Paleo Warm Kale and Harissa Salad

I don’t love kale. Why do I eat it then? Well, this super green is low in calories, high in fiber, has zero fat and is filled with many nutrients and vitamins that we all need more of to feel our best and stay healthy. Sometimes I find kale rather bitter, but that really depends on the plant. Have you tried kale sprouts yet? They are pretty tasty and a bit on the sweeter side. Whether you love kale, or love to hate it, try my new recipe for a warm kale salad mixed with Harissa sauce! It just might win you over…

Carrot Cake Juice

I recently decided that carrots are my favorite cooked vegetable. Peel, slice, and bake carrots in the oven with a little olive oil, garlic and dill – YUM! Coat some fresh carrots with olive oil and sea salt then throw them on the grill – YUM! Peel and toss with some olive oil and honey then bake – YUM! — I could keep going! — My newly found love for the carrot has led to me buying the vegetable in bulk so I wanted to find another way to use up some of the carrots other then as a side dish. Then I saw my my juicer…

My husband and I had a Carrot Cake at our wedding. No, we didn’t get married on Easter, although Carrot Cake is a classic Easter dessert.  I haven’t figure out how to recreate this delicious dessert Paleo yet but, I did make a nutritious little juice recipe based of the classic cake and this recipe is just  in time for Bunny Day!

Paleo Oeufs en Cocotte (or eggs baked in ramekins)

My husband and I were going out to lunch when we drove by a thrift store that I had never noticed before. After lunch we went back and checked it out. Okay fine, I checked it out while he stayed in the car… This has since become my FAVORITE thrift store because they have all-of-the books! On a recent trip there I scored Julie and Julia by Julie Powell. Yes, I have seen the movie – but that was years ago. I usually like to read a book before seeing the movie (then often end up disappointed), however, reading the book after seeing the movie is always fun because you get to know so many more details! If you don’t already know this book is about one woman’s journey cooking her way through Julia Child’s cookbook: Mastering the Art of French Cooking. One of the dishes she describes pretty early in the book is a recipe for Oeufs en Cocotte which traditionally is made with cream and butter. Being heavily influenced by my reading I decided to translate Julia Child’s recipe into a Paleo version and this is what I came up with. 

Paleo Unstuffed Cabbage

My grandmother used to make the best stuffed cabbage recipe. Occasionally, when I was in college and home for the weekend she would send me back to school with some freezer meals including stuffed cabbage (probably at my request).  These days I cook often and mostly from scratch. Because of this I am often looking for ways to make delicious meals more simple. It was this thinking that lead me to create the “Unstuffed Cabbage”! As the name suggests you do not have to delicately stuff the cabbage leaves… I also heavily rely on a food processor to chop and shred the ingredients.

Paleo Rich & Creamy Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

Usually for me the first snowfall of the year means that is is officially hot chocolate time! With no snow in sight I can’t wait any longer. This healthier Paleo hot chocolate is easy to prepare and you can actually feel good about what you are drinking. Raw Cacao is a super food that is rich in essential vitamins and minerals. It is also known to improve your mood and act as an anti-depressant as well as boost energy. Coconut milk is full of good fat and is an anti-inflammatory. Coconut milk can also raise the metabolic rate and has immune boosting qualities. Cinnamon, also an anti-inflammatory, can increase blood circulation. All of these benefits will help you survive and thrive in the cold weather months! See more healthful spices to add at the end of this post.

Ingredients:
1 can of Full Fat Coconut Milk
1/2 C. Water (Omit for a richer drink)
2 Tbsp. Cacao Powder
1/4 C. dairy-free/sugar free chocolate of your choice
1/4 tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/4 tsp. Cinnamon
1 Tbsp Maple Syrup (or Honey)
(Optional) 1/4 tsp. Turmeric
(Optional) 1/4 tsp. Cardamom
(Optional) 1/4 tsp. Ginger

Heat coconut milk, chocolate, water, vanilla and cinnamon in a pot on the stove for 10 mins. being careful not to let it boil. Add cocoa and maple syrup, stir and let heat for a few more minutes to let the flavors mix. P(Serves 2)

If you want to add even more of a boost to your beverage try one or all of the optional ingredients. Turmeric is an antioxidant containing anti-inflammatory compounds. Turmeric has also been shown to improve liver function, indigestion and dementia. Cardamom, which is a good sweet spice, has been known to promote digestion and may help prevent cold and flu symptoms as well as lower your blood pressure. Traditionally ginger has been used to relieve colds and stomach troubles. Ginger is rich in inflammation-fighting compounds which may help reduce arthritis pains.

I topped my cocoa off with marshmallow cream from Vanessa Barajas’s cookbook Clean Eating with a Dirty Mind. What’s better than a cozy cup of hot chocolate, fireside, on a cold winters day? Whenever the cold hits – I’ll be ready!

{Thanksgiving Leftover} Paleo Squash Bread

In general, I love having leftovers. Leftovers mean that you have one more meal without having to cook. Thanksgiving is almost here I can already taste the turkey! What comes with Thanksgiving? Lot’s of leftovers! In just a few days I am sure people will be looking for fun new recipes to jazz up their leftovers. Okay, I’ll jump on that band wagon… This recipe was a happy accident as I was trying for a souffle and ended up with a thin bread which is perfect for an update to the classic Thanksgiving sandwich.

I used to LOVE the after Thanksgiving sandwich. You know the one. Two slices of bread, turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and a little mayo, YUM. This year, having moved to a predominately Paleo lifestyle to help aid in my health and healing commitment I will have to rethink Thanksgiving a bit. To start with, the bread… This recipe not only uses a common leftover item, squash, but it adds more nutrients to my favorite sandwich!

Fall Cocktail Part 4: Cider Sangria

 

Today’s post is the fourth and final beverage in my fall cocktail series each featuring my favorite ingredient, fresh fall apple cider. If you missed the first three installments you can read them here: 1|  Apple Cider Mimosas 2|  Cider Geniever 3| Spiked Hot Apple Cider 4| Cider Sangria (today’s post)

Okay, sangria is technically not a cocktail, but it is delicious so let’s agree to overlook technicalities, shall we? This is a colorful, festive beverage perfect for starting out any gathering (that’s right Thanksgiving, I am looking at you!) and it only takes about 5-10 min to prepare.