Spaghetti Squash Bolognese [P]

This recipe is directly from Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo

SPAGHETTI SQUASH BOLOGNESE

1 spaghetti squash
sea salt & black pepper to taste
2 Tblsp grass-fed butter
1 onion, finely diced
1 carrot, finely diced
1 stalk of celery, finely diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 lb ground veal or beef
1/2 lb ground pork
4 slices bacon, chopped
1.2 cup full-fat coconut milk
3 ounces tomato paste
1.2 cup dry white wine (optional)
sea salt & black pepper to taste

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Slice the spaghetti squash in half lengthwise so that two shallow halves remain. Scoop out the seeds and inner portion of the squash, and then sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper. Place both halves face down on a making sheet. Roast for 35-45 minutes -- until the flesh of the squash becomes translucent in color and the skin being to soften and easily separate from the "noodles" that make up the inside.
• Allow the squash to cool enough so that you can handle it, and then scoop the flesh out from the inside of the skin into a large serving bowl. Set aside until the sauce is finished.
• While the squash bakes: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter, and saute the onions, carrots and celery until the become translucent, Add the garlic and cook for an additional minute.
• add the ground ceal, pork and bacon and cook until browned through. Once the meat is done, add the coconut milk, tomato paste, and white wine, and simmer over medium-low heat for 20-30 minutes or until the sauce is well combined and any alcohol is cooked out.
• Add sea salt and black pepper to taste before removing the sauce from the heat.
• serve over the roasted spaghetti squash.

This recipe is directly from Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo

Thanksgiving Stuffing Meatballs [P]

This recipe is directly from Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo

THANKSGIVING STUFFING MEATBALLS

2 lb ground pork

2 Tblsp Spice blend [1/2 tsp sea salt, 1/2 Tblsp ground fennel seeds, 1/2 Tblsp ground sage, 1/2 Tblsp garlic powder, 1/2 Tblsp onion powder, 1/8 tsp white pepper, 1 tsp dried parsley]

2 tsp coconut oil

1/4 cup onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup celery, finely chopper

1/4 cup carrot, grated or shredded

1/4 cup walnuts, finely chopped

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the pork and spice blends until the spices are well incorporated evenly throughout the meat.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the oil. Place the onions, celery, and carrots in the pan, and saute until the onions and celery appear translucent. Add walnuts and cook for another 2 minutes.
• Set the onion mix aside to cool until you can touch it comfortably  Then, combine the mixture with the meat, and form the pork into 24 meatballs.
• Place the meatballs in an oven-safe dish or baking sheet and back approximately 25-35 minutes or until cooked all the way through.

This recipe is directly from Practical Paleo by Diane Sanfilippo

Chicken Pot Pie

CHICKEN POT PIE

1 (17.3 oz) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
Nonstick cooking spray
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs or breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup onion, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped (2 stalks)
1 cup carrots, chopped (2 medium)
1 cloves garlic, minced
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup half-and-half (or milk)
3 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1/4 - 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup frozen baby or regular peas

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 
• Roll out pastry sheets and cut according to dish or bowls used; set aside.
• Lightly coat a Dutch oven with cooking spray; heat Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken, cook until light brown, stirring occasionally. Stir in onion, celery, carrots, and garlic. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
• Stir flour into chicken mixture; cook and stir for 3 minutes. Gradually stir in half-and-half until combined. Add broth, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir for 1 minute more. Stir in frozen peas. Remove from heat. Remove and discard bay leaf.
• Spoon hot chicken mixture into eight 10-ounce individual ramekins or baking dishes. Top with pastry squares. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until pastry is golden.
• Makes 8 servings.

recipe directly from Better Homes and Gardens Special Interest Publications "Chicken Dinners" 2013

click on image to see "Chicken Pot Pie"
via a Pillsbury recipe

Slow-Cooker Creamy Chicken w/ Biscuits

SLOW-COOKER CREAMY CHICKEN w/ BISCUITS

6-7 medium carrots, cut into 1-in pieces
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup flour
1-1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 8)
1/2 tsp poultry seasoning
kosher salt and black pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken broth
6 biscuits, split [recipe below]
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup heavy cream

• In a 4 to 6-qt slow cooker, toss together the carrots, celery, onion and flour. Place the chicken on top and season with the poultry seasoning, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Add the wine and broth. Cover and cook until the chicken and veggies are tender, on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 2-1/2 to 3 hours.
• Thirty minutes before serving, prepare the Easy Drop Biscuits (if using).
• Ten minutes before serving, add the peas, cream and 1/2 tsp salt to the chicken and stir to combine. Cover and cook until heated through, 5-10 minutes more.
• To serve, place the bottom halves of the biscuits in shallow bowls, then top with the chicken minture and the remaining biscuit halves.

EASY DROP BISCUITS
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1 Tblsp baking powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1 cup whole milk

• Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In food processor, combine the flour, butter, baking powder and salt. Pulse until pea-size clumps form. Add the milk and pulse just until moistened.
• Drop 6 large mounds of the dough onto a baking sheet. Bake until golden, 18 to 20 minutes.

recipe directly from Real Simple "Easy, Delicious Home Cooking" magazine, Fall 2012/Winter 2013

TOMATO BASIL & PARMESAN SOUP

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery 
1 cup finely diced carrots 
1 cup finely diced onions 
1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano 
1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil 
4 cups chicken broth 
½ bay leaf 
½ cup flour 
1 cup Parmesan cheese 
½ cup butter 
1-1/2 cups half and half, warmed
1 tsp salt 
¼ tsp black pepper 

•  Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, basil, and bay leaf to a large slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft. 
• About 30 minutes before serving prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir constantly with a whisk for 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow cooker. 
• Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper. Add additional basil and oregano if needed (the slow cooker does a number on spices and they get bland over time, so don't be afraid to always season to taste at the end). 
•  Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve.

recipe directly from We pass the time of day to forget how time passes Jan 23rd, 2012