BBQ Beef Pizza (AIP, Paleo)

Last week, I was lucky enough to receive samples of KC Natural AIP Paleo BBQ sauce, and to say I was excited is an understatement. Don't get me wrong there are some awesome AIP BBQ recipes out there, but there is something so nice about having a pre-made version you can dig right into.

Immediately after getting the bottles, I had to open each to test them out. First, I tried the Primal Cherry. It has a nice sweet and smokey flavor which would be amazing drenched over some ribs. Then I tried the Mastodon flavor. It has this sweet, peppery kind of tone that I knew would make a perfect topping for either shredded meat or ground meat like in this recipe. It actually reminds me a little of a sloppy joe type of flavor. Both sauces have such great notes of flavor that make them so different, but really encompass that smokey and sweet flavor you want in a bbq sauce.

This recipe combines my most favorite AIP pizza crusts, from The Healing Kitchen, and this new AIP product by KC Natural to make a yummy pizza that won't make you feel like you are missing anything.

BBQ Beef Pizza

Ingredients

• One Pizza Crust from The Healing Kitchen
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 medium carrots, finely diced
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 3 celery stalks, finely diced
• ½ a medium onion, finely diced
• ½ cup, KC Natural AIP Paleo Bbq Sauce, Mastodon
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate infused balsamic vinegar or just balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon coconut sugar or maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ packed cups arugula

Instructions

1. Follow instructions to make one pizza crust. This can be prepared ahead of time.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degree F.
3. Place pizza crust on a parchment paper lined cooking sheet and set aside.
4. Heat medium frying pan over medium high heat.
5. Add ground beef and sea salt to pan, and brown.
6. Once ground beef is cooked, add carrots, celery, and onions to pan allow to cook for at 5-6 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened.
7. Reduce heat to low and add bbq sauce, balsamic vinegar, coconut sugar, and garlic powder to the meat mixture and stir to combine. Cook for about 3-4. Stir frequently.
8. Remove meat mix from heat. 
9. Use extra virigin olive oil to lightly coat pizza crust. This will help keep the meat mix on in the pizza, but also prevent it from soaking into the crust.
10. Spread the meat mix on top of pizza. Depending on the size of pizza you make, you may have leftover meat. You can either super load up your pizza, or just snack on it.
11. Place pizza in preheated oven and cook for 8-10 minutes.
12. Remove from oven and top with fresh arugula. 
13. Devour and enjoy!

Warm Escarole, Pineapple, and Toasted Coconut Salad (AIP, Paleo, Vegan, Whole 30)

Vegetables. Give me all the vegetables! Since starting the autoimmune protocol, I have found myself trying out so many new veggies. Some I never even heard of just a few years ago, others I have known about, but was always to scared to try them. Are you trying new vegetables now that you have changed your diet?

If not, or even if you are, I have a tip for you. If you are fortunate enough to have an international market near, like an Asian market, I recommend you go there. Even if you don't have one, go to your local grocery store. Each week, pick one new vegetable you have never tried before and give it a go.

This week I tried escarole for the first time. I learned, through trusted Google, escarole is a form of endive. It's got broad leaves and a bitter flavor. Basically the perfect match for a sweet crunchy warm salad. As I do with almost any other recipe on the blog, I checked the fridge to see what I could mix with it. This warm salad is a perfect way to get in your greens, but in a bit of a nontraditional way.

Warm Escarole, Pineapple, and Toasted Coconut Salad

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 1/3 cup finely diced pineapple, reserve 1 tablespoon of juice
• 4 cups, chopped escarole, approximately one small head
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• A pinch of sea salt

Instructions

1. Warm a large frying pan over medium/low heat.
2. Once pan is warm, add the shredded coconut to the pan. Leave alone for 3-4 minutes, or until it begins to brown. Toss and cook for another minute.
3. Add pineapple to pan and toss with shredded coconut and cook for about two minutes.
4. Add escarole and extra virgin olive oil to frying pan and toss to combine.
5. Stir often and allow to cook for 2 minutes, just enough to combine everything and warm up the escarole, but not enough to wilt it.
6. Remove from heat and place in a mixing bowl.
7. Add in reserved pineapple juice, balsamic vinegar, and sea salt. Toss to combine.
8. Serve as a side to your favorite meal.

Easy Healing Chicken and Vegetable Soup (AIP, Paleo. Whole 30)

Tell me this is not a familiar situation for you: you come home from work to sick child or spouse or even you are getting the sniffles. The fancy dinner you had planned for this evening is not going to work now. You have nothing else defrosted and ready to go, but you know you have to make something for the family. More importantly, you want to stop this cold/flu before it takes down the whole family.

This was the situation I found myself in yesterday. Enter my favorite kitchen gadget ever: Instant Pot. I absolutely love that you can just throw everything in it and not worry about defrosting things. You just turn it on, and walk away. Then, like magic, you have the most delicious meal ever and barely did a thing to make it.

This soup took only about 5 minutes to prep and about 45 minutes to cook (counting in pressure and depressurize times). Who doesn't want a big bowl of chicken soup when they aren't feeling so great? Plus, with homemade bone broth, ginger, and turmeric, this soup is ready to battle that cold away. I am unofficially calling it my "Get Better Soon Soup!"

Easy Healing Chicken and Vegetable Soup 

{aka Get Better Soon Soup}

Ingredients

• 1 lb frozen chicken thighs
• 3-4 carrots, peeled and chopped or sliced (your preference)
• 3 celery sticks, diced
• 2 shallots or ½ a medium onion, finely diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 sweet potato, peeled, and diced
• 4 cups of bone broth
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to Instant Pot.
2. Close lid and make sure it is sealed. Using manual, set for 25 minutes.
3. When done turn off Instant Pot and either let the pressure release naturally, or if you are hungry manually release pressure.
4. Remove chicken thighs, and shred with forks. Once shredded, and back to pot and stir to combine.
5. Serve, enjoy and kick that cold to the curb! 

Makes 4-6 servings

Kabocha Tots (AIP, Paleo, Whole 30, Vegan)

Kabocha squash has quickly become one of my most favorite squash. I only recently discovered it since going AIP, and wasn't entire sure what to do with it. Roasting tastes great, but I found they could hold up their structure well enough to become yummy tater tot like side.

Ingredients

• 1 medium kabocha squash
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon savory
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degree F.
2. Wash the squash, then cut in half and deseed. You can leave the skin on or cut it off, it is based on your preference.
3. Cut squash into small, bite-size pieces and to a medium size bowl
4. In a small bowl combine garlic powder, ground ginger, savory, cinnamon, and sea salt.
5. Sprinkle seasoning blend and avocado oil over kabocha tots and stir to completely coat.
6. Pour seasoned tots on to a parchment paper lined backing sheet.
7. Put tots in preheated over for 25 minutes, toss them half way through cooking.
8. Remove, let cool for minute, then serve and enjoy!

Carrot, Parsnip, & Collard Green Ribbons (AIP, Low-FODMAP, Paleo, Whole 30)

I am all about the veggies right now it seems. Which is probably a good thing, because vegetables should be 2/3 of your plate for each meal. Just take a look at this AIP Food Pyramid by Phoenix Helix. You should be consume 6-14 cups vegetables per day. To make that possible, the 2/3 rule of thumb will help you accomplish this goal.

Carrot, Parsnip, & Collard Green Ribbons 

Ingredients 

• 2 medium carrots
• 1 medium parsnip
• 6-7 collard green leaves
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ½ cup bone broth

Instructions

1. Wash the carrots and parsnips and then peel off the skin and discard, unless organic, then you can use the skin. Using a vegetable peeler. Continue to peel the carrots and parsnip to create ribbons.
2. Rinse of collard green leaves and cut out ribs. Fold leaves in half lengthwise, and slice horizontally in ½ inch strips.
3. In a large frying pan, heat olive oil over medium high heat.
4. When plan is hot, add in carrots and parsnips and toss to combine and coat in oil. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often.
5. Add in collard greens and cook for another 2-3 minutes. or until the greens change to a brighter green color. Toss in the sea salt and stir to combine.
6. Pour in bone broth. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Cover and cook at a simmer for 10 minutes.
7. Remove lid, toss and let cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until liquid has been soaked up.
8. Enjoy!

Carrot Diakon Mint Risotto (AIP, Low-FODMAP, Paleo, Whole 30)

This risotto brings in some new rice options for those who can't have or don't like cauliflower rice. The mint adds a nice fresh element as well. Plus it is fun to use ingredients like, diakon radish, in ways you never thought to.

Carrot Diakon Mint Risotto

Ingredients

• 3 medium carrots, peeled and rough chopped
• 1 ½ cups peeled, diced diakon
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup chopped bone broth
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ cup finely chopped  fresh mint
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh lavender

Instructions

1. Add carrots and diakon to food processor and blend in short bursts, about 2 seconds at a time until it is fully riced.
2. In a large pan, heat olive oil over medium high heat.
3. Add riced carrots and diakon to pan and cook for 5 mins.
4. Pour in bone broth, sea salt, mint and lavender to pan and stir to combine.
5. Turn down heat and simmer in uncovered pan for 20 minutes. Most of the liquid should absorbed. 
6. Serve and enjoy!

Balsamic Cherry Pulled Pork & Sweet Plantain Romaine Boats (AIP, Paleo)

For some reason I always struggle to decide how to serve pulled pork. You can obviously just serve it on it's own, but it always felt like something was missing. It is that starchiness and support of a roll to shovel the goodness in your mouth I just couldn't find. Good news, I have found a solution; fried plantains and romaine leaves.

Balsamic Cherry Pulled Pork & Sweet Plantain Romaine Boats

Ingredients

• 1½ cup pitted cherries (fresh or frozen), roughly chopped
• ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoon coconut aminos
• 1 tablespoon avocado oil
• 5-6 pound bone-in pork shoulder roast
• 1 cup bone broth
• 1 teaspoons sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• ¼ cup coconut oil
• 4 yellow plantains (not yet black, but can have a few spots)
• 1 head of romaine

Instructions

This recipe uses an Instant Pot, however, I have included modifications at the bottom for those using a slow cooker.

1. In a small bowl, combine cherries, vinegar, and coconut aminos, set aside.
2. Pat dry pork shoulder, and cut in to 4-5 even pieces.
3. Set Instant Pot on sauté and add avocado oil to pot. When pot is hot, brown all sides of pork. You may have to do this in a few rounds to make sure there is enough room for each to brown.
4. Once pork is browned, place back all pieces into instant pot and cancel sauté function 
5. Pour bone broth over pork, then the balsamic cherry mix, and lastly, sprinkle sea salt, ginger, and rosemary all over.
6. Set Instant Pot on manual and use the "+" to set it to 75 mins. Close the lid and make sure the valve is on steaming.
7. When pork is done, turn off the pot and let pressure release naturally.

While the pot is releasing pressure you can start working on the plantains.

1. In a medium cast iron skillet, warm coconut oil over medium heat.
2. Peel the plantains, and cut in thirds, then slice lengthwise, so they are about a 1/4 inch thick.
3. When oil is hot, add plantain slices in a single layer to pan, don't over fill the pan.
4. Cook on one side for 2-3 minutes, or until it gets a nice brown color, flip and cook for another 2 minutes on the other side. 
5. Remove from pan and place on a paper towel lined plate. Continue until all pieces have been cooked.

Now the pork should be ready so time to shred!

1. Remove pork from pot and place in large deep baking sheet or dish. Using two forks, shred pork and remove bone. 
2. Add shredded pork back to pot and stir to combine with juices and cherries.

Time to assemble!

1. Take 3 medium romaine leaves, wash and pat dry and set on serving plate.
2. Place 2 slices of the fried plantains on each leaf.
3. Spoon shredded pork and cherries on the plantains.
4. Enjoy!!

**If using a slow cooker you can make the follow modifications: use a large frying pan over medium heat to brown the pork and cook pork and cherries on low for 6 hours.**

Serves: 8

Yuca con Mojo {Cassava with Garlic Sauce} (AIP, Paleo, Vegan, Whole 30)

Long before I discovered the Yuca Slayer, Jennifer Robins from Predominantly Paleo, I remember buying my first yuca (cassava) root because it intrigued me. Having no idea what to do with it, I did what I always do when at a loss with a new ingredient, I googled it. The one recipe that stuck out to me was yuca con mojo, aka yuca (cassava) with garlic sauce.

After trying many different variations of this recipe and making a few tweaks of my own, I found a recipe I truly loved. It is a traditional Cuban recipe that uses yuca (cassava) root, lime, garlic, and olive oil. However, my personal taste buds didn't care for the lime, so I have chosen lemon for my recipe, steering it a little from tradition. I make this recipe pretty often and love to eat it as side with anything really, but I really enjoy it with chicken and big pile of kale.

Yuca con mojo {Cassava with garlic sauce} 

Ingredients

• 1 lb yuca (cassava root) fresh or frozen
• 1 teaspoon sea salt, divided
• 1½ teaspoons plus + ¼ cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons of minced garlic
• ½ garlic cup sliced red onion
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

1. Prepare yuca
1. If using fresh yuca, cut of each end, and cut in thirds. Then, cut off the outside peel. Once peel is removed, cut up into bite size pieces. 
2. If frozen, let sit out for a few minutes until you can cut it down into bite size pieces.
2. Add cut yuca onto a medium size pot and add enough water to cover it. Add in ½ teaspoon of sea salt and 1½ teaspoons of lemon juice.
3. Bring yuca to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 25 mins (or until yuca is tender but not mushy)
4. Combine garlic and ½ teaspoon of sea salt in a small dish
5. When yuca is done, drain, and sift through to remove hard center core. Even the frozen sometimes has a little left over. Set aside.
6. Return saucepan to stove top and set to medium high heat. Add red onion, olive oil, ¼ cup lemon juice, and garlic salt mix to sauce pan. Cook for 5 minutes.
7. Lastly, add yuca to the saucepan and cook for another 5 minutes.
8. Serve and Enjoy!

Pan Seared Boneless Pork Chops (AIP, Paleo)

As as simple week night meal, these pork chops are used frequently in our meal rotation. My favorite part about pan searing pork chops is that it keeps in all the juices. It comes out perfect every time and never dry, which let's face it, often happens when cooking pork. This recipe is super easy and is another one of our go to lazy meals. I pop the pork in the fridge in the morning and it will be defrosted by dinner time. From prep to serve time you are looking at around 15 mins.

Pan-Seared Boneless Pork Chops

Ingredients

• 4 center cut boneless pork chops
• 1 teaspoon rubbed sage
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon ginger
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil

Instructions

1. Pat dry pork chops and set on a cutting board or plate.
2. Mix together all spices in a small bowl.
3. Cover pork chops all over with spice mix, be sure to pat it down to stick.
4. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium high heat.
5. Once oil is hot, add pork chops to the pan. 
6. Cook for 4 mins. Don't touch it at all, just let it cook away.
7. Now flip and cook for another 4 minutes on the other side. You will want a nice sear on both sides by the time it's done.
8. Remove from pan and let rest for 2-3 minutes on cutting board.
9. Slice only when you are ready to serve or serve as a full chop. It will keep the juices in the pork longer this way.

Easy Braised Cabbage (AIP, Paleo, Whole 30)

Recently, I had the pleasure of guest posting on for Leslie of the The Whole Life Balance. She is a an amazing blogger who shares how to find the balance between life, health, and so much more. In fact, Leslie did a fantastic guest post on Don't Eat the Spatula covering my most favorite topic, Meal Planning. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend doing so now!

The recipe I shared on her site is a very simple way to make cabbage that can be cooked up at the beginning of the week and used as leftovers with almost any dish. I usually make a batch of this every week to have it as an easy side. Click here to view the recipe.

Pressure Cooker Pot Roast with Root Vegetables (AIP, Paleo)

So in a moment of truth, I have no idea how I acquired my pressure cooker. I think it might have been an old roommates, maybe? It has been in my kitchen for at least 7 years, and yet, my first time using it was only a month ago.

It is an old Presto Pressure Cooker, that I wasn't even sure if it worked, but it still followed me around. I finally decided to see if, first, I had all the pieces, and second, if it would still pressurize. It totally worked! My first trial recipe came out great, and now I am kicking myself for waiting so long!!!! One day I do hope to get an electric pressure cooker, like the Instant Pot, but this little pressure cooker works just fine for me. You can get a new pressure cooker like mine for around $40-50 online, or you may even luck out and find one at thrift store.

This recipe is the definition of comfort food. Even it is summer for us right now, this dish still was so delicious and filling. It also freezes really well, so you can make up and save it for later.

Pressure Cooker Pot Roast with Root Vegetables

Ingredients

• One, 3-4 lb chuck roast
• 3 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1  teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1½ cup bone broth
• 4 garlic cloves, whole
• 4-5 bay leaves
• 4-5 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 medium Korean sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 2 teaspoons arrowroot starch, plus a little water

Instructions

1. Mix garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, and ginger in a small dish.
2. Pat dry chuck roast and then rub spice mix all over roast.
3. Heat pressure cooker (or frying pan) to medium heat and heat olive oil.
4. Brown roast on all sides. If you used a separate pan, add roast to pressure cooker once browned.
5. Add bone broth, garlic and bay leaves to cooker with roast.
6. Seal lid and bring to pressure over high heat. 
7. Once it is pressurized cook for 25 minutes. You can prep the carrots, sweet potatoes and onion at this time.
8. When roast is done let pressure release naturally, this should take about 10 minutes.
9. Add veggies to cooker once the pressure has released.
10. Return cooker to heat and pressurize once again over high heat.
11. Once pressurized, cook for 10 minutes.
12. Again, allow the cooker to release pressurize naturally, which should take about 10 minutes.
13. Remove veggies and roast from cooker into separate bowls. Yes a fork to shredded the roast.
14. You should have the drippings left in the pressure cooker to make a delicious gravy if you would like. To do so, simply warm up the drippings over medium heat. In a small bowl mix 2 teaspoons of arrowroot starch with just enough water to make a paste. Whisk in arrowroot starch mix into drippings until it begins to thicken. If it gets too thick simple cut it with water, 1 tablespoon at a time. Gravy is ready when the recipe is the consistence you desire. I prefer a thick gravy, personally.
15. Enjoy and serve!

Cherry Turnovers (AIP, Paleo, Vegan)

It's cherry season on east coast and while I could eat them by the handful on the their own, I thought it would be fun to try something new. With the discovery of Otto's Cassava Flour, the Paleo baked good game has really changed. I know I've gone on about this flour before, but it is seriously my favorite. When testing, I have been able to successfully sub it 1:1 with regular flour. which is more than any other options out there. Ok, enough about the flour, it's time to get to these yummy treats.

These cherry turnovers are actually pretty easy to make, though they do take some time due to allowing the dough to rest. My favorite part is that the filling uses no sweeteners at all, not even natural ones.

Cherry Turnovers

Ingredients 

Shell

• 1 ½ cup cassava flour
• ¼ cup arrowroot starch/flour
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¾ cup organic palm shortening
• ½ cup ice water

Filling

• 1½ cups cherries, pitted and quartered
• ½ tablespoon arrowroot starch/flour
• 3 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoons lemon zest

Instructions

Shell

1. Combine cassava flour, arrowroot starch, and sea salt in a food processor. Just a few pulses to combine.
2. Cut up palm shortening into small pieces (about a teaspoon each) and add to food processor with the flour. 
3. Plus mix a few times, 1-second a time, until it is a mix of crumbled flour.
4. Transfer mix into a large bowl.
5. Added half the ice water and mix until just combined. Add in remaining water 1 tablespoon at a time until it can be clumped by your hand.
6. Transfer mix onto a clean work surface such as a granite counter or parchment paper lined counter top. Your mix should look crumbly.
7. Slowly, one bit of a time, use the bottom of your palm to push and drag out the dough in quick movements. This will help it slowly come together. Do this all the way through twice
8. Once you have made it through the dough, gather it and mold it into a small loaf.
9. Wrap in plastic and place in the fridge for 45 mins.
10. Place dough on a parchment paper lightly dusted with cassava flour.
11. Roll out into a rectangle. The dough should be about a ¼ thick.
12. Fold the dough lengthwise into thirds, then following the narrow edge, roll the dough into a circle. It will fall apart a bit, just mold it into place.
13. Press down the dough into a rectangle and then repeat the process from step 11 once more.
14. After you coil the dough once more, press it down into another loaf.
15. Wrap in plastic and place in fridge while you prepare the filling. You can make the dough about to a day ahead or you can freeze the dough for later use.

The method above is based on the one found here.

Filling

1. In a small bowl, mix cherries, arrowroot starch, lemon juice, and lemon zest until well combined.

Turnovers

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Pull out dough from fridge and roll it out until it is around 1/8 inch in thickness.
3. Cut out circles. I used my Pyrex 2-Cup Round Dish, which is about 4½ inches in diameter to cut out my circles.
4. Pull and roll out dough as needed to get circles. Using my dish, I got 8-10 circles.
5. Place circles on a parchment paper lined baking dish.
6. Carefully spoon filling into the center of each circle, you will use about a tablespoon or so in each. 
7. Lightly wet the edges of the dough and fold over to crease the middle edge. It will come a part a little on top but that's ok. If it doesn't use a knife to make a few slits on top. You can crimp the edge with a fork if you like, but I personally liked the open look.
8. Place in oven for 25-30 mins, or until the edges start to brown and the filling starts to pour out.
9. Cool turnovers on a baking rack.
10. Once cool enough to eat, enjoy on their own, or drizzle with a little melted coconut butter.

Roasted Acorn Squash with Brussel Sprouts (AIP, Paleo)

Sometimes it's fun to try your favorite foods in different ways. Usually I just bake my acorn squash in halves and stuff it with meat or other veggies. However, this time I decided to ditch the shell, chopped up the squash it in to bite size pieces and mix in some brussel sprouts. I coated them all with bacon fat, because, I mean it's bacon fat, but you can use your favorite fat of choice. This is a delicious side to go with your favorite protein and a fun new way to try this versatile squash.

Roasted Acorn Squash with Brussel Sprouts

Ingredients

• 2 acorn squash, peeled and diced
• 1 lb fresh or frozen brussel sprouts, halved or quartered if really big
• 2 tablespoons warmed bacon fat (or your fat of choice)
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
2. Add prepped acorn squash and brussel sprouts to a cooking sheet.
3. Drizzle veggies with bacon fat and top with spices. Toss until completely covered.
4. Place in preheated oven for 30 mins, stir once, half way through.
5. Remove from oven and serve immediately.

Shrimp Spaghetti Squash Alfredo (AIP, Paleo)

I am excited to share this recipe with you all because not only is it AIP it's also coconut free. There are lot of fantastic remakes of our favorite dishes growing up that have been made AIP, but many include coconut in some form. However, there is a large number of people on AIP or paleo that also have a sensitivity to coconut, which is why I try, when possible, to provide options to leave it out or to not use it at all.

This Shrimp Spaghetti Squash Alfredo is a creamy dish that the whole family can enjoy. The great thing about this recipe is that you can prep the spaghetti squash and alfredo sauce ahead of time and keep them in the fridge a day or two prior to the meal. This makes the actual time to prep and cook only around 10 minutes. Perfect for a week night meal!

To help sett you up to do prep ahead of the meal, I broke out the instructions into three parts: spaghetti squash, alfredo sauce, and then full meal. I also wrote down the estimated prep time for each section to help you plan. It may look a lot more complicated this way, but I promise it's not! Often, when you break down recipes this way it's easier to see what can be done ahead making week night meals a breeze!

Shrimp Spaghetti Squash Alfredo

Ingredients

• 3 cups, roasted spaghetti squash 
• 1 small head of cauliflower, cut in florets roughly 2 ½-3 cups
• 1 cup of sliced onion
• 1 teaspoon  + 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ tablespoons organic palm shortening
• ½ cup water reserved from steaming
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons nutritional yeast (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon gelatin
• 1 lb peeled shrimp

Instructions

Roasted Squash (prep time: 1 hour)

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Wash spaghetti squash and prick all over with a fork.
3. Place whole squash in preheated oven on a baking sheet for 50 min to 1 hour, or until you can easily pierce with a knife. Rotate half way.
4. Once squash is done remove and let cool until you can handle it to cut in half, remove seeds and scoop out strands into a bowl or container if making ahead.

Alfredo Sauce (prep time: 25 mins)

1. Fill a large pot with steamer insert 1/3 full with water and put cauliflower florets in steamer and cover.
2. Place on stove top and turn burner on high and set timer for 20 mins.
3. While cauliflower is cook, in a large frying pan heat 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil over medium heat.
4. Add onion slices to warmed pan and cook until they become translucent. When finished add to a large blender or food processor
5. Once cauliflower is done, add florets to blender with onions.
6. Add reserved water from pot, shortening, salt, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, nutritional yeast, ginger, and gelatin to blender.
7. Blend until full combined and set aside or in container if making ahead

Shrimp Spaghetti Squash Alfredo (prep time: 10-12 mins)

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in large frying pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add shrimp and fry until cooked, around 5-7 minutes. Stir frequently.
3. Once shrimp is done, add alfredo sauce and spaghetti squash to pan and combine.
4. Cook for another 3-4 mins or until everything is warmed and fully mixed together.
5. Serve with your favorite sides. Makes 4-6 servings.

Shared on AIP Recipe Roundtable

Blueberry-Pomegranate Gummies (AIP, Paleo)

Who doesn't love a yummy, simple gummy recipe? As most recipes go in my kitchen, it was created when I grabbed a few things that were already in the kitchen and played with a combo that sounded good to me. These gummy treats only use three ingredients and no additional sweeteners, like honey or maple syrup.

A little fact about me, I have a growing collection of gummy molds. Earlier this year, my sister went to Australia and brought me back a mold that had a koala, kangaroo, and map of the country. It was basically the most awesome thing ever, and goes so well with the cat and dog molds I already had. You can basically find mold for anything you want, but the good news is, you can make this even if you don't have a mold.

Pomegranate-Blueberry Gummies

Ingredients

• ½ cup fresh blueberries
• 3/4 cup pomegranate juice
• 3 tablespoons gelatin (I use Great Lakes Unflavored Gelatin)

Instructions

1. Add the blueberries and pomegranate juice to a small sauce pan over medium-low heat and set timer for 5 minutes.
2. When time is up, use immersion blender to blend up blueberries with pomegranate juice.
3. Take pan off heat and slowly whisk gelatin in ½ tablespoon at a time. 
4. Pour mix immediately into molds or in a parchment paper lined baking dish.
5. Place in fridge for at least an hour or until it gels. 
6. Pop out of molds or cut into squares if using a baking dish.
7. Enjoy! 

Keeps in fridge for about a week, if they last that long

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Featured on Autoimmune Paleo Recipe Round-Up June '15

Duck Fat Plantain Fries (AIP, Paleo)

I have a confession to make, I have been holding out on you guys. Back in December, I prepared this recipe to share with you all, but couldn't quite get the pictures right. Now that I've had some months to practice lighting and my photography skills, I am ready to share. Yes, I know, totally selfish.

Anyway, enough about my selfish ways, these fries are legit delicious and so easy to make. The first several times I made them with pork lard, which totally works, but then I made them with duck fat. Game. Changer. What I love most about these fries is that they get this nice crunch on the outside, but a perfect soft center, making them the most fry-like of any potato alternative.

Duck fat can be super expensive and hard to find. Which is why I hadn't tried it before. Until I made my own. I was able to get a whole duck for just under $3/lb. By the time we were done with eating the meat, rendering the fat, and using the bones for broth, it has more than paid for itself. Again, you can make this recipe with other fats, but duck fat takes it to the next level, just saying.

Duck Fat Plantain Fries

Ingredients

• 2 green plantains
• 2-3 tablespoons duck fat (you can also use pork lard, coconut oil, or a organic palm shortening)
• Course sea salt

Instructions

1. Heat duck fat in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. You want enough fat to cover the bottom of your pan, so depending on the skillet size, you may need more or less.
2. While oil is warming up, peel the plantains. 
3. To cut the fries, I first cut the plantains into thirds, this is about as long as you want them. Then slice them into fries. Try and make them as uniform in size as possible to prevent any from cooking faster or slower than others.
4. When fat is ready (aka, when a drop of water in the pan sizzles), carefully add in cut plantains with tongs, or you will get splashed with hot oil. Be careful not to over fill the pan, by making sure fries aren't touching. 
5. Cook about 2-3 minutes on all 4 sides. You will want them to change from the dull yellow color to a nice light brown. Another way to tell they are done is by taping them and see if they outside is hard. 
6. When they are done, put them on paper towel lined plate and season with sea salt.
7. Enjoy! My favorite way to have these are along side a guacamole burger. 

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Featured on Autoimmune Paleo Recipe Round-Up June '15

Grilled Marinated Summer Vegetables (AIP, Paleo, Vegan)

Growing up, my summers included swimming all day and countless cookouts in parents backyard. They would invite friends and neighbors over, and we would grill and eat outside as often as we could. As an adult, I realized grilling can be done year round, but it is not the same as grilling between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

One item you could always count on as part of every summer party was my dad's grilled veggies. He could never seem to make enough either. They were good immediately off the grill, a few hours later, or even cold from the fridge later that night or the following morning.

A few weeks ago, I was craving these veggies so badly with the warm weather we have been having, so I had to figure out a way to make them ASAP. Normally, my dad would marinate the veggies in a store brand Italian Dressing, but knowing this option was not going to work for me, my first step was to create an AIP friendly Italian Dressing.

These veggies are perfect to take to any cookout for fellow AIPers or non-AIPers and can be enjoyed even a day or two after, if they last they long. This weekend, my parents came over for a cookout at our house and I made these veggies for everyone to enjoy. My dad said they were just as good as his, if not possible better, so I had to share the recipe with you all. Feel free to use the recipe as a guide to add and subtract veggies as you like to make the perfect dish for your family.

Grilled Summer Vegetables

Ingredients

• 1 cup brussel sprouts, halved
• 2 medium zucchini, sliced
• 2 medium yellow squash, sliced
• 6-7 garlic cloves, whole
• 2 cups white mushrooms, sliced 
• 3-4 medium carrots, sliced
• 1 medium red or sweet vidalia onion, roughly chopped
• 1 cup Homemade Italian Dressing

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Make sure veggies are completely coated in dressing.
2. Allow to marinate for at least 4 hrs, but can be up to 24 hrs. I recommend doing it the night before, or in the morning before work for dinner in the evening.
3. When ready to grill, heat grill over medium heat. You will need to use either a Vegetable Basket, aluminum foil boat or some other grill pan that will prevent the veggies from falling through the grates.
4. Once the grill is warm, add veggies to basket (or aluminum or pan). If you have a smaller grill or basket, you might need to do it in batches.
5. Grill veggies for about 35-40 minutes, stirring every so often. You want them to have some nice grill marks, but not be too over cooked. They will still have some crunch to them.
6. Enjoy along side your favorite summer time dishes. 

Shared on AIP Recipe Roundtable
Featured on Autoimmune Paleo Recipe Round-Up June '15