Thursday, September 6, 2012

Pecan Coated Tilapia Topped with Orange Salsa

This. Was. Damn. Delicious. As I started making this, I thought that I wouldnt have enough pecan crumbs.. then I ended up with plenty. You can probably even get 4 filets out of this "bread" crumb recipe. Then I started on the salsa. Definitely didnt think there would be enough and there was the perfect amount! (Double th salsa if you end up cooking 4 filets!)

The flavors were amazing together. You need to try this one!

 
PREP: 18 minutes
Cook time: 12 minutes
Total: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

Fish
2 tilapia filets
1 egg white, beaten
1 cup pecans
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons coconut oil 

Salsa
4 Clementine’s, peeled and cut in halves, seeds removed
1/2 jalapeno, seeds removed and finely diced (I used pepperoncini’s)
1/2 small red onion, diced
1/2 lime, juiced
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
pinch of salt 

DIRECTIONS

Add your pecans and coconut to a food processor. Pulse until they turn into almost bread crumbs 

Add your seasonings along with a bit of salt and pepper, pulse 4 or 5 times to mix

Whisk your egg in a separate large bowl 

Put your pecan bread crumbs on a plate 

Heat up a large skillet with your 2 TBS coconut oil

Dunk your tilapia in the egg whites then over to your pecan bread crumbs - coat on both sides - repeat with other filets

Add your pecan breaded tilapia directly to your hot skillet 

Cook on both sides for 5-6 minutes, being sure not to burn the crust 

Now chop up all your ingredients for you salsa, add to a large bowl and mix thoroughly 

Once the fish is done cooking, top it off with your orange salsa. Your fish should be flaky 

Enjoy! 

-- All the Best

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Kitchen Sink Hash

I feel like like this would be the best rainy day or snowy day meal to cuddle on the couch with (ps- grab extra napkins if you decide that is a good idea...) You will love this! Simple ingredients and you can have it on your dining room table (or if you are us and dont have a dining room- or a table.. on your coffee table!) in less than an hour! Around 35 minutes to be exact!
 
A perfect fall dish. It reminded me of chili!
 
Zach and I have a rating system. Maybe I've mentioned it before...? A scale of 1 - 10. 1 being the worst and 10 being excellent. We rated this a 10. Just the perfect amount of spicy, the texture is great and the avocado adds flavor and helps with the hotness.
 
I just had an idea! If you have leftovers of this (we did not) add eggs and this would be an awesome breakfast!! Dang. Im a genius.
 
 
PREP: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Serves: 3-4 

INGREDIENTS

1lb chorizo
1/2lb chicken, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, seeds removed and diced
1 poblano pepper, seeds removed and diced *
1/2 yellow onion or sweet onion, diced
1 sweet potato, diced
1 package of sliced mushrooms
A bit of garlic powder
A bit of onion powder
Dash of salt and pepper
1 avocado, sliced
Optional- TBS of fat of your choice (coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, etc)

* Ingredients note: I couldn’t find a poblano pepper at the store so I put a couple pepperoncini’s on the side instead – since I had a jar in my fridge

DIRECTIONS

Put a medium sized skillet over medium-high heat and add your chorizo

Use a slotted spoon to break up your chorizo and cook it until it’s completely cooked through (about 6-8 minutes)- Use your slotted spoon and place cooked chorizo in a bowl

Toss your chicken into the same skillet that the chorizo was in and cook until completely cooked through- once it’s cooked- put into the same bowl as your chorizo and mix together- let them set

Place onions and sweet potatoes in your chorizo/chicken skillet and add your seasonings. If there isn’t much chorizo grease left after the chicken cooks, add your choice of fat

Stir then cover, stir occasionally

When your sweet potatoes begin to soften up, toss in the yellow pepper (and poblano pepper) and stir. As soon as your veggies begin to cook down, add your mushrooms

Now, after your mushrooms are soft, add your bowl of chicken and chorizo back to the skillet

Continue to stir until the sweet potatoes are cooked to your liking

Don’t forget your avocado- and top your dish!

Enjoy!!

--All the Best

 

Recipe from: www.paleomg.com

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Fish Tacos!

Fish tacos. There is no definite recipe for these. Usually, a white fish is used. Tilapia is delicious and easy to cook with, so you may find more tacos that use it.

 
Please note: I am in no way a photographer. The pictures you get to see on this blog are crappy but real. I think this looks delicious. Mostly because it was! Oh. I love avacado too- so instead of slices- I just chunked them on there. Nom nom nom...
 
Also, we double most all of our recipes, so the pictures may look like more than what you would normally have We love leftovers. They are the best!
 
One more thing. If you noticed. We used white corn tortilla shells. A lot of times, we dont have time to make our own (I will, however, be making my own shells in a future recipe! Stay tuned for that!) This isn't straight paleo but a better option- instead of flour tortilla shells. If you are just completely against it- check out a coconut tortilla recipe at the bottom of the post.

PREP: 10 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS
1lb fresh tilapia fillets
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 or 2 jalapeño pepper(s), finely chopped (our grocery store was out of these so I used pepperoncini's instead.. worked fine!)
2 cups tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
3 tbsp lime juice
Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
1 avocado, sliced

DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet over a medium-high heat, mix the coconut oil, garlic and onions together. Cook for about 5 minutes. You'll want your onions to be soft and translucent

Add the tilapia fillets to the skillet
 
Allow the fillets to cook for 3 - 4 minutes on each side. As the fish begins to cook, use a fork and pull it apart into flaky pieces 

Add the jalapeno pepper, tomatoes, cilantro and lime juice to the mix and then season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for at least 5 minutes before removing from heat 

Don't forget the avocado!!
 
Paleo Coconut Flour Tortillas
 
INGREDIENTS 
5 tbsp Coconut flour (heaping)
6 Egg whites (save the yolks)
1/8 tsp Baking powder
3 tbsp Coconut milk or water
Fat for frying (coconut oil, lard, ghee)

DIRECTIONS
 
Place all ingredients- except the oil- into a bowl and whisk briskly for a few minutes. The batter should be relatively runny 
 
Place a medium sized skillet on medium-high heat and add your cooking fat (coconut oil) 
 
Pour in some batter and swirl it around the skillet to form a thin layer. Try using a 20 oz ladle or something that will make them consistent in size
 
Wait a few seconds until the edges brown or curl up and flip! Take them out and place on a plate when done
 
Tip:  Make these the day you are going to consume them, they should keep in the fridge for a week or so in an air tight container or zip-lock bag
 

Monday, August 20, 2012

Blueberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Dang sweets. Ok... not really.I love sweets. I decided to try these lovelies. Being as they have fresh blueberries in them and all. They were pretty good! I admit- I ate about 90% of them. I'm weak, don't judge me. 

This would be a fun dessert to make with kids! It comes out purple!

PS- I'll have a fish taco recipe tomorrow. I would eat desserts all day and everyday, if they wouldnt hate me in return.. Check back tomorrow!

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Serves: 15 (Mine made 17) 

INGREDIENTS

2 cups blueberries
1 cup walnuts (I didn’t have walnuts in the house so I used pecans)
2 tablespoons walnut oil (or almond or coconut oil- I used walnut oil- since I bought it special for this recipe- but then found out I didn’t have any walnuts when I got home. Doh.)
1.5 cup almond flour
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
3 tablespoon maple syrup
1 egg, whisked
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Dash of salt

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees 

Place the two cups of blueberries in a saucepan over medium heat and cook for 6-8 minutes, make sure to stir often  

While your blueberries cook, toss your walnuts (pecans) to your food processor and puree until they are turning into a thick nut butter 

While your food processor is still running, add your walnut oil to make a walnut butter 

Add your blueberries to your food processor with your walnuts. Puree until they are completely mixed together (careful those blueberries are hot!)
2 TBS will make big cookies!

Pour your batter into a large bowl and add the remaining ingredients and mix well

Use a spoon (I used a TBS measuring cup) to scoop out 1-2 tablespoon sized blob of batter. Place each blob on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet

Bake for 23 – 25 minutes. Your cookies will be soft, so they may not look done- but they will be! 

Let cool. Mine stuck a bit when I tried to move them to a container. Try using a soft flipper or spatula



 Enjoy!

-- All the Best!

Recipe: www.paleomg.com (LOVE this blog!!)

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Palatable Chocolate Fix

Palatable. No. I did not make it up. What a fun word to say.

Wholly Molley, this was simple. And delicious. This would normally be a short post since it only has 3 ingredients- but the benefits of each ingredient will take up some space! I wanted to let you know just what you are eating. Its dessert- but its soooo good for you! I'll get to the recipe first, then the benefits second. I hope you will keep reading though.. you will love it!



INGREDIENTS
6 dates
1/2 avocado
4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
1-2 tsp water (optional) 
Serves: 2

DIRECTIONS
Place all ingredients in a food processor and purée until smooth

Add 1-2 tsp of water if mixture is not blending 

DONE!

Plop it in a bowl right after blending or put in the refrigerator (in an air tight container) and enjoy it later. I liked it cold but the choice is yours.

Ok- now onto the benefits! Hopefully you have stuck with me to this point- even if you do just read the UNDERLINED print (hint-hint). You will feel smarter and awesome for eating this DESSERT. ANNNNND to make you feel even smarter (if that’s possible, right?) I have linked some words to their definition.

The Benefits of Unsweetened Cocoa include:
ü  A healthier heart
ü  Relief from diarrhea
ü  Protection from colon cancer
ü  Improved insulin sensitivity
ü  Improvement of cognitive function
ü  Full of antioxidants (an antioxidant protects the body from cellular damage that free radicals cause)

Cocoa gives your brain a rush of dopamine to fire up your brain’s pleasure receptors. Good mood food. I like it.

Now, let’s not get crazy. Cocoa is used to make desserts and contains a lot of other sugary and fatty ingredients as well. Too much chocolate consumption can be damaging to your health.

Top 10 Benefits of Avocados:
ü  Prostate Cancer Prevention: Avocados have been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer.
ü  Oral Cancer Defense: Research has shown that certain compounds in avocados are able to seek out pre-cancerous and cancerous oral cancer cells and destroy them without harming healthy cells.
ü  Breast Cancer Protection: Avocado, like olive oil, is high in oleic acid, which has been shown to prevent breast cancer in numerous studies.
ü  Eye Health: Avocados have more of the carotenoid lutein than any other commonly consumed fruit. Lutein protects against macular degeneration and cataracts, two disabling age-related eye diseases.
ü  Lower Cholesterol: Avocados are high in beta-sitosterol, a compound that has been shown to lower cholesterol levels. In one study, 45 volunteers experienced an average drop in cholesterol of 17% after eating avocados for only one week.
ü  Heart Health: One cup of avocado has 23% of the recommended daily value of folate. Studies show that people who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower incidence of heart disease than those who don't. The vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, and glutathione in avocado are also great for your heart.
ü  Stroke Prevention: The high levels of folate in avocado are also protective against strokes. People who eat diets rich in folate have a much lower risk of stroke than those who don't.
ü  Better Nutrient Absorption: Research has found that certain nutrients are absorbed better when eaten with avocado. In one study, when participants ate a salad containing avocados, they absorbed five times the amount of carotenoids (a group of nutrients that includes lycopene and beta carotene) than those who didn't include avocados.
ü  Glutathione Source: Avocados are an excellent source of glutathione, an important antioxidant that researchers say is important in preventing aging, cancer, and heart disease.
ü  Vitamin E Powerhouse: Avocados are the best fruit source of vitamin E, an essential vitamin that protects against many diseases and helps maintains overall health.

The Benefits of Dates:
ü  Constipation: Date is termed to be a laxative food. This is the reason that dates are beneficial for people suffering from constipation. For getting the laxative effect from dates, you need to soak dates for one full night in water. You should consume these soaked dates in the morning like syrup to get their actual advantages.
ü  Intestinal Disorders: The nicotinic content that is present in the dates is said to be beneficial for curing any kinds of intestinal disorders. Continuous intake of dates helps to maintain a check on the growth of the pathological organisms and thus, helps in the rise of friendly bacteria in the intestines.
ü  Weight Gain: Dates are said to be a part of healthy diet. They consist of sugar, fats, proteins as well as many essential vitamins. If the dates are consumed with the paste of cucumber, one can easily come out from the problem of over-slimming. One kilogram of dates contains almost 3,000 calories. These calories alone are sufficient to meet the daily requirements of a human body.
ü  Healthy Heart: Dates are quite helpful in maintaining your heart in a healthy condition. When soaked for a night and crushed in the morning and consumed, they prove to be quite advantageous for weak hearts. They help in fortifying the heart, if taken twice in a week.
ü  Sexual Weakness: Dates are even beneficial for increasing sexual stamina in the human body. A handful of dates, when soaked in fresh goat's milk for the night and then grinded in the same milk with the mixture of cardamom powder and honey, becomes a very useful tonic for increasing sex endurance and sterility caused due to functional disorders.
ü  Diarrhea: Ripe dates contain potassium. Potassium is beneficial for controlling diarrhea. They are easily digestible, which helps to cope up with the problems of diarrhea.
ü  Intoxication: Dates are known as an excellent remedy for alcoholic intoxication. Dates provide quick relief in the case of alcoholic intoxication. They should be rubbed and soaked overnight for getting more nutritious values from them.
ü  Abdominal Cancer: Dates are beneficial for curing abdominal cancer. They work as useful tonic for all age groups. They work as better as the medicines, and are natural and do not bear any side effects in the body. They can be easily digested and used for supplying extra and needed energy.
Source: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-dates.html

Now. Arent you happy you read to the end? You should now feel smarter than before you read this blog post. You. Are. Welcome!

But seriously, this is a pretty good dessert. Make it for yourself or be nice and share with others.

Enjoy!


-- All the Best

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Banana Maple Soft Serve Ice Cream

Soft serve ice cream is perfect for these hot days! This is a great, quick dessert for get-togethers. They won’t even know its Paleo. So if you have friends like we do who ask us if we are still doing that “Paleo diet thing”- this will go over great!

Back in February, I posted a story about Yonanas! (Check it out HERE) This kind of fits in with that concept- except you use a food processor instead of the Yonanas! contraption.
I usually double all of the recipes- even if I am the only one eating. Leftovers are awesome.

Prep: 5 minutes
Total: 5 minutes
Serves: 1  

INGREDIENTS 

1 banana, peeled and put in freezer until frozen
1-2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon sunbutter (I used almond butter)
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Splash of coconut or almond milk 

DIRECTIONS
This is a lighter color version. Yours may come out darker.
Thats ok!

*Peel your banana(s) and freeze- It won’t work if you don’t freeze them!

Break your banana into pieces - toss that - and the rest of your ingredients into your food processor 

Blend until smooth  

Top with nuts or unsweetened shredded coconut (or whatever you would like). I tossed a couple dark chocolate chips in with it.

I dark chocolate!


*It will be stupid hard to peel after you freeze the banana(s). Remove the peel before freezing! 


Enjoy!


-- All the Best!

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

Yes. It is 8:56 a.m. and I am having one of these amazing treats. Don't judge me.


I would never lie to you. These are seriously some of the best cookies I've had. They taste just like "normal" chocolate chip cookies. Add a small glass of coconut milk and it will take you away on whatever dream world you want to go on. Or at least it will make you smile and solve your sweet tooth.  It's the simple things that make us happy. This is a very simple recipe = me happy!
 
PREP: 10 minutes
Cook time: 15 - 20 minutes
Total: 25 - 30 minutes 

Makes between 24 - 36 cookies. If you do the TBS scoops, it'll make closer to 36!

INGREDIENTS  
Pictures never do justice!

1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
1 ½ cup Dark Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup Coconut Oil, Organic, unrefined
1/2 cup Maple Syrup, Grade B
2 whole Eggs
3 cup Blanched Almond Flour 

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375°F
In a medium-sized mixing bowl combine dry ingredients
In a small mixing bowl beat eggs, maple syrup, and vanilla extract with a hand mixer (I used a spoon on my second batch- worked just fine)
Pour wet ingredients into dry and beat with hand mixer until combined (again, used a spoon and it worked)
Melt coconut oil, pour into batter, and continue to blend (stir) until combined
Stir in chocolate chips. It may seem like there are way too many chocolate chips with how much dough there is - but it is the perfect amount. Besides, is there really ever a scenario that there's too many chocoate chips?? If so. We may not be friends anymore
On a parchment-lined baking sheet, drop balls of cookie dough, about a tablespoon in size
Bake for 15 - 20 minutes. Keep watch. I set the oven for 15 then bumped it up 4 more minutes just to get a nice crisp on the outside
Let cool and don’t forget the small glass of coconut milk!




Enjoy!

-- All the Best

Monday, August 6, 2012

Paleo Frittata

Who doesn't like breakfast any time of the day?! If you have leftover meat or any type of meat in the fridge/freezer- Get. It. Out. You can use your imagination for this one. Really. Basically any kind of meat(s) and any kind of veggie(s). You decide. This is awesome as leftovers- you can eat it heated or cold!

PREP: 5 minutes
Cook time: 13 - 18 minutes
Total: 18 - 23 minutes
 
INGREDIENTS
 
1 tablespoon coconut oil or fat of choice
1 cup meat of choice- we used breakfast sausage
1 cup frozen broccoli (or any leftover or frozen veggies)- we added mushrooms!
4 large pastured eggs
2 tablespoons coconut milk
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly-ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven to 350°F

Heat the coconut oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat


Add your meat to the skillet and stir until heated through


While your meat is cookin', place the frozen broccoli in a medium microwave-safe bowl, cover it with a wet paper towel and nuke it until it’s thawed. Use a pair of kitchen shears or a knife to cut the broccoli into bite-sized pieces. If you have broccoli from the fridge, cut it up into small pieces and toss into your skillet with the meat to cook


Break the eggs into a medium bowl - add the coconut milk, salt, and a few grinds of pepper


Pour the egg mixture into the skillet and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until the bottom of the frittata is set


Then, place the skillet in the oven
(do not put a regular skillet in the oven- transfer to a pizza pan or cookie sheet, if possible)

Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, and then crank the heat up to broil for another 2 minutes or until the frittata puffs up and is cooked all the way through


Carefully transfer the frittata to a plate, slice, and serve



Enjoy!


-- All the Best 

Thank you www.nomnompaleo.com