Sweet Potato Enchiladas

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Enchiladas are awesome!!

I think most people know that I love all Mexican food, enchiladas are one of my favourites. 

As much as I love them, I can’t do the corn tortilla option regularly. I am always looking for alternatives that let me enjoy my favourite meals. For this one, I decided to try thinly sliced sweet potato as the alternative to tortillas.

As alternatives go, this is great and not as filling as the traditional corn tortilla option.

Freezer meal

Hands up if you are busy. Who is way too tired to get in the kitchen to cook at the end of the day? Definitely not me.

My days are filled with meetings, to-do lists, emails and telling people what to do. By the time I finish work, the last thing I want to do is get stuck into cooking a meal and then cleaning up afterwards. I want to work out and spend some time with Jaime. That is why freezer meals are my favourite solutions to the challenge of a busy life. A few hours on the weekend, and you find yourself with a stack of options for dinner that can be thawed and cooked for a healthy, delicious meal for the family.

Sweet potato enchiladas recipe

Ingredients

  • 3 sweet potatoes, sliced thinly
  • 450g minced beef
  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 50g green peppers diced
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp. chilli powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3-4 tbsp. Coconut Oil
  • Enchilada sauce

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C/ 330 degrees F.

Use a mandolin to slice your sweet potatoes lengthwise thinly.

Using a knife means you don’t get even thickness, so I use a mandolin.

Using a large pan over medium heat, brush the inside with coconut oil.

When the pan is hot, add some of your sweet potatoes slices.

Cook your sliced sweet potatoes until they are soft, don’t let them get crispy. 

Work in batches to ensure they cook properly.

When cooked, remove excess oil with kitchen towel and chill while you prepare your meat.

In a frying pan, add a little oil, then the minced garlic and onion.

When the onion becomes translucent, add in your minced beef along with the peppers and spices.

Allow everything to cook, break up the minced beef and allow all of the flavours to mingle.

Add a spoonful of enchilada sauce to the bottom of a baking dish.

Build the enchiladas by taking three slices of sweet potato and overlap them to create a fan.

I like to place them on some kitchen paper.

Spoon some of the meat mix into the centre of the sweet potato. 

Fold the sweet potato around the meat and place the roll in the bottom of the baking dish.

Place the end of the roll on the bottom so that it doesn’t unravel.

Repeat with the remaining sweet potato and meat.

Place leftover meat around your enchiladas.

Pour your enchilada sauce on top.

Bake for 15 minutes.

Serve hot with some salsa and guacamole.

Sweet potato enchiladas

  • Servings: “6
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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“



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats 

Ingredients

– 3 sweet potatoes, sliced thinly – 450g minced beef – 1/2 onion diced – 2 garlic cloves, minced – 50g green peppers diced – 1/2 tsp. ground cumin – 1/4 tsp. chilli powder – Salt and pepper to taste – 3-4 tbsp. Coconut Oil – Enchilada sauce

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C/ 330 degrees F.
  2. Use a mandolin to slice your sweet potatoes lengthwise thinly.
  3. Using a knife means you don’t get even thickness, so I use a mandolin.
  4. Using a large pan over medium heat, brush the inside with coconut oil.
  5. When the pan is hot, add some of your sweet potatoes slices.
  6. Cook your sliced sweet potatoes until they are soft, don’t let them get crispy.
  7. Work in batches to ensure they cook properly.
  8. When cooked, remove excess oil with some kitchen towel and chill while you prepare your meat.
  9. In a frying pan, add a little oil, then the minced garlic and onion.
  10. When the onion becomes translucent, add in your minced beef along with the peppers and spices.
  11. Allow everything to cook, break up the minced beef and allow all of the flavours to mingle.
  12. Add a spoonful of enchilada sauce to the bottom of a baking dish.
  13. Build the enchiladas by taking three slices of sweet potato and overlap them to create a fan.
  14. I like to place them on some kitchen paper.
  15. Spoon some of the meat mix into the centre of the sweet potato.
  16. Fold the sweet potato around the meat and place the roll in the bottom of the baking dish.
  17. Place the end of the roll on the bottom so that it doesn’t unravel.
  18. Repeat with the remaining sweet potato and meat.
  19. Place leftover meat around your enchiladas.
  20. Pour your enchilada sauce on top.
  21. Bake for 15 minutes.
  22. Serve hot with some salsa and guacamole.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 321 calories; 22.3g fat; 14.5g carbohydrates; 15.9g protein

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Mandolin
  • Frying pan
  • Tongs
  • Wooden spoon
  • Baking dish 
  • Kitchen paper

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.

Cottage Pie

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Master the basics

Eating clean gets a lot easier once you have mastered a few essential recipes. This recipe is basic, not like basic unicorn basic, more like beard and flannel basic. Back to the point (which isn’t Unstable unicorns), having basic skills and recipes in your arsenal means you will never be left with only UberEats as your weeknight options. Once you master this recipe, the possibilities are endless. 

A fresh spin on a classic

The traditional cottage pie was a way to use leftover roasted meat from the Sunday dinner and topping the pie with mashed potato to make the leftovers go a little further. Obviously, the person who first came up with the cottage pie didn’t have a hungry family like mine to feed; having leftover meat does not happen in my house often. My version of cottage pie comes with a big helping of beef mince to keep my hungry boys happy.

Lower carbs big flavour

I wanted to make a lower-carb version of the traditional cottage pie by swapping out the mashed potatoes for mashed cauliflower. The cauliflower mash is a great way to reduce carbs without trading off on flavour. 

Cottage pie recipe

Ingredients

  • 750g minced beef
  • 2 tsp. oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, finely diced
  • 1 celery stick, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tbsp. butter, melted
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 2 cups vegetables to serve

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F.

In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat.

Add the onion, carrot and celery to the pan, cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender.

Make sure to stir the vegetables often.

Add the mince to the pan and cook for a further 5 minutes or until mince is browned, stir regularly to break up the mince.

Reduce heat to medium-low, add the sauces, and season to taste.

Cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes.

Remove the mix from the heat and set to one side.

To make your mash topping, chop the cauliflower into chunks and place in a steamer*

Steam the cauliflower until it is tender, remove from the heat and allow it cool a little.

Use a food processor to blend down the cauliflower with the butter until you get a smooth consistency.

Spoon the meat mixture into a large baking dish and top with the cauliflower mash.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until piping hot and the mash is golden.

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

“A



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 750g minced beef
  • 2 tsp. oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 carrot, finely diced
  • 1 celery stick, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tbsp. butter, melted
  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 2 cups vegetables to serve

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C/ 350 degrees F.
  2. In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the onion, carrot and celery to the pan, cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender.
  4. Make sure to stir the vegetables often.
  5. Add the mince to the pan and cook for a further 5 minutes or until mince is browned, stir regularly to break up the mince.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low, add the sauces, and season to taste.
  7. Cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes.
  8. Remove the mix from the heat and set to one side.
  9. To make your mash topping, chop the cauliflower into chunks and place in a steamer*
  10. Steam the cauliflower until it is tender, remove from the heat and allow it cool a little.
  11. Use a food processor to blend down the cauliflower with the butter until you get a smooth consistency.
  12. Spoon the meat mixture into a large baking dish and top with the cauliflower mash.
  13. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until piping hot and the mash is golden.
  14. *if you don’t have a steamer, you can use a colander over the top of a pan of boiling water

Nutrition

Per Serving:249 calories; 10.1 g fat; 1.1 g carbohydrates; 20.1 g protein

Equipment

  • Frying pan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Vegetable steamer
  • Tongs
  • Food processor
  • Spatula
  • Baking dish 

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.

Apple stuffed pork roast

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Revisiting favourites

I’ve been revisiting recipes that have been some of my old-school recipes and favourites that were staples when I got started eating clean. I first posted this recipe in 2017; at that time, my step kids were fussy, vegetables had to be hidden and disguised, and there was no potential for intense flavours or spice. 

Times (thankfully) changed, the kids grew up (like man-sized grown), and learned to enjoy a wide range of foods. Things like vegetables no longer meant faces being pulled, spice and chilli were consumed without complaint, and new ingredients were tried without tantrums.

As the kids grew, my recipes changed organically to meet their palates and preferences. I’ve updated this recipe because of that, but fear not; the original recipe suitable for kids and less developed palates is at the bottom of the post.

A match made in heaven

Apple and pork are a match made in food heaven. Apple stuffed pork roast is one of my favourite dishes when the weather is cooling down outside. The apple and pork taste amazing together, and the Moroccan spice adds some extra warmth to the mix. If you are looking for something a little fancy during the winter, I can highly recommend this roast. 

Apple stuffed pork roast recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp. butter
  • 2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp. ground coriander
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1/2 tsp. ground turmeric
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. 
  • 1kg boneless pork loin roast
  • 1 cup pressed apple juice

Instructions

Heat the oven to 220 degrees C/ 450 degrees F.

In a large frying pan, melt the butter.

Sauté the apples and onion over a medium.

Cook until the onions are soft.

Add the coriander, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, paprika, turmeric, salt and pepper.

Turn down the heat and let the apples soften.

Meanwhile, please the pork roast on a stable surface.

Cut any butchers string around the roast and flatten it out as much as possible.

Cut a lengthwise slit down the centre of the tenderloin to within 2 cm of the bottom.

Be careful not to cut all the way through.

Open up the cut so that the tenderloin lies flatter.

On each half, make another lengthwise slit down the centre to within 2 cm of the bottom.

If you aren’t confident with a knife, you can mallet the meat out flatter.

Cover the meat with cling film and flatten it to 1cm thickness with a mallet or rolling pin.

Spread the apple and onion mixture inside the pork.

Roll the loin back up to a single roll.

With some butchers string, put some loops around the roll to keep it all together.

Season the outside of the loin with salt and pepper.

Take a large baking dish, pour in the apple juice, and transfer the loin to the baking dish.

Cover the dish with baking foil.

Roast the loin for 15 minutes at 220 degrees C/ 450 degrees F

Reduce the heat to 160 degrees C/ 325 degrees F and roast for a further 45 minutes.

While the loin is cooking, baste it with the apple juice every 15 minutes or so.

Depending on your oven, it could take between 45 minutes and an hour for the roast to be done.

Let the roast rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Apple stuffed pork roast

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

“This



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats 

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp. butter
  • 2 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 tsp. ground coriander
    • –1 tsp. ground cumin –1 tsp. ground cinnamon –1 tsp. ground ginger –1 tsp. paprika –1/2 tsp. ground turmeric –1 tsp. salt –1 tsp. pepper –1kg boneless pork loin roast –1 cup pressed apple juice 


Directions

  1. Heat the oven to 220 degrees C/ 450 degrees F.
  2. In a large frying pan, melt the butter.
  3. Sauté the apples and onion over a medium.
  4. Cook until the onions are soft.
  5. Add the coriander, cumin, cinnamon, ginger, paprika, turmeric, salt and pepper.
  6. Turn down the heat and let the apples soften.
  7. Meanwhile, please the pork roast on a stable surface.
  8. Cut any butchers string around the roast and flatten it out as much as possible.
  9. Cut a lengthwise slit down the centre of the tenderloin to within 2 cm of the bottom.
  10. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
  11. Open up the cut so that the tenderloin lies flatter.
  12. On each half, make another lengthwise slit down the centre to within 2 cm of the bottom.
  13. If you aren’t confident with a knife, you can mallet the meat out flatter.
  14. Cover the meat with cling film and flatten it to 1cm thickness with a mallet or rolling pin.
  15. Spread the apple and onion mixture inside the pork.
  16. Roll the loin back up to a single roll.
  17. With some butchers string, put some loops around the roll to keep it all together.
  18. Season the outside of the loin with salt and pepper.
  19. Take a large baking dish, pour in the apple juice, and transfer the loin to the baking dish.
  20. Cover the dish with baking foil.
  21. Roast the loin for 15 minutes at 220 degrees C/ 450 degrees F
  22. Reduce the heat to 160 degrees C/ 325 degrees F and roast for a further 45 minutes.
  23. While the loin is cooking, baste it with the apple juice every 15 minutes or so.
  24. Depending on your oven, it could take between 45 minutes and an hour for the roast to be done.
  25. Let the roast rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 246 calories; 8.1 g fat; 13.7 g carbohydrates; 33.1 g protein

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Cling film
  • Meat mallet or rolling pin
  • Frying pan 
  • Spatula
  • Butchers string
  • Baking dish
  • Tablespoon 

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.

Lamb Koftas

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Master the basics

Eating clean gets a lot easier once you have mastered a few essential recipes. This recipe is basic, not like basic unicorn basic, more like beard and flannel basic. Back to the point (which isn’t Unstable unicorns), having basic skills and recipes in your arsenal means you will never be left with only UberEats as your weeknight options. Once you master this recipe, the possibilities are endless. 

Revisiting family favourites

I’ve been revisiting recipes that have been some of my old school recipes and family favourites that were our staples when we got started as clean eaters. I first posted this recipe in 2015; at that time, the kids were fussy, vegetables had to be hidden and disguised, and there was no potential for intense flavours or spice. 

Times (thankfully) have changed, the kids have grown (like man-sized grown), and they now enjoy a wide range of foods. Things like vegetables are enjoyed, spice and chilli are consumed without complaint, and new ingredients are tried without tantrums.

As the kids have grown, my recipes have changed organically to meet their palates and preferences, I’ve updated this recipe because of that, but fear not, all I have done is make it a little bit better.

Great for a bulk cook

Koftas have always been one of the regular bulk cooks and freeze options in my recipe book because they are simple to make and very quick to cook. This recipe is my go whenever I find minced lamb on offer. They are a brilliant option when you have a busy week but want a quick and tasty meal, and I like to serve them with salad and a simple dressing.

Lamb koftas recipe

Ingredients

  • 400g Lamb mince
  • 2 tsp. parsley
  • 1 tsp. garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. ground coriander 

Soak eight bamboo skewers in a glass of water for 10 minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients. 

When the meat is well mixed, divide the mix into eight balls.

Take one of the soaked skewers and shape a ball of the meat around the skewer. 

You should end up with a sausage on a stick.

Repeat with the remaining meat and skewers.

Heat a little oil in a frying pan over a medium heat.

Cook the koftas over a medium heat until the meat is browned all over. 

It should take 6-10 minutes. 

Alternatively, line a baking tray with baking paper or a silicone liner.

Pre heat the oven to 200 degrees C / 400 degrees F

Place the koftas on the baking tray

Bake for 10 minutes

Serve while the koftas are hot.

“Lamb

  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats 

Ingredients

  • 400g Lamb mince
  • 2 tsp. parsley
  • 1 tsp. garlic, crushed
  • 1 tsp. ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. ground coriander 

Directions

  1. Soak eight bamboo skewers in a glass of water for 10 minutes.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all the ingredients. 
  3. When the meat is well mixed, divide the mix into eight balls.
  4. Take one of the soaked skewers and shape a ball of the meat around the skewer. 
  5. You should end up with a sausage on a stick.
  6. Repeat with the remaining meat and skewers.
  7. Heat a little oil in a frying pan over a medium heat.
  8. Cook the koftas over a medium heat until the meat is browned all over. 
  9. It should take 6-10 minutes. 
  10. Alternatively, line a baking tray with baking paper or a silicone liner.
  11. Pre-heat the oven to 200 degrees C/ 400 degrees F
  12. Place the koftas on the baking tray
  13. Bake for 10 minutes
  14. Serve while the koftas are hot.

Nutrition

Per Serving:303 calories; 11 g fat; 2 g carbohydrates; 17 g protein

Equipment

  • Bamboo skewers
  • Mixing bowl
  • Frying pan

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.

Mustard herb crusted chicken

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Chicken again? 

I do like to mix things up a little when it comes to chicken. We eat a reasonable amount of chicken; it can get boring if you don’t add a bit more flavour now and then.  

It is crust but not as you know it. 

Normally crusted chicken will be panko or, but I like to do things a little differently. The crust for this chicken comes entirely from items in my pantry and fridge, a quick raid around the kitchen and I was ready to go. I didn’t have to buy anything special for this recipe, and it took very little work to get a crisp and tasty coating. 

Cheese is the key 

I think a great crust needs to have some crunch; it can be challenging to get a good crunch from a coating that doesn’t use breadcrumbs. The solution is to add cheese. Not all cheese will give you a crunch; most will not give you a crunch at all; you will probably get a fatty coating. To get a crunch in your coating Parmesan cheese is the key. When Parmesan cheese cooks it gives up some fat but as it cools it gives you a nice crisp crunch to your coating.

Mustard herb crusted chicken recipe

Ingredients

  • 450g chicken breasts
  • 1 tbsp. basil
  • 1 tbsp. thyme
  • 1 tbsp. oregano
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/4 cup tapioca flour
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • minced parsley for serving (optional)

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C/ 400 degrees F.

Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise, and then flatten each cutlet out between some cling film.

In a bowl mix together the herbs, garlic and mustard together.

On a plate mix together the flours and cheese.

Coat each of the chicken with the mustard and herb mix before covering the chicken in the flour and cheese mixture.

Heat some oil over a medium to high heat, fry off each of the chicken breast until they are golden brown on each side.

Place breasts on a baking tray lined with baking paper or a silicone liner.

Bake for 10 minutes at 165 degrees C 325 degrees F.

Sprinkle with chopped parsley to serve.

Mustard herb crusted chicken

  • Servings: “
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 450g chicken breasts
  • 1 tbsp. basil
  • 1 tbsp. thyme
  • 1 tbsp. oregano
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 6 tbsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/4 cup tapioca flour
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • minced parsley for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C/ 400 degrees F.
  2. Slice each chicken breast in half lengthwise, and then flatten each cutlet out between some cling film.
  3. In a bowl mix together the herbs, garlic and mustard together.
  4. On a plate mix together the flours and cheese.
  5. Coat each of the chicken with the mustard and herb mix before covering the chicken in the flour and cheese mixture.
  6. Heat some oil over a medium to high heat, fry off each of the chicken breast until they are golden brown on each side.
  7. Place breasts on a baking tray lined with baking paper or a silicone liner.
  8. Bake for 10 minutes at 165 degrees C 325 degrees F.
  9. Sprinkle with chopped parsley to serve.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 230 calories; 15g fat; 13g carbohydrates; 21g protein

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Small bowl
  • Plate
  • Frying pan
  • Baking tray
  • Baking paper or a silicone liner
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cups
  • 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.

Prawn and Avocado Salad

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What to do with extra avo

I have an abundance of avocados at that moment; they are in season here in New Zealand, which means I can’t resist picking up a bag every time I head to the supermarket. The warmer weather means I get a few ripe avocados at a time and need to do something with it. While I love guacamole and never say no to smashed avo on toast, I have to put a meal on the table that is more of a balanced meal.

Quick and easy meal

I cooked up a batch of garlic prawns the other day and had a large enough portion left to feed the family. I grabbed my perfectly ripe avocado and threw together this tasty salad in less than 20 minutes. No cooking, just chopping and mixing; if you want to save on washing up, you can even use your salad bowl to put it all together.

Prawn and avocado salad recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
  • 2 limes, juice of
  • 1 tsp. olive oil
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 450g jumbo prawns, cooked, peeled prawns and chopped
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, diced fine
  • 1 tbsp. coriander chopped

Combine the red onion, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

Let them marinate at least 5 minutes.

While they marinade, put together the rest of the salad.

In a large bowl, combine chopped prawns, avocado, tomato, jalapeño.

Add the marinaded onions along with the marinade to the large bowl.

Gently toss to mix everything evenly.

Season to taste, then add the coriander before serving.

Prawn and avocado salad

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Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
  • 2 limes, juice of
  • 1 tsp. olive oil
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 450g jumbo prawns, cooked, peeled prawns and chopped
  • 1 tomato, diced
  • 1 avocado, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, diced fine
  • 1 tbsp. coriander chopped

Directions

  1. Combine the red onion, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Let them marinate at least 5 minutes.
  3. While they marinade, put together the rest of the salad.
  4. In a large bowl, combine chopped prawns, avocado, tomato, jalapeño.
  5. Add the marinaded onions along with the marinade to the large bowl.
  6. Gently toss to mix everything evenly.
  7. Season to taste, then add the coriander before serving.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 129 calories; 5.1g fat; 5g carbohydrates; 16.5g protein

Equipment

  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Fork/citrus juicer
  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon or spatula

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.

Tuna and Kale Salad

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What do you do?

When setting off on a journey to remove processed foods from your diet, you may stop and ask yourself the question What can I eat instead of rice/couscous/pasta/bread? 

The answer is to find a suitable replacement.

The options are limitless; you can find gluten-free, sugar-free, grain-free, I could go on. An easy way to eat clean and simple is to switch out the standard meal padding of rice/couscous/pasta/bread with a vegetable alternative or something you can make yourself. 

This recipe is an excellent alternative that can be easily added to your meal. 

Making the most of leftovers

Leftovers are not something that I am used to having, usually everything that gets cooked gets eaten right away, cauliflower rice is probably the exception to the rule. With a few pantry staples and leftovers, you can have this fresh, crunchy and very filling salad that is perfect for lunch

Tuna and kale salad recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch kale
  • 425g tinned tuna in spring water
  • 1 tbsp. ginger, grated
  • 1/4 cup herbs, chopped
  • 3 spring onions
  • 2 cups cauliflower rice
  • 2 tbsp. coconut aminos
  • 2 tbsp. lime juice
  • Sprinkle of sesame seeds – optional

Instructions

Remove the stems from the kale.

Add some water to the bottom of a saucepan and put a steaming basket on the top of the saucepan.

Let the water come to boil and steam started to come up through the basket.

Add the kale to the steaming basket and let it wilt, it should take about 5 minutes.

Remove the wilted kale from the basket and chop it roughly.

Add the kale to a large mixing bowl and let it cool slightly.

Add the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl and mix well.

Serve or put in the fridge until you are ready to eat it.

  • Rating: ★★★★★
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Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch kale
  • 425g tinned tuna in spring water
  • 1 tbsp. ginger, grated
  • 1/4 cup herbs, chopped
  • 3 spring onions
  • 2 cups cauliflower rice
  • 2 tbsp. coconut aminos
  • 2 tbsp. lime juice

Directions

  1. Remove the stems from the kale.
  2. Add some water to the bottom of a saucepan and put a steaming basket on the top of the saucepan.
  3. Let the water come to boil and steam started to come up through the basket.
  4. Add the kale to the steaming basket and let it wilt, it should take about 5 minutes.
  5. Remove the wilted kale from the basket and chop it roughly.
  6. Add the kale to a large mixing bowl and let it cool slightly.
  7. Add the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl and mix well.
  8. Serve or put in the fridge until you are ready to eat it.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 186 calories; 2.1 g fat; 10.2 g carbohydrates; 31 g protein

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Saucepan
  • Steaming basket
  • Mixing bowl
  • Tongs  

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.

Seared Ginger Prawns

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Updating as we go

Earlier in 2021, I made a move to relocate and update my website. I’ve been making changes and improving all of the things as I go. This recipe is one of the many things I’ve tried to make better. 

Protein in a small package

I like prawns; they are small, tasty and simple to make. I like to get a package of prawns to cook up and to have on hand as an easy protein portion that can be added to meals like salads or stir-frys. I like to cook the prawns all at once and portion them out; this means I can have protein in the fridge or the freezer. Prawns last about three days cooked in the fridge, which is excellent when you have an abundance of salad.

Competition for dinner

Prawns are a favourite of more than just me; my fur baby is a big fan of prawns and loves it when we have them around. Don’t believe me? Check out the face before I even open the bag. 

Seared ginger prawns recipe

Ingredients

  • 500g prawns
  • 4 tbsp. olive oil
  • 3 cm piece of ginger, thinly sliced
  • Pinch ground black pepper

Peel the prawns by first removing the head and legs. 

Peel off the shell, then squeeze the prawn’s tail to remove it from the body. 

Pull the vein through the opening at the head of the prawn and discard.

Place a frying pan on medium-high heat with olive oil and ginger.

When the ginger starts to colour, add the prawns to the pan.

Be careful not to burn the ginger.

Cook the prawns for 5-6 minutes or until the prawns are cooked.

Remove the prawns from the pan.

Season with black pepper to serve.

“Seared

  • Rating: ★★★★★
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“Fast



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 500g prawns
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 8 garlic cloves, finely grated
  • 2 spring onions, thinly sliced

Directions

  1. Peel the prawns by first removing the head and legs. 
  2. Peel off the shell, then squeeze the prawn’s tail to remove it from the body. 
  3. Pull the vein through the opening at the head of the prawn and discard.
  4. Place a frying pan on medium-high heat with olive oil and ginger.
  5. When the ginger starts to colour, add the prawns to the pan.
  6. Be careful not to burn the ginger.
  7. Cook the prawns for 5-6 minutes or until the prawns are cooked.
  8. Remove the prawns from the pan.
  9. Season with black pepper to serve.

Nutrition

Per Serving:272 calories; 14 g fat; 2 g carbohydrates; 29 g protein

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Measuring cups
  • Scales
  • Mixing bowl
  • Frying pan
  • Tongs  

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 snow pea stir-fry

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Last of the Snow peas

During the summer months, my mother in law has a little veg patch in her garden that keeps the family in spinach, silverbeet, cucumbers, beans, snow peas and spaghetti squash. Some years the haul from the garden is better than others, this year has been very dry, so we have had far less to eat from the garden. The snow peas have been small and kind of dry until recently, which is a shame because I do love them. last week we got a reasonable haul of snow peas to come home with, not wanting to waste the sweet crisp freshness of the snow peas I decided a tasty beef stir-fry would make the best use of the little green treats.

Beef and snow pea stir-fry recipe

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp. honey
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. ginger
  • 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 300g snow peas
  • 4 tbsp. sunflower oil
  • 300g mushrooms sliced thinly
  • 500g beef, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups cooked cauliflower rice 

Whisk together the coconut aminos, honey, garlic cloves, ginger, and vinegar in a bowl, then set aside.

Heat a wok or large frying pan, add two tablespoons of sunflower oil. 

When you add the oil, it should be smoking hot.

Add the sliced mushrooms to the wok and cook them on high heat, occasionally stirring. 

When they start to brown, remove them from the pan and set them to one side.

Return the wok to the heat, add the remaining sunflower oil.

Add half of the beef to the pan.  

Stir the meat and cook it until it is browned. 

Remove the cooked meat from the pan and set it to one side.  

Repeat with the remainder of the meat.

Add all of the meat, mushrooms, and snow peas to the pan with the sauce.  

Stir everything together over a high heat for about two minutes.

Serve over the cooked cauliflower rice.

Beef and snow pea stir-fry 

  • Servings: “6
  • Rating: ★★★★★
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“A



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp. honey
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. ginger
  • 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 300g snow peas
  • 4 tbsp. sunflower oil
  • 300g mushrooms sliced thinly
  • 500g beef, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups cooked cauliflower rice

Directions

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the coconut aminos, honey, garlic cloves, ginger, and vinegar then set aside.
  2. Heat a wok or large frying pan, add two tablespoons of sunflower oil when you add the oil it should be smoking hot.
  3. Add the sliced mushrooms to the wok and cook them on a high heat, occasionally stirring, when they start to brown remove them from the pan and set them to one side.
  4. Return the wok to the heat, add the remaining sunflower oil.
  5. Add half of the beef to the pan.  
  6. Stir the meat and cook it until it is browned, remove the cooked meat from the pan and set to one side.  
  7. Repeat with the remainder of the meat.
  8. Add all of the meat, mushrooms, and snow peas to the pan with the sauce.  
  9. Stir everything together over a high heat for about two minutes.
  10. Serve over the cooked cauliflower rice.

Nutrition

Per Serving: 256 calories; 14 g fat; 17 g carbohydrates; 14 g protein

Equipment

  • Wok or large frying pan
  • Measuring cups
  • Scales
  • Measuring spoons
  • Knife
  • Chopping board
  • Spatula

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.

Fried chicken

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Revisiting family favourites

I’ve been revisiting recipes that have been some of my old school recipes and family favourites that were our staples when we got started as clean eaters. I first posted this recipe in 2016; at that time, the kids were fussy, vegetables had to be hidden and disguised, and there was no potential for intense flavours or spice. 

Times (thankfully) have changed, the kids have grown (like man-sized grown), and they now enjoy a wide range of foods. Things like vegetables are enjoyed, spice and chilli are consumed without complaint, and new ingredients are tried without tantrums.

As the kids have grown, my recipes have changed organically to meet their palates and preferences. I’ve updated this recipe because of that, but fear not, the original suitable be kids, and less developed palates is at the bottom of the post.

Not KFC

We all love a naughty takeaway, but we can all live without the extra calories and the expanding waistlines. You don’t need to live without your takeaway; swap it out for a delicious and healthier fakeaway. Thankfully, KFC was never on my junk food list, so I have never felt the need to reproduce it. The idea of fried chicken as a replacement for chicken nuggets for little people did appeal when the kids were young. I had a play around with a grain-free coating for some fried chicken that would keep the kids happy back in the day. I managed to come up with a simple coating that was light and crunchy, the coconut gives a great texture, and the flavour is a nice change from your standard heavy batter.

Fried chicken recipe

Ingredients

  • 400ml milk 
  • 800g chicken thigh fillets
  • 1 tsp. Garlic powder
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 cup buckwheat flour
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tsp. paprika 
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Take the chicken thighs and place them in a large bowl or tub.

In a bowl, whisk together the milk, paprika and garlic powder.

Pour the milk over the chicken thighs.

Cover the bowl or tub and put it in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours but ideally overnight.

When you are ready to use the chicken, remove the bowl or tub from the fridge.

On a plate with tall sides or a bowl, mix together the coconut flour, buckwheat flour, parmesan cheese, paprika, salt and pepper.

Take a piece of the chicken from the milk mixture and place it into the flour mix.

Spoon the flour over the chicken, making sure to coat the chicken thoroughly.

Lightly shake the excess flour off the chicken and place the chicken on a baking sheet to rest. 

Repeat with all of the chicken.

Take a large frying pan and heat a little oil over a medium heat.

Shallow fry the chicken. 

The coating should be a golden brown all over.

Make sure that the chicken is cooked through.

Set the cooked chicken on some kitchen paper to soak up any excess oil.

Serve with a helping of slaw.

“Fried

  • Rating: ★★★★★
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“



Credit: Cath @ easycleaneats 

Ingredients

– 400ml milk  – 800g chicken thigh fillets – 1 tsp. Garlic powder – 1 tsp. paprika – 1/2 cup coconut flour – 1/2 cup buckwheat flour – 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated – 1 tsp. paprika  – Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  1. Take the chicken thighs and place them in a large bowl or tub.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the milk, paprika and garlic powder.
  3. Pour the milk over the chicken thighs.
  4. Cover the bowl or tub and put it in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours but ideally overnight.
  5. When you are ready to use the chicken, remove the bowl or tub from the fridge.
  6. On a plate with tall sides or a bowl, mix together the coconut flour, buckwheat flour, parmesan cheese, paprika, salt and pepper.
  7. Take a piece of the chicken from the milk mixture and place it into the flour mix.
  8. Spoon the flour over the chicken, making sure to coat the chicken thoroughly.
  9. Lightly shake the excess flour off the chicken and place the chicken on a baking sheet to rest. 
  10. Repeat with all of the chicken.
  11. Take a large frying pan and heat a little oil over a medium heat.
  12. Shallow fry the chicken. 
  13. The coating should be a golden brown all over.
  14. Make sure that the chicken is cooked through.
  15. Set the cooked chicken on some kitchen paper to soak up any excess oil.
  16. Serve with a helping of slaw.

Nutrition

Per Serving:387 calories;6 g fat;16 g carbohydrates;53 g protein

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Food tub
  • Plate x1
  • Cooling rack/baking tray
  • Frying pan
  • Tongs
  • Kitchen paper

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.

Fried chicken recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 600g chicken breast, large dices

Instructions

  1. In a mixing bowl, mix together shredded coconut and flour; put the flour mix onto a plate. 
  2. In a bowl, beat the egg.
  3. Take the chicken pieces, dip each of them in the egg and then roll them in the flour mix.
  4. Put the coated chicken on a cooling rack.
  5. Once all of the chicken has been coated, it is ready to fry.
  6. In a frying pan over medium heat with some coconut oil, shallow fry the chicken.
  7. The coating should be a golden brown all over.
  8. Set the cooked chicken on some kitchen paper to soak up any excess oil.
  9. Sprinkle the cooked chicken with a little paprika before serving.