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Smoked Mackerel with Fresh Beet Slaw paleo lunch recipe-min

Paleo Lunch Box Recipe – Smoked Mackerel with Fresh Beet Slaw

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I just love making my own ‘slaw’ – they are quick to make, super versatile and brilliant to keep in the fridge. You can mix them up with all sorts of ingredients, and they are perfect to chuck in the lunchbox for a healthy pick me up. This slaw is made with raw beets, and is as wonderful to look at as it is to eat. Smoked mackerel is the perfect combination to boost the protein and omega 3s.

The Slaw recipe below makes enough for about four good sized servings, so if you have a family to feed you may want to double up. Switch up the ingredients however you see fit – don’t be afraid to experiment!

Slaw Ingredients:

  • 2 strips sustainably caught smoked mackerel per portion

For the Slaw:

  • 2 raw beets
  • 4 medium carrots
  • ¼ red cabbage
  • ¼ white cabbage
  • 2 green apples
  • Handful pumpkin seeds
  • Handful flaked almonds
  • 75ml red wine vinegar
  • 40ml olive oil

Slaw How To:

Chop both cabbages as finely as possible. Grate the carrots, beets and apples, and combine all in a large bowl.

Combine the red wine vinegar and olive oil in a separate bowl. Gradually stir into the slaw mixture, then add the pumpkin seeds and almonds and mix again. Season to taste. Cover with gladwrap/ clingfilm and store in the fridge.

The slaw will keep in the fridge for a good 3 – 4 days, and the flavours will just develop over this period. When ready to serve, add to your lunchbox with 2 good sized strips smoked mackerel (slip the bottom skin off first if you like). Just make sure the lid is on tight, as you don’t want beetroot juice leaking into your bag!

Smoked Mackerel with Fresh Beet Slaw paleo lunch recipe-min

Paleo network recipe lime tarragon fish seafood grain-free ideas

Recipe: lime & tarragon scallops

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Seafood is so good for you – assuming you buy good quality of course. Scallops are a great choice – especially with a bit of lime!

Recipe: lime & tarragon scallops
Recipe type: Fish & Seafood
Cuisine: Barbecue
Prep time: 
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The most important thing with this recipe is getting hold of some very fresh scallops from a good source.
Ingredients
  • 24 (or about 500g) scallops (minus the roe)
  • handful of freshly chopped tarragon (if you can't get it, dried will do)
  • Juice of half a lime
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 limes cut into wedges (approx 8 wedges per lime)
Instructions
  1. In a bowl, mix the scallops, tarragon, lime juice and olive oil. Ensure they are coated thoroughly and evenly.
  2. On a skewer, thread a wedge of lime and one skewer on each
  3. Cook on the barbecue (or grill), making sure they are all cooked through

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These are great on a barbecue served with a big green salad – and are sure to be a hit! If it's not barbecue weather, the grill will do just fine instead.

But what's so good about scallops anyway?

The humble scallop is packed with protein and also a great source of minerals such as zinc, potassium and magnesium. They're very high in vitamin B12, and also provide iodine – which can be hard to get in adequate amounts on a paleo diet. Small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids are also found in this humble seafood. If you can't get hold of them, how about trying some clams or oysters instead?

Do you eat much seafood? I'd love to hear how you cook yours in the comments below!

coconut seafood soup fish_paleo_recipe_diet

Recipe: coconut seafood soup

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This delicious Thai inspired seafood soup is best made right before you serve it. If you want it a little hotter, increase the amount of chilli you add (or if you're extra daring, don't remove the seeds!)

Recipe: coconut seafood soup
Recipe type: Soups
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Ingredients
  • 250g Halibut (or other white fish fillets), de-boned and roughly shopped
  • 750ml water
  • 1 can coconut milk (see my guide to selecting a good one here)
  • 1 brown onion, diced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon grass, chopped
  • 1 fresh chilli, deseeded and chopped finely
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • Half a small Chinese cabbage, shredded
  • 3 tablespoons fresh coriander, chopped
Instructions
  1. Throw all the ingredients in a pan over a medium heat
  2. Bring to the boil, the reduce to a simmer
  3. Stir occasionally and continue to simmer for 10-15 minutes
  4. Depending on your preferred texture, remove from the heat and blitz in a blender until smooth
  5. Serve and enjoy!

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Any leftovers can be frozen in small batches immediately, ready to reheat for a quick and easy lunch another time.

Fish head stock chowder broth paleo diet recipe

Recipe: Fish Head Stock

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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
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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.

paleo_recipe_7_minute salmon poached_perfect

Recipe: 7 Minute Salmon

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Salmon is great in so many things – recently I’ve been having a lot of salmon salads. I’ve tried lots of different ways of cooking it, but I think I’ve got the perfect method – and best of all, it takes just 7 minutes on the stove. I find this method far more consistant than frying or baking, as it always turns out well. This poaching technique is quick and cooks the fish through, but it remains tender. I tend to make up more than I need, as it’s fine to keep in the fridge for up to 3 days, making for a quick lunch option.

I’m quite careful about the fish I get and avoid farmed fish. Look out for wild fish where you can.

Recipe: 7 Minute Salmon
Recipe type: Fish & Seafood
Prep time: 
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Ingredients
  • 4 wild salmon fillets
  • 3 spring onions, trimmed
  • 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
  • Squeeze of fresh lime
  • Sea salt
Instructions
  1. In a pan just big enough to accommodate the fish, arrange the fillets so they don’t overlap, and cover with cold water until they are immersed.
  2. Add the spring onions, peppercorns and lime, then the sea salt.
  3. Bring the water to the boil and as soon as it starts to boil, turn the fillets over and remove the pan from the heat. Leave the pan to stand for 7 minutes.
  4. After 7 minutes, take the salmon out of the pan and leave to cool completely. Once the salmon is cool it will be cooked to perfection.

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How do you cook Salmon (and other fish?) I’d love to hear your tips in the comments below.

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!
paleo_network_recipe_lunch_tuna_celery_salad_tartar_dressing-min

Recipe: Tuna & Celery Salad with Tartar Dressing
Recipe type: Salads
Prep time: 
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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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Tuna Celery salad paleo network-min

Recipe paleo paella seafood-min

Recipe: Paleo Paella

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Yet another recipe that proves cauliflower rice is just as good (if not better) as the real thing. I love the combination of flavours and textures that is unique to Paella – what other dish in the world will you find prawns, anchovies, chicken and bacon altogether, delicately infused with smoked paprika and saffron? I can’t think of any, so what better reason to enjoy this super easy one pan dish with the whole family.

Recipe: Paleo Paella
 
Author: 
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Ingredients
  • 2 medium cauliflowers
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 4 skinless and boneless chicken thigh fillets
  • 6 – 8 rashers of smoked streaky bacon, diced
  • 1 large red onion, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, diced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • A pinch saffron
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 litre home made (or organic) chicken stock
  • 2 large tomatoes, diced
  • 2 large handfuls green peas
  • 15 – 20 large prawns, shelled
  • 6 Anchovies, diced
  • Black pepper
  • Handful fresh oregano
Instructions
  1. Blitz the heads of both cauliflowers in your food processor until it resembles rice (you may need to do this in separate batches depending on the size of your food processor). Set aside.
  2. Heat the coconut oil in your largest, heavy based pan. Dice the chicken thighs into thumb sized pieces. When the pan is at a high heat, fry the chicken for about 5 minutes until golden brown. Set aside, keeping the juices in the pan.
  3. Return the pan to a medium heat. Add the bacon, sliced red onion, garlic and paprika and stir fry for a couple of minutes, making sure they don’t burn. Add the cauliflower rice, paprika and bay, before pouring in the stock and sprinkling on the saffron. Don’t put the saffron in the pan before the stock – it’s very delicate and this will impair the flavour.
  4. Return the chicken to the pan. Leave to simmer for about 10 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir regularly.
  5. Add the diced tomatoes, green peas, prawns and anchovies to the pan for a further 5 minutes cooking time. When all the liquid is absorbed, serve garnished with the fresh oregano. There’s no need for salt thanks to the anchovies, but season with a generous amount of black pepper.

Recipe paleo paella seafood-min

Are you a Paella fan? What do you put in yours?

Spicy Tilapia Fishcakes with a Crispy Coconut Coating paleo recipe dinner lunch-min

Recipe: Spicy Tilapia Fishcakes with a Crispy Coconut Coating

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Have you tried Tilapia? I’ll admit, I don’t have good memories of fishcakes. Growing up, when someone said fishcake I would think of a soggy, batter coated starch ball with a slightly past its best fishy flavour. After eating clean for so long, I can’t imagine ever going near one of those again, but I thought it would be a great idea to recreate them into something much more appetising.

I was thrilled with how these turned out; the tilapia is mild flavoured and works extremely well with the sweet potato and chilli. The coating turns crispy and golden rather than soggy, whilst the inside remains fluffy. Try them – this is what fish cakes should taste like!

Recipe: Spicy Tilapia Fishcakes with a Crispy Coconut Coating
 
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Recipe type: Dinner
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Ingredients
  • 500g tilapia fillets
  • Half can coconut milk
  • 500g sweet potatoes, diced
  • Zest 1 lime
  • 2 red chilli peppers, deseeded and finely chopped
  • Chunk fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
  • 4 spring onions, finely chopped
  • Sea salt and black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 50g ground almonds
  • 50g desiccated coconut
  • 1 tbsp coconut flour
  • Coconut oil
Instructions
  1. Submerge the tilapia fillets in a saucepan with the coconut milk and just enough additional water to cover them. Bring to the boil, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes so that the fish is just cooked.
  2. Steam the sweet potatoes for 7 or 8 minutes, until soft. Mash in a bowl, before stirring in the chilli, ginger and spring onions. Add the fish and the coconut milk, before mashing again and seasoning to taste.
  3. Beat the two eggs together in a shallow dish. In a separate bowl, combine the ground almonds, desiccated coconut and coconut flour. You should now have three dishes arranged side by side – the mashed fishcake contents, the beaten eggs, and the coating.
  4. Roll the fishcake mixture into balls in your palm. One by one, coat lightly with the beaten egg, before rolling them in the almond and coconut mixture. Set aside.
  5. When ready to cook, heat a little coconut oil in a large, heavy based pan. Carefully place the fishcakes into the pan, and cook for 3 or 4 minutes each side until crisp and golden.

Spicy Tilapia Fishcakes with a Crispy Coconut Coating paleo recipe dinner lunch-min

Bajan Mahi Mahi with Caramelised Cinnamon Plantains paleo recipe dinner fish-min

Recipe: Bajan Mahi Mahi with Caramelised Cinnamon Plantains

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When available, mahi mahi is one of my favourite types of fish to eat. It’s really meaty, and full of flavour so requires little attention if you’re in a rush. That being said, this traditional Bajan style seasoning takes it to another level. Try and allow at least a couple of hours marinating time for the seasoning to really penetrate the fish. It pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of the plantains; buy them really ripe to achieve the sweet, sticky sensation you are looking for.

 Mahi Mahi Ingredients:

  • 2 generous sized Mahi Mahi steaks
  • 4 spring onions, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 small red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
  • 2 tsps dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried marjoram
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 tsp coconut oil x 2
  • 2 large, very ripe plantains (almost black all over)
  • 1 onion, finely sliced
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp coconut sugar (optional)

 Mahi Mahi How To:

1)    In a mortar and pestle, crush the spring onions, garlic and chilli together to make a paste. Add the vinegar and herbs and stir together, before rubbing all over the Mahi Mahi. Leave in a Ziploc bag to marinate for at least 2 hours.

2)    When ready to cook, heat 1 tsp of coconut oil in a frying pan over a medium heat. Chop the plantains in slices approximately 3cm thick, and add to the pan with the onion. Sauté gently, stirring every once in a while, for 10 minutes until golden brown. Coat in the cinnamon, nutmeg and coconut sugar (if using) and continue to cook for another 5 minutes or so until browned and sticky.

3)    Meanwhile, heat the other teaspoon of coconut oil in a separate pan. When it reaches a high enough temperature, drop in the Mahi Mahi steaks. Depending on the thickness, pan fry for 2 / 3 minutes either side – so that they are cooked through but still succulent in the middle. Serve next to the caramelised plantains.

Bajan Mahi Mahi with Caramelised Cinnamon Plantains paleo recipe dinner fish-min

Crispy Smoked Haddock and Mushroom Egg Pancakes paleo recipe-min

Recipe: Crispy Smoked Haddock and Mushroom Egg Pancakes

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Warning: these are not pancakes as you expect them to be. When I created this recipe, I had no idea how to define the crisp, flavour packed savoury parcels of eggy goodness I had just created. In all honesty, they probably lie somewhere between a pancake, a fritter and a mini omelette. But the important part is they’re nutritious, colourful, and damn tasty. Make a batch for the whole family for the perfect weekend breakfast.

Recipe: Crispy Smoked Haddock and Mushroom Egg Pancakes
 
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Ingredients
  • • 1 smoked haddock fillet
  • • 6 mushrooms, finely diced
  • • 1 red onion, diced
  • • Large handful spinach, chopped
  • • Coconut Oil
  • • 8 large, free range eggs
  • • ¼ cup + 1tbsp coconut flour
  • • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • • ½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • • Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Heat a little coconut oil in a large frying pan. Add the haddock fillet, and fry for around 5 minutes on both sides – until cooked through. Remove the fish from the pan, which can stay on the heat. Remove the skin and flake with a fork.
  2. Return the flaked haddock to the pan and add the mushrooms and red onion. Cook for 2 / 3 minutes, until the mushrooms have reduced. Add the spinach and cook for a further 30 seconds or so until lightly wilted. Pour pan contents into a large bowl and set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the eggs, coconut flour, cider vinegar, sodium bicarbonate and salt and pepper. Whisk thoroughly until lump free, before pouring the contents into the large bowl containing the haddock.
  4. Return the pan to the heat and add a little extra coconut oil. Scoop around ⅛th of the mixture into the pan to form one pancake, and repeat for as many as you can fit comfortably in the pan – you’ll probably have to cook them in batches. Cook for 3 minutes each side, until golden brown and well risen. Serve immediately!

Crispy Smoked Haddock and Mushroom Egg Pancakes paleo recipe-min