Tag: recipes

Dilled Kale Salad

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This summer salad utilizes fresh baby greens and an unusual ingredient in salad – fresh dill. Makes a great dish to bring to a potluck on short notice.

gluten-free, paleo, whole30, vegan, vegetarian, keto


Dilled Kale Salad

Roughly 1/2 a pound baby kale

1/3 c. avocado oil mayo (I use Sir Kensington’s)

1 Tbsp. whole grain mustard (Maille is my favorite)

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill

2 big cloves garlic, grated

2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

Juice of 1 lemon

Sea salt & black pepper

1/3 c. toasted pine nuts

1/4 c. shaved parmesan (optional)

In a large bowl, combine: mayo, lemon juice, dill, grated garlic, and apple cider vinegar. Hit with salt and pepper – taste. You’re looking for a robust dressing – something bright and acidic (maybe a hair too acidic, it’ll tone down when you add the kale).

Add the kale and toss to coat, taking care to massage the dressing into the leaves so it really soaks in.

Add the pine nuts and cheese if you’re using.

Serves 4 as a nice side; makes a good potluck dish

Low Carb Crack Chicken

Categories keto, Recipes2 Comments on Low Carb Crack Chicken

Yeah, yeah, yeah, lots of dishes are called “crack chicken”. Why? Do the other authors, like me, just love hyperbole? Or is it that chicken is usually so ho-hum that any effort to turn it into a highly addictive substance that will invade your dreams and have you fighting the urge to sleep-binge-eat is just so compelling — and so utterly undeniably delicious — that it engenders not only love, but addiction?

I’m going with the latter explanation.

This chicken is just such a chicken. I spent the evening separated from its tantalizing smell due to poor time management, and spent the entire time I was out thinking about it. And couldn’t resist picking at the pan leftovers when I got home.

I’m eating it for two meals today, and I’m super bummed I only made three servings + tossed the rest of those pan drippings.

gluten-free, keto


Low Carb Crack Chicken

3/4 lb. – 1 lb. chicken (I used precut tenders)

1/4 c. mayo (I used Sir Kensington’s avocado oil mayo)

1/4 c. parmesan (I used my favorite flaked parme and shredded by hand – you want small bits so it will mix in with the mayo well)

2 Tbsp. garlic powder

2 Tbsp. onion powder

1 tsp. apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)

Salt & pepper

Preheat your oven to 375F.

Pat your chicken dry and sprinkle with salt and pepper on both side.

Arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer, making sure the chicken doesn’t touch too much.

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients but the chicken, salt & pepper.

Spread over the chicken, making sure each piece gets a nice liberal coat.

Bake at 375F for 25 – 35 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the top is browning.

Serves 3 – 4 if you have self control. Fights may happen. Late night snacking is also a worry.

Probiotic Salmon Salad

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Q: What does one do with kefir when you’re tired of drinking it? 

A: Kefir makes a great salad dressing for delicate early season greens and salmon.

Gluten-free, paleo if you use non-dairy kefir


Probiotic Salmon Salad

3 Tbsp. kefir
Juice of half a lemon
Big pinch sea salt
Few cracks black pepper
1 tsp. honey
2 Tbsp. avocado oil mayo
1 clove garlic, grated
3 Tbsp. chives, chopped
4 c. salad greens
2 Salmon filets
2 Tbsp. fat of choice
4 Tbsp. hemp seeds, divided in half

Thaw your fish if frozen and pat dry. Salt and pepper each side.

Set a large pan over medium-high heat. Add your fat of choice. When the fat comes up to temperature, add the salmon skin-side down. Cook 3 – 4 minutes without touching. Gently flip and cook an additional 3 – 4 minutes or until your desired doneness has been reached. 

While the salmon is working, add the greens to a large bowl.

Whisk together the kefir, lemon juice, honey, mayo, garlic, chives, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Set aside. 

Combine the greens with the dressing. Split between two bowls.

When the salmon is finished, place on top of the salad. Sprinkle half the hemp seeds per dish and enjoy.

Serves 2 as a light dinner. 

Pineapple Fried Cauliflower Rice

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This side makes a great counterpoint for a bowl of Kaluah Pork, a nice sesame chicken, or a burger patty.

Gluten-free, Paleo, vegetarian, vegan


Pineapple Fried Cauliflower Rice

2 cups pre-steamed riced Cauliflower (or cauliflower-broccoli mix – I bought a steamer bag in my grocer’s freezer section)
1 shallot
2 cloves garlic
1/2 inch ginger
Hand full cilantro
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup crushed pineapple in juice
2 Tbsp. coconut aminos
Fat of Choice
Salt & pepper

Dice your aromatics – shallot, ginger and garlic. Add to a large pan with 2 Tbsp. of your favorite fat. Sautée until just starting to color.

Add the riced cauliflowers, pineapple, coconut aminos and lime juice. Sautée until the liquid has evaporated and everything is starting to caramelize.

Taste and hit with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the cilantro. Sautée until your desired brownness is achieved (or your patience runs out).

Serves 2 – top with a fried egg & pulled pork and call it dinner

Brussels & Kale Caesar

Categories Recipes4 Comments on Brussels & Kale Caesar

This is a recreation/improvement on a salad I bought from Dean & Deluca last week. This version is eeeeeerrrrything I wanted that version to be – and then some (so good, in fact, that I got distracted while tasting it and putting my rings back on the wrong hands). The D&D version was good – but not Hannibal Lecter good (lost? explanation coming). Fine to smash at 9pm while waiting for the Ferry, but not what one would unpack ceremoniously from a fine box while going someplace.

I remember the first time I saw Silence Of The Lambs – the movie was great and all, but what *really* struck my little food nerd of a preteen heart was the end scene where Hannibal Lecter unpacks a Dean & Deluca picnic spread with great relish while on a plane. That spread (minus the brains, of course) set some life goals in place immediately (namely to shop there, live in NYC so I can shop there at will, and get one of those picnic packs). I also mailed away for a subscription to their quarterly catalog and kept that subscription going until I went away to college. Never ordered anything, but I drooled and dreamed.

While I’ve achieved two of those goals, I’m sad to say I have not gotten a picnic pack – mostly because while I love Dean & Deluca in theory, in practice most of the freshly made food I’ve gotten from D&D isn’t as amazing as I want it to be – and I’m not spending a Quintilian dollars on plane snacks when I can make my own. Possibly also because preteen me’s love of fancy packaging and tiny food is a tall order to live up to, and those packs always feature a bunch of stuff I’m not excited about – like gummy bears and other candy. Note to self: make my own tin-based travel pack packed with stuff I *do* like.

Gluten-free, paleo


Brussels & Kale Caesar

2 cups roasted Brussels sprouts halves (I roasted mine in some bacon grease on 400 for 25/30 minutes until deeply nutty brown)
3 cups baby kale
1 large clove garlic, smashed in a mortar & pestle
1/4 cup good olive oil
1 big pinch sea salt
Black pepper
1/2 tsp. lime juice (lemon would be more classic, but all I had was a bottle of my favorite Key Lime juice)
3 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 raw egg
1/2 cup raw almonds, chopped
1 anchovy, minced

To make: Roast the Brussels. While roasting, assemble the dressing.

Put two of your eggs in a small pot and cover with a couple inches water. When the water is boiling, lower a third egg down in a ladle so it is covered by the water but you still have a hold of it. Boil 1 minute and remove, immediately running under cold water or dunking into an ice bath. Let your other eggs go until you whisk the dressing, cover the pot and kill the heat, let sit until you’re done with the rest of the salad.

Crush the garlic in a mortar and pestle; add to a large bowl. Mince the anchovy and add. Add the coddled egg, Worcestershire, citrus juice, salt, a bunch of pepper, olive oil, and vinegar. Whisk to combine.

Chop the almonds and set aside.

When the Brussels are finished browning and have cooled until mostly not hot, add to the bowl with the dressing. Add the kale and almonds; massage to combine thoroughly.

Peel the 2 hard boiled eggs and chop. Fold in gently.

Serves 2 – 3 as a nice lunch or dinner side

Yuzu Sesame Slaw

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This quick and easy side makes a bright, spicy counterpoint to a sweeter meat main or the Thai meatballs I posted last week.

gluten-free, paleo, Whole30, vegetarian, vegan


Yuzu Sesame Slaw

2-3 cups tricolor slaw mix (broccoli slaw would also be great)
2 Tbsp. yuzu hot sauce
1 jalapeno or serrano
1/2 bunch scallions
2 Tbsp. sesame oil
1 Tbsp. sesame seeds
1 tsp. grated ginger

Slice the scallions and chop the peppers; add to a large bowl with the slaw mix.

In a small bowl, whisk together the yuzu hot sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds and grated ginger.

Pour the dressing over the slaw and massage to combine.

Great served with my paleo Thai meatballs, bacon and avocado, or a nice salmon burger.

Serves 2 as a salad base

Paleo Thai Spaghetti & Meatballs

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This paleo version of spaghetti and meatballs brings the classic flavors of Thailand to your plate in a relatively quick to throw together dinner that’s both hearty and tasty.

gluten-free, paleo


Paleo Thai Spaghetti & Meatballs

For the spaghetti

1 spaghetti squash

For the meatballs

1 lb. ground chicken
1/2 bunch chopped scallions
1/2 inch grated ginger
2 clove grated garlic
1/2 grated shallot
2 Tbsp. sesame seeds
1 tsp. baking soda dissolved in 1 Tbsp. warm water
1 Tbsp. fish sauce
1 Tbsp. coconut aminos

For the sauce

2 Tbsp. sunflower seed butter
2 Tbsp. sesame oil
1 Tbsp. lime juice
2 Tbsp. fish sauce
2 Tbsp. coconut aminos
1/2 inch grated ginger
1 clove grated garlic
1/2 grated shallot
1 Tbsp. sesame seeds

First, halve your spaghetti squash (lengthwise for shorter noodles; widthwise for longer), scoop out the seeds and stringy guts, poke a couple holes per side, add cut-side down to a dish with a little water standing in it and cover tightly with saran wrap. Microwave on high 30 minutes or until tender. Uncover (carefully!) and let cool. Shred with a fork when cooled to make the noodles.

While the spaghetti is going, make the meatballs.

Combine all meatball ingredients in a large bowl and knead to combine.

Heat a Tablespoon or two of your favorite fat (I used coconut oil) over medium-high heat in a large pan.

Take the meatball meat, form into one-inch meatballs (as well as you can – my mix was a little wet and sticky so my meatballs were more like formed splats than round balls but were still tasty), and saute until browned and cooked through.

Set aside on a paper towel and cook batches until you are out of meat mixture.

While your last batch is going, make your sauce by whisking all sauce ingredients together in a small bowl.

To serve, toss the spaghetti with the sauce and portion, topping with meatballs.

Serves 2 for dinner with enough meatballs left over for lunch

Dairy-Free Golden Milk Latte

Categories Recipes2 Comments on Dairy-Free Golden Milk Latte

This latte concoction is based off a latte I’ve fallen in total love with, but can’t justify spending $5 on for a whopping 14 ounces of (very often). 

I could tweak a bit with the foaming (the original is super thick; mine is not) – maybe a nice full-fat coconut milk would help? 

Gluten-free, paleo, Keto, vegetarian, vegan with substitutions


Dairy-Free Golden Milk Latte

1 cup your favorite dairy-free milk (I used almond, but cashew or even full-fat coconut would be great here) 
Brewed coffee
1/2 inch unpeeled fresh ginger cut into 2 coins
1/2 tsp. turmeric (if you can find fresh, even better!)
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. black pepper (I used ground, but peppercorns would be even better – that, or more ground)
1 Tbsp. coconut oil
Sprinkle cardamom 

Add everything but the coffee to a small pan. Whisk to combine. 

Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer 10 minutes to infuse the milk with the flavors.

Strain.

Pour half into your coffee; buzz to foam up a bit if you want to be fancy. I used my immersion blender, but the blender would have been better – or a milk foamer would have been ideal.

Makes enough for 2 lattes if you only have coffee at home if it’s in your 20-ounce travel mug like me 

Note: If you don’t use it all at once, store in the fridge and zap in the microwave for a minute to heat back up.

Springy Honey + Olive Salad

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This crowd-pleaser is perfect for an early Spring potluck when you’re stuck between that ‘Yay! Winter citrus!’ and ‘All I want are fresh greens’ stage of life. This salad has enough going on that it will impress your foodie friends, is user-friendly enough that you *should* be able to convince everyone to be on board with olives, and can be tweaked just a bit to satisfy your vegan friends.

Gluten-free, vegetarian, primal 


Springy Honey + Olive Salad

4 – 6 cups cut kale
1/2 head red radicchio, chopped
Zest + flesh (supremed and chopped) of 1 sumo or other orangey/grapefruity citrus
1/3 cup nice olives, chopped
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans
Juice 1/2 lemon
2 Tbsp whole grain mustard
2 tsp honey
1/2 cup olive oil
Kosher salt & black pepper

Add the kale to a large bowl. Zest the citrus on top. Chop the radicchio and add.

Toss to combine.

In a separate bowl, whisk the lemon juice, olive oil, honey, mustard, salt & pepper. 

Pour the dressing over the greens and massage by hand to work the dressing into the leaves.

Chop the olives and add. Toast the pecans, chop and add. Supreme the citrus, chop and add. Crumble the goat cheese and add. 

Toss gently to combine.

Serves a crowd 

Dairy-Free Creamy Keto Chicken Casserole

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This low carb and dairy-free take on a comforting casserole was creamy, delicious, and lasted great for a weeks’ worth of lunches.
gluten-free, keto, dairy-free, paleo


Dairy-Free Creamy Keto Chicken Casserole

1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken thighs
15 oz. bag frozen broccoli
2 c. frozen spinach
1/2 package sugar-free bacon
This dairy-free cauliflower cheese

Crisp your bacon and drain. Crumble and set aside.

Cube your chicken and set aside.

Defrost your veggies and set aside.

Preheat your oven to 400 F.

In a large casserole dish, combine the chicken, spinach, broccoli and bacon. Stir to combine. Top with the cauliflower cheese.

Bake at 400 for 35 minutes or until the top begins to brown and the sides are bubbly.

Serves 5 – 6 for lunch