Indonesian Style Beef Liver (Sambal Goreng Hati)

I discovered this recipe while searching for liver recipes. I adapted this after reading several recipes. I found one recipe in English and had to use Google translate for the rest, which yeilded some entertaining results such as: "If necessary, add a little oil within blender to simplify the process of destruction". I can't get fresh galangal in my area, so I had to use galangal powder. I tweaked the recipe a bit and I've never had this traditionally prepared, so I don't know how authentic this recipe is. However, it is delicious. This is a great recipe if you're still trying to get used to the taste of liver because the sauce has a very strong flavor. You might want to add some cayenne to it if your red chillies aren't spicy enough. I used purple potatoes for this, but any small potato will do.

6-8 small potatoes
1 lbs Beef liver
1 cup chopped shallots
4 cloves of garlic
4 red chilies
1 inch of fresh ginger, chopped
1/2 tsp galangal
1/2 tsp corriander
1/4 tsp lemongrass
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp coconut oil (divided)
1/2 cup coconut milk
2 Tbsp coconut aminos
1 Tbsp tamarind paste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Roast potatoes for abut 30 minutes.

In a small food processor, combine shallots, ginger, garlic, cayenne, coriander, lemongrass and salt. Puree into a paste.

Cut liver into small chunks or strips. Heat 1 Tbsp of oil in pan. brown liver, then set aside.

Add more oil to the pan and cook potatoes until brown. Add the paste and salt. and cook for 3-5 minutes until the spices become fragrant.

Add the coconut milk, aminos, and tamarind paste. Bring to a boil. Add the liver back to te pan and reduce to a simmer. Cook for about 10 minutes to reduce the sauce. Remove from heat and serve.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

People often ask me how to cook Brussels Sprouts. It's pretty simple. 

1 Brussels sprout stalk
1 cup shallots, finely chopped
1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
2 Tbsp coconut oil or ghee
Salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 350. Remove Brussels Sprouts from stalk and rinse. Cut stems, remove outer leaves and chop in half. Place in baking dish with shallots, garlic, salt,pepper and coconut oil. Roast for about 30 minutes.

Blood Orange Lamb Chops

1 1/2 lbs Lamb Chops
1 blood orange, zested and juiced
1 meyer lemon, zested and juiced
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1/2 Tbsp minced ginger
1/2 Tbsp rosemary
1 Tbsp fresh mint leaves
5-6 sprigs fresh time
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp fennel seed
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp corriander

Combine all ingredients in a zip lock bag or some other seal able container. Marinate for 24-48 hours. Grill for about 5-10 minutes on each side depending on thickness and desired temperature. Makes 2 servings.

Braciole

 Braciole (pronounced bra-jole) is an Italian dish. It consists of steak that's pounded thin and stuffed. This version is gluten and dairy free, but it's typically made with breadcrumbs and cheese.


Ingredients:
1.5 lbs round or flank steak
7-9 slices of pancetta
Pesto
Marinara
salt and pepper
Some type of fat

Pound steak until 1/8 - 1/4" thin. Add salt and pepper. Spread pesto over steak then layer pancetta. Roll tightly and tie with kitchen twine. In a cast iron pan, add fat or oil and brown meat  Place in slowcooker the tomato sauce (make the sauce first). Set on low for 6-8 hours. Slice and serve over spaghetti squash or other pasta alternative.


For the Pesto:
1 cup spinach
1/2 cup arugula
1/2 cup fresh basil
1 oz walnuts or pine nuts
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp brewer's yeast (optional)
1/2 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients in mini food processor.



Marinara:
1-2 Tbsp olive oil or other fat
1/2 cup onions, finely chopped
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp fennel seeds
1 28 oz can of tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp salt

Heat oil in large pan. add onions and saute until translucent. Add garlic saute for about a minute, then add fennel seeds and saute for another 30 seconds. Remove from heat and add to the crock pot along with canned tomatoes, tomato past and seasoning. 

Awesome Burgers

Yes, this recipe is for hamburgers. Something so simple yet complex. I like my meat well seasoned. I usually use 85% lean, but sometimes I'll mix 75% lean beef with 90% lean bison. I shape them into 1/3lb burgers. Sometimes 1/2 lb if I'm really hungry. Also notice, I don't waste my money on gluten free buns or waste my time on lettuce wraps. I eat it with a fork and knife. You can't fit all those awesome toppings in a lettuce wrap anyway and you would have to dislocate your jaw to eat that on a bun. Check out my recipe for paleo Worcestershire Sauce.

1 lb ground beef (85% lean)
1/2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce (Optional)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp rosemary
1/4 tsp basil
1/4 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp ground fennel
1/4 tsp salt
a pinch of ground cloves

Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Grill or pan fry. Top with whatever you like. I like mushrooms and onions.

Paleo Hush Puppies

This recipe is similar to my  Golden Beet Bread recipe. Golden or yellow beets have a flavor that reminds me of corn, so this is a great gluten free, grain free alternative to traditional hush puppies. These can be baked or fried.

Ingredients:
3 cups chopped Golden Beets
2 Eggs
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 cup almond flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp onion powder
black pepper, to taste
Coconut oil for frying (or if baking, add 1 Tbsp of melted coconut oil to the mix)

Roast beets at 350 degrees until soft for (45-60 minutes). This can be done a head of time.

In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs. Add beets and puree using an immersion blender. This could also be done with a food processor. After beets are pureed, add almond flour, coconut flour, salt, onion powder and pepper.

For deep frying: Fill deep fryer with coconut oil. Don't heat about 350! Shape batter into balls and place in fryer basket. Fry until golden brown.

For baking: Preheat oven to 350. Shape batter into balls. Line cookie sheet with parchment. Bake for 20-30 minutes. The baked puppies come out a golden yellow and they shrink slightly compared to the fried ones.

Cucumber, Crab and Avocado Salad

Great side dish for sushi or a great lunch or dinner for a hot summer say.

8 oz lump crab
1 avocado, chopped
1 cucumber, peeled and jullienned into matchsticks
Juice from 1 lime
1 Tbsp Coconut aminos
2 tsp black sesame seeds
2 tsp white sesame seeds

Combine all ingredients, serve cold

Liverwurst Nori Rolls

This might be my strangest recipe yet. Even stranger than Bacon Crusted Pumpkin Pie. When I was a kid I loved liverwurst sandwiches. Is that weird? If you're looking for a way to enjoy the health benefits of liver, but you don't like the odd texture, this recipe is for you. If you need a good sauerkraut recipe, checkout this one from Balanced Bites. I usually just make mine with cabbage and salt, but if you can't imagine eating liverwurst without rye bread, you can add rye seeds to your kraut.

2 Nori sheets
3 oz of liverwurst (I get mine from U.S. Wellness Meats)
1/2 cup sauerkraut
1/2 an avocado
Spicy mustard (to dip the rolls in)

You'll also need a small bowl with water and a rolling mat. In my Sardine Nori Roll recipe, there are step by step instructions on how to roll sushi. Or you can check out this link.

Sardine Nori Rolls

Do you want to enjoy the health benefits of sardines, but don't want to just eat them right out of a can? Here's a fun way to enjoy them with colorful avocado and pro-biotic carrots. You can use regular shredded carrots of you don't have fermented ones.

2 Nori sheets
1 4 oz can of Sardines
1/2 cup shredded fermented carrots
1/2 an avocado

You'll also need a small bowl with a little water and a rolling mat.


Place Nori sheet on rolling mat.

Add carrots

Then Sardines

Then add avocado

Roll.

When you get to the last half inch of the roll, dip your fingers in the water bowl and moisten the top of the nori sheet. This will make it stick.

With a sharp slice rolls. The nori sheets I buy have perforated lines to guide here to cut. If your nori doesn't have those, cut them about an inch in length. Serve cold. I like to drizzle balsamic vinegar and olive oil on mine.

Cauliflower Skordalia (Greek Style Potato Dip)

Skordalia is a Greek potato dip, usually served cold, but you can eat it warm if you prefer. This is a low-carb version.

1 head of cauliflower
2 tsp minced garlic
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp red or white wine vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
Juice from 1 lemon

Steam cauliflower until fork tender. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Garlic can be lightly sauteed in olive oil, or added raw. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil. If you used raw garlic, you might want to prepare this ahead of time to let the garlic mellow.

Greek Style Lamb Balls

Lamb is my favorite meat.

1 lbs Ground Lamb
1 lemon, zested
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 Tbsp Balsamic or Red Wine Vinegar
2 tsp Penzey's Lamb Seasoning
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp dried mint
1/2 tsp rosemary (dried or fresh)
1/2 tsp salt
Olive oil

Place ground lamb in a bowl and add vinegar, garlic, salt, and herbs. Zest lemon into the bowl and set aside the rest of the lemon for later. Combine ingredients thoroughly shape into balls. Grill meatballs for about 10 minutes, preferable over charcoal or wood, but gas works too. When meat balls are done, squeeze lemon juice and drizzle olive oil and serve.

Grilled Ginger-Garlic Shrimp

I was in the mood for Chinese food so I decided to try this. It goes well with Pork Fried Cauliflower Rice.

1 lbs shrimp, peeled, deveined

Marinade:
1 Tbsp grated ginger
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp honey (optional)
1 Tbsp Red Boat Fish Sauce
1 Tbsp Coconut Aminos
1 Tbsp Coconut vinegar
1 Tbsp Coconut oil

Combine all the marinade ingredients together in a bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Let sit in fridge for about 30 minutes. Place shrimp on skewers and grill for about 5 minutes on each side, or until done. 

Pork Fried Cauliflower Rice

 I made this to go with the Garlic-Ginger Shrimp

3 cups shredded cauliflower
1 egg, scrambles, fried and cut into small pieces
2 oz bacon or pork belly, diced
1-2 Tbsp fat of choice 
1/3 cup onions, finely chopped
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp grated ginger
1 Tbsp coconut aminos
1/4 tsp Red Boat fish sauce
1/4 tsp Chinese Five Spice
salt to taste.

In a large pan or wok, cook bacon. Add onions and saute until translucent. Add garlic and ginger and cok for another 30 seconds. Add fat and cauliflower. When cauliflower starts to slightly brown, add Coconut aminos and Fish Sauce. Add egg, Five Spice and salt. Toss together for about 3 minutes and serve.

Golden Beet Bread, A Grain-free Alternative to Cornbread

The taste of golden beets is strikingly similar to the taste of corn, which is why I love eating them with salt, pepper and lots of butter. The corniness is what inspired me to try to make bread out of them. What makes this recipe even better than cornbread (besides the obvious lack of corn) is that it comes out moist, not dry and crumbly like most cornbread.

3 Large golden beets
1 cup almond flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup coconut oil
4 eggs, beaten

Peel and chop beets. Steam them for about 20 minutes, or until they're soft and mashable. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put beets in a mixing bowl and mash beets with potato masher. Mix in almond flour, salt, baking soda and coconut oil and mash together. In a separate bowl, beat eggs. Pour beaten eggs into the bowl with the other stuff and beat them all together. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a fork comes out clean.

Pastelon (Plantain Lasagna)

This is a weekend recipe. It seriously took me 3 hours to make, I thought it would only take 2. Frying the plantains was the most time consuming because I used a deep fryer. If you're feeling ambitious, you might want to prepare it on the weekend and then stick it in the fridge to have during the week because it tastes awesome the next day (and it's easier to cut when it's cool).

Coconut oil
6 ripe plantains
2 lbs ground beef or pork
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp allspice
black pepper
red pepper (optional)
2 bell peppers (any color, I used red), chopped
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 eggs

Cut plantains in half and then slice them lengthwise into 1/4 inch slices. If deep frying, fry them in a single layer (or else they'll stick) until golden brown for about 4-5 minutes or until golden brown and set aside on paper towels. If pan frying, fry them in enough coconut oil to cover them and fry them until golden brown on each side. Set aside on paper towel.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large cast iron pan, brown meat. When meat starts to brown, add onions and peppers and saute until soft. Add seasoning and combine thoroughly.

Line a large baking dish with one layer of fried plantains. Add the meat, using a slotted spoon so the meat isn't too greasy. Press meat down so that it's level, then top with the rest of the plantains. Beat eggs, and pour over the top evenly. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Makes 6 servings.

Smoked Orange Chicken

1 1/2 lbs bone in, skin on chicken drumsticks or thighs
1 small - medium orange juiced and zested (I used a blood orange)
1 tsp Penzey's BBQ 3000
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ginger powder
1/2 tsp mustard powder

Place chicken in a zip lock bag. Zest and juice orange into the bag. Add seasoning and marinate for 12-24 hours. Place chicken in smoker and reserve the marinade in a bowl for sopping. I used mesquite, but any kind of wood would work well with this. Smoke chicken at 150-180 degrees F for about 4 hours. Periodically, brush chicken with reserved marinade.

When ready to eat, grill or bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes
.

Green Curry Shrimp

2 Tbsp coconut oil
1 lbs Shrimp
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1/2 Tbsp garlic, minced
1/2 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
1/4 cup coconut milk
3 Tbsp Thai green curry paste

Heat oil in pan. Add onion. When onion is translucent, add shrimp. When shrimp starts to get pink and curly, then add ginger and garlic. after about 2 minutes, add coconut milk and curry paste. Cook for a couple more minutes and serve with cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles.

Italian Sausage Stuffed Zucchini

For the sausage:

1 lb ground pork
1/2 Tbsp fennel seeds, toasted
1 tsp hot pepper flakes
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne (optional)
1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar or red wine vinegar

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and set aside.

For the zucchini:

6-8 small zucchinis

Cut the tops off the zucchini, then cut them in half, lengthwise, and scoop out seeds. Stuff with sausage. Bake at 350 for 45 mins - 1 hour.

Bay Scallops with Squash Linguini

Making linguini out of butternut squash is freakin awesome. I like it better than spaghetti squash. Nikos thought this was one of the best meals I ever made for him. He likes everything I cook for him, or at least he tells me so. 

1 Tbsp ghee or clarified butter (or more if you really like ghee)
1/2 cup chopped fennel bulb
3 cups butternut squash, spiral sliced or julienned
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp anise seeds

1 Tbsp ghee or clarified butter
1 lb Bay Scallops
1 Tbsp garlic, minced
1/2 lemon juice

Cut butternut squash into quarters. then cut into chucks that will fit into your spiral slicer.

Heat 1 Tbsp of ghee in a pan. Add fennel and cook for about a minute, then add squash and spices and toss. Saute for about 10 minutes. While that's going on, heat the other Tbsp of ghee and add garlic. after about 30 seconds, add scallops. those will cook fast, so when they're done, take a slotted spoon and remove the scallops. If the squash is cooked, put that on low and throw the scallops in. Squeeze the 1/2 lemon into the empty pan with the scallop liquid. Reduce liquid until it thickens, then add it to the pan with scallops and squash, toss and serve.

Salmon Bacon Awesome

This was a quick dinner that turned out awesome. Everything is better with bacon.

1 lb Salmon
4 oz bacon
Dill Aioli
1 Avocado
Sundried tomatoes chopped into bits
Juice from 1 lemon
Salt, pepper, dill, oregano, garlic powder


Marinate salmon in lemon juice and sprinkle with salt, pepper dill, garlic powder and oregano. let stand for about 30 minutes. Cook bacon until it crisps slightly. liberally spread bacon and sundried tomatoes on top of salmon and grill until salmon starts to flake. (approx 10 minutes). Serve with Dill Aioli and avocado.