Buttermilk Biscuits

I have not had a biscuit in a couple years, so I was excited to try a paleo biscuit recipe.  This recipe comes together so quickly.  All of my kiddos like these.  We have eaten them with jam and a paleo sausage gravy, yum!  Definitely something we will make often. 

Thai Pad See Ew

This recipe is such a good, easy weeknight meal.  My family always loves it!  Sometimes I streamline the prep work even more by using frozen broccoli.  Tonight I served this with cauli-rice.  The printed recipe omits the coconut sugar, so I never put it in.  I don't think it is needed. 

Paleo Crock Pot Chili and "Cornbread"

September is a month when I think of my dad often.  His birthday was just a couple days ago and the 7th anniversary of his death is coming right up.  I've been reflecting lately on how he served others.  One of the ways I remember him serving our community was as a Rotarian.  He was involved in this for I don't know how many years.  What I do know is that I always looked forward to their fundraising events.  The big pots of ham & beans and chili were impressive. I enjoyed seeing the men in the community ladle it up into styrofoam quart containers and sell it with big slabs of cornbread on styrofoam trays.  I never really enjoyed the main meal because of my distaste for beans, but I loved the cornbread drizzled with honey or syrup!  I always chose the chili option since it had less beans and would sort out my beans and drop them in Dad's bowl periodically throughout the meal.  I miss you, Dad, but am so thankful for the legacy you left behind!

Chili and cornbread are difficult to enjoy when eating paleo, but these recipes are wonderful replacements.  First, the cornbread muffins minus the uh corn, of course!  This recipe really did taste like cornbread.  I cut back the honey to 1/4 of a cup and they were perfect.

Here's a really bad picture of a really good muffin and some yummy berries.
 

Next, the chili.  Here's what I put in mine.  It's chili, so put whatever you and yours likes in yours.  I'm still avoiding canning the last of my tomatoes, so I used fresh.  If you use canned, adjust the salt accordingly.  This filled my entire big crock pot.  It made enough for our whole family plus a large amount of leftovers.  Some in the family thought it was too spicy, but after adding cheese and sour cream to their bowls, they ate it right up!  I liked the amount of spunk.

1 lb of ground beef, browned
1 lb of stew meat, browned (this doesn't need to be cooked through)
2 medium onions, chopped
2 peppers, chopped (I used a combo of red, yellow and green)
5 cloves garlic, minced
16 cups fresh diced tomatoes with their juice
2 Tbsp cacao powder
3 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp oregano
1 Tbsp basil
1 Tbsp cumin
1 Tbsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp granulated garlic
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Dump it all in a crock pot.   Cook on high for 2-3 hours then switch to low for 2-3 hours.  Or cook on low for 8 hours.  Cooking time will vary between pots and if you are using fresh or canned tomatoes. 

Here it is all dished up.

 
 No beans in paleo chili!  Just perfect for me, don't you think so Dad?

***Update:  I realized I had 12 tsp of red pepper flakes, instead of 1/2 tsp.  That would be really spicy!!!  I've corrected the recipe.***

Paleo Pumpkin Pie Bars

Made a batch of these pumpkin bars this weekend.  Making pumpkin everything just seems right when the air is crisp and the calendar turns to September.  This was tested on some extended family.  The consensus was most kiddos did not care for it, most of the ladies really liked it.  I did not hear from the men other than my hubby.  He thought it was good, but had too strong of a honey flavor.  I thought I may try more dates and less honey.  I thought the crust was perfect!

Spaghetti Squash with Garden Fresh Tomato Sauce

Have you ever made a spaghetti squash?  If not, put it on your to do list.  It is easy, delicious and nutritious.  We have a few from our garden we have been eating.  I made a double batch of this garden fresh tomato sauce with some tomatoes we have falling off our vines.  It just seemed right to pare it with a spaghetti squash.  Make sauce, cook squash according to one of the following methods, drain squash and mix with desired amount of sauce, return to skins, top with a bit more sauce and cheese (if you want), return to oven for about 10 minutes until heated through. 

Here are my 2 favorite ways to make a spaghetti squash.  The first one is my thinking ahead idealistic way of always doing it.  The second is my ""Oh no, it's almost dinnertime, everyone is hungry and I've given no thought to what I'm making method."  Both work equally well.  I always try to drain it in a colander for a few minutes after scooping it out as squash is a very watery vegetable. 

1.  Bake it.  This is a wonderful tutorial from Elana Amsterdam.
2.  Microwave it.  Here is Nom Nom Paleo's tutorial on this method.

This is the final product that my family & I devoured!  This was a labor intensive dish, but super cheap since I mainly used ingredients I grew, so I don't mind.
 
I had a bit of sauce leftover, but I will use it on something or dump in my chili today.  

Crock Pot Roast

I made this pot roast recipe.  I mixed up the seasoning as directed and put it on 2 arm roasts.  It was delicious but a bit spicy.  We enjoyed the spunk, but if you have sensitive palates in your house, tone it down.