Easy custard

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Not the custard of childhood

Custard was a strong feature in the desserts of my childhood, apple crumble and custard was one of my favourites when i was growing up. There is nothing better on a cold night than a warm dessert with a generous helping of custard. Full disclosure, when I was younger I was a big fan of tinned custard, I wasn’t so fond of the packet powder custard that was always lumpy and watery. While I do miss custard, l don’t miss the massive amount of sugar that you get in store bought custard. 

Thick and creamy custard
Thick and creamy custard

All the flavour with much less sugar

As with most of my clean eating versions of traditional recipes, it isn’t always the easiest process to find alternative ingredients that deliver the same flavours and in this case the right texture. All new recipes take time to get right, this one was no exception. I tired making custard with coconut sugar, maple syrup and with honey. Finding the balance between sweet enough and too sweet was the greatest challenge. After some trial and error

I found the honey gave the best flavour and the right amount of sweetness for me.

Smooth and silky

Smooth custard isn’t as easy as I thought it was going to be. When I’ve made custard with cane sugar in the past, it was reasonably easy to stop the eggs in the custard from scrambling in the custard. When making custard with honey, you have to watch the heat and take it slowly when heating the custard up. It is easy to overcook the eggs and end up with a lumpy mess.

Easy custard recipe

Easy custard ingredients
Easy custard ingredients

Ingredients

  • 300ml milk
  • 300ml double cream
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 3 tbsp. honey
Take a large saucepan.
Take a large saucepan.
Add the milk and cream to the pan.
Add the milk and cream to the pan.
Add the vanilla.
Add the vanilla.
Add the honey.
Add the honey.
Stir until all of the honey is dissolved.
Stir until all of the honey is dissolved.
In a bowl or jug  beat the eggs until smooth.
In a bowl or jug  beat the eggs until smooth.
When the milk has started to steam it is ready to use.
When the milk has started to steam it is ready to use.
Add three tablespoons of the milk mix to the eggs and whisk.
Add three tablespoons of the milk mix to the eggs and whisk.
Slowly whisk the eggs into the remaining milk.
Slowly whisk the eggs into the remaining milk.
When combined return to the heat to thicken.
When combined return to the heat to thicken.
Watch the custard closely, keep stirring and remove it from the heat before it over cooks.
Watch the custard closely, keep stirring and remove it from the heat before it over cooks.
Pour the custard into a bowl and set it in the fridge to cool completely.
Pour the custard into a bowl and set it in the fridge to cool completely. 

Easy custard

  • Servings: 8
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

This custard is lower in sugar without being lower in taste.



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 300ml milk
  • 300ml double cream
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla
  • 3 tbsp. honey

Directions

  1. Take a large saucepan.
  2. Add the milk and cream to the pan.
  3. Stir in the honey and vanilla. 
  4. Stir until all of the honey is dissolved.
  5. In a bowl or jug  beat the eggs until smooth.
  6. When the milk has started to steam it is ready to use.
  7. Make sure the milk is warm not hot, it will cook the eggs if it is too hot.
  8. Add three tablespoons of the milk mix to the eggs and whisk.
  9. Slowly whisk the eggs into the remaining milk .
  10. When combined return to the heat to thicken.
  11. Watch the custard closely, keep stirring and remove it from the heat before it over cooks.
  12. Pour the custard into a bowl and set it in the fridge to cool completely. 
  13. If you want warm custard reheat it gently in a saucepan.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 228 calories; 19 g fat; 9 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein

Equipment   

  • Saucepan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Whisk
  • Measuring jug
  • Bowl

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Beef and onions

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Ready for those winter warmers

It is feeling a lot more like winter here in the southern hemisphere. I’m feeling it a lot more thanks to some regular trips to Wellington because of my day job. While I’m a way off breaking out the winter coat, I am looking for warmer meals at night to make me feel warm and toasty.

Beef and onions on a bed of cauliflower rice
Beef and onions

Slow cooker meal

This is quickly becoming one of my favourite slow cooker meals because it is so tasty. There is something so satisfying to put dinner in the slow cooker in the morning and come home to a perfectly cooked meal that just needs to be plated up. The bonus is having enough food to cover lunch for a few days; if Jaime doesn’t go back for seconds and thirds.

Sear in the flavour

I spent some time experimenting with this recipe to create a deeper flavour; I finally landed on the seared meat to make this recipe extra special. The extra step of searing the meat adds a beautiful caramelised flavour to the meat and, more importantly, to the gravy. 

Brisket and onions Recipe

Ingredients

Beef and onions ingredients
Beef and onions ingredients
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 onion, sliced
  • 1.5kg beef roast
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef bone broth
  • 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp. coconut aminos
  • Salt and pepper
slice the onions
slice the onions
In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over a medium heat.
In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over a medium heat.
Add the sliced onions to the pan and let them cook for about 15 minutes
Add the sliced onions to the pan and let them cook for about 15 minutes
Be sure to stir the onion now and then
Be sure to stir the onion now and then.
When the onions are caramelised, spread them out on the bottom of your slow cooker.
When the onions are caramelised, spread them out on the bottom of your slow cooker.
Season the beef well.
Season the beef well.
Sear the beef in the pan the onions were cooked in.
Sear the beef in the pan the onions were cooked in.
Sear the beef on all slides.
Sear the beef on all slides.
When the meat is browned all over, place it on top of the onions in the slow cooker.
When the meat is browned all over, place it on top of the onions in the slow cooker.
Pour the Worcestershire sauce, coconut aminos and broth over the meat.
Pour the Worcestershire sauce, coconut aminos and broth over the meat.
Cook the beef on a low heat setting for 6 to 8 hours.
Cook the beef on a low heat setting for 6 to 8 hours.
Serve on a bed of cauliflower rice.
Serve on a bed of cauliflower rice.

Beef and onions

  • Servings: 10
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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This slow cooker meal is one of my favourites and delivers so much flavour.



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 4 onion, sliced
  • 1.5kg beef brisket
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef bone broth
  • 2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp. coconut aminos
  • Salt and pepper

Directions

  1. In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over a medium heat.
  2. Add the sliced onions to the pan and let them cook for about 15 minutes, be sure to stir the onion now and then.
  3. When the onions are caramelised, spread them out on the bottom of your slow cooker.
  4. Return the frying pan to the heat.
  5. Season the beef well.
  6. Sear the beef in the pan the onions were cooked in.
  7. When the meat is browned all over, place it on top of the onions in the slow cooker.
  8. Put half of the onions on top of the brisket.
  9. Pour the Worcestershire sauce, coconut aminos and broth over the meat.
  10. Cook the beef on a low heat setting for 6 to 8 hours.
  11. The meat should pull apart with a fork when it is ready.
  12. Turn off the heat and let the meat rest for 20 minutes before serving.
  13. Use two forks to pull the beef apart.
  14. Using the forks mix the meat and onions together with the juices from cooking.
  15. Serve on a bed of cauliflower rice.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 259 calories; 8 g fat; 6 g carbohydrates; 38 g protein

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Measuring jug
  • Measuring spoons
  • Frying pan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Tongs
  • Whisk

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Cheese sauce

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Wheat-free option

Cheese sauce is one of the few recipes that I remember learning to make in school, under the supervision of a very mardy nun. A good cheese sauce is something that I struggled to make when we made a move to clean eating. When l came up with a clean version of a traditional recipe, my aim is always to make it as close as possible to the real thing as l can. For some reason, the most simple recipes always seem to be the hardest to get right. This cheese sauce was no exception. After a lot of trial and error, I discovered that buckwheat is the best option.

Buckwheat isn’t wheat

It is strange, but it is true, buckwheat is not a grain. It is actually related to rhubarb, of all things. I’ve been cooking with buckwheat groats and buckwheat flour for a while now. ‘love how diverse it is, and I’m a big fan of the favour buckwheat adds to dishes. While working on this recipe, I discovered that a little bit of buckwheat four goes a very long way. Buckwheat is great to thicken sauces and gravies as it doesn’t clump the way tapioca does. The bonus with buckwheat is you use a lot less than you would with wheat flours.

Put it on anything

If you ask me, there are no rules for cheese sauce; it is excellent over the top of most steamed vegetables and that special topping on a lasagne.

Cheese sauce
Cheese sauce

Cheese sauce recipe

Ingredients 

  • 500ml milk 
  • 4 tbsp. buckwheat flour 
  • 50g butter 
  • 100g cheese, grated 
Cheese sauce ingredients
Cheese sauce ingredients
Take a large saucepan.
Take a large saucepan.
Add the butter to a saucepan.
Add the butter to a saucepan.
Wait for the butter to melt. 
Wait for the butter to melt. 
Whisk the flour into the butter to form a paste. 
Whisk the flour into the butter to form a paste. 
Whisk the flour into the butter to form a paste. 
Whisk the flour into the butter to form a paste. 
Whisk the flour into the butter to form a paste. 
Whisk the flour into the butter to form a paste. 
Slowly whisk in the milk.
Slowly whisk in the milk.
Slowly whisk in the milk.
Slowly whisk in the milk.
Continue whisking until you end up with a sauce consistency. 
Continue whisking until you end up with a sauce consistency. 
Turn off the heat and stir in the cheese.
Turn off the heat and stir in the cheese.
When the cheese has all melted it is ready to serve.
When the cheese has all melted it is ready to serve.

Cheese sauce

  • Servings: 8
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

There are no rules for cheese sauce; it is excellent over the top of most steamed vegetables and that special topping on a lasagne.



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 500ml milk 
  • 4 tbsp. buckwheat flour 
  • 50g butter 
  • 100g cheese, grated 

Directions

  1. Take a large saucepan.
  2. Add the butter to a saucepan, wait for the butter to melt. 
  3. Whisk the flour into the butter to form a paste. 
  4. Slowly whisk in the milk.
  5. Continue whisking until you end up with a sauce consistency. 
  6. Turn off the heat.
  7. Stir in the cheese.
  8. When the cheese has all melted it is ready to serve.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 149 calories; 10.5 g fat; 8.5 g carbohydrates; 6 g protein

Equipment

  • Measuring spoons
  • Scales
  • Saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Grater 

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Biscotti

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First time for everything

I was unfortunate when I went to Italy, I didn’t get to enjoy a coffee with a Biscotti. Having a nut allergy means missing out on many experiences. I was happy to enjoy the coffee without the almond based treat at the time, but I don’t like to miss out things forever.

What is it?

Biscotti are the Italian almond biscuits you often find served with coffee. The biscotti is a twice baked, oblong, crunchy biscuit perfect for dipping into a hot drink. The traditional recipe uses flour, sugar, eggs, pine nuts and almonds, so basically all the things we don’t or can’t eat. I could give up and say it’s too hard to even try to eat biscotti, but I love a challenge.

Think I made it better

Creating a recipe that aims to deliver the same texture and flavours of the original recipe isn’t always easy. When you add the complication of you have never tasted the original recipe things can get interesting. This recipe was challenging but also exciting. I wanted to get the texture right while keeping the protein and fat content reasonably high. I used a mix of protein powder and oat flour to replace the wheat flour and used coconut milk and maple syrup to replace the sugar. I used blueberries to replace the almond that you would usually find scattered through a biscotti. Each biscuit is crunchy, filling and goes well with a nice mid-morning cup of coffee. 

Biscotti recipe

Biscotti ingredients

Ingredient

  • 4 scoops protein powder
  • 1 cup oat flour
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla bean paste
  • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. ginger
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
Biscotti ready to eat

Biscotti 

  • Servings: 12
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

This biscotti recipe is grain and sugar free and jam packed in with protein.



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 4 scoops protein powder
  • 1 cup oat flour
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla bean paste
  • 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. ginger
  • 1/2 cup blueberries

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F
  2. Grease a cake pan and dust it with protein powder
  3. In a bowl, mix all of the dry ingredients
  4. In another bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, maple syrup, and vanilla bean paste.
  5. Mix the wet and dry ingredients together then fold in the blueberries
  6. Pour the batter into the cake pan
  7. Bake for 30 minutes
  8. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completelyRemove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely
  9. Cut the cake into 12 slices
  10. Line a large baking tray with baking paper or a silicone liner. 
  11. Place the biscotti slices on the baking tray.
  12. Bake the slices for 20 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 178 calories; 5 g fat; 23.6 g carbohydrates; 11 g protein

Equipment

  • Cake pan
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Cooling rack
  • Baking tray 
  • Baking paper or a silicone liner
  • Measuring cups

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Protein cheesecake

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Just because I love you

Every now and then my partner in crime comes to me with a recipe he likes the sound of and asks if there is a way to make a clean eating version, this recipe comes from one of those requests. While Jaime was reading Ross Edgley’s book The world’s fittest book and man crushing on this website, he came across a recipe for a chocolate protein cheesecake always up for a challenge I gave the recipe some development time.

Easy Swaps

Sometimes I can look at a recipe and know what ingredients are easy to swap out for alternative-ingredients, other recipes take some trial and error before you have something close to what the recipe would get you. Thankfully, this was one of the easy swap recipes that end up giving me a finished cheesecake that didn’t last very long (3 days).  I switched out the quark for some creme fraiche and sour cream to increase the fat content, to make the base nut-free I used my nut-free breakfast crunch with some extra honey and coconut oil to bind the base together.

Protein cheesecake

Protein cheesecake ingredients
Protein cheesecake ingredients

Ingredients

  • 250g creme fraiche
  • 250g sour cream
  • 250g yoghurt
  • 60g protein powder
  • 3 tsp. cacao powder
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla powder
  • 2 egg whites
  • 2 tbsp. gelatine
  • 200ml milk
  • 200g nut-free breakfast crunch
  • 2 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp coconut oil, melted
Mix the nut-free breakfast crunch with the honey and the melted coconut oil together
Mix the nut-free breakfast crunch with the honey and the melted coconut oil together
Spread the crunch mixture out in the bottom of a spring form cake tin
Spread the crunch mixture out in the bottom of a spring form cake tin
Spread the crunch mixture out
Spread the crunch mixture out
press it gently into the tin
Press it gently into the tin
Take a stand mixer.
Take a stand mixer.
Whisk the egg white.
Whisk the egg white.
In another bowl whisk the creme fraiche, sour cream and yoghurt.
In another bowl whisk the creme fraiche, sour cream and yoghurt.
Whisk in the protein powder.
Whisk in the protein powder.
Mix well.
Mix well.
Bloom the gelatine as the packet instructs
Bloom the gelatine as the packet instructs
Heat the milk and chocolate with the gelatine.
Heat the milk and chocolate with the gelatine.
Fold the egg whites into the cheese mix
Fold the egg whites into the cheese mix
Fold in the chocolate mixture.
Fold in the chocolate mixture.
Pour the cheesecake mix into the cake pan.
Pour the cheesecake mix into the cake pan.
Put the cheesecake in the fridge to set up.
Put the cheesecake in the fridge to set up.
Cheesecake set in the fridge.
Cheesecake set in the fridge.
Slice the cheesecake
Slice the cheesecake
Protein cheesecake ready to eat. Enjoy
Protein cheesecake ready to eat. Enjoy

Protein cheesecake

  • Servings: 12
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

Every now and then my partner in crime comes to me with a recipe he likes the sound of and asks if there is a way to make a clean eating version, this recipe comes from one of those requests.


Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 250g crème fraiche
  • 250g sour cream
  • 250g yoghurt
  • 60g protein powder
  • 3 tsp. Cacao powder
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla bean powder
  • 2 egg whites
  • 2 tbsp. Gelatine
  • 200ml milk
  • 200g breakfast crunch
  • 2 tsp. honey
  • 1 tsp. coconut oil, melted

Directions

  1. Mix the nut-free breakfast crunch with the honey and the melted coconut oil together, making sure that the crunch is fully coated.
  2. Spread the crunch mixture out in the bottom of a spring form cake tin, press it gently into the tin.
  3. Put the tin in the fridge to firm up.
  4. Bloom the gelatine as the packet instructs.
  5. In a large bowl mix the crème fraiche, sour cream and yoghurt together with the protein powder.
  6. Gently heat the milk and whisk in the cacao powder and the gelatine.
  7. In another bowl whisk the egg whites until they form stiff peaks.
  8. Slowly fold the egg whites into the protein and yoghurt, be careful not to overwork the mixture, you want to keep as much are in the mixture as possible.
  9. Whisk the gelatine and milk into the protein and yoghurt mixture.
  10. Pour the mixture into the spring form tin and smooth the top.
  11. Put the cheesecake in the fridge for 4 to 8 hours for it to set.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 177 calories; 12.2 g fat; 7.3 g carbohydrates; 6.8 g protein.

Equipment  

  • Bowl x2  
  • Spatula x2  
  • Whisk  
  • Spring form cake tin  
  • Saucepan  
  • Measuring spoons
  • Scales
  • Measuring jug

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Taco style salad

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Things are changing

Not long ago if I had suggested we have a salad for dinner, that suggestion would have been met with grumbles, groans and complaints. Thankfully that is no longer the case. The first time I made this salad for dinner, I did get the grumbles and groans, then the kids tried some. The next week when I asked the question ‘what do we want for dinner?’ I got two requests for ‘that salad we had last week’. That has been the greatest endorsement of a recipe if you ask me. It is a sign that things are changing on the food front in our house.

Taco style salad

More spicy flavours

This salad is a little bit Mexican in flavour; I wanted something that was basically a taco in a bowl. We eat a lot of tacos so I wanted something that would be taco in flavour but without the tortilla wraps. This salad delivers on the flavour of tacos, but with a tasty and creamy dressing that brings everything together. It is easy to make, and the recipe is enough to feed a hungry family and still leave you with some leftovers.

Taco style salad

Taco style salad ingredients

Ingredients 

  • 6 cups cos lettuce, chopped
  • 6 cups chicken, cooked and cubed 
  • 1 can corn
  • 1 can black beans
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed 
  • 1 handful fresh coriander, chopped
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 3 tbsp. avocado oil 
  • 2 tsp. honey
  • 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. garlic, minced 
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/2 jalapeño, finely diced
  • 2 tsp. taco seasoning 
Take the ingredients for the dressing
Add the ingredients to a bowl.
Add the ingredients to a bowl.
Add the jalapenos and whisk.
Take a large bowl.
Add the lettuce and chicken to the bowl.
Add the corn and beans.
Add the tomatoes and avocado.
Add the red onion.
Mix well.
Add the dressing.
Mix well.
Add the crushed corn chips
Serve

Taco style salad

  • Servings: 10
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

Not long ago if I had suggested we have a salad for dinner, that suggestion would have been met with grumbles, groans and complaints. Thankfully that is no longer the case. The first time I made this salad for dinner, I did get the grumbles and groans, then the kids tried some.


Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 6 cups cos lettuce, chopped
  • 6 cups chicken, cooked and cubed
  • 1 can corn
  • 1 can black beans
  • 2 tomatoes, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, diced
  • 3/4 cup cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 cup tortilla chips, crushed
  • 1 handful fresh coriander, chopped
  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 3 tbsp. avocado oil
  • 2 tsp. honey
  • 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp. garlic, minced
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/2 jalapeño, finely diced
  • 2 tsp. taco seasoning

Directions

  1. In a large bowl mix together the lettuce, corn, beans, tomatoes, avocado, onion and cheese.
  2. Set the bowl to one side.
  3. In another bowl whisk together the yoghurt, oil, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic, lime juice, jalapeno and taco seasoning.
  4. When you are ready to serve the salad, add the dressing to the bowl with the salad.
  5. Toss the salad to coat everything with the dressing.
  6. To serve top with the crushed chips and coriander.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 287 calories; 12 g fat; 18 g carbohydrates; 26 g protein.

Equipment

  • Chopping board
  • Knife
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Spoon
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Scales

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Primal fudge

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Something naughty but nice 

Fudge, yes, it is an excellent replacement word when you are around the kids, but I have another fudge alternative for you to enjoy. 

Fudge is one of those fantastic sweet treats I remember from childhood, my Dandy often had fudge and toffee for Christmas, and I loved to share it with him. 

In the past I probably could have happily munched a packet of fudge easily, nowadays I do not think I could deal with the sugar coma.  

Sweet without the sugar 

This recipe was born from a desire to enjoy the flavour of fudge without the truckload of sugar. When we made a move to remove sugar from our lives as much as possible, I noticed a change in my taste buds. What once was just a sweet treat is now so sickly sweet, I can’t eat it. 

I like to look for alternatives that mean I get all the flavour without any of the adverse effects of ingredients that don’t agree with me. For this recipe I swapped out the sugar for honey, this created a delicate balance of sweet but not too sweet with all the rich flavour you get with original fudge. 

Kid approved 

The final hurdle I usually have any new recipe is if the kids will like it. Sometimes they like a recipe, but the response can be lukewarm, they eat what I have made, but it takes a few days for them to work their way through everything. 

This is not one of those recipes. This fudge didn’t last the weekend; the fudge was nabbed out of the fridge after lunch, as a refuel when they got back from the play park and after dinner. These treats are little boy (and big boy) approved. 

Primal fudge recipe 

Primal fudge ingredients
Primal fudge ingredients

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil 
  • 1/2 cup cacao powder 
  • 1/2 cup seed butter 
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup 
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla bean powder 
Place the cacao powder in a large bowl.
Place the cacao powder in a large bowl.
Add the melted coconut oil and honey to the bowl.
Add the melted coconut oil and honey to the bowl.
Mix well with a spatula.
Mix well with a spatula.
Add the seed butter to the bowl.
Add the seed butter to the bowl.
Mix well.
Mix well.
Take a silicone cupcake pan.
Take a silicone cupcake pan.
Pour the mix into the cupcake pan.
Pour the mix into the cupcake pan.
If you want to add something for some crunch put it in the bottom of the cupcake pan.
If you want to add something for some crunch put it in the bottom of the cupcake pan.
Primal fudge ready for eating.
Primal fudge ready for eating.

Primal fudge

  • Servings: 24
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

Fudge, yes it is an excellent replacement word when you are around the kids, but I have another fudge alternative for you to enjoy.



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coconut oil 
  • 1/2 cup cacao powder 
  • 1/2 cup seed butter 
  • 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup 
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla bean powder 

Directions

  1. Melt coconut oil either in the microwave or in a saucepan. 
  2. Don’t overheat the coconut oil, it should be liquid not bubbling. 
  3. Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and blend them together.
  4. Alternatively you can mix by hand.
  5. Add the cacao powder in a large mixing bowl
  6. Add the melted coconut oil and mix with a spatula.
  7. Add the seed butter to the bowl.
  8. Mix well.Mix well.
  9. Pour the mix into paper-lined muffin tin cups /silicone muffin cups.
  10. Fill each cup halfway.
  11. Place the muffin cups in the fridge for 30 minutes or freeze for 10 minutes. 
  12. Pop the fudge out once it is set.
  13. Store in a sealed container in the fridge. 

Nutrition

Per Serving: 89 calories; 7 g fat; 5 g carbohydrates; g protein

Equipment 

  • Saucepan 
  • Food processor 
  • Muffin tin or silicone muffin cups
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Spoon

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Porkips

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Meat chips 

You may have already figured out that meat is a huge deal in our house; our family motto may need to be meat with everything. Protein-rich snacks are a firm favourite for everyone including the cat. 

We all know chips and dips are awesome, the downside is the bloating and carb coma. Enter the salty alternative to standard chips – porkips. 

Pork whats? 

These chips are just meat. They are crunchy and salty goodness. I usually break out these bad boys for special occasions like birthdays and Christmas. They last about 5 minutes once they are done, they are easy to make and if you can stop them being eaten as is go great with dips. 

Porkip recipe

Ingredients

  • 10 slices of prosciutto di Parma

Porkips

  • Servings: 20
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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salty alternative to standard chips - porkips.



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 10 slices of prosciutto di Parma

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F.
  2. Line a baking tray with baking paper; layout slices on the baking paper
  3. Bake for 10/15 minutes until crunchy then allow them to cool (if you can)
  4. If they get to a point where they have cooled they are good to eat (you have also managed to get much further than we do), if they survive the day you can store them in an airtight container for about 4 days in the fridge.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 122 calories; 7.5 g fat; 0 g carbohydrates; 13.5 g protein

Equipment

  • Baking tray
  • Baking paper or a silicone liner 
  • Cooling rack

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

Teriyaki steak bowl

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Using up some leftovers

This recipe was born out of a collection of leftovers in the fridge. Most of the meals I make don’t lead to leftovers but on the odd occasion some. By the end of the week there is never a full portion of anything hanging around, just a few random bits and bobs.  Normally I smash together a quick frittata or an egg scramble.  This was rare, cauliflower rice sitting in there with some tasty steak, it seemed wrong to do something so bland with such amazing ingredients.

The combination of steak and onions is always a winner so adding the cauliflower, courgette and corn seemed like a good idea. A little ginger, sesame oil and left over teriyaki sauce on the steak brought it together nicely.

A little drizzle of mayo over the top was just what was needed to finish the dish off.

Teriyaki steak bowl

Good enough for everyone

When I’m cooking up a storm, the family is usually prowling around looking for a snack or an opportunity to have a nibble on something new. I love that everyone is open to tasting and trying new things, but there is always a danger I’m likely to lose my dinner. This experiment was an example of me almost missing out on my own creation. Three people asking if there is more than just one portion is usually a good sign. 

Bigger portions

On this occasion, I managed to fend off the family, but the positive reaction to the recipe had me decided on turning it into a proper recipe. I did change much about the recipe; I just upsized the ingredients so that they will feed two people, but it can be easily scaled to feed four.

Teriyaki Steak Bowl recipe

Teriyaki steak bowl ingredients

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 1 tsp. ginger, grated
  • 1/2 tsp. sesame oil
  • 400g beef steak
  • 1 1/2 cups cauliflower rice 
  • 1/4 cup sweetcorn
  • 1/4 cup courgette, diced
  • 1/4 cup onion, diced
  • Easy mayo
Teriyaki steak bowl

Teriyaki steak bowl 

  • Servings: 2
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

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Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
  • 1 tsp. ginger, grated
  • 1/2 tsp. sesame oil
  • 400g beef steak
  • 1 1/2 cups cauliflower rice 
  • 1/4 cup sweetcorn
  • 1/4 cup courgette, diced
  • 1/4 cup onion, diced
  • Easy mayo 

Directions

  1. In a bowl mix together the teriyaki sauce, ginger and sesame oil, add the steak to the marinade and put in the fridge for 20 minutes.
  2. In a frying pan over a medium heat fry off the sweetcorn, courgette and onion until the onion is soft. 
  3. When the vegetables are cooked remove them from the pan and set them to one side.
  4. Take the steak out of the marinade and fry the steak over a medium to high heat
  5. When the steak is cooked remove it from the pan and let it rest.
  6. While the meat is resting re-heat the cauliflower rice in the pan that the steak was cooked in.
  7. Plate up the cauliflower rice, top with the vegetables and the sliced steak, serve with some easy mayo on top.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 258 calories; 16 g fat; 13 g carbohydrates; 16 g protein

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Frying pan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Scales
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.

One tray Cajun prawns

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Simple meals don’t have to be boring  

I have been on a mission to make simple and tasty meals. I aim to create recipes that can be prepared and cooked quickly on a busy weeknight. We all struggle to make healthy and delicious meals while keeping on top of everything else in life. So this recipe is designed to be healthy, delicious and easy to make. You can cook this meal on a single tray in the oven. The preparation takes no more than 20 minutes and is portioned to feed four adults.  

Cajun inspiration 

Shrimp and prawns don’t just make me think about BBQ; they make me think about Cajun food. This recipe brings together the spice of the chorizo sausage with the fresh flavours of the pawns and sweetness of the corn. The one tray meal makes it ideal for a busy night or something fancy for the weekend.

One tray Cajun prawn and sausage bake recipe 

One tray Cajun prawn and sausage bake ingredients
One tray Cajun prawn and sausage bake ingredients

Ingredients

  • 450g baby potatoes, quartered 
  • 4 ears corn, cut into three 
  • 450g hot chorizo sausage 
  • 450g prawns, peeled 
  • 1/3 cup olive oil 
  • 3 tbsp. Cajun seasoning 
One tray Cajun prawn and sausage bake
One tray Cajun prawn and sausage bake

One tray Cajun prawn 

  • Servings: 6
  • Rating: ★★★★★
  • Print

This one tray meal is easy to make and an excellent options for a weeknight meal



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 450g baby potatoes, quartered 
  • 4 ears corn, cut into three 
  • 450g hot chorizo sausage 
  • 450g prawns, peeled 
  • 1/3 cup olive oil 
  • 3 tbsp. Cajun seasoning 

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C/ 400 degrees F. 
  2. Line a large baking tray with baking paper or a silicone liner. 
  3. Place the pieces of corn on the baking tray. 
  4. Place the potatoes around the corn, followed by the chorizo and then the prawns. 
  5. When everything is on the sheet mix together the Cajun seasoning and olive oil. 
  6. Spread the Cajun seasoning mix over the corn, potatoes, prawns and chorizo. 
  7. Bake for 20 30 minutes, the corn should be cooked and the potatoes soft. 
  8. Serve hot with a dash of hot sauce. 

Nutrition

Per Serving: 414 calories; 21 g fat; 26 g carbohydrates; 26 g protein

Equipment

  • Baking tray 
  • Baking paper or a silicone liner.
  • Scales
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Nutritional disclaimer

Nutrition information is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients used and available in my area (New Zealand). The nutritional information is here to help you understand the recipe; I use MyFitnessPal to generate my estimates. For more accurate nutritional information, please use a nutritional calculator with the ingredients in your area.