Imperfectly Paleo

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

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

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

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

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

These little cuties can be made in two 'flavourways' (if there is such a thing - think colourways in flavour terms!). My favourite is the Lemongrass and Strawberry but Ginger and Marmalade Thumbprint Cookies is a very close runner up. Just substitute Lemongrass with ground Ginger and Strawberry jam with Marmalade. Lemongrass and Strawberry/ Ginger and Marmalade Thumbprint Cookies Feel free to make some homemade jam and the internet is awash with recipes for chia jam, but St Dalfour's jams (high fruit content with no added sugar) are deliciously fruity and take a mere fraction of a second to open a jar! Lemongrass and Strawberry Thumbprint Cookies Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Grain-free, Refined Sugar-free Makes 8 Ingredients : 1 1/2 cups (150g) almond meal 1 tbsp (15g) coconut flour, sifted 1/2 tsp baking powder pinch sea salt 1 tsp dried lemongrass, finely ground 3 tbsp (45g) coconut oil, melted (use refined coconut oil if you prefer a less coconutty

These are just simple snack bars that everyone in the family can grab and take to work/ play/ school. They take a few minutes to whizz up in the food processor and contain a LOT less sugar (unrefined of course) than the store-bought equivalent and also work out a lot cheaper. I wrap them individually and store in a sealed container in the fridge Raw Nut-Free Naked Brownie Bars Raw Nut-Free Naked Brownie Bars  Grain-free, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free, Nut-free Makes 9 Ingredients : 1 cup (150g) raw unsalted sunflower seeds 1 cup (100g) milled flax/chia seed blend 1 cup (150g) soft,unsweetened pitted dates (pre-soak briefly if hard and drain) 1/4 cup (50g) unsweetened raisins (soaked briefly and drained) 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder big pinch sea salt 1 tbsp cinnamon powder 1 tbsp vanilla extract 1 tbsp coconut oil a few tbsp hot water as needed optional stir-through add-ins: if not nut-intolerant 1/4 cup roughly chopped almonds; cacao nibs; go

Super simple. Universally loved by old and young - these never last long around our house!   Raw Apple Pie Energy Bars

The day before was declared the hottest day of the year. Then yesterday was declared the new hottest day of the year. And now today is anticipated to supercede the temperature of yesterday. Phew! Nothing for it but a chilled soup that requires no cooking. Chilled Spinach and Avocado Summer Soup Chilled Spinach and Avocado Summer Soup Grain-free, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free, Nut-free Serves 1 (or 2 as a starter) Ingredients : Baby spinach, 1 large handful (50g), washed and dried Basil leaves, small bunch Mint leaves, approx 15 leaves Celery, 2 small sticks Courgette, 3" piece (60g) 1/2 small ripe avocado (40g), peeled and pitted 1" piece lemongrass, bruised 1/2" piece ginger, peeled 1/4 lime, peeled big pinch chilli flakes 2 tbsp Nutritional yeast sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste 1/4 - 3/4 cup water or cold stock/ broth, depending on desired consistency Optional garnish: chilli flakes, pomegranate arils, mint/ ba

Does anyone, except a former English Literature and Linguistics student, care about the nuances between doughnut versus donut ? Thought not! Easy Chocolate Mini Baked Doughnuts These little one-bite mini versions are simple but chocolatey. Feel free to glaze with a simple coconut oil + high cocoa content chocolate concoction if in the mood for something more decadent. Sprinkles also always an option. Easy Chocolate Mini Baked Doughnuts Grain-free, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Refined Sugar-free, Nut-free Makes approx 25 mini Ingredients : 1/4 cup (35g) sifted coconut flour 1/4 cup (25-30g) unsweetened cocoa powder, or cacao 1/2 tsp baking powder big pinch sea salt 3 tbsp (50g) coconut oil, melted 4 medium eggs 2 tbsp unsweetened pumpkin puree 1/2 ripe medium banana optional 1-2 tbsp honey, agave or maple syrup Instructions : 1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees celsius, 350 degrees farenheit. 2. Lightly grease a mini doughnut tin with coconut oil (or use silicone

Has it escaped anyone's notice that bliss balls invariably are a concoction of mushed together nuts/ seeds and dried fruit? And, especially in commercially prepared versions, they veer heavily towards the dried fruit camp - which means in essence it's simply a ball of sugar, albeit 'unrefined'. Raw Brownie Bliss Balls

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)

Given how popular my Mint Choc Chip Sweet Potato Cookie Dough was with my children, I thought I'd play with a new flavour. Sticking with the childhood memories theme, I am going with my hands-down favourite sandwich combo - PB&J. A few blog posts back I mentioned the involuntary 'Proustian' memories unlocked and invoked by certain tastes or smells - well, peanut butter and jam (jelly) sandwiches transport me back to what feels like a different lifetime belonging to a different person. I look back fondly at that little girl who loved to draw, paint and read (not much change there) but with a hint of sadness at her lost sense of joyful carefree abandon.

For some, this recipe could be considered pushing the Paleo boundaries. If quinoa is that one step too far over the line for you then there is an option to substitute it for extra dessicated coconut. I am too long in the tooth to be so meticulous about a little bit of quinoa once in a while but it depends entirely on how it affects you as an individual. Coconut Quinoa and Raisin Cookies

I made this one a while back when the fridge was looking somewhat Old Mother Hubbard-esque. We always have carrots and squash lurking in there. It's been a stressful week. I have lost something of such immense sentimental value to me that I feel slightly lost and thrown off kilter. A bracelet that has been on my wrist nearly every single say since my husband gave it to me over three years ago has vanished - Disapparated Harry Potter-style to the Land of Lost Property. I have searched tirelessly but to no avail. This bracelet has been with me most poignantly through almost the entirety of this blog journey and it feels like a sign. Caramelised Carrot and Squash Dip

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