Superfood Soup

(i.e. Chicken, Kale and Quinoa Soup)

This was one of those, what do I have lying around the house? kind of soups.  Affectionately named Superfood Soup by Matt, for the presence of kale and quinoa.  Adapted from Cookin With Chopin, Living with Elmo.  (http://cookingwithchopin.blogspot.com/2011/01/chicken-and-kale-soup.html.)

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, diced 
6 carrots, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped (I threw in a little of the celery greens, too)
2 teaspoons kosher salt (plus more to taste)
Fresh cracked pepper
4 cups chicken stock (or broth)
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary 
1 teaspoon dried sage 
1 teaspoon dried thyme 
2 bay leaves 
1 bunch fresh kale, chopped 
1 1/4 cup quinoa (rinsed)
1.5 pounds chicken (I used what I had leftover from the night before)

In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add onions, and saute for about 5 minutes, stirring often.  Then add carrots and celery and saute for about 10 minutes.  Add kosher salt and some fresh cracked pepper for the last two minutes of the saute. Add the chicken stock and herbs and let it come to a boil.  At that point throw in the kale, allowing it to boil for 5 minutes or so.  Add the quinoa and let it cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  The quinoa won't look very prevalant, but trust me, it will be dominant in the soup when it's done cooking.  For the last 5 minutes add the chicken, just to heat it up.

The original recipe called for canned white beans and diced tomatoes, neither of which I had on hand, but my end result was excellent!

Total cooking time: 45 minutes.

~Shae

Paleo Banana Cardamom Bread

The ingredients are a little pricey, but once you have them they will last you.  I was doubtful, but this may be my favorite banana bread yet, paleo or regular

Paleo Banana Cardamom Bread 

Ingredients
■2 cups blanched almond flour
■1/3 cup unsweetened coconut 
■2 teaspoons ground cardamom
■1 teaspoon baking soda
■1 teaspoon cinnamon
■1/4 teaspoon salt
■1 cup of mashed ripe banana (approximately 2)
■4 large eggs
■1/4 cup maple syrup
■1/3 cup liquified coconut oil (butter or ghee)
■2 teaspoons vanilla extract



Instructions
1.Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
2.Grease 2 loaf pan (8x4).
3.Combine/sift dry ingredients in a medium bowl.
4.Combine wet ingredients in a large bowl and whisk together (or use a stand mixer).
5.Pour dry ingredients into dry ingredients and mix until fully incorporated.
6.into loaf pans and smooth the tops.
7.Bake for about 40-50 minutes.* (Banana bread is done when a toothpick or knife inserted in the center comes out clean.)
8.Remove banana bread loaf from oven, let it cool in the pan for a few minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.
9.Store in the refrigerator.

Crock pot Paleo Gumbo

I have become a little obsessed with my crockpot lately to help with our Paleo transition.

I saw paleo gumbo on another blog a few days ago, and it got me craving cajun. I couldn't find a crock pot version I liked, so I read some traditional recipes and some paleo alternatives and this is their love child....

Ingredients
*1 lb andouille sausage, sliced
*1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
*1 lb chicken breasts
*2 slices thick cut pepper bacon (I removed some of the excess fat, but you don't have to)
*4 cups chicken stock
*1 onion
*1 cup celery
*1 small red bell pepper
*1 small yellow bell pepper
*1 small green bell pepper
*3-4 cloves garlic
*3 oz tomato paste or 2 TBS of concentrated tomato paste
*1 can diced tomatoes
*1/2 tsp garlic powder
*1/2 tsp onion powder
*2 tsp smoked paprika
*2 bay leaves
*1 tsp thyme
*1 tsp oregano
*2 tsp cajun spice (I got a blend from WinCo, which is my favorite new supermarket)
*1/2 tsp cayenne
**** Rice ingredients and recipe below (yes, paleo rice.... prepare to be amazed...)

Gumbo Instructions

1) Dice the onions, peppers, celery, bacon and garlic and add to crock pot

2) Add spices, tomato paste, and diced tomatoes and stir it up then add chicken stock and stir again

3) Submerge whole chicken breasts in the mix 

4) Cook on low for 3-4 hours

5) Remove chicken breasts and use 2 forks to shred chicken

6) Add chicken and sliced andouille sausage 

7) Cook on low for another 3-4 hours

*If you're setting it and forgetting it, you can add the sausage in the beginning and shred the chicken before you serve it.  This way just makes the chicken soak up more of the flavor 

8) 20 minutes before finished cooking, add the shrimp and start making the "rice"

Rice Ingredients
*1 head cauliflower
*2 tbs olive or coconut oil
*1 clove garlic
*1/2 tsp garlic powder
*1/2 tsp thyme
*1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
*1/3 cup chicken stock
*salt to taste

1) remove stems and process cauliflower in food processor into "rice-sized"pieces
2) heat oil and garlic in a saucepan till garlic becomes fragrant
3) add cauliflower rice, pour over saucepan and bring to a sizzle/simmer
3) add spices and sauté the mix for 10-15 minutes

Put rice in a bowl, top with gumbo goodness, and MAGIC!

Delicious, healthy, worth the effort :) My boyfriend said it was the best thing I've made in a long time.  BOOM.