Whole 30 Shepherds Pie

I have always LOVED shepherds pie.  Its filling, hearty and there is something about it being comfort food that I find appealing.  With a few little amendments, I made it Whole 30 and Paleo approved! It always makes it taste a little better too when I know its health!


2 white potatoes
1 head of cauliflower
1/4 cup coconut milk

1 free range egg
2 tbsp. ghee or organic butter
1 lb grass fed ground beef
2 stalks of chopped celery
1 zucchini diced
1 yellow squash diced

1/2 cup chopped sweet pepper
2 fresh garlic cloves minced plus 1 whole extra
1 onion chopped
2 carrots chopped
1/2 cup bone broth or beef broth
2 tsp Braggs organic spice blend
Himalayan salt to taste


1.  Chop potatoes and cauliflower and place in a pot of water with 1 large garlic clove and bring to a boil.  Cook till tender.
2.  In a large skillet, brown beef with onions and garlic.  Drain fat. 
3.  Add vegetables and sauté till tender. 
4.  Slowly add broth and spices.  Season with salt and pepper.
5.  Pour meat mixture into a greased baking dish.
6.  When potatoes and cauliflower are done, drain water.  Add milk and ghee and mash with a hand mixer till blended and most lumps are gone. Stir in egg and season with salt and pepper. 
7.  Top meat mixture with mashed potatoes mix.
8.  Bake at 350 for approx. 40 minutes or till meat mixtures is bubbly. 


ENJOY!

Potato, Leek and Broccoli Soup

Potato leek soup got taken to a new level with more vegetables!


3 leeks chopped
3 celery stalks chopped
1 large potato diced
2 heads of broccoli
3 cloves of fresh garlic minced
2 tbsp. olive oil or butter
4 1/2 cups homemade bones broth or chicken or vegetable stock
3/4 cup milk of choice
1 1/2 tsp thyme
Himalayan salt and pepper to taste


Bacon and sharp cheddar cheese for garnish

1.  Heat oil and sauté leeks and garlic till tender.
2.  Add celery and broccoli and cook till tender.
3.  Slowly add broth and bring to a simmer. 
4.  Add potatoes and thyme. Simmer covered for about 30 minutes or till potatoes are tender.
5.  Add room temperature milk and season with salt and pepper. 


Enjoy!

Dark Chocolate Brownies (gluten free and paleo)

These brownies make EVERYTHING better. They are fluffy and rich, which sometimes is hard to achieve with almond flour!


1/2 cup almond flour
1 tbsp. coconut flour
1/3 cup organic softened butter or coconut oil
3 free range eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup coconut sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
(nuts if you would like and top with a little organic powdered sugar when cooled)


1.  Whip butter, sugar, vanilla and eggs together. 
2.  Slowly add flours, cocoa, and baking soda.
3.  Fold in the chocolate chips.
4.  Pour in a greased  8 x 8 or equivalent pan. 
5.  Bake at 350 for approx. 35-45 minutes.
6.  Allow to cool before cutting.


Enjoy!

Dark Chocolate Whole Grain Banana Muffins

If bananas get mushy, my family is OUT. This is a easy and delicious way to use them up!

3 very ripe bananas

1 free range egg

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/4 plain Greek yogurt

1tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp Himalayan salt

1/2 cup organic sugar

2 cups whole wheat flour

3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

1. In mixer whip bananas with egg till fluffy. Add sugar, vanilla, oil and yogurt. 

2. When mixed well slowly add dry ingriedients.

3. Fold in chocolate chips. 

4. Fill greased (silicone liners are great) muffin tins 3/4 full. 

5. Bake at 350 for approx 15 minutes or till done. 

Pork Carnitas

Have I mentioned that I LOVE this pressure cooker! It really is awesome for fast healthy meals! This pork was so tender, juicy and yummy for tacos, nachos, burritos or a salad!

4-5 lb pork butt/shoulder 

1 onion in chunks 

4 fresh garlic cloves smashed (not cut up)

1 cup orange juice

Juice of 2 limes

2 tsp chili pepper

2 tsp cumin

2 tsp oregano

1 tbsp olive oil 

Himalayan salt and pepper

1/4 cup water

1. Cut pork into large approx 2 inch chunks. 

2. Heat pressure cooker and add oil. Brown meat with onion and garlic. 

3. Add spices, juice and water to cooker. If you have a bone, add that too. Seal cooker and set to meat setting for 35 minutes. 

4. Follow instructions for your cooker. When done allow steam to exit and remove bone. The broth is also great to drizzle meat with when serving! 

Enjoy!

Date Balls

These little gems are perfection. So much in fact I may not eat a Lara bar again! Plus, they are Whole 30 approved!

1 cup dates

1 cup almonds

1/2 cup chia seeds

1 tbsp coconut butter

Cacao nibs and unsweetened coconut to roll or top with. 

1. In food processor, pulse nuts till finely ground. 

2. Add dates and pulse till you have a well ground consistency. 

3. Add chia seeds and butter and born till well mixed. 

4. You can roll into individual balls or spread into a 8 x 10 dish. Roll or top bars with cacao nibs and coconut. 

Store in fridge! (I like to double recipe)

Enjoy!

Whole 30 Buffalo Chicken and Whole 30 Ranch

It felt like a splurge but really wasn't! Buffalo chicken just goes with ranch. And  this one didn't disappoint!

Chicken

4 free range chicken breasts

3 fresh garlic cloves minced

1/2 onion sliced

1 cup Frank's red hot sauce

Throw is all in an electric pressure cooker  set on meat for 35 minutes. 

Shred when done. 

Can it be an easier?!?!?

Ranch

1 cup LIGHT olive oil

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk

Juice of 1/2 lemon

1 room temperature egg

2 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp dried parsley

1 tsp dried dill

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp Himalayan salt

Throw it all in a Vitamix blender (or equivalent hand mixer or blender) and mix for approx 2-3 minutes on medium setting till thickens. Chill before serving!

Enjoy!