florets
  • 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped into cubes
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 1tbsp cumin
  • 1 tbsp coriander
  • 1 tsp tumeric
  • 1 tsp chilli powder
  • 1 x 5cm piece of ginger, peeled and chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 1 x 400ml can chopped tomatoes
  • 50ml coconut cream
  • Olive oil

Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Curry How To:

Heat a large pan with some olive oil to a medium heat, then add the onions and cook until golden. Throw in the garlic, ginger and spices, and cook for 2 – 3 minutes more.

Add a little more oil, then throw in the cauliflower florets and sweet potatoes. Allow to colour and pick up the flavours for 3 – 4 minutes.

Pour in the chopped tomatoes, stir, and cover with a lid. Leave to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring every now and then.

Thicken with coconut cream just before serving.

Paleo Diet Primal Recipe Cauliflower Sweet Potato Curry-min

paleo recipe Griddled Asparagus with Pine Nuts-min

Recipe: Griddled Asparagus with Pine Nuts

An easy and effective way to make awesome asparagus! This is a great side dish with any dinner. It's easy to over cook – but take care because well cooked asparagus makes such a difference!

Ingredients:

  • 500g asparagus spears
  • A handful of fresh parsley
  • A handful of fresh tarragon
  • A handful of pine nuts
  • Olive oil
  • Sea Salt
  • Black Pepper

Asparagus How To:

1)     Sear the asparagus on a griddle at a medium low heat. You don’t need any oil, as this way they will crisp up far more.

2)     While these are cooking, finely chop the herbs, and mix together with 2tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.

3)     Remove the asparagus from the heat when it is suitably chargrilled, normally after 7 – 8 minutes. Drizzle with the herb oil, then scatter the pine nuts.

I’d love to hear how you cook and prepare your veggies.

paleo recipe Griddled Asparagus with Pine Nuts-min

Paleo Diet Recipe Vegan Vegetarian Primal Vegetable Bake-min

Recipe: Vegetable Bake with Tomato & Basil Sauce (Vegan & Vegetarian)

I wanted to share with you one of the recipes from my new Vegan and Vegetarian Paleo recipe ebook. Whilst Vegetarian and Paleo might not seem to naturally go together, by avoiding grains – and making sure you get some good legume-free protein into your diet, it is possible to follow a Vegetarian Paleo diet.

My Paleo Vegetarian and Vegan recipe book shows how to transition into Paleo and is packed with recipes for grain, legume and dairy free recipes. Recipes demonstrate good Paleo protein sources and there are also plenty of Vegan options (i.e. no eggs or dairy). For those looking for a gradual transition into full Paleo, the book also details how to properly prepare grains and legumes, for those who aren't ready to give them up on day one.

If you're interested in the recipe ebook, you can find it here.

This recipe is a vegetable bake, full of flavours. Whether you're vegetarian or not, this makes a great Paleo dinner!

 Vegetable Bake Ingredients:

(Serves 4)

  • 1 large eggplant (about 500 g or 1lb), trimmed & sliced in 1 cm thick rounds
  • 2 large zucchini (about 500 g or 1lb), sliced lengthways in ½ cm thick strips
  • olive oil, to brush
  • 2 red capsicum (bell pepper)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 onions, halved & sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 x 400g (or 1lb) tin chopped tomatoes
  • 1 cup basil leaves, torn
  • ½ cup pitted black olives
  • ½ cup semi-sundried tomatoes in olive oil*
  • handful baby basil leaves, to serve
  • sea salt & freshly ground black pepper

 * If you can’t find them in 100 % olive oil reconstitute sundried tomatoes in olive oil (to cover) with a clove or 2 of smashed garlic and a sprig of oregano.

The Paleo Primal Diet Vegetarian Vegan Recipe Ebook

Vegetable Bake How To:

Preheat oven 180ºC (350ºF) and put the racks in the top and bottom thirds. Prepare 2 slide trays with baking paper and arrange the eggplant on one and the zucchini on the other in a single layer. Brush liberally with olive oil, season, add the capsicums to the tray and bake for 30 minutes. Remove. Place the capsicums (bell peppers) in a plastic bag and tie shut. Sweat for at least 20 minutes before roughly peeling them (the skin will slip off easily), tearing into quarters and discarding the seeds and stalk.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onions and sauté, covered, for 10 minutes, or until they’re very soft. Remove the lid, add the garlic and stir for a minute then add the tomatoes and basil with some seasoning. Cover, adjust the heat to keep the tomatoes at a steady simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the olives.

Grease a 20 cm2 (8 inches) dish. Arrange the eggplant in one even layer over the base (you can squish them a bit) then spread a quarter of a cup of the tomato sauce over the top. Next, arrange the capsicum (bell pepper) in a single layer, then the zucchini. Spread the remaining tomato sauce over this then arrange the semi-sundried tomatoes on top. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes then uncover and bake for a further 15 minutes. Allow to sit for 15 minutes out of the oven in a warm place.

Serve warm, garnished with baby basil leaves and accompanied by a green salad.

Paleo Diet Recipe Vegan Vegetarian Primal Vegetable Bake-min

Paleo recipe thai green curry-min

Recipe: Paleo Thai Green Curry

One of my favourite curries is Thai Green Curry. Hot and spicy, it’s always a winner. It’s also so easy to make, even if I wasn’t dubious about the ingredients in restaurant versions, I would still prefer to make my own.

Whilst it might “traditionally” be served with rice, my version is far better, served with 100% Paleo cauliflower rice.

Paleo recipe thai green curry-min

Thai Green Curry Ingredients:

The Curry Paste:

  • 1 teaspoon white peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 lemongrass stalk, chopped
  • 6 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 4 spring onions, chopped
  • 2 tablespoon coriander stems, chopped
  • 3cm piece ginger, peeled and chopped
  • 4 green chillies, deseeded and chopped
  • 4 bird’s eye chillies
  • 2 tablespoons chopped lemongrass
  • 2 tablespoon coconut oil

For the Curry:

  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 3 tablespoon green curry paste (as made, above)
  • 125ml/4fl oz chicken stock
  • 250ml/8fl oz coconut cream
  • 1 anchovy, finely chopped
  • 4 kaffir lime leaves, torn
  • 500g/1lb chicken breast fillets, cut into chunks
  • 400g aubergine, cut into chunks
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • Handful fresh basil leaves
  • 3 green chillies, deseeded and sliced

How To:

Firstly, make the paste. In a small pan, heat the peppercorn, coriander and cumin seeds, ensuring they do not burn, until they release their scent.

Add the toasted herbs to the remaining paster ingredients in a blender, and blend until it becomes a thick paste. You can store the paste in a jar in the fridge for a week or so.

Over a high heat, melt the coconut oil in a large pan. Brown the chicken pieces, then set them aside.  In the remaining oil, cook the paste for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add to the pan the stock, coconut cream, anchovy and leaves, then reduce the heat. Cook for 6-7 minutes. Add in the chicken and cook for another 6 or 7 minutes, stirring constantly.

Add in the remaining ingredients and cook for a few more minutes. To serve, top with the basil leaves and the chilli. Serve immediately with a helping of homemade cauliflower rice.

Do you make your Thai green curry the same way as I do? I’d love to hear what you do different, in the comments below!