Terrific Turkey Curry

This is one of my favorite easy recipes. Ever wonder what to do with that broccoli slaw at Trader Joes? This.
You can use ground pork or chicken if turkey is not your thang. Also you can kick it up or down on notch on the seasonings but I like some kick. You can serve it over cauliflower rice or cooked spaghetti squash but I love it as is.

I could eat this till I explode.

1 pound of ground organic turkey
4 organic green onions, chopped large
2 bell peppers of different colors (red/green, or yellow/purple) large dice
1 bag of organic broccoli slaw (see trader joes)
2 tablespoons organic garlic olive oil (see trader joes) or coconut oil
1 and 1/2 cans of light organic coconut milk
 (or full fat, up to you but I am not trying to gain weight)

1 1/2 Tablespoons of ground Cumin
2 1/2 Tablespoons of Curry Powder
1/4-1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp turmeric
1 teaspoon MrsDash extra spicy seasoning (or cayenne powder or more red chili pepper to taste)

In a wok or large skillet, heat the garlic olive oil/coconut oil over medium-high heat.

Add in the green onions and peppers, sautee just until crisp-tender (about 3 minutes)

Add in the ground turkey and seasonings, breaking up the meat as it cooks, for a few more minutes until the meat is nearly cooked through.

Add in the broccoli slaw (and/or your favorite veggies) and continuing to stir everything together.

Pour the coconut milk over the entire mixture and simmer about 4 more minutes until the broccoli slaw is tender.

BAM so easy, healthy, versatile, and delish!! 
The leftovers are amazing.
You are welcome.

Paleo Salisbury Steak with Garlic Mashed Potatoes; the ultimate comfort food

So yeah the whole potato debate, is it paleo? Some say yes some say no. 
Here is a good sorce http://www.primalpalate.com/blog/are-potatoes-paleo/
So I decided I need more carbs for my work outs and honestly I am going through some food allergy issues hence the non posting on my blog lately. I am working with a Doctor specializing in food allergies so I have had to experiment with my diet. I will touch more on that later.

If you feel strongly about potatoes do mashed sweet potatoes the same way but less cook time aight. 

For the Salisbury Steak:
Some of the ingredients go into the meatloaf type mixture some are for the sauce it simmers in.

1 pound grass fed ground beef
1 egg
3/4 of a whole onion chopped, (1/4 c food processed onion is needed for the beef mixture) 
1/3 cup dried mushroom (I used porcini's)
1 1/2 c broth (I used organic low sodium chicken)
2 packages fresh organic mushroom of choice (i used button and crimini) cleaned and sliced
1 tablespoon garlic puree
1 handful fresh parsley chopped in processor
3-4 sprigs of thyme
1/4 almond meal
1/2 c coconut milk
truffle salt (for the mushroom sauce)
1 tablespoon arrowroot powder for thickening (optional)
4 tablespoons bacon fat or fat of choice

Dried seasonings for meat mixture:
1/2 tsp garlic and onion powder each
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
Pepper and salt to taste

Heat broth to a boil pour over dried porcini's and let sit for 20 minutes minimum.

For the patties: mix the meat, egg, 3/4 of the chopped parsley and thyme, garlic puree, 1/2 cup of finely chopped (food processed) mushrooms,  1/4 c processed onion, dried seasonings, and almond meal. Form into oval patties.

Heat bacon fat and brown the patties for 3 minutes per side over medium high to high heat. Remove patties from pan set aside lower heat add onions, saute for about 2-3 minutes on med high heat, add fresh mushrooms, season with truffle salt and pepper and saute a few minutes till browned. Pull porcini's from broth (reserving broth) and chop them. Add to pan with remaining parsley and thyme. (You can also add more pureed garlic to the sauce depending on preference). 
Mix the arrow root with some of the mushroom broth to form a thin rouge and set aside.
Pour in the rest of mushroom broth mixture and coconut milk into mushroom onion pan. Add some pepper, truffle salt, and onion/garlic powder to sauce. Nestle patties and their juices back into pan. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.

 Pour arrow root/broth mixture into pan 15 minutes through cook time  to thicken sauce.

For the potatoes:

While meat is simmering boil chopped red organic potatoes (skin on) with a head of garlic peeled and rough chopped in heavily salted water for 10-15 minutes until fork tender. Drain and mash with some coconut milk and pepper and salt to taste. I also used some of the broth while mashing the potatoes to thin them a bit. (Note: if using sweet potatoes you may want to peel them)

Pour mushroom gravy over patties and into hole you make in mashed potatoes.
Serve with veggies of choice or not. 

Slip into comfort food coma.

Farmers Markets

 Farmers Market's are one of my biggest loves no matter what city I live in. Nothing is better to me than a warm California day and riding my bike (with the detachable basket of course) to my local FM. I have been really blessed to have had 2 of the best ones within riding distance from me. For many years it was the Campbell market. Now it is the Hillcrest, San Diego one. I have driven out of my way to try many other markets depending on the day of the week. I love that in San Diego there is one for every day of the week in some nearby area. No matter what the area there are always colorful people to meet and inspirational stories and products.

I feel best when I am supporting my local businesses and farms. 

 It can't get any fresher than your local farmers market unless you grow it yourself. Unfortunately my new place has no real garden area or you can bet I would be growing some good stuff. I did manage to plant some key herbs in my front area.

So every market I have been too seems to have something unique to offer. In Campbell I was hooked on The Oaxacan Kitchen. Best mole negro tamales and salsa I have ever had. Man I miss them!
I miss my egg guy too, they are way more expensive in SD for some reason.   

The real person I miss is Dominique and Twist cafe. I used to spend almost every Sunday after the market on his patio at Twist sharing life stories and drinking Mimosa's.
Twist unfortunately closed December of 2011. However Dominique is opening a new place up the street soon. 




Golden Hill reminds me of a mini San Francisco. Their Farmers Market borders South Park and is ridiculously small but considerably less expensive than the Hillcrest one. 
 
DO NOT I repeat do not try the Mushroom guys fermented elixirs without being close to a bathroom.

The unique vendor here is the Gluten Free Pasta Place. They have regular gluten pasta's as well. I purchased a spinach garlic one.  I will keep you posted on how that is.
I also picked up popcicle makers from the Tupperware lady that's there. I love popcicles and want to make my own with fresh fruit.

Golden Hill FM is nice because it's not crowded. It's on Saturdays which is in direct competition of the main favorite one in Little Italy. I love the Little Italy one it goes down a hill and has breathtaking Ocean Views, but pretty much the same vendors as the Hillcrest one.


So onto my favorite and also closest, the Hillcrest Farmers Market *swoon*  


Every Sunday you can find me here. I always get my green fix on with these juicers there is always a line. I get a 32oz jug for the week for $7 or $8 if you don't bring your refill jug. It's loaded with kale and healthy stuff. I have yet to find kale anything that I like except for this so that's how I get my kale on.

<--This is my favorite Pesto Place. It's like $10 a bag but lasts forever and is really delicious with simple organic ingredients. I like to make portabello pizza's with these: clean out the mushroom fins, olive oil, salt and pepper then a layer of pesto. When I wasn't Paleo I used to then put ricotta, slivered basil, fresh tomato and top with mozzarella. Bake 350 for 8 then broil till the cheese was bubbly. Now I top with whatever non cheese item usually tomato and basil or spinach, sometimes chicken or sausage too but always one of her flavored pesto's.

 I have a sweet tooth. This lady is my super hero. Paleo desserts, yep, heaven. I get 3 for $10. I like to freeze them for emergencies.

It seems like they keep adding new vendors. I almost pee'd my pants when I saw this Gluten free pupusa place 2 weeks ago. I LOVE pupusa's I had no idea they were gluten free. I may have passed it by in my depressed shopping state (I get depressed shopping because of my gluten allergy). Anyway I know this isn't Paleo but I am a firm believer in a cheat meal once a week so this was it! I had a Loroco and cheese. Loroco is a delicious exotic flower, native of El Salvador.  It is a natural aphrodisiac that contains vitamins A, B and C, besides calcium and iron. It is rich in fiber. It is also low in calories. It was delicious stuffed with the traditional cabbage that comes with them!

 My favorite meat place is Sonrise Ranch. I am hooked on their french apple sausage. It's amazing with eggs!



 They are right next to the Uni, oyster, and fish place. People really love that uni. 

 This creperie lady came from Africa and is selling these crepes to build schools in Africa. I did support her cause and purchased one recently. It tasted like a pancake not a crepe but there is always a crazy line there so glad everyone is also supporting her noble cause.

This exotic fruit guy is a character that's for sure

 The Spanish Deli is where I found the delicious gluten free bread I mentioned on an earlier post.   
 
The Thai food place is fun and really tasty too. It's exhibition cooking so it's quite a show! 


Last Sunday there was a new rotisserie chicken truck selling Free Range Organic Roasted chickens for $12. Now that is a deal. It was delicious and the guys working it were funny. I really enjoyed it cold the next day! I don't have a picture I forgot my phone I hope they are there this weekend!

So the North Park market may actually be my closest one in the opposite direction. It is really small and on Thursdays. If for some reason I can't make it to the Hillcrest one I will go here. 
But not my favorite one. I did pick up some new sausage from another local farm but I have not tried it either.  SOON!

Simple Breakfast

I can be quite the simplistic cook when need be. We all have to be if we want to eat healthy and on the fly. I can whip up my favorite breakfast, fried eggs and be off to my day's adventures in a few minutes. Fried eggs don't have to be boring. 

Today I used a garlic harisa sauce/dip that I purchased from my favorite Farmers Market.

  I also halved some cherry tomato's and tossed them in towards the end of the egg cook time. I put the harissa in while cooking the eggs and topped it after. Sliced a half of an avocado and I was good to go. It was REALLY tasty.
 
 Another fried egg combo I like to use is topped with Green Chili Salsa from TJ's and some chopped fresh cilantro, avocado, and tomato.

Tonight I am going to try to replicate my favorite soup from the farmers market, a broccoli cashew soup so stay tuned!

I LOVE Farmers Market's and tomorrow I think I will dedicate my post to them.

Best Brussel Sprouts

I can get even the pickiest of eaters to eat my sprouts! I once had a room mate exclaim "Ewwww gross" when they saw me prepping this dish. As soon as the garlic and bacon smell wafted into the other room, well they were hovering over me in the kitchen begging to try them. Said room mate proceeded to harass me for these once a week.

 

I prefer a big fresh stalk to pull from. The bagged ones in TJ's or any fresh produce store will do fine. Be sure the bases of the sprouts are white not brown. 

Brown means they are old and will be bitter. 

 

You will need:

• Brussel Sprouts

• Bacon or pancetta, 2 strips cut into cubes  (optional)

• Ghee- 1 tsp and Olive Oil- approx 1 tbsp    

• Head of garlic, peeled and cloves cut in half 

• Fresh Sage,  5 leaves chiffonaded

• Red Pepper flakes, 1/8-1/4 teaspoon or to taste

• Vegetable or chicken broth (optional)

  

  Rinse and cut a little of the ends off the spouts. Cut them in half and place in bowl with the halved garlic, salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Toss to coat. Saute small chunks of bacon or pancetta till crispy remove from pan.  In the bacon grease pan, add the ghee (use more and more olive oil if not using bacon). I use garlic olive oil.  Place sprouts halved side down in oil sprinkle in halved garlic, sage and red pepper flakes. Cover with lid and DON'T mess with them. 

  

   

  Check on browning after about five or six minutes and adjust heat as necessary. If they get too brown or burnt, add a small amount of broth (or water) to the pan to finish cooking them through. Stir after they are golden dark brown on the cut sides and steam 2 more minutes for the back sides of them. Add in the bacon and serve. I used to sprinkle Parmesan on them before serving. If you eat cheese that is a pretty yummy addition.

Simple Cauliflower side dish

Cauliflower is one of my favorite side dishes. I love to slice a whole head into 'steaks' rub them with a flavored olive oil. Garlic or rosemary oil, salt and pepper, pan sear a few minutes on each side and VIOLA! Sometimes I use truffle salt. I have also used cumin, garlic, chipolte, and onion powders as seasonings for a Hispanic side dish. Tonight I covered it in my favorite gluten free pesto found at most San Diego Farmers Markets. I have done this and also topped it with grilled tomato wedges.

I also use cauliflower in place of rice. Pulse small chunks in a food processor into rice consistency. Put it in non stick pot with a few tablespoons of your favorite flavored or plain olive oil, and/or ghee, salt and pepper, and cover with a lid. Steam on medium for 3-5 minutes depending on quantity stirring once.

Gluten Free Bread

I found this bread at the Hillcrest farmers Market where a guy was selling some wild boar salami's and imported products. It is strange he had this bread because it is made locally in Vista. He said he had been to a gluten free convention, and the bread was the best he had ever had. It came in Garlic, Cheese, and Original (which I purchased) flavors. I believe there are possibly a few other flavors available. He wanted $8. He was actually pretty funny he said it was 'just OK but nothing gluten free is really delicious'. I passed and I am glad I did because I saw it in Sprouts for $7. I went for it and it is DELICIOUS, especially toasted with ghee and honey. I highly recommend it and I am someone that would rather go without than eat something I don't like. I know I know, this is not Paleo. This is a treat for once in awhile. It freezes well.

 I doubt it would make a good sandwich, it is pretty heavy..as in the loaf feels like a brick literally.