Maple Pumpkin Custard

I just love how many of Danielle Walker's recipes are so family friendly.  They often use ingredients I have on hand and come together quickly.  But, most importantly, they taste good!  This custard recipe was no exception.  I had an extra yolk from the pecans I made earlier, so it was a great time to try this one out.  The flavor was wonderful, just like pumpkin pie filling.  The only alteration I did was a few drops of lemon juice (probably about 1/8 tsp) instead of lemon zest.
 

Then I had the idea of topping the custard with a few of  these pecans.

 
It is like a wonderful mix of pumpkin and pecan pie.  Great Fall dessert!

Paleo Candied Pecans

This looked like such a yummy treat to take along shopping, pack in lunches, or even serve at a holiday.  It was simple and used ingredients I had on hand.  The only thing I did different was to use 5 cups instead of 4 so they would not be so sweet.  They turned out perfect and were just the right sweetness!  I filled these 2 jars when finished.  Naturally, not all of the pecans made it into the storage jars...........

Pizza Crust- Take 2!

I shared this pizza crust recipe awhile ago.  At the time I only had chia seeds on hand, so I used that option.  Since then, I have picked up some psyllium husks at the health foods store.  I have now made this recipe a couple times and it is GOOD!  My kids like it too.  One has even said you could probably just make this crust instead of doing one "regular pizza" and a "paleo pizza."  That is as good as it gets.  Be warned it has a very interesting color and consistency when you mix it up.  Press it out on your stone with your hands coated in tapioca flour.  Enjoy!

What in the world are psyllium husks?  Check out wikipedia, because it is never wrong, right???  Psyllium Husks

Paleo Maple Salmon Filets & Pregnancy Update

I just loved the salmon we made tonight!  I have not been in the mood for fish since I've been pregnant, but I was feeling ready to try it again.  I wanted to go with something highly seasoned and this recipe fit the bill.  Where it calls for gluten-free soy sauce, I used coconut aminos.  It was a quick & delicious main dish.  We ate ours with mashed sweet potatoes and cooked vegetables.  All the kiddos liked it and ate it well!
 

Speaking of pregnancy, we are having a BOY this time!  All is going well and he looks very healthy.  I've been enjoying all kinds of fun movements and kicks.  :) 

Cinnamon Apple Creamed Hot Cereal (Egg Free)

Tried another "hot cereal" recipe out this morning.  This Cinnamon Apple Creamed Hot Cereal is from the Paleo Parents blog.  I really enjoy eating something hot and out of a bowl in the mornings.  This had good flavor and was very filling.  I topped mine with raisins.  The kids did not try it, but I'd rate it at about a "B."  Something to try when you don't want to eat eggs. 

Paleo Chicken Fingers

Pre-paleo diet I was not a huge fan of chicken fingers.  They always just seemed like restaurant kid's menu food.  Now I have new appreciation for them.  I have tried some really good recipes over the last couple years with really good flavor.  Tonight we tried this one.  After last night's spunky fare, I decided it best to omit the cayenne pepper.  These turned out really good and I served them with a simple honey mustard sauce (combine equal amounts of dijon or spicy brown mustard and honey.)  A very quick and easy weekday meal.  I used 2.5lbs of chicken and mixed up 1.5 batches of the breading.  It came out about right.  I only used 2 eggs for the egg wash.  I never enjoy wasting ingredients and I'm sure you don't either!  If you do not have black sesame seeds, just use the white ones, the flavor is no different.

Chipotle Barbacoa & Paleo Tortillas

Do any of you buy freezer beef by the quarter or half?  I do.  As I near the end, I always try to evaluate what I  need to focus on using and what I need ration out until the next order comes in.  Right now I have several roasts and am a bit shy on the ground.  Sooooooo, I've been eying this recipe for some time now and decided to use 2 chuck roasts for it.  Right off the bat I came across a couple obstacles.
1.  My meat was chuck roast with bones in them weighing 5.5lbs, not a center cut shoulder roast weighing 3 lbs.  Oh well!
2.  I have never seen dried chipotle peppers.  I don't think I've ever bought them before,  I did find a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce at my nearest Kroger in the ethnic foods section.  The can did list sugar and soy in the ingredients, but I decided it can't be that much and I'd just wipe the sauce off the peppers. The cans were so small, so I bought 2.  I ended up only using 5 peppers which was about half a can.
3.  I was feeling so pumped about this and so pleased with my forethought about getting it all in the crock pot I failed to remember we had supper plans that night.  So, after cooking for 9 hours on low, I removed it from the bones, shredded the meat and put it in the fridge for dinner the next night.

All this being said, here is my review: This was so good and tender and had great flavor.  It was SPICY!!!  I ended up making regular taco meat for the youngest 3 in our family.  We served ours with lettuce, tomato, peppers, cilantro and these tortillas.  I want to try this recipe again sometime and cut back on the chipotle next time.  :) Anyone want to split a can of peppers???

 
***This meat freezes well.***