Paleo Diet

What is the Paleo Diet?

The world’s healthiest diet, often known as the ‘caveman diet’.  The premise of which is that you don’t eat anything that wasn’t available in the ancient world.

The diet centres around the foods that were most readily available during the time period: fish, grass fed pasture raised meats, eggs, vegetables, fruit, fungi, roots and nuts and excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, potatoes, refined salt, refined sugar and processed oils.

The paleo diet may consist of ancient food types, but that doesn’t mean that you have to eat like cavemen!  We live in a modern age and there are many ways to cook tasty, healthy meals.

‘Cast’ Iron Age

Dating back to the 5^th century BC, cast iron has been used in warfare, agriculture and architecture before making its way into our kitchen to be used as cooking tools. 

Below are some fantastic paleo recipes that can be cooked in a Cast Iron Casserole.

Baked Mustard Lime Chicken:

        450g skinless boneless chicken breast

        3oz fresh lime juice

        6oz fresh cilantro, chopped

        3oz dijon mustard

        1 tablespoon olive oil

        1 tablespoon chili powder

        ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt½ teaspoon pepper

        1. Combine lime juice, cilantro, mustard, olive oil, chili, salt and pepper in a food processor

        2. Pulse until ingredients are well combined

        3. Rinse chicken breasts, pat dry and place in a 7 x 11 inch baking dish

        4. Pour marinade over chicken, cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to 6 hours

        5. Bake at 180°c for 18-20 minutes uncovered, or until an instant read thermometer reads 75°c

        6. Serve with extra sauce spooned over top

        Paleo Shepherds Pie

         

        2 tablespoons olive oil

        1 large onion, diced

        450g turkey or pork bacon, cut into 2 inch slices

        2 diced carrots

        2 diced celery

        450g organic grass fed ground beef

        ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt

        1 teaspoon ground black pepper

        ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

        250ml chicken broth

        2 large heads cauliflower, trimmed, chopped and steamed until very soft

        2 tablespoons olive oil

         

1.  Heat olive oil in a very large frying pan

2.  Saute onion for 15 minutes until soft

3.  Add bacon pieces to pan and sauté until cooked, about 10 minutes

4.  Add carrots and celery to pan and sauté in bacon fat for 10 minutes until soft

5.  Add ground beef to pan and sauté until brown, just a few minutes

6.  Season with salt, pepper and smoked paprika

7.  Add chicken broth and cook down broth until 60% evaporated

8.  Place cauliflower in food processor

9.  and puree with olive oil until smooth

10. Pour ground beef mixture into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish

11. Pour mashed cauliflower over beef mixture

12. Bake at 180°c for 30 minutes

13. Serve