I’m a big fan of the slow cooker during winter. It’s pretty quick and you can virtually set and forget. It’s also great for cooking large batches and freezing small quantities for meal prep. This recipe is full of flavour and really tasty.

Ingredients
·         1kg Beef Mince
·         2 Onions (diced)
·         2 Cups Beef Stock
·         Juice of 2 Oranges
·         ½ cup Sultanas
·         ¾ cup Dried Apricots
·         ½ tsp ground Cumin
·         ½ tsp ground Ginger
·         ½ tsp Salt
·         ½ tsp Pepper
·         ¼ tsp ground Cinnamon
·         ¼ tsp ground Coriander
·         ¼ tsp  Cayenne Pepper
·         ¼ ground Allspice
·         1/8 tsp ground Cloves
·         ½ cup Slithered Almonds to serve
·         Serve with Cauliflower Rice, vegetables or mashed Sweet Potato

Method
1.       Heat fry pan, sauté Onion. Place in slow cooker
2.       Brown mince in pan and transfer to slow cooker
3.       Add all other ingredients except almonds
4.       Set Slow cooker on low for approximately 8 hours or high for 4 hours
5.       Serve with almonds and vegetables

Sometimes it can be difficult to stick to the Paleo lifestyle when our working week is busy with gym, socialising (if you can fit it in), and keeping the household in order. One way to overcome this is ‘Sunday Food Prep’ or any day that fits in with your lifestyle and work.

I know that some people may not agree but I find it relaxing to get into ‘my zone’ in the kitchen, put my favourite music on and do some cooking for an hour or so.

Here is an example of what I might make on a Sunday to get ready for the week ahead, Paleo orders and life in general.
·         Poached Chicken and salad
·         Thai Chicken Rissoles
·         Chicken Sausages
·         Steamed Vegetables and mashed Pumpkin and Sweet Potato
·         Prepared Pumpkin Soup to go into the slow cooker the next day

This also served as Sunday dinner.  Once everything has been made, I portion individual meals into containers. Some go straight into the freezer and leave some in the fridge. This means that I can just grab and go as I need to and there is no need to go for ‘other options’.

I usually try to work with what I’ve got in the fridge and only buy what I really need. This mean there is less wastage and more space for all the meals you’ve just made.

These flavours are absolutely amazing!!! This quick and easy recipe is great for weeknight dinners. You could even marinate the steak the night before.

Ingredients
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
4 garlic cloves (minced)
1 onion (minced)
1/2 tsp black pepper


Method
1. Combine all ingredients
2. Marinate steak (I used rump steak) for 1 hour or more
3. Serve with steamed vegetables (I used sauteed silver beet and pumpkin mash), or could be sliced into a warm Asian style salad.

There are many benefits of salmon. It is high in Omega-3, vitamin D and protein. Salmon should be included in everyone's weekly diet.

This is a super tasty recipe. I'm sure everyone will enjoy this one.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup macadamias
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp Ground Cumin
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 tsp ground chilli (optional)
• 2 x salmon filliets (skin on)
• 1 - 2 tbsp olive oil
  

Method

1. Place macadamia in food processor and pulse to a crumb consisitency.
2. Place macadamia, sesame seeds, coriander, cumin, pepper into a medium pan. Fry for about 5 minutes or untill the macadamias and sesame seeds start to brown.
3. Place dukkah mixture into a shallow bowl.
4. Rinse and dry salmon with paper towel
5 Coat Salmon in olive oil, then coat with dukkah mixture.
6. Wipe pan and and heat to medium-high heat. Place salmon (skin side down) for approximately 3 to 4 minutes (the salmon should start to turn opaque 1/4 up the side). Turn salmon and cook for a further 2 to 3 minutes
7. Serve with your choice of side. This could be roast vegetables, steamed vegetables, or salad.

This curry is full of flavor without any heat whatsoever. Don't be worried about the long list of spices in this recipe. The idea of stocking a pantry with spices and herbs can seem a be daunting but the key is to add some to your pantry on your weekly shop. It doesn't take long to get enough to make a few hearty meals.

This curry is a bit different to my normal curries as there is absolutely no Chilli but it is so tasty. This one is pretty easy

Ingredients

• 1 Large Onion, quartered
  
• 4 Cloves of Garlic
• 1 Slice of Ginger
• 1 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 tsp ground Cumin
• 1 tsp ground Turmeric
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground Black Pepper
• 1/2 tsp ground Cardamon
• 1 tsp ground Cinnamon
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 tsp ground Nutmeg
• 500g Chicken Thigh Fillets
• 400g of fresh diced Tomato (or canned tomato)

Method

1. Place onion, garlic and giner in food processor and blend to a paste. Heat oil in a fry pan over medium heat. Fry oinion past for 10 minutes (stiring continuously)
2. Stir in cumin, turmeric, salt, pepper, cardamon, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves and nutmeg. Fry for 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Fry chicken in mixture and coat with spices. Fry untill chicken has browned (5 minutes).
4. reduce heat to low and add tomatoes. Cook for 1 to 2 hours stiring occasionally
5. Serve with Cauliflower rice. I also added some Turmeric to the 'rice' for some added flavor.

Ingredients

• 300 - 500g beef, strips
• 1-2 Garlic Cloves
• 1/2 tsp Cumin
• 1/2 to 1 tsp Chilli Powder
• 2-3 tbsp Soy Sauce
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 1/2 Lime juice
• 1 red Onion
• 1./2 capsicum, cut into strips
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• Lettuce leave
• Avocado
• Cucumber salad/salsa - mint leaves, red onion, tomato, cucumber (diced and mixed together)
• Paleo relish

Method

1. Make marinade with Garlic, Cumin, Chilli, Soy Sauce, Olive Oil, Lime juice, Onion, Capsicum, Salt & Pepper
2. Place beef and marinade in sealed plastic bag or container, and marinate for 1-2 hours.
3. Before cooking beef, prepare lettuce, salad and condiments.
4. Heat small amount of Olive Oil in pan, place beef in pan and cook.
5. Place desired ingredients in lettuce leaves and roll into a wrap.