Tag Archives: Wellness

Sensational seed and nut bars!

May 9, 2015 holisticwellnessforlife Leave a comment

A delicious healthy snack bar that will add some sweetness to your day!

2014-08-01 21.15.52 — Eat them straight from the freezer or pack them into the lunch box.

Having healthy snacks on hand is vital if you are going to avoid making poor food choices. Being on a restricted diet is hard enough without feeling hungry or as though you are missing out. These bars are healthy, sweet, Paleo, gluten, dairy and processed sugar-free. They are filled with natural goodness and are a favourite snack of mine. The recipe is flexible and you can change them to suit your own preferences such as leaving out the nuts, using different seeds or changing some of the quantities. All of the ingredients l use are organic and the nuts and larger seeds are activated which means l have soaked them in filtered water and sea salt for a day, rinsed them well and then dehydrated. This process helps to remove the anti-nutrients and support good digestion.

Ingredients:

1 cup activated organic sunflower seeds

1 cup activated organic pumpkin seeds

1 cup organic sesame seeds

1 cup black chia seeds

1 cup activated mixed nuts (e.g almond, walnut, and brazil)

A generous 1/2 cup organic shredded coconut

8 Medjool Dates seeded and chopped (roughly chop just to make it easier for the food processor)

A good 1/2 cup raw organic honey (use organic or regular honey if that is what you have)

A good 1/2 cup organic coconut oil

2014-07-10 12.39.26 — These ingredients add a delicious flavour to the bars.

Place the nuts, seeds, shredded coconut and dates in the food processor and chop until roughly chopped. Gently warm the honey and coconut oil in a saucepan and pour into the food processor. Pulse until all there is a good consistency and all the nuts and seeds have been broken up.

2014-07-10 12.40.32 — Be careful of the very sharp blade.

Have a tray ready which is lined with baking paper. Run your finger around the edge of the tray so there is a crease in the paper. Pour the ingredients onto a tray lined with baking paper. Now is a good time to have a taste test. The mix should be sweet and delicious.

2014-07-10 12.49.48 — The mix is ready to be flattened.

Use a spatula to flatten the mix and make sure it is quite even across the whole tray and give special attention to the corners. I have tried a few different oven temperatures and times but basically you don’t want the oven too hot as you will burn the seeds and lose lots of nutrients, and you want to just cook it until the edges are going golden. A temperature of 160 to 170 Degrees Celsius is recommended for 30 minutes but you can guage this better after your first batch.

2015-05-08 18.09.46 — Ready for the oven.

Remove the tray from the oven and let cool until cold. Another option is when it is slightly cool to place it in the freezer for an hour whilst still on the tray. Use the edges of the baking paper to carefully remove the bars as a whole from the tray and lay it on a flat bench. Cut the bars while still on the baking paper into whatever size suits you using a very sharp knife and wiping clean after cutting a row. Another option is to use a pizza cutter and it helps to give it or the knife a wipe after each row. I think it is better to have the bars quite small as then you have more of a choice over serving size.

2015-05-09 09.29.11 — Perfectly baked with golden edges. These were sliced when cool and placed in the freezer over night. They can easily be separated now and stored in a container in the freezer.

Carefully lift each bar into the container for freezing unless you are going to eat them all fresh, but they are very nice eaten when they are just out of the freezer and such a handy snack to take to work or when you are out.

The best part of the whole cooking experience is eating the crumbs. Scrape them off the baking paper and into a bowl. Enjoy! You could dip something into these crumbs such as a banana or use them as a topping.

2015-05-09 09.32.13 — A delicious snack.

Something to be aware of when eating these bars is that the chia seeds can get stuck in your teeth. This is really a cosmetic issue, so it is best to do a quick tooth check after you have eaten them and you may need a tooth pick to remove them as they can be a bit stubborn.

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Recipes, Wellness

Raw seed and nut bars!

May 1, 2015 holisticwellnessforlife Leave a comment

A delicious raw and frozen snack bar that will add some sweetness to your day! This is a raw version of one of my most popular recipes ‘Sensational Seed and nut bars’ which are baked in the oven and have a crispier texture. This raw version is equally delicious but has the added benefit of not being baked which preserves the nutrients in ingredients such as raw honey.

2015-04-26 20.47.14 — So simple to make and delicious.

Having healthy snacks on hand is vital if you are going to avoid making poor food choices. Being on a restricted diet is hard enough without feeling hungry or as though you are missing out. These bars are healthy, sweet, paleo, gluten, dairy and processed sugar free. They are filled with natural goodness and can be kept in an air tight container in the freezer. All of the ingredients l use are organic and the nuts and larger seeds are activated which means l have soaked them in filtered water and sea salt for a day, rinsed them well and then dehydrated. This process helps to remove the anti-nutrients and support good digestion.

Ingredients:

1 cup activated organic sunflower seeds

1 cup activated organic pumpkin seeds

1 cup organic sesame seeds

1 cup black chia seeds

1 cup activated mixed nuts (e.g almond, walnut, and brazil)

A generous 1/2 cup organic shredded coconut

8 Medjool Dates seeded and chopped (roughly chop just to make it easier for the food processor)

A good 1/2 cup raw organic honey (use organic or regular honey if that is what you have)

1 cup of organic coconut oil

Place all ingredients into the food processor and mix until well combined. If your food processor isn’t very strong pulse the nuts and dates first to break them up a bit before adding the other ingredients.

2015-04-26 16.15.11 — Place all ingredients into the food processor and pulse.

2015-04-26 16.21.25 — All ingredients are broken down and well mixed.

Line a glass baking dish with baking paper and pour the mix in. Now is a good time to have a taste test. The mix should be sweet and delicious. Use a spatula to flatten the mix and make sure it is quite even across the whole dish.

2015-04-26 16.26.54 — Place the slice in the freezer for several hours to set.

2015-04-26 18.50.13 — Remove the slice carefully from the dish by holding the edges of the baking paper.

2015-04-26 18.53.14 — Carefully slice the bars length ways with a sharp knife.

2015-04-26 20.31.28 — Cut the bars into the size that you would like them and place in a tub in the freezer.

2015-04-26 18.56.44 — A delicious and nutritious snack.

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Recipes

Crispy Seed Crackers and Guacamole.

March 15, 2015 holisticwellnessforlife Leave a comment

A crispy seed cracker with a hint of sea salt and a delicious tangy guacamole is a taste sensation and completely satisfying. Make a big batch of the crackers and have them on hand in the freezer to go with your favourite toppings.

2015-03-15 14.47.38 — A most delicious meal.

Making the Seed Crackers:

The seed crackers are really easy to make and just require a few ingredients plus some patience. Place one cup of water in a bowl and add to it one cup of mixed seeds (just under 1/2 cup each of raw activated pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. The cup will be almost full. Add on top one tablespoon of LSA mix and 2 tablespoons of black chia seeds. It’s o.k if it is overflowing a bit).

2015-03-15 15.48.00 — Pour the seeds into the water and give a stir.

2015-03-15 15.06.43 — A double batch in the making

Add 1/2 a teaspoon of sea salt to the mixture and mix well. Let this sit for at least 15 minutes so it becomes a bit gluggly looking. Pre-heat the oven to 150 degrees celcius.

2015-03-15 15.49.43 — Pour the mixture onto a baking tray covered with a generous piece of baking paper. Smooth out with the back of a spoon until it is even and most of the tray is covered.

Place the mix into the oven for up to 1.5 hours or until the sunflower seeds are turning golden. It may require less time depending on your oven. Turn the oven off at this point and leave for one hour.

2015-03-15 15.51.38 — One huge cracker. Now break it into usable pieces.

The cracker mix should be able to be broken easily into pieces and used with your favourite meal, as a snack or frozen.

2015-03-15 15.54.07 — A delicious and versatile cracker.

Making the Guacamole:

Guacamole is very easy to make and a quick meal to create. You can use any volume of the ingredients you wish to make a dish that suits your tastes. I used two fresh avocado’s slightly mashed, 2 spring onion green tops chopped, some small orange tomatoes diced, the juice of half a lemon, pink rock salt and black pepper. Once you mix it all together you have guacamole and it is best eaten straight away. The colour of the tomatoes you use will alter the appearance of the guacamole and bright red ones look really excellent.

This is a very healthy meal or snack and one that can be enjoyed by many people. You can make a large batch of guacamole and serve as a dip with the crackers and this is sure to be popular with your family or guests.

You can follow me daily on Instagram or on Facebook at Holistic Wellness For Life or Primal Living Melbourne

Wellness

Caramalized vegetables and beef mince.

March 5, 2015 holisticwellnessforlife Leave a comment

A really delicious combination of tasty vegetables with grass fed beef mince cooked over several hours to produce a lovely caramalized appearance and flavour. The combination of spices, red cabbage, sweet potato and brussel sprouts with beef mince produces a hearty and nutritious dish.

2015-03-05 19.54.12 — The most beautiful mince dish!

Ingredients:

1kg grass fed beef mince

2 small onions diced

Spices: I used dried ginger, cumin, cinnamon and turmeric

Seasoning: Pink rock salt and black pepper

Coconut amino sauce (1 tablespoon)

1/4 red cabbage sliced

1 largish orange sweet potato grated

6 brussel sprouts sliced

2 tablespoons coconut oil (add just before cooking in the oven).

1 cup of home made bone broth

Method:

2015-03-05 19.56.41 — Brown the beef mince in a pan. I didn’t add any fat as there was plenty in the meat.

2015-03-05 19.55.43 — Add the diced onion, spices, seasoning & coconut amino sauce.

Add the spices and seasoning to suit your own personal taste. I used a generous pinch of cinnamon, ginger & turmeric plus 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, 1/2 a teaspoon of pink rock salt & a pinch of black pepper.

2015-03-05 19.54.55 — While the meat is browning grate the vegetables. I used a food processor which was super quick.

2015-03-05 19.55.19 — Add the grated vegetables and mix well.

2015-03-05 20.15.15 — Mix through the bone broth and top with the coconut oil, extra pink rock salt and black pepper.

Bake uncovered in a 180 degree celsius oven for several hours. Turn with tongs every 30 minutes. The vegetables will slowly break down and caramalize while the amazing flavours develop. I served this on its own and it was a complete meal as it was.

You can follow me daily on Instagram at holistic_paleo and Facebook at Primal Living Melbourne and Holistic Wellness For Life.

Recipes

All natural beef curry

February 17, 2015 holisticwellnessforlife Leave a comment

A delicious and healthy grass fed beef casserole with a spicy sweetness using all natural ingredients. Gluten & dairy free, Paleo friendly and a family favourite. Serve it along side your favourite vegetables or on a bed of cauliflower rice or baked sweet potato noodles.

2015-02-16 19.54.22 — Served with coconut vegetable spaghetti and red cabbage cauliflower.

Ingredients:

1kg or approximately 6 pieces of gravy beef/oyster blade steak diced

2015-02-16 10.06.07 — The centrepiece of this dish is quality grass fed beef.

2 small onions or 1 large diced

1 tablespoon organic tomato paste

2 tablespoons coconut flour

1 generous tablespoon coconut oil

Spices: You can use a curry powder if you can tolerate the ingredients but l used ½ a teaspoon each of dried ginger, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and a pinch of paprika.

Pink sea salt and black pepper

½ cup shredded coconut

2 cups stock (homemade if possible)

Squeeze of lemon or lime juice. (A whole small one if possible).

1 medium sized ripe banana diced

1 granny smith apple with the skin removed-diced.

2015-02-16 10.05.45 — This is the natural sweetness in the dish.

Method:

Place all ingredients into the pot except the stock, fruit and citrus juice. Cook on a medium heat and stir frequently for several minutes to let the meat brown and the flavours develop.

2015-02-16 10.05.28 — Let this cook on a low heat for several minutes to let the flavours develop.

Add the remaining ingredients and stir.

2015-02-16 08.07.17 — Now let this simmer for at least six hours, longer if possible and enjoy the aroma.

Simmer for at least six hours or even all day on a low heat or use the slow cooker by browning the ingredients first and then placing them into the slow cooker with the stock, fruit and citrus juice.

2015-02-17 19.50.26 — A rich and beautiful colour.

2015-02-17 19.32.49 — Served here with baked sweet potato noodles, red cabbage coleslaw and steamed cauliflower.

You can follow me daily on Facebook at Primal Living Melbourne or Holistic Wellness For Life. For a quicker way to keep in touch follow me on Instagram at holistic_paleo

Recipes

Chicken Stir fry with Choy Sum and Kohlrabi

December 30, 2014 holisticwellnessforlife Leave a comment

A stir fry is such an easy meal to make and this one uses ingredients which are quick to cook and full of flavour while being free of unnatural preservatives and additives.

2014-12-30 20.28.38 — A lovely combination of ingredients

I used coconut amino sauce for the first time in this dish and it has a lovely flavour. It is a healthy alternative to soy sauce and is made from coconut nectar with only 3.6 grams of carbohydrate per 5ml serve and l probably used half of that in the dish.

I used organic chicken fillets which l sliced into small pieces and set aside while l prepared the vegetables.

2014-12-30 18.21.47 — I try to buy organic when l can, but also use free range products.

The main part of the dish is preparing the vegetables and you can just use what you have in the fridge. Stir fries are so flexible. I used the following:

2 organic chicken fillets diced

1/3 kohlrabi peeled and finely sliced

1 carrot finely sliced

3 spring onion green tops finely sliced

3 whole bunches of choy sum finely sliced with the ends removed.

1/2 cup bone broth or stock (I used turkey bone broth)

The Choy Sum is really delicious with celery like crunchy ends and then more bitter tasting leaves.

2014-12-30 18.42.05 — Give the Choy Sum a good wash, chop the ends off and discard before slicing.

I also hadn’t used Kohlrabi before but as it is a member of the Brassica family of vegetables l thought it would go nicely in a stir fry.

2014-12-30 12.38.17 — I eat a lot of swede and turnip and found this similar to prepare and cook with.

2014-12-30 19.20.41 — The remaining kohlrabi can be stored in the fridge to use in another meal.

Method:

Pre-heat your wok on a medium heat. Add a suitable oil such as coconut oil, sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil and brown the chicken. Add the kohlrabi and carrot and stir frequently until they start to soften. Add in the green veggies plus a few splashes of the Coconut Amino sauce and stock. Mix gently and cook until the greens have softened.

2014-12-30 19.39.34 — I put the wok on the table and served it from there.

Serve into bowls and add seasoning to suit. I used pink rock salt and black pepper. I also added one tablespoon of cold pressed oil to increase the healthy fats.

2014-12-30 19.45.27 — A very lovely dish filled with natural flavours.

Recipes

Chicken and vegetable cauliflower rice

November 18, 2014 holisticwellnessforlife Leave a comment

A budget friendly, nutritious and easy to prepare meal. I used a whole cauliflower for this recipe and was amazed at the plentiful quantity it made. Cauliflower rice is a great alternative to real rice, and you will be amazed at how similar it looks and tastes.

2014-09-03 19.02.07 — Enough to feed the whole family.

Ensure that you use fresh ingredients. You can use your favourite vegetables but l used mostly greens in this one such as bok choy, celery, broccoli, spring onion tops and snow peas, plus some carrot and bean sprouts.

2014-07-10 17.49.21 — A beautiful fresh cauliflower.

This is a dish that can be pre-prepared early in the day so that at dinner time it will take a very short time to cook. It is a matter of processing the cauliflower, washing and chopping all of the vegetables and dicing the chicken. This can all then be kept in separate bowls or containers in the fridge until required.

2014-09-03 12.26.31 — Preparation is the key! One whole cauliflower, 2 free range chicken breasts and your favourite vegetables.

My favourite way to make cauliflower rice is to cut the fresh cauliflower into smallish pieces and then blend it in the food processor. This takes about 10 seconds to turn into cauliflower rice. You don’t want it in the food processor too long or it will be a pulp and wont cook nicely.

2014-06-25 18.38.33 — Wash the raw cauliflower and cut it into pieces that will fit into the food processor.

2014-09-03 12.27.08 — Process the cauliflower until it resembles rice and is an even consistency.

Steps:

I used a largish fry pan which l pre-heated on a low temperature and added some olive oil. You know the pan is too hot if the oil is smoking. High heats will damage the oil so go gently with the heat.

Add the diced chicken to the pan and lightly brown. Next add the cauliflower rice and let it cook for a few minutes, followed by the vegetables and any spices you are using. I just used pink rock salt and ground black pepper, but l have in the past added fresh garlic, ginger and lots of spices such as tumeric, cumin, paprika and cinnamon. You can also add some sauces such as a fish sauce or Tamari, but l have been having food intolerance reactions to a lot of spices at present so kept this dish plain. The cauliflower rice often changes colour depending on the spices or vegetables you use and can look so stunning. Don’t over cook the vegetables or rice to retain the nutrients. I put mine on a nice large platter to serve and it looked wonderful.

You can take this to work the next day for lunch to have cold and use different meats, or just have it as a side dish. A very fresh and clean cauliflower is essential to the success of this dish and it is so light and healthy that it is a great meal to have at night when you don’t want to overload your digestive system.

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Recipes

Fritatta with chicken and greens

September 24, 2014 holisticwellnessforlife Leave a comment

Eggs are a great way to start the day, and this fritatta adds green vegetables with chicken breast to create a wonderful, filling and nutritious breakfast.

2014-09-22 09.07.14 — A wonderful breakfast

If you are rushed for time in the morning you could prepare this dish the night before and cook it in the morning as a way to save time. This will serve up to 4 people or you can have it several days in a row.

Ingredients:

6 free range eggs

1/2 cup home made chicken stock

Pink rock salt and black pepper (season to taste)

1 large leaf of silverbeet and spinach (or whatever you have)

A handful of fresh flat leaf parsley

1/2 a cooked chicken breast

1 piece of spring onion green tops chopped finely

1 handful of activated pumpkin seeds

Coconut oil to grease the dish

2014-09-22 08.15.17 — Grease your dish well with coconut oil, then add the eggs, chicken stock and seasoning.

Whisk together the egg and stock mix and then add the rest of the ingredients, with the pumpkin seeds going on the top of the whole dish.

2014-09-22 08.24.18 — Sprinkle the pumpkin seeds over the top.

Bake in a 200 degree oven until golden. Remove from the oven and cut around the edges with a knife. Cut a piece and lift it out with an egg lifter. Serve with your favourite salad or just have it plain.

2014-09-22 09.19.24 — I served the egg bake with avocado and tomato.

You can vary the dish by adding different vegetables and meats. The options are endless.

2014-09-23 08.08.57 — This is another fritatta l made which is meat free but has the addition of tomatoes both for colour and flavour.

You can follow me daily on Instagram at holistic_paleo

Recipes

Creamy broccoli soup

September 20, 2014 holisticwellnessforlife Leave a comment

A hearty soup with loads of personality!

2014-09-19 18.57.53 — A delightfully flavoursome and creamy soup.

When l told my family we were having broccoli soup for dinner they did not look happy. There fears melted away when they took their first sip of this lovely filling soup. Healthy vegetables are combined with a nutritious stock to create a comforting and mild flavoured soup.

Ingredients:

2014-09-19 15.22.12 — The vegetables are washed and chopped and are in the saucepan with macadamia oil, pink rock salt and black pepper.

2 long sticks of celery

1 head of broccoli

1 good sized brown onion

1 medium sized red sweet potato (white flesh)

pink rock salt and black pepper (season to taste)

2 generous cups of home made chicken stock (recipe on website)

Wash and chop all of the vegetables and place in a saucepan. Coat the vegetables with a small amount of your favourite oil (I used macadamia oil), and a small amount of seasoning depending on your tastes. Brown the veggies on low heat until just soft. At this stage add the chicken stock and let simmer for at least an hour.

2014-09-19 17.40.15 — All the vegetables are breaking down

When the vegetables have softened and are breaking apart, take the pot off the stove and blend the mix with a hand mixer until smooth. Place back on the stove and let cook for another good 30 minutes then serve. If you don’t have a hand mixer you could let it cool and then place in a blender before placing back on the stove.

I roasted a chicken while the soup was cooking and served this with the soup. This added protein to the dish and made it a hearty meal. The addition of the snow pea sprouts was a lovely garnish, both for its refreshing flavour and bright green colour.

2014-09-19 18.57.33 — A very creamy soup with a subtle flavour combination

You can follow me daily on Instagram at holistic_paleo

Recipes

Home made chicken stock

September 14, 2014 holisticwellnessforlife Leave a comment

Home made stock is so handy and can be used as a base in dishes such as soups, casseroles, sauces or as a broth. It is extremely nutritious and adds a lovely flavour to your cooking.

2014-09-14 16.13.03 — A clear and beautiful stock.

When l had a colonoscopy recently l strained it through a muslin cloth and had it before the procedure and it helped me get through the fasting period.

IMG_20131013_161554 — Here it is as a broth with garlic and parsley.

It freezes very well and if you put it in lots of small containers is easy to add to your favourite dishes. Alternatively freeze it in a couple of larger containers and use it as a base for a soup or casserole.

2014-08-07 13.34.00 - Copy (4) — A lovely vegetable soup.

2013-12-02 18.35.31 — Apricot chicken (The recipe is in the main meal section)

To make the stock start off with a good quality organic or free range chicken which you can cook using your favourite method. I usually roast mine and have a meal or two with it then use the leftover bones, meat and skin to make the stock.

2014-05-28 14.06.39 — A delicious roasted chicken

Place the chicken carcass, left over meat and skin in a large stainless steel pot and cover with cold filtered water.

2013-10-13 15.37.05 — Put all the leftovers in the pot and cover with filtered water. Don’t use tap water if you can avoid it.

Add the following to the pot:

1 onion or spring onion chopped up

2 or 3 celery sticks chopped into a few pieces

2 medium sized carrots chopped up

Several bay leaves

A small dash of organic apple cider vinegar

A few black peppercorns

2014-07-15 16.58.15 — Everything is in the pot now.

Put the lid on and bring to the boil. Let the pot simmer most of the day and overnight if you can. When it has cooled slightly strain into a large pot or bowl.

2014-04-08 06.09.45 — This part is a bit tricky.

2014-09-14 16.13.15 — It is so golden and looks delicious.

Carefully pour into the storage containers. I usually freeze most of it and keep a small amount in the fridge for use during the week.

2014-05-19 12.40.03 — This size is handy to add to smaller meals

2014-04-29 12.47.26 — This size container is good as a base for a soup or casserole.

Some of the stock can be used straight away to make a delicious soup.

2014-04-08 06.25.30 — Vegetables prepared for the soup

2014-04-08 06.28.54 — Cooking nicely and the smell in the house will be lovely.

2014-04-09 08.43.02 — A delicious home made soup.

Do yourself a favour and make your own stock. It is very quick to make and the taste is sensational.

If you have enjoyed this post please share with a friend. You can follow me daily on Instagram at holistic_paleo.

Wellness

Rolled Chicken Breast with a herb, nut and vegetable filling

September 12, 2014 holisticwellnessforlife Leave a comment

I feel quite clever making this dish as it is quite fiddly, but well worth the effort. The filling is a selection of lovely flavours and textures but you can easily change the ingredients to suit your own preferences. I used two chicken breasts which meant l had enough for a hot dinner when it is first cooked and then cold with a salad the next night. Each rolled chicken breast serves three people if you have a portion as in the pictures below which highlight how important it is to balance the meal out with healthy vegetables.

2014-09-10 18.53.19 — Have it cold with a salad!

2014-06-14 19.45.28 — Rolled chicken served with roasted swede chips, steamed brussel sprouts and roasted pumpkin slices topped with raw organic honey and organic sesame seeds.

2014-09-09 18.55.38 — Served with steamed pumpkin, brussel sprouts and cauliflower.

You can use as many chicken breast as you like but l buy the free-range breasts in a pack of two. Give them a good wash with filtered water and pat dry.

2014-09-09 16.44.16 — Place the chicken breast in between two pieces of cling wrap. Put a tea towel under the chopping board in preparation for the flattening of the chicken as this will make the noise less and stop the board moving on the bench.

2014-09-09 16.46.51 — Flatten the chicken so that it is a nice shape by gently pounding it with a wooden rolling pin.

Make the filling by combining all of the ingredients in a food processor, or alternatively cut and chop them by hand and mix in a bowl. Change any of the ingredients if you don’t like the flavour combination or add in some more spices. The ingredients below don’t have to be exact as long as there are a good mix of flavours.

Ingredients for the filling:

4 brussel sprouts

2 spring onion green tops

1/2 cup raw activated walnuts

1/4 cup raw activated pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Pink rock salt and ground black pepper

1 tablespoon organic coconut oil

1/2 cup fresh parsley and mint (or any other herbs you have)

A few leaves of silverbeet(use spinach, kale or bok choy as an alternative)

2014-09-09 16.39.53 — A food processor is convenient here but not essential.

Spread the filling on top of the chicken breasts.

2014-06-14 18.45.43 — The free range chicken breasts flattened and topped with the filling.

2014-09-09 16.53.41 — Roll the breast around the filling

Use kitchen string to gently hold the breast in place. Tie the string at each end and push in any filling that has come out. Gently lift onto a lined baking tray and drizzle with your favourite oil, pink rock salt and black pepper.

2014-06-14 18.51.38 — The rolled and tied chicken breast drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, pink rock salt and black pepper.

Cover with foil and place in the oven. Cook until the chicken is golden and then take the foil off and let it brown or place under the grill ensuring it doesn’t dry out.

Another option is to pan fry the rolled chicken which will give a more golden appearance.

2014-09-09 18.24.52 — Cook on a very low heat with the lid on.

2014-09-09 18.24.46 — Both the oven and fry pan methods work well.

Carefully cut the string along the length of the chicken and remove. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

2014-09-09 18.42.55 — Golden and delicious!

There are so many fillings that would be delicious with this recipe. I am going to try a pumpkin or sweet potato filling next, but the combinations are really endless.