Pan Fried Cod with Peppers and Mushrooms

Cod with Peppers and Mushrooms

I was asked by my sister Shara to stay for dinner and how could I refuse a dinner like this? Shara is not only an amazing mother and talented photographer, she is an amazing cook.

Shara and Cory have the most adorable kids. Their youngest, Daxton, is less than two and Skylar is almost four. Dinner time is busy for all moms with children this age; it can be a challenge to put together a healthy meal that still tastes great. I remember the days when my kids were at my feet and it can be stressful dealing with dinner prep, but having a few recipes on hand can make your life easier.

This dish is super easy to make and tasted absolutely amazing so I thought I would share my sister's recipe with you. Thanks Shara and Cory!

Pan Fried Cod with Peppers and Mushrooms

• 2 peppers, red, orange or yellow, sliced
• 4-5 green onions
• 1 clove garlic
• 8 - 10 mushrooms, sliced
• 4 tbsp fat of choice (olive oil, coconut oil, butter)
• 5 pieces of cod fillets
• creole spice
• sea salt and pepper

1. In a large skillet heat oil or butter over medium heat. Add sliced peppers, mushrooms, onion and garlic and saute for a few minutes.
2. Season cod fillets with salt and pepper and creole spice and add to the pan. Brown the fish on both sides and cook until the fish flakes with a fork.

Daxton

Not only was it a great dinner but this little beauty came and sat on my knee and ate all my strawberries from my salad. I was really hoping that I would never run out of strawberries and he would not get full. I could feed him all day.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Paleo Shepard's Pie

Shepard's Pie topped with Sweet Potato

Here is a example of comfort food that I had as a kid. My mom made her shepard's pie with frozen corn and peas and mashed white potato but this one would rival hers I think. The sweet potato makes this dish and it goes so well with the savory filling.

You can add whatever vegetable you may have around. I would have used mushrooms if I had them. Don't be shy with the herbs because to be honest, shepard's pie is a bit boring, so use fresh herbs if you have them.

This is a dish that can be made ahead, stored in the refrigerator and baked later.

 Paleo Shepard's Pie
• 1 large or 3 small sweet potatoes
• 1/4 cup organic butter
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef or bison
• 1 large onion, chopped fine
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 2 carrots, peeled, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 3 celery sticks, diced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp coconut flour
• 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
• sea salt and pepper

1. Peel sweet potato and cut into small cubes. Place in a pot with some water and boil the sweet potato until they are soft and fork tender. When they are done mash with the organic butter and season with a little sea salt and pepper.
2. Add the ground beef to a large pot and fry until brown over medium high heat.
3. Add to the beef: onion, garlic, herbs, salt and pepper and cook over medium heat for five minutes. Add the carrots and celery and zucchini and continue to cook for a five minutes.
4. In a small bowl add the 2 tbsp of coconut flour and slowly add beef broth while whisking to make a paste. Add this paste to the beef mixture along with the remainder of beef stock.
5. Pour the entire mixture into a casserole dish and top with sweet potatoes. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

This is a simple salad I throw together a lot. It is light and refreshing and a great way to get in your greens. This salad is great with crumbled goat cheese. Serve it with grilled grass fed beef, bison or organic chicken. I often make this salad as a side to roast chicken.

Spinach and Strawberry Salad

• 4 cups baby spinach
• 6 strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 small red onion
• 1/2 cup, toasted pecans or sliced almonds or walnuts

Dressing:

• 2 tbsp raspberry red wine vinegar or cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup cold pressed olive oil
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• sea salt and pepper

1. In a large salad bowl add dressing ingredients and whisk to combine. 
2. Add spinach, strawberries, onion, nuts and toss to combine.

BLT Salad

There are no tomatoes in this picture but there is a good reason for that. I don't like them but if you do add them for sure. I made this salad for myself and my youngest sister on the weekend; we both loved it. I was out of avocado so I added pecans but you could do either.  Avocado would have been my preference if I had it.

I found Hotchkiss romaine at Amaranth. If you can get your hands on Hotchkiss lettuce in Calgary it's worth it. It's so fresh and crisp that it takes this salad to the next level.  I added fresh dates to the salad because I had bought some for an appetizer earlier that day and they were amazing. Dates and bacon go so well together. 

Bacon Lettuce Salad with Hardboiled Eggs

• 1 head Romaine lettuce
• 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 eggs, hardboiled, sliced in half
• 1 cup bacon, cut into small pieces and pan fried
• 1/4 cup pecan's or avocado
• tomato wedges
• 3 dates, pitted and chopped

Dressing:

• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil (add a little warm bacon fat if you have some left from frying)
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• sea salt and pepper

1. In a large bowl, combine chopped lettuce, bacon, onion, pecans, avocado, and dates.
2. In a small mixing bowl combine red wine vinegar, olive oil, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk together until combined.
3. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine. Plate the salad and top with hardboiled eggs and tomato wedges. Dig in!

Cakey Chocolate Chip Cookies

Grain Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

I remember the days pre Paleo living when I used to make Martha Stewart's Cakey Chocolate Chip Cookies. I think I might just love the word cake. It's about the texture for me and this cookie is exactly what I was craving.

My sister Shannon and myself.

I have been spending some time down in Lethbridge close to my family and it has been a lot of fun. My sisters are always a good laugh and I get my baby fix when I see my nieces and nephews.

Shannon made root beer float cookies this past weekend for my Niece's 13th birthday and when I get my hands on root beer extract I will make a Paleo version. I will keep you posted on this. In the meantime, make these chocolate chip cookies and make sure you have someone to share them with....like 5 sisters. They are that good.

Cakey Chocolate Chip Cookie

• 3 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, warmed
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups Enjoy Life chocolate chips

1. In a medium bowl combine all dry ingredients.
2. In a small bowl beat the eggs with coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla.
3. Mix wet ingredients together with dry ingredients and fold in chocolate chips.
4. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and drop a tablespoon of cookie dough one inch apart.
5. Bake for 15 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

Omelet with Spinach & Basil

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, especially after a hard workout. I look forward to breakfast every morning along with an Americano made with fantastic organic coffee beans. Who wouldn't love breakfast when its this good and takes 10 minutes to put together?

Here is an easy, complete breakfast composed of the 3 macronutrients. An omelet is super quick and delicious and is also a great lunch provided I haven't had eggs for breakfast. 

If I have pesto in my fridge I drizzle a little on top. Broccoli is another great option instead of spinach and if you like goat cheese, add it. The options for what you add are endless.

Omelet with Spinach & Basil

• 3 eggs 
• 1 heaping handful of spinach
• 2 tbsp red pepper, diced
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped
• sea salt and pepper
• coconut oil or organic butter

1. Heat 1 tbsp butter or oil in a medium to large non-stick fry pan over medium heat.
2. Beat 3 eggs together in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper.
3. Pour eggs into the hot frying pan, swirl to make sure it is spread out evenly. Cook eggs undisturbed for a few minutes or until lightly browned and flip.
4. Add to one side: spinach, peppers, onion and basil and using a spatula fold in half and let cook another minute or two.
5. Slide on to a plate and serve with guacamole or sliced avocado.

Grain Free Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp

Apple crisp is great on a fall or winter day and it is definitely comfort food at its finest for my two kids. The aroma is like no other with the smell of cinnamon and sweet baked apples. 

I used two varieties of apples to make this crisp; Gala and Granny Smith. This recipe is so simple to put together and its grain free. 

Make this for dessert tonight and I guarantee you will love it. 

Apple Crisp

Mix together in a medium bowl:

• 4 cups apples, peeled and sliced thin
• 1 tbsp arrowroot powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp honey (optional)

Mix together in a medium bowl:

• 1 1/2 cups almond flour
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup pecans, coarsely chopped
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 1/3  cup maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp sea salt

1. Grease an 8 x 8 inch cake pan with coconut oil or organic butter.
2. Mix apples, arrowroot powder, cinnamon, and honey together and arrange in the greased cake pan.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together, almond flour, coconut, pecans, cinnamon, maple syrup, coconut oil,  vanilla and salt.
4. Top the apples with the crumble mixture and bake at 350 degrees until the top is browned and the apples start to bubble to the surface, approximately 45 minutes.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Grilled Ahi Tuna Salad with Asian Dressing

Grilled Ahi Tuna Salad

This beautiful grilled ahi tuna salad is bursting with flavour and its fast and easy to prepare. The real player in this salad is the ahi tuna so be sure that you purchase it from a reputable source and smell the tuna before you buy it. The tuna should not smell fishy and it should be red in colour.

I grill tuna a lot in the summer.  In the winter, when it's too cold to go out, I use an indoor Breville Grill. I adapted this recipe from The Barefoot Contessa.

Ahi Tuna Steaks

Grilled Ahi Tuna
2 pounds very fresh tuna steak, 1 inch thick
olive oil
sea salt and pepper

Dressing
1/3 cup good quality, cold pressed olive oil
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
6 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice (3 limes)
grated zest of 2 limes
1 tsp grated fresh ginger
1 tsp wasabi powder
2 tsp tamari (wheat free)
2 large ripe avocados, diced
1/2 red onion, sliced
3 scallions, sliced
1 red chili, finely diced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp sesame seeds or Eden Shake (sesame and sea vegetable seasoning)
sea salt and pepper

1. Coat both sides of the tuna with olive oil, sea salt and pepper and sear over high heat for 2 1/2 minutes a side. Remove to a plate to cool slightly and cut into bit sized cubes.

2. In a small bowl whisk together: olive oil, toasted sesame oil, lime juice, lime zest, ginger, wasabi powder, tamari, sea salt and pepper. Set aside.

3. In a medium bowl mix together: avocado, red onion, red chili, cilantro, tuna and 1/2 of the dressing. Arrange on a bed of mixed greens, drizzle on more dressing, top with fresh scallions.

Eden Shake, Wheat Free Tamari, Toasted Sesame Oil, Wasabi Powder

Free Range Meat

Free Range Bison Maple Sausage

I would recommend finding a good quality grass fed meat supplier. I have been ordering from Eat Food For Life but I find I run out quickly; I need to invest in a freezer. Another option is Community Natural Foods for TK Ranch meat and other suppliers. Blush Lane carries Sunworks chicken and they usually have some good seafood that is not farmed. There are many sources around so just try and find ones that are convenient.

I mentioned a few days ago that I had been to a new meat shop called Gour-Mart . They have a great selection of free range buffalo, beef, turkey, pork and chicken. They purchase the chicken from the Hutterites.

I purchased a bunch of items: bison sausage, stewing meat, turkey sausage, bacon, and two packages of lean bison ground.  It was surprisingly not that expensive, around $60.  I grilled the sausage today and it was really good.

They had the hugest rack of bison ribs I have ever seen and mounds of jerky.  Now that the Farmer's Market is a bit of a trek this location is convenient for me. Take note they are only open for retail sales Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

 

Banana Split?

Fast banana split

Yes, I actually am going to post this. I know this may look crazy to some, but when a paleo desert is too hard to make or you don't have time,  this is the next best thing a girl has. I will not lie, I think bananas and cashew butter is the best thing on the planet.  When you add dark chocolate chips to that, well, its heaven. Alternatively use Green and Black's 85% dark chocolate shaved on top instead of the chocolate chips.

All the ingredients that you require.

Slice a banana in half and scoop on cashew butter and sprinkle with chocolate chips and pop it in a hot oven (400 degrees) until warm and gooey; about 5 minutes.

This is great with a scoop of coconut milk ice cream or simply top with shredded unsweetened coconut.

Hey, a girl's gotta have her chocolate fix.

S xo