Lamb Kofta's (Paleo, AIP, low FODMAP) I love lamb. A year ago I wouldn't have touched the stuff. A childhood spent chewing on bland, fatty and overcooked lamb chops had sufficiently put me off and I had no intention of going near the stuff ever again. But when the time came for me to accept my AIP fate, my ever shrinking list of safe foods forced me to try it once more, and I have never looked back.
I cannot stress enough the difference it makes to buy good quality, grass fed meat. Not only is it packed with omega 3 and nutritionally superior to the supermarket equivalent, but it also packs a hell of a lot more flavour. This simple AIP, low FODMAP recipe for lamb kofta's is quick, easy, nutrient dense and rich with deep flavours. For a delicious main serve them with my cucumber and mint salsa and spiced roast carrots. Makes 10 kofta's Ingredients: 500g Minced lamb - preferably grass fed. Lamb is a rich source of iron, zinc, and b-vitamins. One generous handful of chopped fresh mint leaves. Mint has great digestive supporting qualities, relieves muscle pains and alleviates allergy symptoms. One generous handful of chopped fresh parsley. One generous handful of chopped fresh coriander. Coriander has strong anti-oxidant properties, and helps to stimulates digestion. One heaped tablespoon of ground ginger One teaspoon of cinnamon One tablespoon of garlic oil Half a tablespoon of coconut oil A good pinch of sea salt or pink Himalayan salt Method: In a large bowl add your minced lamb, chopped mint, coriander, parsley, ginger, cinnamon, garlic oil and salt. Combine these thoroughly with your hands until the herbs and spices are evenly spread throughout the meat. Once combined divide the mixture into ten balls and then flatten them with your hands to form long patties about 1 cm thick. Heat the coconut oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. You do not want much oil as the lamb is naturally very fatty, but just enough to prevent it from sticking. When the pan is hot add the patties and let them sizzle until brown on one side - about 4 minutes. Once browned flip the patty to cook the other side until golden brown - again about 3 to 4 minutes. These are ready to serve straight away but will keep in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container.
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Cottage pie (Paleo, AIP, low FODMAP, low histamine)
When I was a baby my Grandmother used to bring me miniature portions of her freshly cooked meals in little ramekin dishes. Everything was homemade and full of natural goodness, and my absolute favourite dish was her cottage pie.
Once the baby years were well and truly behind me I developed a taste for lazy cooking and microwaveable meals. Why spend the time slaving over a hot stove creating a cottage pie when you can microwave instant noodles? The valuable lessons here are: A. nutrition and its profound effect on your health. B: Grandma is always right. A cottage pie can be rich with nourishing ingredients to support your health. Better still, an AIP cottage pie can contribute to healing. Simply put, instant noodles will not. I have experimented with a few AIP, low FODMAP cottage pie recipes, but this is by far my favourite and tastes closest to the real thing. The hardest part is omitting the tomato and potato, but with some clever substitutions you can re-create almost anything. This version has a rich sauce packed with flavour and nutrition. This one's for you grandma. I have listed the ingredients below with a few cheat options if you are short on time. Otherwise, do the whole shebang; it’s really worth it. You can make this with beef for a scrummy, warming cottage pie or for an even richer dish you could create a shepherds pie by switching the beef for lamb. Serves 4. Can be re-heated thoroughly or enjoyed cold. Ingredients For the filling: 450g Minced grass fed beef or lamb - Grass fed meat is rich in omega 3 acids, B vitamins, magnesium, calcium, iron, Vitamin E and Vitamin A. 3 large carrots, diced into tiny cubes. Rich in Vitamin A and beta carotene Half a swede, diced into tiny cubes. A cruciferous vegetable rich in antioxidants and cancer fighting compounds. One whole onion or two leek tops (green parts only) for low FODMAP. Finely sliced. Being part of the same family, leeks offer many of the same health benefits as onions such as cancer fighting and heart protecting properties. Cheat – grate the carrots, leeks and swede in a food processor for a finer texture 275ml bone broth or reserved cooking liquid (see below) Bone broth is anti-inflammatory and heals and seals a damaged gut. Sea salt or pink Himalayan salt. Natural unprocessed salt should not be tarred with the same brush as table salt. Natural salt is packed with essential trace minerals. One tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary. Anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. One tablespoon chopped fresh thyme. An excellent source of vitamin C and fights infections. One tablespoon chopped fresh sage. A rich source of fibre and minerals. Supports cognitive function. One tablespoonAIP tangy salsa Two tablespoons Garlic oil One tablespoon of AIP friendly flour. I use tigernut flour, as it is one of very few flours that are both AIP and low FODMAP. Tigernuts are a rich source or iron, magnesium, potassium and many other minerals as well as being a good source of healthy fats. For the topping: One whole squash, halved and de-seeded. Coquina, acorn or queen squash for low FODMAP. Winter squash is packed with vitamin C and vitamin A, and is a great source of starchy carbs on an AIP diet. One tablespoon coconut oil. Anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, great source of fats, all round good guy. Sea salt or pink Himalayan salt Optional additional topping: I use this to cut through the sweetness on the squash topping. One whole courgette, grated. High in fibre and rich in antioxidants. One leek top – green parts only. Very finely sliced. Sea salt or pink Himalayan salt Teaspoon of lemon juice Equipment: A food processor for cheat options One large lidded frying or saucepan One baking tray/casserole dish Method: Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees or 180 for fan assisted. Place your halved squash cut side down on an oven tray and bake for 50 minutes. After 50 minutes your squash should be totally softened. Scoop out the flesh into a bowl, and add a tablespoon of coconut oil and a pinch of salt. Give this a good mash until smooth and leave to one side. For the optional topping: I add this to the top of my mash to cut through the sweetness of a coquina squash, it adds an extra flavour element but also helps to create a cooking liquid if you are not using broth. Combine your courgette and leeks in a sieve over a bowl and sprinkle with a good pinch of salt and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Give these a good stir to combine and you will see the juices collect in the bowl. You can stir this intermittently and push the juices through the sieve. When you are ready to add liquid to your filling, use this topped up with water to make 275ml. While your squash is cooking, heat two tablespoons of garlic oil in a large saucepan over a low heat and add your sliced leeks/onion. Allow them to soften for 5-6 minutes before adding your cubed carrots and swede. Give these a good stir to ensure they are coated in the oil and let them soften over a low heat for 6 minutes. Remove the vegetables from the pan and add in your mince. Crank the heat up a little and brown the mince all over, breaking it up as it cooks. Once the mince is browned add your vegetable mix back in along with your chopped herbs. Add in a tablespoon of the tangy salsa puree and your AIP flour of choice. Give this a good stir so the flour starts to absorb the cooking juices. Gradually pour in your bone broth or reserved cooking liquid and throw in good pinch of salt. Stir everything thoroughly and turn the heat down to low. Put a lid on the pan and let it cook slowly for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, transfer your mince mix to an ovenproof casserole dish and spoon your squash mash evenly over the top. If you have used the additional leek and courgette mix, sprinkle this across the top. Place this in the oven for 25 minutes and serve with steamed green vegetables or a summer salad. This is a great one to make at the weekend and put half to one side as a ready-made dinner for the week. Enjoy! Layered chicken bake (Paleo, AIP, low FODMAP, low histamine)
When I started writing this blog, I had several aims in mind. The main one being to share my story and my experiences. What I never intended to do was share recipes. I have never been much of a cook, in fact at times my cooking skills have left a lot to be desired. I spent many a year thinking the height of fine dining was sandwiching potato waffles with melted cheese. Waffle, cheese, waffle and repeat. Due to my drastic lifestyle change spending time in the kitchen and brushing up on some skills has became non –negotiable.
Given that I have found the AIP to be life changing I felt the need to share some recipes. What’s more, there is a severe drought of low FODMAP, AIP recipes – especially from the UK. So here I am, sharing some of my creations. God help you all. Layered chicken bake Serves 4, or two very hungry people. This can be re-heated thoroughly or even cold as a lunch with salad. This recipe is Paleo, AIP compliant, low FODMAP and low histamine. I have included optional variations where available. Ingredients 1 whole squash – for low FODMAP, use a coquina, onion or queen squash. If you are not low FODMAP a butternut squash or sweet potatoes would be a good substitute. Peeled and de-seeded and sliced into half moon shapes about 1 cm thick. 3 large carrots, sliced into discs. 3 tablespoons of garlic oil - this is low FODMAP! The fructans in garlic are soluble in water but not oil, making garlic oil a low FODMAP flavour godsend. One whole leek or for low FODMAP use 2 leek tops (green parts only) 4 chicken breasts diced into chunks One large courgette finely sliced into wide strips 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoon of coconut oil 3 tablespoons of bone broth or water 1 teaspoon of dried oregano A fistful of fresh oregano A fistful of fresh sage leaves Sea salt or pink Himalayan salt What do you need: A large oven proof baking tray/dish Frying pan Cheese slice Method: Pre-heat your oven to 180 degrees fan assisted or 200 degrees on a regular setting. Start by layering your squash slices across the bottom of your baking dish. These need to overlap slightly but not completely cover each other to ensure they cook through. Arrange your sliced carrots in between any gaps in the squash. Sprinkle the squash and carrots with a good pinch of salt, a teaspoon of dried oregano, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, one tablespoon of coconut oil and 3 tablespoons of bone broth. If you haven’t braved the broth just yet, you should. But in the mean time, water will suffice. Pop this in the oven to bake for 50 minutes to an hour. Check on it at intervals and gently move the veg if necessary to ensure it is all coated and cooking but retain the flat layer. In the mean time slice your courgette with the cheese slice so you have wide strips and leave to one side. Ten minutes before your squash is ready, sautee your sliced leeks in a tablespoon of coconut oil and as they begin to soften add your diced chicken, 2 tablespoons of garlic oil and a good pinch of salt. You want to only just cook the chicken through so it is still soft and tender. Once the chicken is just about cooked and the leeks are softened, your squash should be ready. It should be soft and starting to caramelise around the edges. Remove the squash from the oven and layer your chicken and leek mixture on top including all the juices from the pan. The garlic oil will infuse with the juices from the roasted squash to form a sweet, garlicky sauce. Place your fresh sage and oregano leaves in around the chicken pieces. Cover your bake with your thinly sliced strips of courgette and drizzle with the remaining garlic oil. Place this back in the oven to finish cooking for 15 minutes. The bake is ready once the chicken is piping through and the courgettes are softened on top. This could be served with a salad or some steamed kale. Bon appetit! |
Emma CarterThis blog tells an ongoing story about me and my journey back to health and happiness. A boho soul always looking for my next European adventure. I am a Coeliac, Yogi, paleo advocate, dreamer, Bon jovi connoisseur, sun worshipper, snuggly jumper wearer and wife to my lovely Paulie. Archives
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