Homemade Almond Butter

Almond butter is delicious, but a draw back is how expensive it can be (not to mention hard on the old self control!) Have no fear fellow cavemen, I have a homemade alternative that costs only a fraction of the price and tastes even better because its fresh!!!

Almond Butter

1 C Almonds (you can toast them for an even better flavor)

1 tsp of a mild oil

1/2 tsp Sea salt

Take your almonds and put them in the food processor for about 3 minutes or until it becomes a solid paste. Add your salt and slowly drizzle in your oil and let it whirl for a few more seconds.

Paleo Chips

If you haven't tried sweet potato chips yet you need to give these a shot! They are crisp and sweet and we all know that sweet potatoes are a great re-feed. I made some plain and I made some spicy by sprinkling some cayenne pepper on them before they went in the oven. I also tried sprinkling some with cinnamon and they seemed like a real treat that way!

Sweet Potato Chips

Sweet potato

1 tsp Olive oil per potato

Sprinkle of sea salt

Cayenne (optional)

Cinnamon (optional)

Cut your sweet potato into thin slices you can use your food processor for this or do it by hand. I tried both ways and I think they turned out thinner by hand which made them a little crisper. Put your sliced potatoes in a bowl and drizzle with they olive oil. Lay on a cookie sheet in a single layer and sprinkle with your salt or spice of choice. Bake a 250 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours turning every 30 minutes. If you have leftovers (good luck with that!) store them in an air tight container that will keep the moisture out!

Egg Muffins

Here is a great tasty breakfast or a good reheated quick lunch. Satisfying and easy!

6 Eggs
1/8 C Water
2 Tbsp Salsa
1/2 C Meat of your choice (I used bacon)
1/2-1 C Veggies some good combos are... Spinach and red onion or bell pepper and mushrooms
Salt and pepper

(If you really want them to be creamy like a quiche you can add 1/8 C Paleo Mayo to the mix)

Beat your eggs with the water and salsa put into greased muffin tins, it will make 6 large muffins. Sprinkle your meat and veggies over the eggs and poke down if they don't sink. Bake at 350 for 18 minutes or until the centers and solid.

Fried "Rice"

This would be a great side dish to complete your Paleo Chinese dinner! This was really good and even my non-Paleo husband who doesn't like cauliflower thought this was tasty.

1 Small head cauliflower

1Egg

2 Cloves garlic

2 tsp Olive oil

3 Green onions- chopped

1 Grated carrot

1/4 tsp Red pepper flakes

Turn your cauliflower into "rice" by putting it through your food processor with a grater attachment. Put the cauliflower in a bowl and cover with saran wrap and put into the microwave on high for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, heat oil in a saucepan and saute the garlic, green onions and carrot until they start to wilt. Whisk in your egg and pepper flakes before the egg is fully cooked add the cauliflower and cook for a few minutes to finish the egg.

Chicken and Leeks

I had never had leeks before and had always wonded what they tasted like and what to do with them. With a little research I found out that they are part of the onion family and pair really well with bacon and other fatty type meats. I also found out that when useing themyou need to chop them first and soak them in a bowl of water because they harbor alot of sand in their leaves.

I got this recipe from My Paleo Kitchen and modified it a little bit. It was very rich and filling. Also I figured it cost only about $2.50 a serving and it was very simple to make!

2 Leeks- chopped

Pepper

1 Tbsp Fresh thyme

4 Chicken breasts

8 slices of bacon

Place your leeks into a dutch oven or a casserole dish if you don't have one. Season with 1/2 the thyme and the pepper. Season your chicken with the other 1/2 of the spices and wrap with the bacon put your chicken right on top of the leeks. Put into a 35o degree oven for 1 hr covered. take off the cover and broil until the bacon is crisp it will take about 5 minutes.

Paleo Chinese Food

Healthy and fully Paleo Chinese food?!?!? Whoda thought! I thought this was a really good recipe it was filling and is a very balanced meal. Yum yum!

Broccoli Beef

Marinade:

1 Tbsp Lemon juice

2 Tbsp Olive oil

2 tsp Toasted flax seed (pop under broiler for several minutes)

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp Red pepper flakes

1 Lb Beef- cut in strips with visible fat removed- I used a roast.

Marinade beef over night and Saute in a hot pan or wok in 1 Tbsp oil with 3 cloves garlic- set aside. In the same pan prepare the stir fry sauce and add the broccoli turning to coat. Add the beef back to the pan and let it simmer for a few minutes.

Stir fry sauce:
1/4 C Chicken broth

2 tsp Toasted flax seed

1 tsp Arrowroot

1 Tbsp Lemon juice

3 C Steamed Broccoli

Go Nuts

Words can't even begin to describe how yummy this trail mix is! Take my word for it you will have to work hard at keeping your little fingers out of this one!!!

Trail Mix

1/2 C ea. Walnuts, pecans and almonds

1/2 C ea. Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds

1 Tbsp Coconut oil

1/4 tsp ea. Cinnamon and nutmeg

1 tsp Sea salt - best to use course grind

1/4 C Honey

1/2 C Dried cranberries- if you cant find unsweetened use dried cherries

1/2 C Dried apricots- use any fruit you want! Ive made it with dates, dried apples and raisins.

Mix the nuts and seeds with the spices, 1/2 the salt and the coconut oil and bake in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool, when cool drizzle the nuts with the honey and sprinkle with the remaining salt. Put back in the oven for 5 minutes more. While the nuts are still warm from the oven mix with your dried fruit and let cool.