I follow a lot of blogs, it’s almost like reality TV for me, without the censorship. I follow blogs from food, lifestyle, exercise, nutrition, fashion, travel and even parenting, not that I am a parent but it is seriously funny some of the stuff they say. I read loads of great posts, hilarious stories and great recipes but this one really struck a cord with me. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. Let me know what you think? The Real Food Heretic
This is a super quick and easy satay sauce. I have used my nut butter rather than peanut butter as peanuts are not considered paleo because they are actually a legume not a nut!? GASP!! I know! Outrageous right! Well it’s true. If you love peanuts, feel free to use a natural crunchy peanut butter in place of the nut butter, just make sure it’s not full of crap.
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 red chilli, finely chopped
1/2 cup nut butter- I used almond & sunflower butter
1 cup coconut milk
1 tbs fresh lemon juice
1 tbs apple cider vinegar
Pinch salt and pepper
Pinch turmeric
In a frypan Sauté onion, garlic and chilli for a few minutes until onions are soft, add remaining ingredients and mix until combined well. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5-10 minutes. You can add some extra coconut milk or water to get it to the consistency you want it. I served my sauce over some grilled chicken and veggie stir fry. You could serve it over veggies or tofu or a different meat as well. Enjoy.
This fish pie is a great healthy dish that can be made as a big pie or little individual ones. It gives us all the good things about tomatoes- The antioxidant properties of lycopene may protect our immune cells from destructive free radicals, molecules that can harm cells and damage DNA. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, which, like lycopene, is linked to reducing the risk of heart disease. Tomatoes are also high in salicylates, which have an anti-clotting effect on the blood, and may be partially responsible for tomatoes’ protective effect against heart disease. Tomatoes contain vitamin K, which plays a key role in clotting blood and maintaining strong bones. The Vitamin A in tomatoes helps maintain healthy skin, hair, mucous membrances, bones and teeth. Fish is a great source of Omega fatty acids.
1 tbs macadamia oil or oil of your choice
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, chopped finely
1 chopped red chilli deseeded
1 tablespoon smoked paprika
a good splash red wine (you can use water or stock)
a squeeze of tomato paste
1 tin chopped tomatoes
3 firm white fish fillets (I used barramundi)- chopped into chunks
1/4 cup chopped black olives
Preheat the over to 220C.
Heat some oil in a frying pan, fry off the onion, garlic, chilli and smoked paprika until the onion is cooked and soft. Then add the red wine and tomato puree and reduce for a few minutes. Add the tin of tomatoes and olives and bring back to a simmer. Add fish pieces and simmer for 5 mins then remove from heat. Spoon into a casserole dish or individual ramekins. I used Paleo Pastry to make the lid of mine but some potato/sweet potato or pumpkin mash would be a great ‘lid’ too. Bake in the oven for about 20 mins, or until the top is a golden brown colour.
I know it doesn’t look that good inside but it was freaking delicious.
I had an urge to make a pie for dinner tonight so had a bit of a search for different ways I could do this without white flour and butter…. I found a few recipes and this is what I came up with. Mine was a bit crumbly this time but I think I overworked the pastry. You could definitely leave out the savoury spices, add some cinnamon and use it as a sweet pastry dough.
200g Almond Meal (I used 100g flaxseed and 100g almond meal)
2 Eggs
1/2 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
Pinch of salt, onion powder, garlic powder & any other herbs you like.
Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl until the form a nice ‘dough’. Try not to overmix. Roll out on a lightly floured board into a circle 1/8 inch thick and one inch larger than the diameter of the top of the pie pan. (I roll between two pieces of non-stick baking paper to help handling and cleaning up then I strip off one side of the waxed paper transport it to the pie pan and press it in). trim to the edge of the pie pan. Prick with a fork. Bake at 220C for 12 – 15 minutes or until a golden brown.
This is what it looked like as the lid on my Fish Pie
I am not sure if you have noticed but I am mildly obsessed with coconut….. Ok well ‘mildly’ might be and understatment….. I am enormously obsessed with coconut. My name is Shannon and I am a cocoholic. It has been 15mins since my last fix. I know I have a problem, I have no interest in fixing it.
So Coconut Butter V’s Coconut Oil?!? Coconut oil is JUST the oil that is extracted from the meat. Coconut butter is the whole meat of the coconut pureed into a creamy butter.
About 1 cup Coconut Butter divided into 2 bowls
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla powder or vanilla essence
Peppermint oil- 1-2 drops
1 tbs raw cacao
Stevia or agave to taste (optional) – I didn’t use sweetener but have a taste & add it if you want to
In one bowl of coconut butter add cinnamon & vanilla and about a tsp of agave or stevia (if using) and mix well. Spoon into chocolate moulds or a small container to make a small block. Pop in the fridge to set or freezer if you are completely impatient like me.
In the other half, add cacao, peppermint oil and sweetener (if using), mix well and spoon into moulds or into a small container like a bar. Pop in the fridge or freezer until set. I made some vanilla, some peppermint Choc and some that are a mix of both. Ah YUM!
Look at this heavenly coconut treat…..
