paleo

Veggie Enchilada Soup

June 21, 2018
Cuisine

It’s the first day of summer and I’m in total soup mode over here! …what’s new though?

I’m always down for a bowl of soup and some avocado. I’m pretty sure I could live off of just that and be totally ok with it!

Besides a bunch of seasonings that you most likely have in your spice cabinet, this soup only has FOUR ingredients and only takes a little bit of chopping and stirring to bring it all together. It’s so easy and tastes oh-so-cozy.

All of the seasonings make it taste like it’s been simmering away all day long, but in reality, it’s done in less than 20 minutes on the stove.


Print Recipe
 Veggie Enchilada Soup
Cuisine keto, low carb, paleo, Whole30
Cook Time 18-20 minutes
Servings
small servings
Ingredients
Cuisine keto, low carb, paleo, Whole30
Cook Time 18-20 minutes
Servings
small servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a soup pot over medium heat, saute onions, squash, and salt in oil for 8-10 minutes until translucent.
  2. Add broth, tomato sauce, and remaining seasonings and bay leaves to the pot.
  3. Bring the soup to a simmer.
  4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
  5. Serve with your favorite toppings!
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Instant Pot Quick General Tso’s Chicken (Paleo with Whole30 option)

December 28, 2017
Cuisine

I try to not make every recipe in my Instant Pot – and that’s hard! Not everyone has been converted over just yet! However, after making General Tso’s Chicken in under 15 minutes…I’m pretty sure you will be!


This version is an unbreaded version. I would not suggest trying to make the breaded version in your IP, as it will probably end up soggy and just not very appetizing. This is strictly a quick and clean version of a take-out favorite! Totally guilt free and delicious when paired with my Pork Fried Cauliflower Rice (which happens to be Whole30 compliant as well!) This recipe can be easily converted to Whole30 compliant by replacing the honey with pureed fruit – such as pineapple or peaches! (or omitting the honey altogether. Some find that the coconut aminos are sweet enough) Either alternative would still yield a yummy dish!

Print Recipe
 Instant Pot General Tso's Chicken (Paleo with Whole30 option)
Cuisine Chinese, paleo, Whole30
Cook Time 13 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Cuisine Chinese, paleo, Whole30
Cook Time 13 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Set your Instant Pot to Saute mode.
  2. Add sesame oil and chicken to the pot and cook for about 3-5 minutes or until most of the chicken has some white on it. It does not that to be anywhere near cooked through! This step helps cut down on cooking time AND for the pot to come to pressure quicker!
  3. After your chicken has cooked for those few minutes, combine your remaining ingredients in a separate bowl (except for the arrowroot powder and water) and pour over your chicken.
  4. Place the lid on your pot, turn the valve to seal, press manual and set the time for 8 minutes.
  5. Once the timer goes off, do a QR (quick release), and open it up! It will be bubbly and on the runny side. Now is the time to thicken!
  6. Combine the arrowroot powder and water to make a slurry. Stir this mixture into your chicken until the sauce has thickened! This should only take a minute or so. If you find that it's not thick enough, you can always add a bit more arrowroot/water mixture until the desired consistency is reached.
  7. Be sure to turn the pot off too! It automatically switches to "Keep Warm" mode after cooking. I have forgotten that a time or two! ENJOY!!
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Pork Fried Rice (Paleo & Whole30)

December 28, 2017
Cuisine
Course

Does anyone else always want Chinese food on Mondays – the day that every Chinese restaurant is closed? Or is that just me? I just love good Chinese food…which, honestly, is RARE! Good as in tasty AND healthy! This “rice” is all of the above. Jam-packed with protein and veggies, this dish is one you can feel good about eating!

If you can find all of the prepped ingredients in your grocery store’s freezer section and have leftover ham (or have a go-to clean, natural brand of already-cooked pork), this dish comes together in MINUTES, is made in one pan, tastes so similar to take-out, AND is Whole30 approved!

Make it a complete meal by pairing it with my Instant Pot General Tso’s Chicken! That can also be Whole30 compliant and, the best part, it’s made in under 15 minutes with the help of that handy pressure cooker!

Print Recipe
 Pork Fried Rice (Paleo & Whole30)
Course Dinner, side dishes
Cuisine Chinese, paleo
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Course Dinner, side dishes
Cuisine Chinese, paleo
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a large sauce pan, add 1 tbsp cooking fat and chopped onion and sauté over medium high heat for about 5 minutes or until onions become translucent.
  2. Once the onions have softened, add your chopped ham, riced cauliflower, and remaining fat. I like to crank the heat up and get a nice char on the meat and cauliflower - so much flavor! (that's always my favorite rice - the stuff that has some charred bits in it!)
  3. After about 3-4 minutes, add the remaining ingredients (except for the eggs), and cook until the vegetables are fork tender. This should take about 5 minutes. Note: I used all organic, frozen veggies that were already chopped and riced. HUGE TIME SAVER!
  4. Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, add your beaten eggs. I make a divet in the pan in the middle of my rice and pour the eggs in there. Once they begin to cook, I just keep stirring everything up until they're all the way cooked. This only takes a couple minutes! No need for another pan - in my opinion! We love eggs, so I add 3 to this recipe. Feel free to add more or less!
  5. Taste now and adjust your seasonings and add more salt, coconut amines, or sesame oil. Just a bit though! You can always add more, but you can't take it out! Personally, I tend to go a bit heavier on the coconut aminos and salt. I love that soy sauce flavaaaa!
  6. Finally, stir in your chopped green onions and you're done! I like them crunchy, but feel free to cook your rice a minute or two longer after stirring them in! ENJOY!
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Spicy Queso (dairy-free and vegan)

December 28, 2017
Cuisine

Before I get into this yummy dip, don’t judge this recipe just because it’s classified as vegan! I know that there are some of you out there that will! If you want, use chicken or beef broth and make it just dairy-free! 😉

Anyways……

Having a husband that is lactose intolerant has really changed perspective on things. I have to omit one of my favorite ingredients from every meal (CHEESEEEEEE!) or make two meals (who wants to do that?!) and risk antagonizing him with what I’m eating. Therefore, I have had to get very creative and come up with replacements that are still tasty and give us that cheese fix! Mind you, many dairy-free things are far from the original and by no means, taste the same. However, they are still delicious and help us not to miss all of that cheesy goodness so much. We still splurge from time to time on QUALITY dairy.

Give your body a break now and then from all of that cow’s milk. It’s filled with sugar, cholesterol, saturated fat and many times hormones that were pumped into the cows. It also has been linked to an increased prevalence of acne in many studies. It’s just not something you should be consuming large amounts of in every meal. You absolutely still need fat and calcium, but try finding substitutes elsewhere for a couple of meals! Your body will thank you!

Oh, look! Here’s a great substitute for a cheesy dip! 😛

I like to drizzle this queso over tacos or mix with some ground beef and taco seasoning for a jazzed up dip!

Print Recipe
 Spicy Queso (dairy-free and vegan)
Cuisine Dairy Free, paleo
Prep Time 3-4 hours of soaking cashews
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings
cups
Ingredients
Cuisine Dairy Free, paleo
Prep Time 3-4 hours of soaking cashews
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings
cups
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a high powered blender*: Combine all of the ingredients until a smooth, creamy sauce is formed. This usually tastes about 3-5 minutes. If you're having trouble getting the mixture to puree, add a bit more broth/coconut milk.
  2. Once blended, taste and add more salt to your liking! Serve warm with chips or tacos!
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Spinach Artichoke Dip (dairy-free and vegan)

December 28, 2017
Cuisine

In the past, whenever I would go out to eat, and Spinach Artichoke Dip was on the appetizer menu, I’d always order it! I loved all of that creamy, cheesy, goodness. Sometimes, I’d just make a meal out of it. However, I’d often leave the restaurant feeling overly stuffed, heavy, greasy, and just not so good. All of that cream and cheese can wreak havoc on one’s tummy – especially the dairy allergic or lactose intolerant tummies! Don’t get me wrong, the dip was always amazing…ALWAYS, but once I began paying more attention to my body and what I put into it, I really began noticing the effects food had on it. I consciously began asking myself, “Is it really worth it?” Now, I’m not saying to never order the spin-dip again. Just…maybe…try passing on it the next time, and going home and making this recipe the next day! (I know, it’s more work and definitely isn’t instantly gratifying. I promise though, it’s worth it!)

This version is packed with protein from the cashews and tons of flavor from onions and garlic – you won’t miss the cheese! (that much 😉 haha) If you’re someone that is lactose intolerant or has a dairy allergy, this is a great substitute to give you that fix!

Print Recipe
 Spinach Artichoke Dip (dairy-free with vegan option)
Cuisine Dairy Free, paleo
Prep Time 3-4 hours of soaking cashews
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
cups
Ingredients
Cuisine Dairy Free, paleo
Prep Time 3-4 hours of soaking cashews
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
cups
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a sauce pan, saute onions in butter for 5 minutes or until they've become translucent and started browning.
  2. While the onions are cooking, drain water off soaked cashews. In a food processor or high powered blender, combine cashews, broth, and coconut milk. Blend until the mixture has lightened and is very creamy. If the mixture is too thick to blend, add a couple tablespoons more of broth until it begins to blend completely.
  3. If your spinach is frozen, follow the cooking directions until it has thawed enough to squeeze the moisture out. You want VERY LITTLE moisture left. If your spinach is thawed, simply wring out the liquid using cheesecloth. You will be surprised with how little spinach you're left with!
  4. Once you've completely pureed the cashews, add the mixture, drained spinach, and remaining ingredients to the cooked onions. Cook the dip over medium low heat for about 10 minutes.
  5. Taste and adjust the seasonings! If you want a cheesier flavor, you can add more nutritional yeast. If you want more garlic, (I ALWAYS WANT MORE GARLIC) add more chopped garlic or some garlic powder. I've found that when I add more nutritional yeast, I also have to add more salt amount as well. Use your own discretion! 🙂
  6. Serve hot with tortilla (I like Siete brand chips! They're grain free and made with minimal ingredients!) or try some plantain chips! YUM! Leftovers of this don't go to waste either. It's delicious when mixed with shredded chicken and cauliflower rice!
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