Paleo Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

courtesy

This was so good that I am posting on the same night I made it!  The flavors were spot on and it came together pretty quick.  I used frozen garlic and frozen ginger instead of fresh (I buy the Dorot cubes from Trader Joe's) but that's the only change.  Served it over cauliflower rice sauteed with a bit of avocado oil and chicken broth--perfect.

Paleo Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry

I heart umami

For the Chinese Chicken and Broccoli Seasonings:

• 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, thin sliced
• 1 tbsp coconut aminos
• 1.5 tsp arrowroot powder (or corn starch)
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ⅛ tsp black pepper + ¼ tsp coarse salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil

For the Stir-Fry Sauce:

• 2 tbsp coconut aminos
• ½ tsp toasted sesame oil
• ½ tsp aged balsamic vinegar
• ¼ tsp coarse salt
• 2 tbsp chicken stock
• 1 tsp arrowroot powder

Other:

• 4 large garlic cloves, thin sliced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely chopped
• 4 bulbs scallions, chopped and separate white + green parts
• 10 oz. broccoli florets, blanched
• Cooking fat of your choice, avocado oil or ghee

INSTRUCTIONS

• Thin slice chicken breasts to about ¼ and ⅛ inch thin. Season with ingredients under ‘Chinese chicken and broccoli seasonings’. Mix well and set aside in the fridge while preparing other ingredients. Stir well ‘Stir-Fry Sauce’ until there are no lumps. Prepare garlic, ginger, and scallions. Hot water blanch or microwave broccoli florets for 1-2 minutes on high and set aside to cool/drain.
• In a well-heated large stainless steel skillet or cast iron, add 1.5 tbsp cooking fat. Sear the chicken breasts in one even layer in the skillet over medium-high heat without disturbing until they are in golden brown color (about 3-4 mins.) then use a fish spatula to flip and sear the flip side. The chicken should be almost cooked through before setting them aside along with the pan juice and oil in the skillet.
• Use the same skillet and add 1.5 tbsp cooking fat, saute garlic, ginger, and white parts of scallions over medium heat until fragrant. Season with a pinch of salt and stir fry frequently to prevent them from burning (about 8-10 seconds). Add chicken and broccoli florets to the skillet.  Toss and stir the stir-fry sauce one more time before pouring it in the skillet. Toss and coat the sauce over chicken and broccoli until the sauce is slightly thickened (about 8 -10 seconds). Garnish with green parts of scallions and serve hot or in room temperature with cauliflower rice, steamed rice, or lightly sautéed zucchini noodles.

Thai Curry Soup

I made this last night and we ALL (kids included) fell in love with it.  The flavors are spot-on and you can put in whatever veggies you like.  It makes a TON, so I cooked less dinners this week than normal because we didn't want to stop eating this for left-overs.  I made Mel's Kitchen Cafe's coconut rice and put a scoop in the bottom of the bowls, which made it more filling and hearty.

Thai Curry Soup

Heavy Cream

Thai Red Curry Sauce (11 oz. bottle from Trader Joe's)

Green Cabbage Shreds- 10 oz. package

1-2 Onions, diced

3 chicken breasts, diced 

Salt

3 boxes broth (I used bone, but any chicken or veggie will work)

Vegetables of your choosing

I used: Green beans, sweet peppers (the small multi-colored ones), broccoli, 2 zucchinis, carrots, mushrooms.  You can put in whatever you like and it all works!  Just make sure you adjust cooking times (ie- zucchini and mushroom cooks fast and should go in at the end)

Instructions: 

In a LARGE pot, sautee onion in 2 Tbs. butter until soft.  Add cut chicken and minced garlic.  Cook until chicken is no longer pink.  Pour broth, green beans, and carrots in (and any veggie that may need more time to soften).  Bring to a boil for 10 minutes, or until veggies are soft to your liking and chicken is fully cooked. Add chopped zucchini and Thai sauce.  Bring to a boil again and then add cabbage and cream (I probably used 1 cup cream, but you can add to your desire).  Cabbage cooks fast, so give it a minute or two and then serve.

Broccoli- Cauliflower Casserole

I made this for Thanksgiving dinner and thought it was super delicious.  Its a vegetable indulgence, if you will....and I mean that in that its not necessarily low-fat.  But, its a great vegetable dish for a nice dinner because you can make it ahead of time and it can sit on the counter for a good amount of time while you pull the dinner together and still taste fresh and not soggy.  I didn't use the breadcrumb and butter topping (save the calories and time!) and it was still fantastic, so its not a necessary step.

Source

Broccoli-Cauliflower Casserole

Adapted from The Pioneer Woman

• 1 head (large) Broccoli
• 1 head Cauliflower
• 6 Tablespoons Butter
• 1/2 whole Medium Onion, Diced
• 2 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1/4 cup Flour
• 2-1/2 cups Low Sodium Chicken Broth
• 4 ounces, weight Cream Cheese, Room Temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Seasoned Salt, More To Taste
• 1-1/2 cup Grated Monterey Jack Cheese, More To Taste
• 1 Tablespoon Butter (optional)
• 1/3 cup Seasoned Breadcrumbs (optional)a

Preparation Instructions

Break the broccoli and cauliflower into small florets, cutting off the thick stalks as you go. Steam them for 3 to 4 minutes until the broccoli is bright green, then remove them from the heat. Set aside.

In a large skillet, melt the 6 tablespoons of butter and saute the onion and garlic until the onion starts to turn translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the top, whisk to combine, and cook for another 45 seconds. Pour in broth, whisking constantly, then cook until the sauce thickens. Reduce the heat to low and add the softened cream cheese, salt, pepper, seasoned salt, and paprika. Stir to combine until the sauce is nice and smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings, making sure it's nice and flavorful! Keep warm.

(Optional topping) In a small bowl, stir together the breadcrumbs and melted butter. Set aside.

Mix and layer the broccoli and cauliflower in a large casserole dish. Pour on the cream sauce, then sprinkle on the cheese. End with a sprinkling of breadcrumbs. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 25-30 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Serve warm.

Latin Veggie Bowl

This is a homemade version of my very favorite meal at La Duni in Dallas. They also serve fried yucca and plantains on top (you can too, although the following recipe doesn't include it).   The flavors are really fresh and delicious.  Easy to make and extremely healthy and filling.  My kids loved it too!

Latin Veggie Bowl

From BrunchTime Baker

Cilantro Marinade

• 1 cup cilantro, lightly chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lime juice (or juice of half a lime)
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 jalapeno lightly chopped (for un-spicy remove the seed)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon fine pepper

1. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor for less than one minute or until the texture is nice and chunky. Be sure the garlic is fully processed. If you don't have a food processor you can make the marinade by dicing the cilantro, jalapenos and garlic very lightly and then mix the ingredients in a bowl with a fork. 
2. For a less spicy version, remove the inside of the jalapeno and wash it under cold water and be sure not to get any of it in your eyes. Store the marinade in the fridge for up to one week.

Vegetable Mix

Asparagus, diced and ends snapped

Broccoli, cut into small pieces

1-2 cans of black beans, drained

Cooked brown or jasmine rice

Halved cherry tomatoes, for topping only

Mix marinade into veggies and beans.  In large saute pan, pour about 1 Tbs. olive oil and heat.  Saute veggies in oil until tender, about 5 minutes.  Serve over cooked brown or jasmine rice and sprinkle chopped cherry tomatoes on top.

Broccoli Soup & Turkey Avocado Paninis

Broccoli Soup & Turkey Avocado Paninis

Dagmar Jewkes

For the Soup:

1 1/2 lbs. broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces

6 bouillon cubes

1 quart water

2 cups milk

1/3 c. flour

1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese

Cook the broccoli in the bouillon and water, stirring occassionally, until tender. Puree in blender with milk and flour (this will guarantee a smooth thickening of the soup). Put back in pan and cook slowly, until thickened. Add cheese until melted.

For the Paninis: (Makes 4 sandwiches)

4 slices of your favorite bread (or roll)

Mustard

Ranch dressing (light)

2 slices of cooked, crispy bacon

8-12 slices of turkey deli

1 avocado

Cheese

Spread a drop of ranch dressing and mustard on one side of bread. Cover with 1/2 slice of bacon. Add 2-3 slices of turkey, 4 thin slices of avocado (@1/4 avocado each), sprinkle cheese on top. Cook in oven at 375 degrees until desired browning occurs and cheese is melted.