Food on Friday ~ Paleo Diet
save power and protect the planet
eat raw meat
from Delicious Magazine ~ Beef Carpaccio
There is solid evidence that that ‘people’ were using and controlling fire at least a million years ago, so Paleolithic man undoubtedly knew how to cook, even if it was only toasting a haunch of bison over an open fire. Unless you’re very keen on sushi and carpaccio you won’t be eating a lot of raw meat on a Paleo Diet, and because of the possibility of parasites there is no way I would eat raw fish.
The Paleolithic Era lasted from about 2.5 million years ago until 10,000 years ago, just after the last ice age. (lithic means stone, so our ancestors were using flint tools) Theoretically the Paleo Diet is based upon what our stone age ancestors were eating.
So, going forward my diet will be: fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, nuts, lean meat, (especially good quality from grass-fed animals or wild game), fresh fish, (especially salmon, mackeral, pilchards, and tuna). For cooking we should use oil from fruits and nuts like olive oil, almond oil, and coconut oil. Having said that, as our paleolithic ancestors were cooking and eating lots of meat I see nothing wrong with using lard and dripping.
The foods to avoid are things that our ancestors would never have had access to; grains like wheat, oats, barley, rice, (anyway grains are all drenched in poisonous Roundup / Glyphosate), legumes like beans, lentils, peanuts, and peas, any and all dairy products like butter, cheese, yogurt, cream, milk. On a Paleo diet there is no refined sugar, (which lets out cakes, candy, chocolate, and sweetened drinks), root vegetables like potatoes, parsnips, turnips, and not too much salt, (right up until the middle ages salt was a very precious commodity). Neither would Paleolithic man have access to processed food, canned food, breakfast cereals, chips, crisps, pies, microwave meals, and ready meals ~ all of which are full of crap.
Booze is mostly out too ~ the earliest known beer dates from about 5,000 years ago ~ but perhaps hard liquor sneaks in as evidence for that dates back at least 9,000 years.
The main reason I’m going onto the pretty strict paleo diet are that all through lockdown I’ve been putting on weight, and now I want to get my trim body back. Other benefits of a Paleo Diet are; better resistance to diabetes, improved cardio vascular health, more energy, and better resistance to all the diseases linked to inflammation.
Some say that modern life is injurious to our health. And that wheat is so unhealthy we should probably stop eating it. All I know is that lockdown is the unhealthiest way of living I know.
~
jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
from Creme de la Crumb
Food on Friday ~ Paleo
for most of human prehistory
carbohydrates were extremely scarce
The real birth of farming, and therefore an abundance of carbohydrates, was probably after the last ice age some 10,000 years ago. Before that, and before mankind learned how to store grains and nuts, carbohydrates would only be readily available in the harvest season. More than that, most carbohydrates would come from nuts rather than grains and seeds, and most nuts contain far more fat and protein than they do carbohydrates.
Some would say that eating carbohydrates is unnatural, and the number of wheat / gluten related illnesses would seem to prove that; celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten ataxia, dermatitis, bloating, and wheat allergies. Anyhow, modern wheat is so drenched in Roundup / Glyphosate that it’s poisonous over time.
A paleo diet is based on the food eaten by early humans; meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, nuts ~ completely eschewing dairy products, cereals, and of course no processed foods at all. And, that’s what I’m now following ~ So Help Me God.
First up this Friday, from Chungah at Damn Delicious we have Easy Chimichurri Shrimp. One benefit of a Paleo diet is that most dishes are quick, easy, and clean. Chimichurri is a tangy quite hot dressing.
Easy Chimichurri Shrimp
Not everyone likes pork chops, but from Holly at Spend with Pennies I like the look of her recipe for Juicy Baked Pork Chops. So many people cook pork chops until they’re dry and tasteless.
Juicy Baked Pork Chops
The usual extremely pretty dish from Jessica at How Sweet Eats; Garlic Brown Sugar Flank Steak with Chimichurri. One of the good things about a paleo diet is that I can eat just as much steak as I want. This is a super cilantro heavy chimichurri dressing, and another 30 minute recipe. Fabulous!
Garlic Brown Sugar Flank Steak with Chimichurri
From Tieghan Gerard at Half Baked Harvest, how about this Pan Roasted Pomegranate Glazed Salmon. Not your same old dull salmon dinner at all. Simple, quick, and very tasty in a different way.
Pan Roasted Pomegranate Glazed Salmon
Tiffany at Creme de la Crumb also has a super 30 minute salmon recipe; Best Easy Healthy Baked Salmon. Cooked just with lemon and garlic, what could be easier or better?
Best Easy Healthy Baked Salmon
The collection this week is from Delish magazine; 40 Paleo Recipes That Will Make You Forget You’re On A Diet. Well a Paleo meal shouldn’t make you feel as though you’re on a diet, protein is very filling. The dish I’ve chosen to feature is another fish recipe; Baked Swordfish Steak ~ and swordfish is fabulous served any way.
Baked Swordfish Steak
~
jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
a true Paleo Diet should include game
Food on Friday ~ Californian Style
healthy eating is a way of life
Deep into lockdown and I am not feeling at my best. The edict here is that we should stay at home, not going out at all except for ‘essential’ purposes. Well, for me shopping for food is an essential reason to get out of the garret. And face it, when one can’t go anywhere nor meet with friends, then cooking is one of the few real pleasures left in life. Ergo, the dishes this week are things that look and sound good. Maybe all these recipes are healthy and very nutritious, but this week that’s all secondary to simple pleasure.
Not only that ~ these recipes remind me of warmer and better times spent in California.
From Tieghan at Half Baked Harvest we have 30 Minute Creamy Thai Turmeric Chicken and Noodles. I like easy thirty-minute recipes. Turmeric is supposed to have lots of interesting health benefits.
30 Minute Creamy Thai Turmeric Chicken and Noodles
Another 30 minute dish, this time from Dana at Minimalist Baker; Rosemary Roasted Root Vegetable Panzanella ~ how very Californian. This is quick, nutritious, vegetarian comfort food. Rosemary is another herb with lots of health benefits attached to it.
Rosemary Roasted Root Vegetable Panzanella
At Cooking with a Wallflower one of Andrea’s top ten recipes is this Korean Style Spinach Mushroom Glass Noodles. I enjoy making a stir fry and this vegetarian dish looks so very easy for a lunch or dinner at any time.
Korean Style Spinach Mushroom Glass Noodles
Here in England, in the depths of winter, a hearty soup is always welcome on the dinner plate. Holly at Spend with Pennies has something that would remind me of warmer and better times vacationing in California. A Crock Pot Taco Soup ~ and almost everyone has a crock pot tucked away in a kitchen cupboard. Allegedly this soup is so easy it practically cooks itself.
Crock Pot Taco Soup
I’ve realised that the recipes this week all have some kind of Californian connection. So, how could I not include something like these Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos with Chipotle Slaw and Roasted Pineapple Sauce. From epicurious.
Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
Our collection this week comes from Jessica at How Sweet Eats; 20 of My Favorite Soup Recipes for Winter. From this fabulous list I’ve chosen to feature this great looking Chicken Tortellini Soup. If you buy a rotisserie chicken this dish is so quick and easy.
Chicken Tortellini Soup
~
jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
Santa Monica, CA
I Have a Problem
sometimes, even I can’t fix everything
somewhere in there is a busted part
Well, I failed at repairing my heating / hot water system. The part I ordered and fitted yesterday rectified one fault, but obviously it wasn’t the main problem. There’s now a lot of pretty lights working on the gas boiler’s control panel, but the important indicator light, the one that says the gas is lit, remains obstinately dark.
I could investigate further and try another fix, but I won’t do that for three very important reasons;
- I don’t have the special tools one needs to work on gas appliances. Crucially these special tools include a gas leak detector. Although gas is actually odorless, a stenching agent is added so one can smell a very bad gas leak. But a leak small enough to be undetectable by human olfactory senses can still be extremely dangerous.
- I do not have easy access to the parts I might need to undertake a repair.
- Legally, all gas work should only ever be carried out by an appropriately qualified engineer. In the UK that means you have to on the Gas Safe Register, and renew your qualification every year. I haven’t been a qualified gas engineer for 15 years or so.
Today I’ll find a properly qualified engineer who is working during this current draconian lockdown, and make an appointment to have someone come and look at my lack of heating and hot water problem.
Actually, wanting to have fixed this gas boiler problem myself is not a money issue, it’s more that I don’t like strangers in the garret, and neither does Marmaduke.
Failing to repair something is a huge blow to my self-esteem. But needs must when the Devil drives.
~
jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
good old Marmaduke
he’s all ready to help
Food on Friday ~ Mid Autumn
autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower
It’s the middle of fall, Thanksgiving is in a couple of weeks, we’d like to make a start on Christmas shopping, and most of us are trapped in one sort of a lockdown or other. But there is nothing to stop you going grocery shopping, and then honing your chef skills.
These recipes have a kind of mid-autumn, pre Thanksgiving flavour. In one case I would strongly recommend serving a decent sherry or Madeira to go along with the cake. In fact, why not treat yourself to a decent glass of something any way. You deserve it, and you probably won’t be driving to work today.
(BTW for new readers, and if you just don’t know, if you click on the highlighted recipe name you will go right to that dish on the chef’s own website.)
First up this week, from Half Baked harvest we have this delicious looking 4 Cheese Sage Pesto Florentine Lasagna. How great would this be to make ahead for your Thanksgiving parties? (NB. Women should be very careful of too much sage.)
4 Cheese Sage Pesto Florentine Lasagna
Another pasta dish from Diane at In Dianes Kitchen; a very warming Cheesy Chicken Noodle Casserole. (Noodles are pasta too.) This is a very easy dish, even most of my fellow single men could make, (and most single men cannot cook).
Cheesy Chicken Noodle Casserole
Now a really pretty midweek dinner from Andrea at Cooking with a Wallflower; Honey Garlic Shrimp Farro Bowl with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette. And how fabulous to serve this if you have friends over for a pre or post Thanksgiving lunch.
Honey Garlic Shrimp Farro Bowl with Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette
Tiffany from Creme de la Crumb has a very seasonal dish in this Candied Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole, (with marshmallows). Being English I’m not quite certain if this is an entree or a dessert. No doubt someone will enlighten me.
Candied Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
Joy Wilson at Joy the Baker has come up with what has to be the longest recipe name ever, (and that’s saying something here), Dad’s Perfect Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Refined Sugar-Free Sweet Potato Pie. You have got to make this just so you can tell your guests what it’s called.
Dad’s Perfect Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Refined Sugar-Free Sweet Potato Pie
And finally for this week. As you would expect from Heather Christo we have an extremely pretty dish, this time a Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake, which is both vegan and gluten free. How brilliant for afternoon tea around thanksgiving, although I’d serve this with sherry and not tea.
Pumpkin Pecan Coffee Cake
~
jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
if you have never tried a good Maderia wine, then you have no idea the heaven you’re missing out on
Food on Friday ~ Lockdown
now that I’m in enforced lockdown I’ll be eating canned goods for another week
None of these following recipes are unhealthy canned goods.
First this week from Jessica Merchant at How Sweet Eats we have delicious Parsmesan Pistachio Pork Tenderloin.
Parmesan Pork Tenderloin
Now from Tiegha Gerard at Half Baked Harvest we have Skillet Chicken Broccoli Pot Pie with a Garlic Butter Phyllo Crust. That looks wonderful. Me I’m eating pie out of a can!
Skillet Chicken Broccoli Pot Pie with a Garlic Butter Phyllo Crust
From Diane at In Dianes Kitchen, how about these Asian Pork Meatballs ~ I wish.
Asian Pork Meatballs
Chungah at Damn Delicious gives us her Best Ever Beef Stew.
Best Ever Beef Stew
Amanda at Chez le Reve Francais has a wonderful recipe for her Quiche Lorraine with Shortcrust Pastry.
Quiche Lorraine with Shortcrust Pastry
And Finally for this week, Garlic and Herb Sweet Potato Nourish Bowl, from the Minimalist Baker. I would make this if I was allowed out to the store.
Garlic and Herb Sweet Potato Nourish Bowl
~
jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
Marmaduke and I still have a little fresh food left
Food on Friday ~ Eat Hearty
autumn, a time for rich hearty meals
What with everything that’s happening in the world, and now that fall is upon us, perhaps the time has come to ditch our lighter diets, and instead fill our plates with rich and hearty foods. And, let’s be honest, we could all do with some comfort food right now.
And, of course, autumn does mean apples. And, piles of leaves. And, Rose Hips. And Pumpkins.
Although, please wear a warm scarf.
With all that in mind, first for this Friday we have Jessica Merchant at How Sweet Eats, and her Cider Braised Pot Roast with Caramelized Onions and Cauliflower Rice. I don’t yet know what this tastes like, but it looks and sounds fabulous.
Cider Braised Pot Roast with Caramelized Onions and Cauliflower Rice
From Tieghan Gerard at Half Baked Harvest we have a Healthy Slow Cooker Chipotle Bean Chili. This is a healthy, hearty, vegetarian, comfort food meal. Switch the cheese and you can have it vegan, or add chicken for those who like that.
Healthy Slow Cooker Chipotle Bean Chili
Another chili recipe, this time from Country Living; Pumpkin Beef and Black Bean Chili. This is one of Country Living’s 60+ Best Pumpkin Recipes to Delight Your Family All Fall Long ~ a very good collection. Look no further for your pumpkin recipe ideas.
Pumpkin Beef and Black Bean Chili
Autumn is a time for soups and stews, and Tiffany at Creme de la Crumb has a copycat recipe for Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup. I don’t know what this is like at an Olive Garden, but it looks great here.
Olive Garden Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Our collection this week is from Woman’s Day; 35 Delicious Fall Soups to Make on a Chilly Day. From there I’ve chosen to feature a Corn and Potato Chowder. How good does that look?
Corn and Potato Chowder
For Dessert, Diane offers us this Apple Pan Pie, which here we would call an apple crumble. Fabulous served with cream or even ice cream.
Apple Pan Pie
~
jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
kids and dogs love fallen leaves
so do we young at heart
Food on Friday ~ Weeknights
keep your face towards the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you
Now that the nights are drawing in, we perhaps look for warming, nutritious, comfort food, especially on a weeknight. After a hard day at work we don’t want to spend too long in the kitchen, and these are all easy weeknight recipes.
First this week from Chungah at Damn Delicious we have a warming Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup. If you don’t happen to have an instant pot, this recipe is still very easy to make in your regular stock-pot.
Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup
From Jessica Merchant at How Sweet Eats we have this Weeknight Maple Turkey Chili. Made with ground turkey and served with sliced avocado and egg, this is a really simple and delicious fall staple.
Weeknight Maple Turkey Chili
Amanda at Chez le Rêve Français has a recipe for a fabulous English staple; Chicken and Leek Pie. I happen to really like this dish, eaten great hot or cold.
Chicken and Leek Pie
Sylvia at Feasting at Home has a collection of globally inspired Fast and Easy Weeknight Dinners. I very much like the look of this easy Kimchi Fried Rice, a 20 minute vegetarian dinner.
Kimchi Fried Rice
From Delish Magazine we have a collection of 80 easiest weeknight dinners, from which I’ve chosen to feature this dish of Cheesy Baked Meatballs.
Cheesy Baked Meatballs
And also this great looking Caprese Chicken Pasta, ready in just 30 minutes.
Caprese Chicken Pasta
~
jack collierjack
collier7@talktalk.net
if in doubt you could always opt for dark beer, bread, and cheese
Food on Friday ~ Autumn
fall in the fresh lap of the crimson rose
In a couple of days time we will have the Autumn Equinox, the harvests will be taken in, and the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness will be upon us. I expect that you’re like me and wondering where the year went to, and how come I don’t remember what happened.
I believe that this coming Tuesday September 22nd is a time for me to make a fresh start, throw off the constraints of a summer that didn’t have much good going for it, and begin again.
A good place to start our move into Autumn, or Fall if you will, is with some good food, great recipes, and hopefully some very good company.
First this week we have Chungah at Damn Delicious and her warming, nutritious, delicious One Pot Chicken and Mushroom Orzo. We all like one pan dishes don’t we?
One Pot Chicken and Mushroom Orzo
Now, Tieghan Gerard at Half Baked Harvest has The 35 Most Popular Fall Recipes. From this collection I’ve chosen a Slow Cooker Herbed Chicken and Rice Pilaf.
Slow Cooker Herbed Chicken and Rice Pilaf
To go with your chicken, and for the warmer days still to come this year, from Dana at Minimalist Baker we have a Raw Rainbow Veggie Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing. And, just how pretty is that?
Raw Rainbow Veggie Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing
This is a super collection from Jessica Merchant’s How Sweet Eats; 45 Of My Favorite Fall Dinner Recipes. With so much to choose from how about a Smoky Pumpkin Bisque with Grilled Cheese Croutons? You need to keep this recipe by you for Halloween.
Smoky Pumpkin Bisque with Grilled Cheese Croutons
This might almost be the ultimate fall dinner recipe collection ever; from Delish Magazine 61 Unbelievably Easy Fall Dinner Recipes. From this cornucopia I’ve chosen these Garlic Rosemary Pork Chops. If you think that pork chops only come in the dry and overcooked variety, then you should try this recipe.
Garlic Rosemary Pork Chops
Or maybe this is the ultimate Fall Recipe Collection; 50 Apple Cider Recipes You Need in Your Life this Fall. From this Country Living apple collection I’ve picked a Roasted Butternut Squash with Cider Vinaigrette.
Roasted Butternut Squash with Cider Vinaigrette
~
jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
if you are lucky you still have rosehips in your garden, and they make up some great medicinal recipes
Food on Friday ~ Weeknights
after a long day at work cooking is probably the last thing on your mind
Even though I am a gentleman of leisure there are times when I’m rushed for time and don’t feel like cooking anything complicated nor time-consuming for dinner. And for most people, I know there is much more pressure on your time. So this Friday I’m concentrating on easy recipes that are perfect for weeknights.
Even tough you might be tired and under time pressure after a hard day at work, please take the time to enjoy cooking and eating your meals. Be mindful of your food.
First up, from Tieghan Gerard at Half Baked Harvest we have these weeknight style Crockpot BBQ Beer Chicken Taquitos ~ with Street Corn Salas and Lime Crema.
Crockpot BBQ Beer Chicken Taquitos
From Holly at Spend with Pennies, how about this Easy Tuna Casserole?
Easy Tuna Casserole
This is really easy from Ali at Gimmie Some Oven; Brown Butter Lemon Pasta. And, I agree with Ali here, buy the very best ingredients you can afford, especially for simple dishes such as this.
Brown Butter Lemon Pasta
For a side dish, or just something healthy on its own, from Cookie + kate we have this Easy Tomato Salad ~ how wonderful if you have tomatoes growing in your own garden.
Easy Tomato Salad
This is not the first time I’ve blogged about weeknight dinners. Back in May 2018 there was another post entitled Weeknight Dinners. Among the recipes I covered there is this Prosciutto and Balsamic Greens Flatbread. From Averie Cooks. Looks delicious.
Prosciutto and Balsamic Greens Flatbread
Our collection this Friday is from Delish magazine; 80 Easiest Weeknight Meals Ever, and I’ve chosen to feature this fabulous looking Spinach Lasagna.
Spinach Lasagna
~
jack collier
jackcollier7@talktalk.net
the simplest meal ever
just add cheese
