Tag: recipes

Not Quite Barbacoa

Categories keto, RecipesLeave a Comment on Not Quite Barbacoa

This is another of those ‘I went to the store wanting to make 1 thing, but they didn’t have half the ingredients so I adapted’ recipes. What I *wanted* was a nice barbacoa. Preferably nicely spiced and not bland (which is what usually happens when I try to make it).

Buuuuutt … the canned chipotles I saw a few weeks ago in one of the markets seem to have evaporated. Dried chilis are not happening. Should have learned my lesson from the enchiladas Turkiladas I made a few months ago and grabbed chipotles when I saw them.

Such is life. Teachable expat moments – even if I learn my lessons slowly.

This beef turned out pretty darn good, though – despite having to go back to olden times and use the oven (gasp!) instead of my electric pressure cooker that decided to up and die on me in the middle of cooking DH’s rice. The day before I was set to make this dish. I’m still not thrilled, and finding a replacement has proven itself a challenge – good thing people have been cooking meat in a liquid low and slow for thousands of years. (still whining though).

Gluten-free, paleo, keto

Processed with MOLDIV

Not Quite Barbacoa

4 or so lb. beef roast
2 Tbsp. dried oregano
2 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. black pepper
3 Tbsp. Thai roast chili paste (see pic)
3 Tbsp. harissa paste (see pic)
1 – 2 onions
4 – 6 bay leaves
2 Tbsp. neutral oil
1 c. beef broth
Extra water on hand

First, preheat your oven to 300F.

Then, make a spice rub out of the oregano, salt and pepper. Rub the beef on all sides with the mixture. Heat the oil in a large pan over high and sear the beef on all sides.

While the beef is working, thinly slice the onions and place in a single layer over the bottom of a casserole dish or dutch oven. Add bay leaves down the center of the pan.

In a small bowl, combine the chili and harissa pastes.

When the beef is done, frost like a cake with the seasoning paste, taking care to flip and get the bottom of the beef as well. Sprinkle any remaining spice rub over top.

Add 1 cup beef broth to the pan around the sides of the beef.

Cover and braise 4 hours. Check to see if the meat will shred and add half a cup or so of water if the mixture is looking a little dry. Chuck back into the oven until the meat will shred, checking every hour – mine took 6 hours to just shred, but honestly I could have left it in a little longer.

Shred the beef, adding more water to the onion mixture if it looks too thick – you don’t want the beef swimming in liquid, but you want enough that it stays juicy.

Makes a big meat you can nibble at all week – I served mine in lettuce wraps, over zoodles, over cauliflower mash, over roasted butternut squash, and DH had his with rice.

Low Carb Paleo Falafel

Categories RecipesLeave a Comment on Low Carb Paleo Falafel

Mmmmm … falafel. Theoretically. I’ve been eating paleo or some variation for so long, I barely remember what falafel tastes like – and feel like most of them that I’ve had (except for the very few I’ve taken bites of over here) are kind of dry and tasteless. Joyless.

These could use a touch of work on the wetness side – I suspect an extra egg in the batter would do it – but they’re good. Flavorful, they hold together pretty well, and with the sauce drizzles: yuuuuummmmmmm.

gluten-free, paleo, low-carb, vegetarian, vegan

081418-3

Low Carb Paleo Falafel 

Based on Perfect Whole30 Blender Cauliflower Falafel Tahini Bowl by Paleo Gluten Free Eats

Falafel

2 cups cauliflower rice
1 cup onion
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
1/2 cup fresh flat leaf parsley
1 large egg
1 Tbsp. arrowroot powder
1/2 cup coconut flour
1 tsp. mango powder (or sumac or lemon powder)
2 tsp. cayenne
1 Tbsp. turmeric
1 Tbsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. zaatar
1 tsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. black pepper
4 – 5 cloves garlic

Tahini Sauce

1/4 cup tahini
1/4 cup neutral oil (like avocado oil)
1/4 cup water
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 date (or 1 tsp. date molasses)
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp. sea salt

Extras

Neutral oil for baking
Pomegranate molasses (check your labels for sugar!)
Zaatar

Preheat your oven to 200C (about 400F). Line a baking tray with foil.

Pulse all falafel items except cauliflower rice in a large food processor until a paste forms. Dump into a large bowl. Add the cauliflower and stir with your hands to combine thoroughly.

Form into golf ball sized balls and place onto the baking tray. Drizzle with a little neutral oil and bake 20 mins. Flip and bake an additional 15 – 20 minutes, or until browned nicely.

Drizzle with the tahini sauce and pomegranate molasses. Dust liberally with zaatar and serve.

Serves 4 for dinner or makes a nice party platter

Low Carb Broccoli Chicken Salad

Categories RecipesLeave a Comment on Low Carb Broccoli Chicken Salad

This salad is great as a side for a potluck, is even better when it sits for awhile, and can be easily made vegetarian/vegan/Keto/allergen-friendly.

Gluten-free, paleo, Whole30, Keto, vegetarian, vegan

Low Carb Broccoli Chicken Salad

2-3 cups broccoli, chopped
1/4 head (about 1 cup) red cabbage, chopped
1 shallot, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 scallion, sliced
Almonds – mix of slivered raw and smoked, chopped

Dressing

1/4 cup orange juice
2 teaspoons almond butter
2 teaspoons white miso (can sub if strict paleo)
2 Tablespoons neutral oil

Optional Toppers

Shredded rotisserie chicken
Your favorite raisins

Chop and steam your broccoli until crisp-tender. Drain and set aside to cool.

While the broccoli is cooling, prep all ingredients, adding all but the dressing and toppers to a large bowl. Add the broccoli.

Whisk the dressing and pour over the bowl.

Toss (I massage in with my hands). Hit with salt & pepper.

To serve, top with your desired extras.

As written, serves 2-4 for dinner

Pineapple Mint Smoothie

Categories RecipesLeave a Comment on Pineapple Mint Smoothie

This is a bright and fresh smoothie. If you can find it, fresh turmeric would be great here.

Gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, Whole30

Pineapple Mint Smoothie

1/2 c. frozen spinach
2 rings pineapple (packed in juice)
1/2 avocado
2 Tbsp. fresh mint
1/2 in. fresh ginger
2 tsp. dried turmeric
1/4 c. pineapple juice
3/4 c. water

Whiz all ingredients together to make one smoothie.

Japanese CYOA Bowls

Categories Recipes3 Comments on Japanese CYOA Bowls

This is another in my series of Asian-inspired ‘choose your own adventure’ dinners – these seem to be working best for DH’s and my separate nutrition needs and the type of light summer foods we’ve both been craving.

Gluten-free, paleo, Whole30, Keto, vegetarian, vegan

Japanese CYOA Bowls

In the bottom of your bowl, add:

1/2 tsp. ginger garlic paste
1 tsp. coconut aminos
2 tsp. sesame oil
1/2 tsp. rice vinegar
Squirt sriracha (optional)

Add your base – like zoodles or rice – and toss.

Top with:

Sliced radish
Sliced nori
Sliced scallions
Shredded rotisserie chicken
Soft boiled egg
Shrimp

Sprinkle on a little furikake or some sesame seeds, serve and enjoy.

Apple Ginger Smoothie

Categories Recipes2 Comments on Apple Ginger Smoothie

This is a spin on my old favorite green smoothie recipe for days I can’t find a ripe avocado to save my life – and to include romaine lettuce instead of kale for giggles.

Gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan, Whole30

Apple Ginger Smoothie

1/2 c. frozen spinach
1/2 Granny Smith apple
1/4 c. orange juice
1/2 in. fresh ginger
1/2 c. romaine lettuce
2 Tbsp. chia seeds
3/4 c. water

Whiz all ingredients together to make one smoothie.

Paleo Poke Bowls

Categories Recipes4 Comments on Paleo Poke Bowls

Mmmmm… poke. This is a dead simple choose your own adventure kind of dinner – the kind of thing I’m making a lot lately, since I’m back to eating low carb and DH is craving rice to fuel his workouts.

Gluten-free, paleo, Keto if you make it Keto

Paleo Poke Bowls

Fresh salmon or tuna, chopped bite-sized
2 Tbsp. rice vinegar
4 Tbsp. sesame oil
2 Tbsp. coconut aminos
2 Tbsp. pineapple juice
1 Tbsp. sesame seeds

Toppings

Sliced avocado
Shredded purple cabbage
Julienned carrots
Chopped cucumber
Minced ginger
Lime juice
Chopped pineapple
Sliced scallions
Chili garlic paste
Furikake

Base

Zoodles, rice, lettuce or steamed and chilled broccoli

Marinate the fish in the next 5 ingredients while prepping the toppings.

To serve, top X with X and fish. I laid out a plate of toppings + bowls of zoodles & rice for an interactive choose-your-own bar. Enjoy.

Red Smoothie

Categories Recipes2 Comments on Red Smoothie

This smoothie is packed with colorful veggies, and has juuuust enough sweetness to pass beets off to a non beet lover (namely, my DH).

For an added protein boost, add a scoop of unflavored collagen powder. A Tablespoon or two of peanut butter may also be either the best – or worst – idea ever. If you try it, let me know!

Gluten-free, paleo, Whole30, vegetarian, vegan

Red Smoothie

1/2 c. frozen spinach
1/4 c. frozen blueberries
1/4 c. cooked and peeled beets
1/2 banana
1/2 medium carrot
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
2 Tbsp. chia seeds
1 c. water

Whiz all ingredients together to make 1 smoothie.

Mango Kimchi Salad

Categories Recipes2 Comments on Mango Kimchi Salad

Yeah – I know. Another seemingly weird flavor combination that I swear works. And is delicious.

This summer salad is quick to throw together, tastes great after hanging out for awhile in the event of some sort of potluck affair, and can stretch with a protein or bulk item like quinoa or blanched broccoli.

Gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan

Mango Kimchi Salad

1 medium mango – I used the light green kind

1 medium cucumber

1/4 – 1/3 c. Kimchi – I used spicy but could have done with a shot or two more spice

Juice 1/2 lemon

1/4 cup pistachios

2 Tbsp. Fresh mint

Salt

Pepper

Curry powder

Garlic powder

Peel and chop the mango and add to a bowl. Chop the cucumber, kimchi, mint and pistachios and add to the bowl. Add the lemon juice and toss. Sprinkle with the spices and toss.

As written serves 1 for lunch – 2 if you stretch it with a protein (chicken, shrimp, beef, salmon or even canned tuna would work)

Okra Mango Hash

Categories RecipesLeave a Comment on Okra Mango Hash

I know. Hang with me for a second. While this may sound like stoner or pregnant woman food, it strangely works.

Unbeknownst to me until relatively recently, the American South doesn’t actually corner the market in okra – okra curries are actually popular throughout India, and they’re delicious. Mango curries are also a thing that are delicious.

I had intended on including a couple spoons red pepper pesto to make a vaguely curries sauce, buuuuuuuut mine had molded. Oops. As did the miso butter I made months ago. So, no sauce but egg yolk and the taste I was thinking of turned out much more subtle than the original Chopped style concept (what can I say, I’ve been too lazy to go grocery shopping).

Gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian

Okra Mango Hash

1/2 – 1 c. okra, cut into 1/4 inch thick rounds

1 small mango – I used the yellow kind

2 ounces leftover chicken – I used curried breasts I’d bulk cooked earlier in the week

2 tsp. fat of choice

2 eggs

1 tsp. butter or other egg cooking fat

Salt, pepper & your favorite curry powder

In a large pan over medium-high heat, bring the 2 tsp. fat to temperature. Add the okra, hit with the spices, and cook, stirring frequently, until the okra is browned a bit.

While that is working, shred your chicken and peel and chop the mango.

When the okra is done, add the chicken and mango and cook, stirring frequently, until the mango gets a kiss of brown.

While that is working, cook your eggs to their desired doneness after sprinkling with the spices.

To serve, top the hash with the eggs.

Serves 1 because DH is 1000% not into anything about this dinner