The Paleo Pact

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Lemon Butter Chicken Roast

Roast chicken is always a great dish to serve when entertaining, or even to make to portion off and have delicious pre-cooked protein available throughout the week.

This Lemon Butter Chicken Roast recipe is easy to make and comes hot out of the oven with tenderness and favor.

INGREDIENTS

1 whole baby chicken (about 3 lbs), fresh or defrosted
4 tablespoons grass-fed butter (2 x 2 tablespoons)
2 teaspoons garlic, fresh chopped or powder granules (2 x 1 teaspoon)
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (2 x 1 tablespoon)

RECIPE

Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Place the chicken upside down in the center of a large oven dish and separate the legs.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and pour it into a small bowl.
Mix into the butter 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of garlic.
Reach under the skin and coat the chicken with a generous amount of the lemon butter mixture on all sides. Pour the remainder of the mixture over the chicken and set in the oven for 25 minutes.
After 25 minutes, repeat the above – mix the other 2 tablespoons of melted butter with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 teaspoon garlic and coat the chicken.
Turn the oven temperature down to 325 degrees F and place the chicken back in the oven to roast for about another 45 minutes to an hour.
Once the chicken is well cooked (the interior temperature on a thermometer reaches 165 degrees F), remove the bird from the oven and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes.
Drizzle the natural juices from the oven dish over the chicken pieces for extra lemon butter flavor and to add moisture before slicing and serving.

Note: While this recipe does not call for the removal of the neck and giblets, as these parts of the chicken are excellent sources of protein, they can certainly be removed, or kept separate and cooked later on the stove top if preferred. To learn more about Nose To Tail eating, click here.

Camilla Carboni

PALEO Cleanse made the Amazon Best Seller list!

Coconut Yogurt Made Simple

I’ve tried several different methods for making coconut yogurt. My biggest issue with all of them were that they were extremely involved and time consuming. I decided I needed to find an easy way to make coconut yogurt with as limited involvement as possible, because let’s face it we try to keep recipes as simple as possible on this blog.

Don’t worry though, in this case simple is exactly what you need to make fantastic coconut yogurt.

INGREDIENTS

1 can of coconut milk (the fuller fat the better)
2 probiotic tablets (mine were rated at 10 billion), you’ll need to break these open as you’ll just be using the powder and be discarding the casings.
3 teaspoons of honey
1 teaspoon of gelatin
*you’ll also need 1 mason jar.

RECIPE

Turn your oven light on, just the light you do not need to turn on the oven. The heat from the light will be enough to incubate the yogurt and give it the sour taste that you like.
Open the can of coconut milk and scoop out the thick coconut cream that has formed at the top of the can and place in a clean mason jar.
After you have scooped out the thick coconut cream, add roughly 5 tablespoons of the remaining liquid to the mason jar with the cream. (The remaining liquid can be saved and added to smoothies!)
Add the probiotic powder, honey and gelatin the mason jar and stir to combine.
Stick in the over with the oven light on for 24 hours (do not cover).
After 24 hours remove from the oven.
You’ll notice that the yogurt has separated, a milky color liquid on the top and a clear liquid on the bottom
For a thicker yogurt, spoon the milky top layer and half the clear liquid into a blender, blend and enjoy!
For a thinner yogurt, place all liquid into a blender, blend and enjoy!

As a note, if you plan to refrigerate the yogurt and not consume it right away it is best to prepare the thinner yogurt. The yogurt will become thicker the longer it is in the fridge. While there are several steps for this recipe it is well worth your time, you’ll become addicted to this recipe quickly!

Enjoy!

Melissa Van Dover

PALEO Cleanse made the Amazon Best Seller list!

Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s Pie was always a favorite of mine growing up.

I have fond memories of devouring spoonfuls with my Grandmother, followed by a lazy evening watching old comedies or attempting to complete crossword puzzles. We were like two little old ladies! It was fabulous.

Years later, I have finally recreated my Gran’s wonderful recipe and made it Paleo, substituting the white potatoes with sweet potatoes, and the peas with broccoli florets.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do…

INGREDIENTS

2 large sweet potatoes or yams
1 teaspoon coconut oil or beef tallow
1 pound grass-fed, ground beef
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon crushed garlic
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, sliced
1/4 cup grass-fed butter
Salt for seasoning
1/2 cup broccoli, chopped into pea-size florets

RECIPE

Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Peel and slice the sweet potatoes and put them on to boil or steam.
In a large saucepan, melt the coconut oil over medium heat.
Add the ground beef to the saucepan and cook until evenly browned.
Sprinkle the meat with the oregano and onion powder, then add the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes and stir.
Drain the sweet potatoes after about 20 minutes, or once fully cooked and soft.
In a medium mixing bowl, mash the sweet potatoes with the butter and add salt to taste.
Then, in an 8 x 10-inch oven-safe dish, pour the meat mixture evenly across the bottom and then top with the raw broccoli florets.
Layer the sweet potato mash on top of the broccoli.
Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes.
Remove from the oven, serve and enjoy it while it’s hot!

Camilla Carboni

PALEO Cleanse made the Amazon Best Seller list!

Paleo Smoked Salmon & Bacon Salad

I feel like I have a lot of favorites when I share recipes with all of you, I think it’s because I only like to share the recipes that I know are great and that I thoroughly enjoy. So here we are again with another favorite, however this is a little different because this is hands down my favorite salad recipe.

I came up with it on accident, essentially I had limited ingredients in my fridge and I was having a craving for bacon (who doesn’t right?). Now, I eat this salad regularly because it’s simple to make and it’s filling, which is particularly good for getting me through my afternoon workouts.

You may even notice that I’ve created a wrap based on it in the post Paleo Smoked Salmon wrap, clearly I can’t get enough.

INGREDIENTS

1 cup of kale and shredded brussel sprouts
3 strips of bacon, diced
3 – 4 ounces of smoked salmon
1/2 avocado, sliced
balsamic vinegar (I like to use a dressing that’s slightly thicker)

RECIPE

Place kale and brussel sprouts mixture on plate.
Cover mixture with bacon, smoked salmon, avocado slices.
Dress with desired amount of balsamic vinegar (or dressing of your choice).
That’s it! It’s simple but that’s part of why it’s so perfect. This salad will speak for itself.

Enjoy!

Melissa Van Dover

PALEO Cleanse made the Amazon Best Seller list!

Candied Walnuts

Even if you’re perfectly Paleo you no doubt occasionally have candy cravings. That’s normal! The trick is not to throw in the towel and cheat too badly, but to get creative with naturally sweetened snacks.

Dates are always a good choice to help cure sugar cravings, and so are raisins, but for those times when something a little more candy-like is needed, you can always whip up some Candied Walnuts…

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cup walnuts
2 tablespoons honey or raw agave nectar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

RECIPE

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
In a small bowl, mix together the honey/agave, cinnamon and vanilla extract to form the candy dip.
Line a baking tray with foil or parchment paper.
Dip each walnut piece into the candy dip, making sure you cover the entire nut, and then place each nut about 1/4 inch apart from one another on the baking tray.
Continue until all the nuts are dipped and placed on the tray.
Place the tray in the oven and bake for 5 minutes.
Remove the tray from the oven and set aside to cool for about an hour, or until the candy dip has hardened on the nuts (to expedite this cooling process, place the nuts in an air-tight container and refrigerator).

Enjoy this sweet but healthy alternative to candy!

Camilla Carboni

PALEO Cleanse made the Amazon Best Seller list!

Valentines Peaches

With Valentine’s Day coming up you might be searching for a sweet treat for your someone special. Don’t worry, we have a simple recipe that anyone can make. This pairs perfectly with coconut yogurt, sorbet or coconut yogurt, which you can make yourself or purchase from your local health food store.

INGREDIENTS

1 peach (a ripe peach is preferable)
1 tablespoon honey
coconut yogurt, sorbet or coconut yogurt (if you’d like)

RECIPE

Wash peach and cut into cubes.
Place peach cubes in a microwave safe bowl and drizzle with honey.
Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, stir. (or until your peaches are rather warm)
Serve with your choice of yogurt, sorbet or coconut yogurt.

It’s that simple. Impress your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day with a homemade treat.

Enjoy!

Melissa Van Dover

PALEO Cleanse made the Amazon Best Seller list!

Almond Power Balls

When it comes to living a Paleo Lifestyle, snacking is the thing that many people find most challenging. Vending machines are off-limits, standard granola bars and cookies are loaded with all those naughty ingredients we try to avoid, and often time isn’t on our side to whip up Paleo equivalents. That’s when quick and easy items, like Almond Power Bars can be a fabulous go-to (plus, they make a great dessert!)

Packed with nut and date power, these Balls are rich in fiber, healthy oils, potassium, magnesium and iron. Let’s get rollin’

INGREDIENTS

1 organic, free range egg
2 tablespoons grass-fed butter
1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar
1/2 cup dates, pitted and chopped
1 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup coconut flakes
2 tablespoons almond butter

RECIPE

Makes 10 Almond Power Balls:

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat.
Add the egg and coconut palm sugar and stir quickly until thoroughly blended.
Toss the dates, almonds, coconut flakes and almond butter into a mixing bowl and pour in the heated egg and sugar mixture.
Stir until all the ingredients are well combined.
Using your hands, form the mixture into bite sized balls (if you find the mixture to be too moist, simply add a sprinkle of coconut flour or extra coconut flakes.)
Place in the refrigerator for about an hour to set and cool before serving.

Enjoy them one bite at a time as a healthy power snack on the go, a good-for-you dessert, or as a workout breakfast buddy. Drizzle them with more almond butter for an extra indulgent and protein-rich treat!

Camilla Carboni

PALEO Cleanse made the Amazon Best Seller list!

Simple Tuna Wrap

I’d always heard about people adding avocado to their tuna instead of mayonnaise. Originally I discarded the thought because the taste combination didn’t seem to work in my head, however with the development of my egg allergy I had to step outside my comfort zone.

I decided to give the avocado and tuna a try but I wanted to spice it up a little and include more flavor. The result was a fresca, guacamole inspired tuna salad that I placed in a coconut wrap. This wrap is delicious, simple to make and relatively inexpensive… it’s a triple threat. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

INGREDIENTS

1 can of tuna
1/2 avocado, sliced
juice of 1 lime
1/2 red onion, diced
1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
1 – 2 coconut wraps

RECIPE

Drain liquid from the tuna and place tuna in a bowl.
Add avocado, lime juice, red onion and cilantro to bowl.
Mix all ingredients together, mashing occasionally; until desired consistency is reached.
Place tuna mixture into wrap.

It’s that simple. Also, it’s a great option for a picnic or camping, the ingredients are simple enough to transport which means you can bring it with you and make it wherever you are.

Happy Wrapping!

Melissa Van Dover

PALEO Cleanse made the Amazon Best Seller list!

Superfood Shake

It’s not often that the morning goes by without me whipping up a Superfood Shake to boost my nutrient intake, and subsequently, my energy!

Because the ingredient list in this shake is packed with a variety of lesser-known and therefore harder to locate Superfoods, I’ve hesitated sharing this recipe, as you know how we like to keep things simple :)…but after being asked by numerous co-workers what I’m putting in my tasty morning concoction, I finally gave in…

So here it is – my personal favorite (and rather addicting) Superfood Shake recipe!

INGREDIENTS

6 cubes of ice
3 dates, pitted
1/2 cup coconut milk
1 tablespoon almond butter
1 teaspoon egg-white protein powder
1 teaspoon cacao powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon instant coffee grinds (or a shot of espresso and a little less coconut milk)
1/2 teaspoon maca powder
1/2 teaspoon matcha green tea powder

RECIPE

This is where it’s easy – just place all the ingredients in a blender and pulse for about a minute until well blended.

Pour into a large glass and enjoy while chilled.

And then start your day by giving yourself a pat on the back – knowing that you have given your body a boost of superfoods containing antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

To read more about super foods, click HERE, and to find superfoods – try your local health store or even Amazon.

Enjoy!

Camilla Carboni

PALEO Cleanse made the Amazon Best Seller list!