10 Days of Whole30 and Not So Chicken Soup

Sorry folks. If you came by today to see my newest eye opening, mouth watering, lip smacking good recipe, you are in for a disappointment. I do have a recipe to post, but it is just an easy to throw together old comfort food that is perfect for when you are sick... It's called...

Wait for it.... wait for it.... (can you feel the suspense building?)

Not So Chicken Soup

What, you were expecting something awe inspiring?

Well this was the best my tucked into bed, nose running, cotton stuffed brain could come up with. And I have my hubby to thank for it all (the sickness portion that is).  Click here for the rest

Lamb Burgers with Citrusy Ginger Cilantro Drizzle

I'm baaaccckkk. Finally. Took me long enough didn't it? Bet you are all wondering where I was. The answer to that questions is long and involved, so I will give you the down and dirty explanation: I suck! I feel off the Paleo bandwagon for a while, then when I got back on, I was just to lazy to update this thing.

But the past is the past right? Forgive and forget? Turn over a new leaf.

Anyways...

I have been spending a great deal of time investigating the blogs of other successful Paleo eaters and chefs. My two favorite right now are Nom Nom Paleo and Everyday Paleo. They both are written by wonderfully witty, successful, and busy women. And, lucky for everyone, they are both wonderful cooks who are willing to share their successes in the kitchen with the rest of us mere mortals.View More

2 Reviews and a Cow Curry

So I know I haven't been a very good blogger lately, in fact I have really sucked at it.  Part of that is because I haven't been a very good Paleo eater either, meaning not at all. 

Why you ask???  Well the short and long of it is that I got lazy.  I let myself slip off one time, and then could just never seem to get the willpower back to get back on.  But, I have made a deal with myself and I am now going to get back onto Paleo eating. 

I need this, my body needs this, my brain needs this.  Needless to say I haven't felt very good since coming off the diet.  I've been tired and bloated and listless.  But hopefully that will all change for the better this week.

So in this mind frame and in the spirit of getting back on the wagon I bring you two recipe reviews and a new recipe I came up with last night...

Recipe Reviews

#1    Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes



http://www.thewannabechef.net/2012/01/27/paleo-chocolate-cupcakes/

Many of you have asked for the recipe for the chocolate cupcakes I made for the Paleo party I had at my place.  I have been very remiss in getting it posted..  so without further ado..  here it is.

These cupcakes are easy to make which is defiantly the first thing I look at when doing a new recipe.  Not to many ingredients and things I typically have on hand.. so  big thumbs up there.

Second test is taste and texture and boy these sure passed those tests with flying colors.  They are rich and dense and not to grainy from the coconut.  Just one will be enough to kill that chocolate craving.  They are also really good out of the fridge so you can save them for snacks throughout the week.

In summary;  they are nice enough for any party (especially when topped with a bit of chocolate ganache frosting) but easy and quick enough for a weeknight  chocolate craving. 

Just to let you know, when I made them I substituted honey for the palm sugar and decreased the amount of coconut milk by 2 tablespoons.

#2   Chocolate Zucchini Bread

http://paleomg.com/moist-chocolate-zucchini-bread/

Kim was kind enough to bring some of this yummy bread to training the other night to let us all try it, and all I can say is thank you Kim!  This bread was amazing.  You would never know it was made from zucchini.  It did not have the heavy zucchini taste that this bread can sometimes get depending on the recipe. 

I can't comment on how easy or hard this was to make as i didn't make it.  But judging by the recipe it looks easy and should only take things that you already have on hand (except maybe sunbutter..  but you can always sub a nut butter for this as long as there are no nut allergy's). 

For the second test, this bread passes with flying colors.  It is moist and chocolaty (I seem to be saying these words a lot lately) and just plain delicious.  A small piece of this bread would be more than enough to satisfy your chocolate cravings as it is pretty rich.  This bread is so good that you could take it to a party and I don't think anyone would know it was paleo (unless you decided to enlighten them about the yummyness that Paleo cooking can be).


All in all, these two recipes should help all of you who are chocolate lovers like myself not miss your chocolate quiet so much, which may just help you stay true to Paleo just a little bit longer. 


Now, for the new recipe.  This is something that I came up with last night as I had some stew beef lying around that needed to be used up.  You don't typically find curries made with beef (I believe that is because Hindus revere the cow) but I figured, heck, its beef, what have I got to lose.  So I came up with this.  It is not the fastest recipe in the world, only because you need to let the  beef boil for a bit so it gets nice and tender.  Other than that though, its a pretty simple recipe that comes together quickly.  And, if you make lots of Indian food (as I do) you should have all of the spices and ingredients already on hand.  So without further blabbing, here it is..

Spicy Cow Curry

Ingredients

• 800 Grams Beef Cubes
• 2 Cups Beef Stock
• 1/3 Cup Diced Onion
• 3 Bay leaves

For the Curry Sauce

• 1 thumb sized piece ginger, grated
• 4-5 cloves garlic
• 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. chili or cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. ground coriander
• 1 tsp. cumin seed
• 1/2 tsp.  pepper
• 1 tsp. turmeric
• 1/8 tsp. cardamon (break open the pods and just use seeds)
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp. hone 
• 1 14 ounce (400 ml) can coconut milk (not lite)

Directions

 

• Place stock in a large pot over high heat. Add the meat, onion and bay leaves.  Bring to a boil then reduce to low to get a simmer. Cover with a lid and simmer about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until meat is tender or near-tender.

• Add all 'curry sauce' ingredients except coconut milk in a small bowl. Mix sauce into beef and stir until well combined.  Place top back on pot and continue simmering 30 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Taste-test the curry, adding more chili if you want it spicier, pr salt and pepper if needed. If too sour, add a little more honey. If too salty or sweet for your taste, add a touch more lemon juice. If too spicy, add more coconut milk.

• Transfer to a serving bowl, or plate up on individual plates or bowls. Top with fresh coriander or basil if desired. Drizzle extra coconut milk on top(if desired), and serve with cauliflower rice.

 

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.