Imperfectly Paleo

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

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 l

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

Part smoothie. Part sorbet. All sorts of refreshing zinginess! So what if it's raining/ sleeting/ snowing/ blowing a gale outside. One can still dream of residing in tropical climes... Lime Smoothie Sorbet Bowl Lime Smoothie Sorbet Bowl Gluten-free, Grain-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free Makes 1 large bowl Ingredients : Big handful (1 packed cup) baby spinach, washed and dried 1/2 medium courgette (approx 3"), frozen in slices/ discs 1/4 medium ripe avocado, pitted and peeled Handful (1/2 cup) frozen mango chunks 1/2 a lime 1 medjool date, pitted 1/4 tsp matcha green tea powder 1/2 - 3/4 cup unsweetened dairy free milk, as needed (I use coconut) Optional garnishes of choice: lime slices, hemp seeds, dried edible flowers, extra lime zest, nuts, seeds, dairy free yogurt, unsweetened granola, cacao nibs etc Instructions : 1. Zest lime before cutting (less messy). Set aside. 2. Cut lime in half. Reserve half for another recipe and peel the remainin

The stuff of chocolate-centric dreams... Top with a handful of gluten-free granola and a few berries or spoon over a pud. Chocolate Beetroot Cashew Cream Chocolate Beetroot Cashew Cream Grain-free, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free, Nut-free Serves 1 Ingredients : 1/4 cup (35g) raw unsalted cashew nuts, soaked overnight in filtered water 1 medium (65g) cooked, cooled and peeled beetroot 1/4 medium ripe avocado flesh (40g) 1 large (15g) soft medjool date, pitted 1/4 tsp vanilla extract 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder 6 tbsp unsweetened coconut milk (plus extra if needed) Optional toppings: grain-free granola, berries, edible dried flower petals Instructions : 1. Blend all ingredients (not toppings!) until smooth and creamy, adding a dash extra coconut milk if needed). 2. Decant into serving bowl and add toppings if desired. Eat immediately.

My time is precious. It is limited. The demand for it well exceeds its potential supply. If only someone would bestow me a Time-Turner a la Hermione in Harry Potter, then I could achieve so much more... Chinese Red Date (aka Jujube) and Walnut Raw 'Cheese'cake My mum has been feeding me Chinese red dates since forever - in soups, infusions, desserts - it is an essential Chinese 'superfood' (indeed pre-dating the term 'superfood' itself) with purported anti-inflammatory and calming properties. Recently she brought me some delicious snacks from Hong Kong - simply individually wrapped pitted Chinese red dates (aka Jujube) encasing a single walnut - so simple and such a perfect combo that I was inspired to make a dessert based on it. Chinese Red Date (aka Jujube) and Walnut Raw 'Cheese'cake Grain-free, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free Makes a small 12cm diameter cake Ingredients : Base: 1/2 cup (65g) raw unsalted walnuts 1/2

I'm not American and I've only eaten Pumpkin Pie once - when I was very kindly but rather randomly invited to a Thanksgiving dinner on my first night in Japan, surrounded by a bunch of complete strangers. As a result, I'm not convinced it is a dessert that invokes a particular warm and fuzzy sentimentality. That said, I am an unapologetic fan of pumpkin and all the warm spices that accompany it in its seasonal pie incarnation. Spiced Pumpkin 'Panecotta' Pie Pud   This version is a hybrid of Crustless Pumpkin Pie meets Panecotta - slightly less custard-y and more of the wobble of a panecotta. Spiced Pumpkin 'Panecotta' Pud Gluten-free, Grain-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free, Nut-free Makes a 15cm/ 6" pud Ingredients : 225g (just over half can) unsweetened pumpkin puree 1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and stoned 1 large ripe banana 1 small soft date, pitted 100ml coconut milk, cold 100ml coconut milk, heated to very warm but not

We used to host dinner parties for friends much more frequently than these days. Life is like a see saw - with our friends on one end and our children on the other. And despite their perceived smallness in stature, we all know which side of the see saw holds all the weight! Chocolate Coconut Tart Still, when we do finally get round to entertaining, I still find it a fun and creative process to invent a new dessert. This Chocolate Coconut Tart is as close to a 'regular' dessert as I've made in a long while - it is VERY rich and does contain a reasonable dose of dried dates so blood sugar levels beware. Nevertheless, it is free from all refined sugar, dairy, grains and gluten and is even nut-free. I served it alongside fresh raspberries to provide a balancing sharpness and a scoop of dairy-free coconut ice cream. Remember also to take the tart out of the fridge 30 mins to an hour before serving so the tart filling can soften at room temperature. Biggest problem of

Overenthusiastically anticipating summer with a premature quintessential British classic: Strawberries 'n' Cream! One of my favourite things to do with the children in the summer is strawberry picking (and their unabashed eating more than they pick). This is no ordinary cream though (evil villain laugh) - but hides a plethora of antioxidants, fibre, minerals and vitamin K from the celeriac. Strawberries 'n' (Celeriac) Cream We are at the end of celeriac season here so, as we usher in the summer fruits (prematurely), we wave a fond farewell to our winter friends who have provided such comfort in the colder seasons. Strawberries 'n' (Celeriac) Cream Grain-free, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free, Nut-free Serves 2 Ingredients : 1 1/2 cups (150g) fresh strawberries, cleaned and hulled 2 heaped cups (225g) peeled and cubed celeriac, steam cooked and cooled (or sub 2 medium white sweet potato if celeriac not available) 4 tbsp (1/4 cup, o

Last year I made these Dark Chocolate Nut Butter Easter Eggs and they are still my favourite - super dark, super bitter and super decadent, with a creamy nut butter centre. Just how I like them. Though not, I understand, how everyone likes them! My daughter, for one, hates dark chocolate but loves white chocolate. My argument that white chocolate should not rationally be labelled chocolate given the lack of cocao content falls on deaf ears. Raw White Chocolate Easter Eggs (Dairy-free, Vegan)

Spring is trying to emerge (see daffodil!) and the marginally less inclement weather means I feel less freakish for indulging in my perennial smoothie bowl fixation. The crunch of the cacao nibs interspersed in the smoothie gives little bites of texture as well as pops of deep cacao flavour. It goes especially well with the earthy sweetness of the sweet potato. This is more dessert than smoothie bowl. Purple Sweet Potato Smoothie Bowl with Crunchy Cacao Nibs

Imagine the scenario: it is 5pm on Valentine's Day. I am in the midst of role as tea time chef to one child, while already en route to donning my chauffeur cap to pick up the other one. Simultaneously I am cooking tonight's dinner for the grown ups and flinging laundry off the clothes line to make way for the next load about to come out of the washing machine. Washing up is piled almost to head height and bedtime is closing in. Suddenly I am struck by the realisation that on this most commercially recognised romantic day of the calendar year, I probably should have made an effort to prepare a romantic meal encompassing a decadent dessert. Oops. Super Super Simple Chocolate Pots

I have no idea how I've travelled this food blog journey without yet making a coffee flavoured dessert. Every day after lunch I have my regular daily cup of coffee - nothing fancy as I don't own a coffee machine but I totally enjoy that moment of blissful idleness. It's the chasm between the morning's mania and the impending afternoon chaos. It's a small fissure of freedom but that's what coffee o'clock denotes to me. Chestnut Mocha (Coffee) Dairy Free Vegan Cheesecake  

There is nothing my daughter loves more when we go for dim sum than the Mango Pudding (aka 芒果布甸) that we ritualistically order for dessert. It is without doubt her favourite part of the meal. This year we decided to celebrate Chinese New Year with a meal at home and I couldn't let her down! Mango Pudding 芒果布甸

In America a 'Pot Luck' is defined as 'a meal or party where each guest contributes a dish '. Here in the UK it is more likely interpreted as ' taking your chance that whatever is available will be good or acceptable '. Funnily, in this situation, both applied! For the Christmas party of the parents in my daughter's class we were all tasked with bringing a dish. This alleviated the worry of identifying at least one safe food choice but at the same time raised a whole new concern about foisting my own dietary inaneness on others and potentially eliciting criticism and ridicule. Raaw Blueberry 'Cheese' Cake

My children and I absolutely LOVE sharon fruit (aka persimmon). Recently, as I bit into a particularly ripe and delicious one I experienced what can only be described as a Proustian memory - the same taste, smell and texture shelved in a box decades old; the home I shared with my parents, sisters and brother; the way the sunset always cast a luminous orange glow across the red carpet (yes, it was hideous!) in the living room. It is distant yet close - like the family I now see so rarely: logistically distant but always in my heart... Persimmon and Squash Autumn Slice

When you can't decide what colour smoothie to have you can have both. Together. The basil, lime and lemongrass flavours are a refreshing wakeup call. They balance well with the subtly sweet strawberries and hydrating cucumber in the pink chia mix. Green & Pinks: Basil Lime Smoothie and Strawberry Chia Breakfast Bowl

Once upon a time, I ate dairy... AND gluten AND sugar aplenty! I remember once making this ludicrously rich and utterly decadent chocolate pudding for a dinner party. Anniversary Chocolate Pots

Let me be very clear at the outset: aside from their shape these bear absolutely zero resemblance to the average doughnut! That's not to say they don't taste good but there is truly nothing worse than unmet expectations - spiralling into disappointment, frustration and potential anger... After all, this is the highly sensitive subject of doughnuts, people! No-Bake Mini Matcha Sesame Dougnuts

A few weeks ago a fellow food blogger, Audrey Snowe aka The Unconventional Baker, who I admire immensely, instigated a little interactive Instagramming to encourage some social chitchat and engagement (albeit on a virtual level). Blueberry Lemon Parsnip Dairy Free Cheesecake