The UK's First Paleo Diet Restaurant Would Be Brilliant - Here Are Some Recipes To Expect On The Menu | HuffPost Life

Recipes From The UK's First Paleo Restaurant

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The Paleo diet, or eating like a caveman, isn't just about weight loss, it's about a way of eating healthily. If Holly Redman, the chef behind Pure Taste, has her way, we could soon be seeing the UK's first Paleo restaurant.

She has begun a kickstarter campaign to get things going - we asked her to tell us more about it.

"My mission is to change the way people see ‘free food’ - from an uninspiring dietary restriction to a mouth-watering way of eating.

"Paleolithic diets mimic the types and quantities of foods our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate: meat, seafood, nuts, seeds, eggs and plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. The basic premise is that this way of eating suits our genetics much better than the grains, dairy and processed foods that have arisen since the agricultural revolution."

SEE ALSO:
Amazing Paleo Recipes From Shrimp-Stuffed Mushrooms To Slow Cooked Ribs
Can We Solve Our 21st Century Life Problems Paleo-style?

HuffPost UK Lifestyle were quite skeptical about it until we talked to celebrity nutritional therapist Petronella Ravenshear who told us that our digestive systems haven't evolved in the last 10,000 years so this way of eating does make sense.

Story continues below the slideshow:

Facts About The Paleo Diet

It's Not Just Plates Full Of Bacon(01 of13)

Yes, the paleo diet involves eating meat, but it doesn't mean that you'll just be eating bacon and eggs for every meal. Protein is important, nutritionist Sarah Ramsden advises, but your diet needs to include healthy carbohydrates and fats as well. "You really only need to be eating as much protein as you need to recover from your day to day activities," she says. (credit:Shutterstock)

It Can Be Easier On The Digestive System(02 of13)

Many people feel an improvement of digestive symptoms once they switch to a paleo-influenced diet, Ramsden says, perhaps because it involves the cutting dairy and grains. "People report that persistent bloating, gassiness, and general discomfort clears up, thanks to the elimination of grains, legumes, and dairy," she says, "which for many people have a negative impact on digestive health." (credit:Shutterstock)

It's More Than Just A Diet(03 of13)

"Paleo is more than just a diet, it's a lifestyle," Ramsden says. For example, fitness and physical activity are encouraged. There is a focus on energy and getting quality sleep to ensure optimum health. And stress management is another area where work is done, she said. Paleo has a lot to do with what you eat, but Ramsden explains that it looks at improving or removing all of the unhealthy aspects of our culture. (credit:Shutterstock)

It Might Help With Autoimmune Disorders(04 of13)

Ramsden first discovered paleo when she was looking at holistic ways to treat multiple sclerosis, and says she's had success that shows up in her scans. "The typical Canadian diet is very inflammatory," she says. There is some evidence that a paleo-focused diet can help with other autoimmune disorders as well. (credit:Shutterstock)

You Don't Have To Join A CrossFit Gym(05 of13)

A lot of people instantly think of CrossFit, the intense exercise program that focuses on strength, endurance and flexibility, when they think of the paleo diet, and vice versa. But while many CrossFitters do eat paleo, for a variety of reasons, you don't have to fling tires around to give the diet a try. (credit:Shutterstock)

It Can Help With Your Energy(06 of13)

When you cut out sugar and refined carbs, your metabolism and blood sugar can become more stable, which means you'll have a more constant supply of energy. For that reason, going Paleo can help you fight that 3 p.m. crash. "It's the kind of diet to really help give you energy throughout the day," Ramsden says. (credit:Shutterstock)

Paleo Can Help You Fight Sugar Cravings(07 of13)

Always looking for a chocolate bar? Because it eliminates sugar and encourages you to eat in a way that keeps blood sugar stable, the paleo diet can cut that "hangry" feeling and reduce sugar cravings, Ramsden says. (credit:Shutterstock)

You Can Give It A Shot(08 of13)

If the idea of a wholesale switch is scary, Ramsden suggests committing to switching to a paleo-influenced diet for 30 days, then seeing what your results are and deciding on going forward from there. She is a Canadian representative for Whole 30, a "diet reset" program that aims to help followers decrease inflammation and improve metabolism health, among other benefits, and suggests a guided program as a way to test out paleo. (credit:Shutterstock)

The Fats You Eat Are Healthy(09 of13)

Yes, there are fats in some of the foods more common on the paleo diet, for example, in eggs. But the point is to get healthy fats, Ramsden advised, particularly healthy animal fats from a healthy source. (credit:Shutterstock)

You Should Add In Fermented Foods(10 of13)

Fermented foods are a great addition to any diet, including the paleo diet. Choices like kimchi and sauerkraut are full of healthy bacteria that will help with digestion and may improve your immune functioning. (credit:Shutterstock)

You'll Want Quality Sources Of Protein(11 of13)

Don't just run to the supermarket for the cheapest cuts you can find, Ramsden advises. Because animal fat can store unhealthy additives like the hormones that may have been used to raise animals, you'll want protein from as clean and high-quality a source as you can get. "People need to balance their budget with the cost of a better quality animal protein," she says. If you are buying conventionally raised meat, go for leaner cuts with less fat. (credit:Shutterstock)

It's Not Necessarily Low Carb(12 of13)

Yes, paleo involves cutting out grains and legumes, which are sources of carbs. But that doesn't mean you'll have no carbohydrates in your diet — or that you should, for that matter. Root veggies like taro have carbs, as do other vegetables like broccoli and fruits like berries. "The low-carb myth also comes from the fact that we load up on pasta, bread, etc. to fuel life at our desk jobs," Ramsden says. "We tend to eat far too many carbs to suit our activity levels, which has a significant impact on our health." (credit:Shutterstock)

It's Friendly For The Gluten Intolerant(13 of13)

Because paleo diets cut out carbs like wheat and barley, which both contain gluten, it can be a good diet for those who need to or wish to avoid gluten. It's also a way to see how your body responds if you remove gluten from your diet, or at least cut it back. (credit:Shutterstock)

The big problem though, is that because it is restrictive, it can be quite hard to dine out, making followers of the diet more isolated.

"I’ve been running a monthly pop-up restaurant in Sussex for the last 10 months," says Holly, "specialising in gluten-free and paleo-diet friendly food and it’s been so successful I want to expand the business into a full time restaurant in London.

What is Paleo eating for those who don't know and why is it good for us? "A paleolithic diet is naturally rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids; high in fibre; focused around foods that release their energy slowly and make you feel full. They are supportive of friendly bacteria in the gut, alkalising and anti-inflammatory."

Although Paleo restaurants have been popping up in Europe and America over the last few years, it's still relatively new to the UK. One of the reasons why it has taken some time to become popular is because "it completely excludes grains, the traditional corners stones of the UK healthy food pyramid, and places much more emphasis on natural fats."

Holly has shared three recipes with us - would you give them a try? They look AMAZING.

Raw Chocolate Cheesecakes

Decant and delicious, but packed with antioxidants and healthy fats, these mini cheesecakes are perfect for a special occasion.

Makes four individual cheesecakes

For the base

60g hazelnuts

1 tbsp of xylitol or coconut sugar

20g Virgin Coconut Butter

For the topping

Flesh from 2 medium avocados (approx. 220g)

55g cocoa powder

140g raw honey or maple syrup

1-2 tsp vanilla extract

110g Virgin Coconut Butter

Extra cocoa powder for dusting

You will also need

Four 7.5cm stainless steel food rings

Baking paper

1.Grease and line the inside of each food ring with a strip of baking paper, then place on a baking paper lined tray.

2.Using a food processor or nut mill, blitz the hazelnuts to a fine meal, similar in texture to breadcrumbs. Place in a bowl and stir in the xylitol.

3.Melt the coconut butter for the base in a small saucepan over a very low heat, then pour into the hazelnut and xylitol mixture, stirring to combine.

4.Divide the mixture equally between the four food rings and press down firmly with the back of a spoon to form the cheesecake bases.

5.Rinse and dry the food processor bowl then add the avocado, cocoa powder, agave and vanilla extract. Process on high until the mixture is smooth and well combined.

6.Now melt the coconut butter for the topping in the same way as before and add to the food processor, whizzing to combine. Remember to stop the food processor a few times and scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.

7.Next, carefully spoon the topping mixture into each food ring until level with the top, then run a knife across to get a clean and even finish.

8.Place the finished cheesecakes in the freezer for an hour and a half to set, and then carefully remove them from the rings. The easiest way to do this is to use an upturned glass with a diameter just smaller than the food ring to gently the push the cheesecake base up through the ring.

9.The cheesecakes can now be dusted with cocoa powder and placed in the fridge until ready to serve.

Calories 603, Fat 51.6g, Saturated Fat 34.4g, Protein 6.1g, Total Carbohydrates 41.3g, Sugars 26.5g, Fibre 9.7g

Italian Fish Soup

This warming soup is high in protein and loaded immune boosting vitamin C, garlic and zinc, making it the perfect hearty meal for a cold winter’s night

Serves 2

2 large fillets of firm white fish fillet eg Haddock, Coley or Cod

2 tbsp dry white wine

1 30x30 cm piece of foil lined with baking paper

1 white onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp olive oil

3 cloves of garlic, crushed

1 tbsp of chestnut flour

1 can of chopped tomatoes

30g Pumpkin Seed Butter

500ml of vegetable/fish stock or water

1 Bayleaf

Freshly ground black pepper

Handful of fresh basil + extra for garnishing

1.Preheat the oven to 200C.

2.Place the fish fillets into the baking paper lined foil and fold up the edges. Drizzle the wine over the fish and then loosely fold over the top edges of the foil to seal the parcel.

3.Place the fish parcel on a baking tray and cook in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillets.

4.While the fish is cooking, use a large saucepan to gently cook the onion in the olive oil until soft. Then add the crushed garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes more.

5.Add the chestnut flour to the onions and garlic and stir to coat.

6.Next, stir in the pumpkin butter, chopped tomatoes and stock or water, ensuring all the ingredients are well combined.

7.Add the bay leaf, then simmer for 30 minutes stirring occasionally.

8.When the soup has finished simmering, remove the bayleaf, then carefully open the fish parcels and transfer the juices to the soup, reserving the fish for later. After that use a hand blender to blend the soup.

9.To finish, roughly rip the basil leaves, stir these into the soup and season to taste with freshly ground black pepper. Pour the soup into warmed serving bowls and then carefully flake the fish onto the top before garnishing with some more basil and serving.

Calories 382, Fat 16g, Saturated Fat 2.4g, Protein 35.9g, Total Carbohydrates 24.3g, Sugars 9.7g, Fibre 5.7g

Gluten Free Focaccia

This bread is the perfect example of just how good gluten free bread can be. Light and fluffy, but moist and satisfying you’ll probably find you never need the freezing instructions!

Makes 16 pieces

For the bread

200g buckwheat flour

200g rice flour

200g potato flour

2 tsp xanthan gum

7g sachet of fast action yeast

1.5 tsp Celtic sea salt

1 tbsp of chopped fresh rosemary

1 medium egg, beaten

100ml of extra virgin olive oil

600ml lukewarm water

To decorate

4-6 garlic cloves cut into slivers

3-4 springs of rosemary for decoration

Extra Celtic sea salt for sprinkling

1.Oil a 13 x 9 inch, deep non-stick roasting tin.

2.Place the flours, xanthan gum and yeast in a mixing bowl and stir well, then stir in the salt and chopped rosemary.

3.Make a well in the centre and stir in the egg, 1 tbsp of the olive oil and the water to make a stiff batter.

4.Beat the batter well with a wooden spoon for a few minute then spoon into the tin and spread out with a spatula.

5.Cover the tin with oiled cling film and leave in a warm place for 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.

6.Preheat the oven to 220C (200C for a fan oven).

7.Divide the rosemary into individual sprigs and place in the remaining olive oil along with the garlic slivers.

8.When the bread has risen, carefully and evenly insert the oil soaked rosemary and the slivers of garlic into the top of the dough. It’s best to avoid touching the dough if at all possible because it’s very soft at this stage.

9.Drizzle the remaining oil evenly over the top and sprinkle liberally with Celtic sea salt.

10.Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until firm and golden.

11.Transfer onto a wire rack to cool.

12.Serve with extra virgin and olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.

Note: This bread is best eaten on the day it’s made, but it can also be portioned, wrapped in cling film and frozen as soon as it’s cool. To refresh, simply remove in from the freezer, wrap in some foil and place in the oven until soft and warm.

Calories 189, Fat 6.8g, Saturated Fat 1.1g, Protein 3.6g, Total Carbohydrates 29.6g, Sugars 0.8g, Fibre 2.4g

To donate to Holly's kickstarter campaign, click here.

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Diet and fitness caveman diet uk lifestyle news dieting Nutrition

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