Confession and the Kitchen Sink

Alright everyone, I know I have been a bad Paleo blogger the last few days..  That's probably in direct correlation (there ya go Jon, used a stat term just for you) to the fact that I have been a bad Tribe member and Paleo eater for that same amount of time. 

I fell off the... well I would say wagon but that's not very Paleo...  so I guess you could say I fell off the cliff into a big lake of temptation and eating whatever  darn well pleased.  And now I feel like crap.

It's amazing to see the difference between how you feel when you eat clean, and how you feel when you go back to eating like you used to.  FAT, LAZY, UNHAPPY. 

So this week I am trying to drag my self slowly back up that cliff face.  It will be  a long, hard journey.  But I know I can do it.  Just need to find that kernel of commitment I had when we started this challenge.  I really want to feel as good as I did after the first 2 weeks.

I really tried to start that slow climb this evening by making a truly Paleo dinner.  As some of you know I hosted a Paleo party at the house this weekend.  I had a ton of food leftover.  I sent a good portion into work with Stefan as I knew we would never eat it all.  But I did have some left in the fridge, so I spent an hour trying to decide what to make tonight..  And then I had the epiphany.  Why not use up most of the leftovers in one dish that uses only one pot.. 

So I did...  and I dubbed it the Kitchen Sink Curry.

Now, this is when I usually give you a list of ingredients with amounts and things such as that.  But this "recipe" will be a bit different because, well, I didn't use much of a recipe.  I just grabbed stuff out of the fridge, cut it up, tossed it in a pot.. added some tomatoes and chicken stock and simmered it for a while..  but I will do my best to tell you what was in it.

Kitchen Sink Curry

Prep time:  10 mins          Cook time:  40 mins         Serves: about 4

 4 Cups of whatever veggies you have on hand/leftover  (I used zucchini, eggplant, carrot, mushroom)
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion
3 Cloves garlic
1 Tbsp fresh ginger (or 1 tsp ginger powder)
1-2 Cups of whatever meat you have leftover ( I used steak and meatballs..  weird I know but it worked)
14 oz can diced tomatoes
1 Cup chicken stock
2 Tsp cumin
2 Tsp coriander
1 Tsp turmeric
pinch or two of crushed red pepper (add more for more heat)
pinch or two of fennel (I left this out as I don't like the flavor of it)
1 Tbsp Cilantro roughly chopped


Cut up the veggies into bite sized pieces (including the onion).  Either dice the garlic or use a garlic press.  Grate the ginger if using fresh.

Add oil to large pot over medium heat.  Add onion, garlic and ginger and cook for about 5 minutes until soft.  Throw in the rest of the ingredients and bring to a slow boil.  Once boiling turn down heat, cover and simmer while you go and take a quick walk (or for about 30 mins).  Upon returning, remove lid and let simmer another 10 mins or so so it can thicken. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro. 

I served this over some cauliflower "rice" and it went over very well. 

To make "rice"  place small grater wheel on your food processor.  Grate florets of cauliflower (uncooked) into fine pieces.  Place grated cauliflower into microwave safe dish and cover tightly with plastic wrap  (DO NOT add water).  Microwave for 4-5 minutes.  Enjoy as rice!


PS..  I will be posting some of the recipes I used for the party food over  the next few days.   I will also be posting some reviews of recipes that other tribe members have tried and sent to me.

Sloppy Joe Stuffed Zuchinni Boats

So this next week is going to be a bit different.  I didn't get the results doing Paleo last week that I wanted, so this week I am determined to cut out all excess sugar and carbs.  This means no baking this week.. 

I know, it really sucks. 

But that's OK, I promise to still post up really good, satisfying recipes..  I don't do plain meat and veggies..  I need things a bit more complicated than that, and I get bored easily, and I think I may have a bit of ADD.. but that's for another post.

Just to show you that I do plan to still deliver more delicious recipes, here is the one I made just this evening.  (And yes, I forgot to take pictures again..  stupid me)

Sloppy Joe Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Servings:  about 8    Prep Time:  10 Minutes    Cook Time:  65 Minutes

This recipe will make a lot of stuffing..  Probably enough to stuff 4-6 large (the dark green US type) zucchini.  I was full after one, Stefan ate 1 1/2  so that should give you an idea about the serving size or so.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs (that's about 800 grams) Lean Ground Beef
4-6 Zucchini (Dark Green US Type)
1 Carrot
1 Medium Onion
4 oz Mushrooms
1 Small Red or Yellow Pepper
2 Cups Tomato Sauce
1 Tbsp Chili Powder
1.5 Tbsp Cumin
3 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
3 Tbsp Yellow Mustard
1 Tbsp Salt
2 Tsp Pepper

Directions

• Cut Zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the middle forming your boats
• Place all veggies (including half the stuff scooped from the middle of the zucchini) in a food processor and process them until chopped finely
• Place ground beef in a large pan over medium heat and brown
•  Drain off fat
• Throw all the other ingredients into the pan with the ground beef and mix well.
• Simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally
• While the meat mixture is simmering, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (about 200 C)
• After simmering, spread meat mixture into each boat and place on a cookie sheet.
• Put sheet in the oven and bake for 45 minutes
• Remove and enjoy!

You can serve these boats by themselves or make another veggie to go with them.  (I bet sweet potato would go nicely with it)

To change this recipe up, or if you have to much stuffing, or if you don't like zucchini, you can just make the filling then wrap it up in a lettuce leaf, stuff a pepper or tomato with it, or serve it over cauliflower "rice".  The options are endless!
 

Recipe Review: Paleo Sweet Potato Waffles

Have you ever had one of those mornings where you feel like you just can't face eating another egg for breakfast?  You feel like just seeing one might make you scream, or be sick?  Well that was me this morning.  Even the idea of an egg for breakfast had me groaning in dissatisfaction.  But lo and behold, when I opened my fridge what was staring me in the face...  eggs and a quickly going brown avocado. 

It was then that I remembered what I was suppose to do yesterday... go shopping.  Which of course never happened. 

I think I actually growled at my fridge at this point.. I'm sure my daughter was a bit worried about me just then.

I quickly slammed the fridge and stood there thinking that I now had two choices..

1) Say screw paleo and eat some ice cream (wha.. you've never had ice cream for breakfast??  You have to try it.  It's even better than having ice cream for dessert..  But maybe that's because it is a little bit naughty..  I like being naughty)

or

2)  Go back to the couch, get on facebook, pout for a bit, and try to ignore my stomach until lunch when I might be able to think of something other than eggs to eat.

Well, I was actually good and chose option 2.

Then I logged onto facebook, and there it was, staring me in the face.  A big, fluffy, golden waffle.. with steam rising off of it.. and a pool of butter in the center.. with maple syrup dripping down the sides...

Sorry, just a minute.. keyboard stopped working due to the drool..  Let me just clean that up..
OK that's better, lets move on quickly.

So, after seeing this of course I wanted waffles.. Which, being thegood little paleo girl that I am, meant goign on a search for a good waffle recipe.  And guess what.  I actually found one that was really good.

http://www.primarilypaleo.com/2012/06/primarily-paleo-sweet-potato-waffles/

(click this link for the recipe)

 

When I say really good, I mean REALLY, REALLY good.  I have tried several waffle recipes now (I am a bit addicted to waffles.. not quite as much as chocolate, but close) and none of them have been any good; until this one.  It's slightly sweet, moist, and while it is a heavy waffle, they somehow manage to be fluffy and "light".  Quick and easy to make, they took me about 15 minutes from start to finish, and that included the cooking of the sweet potato.   They...are...perfect..  I may never make a "regular" waffle ever again:  they were that good.  And, the best thing is, they are toddler approved.  My 2 year old loved them.

My recommendation.... stop reading this right now, and go and make these..  and when you are finished licking all the goodness off your plate.. come back here and tell me what you thought.

As you can tell, I really wasn't in the mood for a really healthy breakfast..  I topped mine with a blueberry compote and some of my paleo chocolate pudding I thinned down by adding milk and heating.  (Sorry, my food photography isn't very good yet..  but I'm working on it)

One cautionary note:  These are very filling.  I made two for myself..  I ate 1 and 1/2 (because I couldn't stop enjoying the deliciousness) and felt sick..  Learn from my mistake..  Eat only 1 at a time. 

Second note:  When you make the batter you will probably think the same thing I did;  there is no way this will make a good waffle.  It is so thick that you can't pour this into the iron.  You actually have to spread it.  Believe me though, it's right and it will turn out just fine.

PCP... Just Barely Legal

PCP...  Addicting and makes one Euphoric..  One bite, and you will never be the same. 
One bite???  But don't you smoke PCP??  Well if we are talking about the drug, then yes you do...  But I am talking about the edible PCP....  Paleo Chocolate Pudding.  Chocolaty, smooth, and just about as addicting as the actual drug. 

HAHAHA  Did you actually think I was going to post up about a drug?  Well I guess if you are as much of a chocolate fanatic as I am then you could consider this stuff a drug.

One bite of this stuff and you will never, ever make the stuff from the box again.  This is not one of those recipes that tastes OK or is an OK substitute for the real thing while you are on the Paleo challenge.  No, this IS the real thing..  believe me... I am a chocolate pudding connoisseur.

Not only does this stuff taste great but it is really simple to make  Only 5 ingredients and takes less than 10 minutes to throw together.  This is one quick, delicious fix for those chocolate cravings (which, if you are anything like me, are ever present). 

So I will quit flapping the yapper and get down to the good stuff...

Makes 2 cups of pudding

PCP (Paleo Chocolate Pudding)

Ingriedents

1 3/4 Cup plus 2 Tbsp Coconut milk
1/4    Cup honey
2 1/2 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
2       Tbsp Sweet Potato Starch
Pinch of Salt


Directions

• Add cocoa powder to small sauce pan
• Add enough milk to cocoa to make a smooth paste
• Add honey and a pinch of salt
• Add rest of milk and starch and mix until starch is dissolved. 
• Heat over medium heat until mixture thickens
• Turn to low heat and mix for 1 min
• Remove from heat and continue mixing for another minute
• Let cool before serving 

I place mine in the fridge for a bit before serving as I like my pudding cold (and it also makes it thicken a bit more).  This pudding may not be as thick as you are used to pudding being, but believe me it is still delicious.

If you don't have sweet potato starch on hand all I have to say is.... WHY NOT??    This stuff is easy to make and is great for thicking soups and gravies (and of course pudding).  Click here for an easy recipe for making the starch since, like everything else healthy here in the UAE,it is almost impossible to find here.
http://homeschoolblogger.com/armoorefam/47426/

Tribal Pie... Paleo Approved Comfort Food

Soooo, after my comment about comfort food making this challenge easier, I have been working on making our favorites paleo friendly. 

Take last nights dinner for example;  something I have decided to call Tribal Pie (it's a take on Shepard's pie).  It was absolutely everything Stefan and I love about Shepard's Pie..  lots of flavor, hearty, and most of all the wonderful, almost sinful, potato topping.  I think we actually liked this version more than the others I have made before.  This is defiantly going to make a return appearance to our table..  maybe even once a week  =)  (just kidding). 

Sorry, there are no pictures accompanying this one..  I didn't finish making it last night until almost 8 (I made Stefan go with me to pick up my new sewing table or it would have been done earlier).  Once this hit the table, there wasn't time for me to snap a picture before Stefan and Kira were digging in. 

This can be made with 1 lb of whatever meat you have.  I happened to have leftover lamb leg in the fridge so I used that.  However, this would also be good with ground beef or lamb.

So, without further ado....

Tribal Pie
makes 4 servings

1       lb          Cooked Lamb Leg (cut up in small pieces)
2       tbsp       olive oil
3       Cloves  Garlic  (diced)
1                    carrot  (peeled and diced)
1       small    onion  (diced)
1 1/2 cup       Green Beans   (I used frozen)
4       oz          mushrooms (sliced)
1       cup        Peas  (I know someone is going to say this isn't Paleo..  but it depends on who you ask)
a few shakes of worcestershire sauce
                   (click here for how to make a paleo version  http://paleodietlifestyle.com/homemade-paleo-condiments/#s10)
1       cup        Beef broth
3-4   Tbsp      Tomato Paste
1-2   Tbsp      Thyme
Salt and Pepper to taste
A little Paprika

For Potato Topping

1 Large Sweet Potato
1 Small Head Cauliflower
1/3 to 1/2 Cup Coconut Cream
Salt and Pepper


Directions

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees C.
• Chop and steam your cauliflower and sweet potato until soft. 
• Let cool
• Place potato, cauliflower and Cream (start with 1/3 cup) in food processor and process until smooth.  It should be a little thick, but if it won't mix well add a bit more cream. 
• Season with salt and pepper then set aside.

To make filling

• Add oil to a large pan and heat over medium heat. 
• Add onion and garlic and saute for 2-3 mins
• Add mushrooms and carrots and saute another 3-4 minutes. 
• Add green beans, peas, worcestershire sauce, beef broth, tomato paste, thyme and salt and pepper. 
• Mix well
• Turn heat down just a bit and allow to simmer for about 10-15 mins.
• Stir every so often and make sure it doesn't get to dry..  (if it does just add a bit more broth)
• After simmering, remove from heat and put contents of pan into a medium casserole dish.  (When I say medium I mean any size that will hold both the "pie" ingredients and the potato topping without overflowing.  I used a 2 1/2 quart casserole dish)
• Spread potato topping over the meat mixture
• Sprinkle with a little paprika over the top
• Place into oven and bake for about 20 minutes.
• Remove and enjoy..  CAUTION it will be extremely hot on the inside.

 

Paleo Chocolate Pudding Review

Here is the first recipe review. Let me know if you guys gave this a shot and what you thought of it.

As many of you know, the Chief posted a link on facebook to a Paleo chocolate pudding recipe.  Now, if you are anything like me your eyes probably just about popped out of your sockets and your brain went into happy dance mode.  My thought when I saw it... OMG chocolate pudding..  I am in heaven... maybe now the I will be able to deal with cravings, and Stefan won't have to deal with the chocolate withdrawal monster anymore.

Click here for the recipe http://paleodietlifestyle.com/chocolate-pudding/

Of course, this meant I had to make this recipe as soon as possible.  So I did last night.. 

It was good, but not great.  It was super easy to make, and took only about 10 minutes in all.  The texture was right, except for the flecks of nutmeg that I kept biting into.  It was  chocolaty, which was fantastic and did help with the craving, but the honey left a kind of weird aftertaste.  And why you would add cinnamon to chocolate I really can't fathom, because they don't really go together.

So overall, this would work in a pinch if the chocolate craving has gotten so bad that it is either this or a nonpaleo food.  However, I will not be making it again as it is written.  I will be working with it to see if I can tweak the recipe a bit and make it more to my liking.  Either that or I might try making a pudding recipe with coconut milk instead.

NOTE:  If you do decide to make this, make sure your avocados are really ripe, otherwise you will have a very hard time getting them to a creamy consistency which is what is required for this recipe.

Final Day of Week 1 Paleo Challenge

So here it is guys.  Final day of week one.  Let me just say, this is tough.  My first three days I really felt like this challenge was going to be a piece of cake.  I didn't have any cravings, I was happy with the food choices, everything was new.  Day 4 I hit a bump in the road...  and cheated.  The snickers ice cream bars in my freezer just wouldn't shut up.   I could hear them all the way up in my laundry room on the third floor.  I ignored them for 3 hours...  but then they won out. 

Darn you chocolate, caramel, peanut goodness..  Why do you have such control over me????

But I did learn a lesson..  My will power is not stronger than a snickers bar...  =(  Which means I can no longer have those things in my house.  So I made Stefan take them to work. 

Ode to Snickers
Oh how I will miss thee
Your creamy goodness
Your cold chocolaty sweetness
Your crunchy yummy nuts.. 
But alas, I am better off
For now my butt won't grow
And maybe I can get off the couch and go

Anyways...  after that the cravings haven't been toooooo bad for non paleo food.  I do feel a bit unsatisfied with my food.  I'm sure that is mostly in my head.  (At least that's what I have to tell myself to get through the days).  Trying to come up with more Paleo friendly comfort food.  I think that will help me with the dissatisfaction in my food. 

How is everyone else doing?  Finding it easier or more difficult than you thought?  Cravings?

With the idea of comfort food in mind, I have come up with a new take on egg salad, which is one of my favorite things.  Why you ask??  I don't know since I am really not a huge fan of eggs.  But I think it has something to do with the creamy goodness of the mayo and the slight bite of the mustard.  Now we all know that mayo isn't really paleo.. unless you make it your self, but that is a whole nother post.  So instead of mayo we are using avocados for the creamy base texture.  Then adding guacamole ingredients gives it a nice cool, spicy (if you add enough jalapeno) different flavor.  Enough to make the mouth and brain think that "ohhh  this can't be paleo", so it is more mentally satisfying. 

So if I haven't totally bored you enough that you have left the page..  here is the recipe.

Guacamole Egg Salad

 

 

Serves 2-3                               Prep Time 15 Minutes                    Cook Time 10 Minutes

Ingredients

1                 Haas Avocado
4                 Eggs                   
1/4 - 1/2     of a Tomato         (remove seeds and dice)
1 Slice       Pickled Jalapeno  (dice fine)
1 Tbsp       Onion                   (diced fine)
1 Tbsp       cilantro                 (diced)
1 Tbsp       Dijon Mustard
Juice of a 1/4 of a Lime
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

• Boil eggs in water for 10 minutes
• Peel Eggs, rinse, then cut them up into a small bowl

• Remove avocado from skin into medium bowl
• Smash with fork until smooth

• Add diced tomato, onion, cilantro, jalapeno, lime juice and salt and pepper.
• Mix well
• Fold in Eggs
• Test to see if it is moist enough for you
• If not, add the Dijon mustard
• Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and lime juice as needed

Enjoy!  Store this in the refrigerator.  Will remain good for about 3 days.
You can serve this with a paleo crepe, as show in the picture or stuffed in a tomato or sweet pepper.  Or wrap it up in a lettuce leaf.  The options are endless.

If you want this to be spicier you can add more jalapeno.  If you don't want to use pickled jalapeno you can use fresh, just remember to remove the seeds before adding to the rest of the ingredients. 


 

Sunflower Seed Butter

 



Are you on a Paleo diet?  Want to control what goes into your food?  Are your kids not allowed to take peanut products to school but won't eat anything but peanut butter for lunch?  If any of these sound like you then this recipe is for you.  Good for you butter that has no allergens and taste remarkably like natural peanut butter.  This is a very simple recipe that uses only 3 or 4 ingredient and that you can tailor to your own liking. 

There are so many things you can do with the final product.  Spread it on bread (nonpaleo).  Make crackers from almond powder and sesame seeds and use it on those.  Use it for a dip on veggies.  Add it to shakes for more good for you fats and some great flavor.  You can even be like the tribal chief and mix it with avocado for a really nice creamy dip or spread.  The uses are endless..

Ingredients

500 grams           Sunflower Seeds without the hull

1-2 Tbsp             Olive oil
1-2 tsp                Honey
salt to taste

Directions

• Heat a large frying pan over medium heat 
• Add sunflower seeds and toast lightly 
• Place toasted seeds into a food processor
• Process seeds until they have formed a thick paste
• Add honey and process a little more until it forms a big sticky ball 
• At this point start adding your oil a little at a time making sure to process a bit after each addition 
• Add oil until the butter has reached the desired consistency 

Once finished place in an air tight container and enjoy!! 
Now, there are two schools of thought on how to store this.  Some say keep it in the refrigerator, others say you don't have to.  I will leave it up to you to decide how you want to store it.  I'm sure it will last longer in the fridge.  Personally, I didn't put it in the fridge this time, but probably will next time as we aren't eating our as quickly as I thought we would.

Just a note...  This process is all about patience.  With my processor it takes about 10-15 minutes to reach the stage where I add the honey. Then another minute or two until I start adding oil.  Do NOT add oil to soon or you won't get a creamy consistency as the final product.  Also, do not buy already toasted seeds, they won't work right because they don't have enough oil in them after the commercial toasting process.  Also, if you buys seeds that are already salted, omit salt from recipe.  You can add as much honey as you desire but if you are Paleo or watching your weight try to keep it to a minimum.

When processing, you may have to stop and scrape the side of the bowl occasionally.  Personally, I just hold the processor tight and shake it..  However, I don't recommend this as it probably is not safe  =). 

(As a side note, I have pictures of the process that I will post in the near future..  Just haven't gotten there yet.)