Lomo Saltado (Peruvian Beef Stir Fry)

courtesy

This was just so different and so delicious.  I'm so happy I tried it!  It was hearty, healthy and so fun!  I used our air fryer to make the "french fries" which saves a ton of time.  Can't wait to make this again.  Skinnytaste has a TON of great recipes if you are ever in a rut.  They're all rated by tons of cooks, so you can tell when you've got a good one and when you go to print, you can adjust how many serving sizes you want and it auto-updates in the recipe.

Lomo Saltado

Skinnytaste

For the Baked Fries: (I made these in the air fryer and saved TONS of time)

• canola cooking spray
• 1 medium, 5.3 oz potato, russet or yukon gold, washed and dried
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

For the Beef:

• 1/2 lb lean sirloin, cut into small, thin strips
• kosher salt, to taste
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, sliced into thick strips
• 2 mini yellow bell peppers or 1 large
• 1 large jalapeno, ribbed and seeded, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 medium tomato, sliced into wedges
• 1 1/2 tbsp low sodium soy sauce, use tamari for gluten free and coconut aminos for whole30
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

• Preheat the oven to 400°F.
• Lightly coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Cut the potato lengthwise into 1/3-inch thick slices; cut each slice into 1/3-inch fries. Place on the baking sheet and toss with oil to evenly coat. Season with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Place on a single layer onto the greased baking sheet.
• Bake uncovered on the lower third of the oven for about 25 minutes or until tender crisp and golden.
• Meanwhile, season meat with salt, pepper and cumin.
• Heat a large wok over high heat. When hot add the oil and the steak, cook about 2 minutes, until browned on both sides. Add the onions, bell pepper, jalapeno and garlic and cook 2 minutes. Add the tomato, soy sauce and vinegar and cook 1 more minute. Season with more salt as needed, remove from heat and finish with cilantro.
• Serve immediately with french fries and divide evenly between 2 plates.

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.

Veggie Turkey Taco Lettuce Wrap

courtesy

This was legit one of our favorite meals on Whole30 and our kids looooved it.  I doubled it and it was still gone after two meals.  My kids ate it in tortillas, but Brian and I made it into a salad with salsa for a dressing.  Seriously delicious and super healthy.  

Veggie Turkey Taco Lettuce Wraps

Mel's Kitchen Cafe

FILLING:

•  1 1/2 to 2 pounds lean ground turkey (or lean ground beef or ground chicken)
•  1/2 cup chopped onion
•  1 tablespoon chili powder
•  2 teaspoons ground cumin
•  1 teaspoon garlic powder
•  1 teaspoon ground coriander
•  1 teaspoon salt (I use coarse, kosher salt)
•  1/4 teaspoon black pepper
•  1/2 cup chicken broth
•  1 cup chopped broccoli
•  1 cup chopped cauliflower
•  1 cup chopped zucchini
•  1 cup chopped carrots
•  8 to 12 ounces tomato sauce
•  2 cups torn spinach

• FOR SERVING:

  •  Romaine lettuce leaves or other lettuce "cups"
  •  Shredded cheese
  •  Diced avocados
  •  Fresh cilantro
  •  Chopped tomatoes
  •  Sour cream

1. In a deep 12-inch skillet or saucepan, add the ground turkey and chopped onion and cook, breaking the meat into small pieces, until the turkey is no longer pink, 3-4 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
2. Add the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, coriander, salt, and pepper. Mix well and cook over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until sizzling. Stir in the broth and add all of the chopped vegetables except the spinach. Stir to combine. Cover the skillet and cook over medium heat until the vegetables are crisp-tender, 5-6 minutes.
3. Add the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Stir in the spinach. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach is wilted and the filling is warmed through. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
4. Serve in lettuce wraps or cups with additional toppings.

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies (gluten free, dairy free, sugar free)

I know, they sound gross, but they are so good for being so healthy! Very coconuty-tasting, which I like.

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

yields 1 dozen cookies

Ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil at room temp or palm shortening

1 egg at room temperature

1/4 coconut crystals (coconut palm sugar)

2 Tbs. honey

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups blanched almond flour

2 Tbs. coconut flour

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/4 cup dark chocolate pieces (dairy free)

1/4 cup dairy free chocolate chips

Directions:

1. preheat oven to 350

2. place the shortening and egg in a food processor and process for 15 seconds

3. add the coconut crystals, honey, and vanilla. Process again until combined.

4. add the flours, baking soda, and salt. Process for 30 seconds.

5. Scrape down the sides and pulse again if necessary to fully incorporate the dry ingredients.

6. stir the chocolate in by hand.

7. use a large tablespoon to scoop balls of the dough, placing them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly press them down to flatten, making disks about 1/2 inch thick.

8. Bake for 10 minutes, until the cookies are browned around the edges. Cool on a wire rack.

Protein Balls

We went on a ladies-only backpacking trip this weekend and it was SO fun. One of my friends made these protein balls. I didn't think much of them because I usually hate this stuff, but these were seriously AMAZING. They were the first snack gone and I've been craving the ever since.

Protein Balls

Recipe from Anne Kimble

Spray measuring cups with coconut oil (or Pam) 

1 cup all natural peanut butter (I use the big tub of Adam's crunchy from Costco)

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup pure maple syrup

Combine above ingredients

Then slowly add:

2 1/2 cups brown rice crispies (There are few brands you can find at Sprouts or Whole Foods)

1/2 cup oats

1/4 cup chia seeds (Some people use 1/8 cup, but I love chia!)

2 T hemp hearts (optional)

2 T ground flax seeds (optional)

chocolate protein powder to taste

1/2 cup chocolate chips (I love Enjoy Life brand)

The mixture will be sticky, but if it seems like it won't hold together, add a few more oats. Put mixture if fridge for 30 min to make it easier to handle. Spray a small cookie scoop and shape into balls. Place flat in gallon ziplocs to freeze (and so you won't each the whole batch the same day!).