Olive, Lemon and Garlic Chicken

Citrus makes everything better!

This is the first Paleo recipe I ever made and it's definitely one of my favorites.  It is a bit time-consuming as far as prep and cook time goes, but the resulting flavors are absolutely delicious.  As always, the lemon ends up being my favorite part of the dish.  The only drawback to this recipe is that it doesn't make enough food to last more than a few days (for one person) because the chicken thighs are so small.  I would recommend serving this dish along with a simple veggie side since the dish is very fat/protein-heavy.  I originally found this recipe at Paleo Leap.

Equipment:
oven-proof 12-inch skillet with lid
large chef's knife

Ingredients:
1/4 cup cooking oil (I use clarified butter/ghee)
1/2 lb. black olives (kalamata), cut in half
10 bone-in, skin-on chicken drumsticks
3 cups onions, sliced thin
30 (that's right, 30) cloves of garlic, creamed*
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 lemons, thickly sliced
1.5 cups chicken stock**
1 bunch of thyme leaves, picked from stems
salt and pepper to taste

*how to cream garlic: mince all of the garlic, then sprinkle liberally with salt; take flat side of chef's knife and slowly drag it across pile of minced garlic; repeat until you see garlic start to break down into a paste

**half chicken broth/half water is what I use for "chicken stock"

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Add cooking oil to pan and brown chicken drumsticks on both sides.  Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
3. Add onions to pan and scrape up browned chicken bits from the bottom of the pan.  Cook until onions are soft (about 3 minutes).
4. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about a minute).  Season with salt and pepper.
5. Add chicken stock, thyme, lemon juice and drumsticks to the onions and garlic.
6. Bring to a simmer, cover pan and put in oven for 20 minutes.
7. Remove pan from oven and add olives and lemon slices.  Bake uncovered for another 15 to 20 minutes.

Enjoy!

Zoodles and Squoodles Pizza Casserole

****UPDATE****

Want to know how it tastes?  Check out my web series Table Scraps, where my friend Jeremy and I eat and discuss this delicious Paleo dish.

Mmm...veggie sketti

I used to love spaghetti with meat sauce.  It was my favorite food back in the day when I was a really picky eater and refused to eat anything resembling a vegetable.  This dish tastes EXACTLY like that - but it's got so much more going on than just pasta, meat and tomatoes.  This is one of those dishes you can easily experiment with, adding spices and veggies as you like - although I would recommend keeping with the Italian theme of the dish so that all new flavors you introduce won't clash with the existing base flavors.  I originally found this dish at PaleOMG but replaced most of the dry spices with whole vegetables for a more well-rounded dish.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 8

Equipment Needed:
mandoline slicer with julienne attachment (if you can julienne veggies with just a knife, more power to ya)
colander
paper towels
skillet
13x9 baking dish

Ingredients:
2 lbs. grass-fed ground beef (I've also made it with ground bison)
15oz. can pizza sauce
15oz. can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
4 zucchini
4 yellow squash
2-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 box of mushrooms, sliced
2 tbsp. Herbes de Provence (or Italian Seasoning)
2 tbsp. cooking oil (coconut oil, bacon grease, duck fat, olive oil)
salt and pepper

Directions: 
1. Cut the ends off of your zucchini and yellow squash.  Using a mandoline slicer, julienne the zucchini and squash.

Don't forget to use the safety holder!

2. Throw all of your veggie noodles in a colander and salt liberally (tossing to make sure salt gets to all of the noodles).  Let sit (over a bowl or in the sink) for half an hour.

Noodles mid-sweat

3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
4.  While noodles are 'sweating', heat your cooking oil in a skillet and add your ground beef.  Then add your onion, garlic, mushrooms, and italian seasoning.  Once the meat has browned and your onions and mushrooms get soft, add the crushed tomatoes.  Cook for another 5 minutes.  Turn off heat and set aside.
5. Rinse the veggie noodles to get rid of the salt, then, two handfuls at a time, gather some in a few paper towels and firmly but gently squeeze them to wring out the excess water (there will be a lot).  Do not skip this step - it will give your veggie noodles better crunch and will keep the casserole from being too watery.
6. Add the veggie noodles to your casserole dish along with your ground beef/tomato mixture.  Add pizza sauce, salt and pepper.  Mix thoroughly to combine (be careful - your casserole dish will be quite full).  You can also mix everything in a large bowl and then pour it into your casserole dish.
7. Cook in the oven for 40 minutes until the top veggies are slightly browned and the noodles are soft.
8.  Let sit for half an hour before cutting into it.

That's it.  Pretty simple.  And it makes a ton!  You can use the 'sweating' method for any recipe that calls for zucchini noodles.  It makes such a difference in the texture of the final product.

Want to know how it tastes?  Check out my recipe review web series Table Scraps where my buddy Jeremy pulls no punches in reviewing all of my homemade Paleo recipes.

(EDIT: I recently updated the ingredients list in order to double the amount of zucchini and yellow squash used.  In order to truly make this an all-in-one meal, I felt the casserole needed more veg to balance out all that protein)

Homemade Chorizo From Scratch

 

homemade chorizo chillin' in the freezer

Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash with Homemade Chorizo

I LOVE Mexican chorizo.  And I take great pride in making as many dishes as possible from scratch.  This is one of my favorites as it is a bit labor intensive and includes waiting at least 2 days(!!!) before getting to taste the fruits of said labor.  The depth of flavor you get from this chorizo vs. store-bought is ridiculous (one might even say riDONKulous - not me, of course, because I'm an adult).  This is what I like to call "project cooking" (a term I stole from some bouldering lingo).  Don't zone out during the prep work and hurry through it just to be done cooking.  Relish the amount of care and time it takes to make something that is truly homemade.  The final flavor profile (smoky from the chiles and sour/tangy from the apple cider vinegar) is your reward.

Prep Time: 1.5 hours

Inactive Prep Time: 1 hour for the chile/spice mixture to chill and 2 days for the chorizo to marinate

freshly-made chorizo needs 2 days to marinate

Equipment Needed:

large skillet (I recommend cast iron)

large mason jar (or large glass bowl)

gloves (latex/disposable)

large food processor (or blender)

small food processor (or molcajete - preferrably made from volcanic rock)

large non-reactive bowl with lid (if you don't have a lid, plastic wrap/aluminum foil works just fine)

parchment paper

plastic wrap

Ingredients:*

8 guajillo chiles**

4 ancho chiles**

2 fresh ripe (red) jalapenos (pith and seeds removed), roughly chopped***

2 bunches of scallions (green onions), chopped

6 cloves of garlic, roughly chopped

4 tablespoons fresh oregano, minced (or 4 teaspoons dried)

2 heaping teaspoons black peppercorns

4 teaspoons roasted comino (cumin) seeds

1.5 tablespoons achiote powder**

2 heaping teaspoons allspice berries**

2 tablespoons sea salt (or kosher salt, just not that iodized table salt crap)

1 cup apple cider vinegar

2 pounds ground pork

*This makes A LOT - about 3 pounds worth of chorizo when all is said and done.  Feel free to halve the ingredients.  But I figure, if you're going to take the time to make it, why not make a lot!  It keeps great in the freezer.

**available at most Mexican markets.  My favorite here on the Westside of Los Angeles is Top Valu Market in Del Rey.

***I find it pretty impossible to find red jalapenos anywhere.  I was lucky enough this most recent time to get some from my co-worker's backyard garden.  Green jalapenos work just fine.

rehydrated chiles and herbage pre-blend

Directions:

1. Bring 6 cups of water to a boil (I use an electric kettle - best $25 I ever spent).  While the water is boiling, heat your cast iron skillet over medium-low heat and toast your chiles until the skin is slightly darker (not black!) and they are more pliable.  The guajillos should puff up a bit as well.  Turn them often to make sure they don't burn.  Shouldn't take more than 8 minutes tops.

2. Add your toasted chiles to your mason jar or glass bowl and pour the boiling water over them.  If using a glass bowl, you may have to put a colander over the top of the chiles to keep them from floating on the surface of the water.  Set aside for 20-30 minutes.

3. Drain the chiles.  Put on your gloves (the oil from chiles can stay on your hands for days and you do not want to rub your eyes with chile hands).  One at a time, tear the stem off of the top of the chile.  Stick your finger in the top opening and rip open the chile lengthwise.  Remove the slimy pith and all of the seeds (I do this over the kitchen sink - it can get a bit messy).

4.  Add the cleaned chiles, jalapenos, scallions, garlic, oregano and apple cider vinegar to a large food processor and puree.

5.  Add whole comino seeds to cast iron skillet over medium-low heat and move around until toasted/fragrant - about 8 minutes.

6.  Add toasted comino seeds, black peppercorns, achiote powder, allspice berries, and sea salt to a small food processor (or grind by hand with a molcajete) and process until they form a coarse powder.

7. Add spice powder to large food processor and process to combine.  Put mixture in non-reactive bowl, cover and chill in fridge for an hour.

8. After the spice mixture has chilled, add cold ground pork and combine mixture thoroughly by hand (don't forget to wear gloves!).  Cover chorizo and store in the fridge for 2 days before using.  

9. After 2 days, I usually split the sausage into 6 equal parts (1/2 pound each) if I'm not cooking any of it right away.  I take each part, roughly form it into a sausage shape (gloves again!), roll in plastic wrap (as tightly as you can), then roll in parchment paper, twisting the ends of the parchment paper to help the sausage keep its shape.  Toss in the freezer until you're ready to cook!  

my gloves after making chorizo

Phew.  It was a lot of work and waiting 2 days before cooking it will definitely test your patience, but it will all be worth it when you taste it for the first time.  I use this chorizo in place of regular pork sausage in lots of my favorite recipes, including Primal Breakfast Casserole, Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole and Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash.  Most store-bought sausages are about 1/4 pound each so each of your homemade sausages should be the equivalent of 2 store-bought.  Happy cooking!

Cauliflower Sticky Rice

Cauliflower rice is definitely a saving grace for all things Paleo.  It always seems like finding a delicious protein/meat is easy but finding a flavorful vegetable side dish to go with it (that doesn't take another hour to prepare) can be a bit more difficult.  I love using cauliflower (and zucchini and crookneck squash) as low-carb substitutes for grain-based/high-starch sides.  The taste difference is minimal (because, let's be honest - bread, pasta and white potatoes don't have much of a taste to begin with).  My Moroccan Chicken Casserole also has a delicious base of cauliflower rice that perfectly soaks up all the amazing flavors of the chicken and spices.  I originally found this recipe at PaleOMG.  It's a great and simple improvement on plain old cauliflower rice, with the addition of coconut milk and raw honey.

Prep Time: Less than 10 minutes (with food processor)
Cooking Time: 25 minutes (depending on size of cauliflower head - they tend to vary)

Equipment Needed:
food processor with grating attachment (you can also use a box grater, but it's a bit more time consuming)
small/medium stock pot with lid (large enough to accommodate a whole head of cauliflower, chopped into florets)

Ingredients:
1 head cauliflower (stem removed), chopped into florets
1/3 cup coconut milk (not coconut milk beverage!)
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 tablespoon coconut oil*
1 teaspoon raw honey
pinch of salt

*I'll see some websites preferring virgin coconut oil over refined for cooking.  I would not recommend this as virgin coconut oil has a lower smoke point (similar to extra virgin olive oil) and is better suited to health and beauty needs rather than as a cooking oil.

goes great with gumbo!

Directions:
1. Add florets to food processor and "rice" the entire head of cauliflower (in batches)
2. Add coconut oil to stock pot over medium heat, then add cauliflower rice with a pinch of salt and cover for about 10 minutes.  Stir occasionally to make sure the bottom doesn't burn.
3. When it looks like the rice is about 10 minutes away from being done (this will just take practice), add the coconut milk, shredded coconut and raw honey.  Mix well and cover.  Stir frequently.
4.  Cook until the liquid from the coconut milk has evaporated and the rice is soft, but not mushy (about 5-8 minutes).

Tikk-a, Tikk-a, Tikka Masala (that's my Tikka Masala song)

There is a very good chance you will overcook the rice the first couple of times.  Dont fret!  This is very common (and still happens to me from time to time).  It will not change the taste of the dish, merely the texture.  So what if you end up with sticky coconut cauliflower mash rice - it'll still taste great when you smother it with Tikka Masala.  And don't worry, the coconut taste is not that strong, so feel free to serve it with something that doesn't pair well with coconut, like Gumbo!

Bison Skirt Steak Hash with Red Pepper Spread

Hash is one of those dishes custom-made for lazy cooks.  Chopped veggies plus meat plus herbs plus spices plus fried egg equals friggin' delicious!  This hash has an extra-fancy component of red pepper spread made with avocados that is just the proverbial icing on the cake to this no-hassle dish.  Yet another great recipe I borrowed from PaleOMG.  I changed it a bit by using bison skirt steak I found at the farmer's market instead of beef.  I love bison.  It's such a great substitute for beef, and generally much leaner - if you care about that kind of thing (which I don't).  But really I'm always excited for any excuse to use anything other than beef, chicken or pork.  Variety is the spice of life, don't cha know.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Equipment Needed:
food processor (or blender)
cast iron skillet (regular saute pan will do in a pinch)

Ingredients:
For spread
2 avocados, peeled and de-seeded
8-10 oz jar (drained) of roasted red peppers
2 tsp garlic powder
salt
For hash
cooking fat
14 oz bison skirt steak (beef will work as well)
salt and pepper
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
large yellow onion, peeled and sliced
red bell pepper, diced
8oz container mushrooms, sliced
eggs cooked to your preference
handful of fresh basil, chopped

Directions:
1. Allow skirt steak to come to room temperature (about half an hour).
2. Add spread ingredients to food processor and blend.  Refrigerate.
3. Heat cast iron skillet over medium heat.  Sprinkle both sides of skirt steak with salt, pepper, dried basil and dried oregano.
4. Add cooking fat to skillet and cook steak for approximately 4 minutes per side or to your desired degree of doneness.  Remove steak and cover with aluminum foil.
5. Add onions to cast iron (without cleaning) and sprinkle with more salt.  Cover and cook onions, stirring occasionally until caramelized (about 6-8 minutes).  Remove onions and set aside.
6. Add bell pepper and mushrooms to cast iron, sprinkle with salt and cover to cook down (about 3-5 minutes).  Remove from heat.
7. Slice steak and combine with the caramelized onions, bell pepper and mushrooms.  Stir well.
8.  Cook eggs to preference and serve on top of hash along with fresh chopped basil and dollop of red pepper spread.

I store the hash (sans eggs and basil) in tupperware in the fridge, then cook eggs before serving myself a bowl.  It lasts me about 4-6 servings.

Want to know how it tastes?  Click HERE to see a review of this dish by my extremely critical (and extremely bald) friend, Jeremy.