Category Archives: Food

Paleo Warm Butternut Squash Salad with Apple Cider Dressing

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I got this recipe off of the Food Network (scribbled the recipe onto a notebook while watching the actual show not online!).  I’ve made a few changes, but feel free to refer back to the original!  It’s SO yummy, and relatively easy (especially if you cheat and get the pre-cut butternut squash ha!)

blog Butternut Squash SaladIngredients

  • 1 (1 1/2-pound) butternut squash, peeled and 3/4-inch) diced.  If I’m in a hurry, I grab 2 bags from Trader Joe’s, but I still cut those pieces in half because they are pretty big.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (I usually just drizzle over the top of the butternut squash and don’t measure :))
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup.
  • Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 1/3 C Dried Cranberries
  • 3/4 C Apple Cider
  • 2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 Diced Shallots or I’ve also used 1/3 C diced red onion
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 4-5 cups (or really, you choose depending on how many mouths you have to feed!) of spinach or arugula.  I personally LOVE arugula, but our boys don’t.  When I make this for friends, it’s arugula.  When I make it for the family-spinach.

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  • Place butternut squash on a large cookie sheet.  Drizzle maple syrup and olive oil over the squash, grind a little salt and pepper over and toss around until coated.
  • Bake squash for a total of 15, but take it out and toss every 5 minutes, and add cranberries on the last 5 minutes (at the 10 minute mark)
  • While squash is baking combine cider, vinegar, onions/or shallots, and a little salt and pepper in a small sauce pan.  Bring that to a boil and stir for about 6-7 minutes so that it reduces.  Take off heat and whisk in mustard.  (original recipe calls for adding a 1/2 a cup of olive oil now, but I forgot to do that once.  It tasted fine, so I’ve left it out ever since :))  You choose!
  • Place salad greens in a large bowl.  Toss in butternut squash mixture and dressing.  Pepper to taste.
  • Online recipe also calls for walnuts and freshly grated Parmesan.  I’m fairly certain the tv show didn’t/or I just forgot to write it down.  In either case, I’ve never added either, but feel free (and let me know what you think!)  I have sprinkled pumpkin seeds on the top for crunch and it was yummy too!

Super Mom Tip

I’ve turned this into a meal (not vegetarian), by adding some sliced aidells smoked chicken and apple sausages into the butternut squash mix at the same time as the dried cranberries.  The flavors all go so well together!

  • dit-elle-Lauren

Paleo Salmon Chowder

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I’m taking a break from pumpkin today and making this hot and delicious salmon chowder that is full of veggies and protein! I love making this with a combination of canned AND fresh salmon – but you can do one or both – whatever is easier for you! As there are no flour/grains, dairy or legumes in this recipe, it’s very paleo friendly!

Blog salmonchowder 2

Ingredients

  • 3 slices of bacon, diced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried dill or 1 Tbsp fresh dill
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper or to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • 2 stalks celery
  • 1-2 cups finely chopped or small cauliflower florets
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • One 7.5oz can salmon (red, pink or other) including juices
  • One 14 oz can coconut milk, full fat
  • Extra minced dill for garnish

Directions

  • Cook the bacon in a large saucepan over medium-low heat until bacon fat is released. Add onion, dill, bay leaf, black pepper, cayenne, and cook until bacon is firm but not crispy
  • Add celery, cauliflower and chicken broth and simmer until vegetables are almost tender, 5-7 minutes
  • Add salmon chunks and juices and simmer for a few more minutes
  • Stir in coconut milk and simmer
  • Remove bay leaf before serving

Super mom tip: This recipe does great in the freezer. Freeze small batches of soup for easy re-heating later!

dit-elle-Esther

What to do with pumpkin seeds!

6 Replies

It’s pumpkin season.. OK, I get a little obsessed when pumpkin lattes arrive and then it just takes off from there. Pumpkin pie, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread, pumpkin frosted cupcakes :-),  pumpkin soup, pumpkin curry.. I’ve been feeding fresh cooked pumpkin to baby Anders who is 7 months and chowing it down! And let’s not forget pumpkin seeds! Roasted and salted.. YUM!

Blog pumpkinseeds 1

Ingredients

  • Pumpkin seeds (if you are digging them out of a pumpkin, first rinse and pat dry w/paper towels)
  • Oil or cooking spray
  • Salt

Directions

  • Oven to 350*
  • Toss pumpkin seeds with oil or just spray a large pan with some cooking spray
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until you hear them start to pop or they start turning golden
  • Salt

dit-elle-Esther

Pulled Pork Sandwiches | Slowcooker does 90% of the work-win!

3 Replies

This recipe is in no way original (nor is it Paleo-sorry!), but it’s SO easy and good that I had to share.  The best part?  You take about 10 minutes to get it going in the morning/afternoon, your house smells delicious all day, and then you take about 10 minutes and it’s ready for dinner.  LOVE THAT!

Added bonus-Teenage sons and toddler girl approved 🙂blog Pulled Pork Sandwich

Ingredients

  • Pork Loin (amount depends on how many people you have to feed)
  • 1 Onion
  • 1 Can of coke (or any regular sugared soft drink-most of it gets poured out after!)
  • 2-3 shredded carrots (I cheat and buy the shredded bags from Trader Joe’s :))
  • Jar of your favorite BBQ sauce

Directions

  • Chop onion and place in your slowcooker/crockpot
  • Place the Pork tenderloin on top of the onions
  • Pour the Coke/whatever soft drink you use over the top until it almost covers it.
  • Cook on low for 6+ hours (it won’t get dried out)
  • About an hour before it’s done (or less), add the shredded carrots (you don’t need the carrots.  I just added these the last time I made them for some extra veggies.)
  • When it’s done cooking, drain all but about 1 cup of the liquid.  Shred the pork and add BBQ sauce.

Serve on your favorite bun (we did ciabatta this last time), or serve on a salad for a low carb option!

dit-elle-Lauren

Paleo Sloppy Joes

1 Reply

This Paleo Sloppy Joes recipe is chock full of veggies and is a staple in our house. This is a great dish to make in a large batch and freeze in portions!Blog paleosloppyjoes

Ingredients

  • Garlic
  • 1/2 Onion
  • 1-2 Red bell peppers
  • 2-3 shredded carrots
  • Large can of diced tomatoes
  • Small can of tomato sauce
  • 1 lb. ground beef or turkey
  • Salt/pepper to taste

Directions

  • Chop onion and place in a large sauce pan with meat
  • Brown meat with onion
  • Add garlic, chopped bell peppers, carrots, stir and cook for another minute
  • Add in diced tomatoes and tomato sauce
  • Bring back to a simmer and cook for another few minutes

Serve with steamed broccoli or other green veggies, and call it a meal! 🙂

Super Mom Tip: Use the chopper blade on your food processor for the onions, garlic, bell peppers, and the grater blade for the carrots! Takes <1 minute!

dit-elle-Esther

 

Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Pumpkin Spice Frosting

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These are amazing!blog pumpkinchococupcake1

Ingredients
For the Paleo Pumpkin Spice Frosting
  • 1 cup canned coconut cream/milk, full fat, refrigerated overnight (I used 1 can)
  • ¼ heaping cup canned pumpkin or pulp from roasted pumpkin
  • 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsps vanilla
  • ½ tsps apple cider vinegar
  • pinch sea salt
  • a few dashes of cinnamon to taste and some to sprinkle on the cupcakes
  • a few dashes of pumpkin pie spice to taste
  • a few dashes of cloves to taste
  • Coconut palm sugar to sprinkle on the cupcakes
For the Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes
  • 1 cup of blanched almond flour, sifted
  • 1 tablespoon of coconut palm sugar
  • ½ teaspoon of baking soda
  • pinch sea salt
  • a few dashes of cinnamon
  • 1 cup of enjoy life mini chocolate chips
  • ½ cup of full fat canned coconut milk, room temperature
  • ¼ cup of organic palm shortening or coconut oil, melted
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • 2 eggs, whisked
Instructions
  1. To make the frosting: In a tall cup or bowl, put the hardened layer of coconut cream/milk from the refrigerated cans, equaling about a cup, along with the rest of the ingredients.
  2. Use an immersion blender or hand mixer to combine and whip the ingredients together. Add more spices if needed to preferred taste. Put in the refrigerator uncovered to thicken for 30 minutes or longer while you make your cupcakes.
  3. To make the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a cupcake pan with liners
  4. In a medium sized bowl combine your dry ingredients, almond flour, coconut palm sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, stir together with a fork and set aside.
  5. In another medium sized bowl combine chocolate chips and coconut milk and melt using the double boiler method. Stir consistently until completely melted. Remove from heat.
  6. Stir in the melted organic palm shortening or coconut oil, vanilla and eggs into the melted chocolate and coconut milk mixture.
  7. Now fold your dry ingredients into the melted chocolate mixture until completely combined.
  8. Pour batter into the cupcake liners or pan and fill about ⅔ full, they will rise slightly when baking.
  9. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  10. Let completely cool before frosting. To frost, transfer the frosting to a decorating bag and use desired tip. Garnish with a sprinkling of cinnamon and coconut palm sugar and enjoy!

Source and inspired by PaleOMG.com

dit-elle-Esther

Curry Cashew Chicken Salad

1 Reply

So yummy! A great variation to basic chicken salad.currychixsalad2

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked and diced chicken
  • 3 stalks celery
  • Handful of frozen peas (optional)
  • Handful of cashews, chopped (toasted, optional)
  • Handful of raisins, chopped dates and/or grapes

Dressing

  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • Juice from 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tsp curry powder
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed

Directions

  • Toss salad ingredients in a large bowl
  • Whisk dressing ingredients in a separate bowl
  • Toss salad with dressing
  • Serve warm or chilledcurrychixsalad1dit-elle-Esther

Guacamole

3 Replies

This is my basic, go to, never fail- guacamole recipe. Enjoy with tortilla chips, tacos or fresh cut veggies.blog guacamole2

Ingredients

  • 5-6 ripe avocados
  • 1/2 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, crushed and divided
  • 2 tomatoes, diced and divided
  • Bunch of cilantro, finely chopped
  • Lemon juice and/or some lime juice
  • Salt to taste

Directions

  • Heat some olive oil in skillet
  • Add onion and sauté until mostly done
  • Add garlic (careful not to let it brown as it turns bitter) and half of the diced tomatoes and sauté for 30-60 seconds more
  • Remove from heat
  • Peel/core avocadoes and mash coarsely with a fork
  • Add the sautéed onion/garlic/tomato to the avocados along with the rest of the fresh chopped tomatoes, chopped cilantro, lemon juice, salt
  • Add some additional fresh crushed garlic if desired, salt and more lemon juice to taste
  • Mix to desired consistency, serve fresh or let sit and flavors will meld

Serve with tortilla chips or cut fresh vegetables!blog guacamole 1

Super mom tip: don’t have time to chop onions and tomatoes and cilantro? Get some Pico de Gallo and save a step or three!dit-elle-Esther

Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes

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Pancakes for breakfast, lunch or dinner! These high protein cakes will fill you up AND leave you energized!

Blog Coconut Flower Pancakes

Makes about 6 pancakes

Ingredients

  • 3 Eggs
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree (canned pumpkin)
  • 2-3 Tbsp butter or coconut oil + extra for cooking
  • 1 1/2 tsp honey or agave nectar (I tried each of these in a batch and both were equally good – honey is a little sweeter)
  • 3 Tbsp coconut flour
  • 2 tsps cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • Dash of sea salt
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk and water as needed to adjust batter consistency

Instructions

  1. Whisk together eggs, melted butter, milk, honey or agave, and sea salt
  2. Mix baking powder and coconut flour and add to the wet ingredients while whisking
  3. Heat butter or coconut oil in a skillet on a medium heat
  4. Spoon batter into pan and a note of caution, coconut flour and coconut oil both brown quickly, so watch these careful and cook on low heat, with a lid helps! Carefully flip to cook on each side.
  5. Serve with fresh fruit or berries

dit-elle-Esther

Paleo Pumpkin Bread

5 Replies

Can’t get enough pumpkin recipes this fall? I know! October is pumpkin month around here.

This bread is a special paleo version. And for those new to paleo, this may not taste very sweet or like the classic pumpkin bread you are used to! But it is delicious served hot with butter or with a bowl of soup, such as Chicken Chili! 🙂Blog Paleo Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

  • 1 cup blanched almond flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • dash of sea salt
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • ½ cup pumpkin (roasted or canned)
  • 2-3 Tbsps honey or agave syrup
  • 3 large eggs
  • Handful of raisins and/or chopped nuts (optional)

Directions

  • In a food processor combine almond flour, salt, baking soda and spices
  • Add pumpkin, honey or agave and eggs and blend for 2 minutes
  • Scoop batter into a mini loaf pan
  • Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes
  • Cool and serve

Super mom tip: Slice and freeze individual portions for easy retrieval and reheating

Paleo what? What’s up with the whole Paleo thingy? Read more about my journey and some great resources on my food blog, Les Petits Pois!

Inspired (and slightly modified) from one of my favorite gluten free masters Elana’s Pantry

dit-elle-Esther