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Keto Ramen

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If you hadn’t noticed, I’ve been on a Japanese kick again lately, and I’m determined to lick this delicate-yet-complex flavor profile and bend it to my low carb ways (muahaha).

Gluten-free, keto

Keto Ramen

2 c. water
1 pkg. shiritaki noodles
2 Tbsp. dashi broth starter
1 tsp. white miso
2 Tbsp. wakame
6 ounces white fish
2 Tbsp. sesame oil
1 c. bok choy
1 Tbsp. soy sauce, ponzu, tamari or coconut aminos
1 tsp. rice vinegar
Sriracha
Furikake (I love the varieties with bonito)
Salt
White pepper

Season the fish with salt & white pepper and sautee in 1 Tbsp. sesame oil until cooked through. Flake into a large bowl. Add 1 Tbsp. sesame oil to the bottom of the bowl, along with a squirt of sriracha.

In a saucepan, stir the dashi stock into the water and being to a boil. Add the miso and stir. Add the wakame and bok choy.

Drain and rinse the shiritaki noodles. Add to the pan.

Boil 3 – 5 minutes to cook the noodles and veggies. Add the soy and vinegar.

Pour the soup into the bowl and top with furikake to serve.

Makes 1 big serving

Keto Eggrolls

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Mmmmm….. eggrolls. Sushi. These are two things I kinda miss on Keto. Sure, sashimi is great – buuuuuuut I can eat my bodyweight in fresh fish, and that ish gets expensive.

I’ve got my favorite egg roll in a bowl recipes, but I wanted something a little different.

Gluten-free, paleo, Keto

Keto Eggrolls

About 4 ounces shrimp
1/2 an avocado
1/2 inch ginger
1 clove garlic
1 tsp. soy, tamari, coconut aminos or ponzu
2-3 sheets nori
A few Tablespoons frying oil

Dipping Sauce

2 tsp. rice vinegar
1 tsp. soy, tamari, coconut aminos or ponzu
1 tsp. grated ginger
1 clove garlic, grated
1 tsp. Sambal olek

Grate your ginger and garlic. Chop the shrimp. Peel and slice the avocado. In a medium pan over medium-high heat, warm a quarter of the frying oil.

Add the shrimp, garlic & ginger and stir-fry until cooked through. Set aside and wipe the pan.

Assemble the eggrolls by placing about 2 Tablespoons shrimp and a slice or two of avocado in the center of the nori sheet.

Gently roll the nori sheet, taking care to tuck the ends in like a burrito so you have an enclosed packet. If the nori rips a little, that’s ok – the frying will keep your eggroll mostly together.

Add the rest of the frying oil to the pan over medium-high heat.

When the oil comes up to temperature, place the eggrolls seam side down and fry 1-2 minutes or until crisp. Flip and fry. Be careful here not to burn your eggrolls to cinders – it’s easy. A little burned is fine; just no carbon.

To make your dipping sauce, combine all dipping sauce ingredients in a small dish.

Serves 1

Charred Chili Brussels Turkey Bowl

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This recipe is full of flavor, paleo, and just enough substance for a nice dinner bowl. Were I you, I’d make sure to check out the recipe this one is based off of – I completely forgot two ingredients that would have completely changed the flavor profile of this dish. It’s great as presented here – and would have been great-but-different had I remembered the Tabasco and vinegar.

Gluten-free, paleo, Whole30

 

Charred Chili Brussels Turkey Bowl

Adapted from Charred Cauliflower w/Garlics, Tabasco Vinegar from Lady & Pups

1 lb. brussels sprouts
1 lb. ground turkey
5 cloves garlic
4 Tbsp. fish sauce
Red chili flakes
1/4 c. avocado or other oil
White pepper
Kosher salt
2 Tbsp. onion powder
2 Tbsp. garlic powder

First, set your garlic up. Peel and smash the cloves – brine in 2 Tbsp. fish sauce for 20 – 30 minutes.

While your garlic is brining, halve the brussels and scatter onto a sheet pan. Set broiler to High.

When the garlic has brined, transfer the garlic (set the fish sauce aside) to a small pot with the oil and a few pinches red pepper flakes. Let fry over med-low heat until the garlic is golden brown and soft. Remove the garlic to its own little bowl. Add the reserved fish sauce + a couple sprinkles white pepper to the oil and pour over the brussels.

Broil 5 – 6 minutes or until charred in spots; flip and repeat. Sprinkle with Kosher salt.

While the brussels are working, add the turkey + a little oil to a large skillet set over medium-high heat. Add a couple pinches red pepper flakes, a dusting of white pepper, the onion powder, garlic powder and a pinch or two of Kosher salt. Sauté until cooked through, stirring and breaking up as you go. Add 2 Tbsp. fish sauce, stir to combine, and let cook another minute or two.

Toss in the brussels and reserved brined garlic.

Serves 2 for dinner

Instant Pot Primal Chicken Enchiladas

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This dish references a Mexican favorite, enchiladas, with much fewer carbs than the original dish. This version is more stew-like and makes a delicious (and quick) winter meal.

Gluten-free, paleo (with no cheese), primal

 

Instant Pot Primal Chicken Enchiladas
Based on Chicken Enchilada Lasagna by PaleOmg

1 lb. chicken thighs
14 ounce can diced tomatoes/green chilis
14 ounce can enchilada sauce
1 yellow onion, halved
4 cloves garlic
1 Tbsp. fat
2 Tbsp. chili powder
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. cayenne
1 kurabota squash or other hard winter squash (4 – 5 cups)
1 jalapeno
1 – 2 c. shredded cheddar (optional. I used Kerrygold Dubliner)

Dice half the onion and mince the garlic. Plug your Instant Pot in and set to sauté. Sauté the onion and garlic until the onion is translucent.

Add the chili powder, cumin and cayenne and stir. Sauté until fragrant. Hit the cancel button to turn off.

Peel and chop the squash.

Add the chicken, squash, tomatoes, and enchilada sauce to the Instant Pot. Seat the lid and hit the poultry button.

Let cool to release the lid.

Dump into a large baking dish, and shred the chicken.

Top with shredded cheese if desired and bake on 375 for 15 – 20 minutes.

Top with diced jalapeño.

Serves 4 

 

Chicken-And-Egg Zoodles

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I started this meal thinking a nice simple plate of cacio e pepe sounded delicious. But, I don’t eat pasta – and I didn’t have any parmesan. What I *did* have was some CSA fresh zucchini, some bacon ends, a bit of leftover baked chicken and some farm fresh eggs.

A delicious, dead simple, quick-to-prepare dinner was born. And, without heating my apartment to 900 degrees, or filling it with seared meat smoke. #winning

Paleo, gluten-free, whole30 if you source your bacon right

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Chicken-And-Egg Zoodles

4 ounces bacon
4 ounces leftover cooked chicken
1 large zucchini
2 cloves garlic
2 tsp. FOC (fat of choice)
2 eggs per person
More FOC
Salt & pepper

Heat a pan on medium. Chop your bacon and add. Brown. When the bacon is halfway browned, add the leftover chicken and 2 chopped cloves garlic.

Zoodle your zucchini however you accomplish this (I use a spiralizer that works like sharpening a pencil – there are a ton of ways to make noodles out of zucchini).

When the bacon is browned and the chicken is warm, add the zoodles to the pan and toss. Add 2 tsp. olive oil, a few cracks black pepper and a sprinkle of salt. Set aside while you fry the eggs.

Put your pan back over the fire and add more fat. Fry the eggs and use to top the “pasta”.

Serves 2

Pan-Roasted Chicken, Broccoli & Corn

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This is a simple to throw together one-skillet meal that’s as satisfying as it is easy.

Gluten-free

What the what kind of ridiculousness happened here? Sorry guys - the blurriness of this image hurts my eyes, but dinner was too good not to share.
What the what kind of ridiculousness happened here? Sorry guys – the blurriness of this image hurts my eyes, but dinner was too good not to share.

Pan-Roasted Chicken, Broccoli & Corn
Adapted from Pan-Roasted Rosemary Chicken from Bon Appetit

1/2 chicken or 2 quarters chicken, bone-in and skin on
2 Tbsp. fresh rosemary
4 cloves garlic, divided
3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
1 shallot
1 Tbsp. fresh thyme
1 small head broccoli
1 ear corn
1/4 to 1/2 cup stock
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
Splash apple cider vinegar
Salt & pepper

Chop the rosemary and two of the garlic cloves. Mix together with 2 Tbsp. of the oil and spread over the flesh side of the chicken. Cover and chill 1 hour to overnight.

Preheat the oven to 400 F with a rack in the lower third. While the oven is heating, pat the skin side of your chicken dry and hit with salt and pepper. In a large cast iron (or other ovenproof) skillet, heat the last Tbsp. oil over medium-high and add the chicken skin side down. Let brown while you chop the veggies and the oven finishes heating.

Chop the broccoli, and de-cob the corn. Add to the sides of the chicken, hit with salt and pepper, and roast uncovered about 25 minutes or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 F.

While the chicken and veggies are cooking, prep your add-ins. Dice the shallot and remaining 2 cloves garlic. De-stem the thyme. Collect your broth, butter and vinegar.

Pull the chicken and let rest, skin side up, on a plate.

Sauté the shallot, thyme and garlic in the pan juices over medium heat until softened. Add the broth and vinegar, scraping up the browned bits, until the sauce reduces a bit and the vegetables are nice and coated. Add the butter and stir until combined.

Serves 2 for dinner, with enough chicken leftover for lunch 

 

Franken Notato Salad with Sausages

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It started with the best of intentions. I set out to make a nice little fauxtato salad – something along the lines of this one from Health-Bent. And then I started tinkering. There are a million different ways to make potato salad – and a million different flavor profiles to choose from – but when I think potato salad, I think of mustard and crunchy celery and hard boiled eggs and summer evenings spent picking bites of cold potato salad out of the fridge. And the deli potato salad from Food Lion. And Duke’s mayonnaise.

This is not that potato salad, but it filled a craving.

Behold: this monstrosity pile of yummy goodness. The franken salad. A dish that kind of tastes like a hybrid between german and Southern potato salads, but is definitely neither. This dish would be fantastic at a picnic or cookout, and is pretty freakin great on its own in a bowl for dinner.

Gluten-free, paleo and Whole30 compliant (check your labels/check with your butcher)

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Franken Notato Salad with Sausages

2 large Hot Italian sausages
1 large fresh chorizo
Tokyo turnips (about 2 cups diced)
4 medium carrots (about 1 cup diced)
Half a Vidalia onion (about 1 cup diced)
2 hard boiled eggs
3-4 Tbsp. bacon fat
4 Tbsp. grainy mustard (I use Maille – check your label)
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. celery salt (check your label)
2 stalks celery
2 scallions
Optional toppers: olives, chopped garlic scapes, chopped parsley

First, get your eggs on to boil and prep your veggies. You want everything in a fairly small dice so it cooks nice and quick.

Uncase sausage and add to a large pan over medium heat. Cook, breaking the sausage up as you go, until browned. Remove from the pan and add to a large mixing bowl.

Add the bacon fat to the pan. Add the turnips, carrots, and onion. Sautee, stirring occasionally, until everything is softened and beginning to brown around the edges. (about 10-15 minutes)

While this is working, dice the celery and slice the scallions. Don’t forget your eggs, which should be finished sometime during this step.

Add the mustard, cider, celery, scallions, and celery salt to the sausage bowl and stir. When the veggies are done cooking, add those as well. Taste for seasoning and add more vinegar/salt as needed.

Chop your cooked, cooled and peeled egg and gently fold in.

Top with halved olives, chopped parsley and chopped garlic scapes if desired.

Serves 2 for dinner + 1 for lunch

Apple Sage Turkey Burgers with Caramelized Onions (paleo)

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Mmmm…. sage and turkey and apples. In summer. I got a massive bouquet of fresh sage in my CSA box last week and have been using it in pretty much everything – and since sage goes brilliantly with turkey & apples, I thought a quick and easy turkey burger was in order.

Gluten-free, Paleo and Whole30-compliant (if you omit the maple syrup)

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Apple Sage Turkey Burgers with Caramelized Onions

1 lb. ground turkey (dark meat is best!)
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh sage
2 Tbsp. minced onions
1 tsp. maple syrup
1 Tbsp. granulated garlic
1 Tbsp. Red Boat fish sauce
1/4 c. minced Fuji apple
Liberal sprinkles of salt & pepper
2 Tbsp. Fat of Choice (I used bacon fat)
Caramelized onions – optional – see recipe below
Ketchup for grownups – optional – recipe here

First, start your onions if you’re serving with caramelized onions. Second, prep your mise. Mince the apple and onion, and finely chop the sage. When your onions are about 3/4 of the way done, add all burger ingredients to a large bowl, mix well (hands are best), and form into 2-4 patties.

Heat your fat in a large pan over medium heat. Add the burgers and cook 5 minutes per side to ensure doneness. This is not the time for a medium-rare burger.

Serve with caramelized onions and Ketchup for Grownups.

Feeds 2-4.

 

Caramelized Onions

1/2 to 1 whole onion (any white variety will do)
1-2 tsp. Fat of Choice (I used coconut oil)
Big pinch salt
1/2 tsp. maple syrup

In a medium pan over medium low heat, add the fat and bring to a melt. While your fat is coming up to temperature, peel and very thinly slice your onion – I generally halve mine lengthwise first to make the slicing easier. Add to the pan, making sure to break the onion up as you toss it in.

Let cook gently 5 minutes or until just beginning to turn translucent. Add a liberal sprinkle of salt and 1/2 a teaspoon of maple syrup. Stir. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally to avoid burning, until the onions are deeply caramel colored. This is not quick. Allot a good 20/25 minutes to this process. The maple speeds it up a bit, but this is still not a speedy topping. It’s a labor of love.

Serves 2-4, depending upon how much onion you cut and how much you like on your burger. 

Avocado + Dill Egg Salad (Paleo)

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This, my friends, is a revelation. I’ve been crushing hard on avocados for months now, and adding them to eggs for a quickie egg salad snack was like a freaking thunderbolt out of the sky. Ridiculously delicious.

I ate inhaled this snack? lunch? heavenlygoodness? in a matter of seconds with nary a thought as to a proper serving vessel. But, if you’re not so inclined, some form of paleo cracker would do nicely – or mash up finer and stuff into egg whites for extra-delicious deviled eggs. Or just eat plain.

Paleo, gluten-free and Whole30-compliant.

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Avocado + Dill Egg Salad

1/2 avocado
2 hard boiled eggs
1 Tbsp. fresh dill
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. Dusseldorf style mustard (or your favorite mustard)
big pinch kosher salt

Peel your eggs and chop or run through an egg slicer twice to get a nice fine dice. Add to a small bowl, along with the avocado, vinegar, mustard and salt. Chop the dill fine and add. Mash everything together with a fork or other mashing apparatus until you like the consistency. Enjoy.

Serves 1 – I suppose this can serve 2 if you’re not a glutton, but for me there is a zero point zero chance I’m sharing something this delicious. Or leaving any in the bowl.  

Indian Spiced Meatballs In Coconut Sauce

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This dinner earned high praise from the DH – the sauce wasn’t his favorite thing on Earth, but I loved it and he loved the texture – and he loved the texture of the meatballs. I think this method (cribbed from Melissa Joulwan of The Clothes Make The Girl) is going to be my general go-to from now on.

Gluten-free, paleo, and Whole30-compliant if you omit the sweetener

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Indian Spiced Meatballs In Coconut Sauce

For the Balls

1 pound grass fed ground beef
A bit of onion
1 tsp. fennel seeds
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. granulated garlic
1/3 cup cilantro
2 Tbsp. warm water
1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
1/4 tsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. fat of choice

For the Sauce

6 cloves garlic
1/2 inch fresh ginger
1 tsp. ground turmeric
2 Tbsp. fat of choice
1 can coconut milk
Juice of 2 limes (if small – you’re looking for 1-2 Tbsp.)
Pinch brown sugar/tsp or so maple syrup or honey – or omit
1-2 tsp. hot hungarian paprika
Tomato (2 roma sized)
Black pepper
Kosher salt to taste

First, make the sauce. Mince the garlic, grate the ginger, chop the tomatoes and collect your other ingredients. In a medium pan, sautee the garlic and ginger over medium heat in 2 Tbsp. fat until beginning to soften. Add the turmeric and stir, cooking 1 minute more. Add the tomato and, stirring frequently, cook 5 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer 5 minutes more while you prep the meatball components.

In a large bowl, add the beef, salt, and granulated garlic. Grate the onion and add to the bowl (you want about 2 Tbsp.). Chop the cilantro and add. Bash the fennel to break it up a bit and add. In a separate bowl, combine the warm water with the baking soda and cream of tartar; stir to combine and add to the meat bowl. Combine and shape into ping pong sized meatballs.

Add 2 Tbsp. fat to a large pan and bring up to almost shimmering. Drop the meatballs into the pan as you finish making them and brown on all sides, shaking the pan as you go – 5 minutes or so.

Add the sauce and let simmer until balls are cooked through and the sauce reduces a bit and becomes almost velvety – about 10 minutes.

Top with more cilantro if desired and serve.

Serves 2 for dinner + 1 for lunch