Summer Zucchini Basil Frittata

My neighbor asked me to keep an eye on her zucchini and cucumber plants while she is gone.  I have been harvesting lots of zucchinis and making many recipes! One of my favorites has been a frittata.  I used this recipe as a base.  I only made half the recipe and swapped out the sausage for turkey bacon. The half recipe still made about 4 servings.  It was delicious even when reheated.

Persian Spiced Beef with Butternut Squash

I love to be adventurous and try new recipes.  After reading an ingredient list, I can often tell if it will be well received or not.  In an effort to expand our horizons, I occasionally try something I'm not sure how it will go over with the fam.  This was one of those nights!   This 1 dish meal had wonderful flavor and not a bit was left in the pan.  Next time I will definitely double the recipe.  I made a couple alterations, so here are the links to the spice blend and original recipe.

Here is what I made:
For advieh spice blend, mix together
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cardamom
1/4 tsp cumin

Persian Spiced Beef with Butternut Squash:
2 lbs butternut squash peeled, deseeded and chopped into even chunks (about 1/2 large squash)
1 lb grass fed ground beef
1 medium red onion sliced into half moons
1/4 cup organic raisins
1/4 cup pistachios, crushed (I used roasted & salted and that was good.  Original called for raw, unsalted)
advieh spice mix
2 Tbsp ghee or grass fed butter
handful fresh parsley, finely chopped
sea salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 220C/425F.
2. Place cubed butternut squash into a large mixing bowl and season with S&P, then drizzle over 1 Tbsp of melted grass-fed butter or ghee. Toss to coat.
3. Place into the lined baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the squash is roasted and tender.
4. While the squash is baking, heat a skillet on medium heat. Add in another Tbsp of grass-fed butter or ghee.
5. When the skillet is heated add in the red onion and cook for about 10-15 minutes, until softened.
6. Add in the grass-fed beef and using a wooden spoon, break up the meat as it is cooking.
7. When the beef is nearly browned, season with some S&P and the advieh. Mix to combine.
8. Add in the raisins and stir to mix. Let cook for about 5 minutes then add in the pistachios and stir.
9. Once the meat is almost done, stir in the freshly chopped parsley.
10. Remove the baked butternut squash from the oven and add it into the beef mixture.

Paleo BBQ Sauce

It is virtually impossible to find a paleo friendly BBQ sauce.  But we love to grill meat in the summer & smother it with BBQ!  I had to purchase natural liquid smoke from Amazon.  I subbed Worcestershire sauce for the fish sauce which isn't strict paleo.  I cannot justify buying ingredients that I won't use up for 1 thing, so I occasionally make concessions such as this.

This BBQ Sauce recipe was so yummy!  My kiddos couldn't wait for supper when they smelled it simmering on the stove.  We basted chicken thighs with it for the grill and then spread more on top for serving.

Barbecue Seasoning Rub and Grilled Watermelon Salad

I loosely followed this recipe and used what I have.  The rub was really good!  I used some thick cut sirloins since I didn't have a tri-tip roast and that worked well.  For the salad, I used a mix of homegrown lettuce and spinach instead of arugula.  I have never grilled watermelon before!  It was delicious and so was the dressing.  I plan to cube the watermelon into smaller chunks next time I make it.  

Paleo Chicken Spaghetti and Garlic Herb Biscuits

This Paleo Chicken Spaghetti was tasty.  ALL of us liked it.  I'm thinking it would be a great thing to make early in the day and then pop in the oven at supper time.  A great way to use 3 cups of leftover chicken.  I did not have a poblano pepper, so I used a few jalapeno pepper rings for the soup mixture.  We topped ours with basil, hot sauce & some used Parmesan cheese.  Definitely not the most appealing dish to look at, so pair it with bright berries or salad. 

Here's how I make the Garlic Herb Biscuits-
I use this Buttermilk Biscuit Recipe as the start.  Then I add 1 Tbsp of dried herbs (chives, parsley, oregano, basil, thyme) to the dry ingredients when mixing up.  Brush the tops with 1 Tbsp of melted butter with 1/4 tsp granulated garlic when finished baking.  

Meal Plan- Summer Eats

It's summer!  I do not like to spend lots of time cooking in the summer.  But, I do want to eat healthy.  Also, I need meals that keep me eating paleo & also options that my family will actually eat!  All my main dishes are paleo, but there will be some side dishes that include gluten free grains and dairy.  This is how we make it work in our house.  Here are 20 dinner ideas for healthy, summer eating.  I'm not assigning days, just planning to cycle through these for a few weeks.  I figure 20 meals will get me through at least a month since we do not cook every night due to activities & leftovers.

Stupid Easy Chicken, shredded and served as a taco salad with French Dressing
Topping ideas:  tomatoes, olives, avocado, peppers, cucumbers, cilantro, salsa, limes, cheese, tortilla chips, ranch, sweet corn

Pineapple Beef Kabobs from Against All Grain Meals Made Simple, pg 162 with salad and roasted cauliflower

Paleo Chicken Spaghetti  Serve with Buttermilk biscuits with garlic and herbs added and fresh fruit

Barbecue Tri-Tip with Grilled Watermelon Salad and roasted carrots

Grilled Chicken with BBQ sauce, roasted potatoes, green beans

Persian Spiced Beef with Butternut Squash  Serve with sugar snap peas and fresh fruit

Grain Free Salmon Cakes  Serve with cole slaw and green beans

Spaghetti meat sauce over a choice of GF noodles or steamed broccoli

Garden Fish Packets  (omit cheese for paleo), rice, lettuce or fruit salad

Slow Cooker Paleo Turkey Meatballs, serve with salad and Crockpot Baked Sweet Potatoes 
This is a great meal when we will be gone all day.  Come home & it's all cooked.  The downside is washing 2 Crock-pots!

Grilled Hamburgers- Topping ideas: Avocado, dill pickles, tomatoes, BBQ Sauce, Fried Red Potatoes & Onions, green beans

Dijon Almond Crusted Fish Serve with roasted carrots & sugar snap peas

Chicken stir fry, cauli-rice or rice pilaf

Grilled Steak with my favorite steak marinade, mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, fruit

Ginger Chicken with Simple Mango/Avocado Salsa  serve with cole slaw

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes, Buns, Peas

Ina's Grilled Lemon Chicken, fresh fruit

Grilled Lemon Pepper Salmon, Serve with roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli

Mongolian Beef over Cauliflower Rice, fruit

Greek Chicken, baked potatoes, kale chips



Summer lunch at our house is leftovers warmed up, salads, sandwiches, stir-frys, etc. 


Breakfast:
Butternut squash frittata
GF Cinnamon French Toast
Sweet potato hash with kale & eggs
Almond butter on toasted Date & Walnut Bread with berries
Spaghetti Squash Frittata
Paleo Pancakes
Scrambled Eggs & Bacon
Cooked spinach with hard boiled eggs
Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Eggs
Grain Free Granola with coconut milk & berries