So I can across a recipe posted on grokgrub.com called Paleo Sex in A Pan (picture to the left). I've been staring at this recipe for 4 days now, debating whether or not I should attempt to make it. If I did make the Sex in A Pan and it didn't turn out great, how disappointed would I be? This thing is 6 freakin' layers and 1.5 hours of prep time! If I made it and it did turn out perfectly sexy and tasty, I probably wouldn't want to share my masterpiece with anyone; hmm then I'd wind up eating the entire thing in one night and have a huge tummy ache. Oh, what to do, what to do. While increasing my sweet tooth tenfold just staring at this picture, I did decide something: I needed to make something, anything, sweet, baked or unbaked, Paleo, and fast. Considering I had only 4 of the 15 ingredients the Sex in A Pan called for, I decided to save this 6 layer tower of scrumptiousness for a rainy day.
I pulled out everything from my fridge and cupboard that I could possibly use to make something Paleorific and then decided I felt like banana bread. Aware of my cavegirl weakness for goodies and failure to abide by the 'everything in moderation' guideline, I had the genius idea of making mini banana bread muffins as a strategy of portion control... ya right.
~Pirate Banana Bread Coconut Muffins~
2 organic free range large brown eggs
1 organic banana (mashed)
10 soft dates (mejool or black; pitted)
1/4 cup pure pineapple juice (or pureed pineapple)
1 package dan-d-organic fresh chestnuts (about 10)
2 tbsp organic cane sugar (optional; call it a primal day)
3 tbsp organic coconut flour
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded or crushed coconut (toast in oven before mixing)
1/8-1/4 tsp baking soda
~Pirate Banana Bread Coconut Muffins~
2 organic free range large brown eggs
1 organic banana (mashed)
10 soft dates (mejool or black; pitted)
1/4 cup pure pineapple juice (or pureed pineapple)
1 package dan-d-organic fresh chestnuts (about 10)
2 tbsp organic cane sugar (optional; call it a primal day)
3 tbsp organic coconut flour
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded or crushed coconut (toast in oven before mixing)
1/8-1/4 tsp baking soda
Whisk eggs in a bowl, blend chestnuts in a food processor, add to eggs. Put dates in the food processor, blend til smoothish, add banana and pineapple juice, puree, then add to egg mixture. Add coconut flour, cane sugar, half of the toasted coconut, and baking soda, mix well.
I honestly did not realize organic cane sugar was so unpaleo until I Googled it while writing this. If I could make this over again I would have used raw agave nectar or pure maple syrup; since I did not have either, I used what I had. That being said, I am still going to eat these, cane sugar or no cane sugar.
Grease muffin pan with olive oil, spoon in mixture, the batch should make 9-10 muffins. Top with remaining coconut. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and start to come away from the sides, or do the toothpick test. Let cool, remove from pan, and shove 'em in your pirate hungry face! Refrigerate any that are leftover. This was a no-recipe success if I do say so myself. PS: each muffin is only 96 calories and 3g of fat ;).
I honestly did not realize organic cane sugar was so unpaleo until I Googled it while writing this. If I could make this over again I would have used raw agave nectar or pure maple syrup; since I did not have either, I used what I had. That being said, I am still going to eat these, cane sugar or no cane sugar.
Grease muffin pan with olive oil, spoon in mixture, the batch should make 9-10 muffins. Top with remaining coconut. Bake at 350 degrees F for about 25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and start to come away from the sides, or do the toothpick test. Let cool, remove from pan, and shove 'em in your pirate hungry face! Refrigerate any that are leftover. This was a no-recipe success if I do say so myself. PS: each muffin is only 96 calories and 3g of fat ;).
Meat, Food, and other stuff that makes me happy.
Yesterday I got to go to dinner with an extraordinary. Uncavelike and non-piratey, but definitely a handsome meat-eating plethora of sexiness. For those of you that do not know my level of love for food, it is probably my most favorite thing in the world next to Pirates, wine, and Marilyn Monroe. Nothing can distract me from hunger, cravings, or that huge juicy slab of meat on my plate. Take a look at this beautiful short rib; it was my dinner last night. Before you freak out at me about the green beans, I forgot to ask what the vegetables were; I assumed that vegetables in the menu actually meant vegetables, not legumes ;). Have no fear my Paleo Pal, I did not eat them.
Yesterday I got to go to dinner with an extraordinary. Uncavelike and non-piratey, but definitely a handsome meat-eating plethora of sexiness. For those of you that do not know my level of love for food, it is probably my most favorite thing in the world next to Pirates, wine, and Marilyn Monroe. Nothing can distract me from hunger, cravings, or that huge juicy slab of meat on my plate. Take a look at this beautiful short rib; it was my dinner last night. Before you freak out at me about the green beans, I forgot to ask what the vegetables were; I assumed that vegetables in the menu actually meant vegetables, not legumes ;). Have no fear my Paleo Pal, I did not eat them.
Now for the embarrassing part, I did not finish my meat; probably the only time in a gazillion cavegirl years this will ever happen. It was the extraordinary, he has some magic Paleo power that just turns the world off, makes you forget about everything and everyone, including my growling pirate belly. Anyway, it turned out perfect because I had awesome leftovers for my post-wine-recovery-primal-feast-day. I even made a trip to Benton Brothers for some raw Swiss cave aged gruyère to complete my meaty masterpiece.
Ta-Da! Paleo Biscuits topped with primal deliciousness.
No veggies needed today.
Ta-Da! Paleo Biscuits topped with primal deliciousness.
No veggies needed today.
~Paleo Biscuits~
2 extra large organic free range brown eggs (yolks & whites divided)
1/4 cup organic coconut flour
1/8 tsp baking soda
1 heaping tbsp bacon fat
salt & pepper or other seasoning
Beat egg whites about 1 minute until frothy, add yolks, add melted bacon fat, add coconut flour and the other stuff, mix well until mixture thickens; form into 2 lumps, plop them on an oiled pan, bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees F. After about 3 minutes of baking, flatten them down with a spatula (optional); I did this so my toppings would sit nicely on top. Reheat pulled leftovers with a little bacon fat :) Add some raw milk cheese and Voila!
2 extra large organic free range brown eggs (yolks & whites divided)
1/4 cup organic coconut flour
1/8 tsp baking soda
1 heaping tbsp bacon fat
salt & pepper or other seasoning
Beat egg whites about 1 minute until frothy, add yolks, add melted bacon fat, add coconut flour and the other stuff, mix well until mixture thickens; form into 2 lumps, plop them on an oiled pan, bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees F. After about 3 minutes of baking, flatten them down with a spatula (optional); I did this so my toppings would sit nicely on top. Reheat pulled leftovers with a little bacon fat :) Add some raw milk cheese and Voila!
My first day off work and school in about a month and ahalf, I had no idea what to do with myself, aside from the hundreds of pages of my text book I should be reading, I thought baking would be a much better, much less stressful, and much tastier idea.
I wrote down what I put in this concoction just in case it turned out and then I could boast my genius mixing abilities. Take note: these look super delicious I know, and I am proud to say they were mighty tasty as well! +2 points for Pirate, -2 for my kitchen which took a lashing putting these chocolatey-drool-everywhere squares together.
~IamAGenius Paleo Brownies~
Ingredients:
2 large eggs (organic, free run, free range, regular, whatever dude you're making brownies for gawd sake)
3/4 of a ripe Haden mango (can use 1 full if you like, ummm I kind of ate the other 1/4 while I was cutting it up)
1-2 tbsp unpasteurized honey (optional)
16 organic pitted dates (blanched)
1/4 cup organic coconut milk (I used light)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1.5 tbsp arrowroot powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
Ingredients:
2 large eggs (organic, free run, free range, regular, whatever dude you're making brownies for gawd sake)
3/4 of a ripe Haden mango (can use 1 full if you like, ummm I kind of ate the other 1/4 while I was cutting it up)
1-2 tbsp unpasteurized honey (optional)
16 organic pitted dates (blanched)
1/4 cup organic coconut milk (I used light)
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1.5 tbsp arrowroot powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
Brownies:
Puree mango in food processor, add blanched dates, add honey, add coconut milk, blend til smooth, put in bowl, whisk in 2 eggs; add dry ingredients, mix er' up and pour into a greased baking dish (I used a 9" glass pan, but I should have used a smaller dish so the brownies were thicker). Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes.
Let brownies cool while you make the icing.
I really wanted to run to the store to buy a 90% dark Lindt and just melt it on top, but it was so gross and rainy outside so I made do with what I had.
On medium-low heat, bring the following to a boil- the remainder coconut milk (about 1/4 cup) , 1-2 tbsp honey, a couple heaping spoonfuls (big spoons) of cocoa powder, and a dash of arrowroot powder to thicken it. Let cool a tad and spread on the brownies.
At the end of the day, a messy kitchen, and a chocolate mustache, if I learned anything, it was this... When in doubt, mix everything together in a bowl, and bake somewhere between 300 and 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes. If it looks good, eat it; if it tastes good, well just give yourself a big pat on ye olde back.
At the end of the day, a messy kitchen, and a chocolate mustache, if I learned anything, it was this... When in doubt, mix everything together in a bowl, and bake somewhere between 300 and 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes. If it looks good, eat it; if it tastes good, well just give yourself a big pat on ye olde back.
Between 2 jobs Monday to Friday, teaching Spin class, working out, and school Saturdays and Sundays, eating Paleo can sometimes be difficult, and may contribute to my everyday bacon and baby back rib eat-a-thons, 2 of my 'feelbetteraboutmydayfoods', oh the list goes on ( refer to my Blog http://paleopirate.weebly.com/1/post/2013/09/overindulging-on-paleo-foods.html ). So after a long month of no days off I decided to sit down Sunday after school and indulge in a Primal (cheat) Day. But wait!!! Before you say 'oh cheat day means bread and ice cream and candy', let me clarify-- my 'cheat day' is a Primal Day which is a regular Paleo day with the exception of a little (or a lot) of raw milk cheese, and perhaps some organic lemonade. My masterpiece... would have made a thicker crust but I had limited ingredients and a hungry pirate belly, so I made do.
~wOOhOO Primal Day Pizza~
Crust:
1-2 organic free range large brown eggs
1/4-1/2 cup free run egg whites
1-2 tbsp almond or coconut flour
spices/ seasoning of your choice (for a thicker crust use 2 eggs, 1/2 cups egg whites, 2 tbsp almond/coconut flour)
Preheat large frying pan on low-medium heat, lightly grease with olive oil, mix all ingredients together and pour in pan, flip when bottom is crispy, flip again when other side is nice and crispy (time will vary with quality of frying pan), put aside.
Toppings:
Left over pork tenderloin (pulled)
Left over chicken breast (pulled or diced)
Kale, Mushrooms, Sweet yellow onions
Steve's PaleoChef Peach BBQ Sauce (use an organic salsa if you can't get ahold of Steve's goodness)
Organic raw milk aged Cheddar (or another raw milk cheese of your choice; http://www.bentonscheese.com/ has a great selection)
Bacon fat (When I cook bacon I keep the leftover fat in a jar in the fridge and use it as a replacement for butter/cooking oil)
Saute kale, mushrooms, and onions in some bacon fat, add the pulled meats, add about 2-3 tbsp of Steve's Paleo BBQ sauce until everything is nicely coated.
Grate raw milk cheese, add a layer to crust, add toppings, add more raw milk cheese, pop in the oven on broil for a couple minutes, open the oven, and eye bulge. Ya you smell that? You are welcome.
Left over pork tenderloin (pulled)
Left over chicken breast (pulled or diced)
Kale, Mushrooms, Sweet yellow onions
Steve's PaleoChef Peach BBQ Sauce (use an organic salsa if you can't get ahold of Steve's goodness)
Organic raw milk aged Cheddar (or another raw milk cheese of your choice; http://www.bentonscheese.com/ has a great selection)
Bacon fat (When I cook bacon I keep the leftover fat in a jar in the fridge and use it as a replacement for butter/cooking oil)
Saute kale, mushrooms, and onions in some bacon fat, add the pulled meats, add about 2-3 tbsp of Steve's Paleo BBQ sauce until everything is nicely coated.
Grate raw milk cheese, add a layer to crust, add toppings, add more raw milk cheese, pop in the oven on broil for a couple minutes, open the oven, and eye bulge. Ya you smell that? You are welcome.
Lately, Sundays have been a doorway to Excusesville for me; this leads to minimal produce in my kitchen, zero prep for the week, reduced workouts, way too many episodes of Diners, Drive-ins & Dives, pure laziness...
After a long workday of incomprehensible beer-drinking Mississippians, I wanted nothing more than to order my usual Sunday Feast-- a full rack of Baby Back Ribs, a bottle of vino, two bars of 85% Lindt, and call it a day. But, a little Angel Pirate on my shoulder, who often goes by the name Paige, jumped in my head and said 'eat your greens!' And that little Angel Pirate, although little, is super ripped, and tanned, so I thought if I was to listen to anyone, it should be her.
So, I took that feeling of laziness and created this mighty salad of awesomeness, none of which I had to cut or cook either! I'm typically not one to ever bring leftovers home, or have any left on my plate for that matter; this makes me get cavegirlangry in the mornings when I have nothing to eat... My Lazygirl tip for the week: When you eat out, order for two. I'm learning... This is a combo of leftover Cravings brunch (extra meat) and at-work chicken souvlaki lunch (no rice, no bread, extra fetaless greek salad) that I didn't have time to eat. Worth two pics on here.
After a long workday of incomprehensible beer-drinking Mississippians, I wanted nothing more than to order my usual Sunday Feast-- a full rack of Baby Back Ribs, a bottle of vino, two bars of 85% Lindt, and call it a day. But, a little Angel Pirate on my shoulder, who often goes by the name Paige, jumped in my head and said 'eat your greens!' And that little Angel Pirate, although little, is super ripped, and tanned, so I thought if I was to listen to anyone, it should be her.
So, I took that feeling of laziness and created this mighty salad of awesomeness, none of which I had to cut or cook either! I'm typically not one to ever bring leftovers home, or have any left on my plate for that matter; this makes me get cavegirlangry in the mornings when I have nothing to eat... My Lazygirl tip for the week: When you eat out, order for two. I'm learning... This is a combo of leftover Cravings brunch (extra meat) and at-work chicken souvlaki lunch (no rice, no bread, extra fetaless greek salad) that I didn't have time to eat. Worth two pics on here.
~My FeelgoodabouteatingthissoIcanbakedessert Cobby Greek Salad~
1 hard boiled omega-3 egg
1 thick slice naturally baked ham
1/2 chicken breast (about 2oz)
1/2 chorizo sausage
2 handfuls Organic Power Greens
1/2 ripe avocado
Tomato, Red onion, Green and red bell peppers, Cucumber, Kalamata olives
Balsamic vinegar & olive oil for dressing... And Yes, I did make dessert...
1 hard boiled omega-3 egg
1 thick slice naturally baked ham
1/2 chicken breast (about 2oz)
1/2 chorizo sausage
2 handfuls Organic Power Greens
1/2 ripe avocado
Tomato, Red onion, Green and red bell peppers, Cucumber, Kalamata olives
Balsamic vinegar & olive oil for dressing... And Yes, I did make dessert...
So first off, before you judge, the playboy bunny pillow in the background is part of the Marilyn Monroe theme that makes my apartment so awesome.
Secondly, I am an awesome Paleo Pirate and I made this awesome paleo cake with no recipe; but have no fear my fellow Paleoers, I wrote down the ingredients! Well not so much wrote down on paper, but I tried really hard to remember what and how much of it I put in this concoction. So here it goes...
Oh and thirdly, believe it or not this is a single serving! Do not be a wimp, just eat the whole thing! It just looks big because I didn't have a small enough casserole dish, I had to use a wider one which made the cake much thinner then it would have been if I was properly equipped; however, my cave kitchen is limited.
Finally, awesome chocolate cake will taste even more awesome if you have it with a little Paleo juice, so don't forget the bottle of red wine!
And I thought I was going to the gym after this...
Secondly, I am an awesome Paleo Pirate and I made this awesome paleo cake with no recipe; but have no fear my fellow Paleoers, I wrote down the ingredients! Well not so much wrote down on paper, but I tried really hard to remember what and how much of it I put in this concoction. So here it goes...
Oh and thirdly, believe it or not this is a single serving! Do not be a wimp, just eat the whole thing! It just looks big because I didn't have a small enough casserole dish, I had to use a wider one which made the cake much thinner then it would have been if I was properly equipped; however, my cave kitchen is limited.
Finally, awesome chocolate cake will taste even more awesome if you have it with a little Paleo juice, so don't forget the bottle of red wine!
And I thought I was going to the gym after this...
~Paleo Chocolate Coconut Cake with Dark Chocolate Blueberry Icing~
Cake:
3 tbsp almond flour
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 large free run brown egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 tbsp pure natural honey or 100% pure maple syrup
2 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 tsp baking soda
Mix everything together, bake at 300 degrees F for ummm until toothpick comes out clean, check at 10-12 minutes.
Cake:
3 tbsp almond flour
3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 large free run brown egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2-3 tbsp pure natural honey or 100% pure maple syrup
2 tbsp unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 tsp baking soda
Mix everything together, bake at 300 degrees F for ummm until toothpick comes out clean, check at 10-12 minutes.
Icing:
Blueberries
Simply Apple juice
Pure natural honey
Unsweetened coconut flakes
85% Lindt dark chocolate bar
Frying pan
On low heat, bring a handful or two of frozen blueberries, 2-4 splashes of simply apple juice, and 1-2 big squeezes of pure natural honey to a boil; once thickened, add about 2 tbsp of unsweetened coconut flakes and half of a Lindt 85% dark chocolate bar (finely chopped). When the mixture is nice and melty, put aside until cake is cooled and ready to be smothered with this ooey gooey goodness. Pile on the icing, sprinkle with coconut flakes and blueberries, and open wide.
Blueberries
Simply Apple juice
Pure natural honey
Unsweetened coconut flakes
85% Lindt dark chocolate bar
Frying pan
On low heat, bring a handful or two of frozen blueberries, 2-4 splashes of simply apple juice, and 1-2 big squeezes of pure natural honey to a boil; once thickened, add about 2 tbsp of unsweetened coconut flakes and half of a Lindt 85% dark chocolate bar (finely chopped). When the mixture is nice and melty, put aside until cake is cooled and ready to be smothered with this ooey gooey goodness. Pile on the icing, sprinkle with coconut flakes and blueberries, and open wide.
So it was a hot and sunny Friday evening at work, I'm sweating in my black server outfit and staring down my coworkers enjoying their ice-cold, refreshing Bellinis after shift. My eyes glared with jealousy, I wanted what I couldn't (wouldn't) have. I dreamt of Bellinis for the following two nights. After getting rocked at work that Sunday afternoon I decided I was going to have a Bellini no matter what. So after work, I ran (not literally) to the market and got a couple soft bruisey peaches then headed home; I was already stocked with my other required ingredients. I apologize for my awful Blackberry photos, new phone is en route.
~Paleo Bellini~
Meat of 2 soft peaches (flesh optional)
1/2 ripe mango
2 oz Trader Vic's gold rum
4oz Sparkling wine
Blend with ice, and top with red wine.
Makes about 4 servings, or 1 big one, your choice ;)
~Paleo Bellini~
Meat of 2 soft peaches (flesh optional)
1/2 ripe mango
2 oz Trader Vic's gold rum
4oz Sparkling wine
Blend with ice, and top with red wine.
Makes about 4 servings, or 1 big one, your choice ;)
~Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus & Sweet Potato Medallions~
Wash asparagus, pat dry, toss in olive oil, wrap with prosciutto (2 spears per 1 slice meat, depending on thickness of asparagus), sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bake at 425-450 F for 5 minutes, flip over and bake for another 5 minutes.
Cut sweet potatoes into middlefingerwidth circles, toss in olive oil and your choice of Paleo seasoning, bake at 425 F for 25-30 minutes, maybe more maybe less, depends how fat your fingers are, flip halfway through.
Yum.
Wash asparagus, pat dry, toss in olive oil, wrap with prosciutto (2 spears per 1 slice meat, depending on thickness of asparagus), sprinkle with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Bake at 425-450 F for 5 minutes, flip over and bake for another 5 minutes.
Cut sweet potatoes into middlefingerwidth circles, toss in olive oil and your choice of Paleo seasoning, bake at 425 F for 25-30 minutes, maybe more maybe less, depends how fat your fingers are, flip halfway through.
Yum.
~Paleo Chocolate Coconut Brownie Balls~
9 tbsp Bob's Red Mill Organic Coconut Flour
9 tbsp unsweetened Cocoa Powder
3 large eggs
4 tbsp 100% pure maple syrup
4 tbsp Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
2-3 tbsp Eden Organic Apple Butter
2 tbsp pure natural Honey
1/2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
Mix all ingredients together, measure into 2 tbsp size balls, roll in 1/4 cup unsweetened fine shredded coconut, bake at 300-325 degrees F until firm, about 15 minutes (i forgot to time it so that is a guess). This recipe makes 28 balls. Just in case you were wondering: 2 balls = 100 calories and 5g healthy fat.
9 tbsp Bob's Red Mill Organic Coconut Flour
9 tbsp unsweetened Cocoa Powder
3 large eggs
4 tbsp 100% pure maple syrup
4 tbsp Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
2-3 tbsp Eden Organic Apple Butter
2 tbsp pure natural Honey
1/2 tbsp pure vanilla extract
Mix all ingredients together, measure into 2 tbsp size balls, roll in 1/4 cup unsweetened fine shredded coconut, bake at 300-325 degrees F until firm, about 15 minutes (i forgot to time it so that is a guess). This recipe makes 28 balls. Just in case you were wondering: 2 balls = 100 calories and 5g healthy fat.
Miss bread my Paleo pal? Try this recipe, I got it from http://www.healthextremist.com/paleo-bread-recipe/
If a shortbread cookie and a loaf of bread had a Paleo baby this would be it. The picture below is only half of a loaf; the other half did not make it long enough to take the picture (oops/yum)...
Mix wet and dry ingredients separately first, then mix together, bake at 350 degrees F in a loaf pan for 40-50 minutes.Recipe makes 1 loaf and 16 slices if you cut them pinky finger width.
~Paleo Bread~
1+1/4 cups almond flour
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
5 eggs
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp apple cider
If a shortbread cookie and a loaf of bread had a Paleo baby this would be it. The picture below is only half of a loaf; the other half did not make it long enough to take the picture (oops/yum)...
Mix wet and dry ingredients separately first, then mix together, bake at 350 degrees F in a loaf pan for 40-50 minutes.Recipe makes 1 loaf and 16 slices if you cut them pinky finger width.
~Paleo Bread~
1+1/4 cups almond flour
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
5 eggs
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp apple cider
~Prosciutto-Wrapped Cajun Chicken Breast~
Cajun seasoning - 1/2 tsp each:
cayenne pepper
sea salt
pepper
garlic powder
onion powder
paprika
Coast chicken breast and grill, bake, or pan fry. Cut chicken into strips (your desired thickness). Wrap with prosciutto, then finish on grill, in oven, or frying pan until crispy. Stab each with a toothpick and enjoy. Serve with arugula and avocado salad on the side.
Cajun seasoning - 1/2 tsp each:
cayenne pepper
sea salt
pepper
garlic powder
onion powder
paprika
Coast chicken breast and grill, bake, or pan fry. Cut chicken into strips (your desired thickness). Wrap with prosciutto, then finish on grill, in oven, or frying pan until crispy. Stab each with a toothpick and enjoy. Serve with arugula and avocado salad on the side.
What better time of year to eat Paleo than summer? BBQ time!
These are jumbo prawn skewers with mushrooms, onions, and red and yellow bell peppers.
Don't worry I also had a full rack of baby back ribs on the side, these were just the appetizer ;)
I should really start writing my ingredients and measurements down while I'm baking. Sorry, I like no-recipe baking; it can be really fun or really frustrating though. Here's my best guess at what I threw together.
~Nutty Cherry Paleo Balls with Coconut~
16 organic pitted dates
1/2 cup halved cherries (remove pits)
3/4 cup- 1 cup chopped walnuts (you can use any type of nut here, but walnuts are the only kind of nuts I can hold in my hands without shoving them into my face)
1/2 cup Be baked all natural coconut chips (or unsweetened shredded coconut)
1-2 tbsp pure unpasteurized honey
70% or higher dark chocolate (optional)
Put walnuts and coconut chips in food processor until finely chopped; set aside. Boil dates just until soft, strain, put in food processor with cherries until everything is nice and smushy; add to walnut/coconut mixture. Add honey and chopped dark chocolate if desired. Form into balls and chill in fridge or freezer to let set, or bake at 350 F until warm throughout. Baking the balls is recommended if using dark chocolate and plan to eat right away... yum so warm and delicious! Just be sure to wait a few minutes for them to cool or you will burn your tongue like this hungry pirate cavegirl did. This recipe made about 15 paleo balls, maybe 16; and yes only 7 made it in time for a pic, my bad :) Oh and my apologies for the blackberry picture quality.
~Nutty Cherry Paleo Balls with Coconut~
16 organic pitted dates
1/2 cup halved cherries (remove pits)
3/4 cup- 1 cup chopped walnuts (you can use any type of nut here, but walnuts are the only kind of nuts I can hold in my hands without shoving them into my face)
1/2 cup Be baked all natural coconut chips (or unsweetened shredded coconut)
1-2 tbsp pure unpasteurized honey
70% or higher dark chocolate (optional)
Put walnuts and coconut chips in food processor until finely chopped; set aside. Boil dates just until soft, strain, put in food processor with cherries until everything is nice and smushy; add to walnut/coconut mixture. Add honey and chopped dark chocolate if desired. Form into balls and chill in fridge or freezer to let set, or bake at 350 F until warm throughout. Baking the balls is recommended if using dark chocolate and plan to eat right away... yum so warm and delicious! Just be sure to wait a few minutes for them to cool or you will burn your tongue like this hungry pirate cavegirl did. This recipe made about 15 paleo balls, maybe 16; and yes only 7 made it in time for a pic, my bad :) Oh and my apologies for the blackberry picture quality.
~Today's 'slowdayatworkthanksalotlongweekendgrrr' snack~
Although not in my kitchen, I definitely could have made this, and it not being on the menu at work, I pretty much invented it, just saying...
Grilled cajun chicken breast, Pancetta, Prosciutto.
I had custom-cut bacon slab today for breakfast - from Seafair Gourmet Meats in Richmond http://www.seafairgourmetmeats.com/- so instead of regular bacon I got prosciutto; crispy prosciutto, so you can sandwich the chicken and pancetta inbetween the prosciutto and voila!--- meatmeatmeat sandwich. Did I just blow your mind or what.
Although not in my kitchen, I definitely could have made this, and it not being on the menu at work, I pretty much invented it, just saying...
Grilled cajun chicken breast, Pancetta, Prosciutto.
I had custom-cut bacon slab today for breakfast - from Seafair Gourmet Meats in Richmond http://www.seafairgourmetmeats.com/- so instead of regular bacon I got prosciutto; crispy prosciutto, so you can sandwich the chicken and pancetta inbetween the prosciutto and voila!--- meatmeatmeat sandwich. Did I just blow your mind or what.
~SoGoodYouCan'tEatJustOnePiece Pirate Bread~
2 + 3/4 cup Bob's Red Mill Almond Flour
2 organic free range large brown eggs
2 tbsp raw agave nectar or pure honey
2 tbsp organic apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup organic unsweetened dried cranberries
1 + 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt + 1/4 tsp black pepper, parsley, oregano, garlic blend (or another seasoning of your choice).
I modified this recipe a tad, but credit goes to www.elanaspantry.com/.
High in calories, High in fat (good fat), but Oh So Yummy, and it's Paleo!
Mix flour, cranberries, baking soda, salt, seasoning in a bowl.
Mix eggs, agave/honey, apple cider vinegar in another bowl.
Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients.
Form into a large ball and place on parchment paper and on a baking sheet, flatten into a circle with slight dome shaped curve (it should be about 8 inches diameter and 1.5 inches thickness), score an X with a knife about half way deep.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, turn off oven but leave bread in to bake for another 10 minutes. Cool and serve.
So for my first Paleo 'DOH!'... I thought I'd try to be a professional paleo bread-maker this day, I even went to the store to get parchment paper (which the recipe recommended), but the only thing I found was wax paper, it looked the same, it must be the same...
It was NOT the same. Hmmm a bad burning smell, a smoky kitchen, a confused pirate, any longer and maybe some cute firemen would have shown up. I refused to let my hard measuring and mixing go to waste, and thank paleo the bread was fine, I peeled off the burned wax paper and continued to bake my Irish lump on a pizza pan. It still turned out deliciously Paleo; eat it while it is still warm, spread with some refrigerated bacon fat, and Yo Ho Hum away.
2 + 3/4 cup Bob's Red Mill Almond Flour
2 organic free range large brown eggs
2 tbsp raw agave nectar or pure honey
2 tbsp organic apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup organic unsweetened dried cranberries
1 + 1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt + 1/4 tsp black pepper, parsley, oregano, garlic blend (or another seasoning of your choice).
I modified this recipe a tad, but credit goes to www.elanaspantry.com/.
High in calories, High in fat (good fat), but Oh So Yummy, and it's Paleo!
Mix flour, cranberries, baking soda, salt, seasoning in a bowl.
Mix eggs, agave/honey, apple cider vinegar in another bowl.
Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients.
Form into a large ball and place on parchment paper and on a baking sheet, flatten into a circle with slight dome shaped curve (it should be about 8 inches diameter and 1.5 inches thickness), score an X with a knife about half way deep.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, turn off oven but leave bread in to bake for another 10 minutes. Cool and serve.
So for my first Paleo 'DOH!'... I thought I'd try to be a professional paleo bread-maker this day, I even went to the store to get parchment paper (which the recipe recommended), but the only thing I found was wax paper, it looked the same, it must be the same...
It was NOT the same. Hmmm a bad burning smell, a smoky kitchen, a confused pirate, any longer and maybe some cute firemen would have shown up. I refused to let my hard measuring and mixing go to waste, and thank paleo the bread was fine, I peeled off the burned wax paper and continued to bake my Irish lump on a pizza pan. It still turned out deliciously Paleo; eat it while it is still warm, spread with some refrigerated bacon fat, and Yo Ho Hum away.