Imperfectly Paleo

Daylight hours are becoming increasingly scarce a commodity with the dark nights of winter looming... It got me thinking about the adage, " The days are long but the years are short" by Gretchen Rubin The Happiness Project . Japanese Style Curry with Pork and Root Veg

When I came up with this recipe idea in my head it looked a lot less aesthetically displeasing than it turned out in real life! I was envisaging a pretty pale yellow fritter encasing delicate shreds of defined orange and purple. Ha! What my imagination had overlooked was beetroot's ability to contaminate everything within its vicinity: rendering it one big pink patty. Oh well - at least the taste is unaffected.  Beetroot & Carrot Fritters with Garlic Mushroom Salad Autumn is coming. Herald its arrival with the earthy flavours of root vegetables and a warm salad. Beetroot & Carrot Fritters with Garlic Mushroom Salad Dairy-free, Grain-free, Gluten-free, Refined Sugar-free, Nut-free Serves 2 (makes 8 fritters) Ingredients: Fritters: 1 large beetroot (200g), peeled and coarsely grated 2 medium carrots (200g), peeled, trimmed and coarsely grated 3 medium eggs 4 tbsp nutritional yeast 2 tbsp coconut flour zest of 1/2 lemon 1/4 tsp sea salt 1/4 tsp fresh g...

Sort of like a green hummus spiked with a kick of wasabi and an extra boost of antioxidant from the matcha green tea. Adjust the level of heat by adding more or less wasabi as preferred. Wasabi and Matcha Green Pea Dip Strictly speaking peas aren't technically paleo but hey, that's why this blog is 'imperfectly' paleo - I don't have a problem with the humble petits pois. Wasabi and Matcha Green Pea Dip Grain-free, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free, Nut-free Makes 1 bowl (approx 2 cups) Ingredients : 150g petits pois (small green peas), defrosted 1 inch piece courgette (zucchini) small bunch fresh coriander 2 tbsp tahini 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) juice of 1/2 lemon 1/4 tsp minced garlic 1/4 tsp cumin powder 1/4 tsp wasabi powder (or more to taste) 1/4 tsp matcha green tea powder sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste optional: chili flakes and coriander leaves to garnish Instructions : 1. In a high speed b...

The summer break means lots of snacks required to feed hungry children! I wasn't sure if these could be deemed a true 'flapjack' as they don't contain the traditional triumvirate of oats, butter or golden syrup; however, my daughter bit unto one and declared them to be exactly like a flapjack so who am I to argue? Fruit and Seed Coconut Flapjack Bars These soft and chewy bars are free from grains, nuts and refined sugar. They are quite sweet though in light of the dried fruit and banana - hence their popularity with the kids. Pulse mixture minimally in the food processor for a more coarse textured bar (which I prefer) or more thoroughly for a finer textured bar without whole seeds. Substitute the sultanas for raisins or unsweetened dried cranberries, or feel free to add a handful of chocolate chips to make a variety of bars to last the summer long. Fruit and Seed Coconut Flapjack Bars Grain-free, Gluten-free, Refined Sugar-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free Makes ...

Not exactly a snappy title but this is actually the much-edited, pared down version - the original title exceeded the title word limit! It's hard to convey the precise nature of some recipes in just a handful of words. This one is lemony and punchy with smoked paprika as well as Middle Eastern za'atar spice. It also works well on the barbecue, weather permitting, instead of baked in the oven. Paprika Za'atar Spiced Chicken with Summer Salad and Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing Serve alongside salad of choice but this quick Summer Salad I rustled up with a quick forage in the fridge, works very well. It combines sweet summer nectarines (could be substituted with peaches) set against creamy avocado, peppery watercress and crunchy fine beans (don't overcook them) and a light but zingy lemon, honey and poppy seed dressing. PS The lemon is a special one - brought back as a memento from my sister's wedding where it served as a whimsical place setting. Such happy memori...

I made a new friend. She likes to be stroked and sits on my doorstep calling for me to come out to play. Some days she sits by my kitchen window watching intently while I tackle various kitchen chores. Some days she even tries to squeeze past my legs at the front door when I'm on my way out and I have to give her a stern talking to about respecting boundaries! My friend is a cat. Then two weeks after her first visit and daily presence, she abruptly stopped visiting. I miss her. These sardine fish cakes are an ode to my fleeting feline friendship. Sweet Potato and Sardine Fish Cakes with Yogurt Dip Serve as a light lunch alongside a big salad, as a starter or just as a filling snack between meals. Sweet Potato and Sardine Fish Cakes with Yogurt Dip Grain-free, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free, Nut-free Makes 4 cakes (serves 2 as a starter or light lunch) Ingredients : Fishcakes: 175g (approx 1 cup) mashed sweet potato flesh (microwave a medium sweet pot...

In a parallel universe, these might have been called a Ferrero Rocher - gooey chocolate encasing a whole hazelnut centre and exterior clad in toasted chopped hazelnuts. But thereafter the similarity ends with the ambassador's treat. There is no wafer shell nor refined sugar (or fancy gold wrapper that can be fashioned into a toy ring should the urge arise to spontaneously propose). On the plus side they contain a hefty portion of sweet potato, containing fibre, potassium and beta-carotene. Hazelnut Centre Sweet Potato Chocolate Truffles They are naturally sweetened with dates and the sweet potato. Enjoy them coated in either toasted hazelnuts, unsweetened dessicated coconut or rolled in unsweetened cacao/ cocoa powder. They are also delicious covered in melted dark chocolate and allowed to set, creating a crunchy case for the soft truffle-like centre. Hazelnut Centre Sweet Potato Chocolate Truffles (AKA Sweet Potato Ferrero Rochers) Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Grain-fre...

Over the weekend I helped my daughter bake a tea loaf called Bara Brith - neither of us had come across this unusual sounding loaf made with tea and absolutely LOADED with sugar and dried fruit. Needless to say, it went down a storm and apparently we are baking another one this weekend! It got me thinking how I could make a slightly healthier version Apple and Carrot Earl Grey Tea Loaf Think: - a fraction of the dried fruit - stripping out all the refined sugar - adding masses of grated carrot and apple The children loved this as much as the high sugar version - hurrah! I also added some chopped walnuts for a bit of texture. Feel free to increase the amount of raisins (any other mix of dried fruit) to taste but remember the apple and cinnamon already add sweetness. The texture of this loaf is quite dense and high in moisture owing to the amount of fresh fruit/veg. Once sliced it can be lightly toasted under a grill and smeared with butter or dairy free equivale...

Many a day I dream of how easy life with children would be if I were Mary Poppins - the effortless tidying up for one and who wouldn't want a bottomless pit of a handbag. Then there's her perfect juxtaposition of stern yet kind as opposed to my total lack of dignity in the manic scarper for a timely school run. Well, if all else fails, I can at least be commended for attempting to feed my children healthy food! Honey Mustard Salmon and Supercalifragilistic Slaw With the onset of summer comes a waning desire to spend any length of time toiling over a hot stove. Yesterday I made a slow cooker beef casserole for dinner but in the context of the sun shining and the shedding of coats and scarves, it felt more than slightly incongruous, gastronomically speaking. Step forth this lazy Salmon 'n' Slaw. The kids absolutely love salmon, especially covered in the sticky honey mustard glaze (the idea unashamedly pinched from my sister who makes a delicious ham glazed with ...

The best cinema popcorn was always the sweet and salty. Likewise a sprinkle of sea salt is like fairy dust on chocolate. So mixing up the umami saltiness of nori and tamari with a touch of maple syrup in this granola is not such a weird combination! To be transparent, this recipe veers more to the savoury side so don't expect a sugary granola cluster waiting to be doused in milk for breakfast. It works best sprinkled on plain yogurt, soup or salads. Sweet and Savoury Grain-Free Nori Granola sprinkled on chilled green soup Sweet and Savoury Grain-Free Nori Granola Grain-free, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free Makes 1 tray (approx 3 small jars full) Sweet and Savoury Grain-Free Nori Granola Ingredients : Dry: 50g (1/3 cup) hulled hemp seeds 50g (heaped 1/3 cup) raw unsalted sunflower seeds 50g (1/3 cup) raw unsalted almonds 50g (1/3 cup) raw unsalted pumpkin seeds 15g (1 1/2 tbsp) black sesame seeds 15g (1 1/2 tbsp) white sesame seeds 3 sheets nori...

Arguably as simple as making a savoury smoothie really. This raw soup (served chilled) is so quick to make. Perfect for lunch or scale up the recipe and serve small bowls of it as a light and refreshing starter. Raw Miso Carrot Soup Raw Miso Carrot Soup Grain-free, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free, Nut-free Serves 1 as a main or 2 as a starter Ingredients : 2 medium (approx 220g) carrots, peeled, trimmed and roughly chopped 1/2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped 2 tbsp (30ml) miso paste 2 tbsp (30ml) tahini 3 tbsp (45ml) fresh orange juice 100-150ml filtered water sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste if needed Optional garnish: spiralised carrots, sesame oil, coriander leaves, pinch of chilli flakes, additive-free furikake (or sub sesame seeds and some crushed nori seaweed) Instructions : 1. Blend all ingredients together in a high powered blender, starting with 100ml of water and adding extra to thin it down if consis...

It was two years ago that I first published this recipe and a lot has changed in that space of time. All else aside, my little blog continues to chug along - admittedly at glacial pace and with, at times, so few page views that I am led to wonder why I bother. Except I know that the reason I bother is because this is my dream and it's what I love. What is there left in this life without dreams to nurture and creativity to channel? So on I go.  Whole Orange and Butternut Squash Breakfast Muffins Revisited I'm revisiting some oldies but goodies so as not to forget about these recipes. Sometimes us oldies need to know that we're still loved. I've tweaked this recipe ever so slightly from the original and added more accurate measurements and a pinch of nutmeg but in essence it's the same super easy muffin recipe, that uses a whole orange - skin, pith and all, and plenty of butternut squash. Enjoy. Whole Orange and Butternut Squash Breakfast Muffins Gluten...

An absolute doddle to make. The little pieces of apple add a hint of sweetness while the sauteed leeks give it a boost of flavour. Serve on top of a heap of shredded veg, salad or whatever sides you like.   Apple and Leek Meatballs Apple and Leek Meatballs Gluten-free, Grain-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free Makes 12, Serves 4 Ingredients: 500g minced pork (could use chicken or turkey) 1 small eating apple (approx 105g), peeled, cored and finely diced 1/2 medium leek, washed, dried, halved lengthways and finely sliced into half moons 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/2 tbsp olive oil (or other cooking oil of choice) Instructions: 1. Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. 2. Gently sautee leeks with a pinch of sea salt until soft and fragrant - do not brown them. Remove from heat and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. Preheat oven to 200 degrees celsius (approx 390 farenheit) and lin...

There are various national coffee shop chains in the UK that still refuse to acknowledge that dairy and gluten intolerances/ allergies are a very real thing. In the half a dozen plus local coffee shops (I live in the very unhip suburban sticks) there is only ONE coffee shop that actually sells DF and GF baked goods. In some cases there isn't even an alternative to dairy milk, resulting in a rather joyless black cup of basic coffee to accompany the empty side plate bearing the mirage of a muffin/cake/cookie,  rendering the entire experience a near zero-calorie (zero-fun) experience. Raw Coconut Bounty Bars Yes,  I know how unhealthy random snacking on treats is and I should be glad of the enforced redemption from sugar laden goodies but sometimes it's just nice to know the choice is mine. Last week I ventured to London, invoking all sorts of nostalgia for the pre-children me, where, with my rose-tinted glasses, I was impeccably dressed, had a dazzling career and lived ...

The purple variety of brussel sprouts is slightly sweeter than its more common green brethren (which apparently also makes it more attractive to pests like slugs, making them a nuisance for farmers to grow). The leaves are also packed slightly looser than their green counterparts so require less cooking. In light of this, plus the fact that the beautiful colour fades with cooking, I decided to devise a raw recipe for them. Shaved Purple Brussel Sprout Salad  I stumbled upon this stalk of loveliness while grocery shopping and couldn't resist. It transpires that the bright purple/ red hue is a result of anthocyanin flavonoids which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Purple/ Red Brussel Sprouts on Stalk Raw brassicas can be hard on the digestive system so a firm massage with salt and lemon juice will help to wilt and soften them as well as infuse flavour. The dressing is full of bold Asian flavours and sweet citrus which a sturdy salad like is ful...

Belated Valentine's Day wishes to the old and young, singles and couples. May love fill your days and your days be full of those you love. Nut Butter and Jelly Chia Mousse This recipe can be made with either almond butter or peanut butter. I like it with strawberry jam (St Dalfours is a no sugar variety if you haven't the time or inclination to make your own) but again, the choice is yours. It's packed with good fats from avocado, fibre from chia seeds and natural sweetness from dates. Top as creatively as you like - I used some melted chocolate, freeze dried strawberry pieces, crushed almonds, cacao nibs and dried edible rose petals. Nut Butter and Jelly Chia Mousse Gluten-free, Grain-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free Serves 2 Ingredients : 1/2 large, pitted and peeled ripe avocado (approx 80g without skin and stone) 1/2 cup (75g) raw unsalted cashew nuts, soaked in filtered water for 6 hours/ overnight and drained 2 large soft medjool dates, pitted...

I've been gazing admiringly at pictures of hasselback potatoes - a very fancy looking roast potato meets baked/ jacket potato hailing from Sweden. Then I discovered a slightly sad aubergine lurking in the refrigerator drawer and wondered whether I could possibly give him a hasselback makeover! Sweet Chilli Hasselback Aubergine  Aubergine alone can be slightly squashy and bland so I've added a punchy sweet chilli glaze ( NomNomPaleo has a great additive-free sriracha recipe that takes a mere 20 minutes to make). Serve as a vegetarian main or as a fancy schmanzy side dish. Can also be served cold. Sweet Chilli Hasselback Aubergine Grain-free, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free Serves 2 as a side Ingredients : 1 medium aubergine, washed, dried and halved lengthways 2 tbsp raw honey (or maple syrup if vegan) 1 tbsp sesame oil 1 tbsp tamari (or coconut aminos) 1 tsp GF fish sauce 1-2 tbsp sriracha, to taste (great recipe here ) 1 tbsp sesame seeds To ga...