The Way To His Heart....

Italian Sausage!!

My marriage tip for the day.

Instead of sending your husband racy pictures of yourself while he's at work....

Send him pictures of the Italian Sausage Store!

This also guarantees that he'll make it home on time for dinner.

Connie's Meat Sauce

I really can't stand sauce in a jar.   It just doesn't taste right....but it's easy and convenient.  I recently decided that I don't like eating food that tastes bad.  So I decided to start making my own sauce.

We tried on this on julienned zucchini and spaghetti squash and we decided that we love the zucchini which works great because it doesn't need to be cooked!

Connie's Meat Sauce

1 pound lean ground beef
1 pound pork sausage
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, chopped
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon dried thyme
1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 cups of water

In a large stockpot cook the ground beef, sausage, garlic, onion. Cook until beef is no longer pink. Drain into a large colander to drain grease.

To the large sauce pot add tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, oregano, basil, black pepper, sugar and stir well. Pour the meat mixture into the pot. Bring to a boil, adding water as needed. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for 2 hours. Season with salt to your taste.

New Favorite Tool

I bought this 3 in 1 Peeler at Sur La Table a couple weeks ago and it's become my new favorite gadget in my Paleo kitchen.

My husband is a big fan of ribbons of Zucchini but he said he might like them more if they were julienned.  I knew there had to be a tool for that.

Tomorrow's recipe: Meat Sauce with julienne zucchini instead of pasta!

Verde Shrimp Taco or Salad

I love Shrimp Tacos! What am I saying....I love tacos! I decided to make one of my favorite dishes....but paleo it up. Yes. Paleo is a verb.

If I wasn't trying to be strict....I would go ahead and eat the corn tortilla but instead my serving will have a bed of chopped lettuce under it.

Shrimp

2 lb bag frozen shrimp
1/2 can Salsa Verde
1 tbsp cayenne
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt

Thaw the shrimp, remove shells and tail and throw into a bowl.  Stir in  Salsa Verde and let sit for 30 minutes.  Add spices and stir.  Heat a deep skillet to medium heat and add 1 tbsp coconut oil.  Add Shrimp and cook, stirring around until the shrimp is pink and done.

Mango Salsa

1 ripe mange, peeled, chopped into small pieces.
1 orange bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno, diced (keep seeds if you like it hot)
1 small red onion, diced
The juice of one lime
3 tbsp cilantro, chopped
Salt to taste


Peel and chopped the mango, chop the orange bell pepper, dice the jalapeno and red onion. Place all of the ingredients into a bowl with a lid.  Cut your lime in half and squeeze the juice in. Try to resist having a shot of tequila.  Add salt and cilantro.  Stir.  Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Assemble your shrimp on a corn tortilla or a bed of chopped lettuce (if you're paleo) and add Mango Salsa and slices of avocado. 

This dish is very delicious and satisfying!

Dining Out Paleo

We got out to eat most every weekend.  I enjoy the break from our hot little galley kitchen and eating food I don't normally eat at home.

This has changed mostly.  I'm trying to be very careful what I order but sometimes I don't notice that cheese comes on the food. Oops!  I need to be more careful when reading the menu.

Fajitas

We like Mexican food so my go to item is chicken fajitas and extra guacamole!

Burger with a side of guacamole

Order a burger without the bun and will a size of veggies, mushrooms or avocado.See...I forgot to ask for no fries!  This was a grass-fed burger from The Dillon Dam Brewery in Dillon Colorado. It was the best meat I've ever tasted!

Chicken Tikka Tandoori

This! Was my favorite meal so far. Chicken Tikka Tandoori from Little India in Belmar.

McDonald's Sausage & Eggs

My family wanted McDonald's one Saturday morning so I ordered the big breakfast and then gave the biscuit and potato cake to my husband.

I've turned eating out with my family into a challenge! 

Beef Curry

Two things that I love about the Paleo Diet.....Curry and Coconut Milk.

I have mixed these items together several times with great success. My husband really liked this and I can see it being a regular part of our meal plan.  Make a lot.  It makes great leftovers.

Beef Curry

1.5 pounds of ground beef (grass-fed if you're so inclined)
2 tablespoons Curry Powder
1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1/2 cup coconut milk

Brown your hamburger and drain off the grease if these is any. Add the spices, coconut milk and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with a vegetable. I like sliced zucchini or microwaved sweet potato.


Linking up this dish with Primal Toad. I'm super excited to find other great recipes since I'm still a newbie!

Rock N Meat

A couple weeks ago, my son desperately wanted a Sorcerer's Stone so I googled ROCK STORE and found a cute little place a few blocks away called Red & Green Minerals.  It had every rock under the sun and other cool things too.  We were headed back to the car when something caught my eye.

An Italian Meat Market!


 We walked into the small space and were amazed at all of the stuff they have.  It was at this moment that I was regretting my gluten free lifestyle and wishing I could take some pasta home.

We stepped up to the deli counter and tried a few things.  I was really excited to find Prosciutto and they gave us some sausage to cook at home.  So nice of them!  It was delicious by the way! 

We love finding little hidden gems like this and I was super excited to share it with my Denver readers.

They have two locations.  One in Lakewood and one in Aurora. 

Carmine Lonardo's Meat Market and Deli
7585 W. Florida Ave
Lakewood, CO 80232
303.9985.3555


I'm doing great on the Paleo Diet and wanted to share one of my favorite snacks so far.

Prosciutto and Cantaloupe

Sweet and Salty!

Love!