Five Paleo Dinners To Cook Next Week #32

I like what I like, and it’s really easy for me to eat the same things over and over again without getting bored. I also find it very comforting to return to favorite books, movies, and—if I’m totally honest—comfy ol’ ripped up t-shirts and sweat pants when I’m stressed or tired or both.

Dave and I recently completed our Summer Celebration Adventures™ which included my birthday, his graduation, a trip to Toronto, our first week of cookbook photography, and a road trip to Pennsylvania for my niece’s graduation. When we returned home after a side trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, I collapsed on the couch for two days and lost myself in some comfortable repeats. Let me tell you this, friends:

It’s never a wrong time to watch A Room with a View.

Or to re-read The Night Circus. (Or to re-re-read A Room with a View.)

In addition to revisiting cherished books and movies, I’ve been returning to some favorite Whole30 compliant recipes, too. And thanks to my reunion with these old kitchen friends, I’m almost fully restored to normal energy levels. This week’s collection of dinners you might like to cook for yourself includes recipes that I love—so very tasty—and that I’ve neglected to make for too long. All of them are easy to prepare and have bold flavors to power you through your own summer adventures. Happy cooking!

Dinner Ideas (Whole30 compliant)

Chicken Pesto Meatballs with Marinara

Cookup Tips: The meat “dough” can be made 1 day in advance then cooked—or you can cook the meatballs and sauce during your Cookup and re-heat just before eating. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for 5-6 days after cooking. They also freeze like champs!

Recommended Sides: These taste great on a pile of Basic Zucchini Noodles or Roasted Spaghetti Squash. You can julienne and sweat the zuke noodles or roast the spag squash during your Cookup, then give the “noodles” a quick stir-fry with olive oil and garlic, just before eating.

Rapini with Potatoes and Italian Sausage

Cookup Tips: This can be made with any sturdy greens, like kale or chard, if you can’t get your paws on rapini. During your Cookup, you can prep all the components, then do the final sauté just before eating. Leftovers are great for breakfast with a fried egg on top. PUT AN EGG ON IT!

Recommended Sides: This is a one-dish wonder! No sides required.

Citrus Pork Carnitas

Cookup Tips: This can be made over the course of a lazy weekend day, then turned into kickass meals all week long. It requires almost no hands-on work, and it’s crazy good.

Recommended Sides: I know I’ve been pushing plantains a lot lately, but pork+plantains is such a delicious equation. And it’s choose your own adventure: you can go for Crispy (green) or Sautéed (yellow). For Crispy, you can boil the plantains in advance, then crisp-up just before eating. The carnitas are also awesome with Cucumber-Pineapple Salsa and Cauliflower Rice.

Reykjavik Salmon Salad

Cookup Tips: Cook the eggs and make the mayo in advance. If you really want to go for it, you could also slice the cucumbers and store them in a plastic bag or covered container in the fridge.

Recommended Sides: This is complete as it is, but some cooled, boiled potatoes would be a nice addition.

Grain-Free Paleo Tabbouleh

Cookup Tips: This needs protein for a complete meal; I really like it with lamb burgers or grilled chicken thighs. You can prep all the ingredients for the tabbouleh and make the dressing in advance, then toss everything together just before eating.

Recommended Sides: When you add protein, this salad includes the triumvirate of protein–veggies–fat, so you don’t need anything else!

Condiment (Whole30 compliant)

Ranch Dressing

Cookup Tips: Make this during your Cookup and add flair to your meals all week. It’s great on salads, sure, but you can also drizzle it on hot vegetables or a roasted chicken breast, plop it on a bunless burger, and use it as a dipper for roasted sweet potato wedges.

Treat (Whole30 compliant)

Fried Apples (Whole30 compliant)

Cookup Tips: This takes just a few minutes to make, so I recommend that you make this “to order” for maximum bacon crispiness and freshness.

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