Tag: paleo

Garlic Smashed Sweet Potatoes

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This side dish is fantastic as-is, but would be even more magical if I’d managed to make it also crispy.

As it stands, the rounds are a touch fragile – but are still frickin delicious.

gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian

Garlic Smashed Sweet Potatoes

1-2 sweet potatoes
High smoke point oil
3 Tbsp. butter
4 cloves garlic
1 Tbsp. fresh parsley
2 tsp. red pepper flakes
Salt & pepper

First, preheat your oven to 200C/400F. Take the barest amount of oil and brush a foil-lined baking sheet to coat.

Slice your potatoes in 1/2 – 3/4 inch thick rounds. Brush with a little oil, and hit with salt and pepper. Bake 25-30 minutes or until fork tender.

While the potatoes are cooking, chop the parsley & garlic and melt the butter. Make a sauce by combining all ingredients.

When the potatoes can be smushed by a fork, lightly smash – you may need to gently place the potatoes back into their original shape, depending on how much extra room in the pan you have and how aggressive you are a masher. I had a few of the thinner pieces whose middles didn’t want to stay in the center – for those pieces, I just patted everything back into shape.

Once your potatoes are how you want them, pour the sauce over top and broil until golden and crispy (ideally), or, if you don’t have a broiler – bake about 15 more minutes to brown up.

Serves a bunch as a side

All-Purpose Parsley Sauce

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Parsley sauce?

I know it sounds weird and possibly boring, but this sauce is super quick to knock together and brings a little extra oomph to things like: roasted veggies, plain chicken, potatoes, anything in the bowl of carbs realm, or like toast.

It’s just delicious.

The picture below is of this sauce tossed with some chicken breasts I salted & peppered and roasted quickly, plus the Brussels sprouts/cauliflower/potato medley I batch cooked alongside.

Gluten-free, pescatarian, paleo

All-Purpose Parsley Sauce

Big double hand full fresh parsley (about a cup)
3-5 olives
2 tsp. anchovy paste
1/2 – 1 tsp. dry mustard powder
3 big cloves garlic
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 c. your favorite oil
2+ tsp. water

Whiz all ingredients together, adding water a teaspoon at a time until your desired consistency is reached.

Get to tossin’. Or slather on some toast. Or drizzle on some eggs. Or swirl into soup.

The world is your oyster. You do you.

Serves a bunch

One-Pan Honey Mustard Salmon

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Is there anything more satisfying than only dirtying one cooking implement for dinner while spending minimal time actually cooking?

Yes, but this is pretty dang rewarding too.

Especially if you’re a dork 🙂

This meal serves 2 with a little left over, comes together in under an hour, and can be dressed a bunch of different ways depending on what you have on hand.

For instance, you may notice some decidedly non-broccolini green stuff on my plate that isn’t in the recipe. That’s because I had a literal hand full of snow peas that needed using up, so I threw them in. Feel free to do the same, just note that if you have something like a carrot that takes forever to cook, you might want to add that in with the potatoes rather than the greens.

Also good to note: the sauce on this dish isn’t the overly sweet, sticky sauce I generally think of when I think ‘honey mustard’ (you know, like the radioactive yellow dressing from a ton of US restaurants that comes straight from Sysco central processing. Which I love in memory theory). This sauce is light and delicate with just a hint of sweet.

gluten-free, paleo, pescatarian

One-Pan Honey Mustard Salmon

Baby potatoes
Salmon
Broccolini
Oil, salt & pepper
2 large cloves garlic
2 tsp. grainy mustard
2 tsp. honey
1 Tbsp. butter

Preheat your oven to 200c (400f) and prep a baking sheet with foil.

Arrange your baby potatoes in a single layer in one third of the pan. Sprinkle with 2 tsp. of your favorite oil, salt & pepper and toss.

Bake 20 mins.

Add your broccolini to the other third of the pan, toss with 2 tsp. oil & salt and pepper.

Bake 10 minutes.

While that is baking, mince the garlic and add with the honey, mustard & butter to a heat-proof vessel. Zap until the butter is melted and stir.

Add the salmon meat side down to the middle, sprinkle with 1 tsp. oil + salt & pepper, slather in sauce, flip and repeat.

Sprinkle any remaining sauce over everything else.

Bake 5 mins, flip, and broil if you have the ability an additional 2-3 minutes to crisp that skin up a bit.

Viola.

Serves 2 for dinner with a little left over.

Quick Japanese-ish Bowl

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This was supposed to be something complicated involving roasted spaghetti squash and dashi broth with mushrooms, but the day and availability of spaghetti squash at the grocery store conspired against that plan.

So, I went quick and easy – still in the vein of the Japanese I’ve been craving (can you tell I’ve been on an Asian kick lately?) and something I could prepare one-handed while I cradled a pup whose belly wasn’t feeling the best (Princess decided to try mulch while in the park yesterday).

Vegetarian option, paleo option, low carb option

Quick Japanese-ish Bowl

1 Tbsp. neutral oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1 packet shimeji or other mushrooms
1 small packet shiritaki (aka kontjac) noodles
2-3 tsp. Kenko triple balance onion dressing (https://goo.gl/images/Q3GwQd)
2-3 Tbsp. soy sauce or coconut aminos
Optional: leftover ground chicken
Optional: green cabbage noodles, carrot and/or green onions

In a large skillet over medium – high heat, warm the oil.

If you’re adding carrot, add now.

Add the chopped onion and sautée until beginning to brown.

If you’re adding cabbage, add now.

Add the chicken if using and mushrooms – sautée until the mushrooms are beginning to soften.

Drain noodles and add. Cook, stirring, until water has evaporated and everything else is almost where you want it.

Add the sauces and stir; cook an additional 2-3 minutes.

Tip with sliced green onions if using.

Serves 1 with a small pack noodles & mushrooms and no additions; stretches to 2 with additions or larger packets

Thai Grapefruit Shrimp Salad

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This recipe came about because I had something similar one fateful night when I got delivery pan-Asian – and then proceeded to think about it nonstop for a solid week.

While this isn’t 100% the same as that dish, it’s pretty close – and almost equally as addictive. The sharp bitterness of a good grapefruit pairs really well with sweet-tart tamarind, and the earthiness of nut butter. Yum all around.

gluten-free, paleo, low carb

Thai Grapefruit Shrimp Salad

1 ruby grapefruit
14-16 shrimp
1/4 c. roasted nuts
1 small shallot
1 red chili
1 clove garlic
2 small cucumbers
6-8 cherry tomatoes
1 Tbsp. cooking oil
Salt & pepper

For the dressing

1/2 tsp. shrimp paste (or fish sauce)
1 tsp. Thai roasted red chili paste
2 tsp. tamarind paste
1/2 tsp. honey
Juice of 1 lime
1 tsp. nut butter

Add to a large bowl, the grapefruit (peeled and supremed), shallot, chili and garlic (minced), cucumbers and nuts (chopped), and cherry tomatoes (halved).

In a separate bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients together.

Pour over salad and toss.

Sautée the shrimp in the oil in a medium pan 3-5 minutes or until cooked through, making sure to season with salt & pepper.

When done, add to the salad. Toss again and let chill a couple hours to allow the flavors to marry.

Serves 2 as a light meal

A Standard Southern Slaw

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This year for his birthday, DH requested a Southern-style feast to go with games and an ice cream cake.

Southern, I can do – no problem. The ice cream cake was a stretch (shudder remembering all the terrible ice cream cakes I had growing up and the disappointment that they still had icing), but it went over well – as did my backup lactose-free salted caramel ice cream stuffed red velvet cupcakes.

This simple slaw I made so we’d have a (non-fried) veggie (the fried okra I made was a big hit as well), and something with a little crunch. Lactose-free mac-n-cheese that certainly didn’t taste it and pulled pork with ENC style sauce rounded out the day.

gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan

A Standard Southern Slaw

About 2 cups shredded red cabbage
About 2 cups shredded green cabbage
1 Granny Smith Apple, chopped
1/4 white onion, minced
1/2 cup your favorite mayo or mayo substitute
1 Tbsp. Apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. your favorite mustard
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
Liberal salt & black pepper

In a large bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients (mayo and below).

Add the fruit & veggies and mix with your hands, massaging the dressing into the cabbage. Liberally salt & pepper.

Let sit in the fridge a couple hours to marinate and serve.

Serves enough for a party

Roasted Carrot & Onion Salad

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It was a roasted veggie kind of holiday around here. This one I initially served lukewarm with a rib roast and killer lactose-free potatoes au gratin, but I’m happy to report that it makes a killer hot hash the next day with eggs and chunks of beef. 🤤

Next time I may either not share with friends, or make more: this dish turned out really well.

gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, Whole30

Roasted Carrot & Onion Salad

2 lbs. carrots
1 – 2 fennel bulbs
2 large red onions
Neutral oil for roasting
4 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp. pepitas
2 tsp. sweet paprika
2 tsp. smoky chili powder
2 tsp. ground coriander
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
Small hand full fresh mint, chopped
Salt & pepper

In a 200-ish C (around 425F) oven, bake your fennel & onion which you’ve sliced into thin wedges, arranged with plenty of space on a baking sheet, drizzled with oil and sprinkled with salt & pepper. Bake 25 minutes.

On a separate baking sheet, add the carrots which you’ve cut into 3-ish inch chunks, oiled & seasoned. Bake 25 minutes or until everything is well browned and almost burnt in spots.

Actually, if the onion is a bit crispy, it’s even better.

Toss the rest of the ingredients together in a large bowl to form a vinaigrette.

Add the veggies & toss again.

Serves a bunch

Orange Beet Salad

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This dish made a nice light little punch of vegetable brightness for a holiday potluck.

Hence the fake picture.

I’ll insert the real and terrible pic I took after the recipe – suffice it to say, wine + taking pictures basically in the dark is not a great combo.

gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, Whole30

Orange Beet Salad

5 roasted and de-skinned beets
1 small head roasted cauliflower (toast until deeply browned)
4 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 c. hazelnuts
4 small oranges (not naval – something tastier)
1 shallot (about 3 T when minced)
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
2 tsp. pomegranate molasses
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley
4 – 5 Tbsp. fresh tarragon
Salt & pepper

Add your cauliflower to a large bowl. Chop the beets and add. Peel, segment, de-seed and halve the oranges minus one half.

Squeeze that last half orange into a small bowl (about 2 Tbsp. juice). Add the lemon juice, olive oil, molasses, vinegar and spices. Chop and add the parsley. Mince and add the shallot. Add salt & pepper.

Pour over the salad and toss.

In a dry pan, toast the hazelnuts. Chop and toss on the top of the salad with the chopped tarragon.

Serves a party

Coconut Chicken Chili

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This dish is a light but comforting bowl of goodness.

Gluten-free, paleo, keto

Coconut Chicken Chili

1 lb. ground chicken

2 small bell peppers, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 jalapeños, chopped and separated

1/2 large onion, chopped

1/2 small bag frozen spinach

1/2 small bag frozen broccoli

1 chicken bouillon cube

1 can coconut milk

2 bay leaves

2 Tbsp. chili powder

2 tsp. ground cumin

2 tsp. dried oregano

2 tsp. ghee

Salt & pepper

Toppers:

Hand full chopped cilantro

The second jalapeño

Juice of 2 limes

2 chopped green onions

First, prep your onions & garlic and sautée in the ghee until beginning to brown.

While that’s working, prep the rest of your ingredients.

When done, add to the bowl of an electric pressure cooker with the chicken. When the garlic & onions are done, add. Add all the other ingredients but the toppers + 1-2 cans water.

Set the cooker to “stew” and let go.

When time is done, open and taste for seasoning. Add more salt & pepper if needed. Add the toppers and stir.

Serves 4

Smothered Butternut Squash

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The sauce on this recipe is addicting. So much so, I’ve managed to eat half a squash today and want more sauce.

What is it with me and raw garlic? I can’t get enough.

Gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan

Smothered Butternut Squash

1 smallish butternut squash
8-10 cloves garlic
1/2 – 2/3 c. olive oil
2 Tbsp. grainy mustard
4 tsp. sweet paprika
Generous salt
Generous pepper

First, preheat your oven to 200C and prep a baking tray with tinfoil.

Cut the stem ends off your squash, and halve down the middle lengthwise. Scoop the seeds and discard.

Now make your dressing by whizzing all the remaining ingredients.

Spoon a generous amount over each cut half of squash and arrange face up on the sheet.

Bake 25 – 35 minutes or until the thickest part is soft.

To serve, you can either scoop out of the skin in the kitchen, table side, or eat the skins. Whatever your fancy.

Serve with the rest of the sauce drizzled over top (or in my case, slathered).

Should serve 4 with a small squash