Prosciutto, Date, And Nut Salad

Prosciutto, date, and nut salad

The Paleovirtus womenfolk were having steaks.

I’d had a largish lunch, and couldn’t quite see myself managing a whole lump of beef.

I wanted a salad, but something with a bit of body behind it, if you follow.

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Chicken And Walnut Curry

Chicken and walnut curry

Bit of an oddball, this one.

The dish came about because I had to re-plan at very short notice.

Generally speaking, for me, at least, when I’m placed in a situation like this things either turn out exceptionally well, or I end up sobbing over inedible slop.

Thankfully, this dish fell into the “Hallelujah, a triumph!” category.

Chicken With Celery, Green Pepper, and Nuts

Chicken with celery, green pepper, and nuts

Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

I simply can’t possibly recall the number of times I’ve tried to drum that mantra into the head of Paleovirtus Jr.

No prizes, then, for guessing what she said as I stared forlornly at the pitiful remains of a bottle of fish sauce, that held approximately one twentieth of the amount that I was going to need for the evening’s dinner.

Honey and Walnut Crusted Salmon

Honey and Walnut Crusted Salmon

Yet another dish that could easily do the business as a poster child for Paleo.

Jam-packed with taste, supernaturally good for you, and yet ready in a jiffy, its one potential drawback is the  cost of the main ingredient, pushing it into a “weekend special” slot.

Gamle Kitans Nötblandning

Gamle Kitans nut mix

“It Sounds Better With a Foreign Name”  Productions proudly present “Gamle Kitans Nötblandning”!

Eh? What?

Relax, it’s Swedish, mate. This fair Northern tongue means you no harm.

“Gamle Kitan” – means “Old Kitan” – me in other words (“Kitan” is my Swedish nickname ).

“Nötblandning” simply means “Nut mix”.

This, then, is my own personal preferred blend of nutty goodness, my snack of choice for those awkward moments when I’m between bowls of fruit.

Books and articles on all things Paleo tend to oscillate wildly between 2 contrasting positions when it comes to the topic of fruit and nuts.

Some more or less advocate filling your proverbial boots, suggesting that your are free to eat until replete.

Others seemingly warn that the merest sniff of a banana or the very sight of a cashew nut will be enough to instantaneously triple your weight.

I’m just lucky then, I guess. I can scoff fruit by the bucketload, and enjoy a small bowl of nuts several times a day, without gaining weight.

Throw in a nice cup of tea, such as an Oolong, and you’re well on the road to snacky Nirvana…

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Gamle Kitans Nötblandning

Ingredients

• Cashew nuts
• Pecan nuts
• Brazil nuts
• Walnuts
• Hazelnuts
• Coconut flakes

Method

• Simply place the nuts and coconut flakes in equal parts in a large lidded container. Shake well to mix thoroughly.
• The coconut flakes have a tendency to sink to the bottom of the container, so get in the habit of giving it a good shake before each serving.

Tea break

Mixed nuts with Pu-Erh and pear

Time for a mid-morning snack – a “Triomphe de Vienne” pear, a small bowl of cashews and walnuts, and a refreshing pot of Pu-Erh tea.

I DO give a fig, actually…

Fig, nuts, grapes

I’ve just spent a frustrating couple of hours persuading a bathroom door and a bathroom door handle and lock that seemed from the outset doomed to hate each other until the end of time that they were in fact destined to live happily ever after.

Negotiations were not proceeding well, so I was forced to play my trump cards – a large hammer and an enormous drill.

Mission accomplished.

A prolonged work session in a small, hot, cramped space does tend to take it out of you. I was in need of a quick, nutritious snack.

Enter stage left – A fig, accompanied by a handful of walnuts and cashew nuts, and a few handsome grapes.

That should keep the furnace well stoked until breakfast time, and no mistake. Needs a cup of tea, though. Positively screaming out for one, truth be told.

Tea, Earl Grey, hot. Don’t mind if I do, Captain.

Time to get the kettle on…