Joe’s Practical Nutrition
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Shin of Beef Casserole
High-Calorie Low-Carb Shin of Beef (Serves 4 – Big Portions)
A rich, oven-braised beef dish that delivers high protein and calories for recovery and strength — without the carbs.
Ingredients
1.2 kg shin of beef, cut into large chunks
2 tbsp olive oil or beef dripping (for searing)
1 large onion, sliced
2 sticks celery, chopped
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1 large carrot, chunked (adds body and sweetness)
2 tbsp tomato purée
400 ml beef stock (low salt)
250 ml red wine (or extra stock if preferred)
2 tbsp butter (stirred in at the end for richness)
1 tsp dried thyme or 2 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce or balsamic vinegar
Salt & cracked black pepper
Optional calorie boosters:
50 g streaky bacon, browned with the beef
Extra drizzle of olive oil or butter before serving
Grated cheddar or parmesan on top
Method
• Preheat oven to 160 °C (fan 140 °C).
• Season beef generously with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a large oven-proof casserole dish until hot.
• Brown beef on all sides in batches — take your time for a deep colour.
• Remove beef and set aside.
• Add onion, celery, garlic, and carrot to the same pan.
• Cook 5–7 minutes, stirring and scraping any browned bits.
• Stir in tomato purée and cook for 1–2 minutes to take off the raw edge.
• Return beef to the pan with stock, wine, thyme, bay, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.
• Bring to a gentle simmer, cover tightly, and transfer to oven.
• Cook 3–3½ hours until beef is tender and sauce has reduced to a thick, glossy consistency.
• Stir through butter to finish. Adjust seasoning to taste.
• Serve hot with a side of steamed greens or crisp salad to keep it low-carb.Nutrition (approx. per portion)
Calories: 850–900 kcal
Protein: 55–60 g
Fat: 60–65 g
Carbs: 10–12 g
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Whole Chicken Butchery
Whole Chicken Butchery – Basic Breakdown (8 portions)
From a standard 2kg whole chicken, you can get:
2 x Chicken Breasts
Boneless or bone-in (depending on method)
Great for pan-frying, grilling, or stir-fries
2 x Chicken Thighs
Juicy and flavourful, often left bone-in and skin-on
Perfect for roasting, curries, or stews
2 x Drumsticks
From the lower part of the leg
Great for oven-roasting or BBQ
2 x Wings
Often roasted or used for stock
Can be seasoned for snacking or starters
Watch the Video here:
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Blanched Tenderstem Broccoli
How to Blanch Tenderstem Broccoli:
Boil water in a large pan
Trim the ends of the tenderstem if needed.
Drop into the boiling water for 90 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on thickness.
Immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.
Once cool, drain and pat dry.
Watch the video here:
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Blanched & Charred Broccoli
Bright, tender broccoli with a fresh, aromatic lift – a quick, Asian-inspired side or a perfect base for a simple salad.
Ingredients:
• 200grams approx of tenderstem broccoli
• Water and ice (for blanching)
• 1 tablespoon coconut or sesame oil
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1-inch piece ginger, cut into tiny matchsticks
• Tamari soy sauce to deglaze
Method:
Blanch broccoli in boiling salted water for 2 mins, then cool in ice water and drain. Sear in a hot pan with oil until lightly charred. In the final minute, add garlic and ginger, toss briefly, then splash in soy sauce to deglaze and stop cooking. Serve immediately. -

Cajun Spice Blend
A bold, warming blend with a kick – perfect for seasoning meats, roasted veg, or mixing into marinades.
Ingredients:
2 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp sea salt
Optional Extras (for added depth):
½ tsp white pepper
½ tsp chilli flakes
• • ½ tsp ground cumin
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Jerk Spice Blend
A fiery, aromatic blend with smoky heat – ideal for rubbing on meats, spicing up veg, or stirring into stews and marinades.
Ingredients:
2 tsp ground allspice
2 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp garlic granules
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp ground ginger
1–2 tsp chilli flakes (adjust to taste – or use scotch bonnet powder if you want it
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp sea salt
• • ½ tsp black pepper
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Fajitas Spice Blend
A zesty, smoky blend with a hint of warmth – perfect for sizzling fajitas, roasted veg, or adding Tex-Mex flair to your meals.
Ingredients:
2 tsp paprika
½ tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp sea salt
½ tsp ground black pepper
½ tsp cayenne pepper