Monday, February 8, 2010

Chicken Wings....Renamed: Saints Wings!

Hurray for the Saints! I love it when the underdog wins!!!

So here is a link to Guy Fieri's recipe for Tequila Lime Chicken Wings:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/guy-fieri/guy-fieris-tequila-lime-wings-recipe/index.html

I made these but with a Paleo Twist.

The recipe calls for Agave nectar, which I had never used before, so I figured it's worth at least ONE try. Agave nectar tastes great, very similar to raw honey. Texture is a bit "smoother" more like a syrup. However, there is a bit of a controversy in the "paleo" and crossfit world over whether or not Agave is OK to use or consume. I recommend you do your own research and come to your own conclusion!

I substituted the Adobo sauce with an Organic, NO SUGAR added hot sauce.
"Arizona Peppers" Organic Harvest Chipotle Habenero Pepper Sauce.

This stuff has quite a bit of a "kick" so add just a bit at a time until desired "HOTNESS" is reached!

I also found that the longer the marinate time, the better the flavor.

Enjoy and experiment! You might just be pleasantly surprised!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Paleo Beef Jerky...

Day 32 Paleo / Zone Challenge
Today's WOD was pretty brutal, but then again, what Crossfit WOD isn't!

Who the heck thinks up some of the "exercises"....... I swear there's some sadistic person out there that spends hours, no days, trying to figure out how to torture us.....but then again, for some bizarre and unexplainable reason, I keep showing up........figure that one out!


Paleo Beef Jerky:
I became obsessed with figuring out the proper ratios and thicknesses and which meats are best for the Perfect paleo beef jerky. It turns out, every batch is different no matter what, so just wing it.....it's dried meat for heavens sake, does it really matter!

Ingredients:

Meat - I have found that Tri Tip tends to be the most tender and holds the flavors best.
(can be beef, venison, rabbit, buffalo, doesn't matter! whatever floats your boat!)
Seasonings (whatever your favs are, as long as their "paleo")
Bragg's Liquid Aminos (sm. amount of soy in it, but not enough to really matter in my opinion)
(Bragg's, adds a soy sauce like flavor to any thing,use it in salad dressings, stir fry veggies, etc)

Slice meat to desired thickness (thinner the better for drying)
Place in zip lock baggie, add 1 cup or so of the Bragg's liquid Amino's
Add Small amount of other desired seasonings ( I use Garlic and pepper)
Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or longer

If using your oven, heat to 150 degrees, place meat strips on cookie sheets or baking racks, sprinkle lightly on one side only, some of your seasonings.......don't sprinkle too heavily, your jerky will be "gritty". Bake in your oven for 8 to 12 hours. You'll need to keep checking the dryness of the meat. The thinner the slices the quicker the meat will dry.

If using a dehydrator, place meat strips on racks, sprinkle with seasonings, again, not too much as it will make the jerky gritty. Turn on dehydrator to highest setting usually around 150 degrees. Check the jerky in about 4 to 4 1/2 hours. Thinner slices should be done. If sliced thicker, may need another hour or two.

Whether cooking your Jerky in the Oven or in the Dehydrator, make sure to let the Jerky cool completely before placing in an airtight container. Placing warm Jerky in the container will cause condensation, keeping the moisture in, and allow mold to grow! Mold is not our friend!

The fun is in the experimentation. I have added hot sauce to make the jerky "hot" n spicy.
Remember you can flavor the jerky with anything, as long as it's paleo.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Apple-Stuffed Roasted Chicken With Sweet Potato Chips | Mark's Daily Apple

Apple-Stuffed Roasted Chicken With Sweet Potato Chips Mark's Daily Apple

This is my experiment for Tomorrow..........
I came across this recipe and thought it sounded really good........However, I am thinking I may tweak it just a bit.
Can't wait to try the Sweet Potato Chips though......yum.......I hope!!!

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Catina's Cookies.....mmm, good!

Day 28 Paleo / Zone Challenge

Busy weekend for me so far....... I haven't had a chance to post anything until now.

Not that I am keepin a score card or anything, but the Paleo world has a new convert!
Welcome Catina! Hoping Cat enjoys all things Paleo! (she was "in the zone" before)
Anyway, Catina is a kick butt chick at OCF in all she does, and apparently, she kicks butt in the baking category too!!
This is her Paleo Cookie recipe she served up at Friday's poker game......... Let me just say one word about these cookies.........YYYYUUUUUUMMMMMM!!!!!!!

Paleo Cookies

Ingredients:
2 cups raw honey
2 cups ground walnuts
4 cups almond flour
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 cup dried fruit (Cat used Raisins)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease cookie sheets, or line with parchment paper. Warm honey in a saucepan. Let mixture cool slightly. Sift together flour and spices. Place honey in mixing bowl; gradually add flour mixture and stir until well blended. Stir in dried chopped fruit.
Roll dough about 1/4-inch thick on a floured board; cut into squares and rectangles with a pastry wheel or sharp knife. (If you prefer, you can also make drop cookies, dropping the dough by teaspoonful.) Bake ten minutes. Makes four dozen.

Making a batch right now.......... I'll let you know how they turn out and post I'll post pics too!

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Wanna Be Parmesan Chicken...

Day 25 Paleo / Zone Challenge

The first time I made this dish I was craving Italian food, and of course........cheese!
So, I took how I would normally have made Baked Parmesan Chicken and tweaked it, to make it Paleo.........or in other words: Wanna Be Parmesan Chicken!


Ingredients:

Skinless Boneless Chicken Breast or Tenders ( I prefer the tenders)

2 or 3 eggs, beaten

Almond Meal

Bragg's Seasonings (or Italian Herbs)

Olive Oil

Organic, Pasta Sauce (or if you're really ambitious, home made sauce!)

Optional items: Portabella Mushrooms, Black Olives

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Heat approx. 2Tbs of Olive oil in frying pan, Mix approx. 2 cups of Almond meal with the Bragg's/Italian seasonings, and place in baggie or on a paper plate. Dip Chicken breast in beaten egg to coat, then dredge in Almond Meal mixture. Brown in olive oil for a few minutes.

In baking dish, place approx. 1/2 of the pasta sauce in the bottom of the dish. Place browned chicken on top of sauce. Sprinkle any remaining Almond meal mixture over top of Chicken, Add remaining sauce over chicken. Bake for 25 minutes,or until done. (Chicken Breast will take a bit longer than the tenders, time used is for tenders.) Optional: Add black olives before baking.

A few minutes before Chicken is done, slice and brown Mushrooms in small amount of olive oil. Use as a topping for the chicken.

I serve with Cauliflower topped with a bit of the sauce.

Note: during browning, the almond meal mixtures tends to separate from the chicken, just be flexible, and let it brown on it's own, and add to baking dish....this is what gives the dish the texture and "feel" of having cheese in it.

Just remember, as with all the recipes I have posted here so far.... I am figuring this out as I go along and am just sharing my ideas and experiences with you......I am not a professional. ;-) So, if you have any suggestions or ideas, Please share them with us!

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Veggie and Ground Pork Soup

Day 23 of Oceanside Crossfit Paleo / Zone Challenge
Day 3 of NO WOD, due to my l lower back / hip pain.......funny thing is, I don't think it's from "woding", it's from carrying my 3 month old granddaughter around on my hip!

Truly starting to enjoy cooking again, it's been a long time since I enjoyed cooking! Just ask Steve!

Here's one I have made once or twice before, always good on a cool day.


Ingredients:
1lb. or so Ground (lean) pork
1/2 Red onion (chopped)
Tbs. or so of Olive oil
2 or 3 carrots (sliced)
3 or so stalks of celery (sliced)
1/2 head of Cauliflower (chopped)
2 or so stalks of Broccoli (chopped)
Sea salt
Fresh ground pepper
Bragg's Organic spices and seasoning sprinkles (there's like 24 different spices in it)
12oz. can of organic stewed or diced tomatoes
6-8 cups Organic sodium free chicken broth

Please Note: I really don't measure much......but you know what you like and how much you like it, so just go with it......it'll be good!

In a large stock pot, add olive oil and onions, cook until onions start to become translucent, add pork, salt and pepper to taste, continue cooking until pork is no longer pink. Add Chicken broth, veggies, can of tomatoes. Add spices to taste. Simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until veggies are cooked to desired tenderness.

Substitute: Beef stew meat for the pork, just cook the meat longer before adding veggies.


Similar recipe can be found at http://www.everydaypaleo.com/

Monday, January 25, 2010

Broccoli Bacon Salad, Trail Mix and Paleo Margaritas! Great Party Snacks!

Paleo Broccoli Bacon Salad


Ingredients:
Couple of Bunches of Broccoli Chopped
½ Red Onion, chopped
½ lb. to 1lb. Uncured, trimmed bacon, cooked and crumbled
Approx. 2 Tbs. Raw Honey
Approx. 2 Tbs. Balsamic Vinegar or Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar
Organic, Mayo (with Olive oil) NO Dairy, but does have some soy
Dried Unsweetened Cranberries
Pine nuts or Raw Almond slivers
**Mix: Honey, Vinegar, Mayo and about a tsp. of water together for dressing.
Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, let sit in fridge for about 30 minutes.


Paleo Trail Mix

NOT Zone friendly! (3 MACADAMIA NUTS = 3 FAT BLOCKS)
Ingredients:
Raw Macadamia Nuts
Raw Cashews
Raw Pistachios
Dried, unsweetened Cranberries
Organic Cocoa Nips
Organic Dark Cocoa bar (sm. Amount of soy lecithin) dairy free


Paleo Margarita


2oz. 100% Agave Tequila
Juice from Fresh squeezed Lemon and lime (1 or 2 wedges each)
Orange wedge peeled, in blender
1/2 cup fresh squeezed OJ (or any unsweetened juice)
Ice, Blend.
Drink, Enjoy!