World FAMOUS Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Sultanas, Capers and Hazelnuts

Tags

AIP Reintroduction, Al Brown, Cauliflower, Dairy Free, Healthy Salad, Paleo, Roasted Cauliflower, Salad, vegetarian

(Image by TSL)

I’ve promised you this salad for a while now. Ever since it became my ‘go-to’ dish over the Christmas break. It’s so easy to make. And, if you’ve never tried roasted cauliflower florets before, you’re in for a treat!

Trust me when I say, “It’s a winner!”

I was going to post it last week, but I got a little side tracked by the gorgeous wee baby cauli’s at the markets. And, instead I gave you my Whole Roasted Cauliflower. (I know! Two cauli’ recipes in the same month. What is the world coming to?)

This week I picked up the ‘Mama Cauliflower’ at the markets. A lovely big one. And so, today I am pleased to give you my take on an Al Brown recipe my Mum cut out of the paper…

Cauliflower is available year-round here in Sydney, but it seems to be absolutely everywhere I look at the moment. Which doesn’t upset me one bit. I L O V E cauliflower.

To be fair, it’s a recent love affair that has sprung up over the past couple of years as I discover the incredible versatility this benign-looking vegetable brings to my cooking repertoire…

SO good!
(Image by TSL)

I used to be into ‘forbidden fruit’, but I’ve moved on to ‘verboten vegetables’
― Josh Stern

You can eat it raw – as part of a crudités selection (GREAT with homemade aioli!). You can add it to salads.  And, of course, you can use it in your cooking – whole, cut into steaks, mashed, roasted, steamed. It’s a particularly good base for herbs and spices, too.

Cauliflower has lots of vitamin C and B6. And it offers useful quantities of folate, protein and fibre, too. It is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables. And, in the past, here at Casa TSL it may have been overshadowed by its green cousin broccoli…

But no more! Broccoli-shmoccoli!

Well. Not really. Just for today’s post…

Just one observation – cauliflower seems to shrink when it is roasted. Do make sure you get a large one for this recipe, or even consider two.

And here it is. Your Roasted Cauliflower Salad. As promised. I hope you like it.

Oh! – and if you omit the nuts, this baby is AIP compliant, too!

Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Sultanas, Capers and Hazelnuts

• Servings: 2 - 4
• Time: 45 minutes
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

Adapted from a recipe by Al Brown

Ingredients:

1 x large cauliflower
6 x Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
2 x Tablespoons capers, rinsed and dried
1/2 cup sultanas
1/2 x cup hazelnuts (omit if in the elimination phase of AIP)
1/2 x cup flat leaf parsley, chopped
Juice of one lemon
Salt

Method:

1. Heat your oven to 180°C/350°F.

2. Wash and cut your cauliflower into small florets. Pop into a roasting dish with 4 tablespoons of the EVOO. Salt generously and mix well. Roast for 30 – 45 minutes until a little brown and crunchy.

3. While the cauliflower is roasting, dry fry your hazelnuts until toasted to your liking. Pop the nuts aside. Using the same pan and a drizzle of EVOO, fry your capers off in a little olive oil.

4. When the hazelnuts are cool, roughly chop.

5. Mix the roasted cauliflower, capers, raisins, almonds and parsley in a bowl. Finish with the remaining olive oil, lemon juice and a generous serve of salt.

E N J O Y !

The HUMONGOUS Homemade Mayonnaise Post (2 Recipes!)

Tags

Aioli, AIP, Autoimmune Protocol, Homemade Mayonnaise, Honey Mustard Dressing, Mayonnaise, Paleo, Salad Dressing, Sauce, Tartare Sauce

Model: the teenager
(Image by LM)

Homemade mayonnaise is the second-most important salad dressing to learn how to make from scratch.

At least, that’s what I think. The first is a really good house-made vinaigrette. Your stand-by, if you like. The one you make all the time.

But, a mayonnaise is arguably the MOST important sauce. Because it is just so versatile.

If you’ve never made real mayonnaise from scratch, you don’t know what you’re missing. Really. There is just no comparison with the bought stuff that comes out of a bottle.

Real mayo’ tastes A M A Z I N G

And, it is surprisingly easy to make. Don’t believe me? I managed to use a little elbow grease and whisk up made-from-scratch mayo’ while on the boat bobbing around at sea over the Christmas holidays in New Zealand. Not an electric hand beater or blender in sight…

I don’t remember my Mum ever buying ready-made salad dressing. And, even my Dad is slightly famous for his take on the eponymous Highlander sweetened condensed milk dressing that is seemingly part of every childhood in New Zealand…

Highlander Sweetened Condensed Milk
Highlander Sweetened Condensed Milk Salad Dressing: some variation of
1 can condensed milk
1/2 can vinegar (pretty sure my Dad swears by malt vinegar!)
1 tsp mustard powder
(Image from here)

And, the bought mayo’ – even the high-end boutique-style expensive kind – is usually made with canola oil. And, we don’t touch canola oil here at Casa TSL. No we don’t. Because it’s a highly processed polyunsaturated vegetable oil.

Of course, the downside is that real mayonnaise also contains egg yolks. So, it has to be said that it’s only acceptable autoimmune protocol fare if egg yolks have been safely reintroduced.

And, it almost goes without saying that you want to ensure your eggs come from happy chooks and are as fresh as possible.

This weekend just past, we celebrated the teenager’s birthday by way of a BBQ lunch. It was a scorcher! 34° (that’s about 93° for you Americans!) here in Sydney. LM threw a few steaks on the barbie and I whipped up my take on a Waldorf salad – celeriac, celery, green apple (all julienned with the mandolin); mixed with parsley, celery leaves, a few activated walnuts and dressed with my super special TSL dressing, which uses mayo’ as a base…

My take on Waldorf Salad
(Image by LM)

I first learned about the wonder that is mayonnaise made with my stick blender from the lovely Barbra and Jack over at CutterLight blog. They posted a recipe. It blew my mind that making a mayonnaise – from scratch – could be THIS easy. No more slowly drizzling my oil into the food processor. No more worrying about the chance of it curdling. No more ‘mayonnaise elbow‘!

Since then, I’ve played with the recipe. Tweaked it to accommodate my dietary quirks and tastes.

So, here’s my take on mayonnaise made with a stick blender. I promise it tastes great and it’s a doddle to make!

Homemade Mayonnaise

• Servings: 2 cups
• Time: less than 10 minutes
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

 Ingredients

2 x egg yolks – as fresh as possible and at room temperature
1 x Tablespoon organic apple cider vinegar
1 x Tablespoon water
Generous pinch of salt (I use Himalayan sea salt)
1 cup macadamia nut oil. Avocado oil works well, too.
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Method:

1. Pop your egg yolks, vinegar, 1 tablespoon water, and salt into a tall beaker. I used the one that came with my stick blender. Very slowly, pour in your macadamia/avocado oil so that it settles on top of the other ingredients.

2. With the blender held against the bottom of the beaker, pulse until the mixture begins to emulsify. 3 or 4 pulses should do it. Keep pulsing until most of the mayonnaise is emulsified. This won’t take long. Definitely less than a minute. Slowly move the blender up and down through the sauce to mix thoroughly.

3. Transfer the mayonnaise into a bowl. Using a hand whisk, slowly pour in the olive oil and lemon juice. Whisk until very well combined.

4. Taste for seasoning.

E N J O Y !

Vulgarity is the garlic in the salad of life.– Cyril Connolly

I’m particularly partial to garlic and love a good aioli. And, for the uninitiated, aioli is just a fancy (French) term for garlic mayonnaise.

Aoili – bash 3 fresh garlic cloves with 1/4 of a teaspoon sea salt using a pestle and mortar. Add the garlic to your egg-yolk mixture at step I. You will not need any more salt.

Tartare Sauce is a wonderful addition to fish and marries beautifully with ox tongue.

Tartare Sauce – make mayonnaise as above. Stir in chopped gherkins, drained capers, freshly chopped parsley and chives along with a little finely diced shallot.

For my Waldorf Salad dressing, I wanted something just a touch sweeter. Like his father, the teenager has a bit of a sweet tooth. I also wanted something a little more runny. So, here’s the mustard mayo’ dressing that I folded through my salad…

Honey Mustard Mayonnaise Dressing

• Servings: 1/2 cups
• Time: less than 2 minutes
• Difficulty: really easy
• Print

1/2 x cup fresh homemade mayonnaise (see recipe above)
1 x teaspoon seeded mustard
1/2 x teaspoon runny honey

Method:

1. If you are making this dressing immediately after making homemade mayonnaise, use the same bowl. Whisk the ingredients together.

2. Taste for seasoning.

E N J O Y !

 

The GREAT Autoimmune Protocol Update – One Year On

Tags

AIP, Andrew Weil, Autoimmune Protocol, Elimination Diet, Gut Health, Health, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, HS, Paleo, Sleep

One Year On
(Image by TSL)

Next week I hit my one year anniversary on the Autoimmune Protocol. On Tuesday, to be precise. Not that I’m counting. Much.

Not sure what the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) is?

It’s a nutrient-rich elimination diet that removes foods that irritate the gut, cause gut imbalance and activate the immune system.

You can read more about it here.

It’s been a wild ride, this past year. Life changing, even. So much so, that I thought I should share some of the experience with you.

Did you know?

Autoimmune diseases are on the rise across the western world. Here in Australasia, they currently affect 1 in 20 people. In the United States, there are over 50 million sufferers. Pretty sobering stuff.

What exactly is an autoimmune disease?

According to the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Autoimmune diseases can be defined as,”a broad range of related diseases in which a person’s immune system produces an inappropriate response against its own cells, tissues and/or organs, resulting in inflammation and damage. There are over 80 different autoimmune diseases, and these range from common to very rare diseases. Some autoimmune diseases affect mainly one part of the body (such as multiple sclerosis, autoimmune thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes) whilst others can affect many parts of the body (such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and systemic vasculitis).”

As with many life-altering events, an autoimmune illness is almost guaranteed to cause you to re-evaluate your priorities.

― Joan Friedlander, ‘Women, Work, and Autoimmune Disease’

 

My particular autoimmune issue is Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), sometimes known as acne inversa. HS is a painful, chronic skin disease that causes abscesses and scarring on the skin – usually in very uncomfortable places. Frankly, it’s horrible.

I have suffered from HS for over twenty years. And until this year, I never talked about it.

What I have learnt in the past year on AIP

In a nutshell, I have learnt that it is possible to put my 20+ years of autoimmune related illness into remission by making dramatic changes to my diet and lifestyle.

– TSL

And, if that was all I learned, then I would be a very happy little Vegemite.

But, here’s what else I learned…

Diet

Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”. And, when it comes to what we eat, the Autoimmune Protocol is literally a manifestation of this. The protocol removes all potentially inflammatory foods from the diet to enable the body to heal.

Hippocrates
(Image from here)

And yes, it does take work. And planning. And requires a level of commitment that many of my friends have found difficult to understand.

But. In return, as you start to heal, you feel F A N T A S T I C. Truly. Brain fog lifts. You wake in the morning feeling energised. Bloating disappears.

You will develop an appreciation for the sort of food your grandmother (or maybe even great-grandmother!) probably cooked. Fresh. Seasonal. Local. Full of flavour.

I don’t even go to the supermarket anymore. The farmers market is my supermarket.

Gut Health Matters

Really, the protocol is all about improving gut health. But there are two things that I now do religiously that I believe have significantly improved my health.

And, they are all to do with my gut.

1. Bone Broth

I now make bone broth regularly from a mixture of bones from pasture raised animals. It has become a staple within our diet here at Casa TSL. I make it into soup, use it in sautéed veggies, add it to gravies and just drink it.

I alternate the type of broth I make so I am maximising the vitamin and mineral benefits. Last week it was beef bone broth. The time before that, it was duck.

2. Fermented Vegetables

We eat at least a tablespoon of home-made fermented veggies with every savoury meal. Think sauerkraut. I make the fermented vegetables about once a month from vegetables and salt. That’s it.

Fermented vegetables add all sorts of beneficial bacteria to my gut that I would not otherwise have in my diet.

And, one more thing – both bone broth and fermented veggies are ‘cheap as chips’ to make.

The latest ferment
(Image by TSL)

Sleep

It is becoming more and more apparent, in this fast-moving era of getting twice as much done in half the amount of time, that we are not getting enough sleep. This is making us sick. We are designed to need sleep. It’s when our bodies regenerate.

In my case, I had a home invasion just over ten years ago. Bit scary. Three men in balaclavas decided to have a look around my home at 4.30 in the morning and I caught them. Fortunately, they weren’t very interested in me. Just my stuff. But – it messed badly with my ability to sleep.

Now, I make sure I’m in bed between 9.30 and 10pm. Every night.

And, I really understand the value of a good night’s sleep. But it took some work. And some time. And it involved resetting my circadian rhythms by implementing my own personal ‘Operation Sleepy Time’ ritual.

I’m pretty sure LM will tell you I’m a nicer person to be around as a result.

Stress

I didn’t know I was stressed. I didn’t know I was a constant worrier. Until I worked out that I was a complete stress head. And, on top of that, I managed to hide it from almost everyone. Can anyone relate?

Of all the changes I have made over the course of the past year, and that I continue to work on with the AIP, how I manage stress is the most difficult for me. By far. In fact, it’s a biggie for many people. Sarah Ballantyne wrote a great post on her personal battles with stress recently.

Andrew Weil
(Image from here)

Coming up with strategies that work for you are key to managing stress. Yoga didn’t cut it for me. Meditating on my own sends me to sleep. But. I love walking in nature.

And my fabulous doctor, Kate Norris recommended the Buddhify app. It’s a personal meditation assistant that really seems to be working for me.

And, I’m a great fan of Andrew Weil’s 4-7-8 breathing technique.

Community

We human beans are social creatures. Even us introverted types. Connecting with quality people really matters and has an impact on our health*. This AIP caper has unexpectedly connected me with an amazing and generous community of other autoimmune sufferers around the globe. I am immensely grateful.

So what now?

Now, I keep going on the protocol.

In terms of my diet, I keep slowly reintroducing foods. I know more of my food triggers than before. And, I know that these are different for everybody. Gluten will never be my friend. And, HS sufferers seem to have big problems with nightshades – so, I’m a little scared to try tomatoes and eggplant and chill. Although I do miss tomatoes dreadfully. Bizarrely, the odd white potato doesn’t seem to be an issue.

I keep working on managing stress and making sure I get enough sleep. I make sure I move everyday. Bella (the poodle) gets lots of love!

My autoimmune affliction has affected me in many ways – physically, emotionally, and no doubt psychologically. But, in a weird way, I’m a little bit grateful to have it.

Without it, I wouldn’t have overhauled my eating habits. I’m healthier now than I’ve been in years. People comment on how wonderful my skin looks. Me, who had chronic acne as a teenager.

I would not have addressed my stress levels and less-than-stellar sleeping routine. And, my hormones and gut health would have further deteriorated.

I am lucky. My autoimmune issues are not life threatening. I won’t die from HS. But, they have been serious enough to give me a big wake up call about what really matters to me – my health. My loved ones. A meaningful career.

And this past year on the autoimmune protocol has been life changing.

If you have any questions about the Autoimmune Protocol or Hidradenitis Suppurativa, feel free to drop me a line.

*conversely, spending too much time with ‘energy sucking’ people can be detrimental to your health!

 

 

“Holy Herbed Whole Roasted Cauliflower, Batman!”

Tags

AIP, Autoimmune Protocol, Cauliflower, Cauliflower Recipe, Herbs, Paleo, Vegetables, vegetarian

(Image by TSL)

Ever since I came back from my Christmas break in New Zealand, I’ve been meaning to post about my take on Al Brown‘s roasted cauliflower salad. And I will. Promise.

It’s just that I got a little side tracked this week…

While I was at the farmers market on Saturday, I found the most perfectly formed little cauliflowers. I bought one, thinking I would make the salad. Only, when it came time, I couldn’t bring myself to chop it up. It was so pretty. TRULY! And, then I told myself that, “Really, it was too small to do justice to a salad”.

And, so this wee number for whole roasted cauliflower was born.

Bella sunning herself next to my hanging herb patch by Missy K
(Image by TSL)

I have a super-special mate (Australian vernacular: mate = friend!). Here at Casa TSL, she is affectionately known as Missy K. And, among other things, Missy K is known for giving awesome pressies. This Christmas just past, she made me a hanging herb garden. She’s the ultimate D.I.Y. lawyer!

I love my hanging herb patch.

The best thing about having herbs growing in your garden (or, in my case on my wall) is that you use them more often in your cooking. And, when I say more often, I really mean all the time.

Which can only be good for me. 

Now that I have such a variety of gorgeous smelling greenery, I’m experimenting. I’m branching out from my usual – parsley, rosemary and thyme. In the past, I might have bought some coriander (cilantro) for a recipe. Now I have it all in my wee garden. At my fingertips.

So, for this recipe, I used oregano. And, the house may have smelled the littlest bit like a pizza parlour while the cauliflower was cooking…

In fact, LM walked in the door and wanted to know what smelled so good!

Whole roasted cauli’ is a great way to experiment with herbs and spices. I’ve kept this number AIP-friendly (the toasted hazelnuts are completely optional). If you prefer a different herb, then just switch it out. Thyme would work equally well.

And, if you’re fine with nightshades and seed spices, then have a play. The potential flavour combinations really are endless. Think about adding some of the following:

– Ground cumin

– Turmeric

– Fennel seeds

– Ground coriander

– Cinnamon

– Mustard seeds

– Paprika

Whole roasted cauliflower is an impressive way to serve your vegetables. This little number would be a great addition to a dinner party table. It looks fabulous.

Herbed Whole Roasted Cauliflower

• Servings: 4
• Time: 50 minutes
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

Ingredients:

1 x organic cauliflower
Salt (I use Himalayan sea salt)
2 x Tablespoons coconut oil or lard
Small handful of fresh oregano, finely chopped (can substitute 1 x teaspoon dried oregano)
2 x cloves garlic, minced
zest and juice of half a lemon
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), for drizzling
Handful of fresh parsley, chopped
Small handful hazelnuts (optional – omit for elimination phase of AIP)

Method:

1. Heat your oven to 180°C / 350°F. Remove the outer leaves of your cauliflower and pop into a roasting dish.

2. In a frying small pan, dry fry your hazelnuts over a low-medium heat. Keep your eye on them – they will burn quickly. Once toasted, roughly chop and set aside.

3. In the same pan, gently melt one Tablespoon of fat. Pour the melted fat over your cauliflower. Season generously with salt. Pop into the oven and roast for 35 – 40 minutes until golden.

4. When your cauliflower is almost ready, melt the remaining fat. Stir in your oregano, minced garlic, and lemon zest.

5. Remove the cauliflower from the oven and reduce the temperature to 160°C / 320°F. Pour the herb-infused fat over the top of your cauliflower and pop back in the oven for a further 10 minutes.

6. Serve the cauliflower with a drizzle of EVOO. Squeeze over the lemon juice and garnish with fresh parsley and optional toasted hazelnuts.

E N J O Y !

This recipe features in the Phoenix Helix Recipe Roundtable.

LUSCIOUS Lamington Cupcakes

Tags

AIP, Australia Day, Autoimmune Protocol, Dairy Free, Dog, Gluten Free, Healthy Lamington, Lamington Muffin, Paleo, Poodle

The TSL take on lamingtons in honour of Australia Day!
(Image by TSL)

There is no place in the world like Australia. Not even its beautiful neighbor New Zealand. (Henry Rollins)

It’s a drizzly and overcast old Australia Day as I write this. To be honest, it’s a wee bit of a welcome respite from the heat we’ve been having lately. For me, at least.

And here at Casa TSL, it has been a B I G day. Capital letters BIG. Today we met the newest addition to our extended family.

Fang, the black miniature poodle, has arrived at my sister’s. And she is meltingly cute.

Fang, the black miniature poodle pup
(Images by TSL)

We were invited to introduce Miss Bella, our 10-year-old pooch, to her sort of niece by way of a barbecue. It has to be said that Bella was singularly unimpressed with Fang. No matter. The rest of us fell head over heels in love… What a fluff-ball!

And, what else could I bring to an Australia Day barbie, but lamingtons? It would virtually be UN-Australian not to.

What is a lamington, you ask?

lamington

noun     AUSTRALIAN/NZ

a square of sponge cake dipped in melted chocolate and grated coconut.

(Image by TSL)

Of course, here at Casa TSL, a traditional lamington won’t cut it. After almost a year on the Autoimmune Protocol, we’re a 100% grain-free, mostly dairy-free household.

And, my sister and her partner are very similar, too.

And, then there was the small fact that I didn’t actually have a lamington tin in which to bake my sponge…

Time to improvise!

Adapting a recipe I found on the VERY talented Teresa Cutter’s site (The Healthy Chef), I bring you these remarkably lamington-like healthy-ish lamington cupcakes.

Completely free of any grains or dairy… they’re bloody good, mate!

Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia. (Charles M. Schulz)

• Servings: 10
• Time: 45 minutes
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

Ingredients:

6 x happy eggs
1 x teaspoon vanilla bean paste
2 x Tablespoons raw honey
1/4 cup macadamia nut oil
1/2 cup coconut flour
2 x teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
1/2 cup raspberry jam or preserve*
1 x cup desiccated coconut for rolling
100 g best quality dark chocolate, roughly broken up
1/4 cup coconut milk

Method:

1. Heat your oven to 160° C / 320° F. Line a muffin tray with 10 papers.

2. Throw your eggs, vanilla and honey into your mixing bowl. Mix on high for 10 minutes until light and creamy.

3. While the machine is still running, pour in the macadamia nut oil. Mix well.

4. Add the coconut flour and baking powder. Mix until thoroughly combined.

5. Using a 1/4 cup as a measure, pour lamington cake mix into your prepared muffin tray.

6. Bake for 15 – 18 minutes or until cooked through.

7. Fill a piping bag with raspberry jam. Stick the nozzle into the middle of each cupcake and fill with a healthy squeeze of raspberry jam.

8. While waiting for your cupcakes to cool, heat your coconut milk in a small pan until almost boiling. Turn off the heat and add your chocolate. Stir until you have a smooth silky ganache.

9. When your cupcakes are cool, spread a little chocolate ganache on the top of each.
Dip in coconut and pop onto a tray to set.

* check the labels for a preservative free, low sugar number

E N J O Y !

ROCKING Raw Chocolate Banana Smoothie

Tags

AIP, Autoimmune Protocol, Chocolate, Dairy Free, Healthy Drink, Paleo, Primal, Shake, Smoothie, Summer Drink

(Image by TSL)

It’s a wee bit sticky in Sydney at the moment. The sort of heat that has edged just past fabulous and moved towards slightly uncomfortable. At least, that’s how it feels to this little Kiwi.

And, while we’re in the middle of summer down here, many of my fellow AIP bloggers are writing about winter warmers.

The ever so talented Samantha over at Sweet Potatoes and Social Change has just posted about a lip-smackingly gorgeous-looking AIP-friendly Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate recently. And, yes – I did say AIP-friendly.

If there’s no chocolate in Heaven, I’m not going.(Jane Seabrook, Furry Logic Laugh at Life)

And, while I love a hot chocolate just as much as the next girl, the current temperatures in this neck of the woods definitely lend themselves to something a little more cooling…

(Images by TSL)

This is a special treat kind of smoothie. Really, it probably falls more into the ‘shake’ kind of territory. But, on a scale of naughtiness where a big fat portion of chocolate mud cake with whipped cream, ice cream and chocolate sauce is the king, this baby barely even rates a blip on the monitor. And, it tastes REALLY good!

Before I go any further, I should mention that I make this number with raw cacao. Cacao is off the table on the elimination stage of AIP. In the early stages of my AIP caper I discovered that carob is not my friend. For the longest time, I was off all things chocolate. It was a dark period, indeed.

Fortunately, cacao is now back on the menu. Carob and cacao are interchangeable in this recipe.

ROCKING Raw Chocolate Babana Smoothie

• Servings: 2
• Time: 5 minutes
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

Ingredients:

2 x frozen bananas
4 x medjool dates, pitted
3 x Tablespoons raw cacao powder or carob powder
2/3 cup coconut milk
1 x cup water
4 x brazil nuts (optional, and only after reintroduction)
2 x large handfuls of ice

Method:

1. Throw your frozen bananas, dates, cacao/carob, coconut milk, water, optional brazil nuts and ice into your blender. Blend until smooth.

E N J O Y !

MARVELLOUS Minted Zucchini and Broccoli Rice

Tags

AIP, Autoimmune Protocol, Broccoli, Grain Free, Greens, Paleo, Side Dishes, Vegetables, Whole 30, Zucchini

(Image by TSL)

At the beginning of the week, I roast a ton of vegetables so I can use them for the next few days. I also plan out meals in advance. (Gail Simmons)

I’m a wee bit like Gail Simmons. On a Sunday night (usually), I’ll roast a massive bunch of veggies – sweet potato, pumpkin, onion, leek, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi – I don’t discriminate. Whatever is in season and in the pantry. I’ll add some seasoning – most often a combo’ of fresh rosemary (I adore rosemary!), a little garlic and salt and pepper. It’s part of my weekly cooking regime.

And, the roasted veggies last a few days. They can be added to salads, simply reheated or made into hash. They are a trusty stand by.

Last week the unthinkable happened. Just back from our summer holidays, I roasted a chook. And I burnt it. Thinking I was having an off day, the next night I attempted to slow cook a couple of shoulders of lamb. Burnt again.

I thought I had lost my cooking mojo…

And then LM suggested it might not be me, it might actually be our oven.

Over the weekend we trotted out to acquire an oven thermometer. And what do you know? – when I set the oven for 180° C, my thermometer read 280° C!!! LM was right!

I think our oven thermostat has blown. And now I’m waiting for an oven whisperer.

So, necessity being the mother of invention and all that…

It’s true. My weekly veggie roast off has meant I haven’t been experimenting with my veggies as often as I should. So, this week, because I am sans oven, I bring you my Minted Zucchini and Broccoli Rice.

(Images by TSL)

I don’t want any vegetables, thank you. I paid for the cow to eat them for me. (Douglas Coupland)

Unlike Mr Coupland, I want LOTS of veggies in my day. I want extra veggies with my veggies.

And, unless you’ve been living under a rock in the past year or two, you’ll know that cauliflower rice has become a mainstay in the grain-free world as a rice alternative. It’s such a winner that conventional eaters have been adopting it as another way to eat veggies AND it has brought the humble cauliflower into the spotlight.

Suddenly cauliflower is sexy!

We eat an awful lot of cauliflower here at Casa TSL. It probably won’t surprise you to know that my favourite way to eat it is in fact: roasted.

(Image by TSL)

But this week, I had some lovely organic broccoli and zucchini that I had picked up at the markets on Saturday. Clearly roasting is currently out. And the idea of stir-frying them wasn’t pushing my buttons. I hit upon the idea of ricing them like cauliflower…

And it works!

And although the recipe is not particularly difficult, there is some chopping involved. Namely of the zucchini. I didn’t actually test my theory, but I think whizzing the zucchini in your kitchen whiz might not work because of it’s high water content. Do let me know if you’re feeling adventurous…!

Anyhoo – don’t quote me on it, but in ‘chef-speak’, I think this fine chopping might be known as ‘brunoise’…

brunoise
noun
finely diced vegetables used to flavour soups and sauces.

Brunoise of zucchini – I could be a chef!
(Image by TSL)

Not a bad wee alternative to cauliflower rice!

Minted Zucchini and Broccoli Rice

• Servings: 4 - 6-ish as a side
• Time: 30 minutes
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

Ingredients:

1 x large onion
1 x large head of broccoli
2 x zucchini (I used one enormous one!)
2 x Tablespoon fat of choice (I used duck fat)
2 – 3 Tablespoons bone broth (water will do at a pinch)
a generous handful of mint, finely chopped
Salt
Freshly ground pepper (not for the elimination phase of AIP)
Optional: 1/4 cup activated almonds, chopped (not for the elimination phase of AIP)

Method:

After chopping up the cauliflower…

1. Wash and coarsely chop your broccoli. Throw it into your kitchen whiz (food processor) and pulse until ‘rice-like’ in texture

2. Dice your onion finely. Heat your fat in a large frypan. Add onion and saute on a low-medium heat until translucent.

3. While the onions are cooking, wash and finely dice your zucchini. When the onions are softened, add your zucchini and broccoli. Stir thoroughly.

4. Add your bone broth and season with salt.

5. Cover the pan for 7 – 8 minutes to allow the vegetables to cook through.

6. When cooked, stir through chopped mint. Taste for seasoning. Garnish with nuts (if tolerated).

E N J O Y !

This recipe features in the Phoenix Helix Recipe Roundtable

The TSL Soapbox: The One About the Media, Eating Paleo, and Simon Sinek…

Tags

AIP, Autoimmune Protocol, British Dietetic Association, Diet, Dietitians' Association of Australia, Health, Lifestyle, Paleo, Simon Sinek

(Simon Sinek image from here)

Recently, there has been quite the hullabaloo in the press – both here in Australia and in the UK – about the Paleo diet.

In fact, in its annual ‘Top Celebrity Diets To Avoid in the New Year’ list, the British Dietetic Association (BDA) ranked the Paleo Diet as the second worst regime (after ‘Urine Therapy’, which advocates drinking your own urine for apparently supposed health benefits). Incidentally, Sarah Wilson’s ‘I Quit Sugar’, came in at number three (which blows my mind).

Now I’m not a massive fan of labelling the way I choose to eat, but you will know that for the past year I have been following the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). This can loosely be described as ‘Paleo on Crack’! And, it is true that AIP is a restrictive diet.

BUT! The WHOLE point of both Paleo and AIP is that they are healthy and nutrient dense ways of eating

From where I sit, there are many (cynical) reasons organisations like the BDA and the Australian equivalent, the Dietitians’ Association of Australia are not fans of the new wave of lower-carbohydrate style eating. Despite increasing evidence that for many of us it is a more healthful approach to eating. Not least of these reasons is the question of where they get their funding.

What I do find fascinating – in a car crash kind of way – is the vitriol behind their extreme anti-Paleo stance. Is it a case of protesting too much…?

(Image from here)

Sure, you can interpret a Paleo-esque approach as an unhealthy meat-fest. And, there are probably people who do just that.

Alternatively, you can see it as a whole-foods approach which eliminates unhealthy processed foods, refined carbohydrates, sugars and trans-fats while encouraging a more sustainable nose-to-tail way of eating – along with an increased variety of local, seasonal and pesticide-free fruits and vegetables. In my experience, eating like this has increased my vegetable intake by at least 200%. Whichever way you cut it, that has to be a good thing.

And, whether or not you choose to have dairy in your diet depends very much on your body’s ability to tolerate it.

Is this not a good thing?

There is a difference between giving directions and giving direction. (Simon Sinek)

Me – I’m a believer in personal choice. Especially when it comes to what you elect to eat. If you feel better with properly prepared whole grains in your diet, good for you. I really hope that eventually I will be able to indulge in some, too.

And, if you choose to have jam donuts for breakfast every day. That’s your choice, too. I won’t ever think its the best idea in the world, but I’ll defend your right to choose!

I do get that my extreme AIP caper is not for everyone. But, rather than focus on the excesses of a ‘Paleo approach’, can we not acknowledge a more moderate view on the benefits of cutting the crap, increasing veggies AND the other lifestyle aspects of this school of thought – improving sleep, more movement, introducing a mindfulness practice.

Paleo may not be for everyone, but it is equally clear that the average current lifestyle is not healthy, either.

(Image from Dr Kate)

Did you know that according to the Australian Government, 3 in 5 Australians are either obese or overweight. Scarier still is that 1 in 4 children are obese or overweight.

Professor Alan Lopez, a researcher working in the area of health and weight, says Australia’s numbers should be of concern – “We are at the levels of overweight and obesity as the US is, three decades ago obesity levels in Australia were a half to a third of what they are now.”  And, if you live in New Zealand, the numbers are even worse.

The big picture doesn’t just come from distance; it also comes from time. (Simon Sinek)

I have personally experienced significant health improvements following an AIP approach. I hope to transition to a more moderate ‘Paleo-type’ way of eating eventually.

Along the way, I have come to believe that an holistic approach to my lifestyle, nutrition and exercise choices that are more compatible with my evolutionary past are key to my health. At the same time, it must also be said that I don’t believe that it is possible or even practical for me to exactly mimic life in the Paleolithic in today’s world.

Rather than maligning a style of eating that promotes overall health and well-being, would organisations advising the public on nutrition not be better served in advocating a reduction in the amount processed carbohydrates, sugars and trans-fats available in the majority of packaged food we consume?

SCRUMPTIOUS Loaded Banana Bread

Tags

AIP, Autoimmune Protocol Reintroduction, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Healthy Banana Bread, Paleo, Paleo Banana Bread

(Image by TSL)

I’m currently on the Autoimmune Protocol, a nutrient-rich elimination diet that removes foods that irritate the gut, cause gut imbalance and activate the immune system. You can read more about the protocol and why I’m doing this here. This recipe contains nuts and eggs  – both ingredients that are part of the reintroduction phase of the protocol.

It’s been almost two years now, and – small confession – I still miss really good bread. You know the kind I mean – artisan-style sourdough made by bakers who take their bread-making very seriously. Here in Sydney, I mean bread like Iggy’s.

Don’t get me wrong, though. I may miss good bread, but I won’t be having any anytime soon. Probably never again. Gluten is not my friend. And, ‘gluten-free’ definitely does not cut it when it comes to bread.

Life is full of banana skins. You slip, you carry on. (Daphne Guinness)

But, this post is about banana bread. Not bread bread.

And, banana bread is not really bread in the true sense of the word. It’s not made with yeast, water and flour. Rather, its made with bananas. Doh! So, really it’s more like a cake or a loaf.

And, while banana bread can easily be made gluten-free, because it’s not bread (which requires kneading and proving to allow the lovely-yet-naughty gluten to work its magic), it still tastes AWESOME. Some might even say it tastes better…

Better still, (for me) the discovery that I have recently reintroduced eggs successfully back into my life after nine whole months without them.

So, I reckon I deserve a wee celebration!

Having eggs back in my cooking repertoire means the occasional baking treat is back on the table. As good as they are, a girl can only make so many Jaffa Balls!

I started thinking about banana bread at the markets last Saturday. The good peeps at  Kitchen Green, who offer the most delish’ gluten free banana bread, had me salivating. I would have bought some, too. Only, theirs features chia seeds. And I have recently discovered that chia seeds and me are ‘no bueno’. So, I resolved to make my own…

SCRUMPTIOUS Loaded Banana Bread
(Image by TSL)

Bananas lend themselves to healthy baking because they add a natural sweetness and they keep your baking moist.

The thing is, LM is not such a fan of bananas. So when I experimented with this wee number, I added some lemon zest to the batter. To offset the banana-ness of the loaf. And, I reckon it was a winner.

By now, you know that I’m not a particularly finicky cook. I like lots of flavour and not too much fuss. So, while I was playing with this wee baby, I threw in some of the activated (soaked) nuts I had in the pantry and, because I love it, some shredded coconut, too.

The end result is a beautifully moist and crumbly nutty loaf with a lovely citrus kick. YUM!

• Servings: 8 - 10-ish
• Time: 60 minutes
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

Ingredients:

1/2 cup almond meal
1/2 cup coconut flour
1 x cup shredded coconut
1 x teaspoon gluten-free baking powder
Pinch of salt
Zest of 2 lemons
1/2 cup nuts, chopped (I used activated mixed nuts because that’s what I had!)
3 x very ripe medium bananas, mashed well
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
1/4 x cup honey
4 x happy eggs

Method:

1. Heat your oven to 180° C (that’s 350° F). Grease a loaf tin with coconut oil and line with a piece of baking paper (I leave a little overhang of baking paper to aid in removing the cooked loaf from the tin).

2. Using a fork, mix your dry ingredients – almond meal, coconut flour, shredded coconut, baking powder, salt, lemon zest and chopped nuts – in a medium-sized bowl.

3. Pop your eggs and honey into a separate bowl. Whisk. Add your mashed bananas and whisk until very well combined.

4. Pour your egg mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir until combined. Add melted coconut oil and stir again until combined.

5. Pour batter into your loaf tin. Tap on the bench a couple of times to release any air bubbles. Cook for 40 – 45 minutes until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean.

6. Once cooked, allow to cool for 5 minutes in the loaf tin before turning it out onto a wire rack.

This loaf really is best eaten on the day it is cooked but will keep in the fridge for a few days in an airtight container. It also freezes well.

E N J O Y !

Tom Tom’s Take on Aussie Burgers With Sweet Potato Fries

Tags

AIP, AIP Reintroduction, Autoimmune Protocol, Barbecue, Burger, Dairy Free, Grain Free, Healthy Burger, Main Course, Paleo

I’m currently on the Autoimmune Protocol, a nutrient-rich elimination diet that removes foods that irritate the gut, cause gut imbalance and activate the immune system. You can read more about the protocol and why I’m doing this here. This recipe contains eggs, mustard and black pepper – all ingredients that are part of the reintroduction phase of the protocol.

The teenager is practically an adult.

A few weeks back, he indicated that it might be time that he expanded his cooking repertoire. As someone who loves to cook AND eat good food, I couldn’t have been happier.

I’ve been telling him for years that I don’t know a woman who isn’t impressed with a man who knows his way around a kitchen. And, I’m sure his girlfriend won’t mind me mentioning that I suspect she was a big motivator in this recent desire to cook.

Credit where it is due!

“If you knew how to cook, maybe I would eat,” Jace muttered.

Isabelle froze, her spoon poised dangerously. “What did you say?”

Jace edged toward the fridge. “I said I’m going to look for a snack to eat.”

That’s what I thought you said.” Isabelle turned her attention to the soup.”  (Cassandra Clare, ‘City of Bones’)

So, we locked in a night for a cooking session. That was Wednesday night. And, the girlfriend came, too. It was a lot of fun.

I figured that one of my staple slow cooked numbers wasn’t going to cut it this time. Easy to make – yes. Fast – nope. And, in my experience, most teenagers don’t have the longest of attention spans.

So, for this cooking lesson, I decided on burgers. What teenager doesn’t love a burger?

Mince (or ground beef) is an inexpensive and versatile choice of meat. Great for students. Burgers are quick to make and allow for lots of experimentation – classic beef burgers (a little like these babies); or perhaps – lamb mince with mint and a cucumber/yogurt topping for more of a Greek flavour; or even some chicken mince with coriander and a sweet chilli sauce for an Asian inspired burger.

The possibilities are almost endless!

Tom Tom (the teenager) is a big fan of my sweet potato fries. They are a much healthier choice than the traditional deep-fried version. They’re also a doddle to make.

And, what’s a burger without fries, really?

 I’m normally a burger and chips girl – such a cheap date. (Sheridan Smith)

So these burgers are made by Tom Tom. He did all the slicing and dicing. He made the burger patties and mashed the avocado. And, LM manned the barbecue. It was a male-dominated cooking affair at Casa TSL on Wednesday night. And, it was fantastic!

And, if you’re reading this Tom Tom, you’re welcome to cook for me anytime!

There is one small matter that I feel needs to be tabled before I give you Tom Tom’s burger recipe. Traditionally, an ‘Aussie burger’ will include sliced beetroot. Possibly a fried egg.

But, here’s the thing: I’m a Kiwi. And, in New Zealand, we reckon that’s called a ‘Kiwi burger’. So this burger is our version of an Aussie burger. The Tom Tom burger. We think it tastes great!

Tom Tom's Aussie Burgers with Sweet Potato Fries

• Servings: 6
• Time: 60 minutes
• Difficulty: a teenager can make it!
• Print

Ingredients:

For the burgers:

500g happy beef mince
500g happy pork or veal mince
1 x egg yolk
1 x large handful parsley, chopped
1/2 medium red onion, minced
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 x small tin pineapple rounds
2 x ripe avocados
1 x lime, juiced
6 x rashers happy bacon

For the sweet potato fries:

6 large sweet potatoes
3 – 4 Tablespoons of coconut oil, melted
1 tablespoon TSL House Sweet Potato Fries Seasoning (recipe follows)

TSL’s House Sweet Potato Fries Seasoning:

4 x Tablespoons salt
1 x Tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 x Tablespoon garlic powder
1 x Tablespoon dried herbs (I used half basil, half oregano)

Directions

1. Heat your oven to 230°C (that’s 450°F). Line a couple of baking trays with baking paper.

2. In a large bowl, combine your mince, egg yolk, parsley, red onion, garlic, and optional mustard. Get your hands in there and give it a good massage. Season generously with salt and pepper.

3. Form six patties out of the beef mixture. Pop into the fridge for while you prepare your fries. You can turn the barbecue on now to heat.

4. Peel and slice your sweet potatoes into 1/2 cm slices. Now, take the slices and cut into 1/2 cm wide fries. Throw your raw sweet potato fries into a large bowl. Toss with just enough coconut oil to coat. Sprinkle with House Seasoning and give the bowl a good jiggle to coat.

5. Spread your sweet potatoes in single layer on the lined baking trays. It’s important that you don’t overcrowd (soggy fries – no bueno!).

6. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes until your fries are tender and golden brown, turning and rotating the trays occasionally.

7. While the fries are baking, pop the patties onto your barbecue for 5 to 6 minutes per side over a medium-high heat. Now’s the time to cook the bacon, too.

8. If you’re having pineapple, grill slices for 1 to 2 minutes per side.

9. peel and mash your avocado. Add a squeeze of lime juice and season with salt and pepper.

10. To assemble the burgers, top each patty with the smashed avocado, grilled pineapple, fried eggs, and any other toppings you may choose.

For the House Seasoning:

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Will keep for up to 6 months.

E N J O Y !