Five Paleo Dinners To Cook Next Week #78

I did a lovely Kundalini kriya first thing when I woke up this morning, and then, later, I went for a long, leisurely walk in the cold sunshine.

I’m feeling pretty blissed out right about now.

Here are a few snaps from my stroll along the river and around Vyšehrad. I would really love for it to snow, but man! it was such a treat to see and feel the sunshine today. I listened to a new-to-me podcast called Omnibus—”an encyclopedic reference work of strange-but-true stories that they are compiling as a time capsule for future generations.” The episode in my ears was about the defenestrations of Prague—the Czech practice of throwing religious and political rivals out a window! The podcast was smart, informative, funny, and engaging—and it’s hosted by Ken Jennings, my favorite Jeopardy champ ever. You might like this podcast, too!

Speaking of things you might like, this weeks’ collection of recipes features dishes that are really easy to make and make a LOT so you have leftovers for multiple meals. I’ve been hankering for Bigos lately, and when I want to eat something, I usually try to trick you into eating it, too. HA! At least my secret manipulative plans are usually good for you.

Dinner Ideas (Whole30 compliant)

Bigos

Cookup Tips: This is the food equivalent of a giant bear hug, and it tastes even better after a few days in the fridge. You can make it up to 5 days in advance, and it also freezes very well, so you can sock some away for a future snow day.

Recommended Sides: Some boiled potatoes rolled in ghee and minced parsley would be perfect, as would a batch of Mashed Cauliflower. You can make both of these sides during a Cookup and reheat just before eating.

Meat & Spinach Muffins

Cookup Tips: These taste great (or maybe better!) on days 2 and 3, and they freeze well, too. Make a batch (or a double batch) on the weekend and enjoy them all week long. They’re delicious as a main meal with a salad, cold out of the fridge for a snack, or sliced in half, grilled in a pan, and topped with eggs for breakfast… plus there are plenty of spice variations so you can keep it interesting.

Recommended Sides: I like these with a simple salad on the side with a luscious dressing (like the Tahini Dressing below.)

10-Minute Pizza Soup

Cookup Tips: This can be made during a Cookup (and it freezes well, too), but it really only takes 10 minutes, so you can throw it together at the last minute, if that’s your thing.

Recommended Sides: This recipe includes protein, veggies, and fat, so you don’t need to add a thing—but if you want more (more is almost always better), a green salad with Creamy Italian Dressing or  “Good Seasons” Italian Dressing would be great (and you can make the mayo ahead of time for the dressing).

SB&J Burger

Cookup Tips: This is another fast recipe that doesn’t require you to think about it until about 10 minutes before you want to make it. As long as you’ve got ground beef, some fruit, and a jar of nut butter, you have all you need to make this deliciously-weird (weirdly-delicious?) meal. You might also be into the Elvis Burger.

Recommended Sides: This tastes really great with Classic Diner-Style Home Fries or Crispy, Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries. You can prep potatoes in advance, so when you’re ready to eat, all you need to do is finish ’em up.

Tropical Chopped Salad

Cookup Tips: I recommend against making this in advance; the flavors will be much brighter and tastier when you make it fresh—but it takes such a short time that you won’t even mind. If you want a shortcut, you can use pre-cooked and peeled shrimp. (I am a fan of shortcuts.)

Recommended Sides: This really doesn’t need a side, but if you want extra credit, and extra vegetables, you could throw the whole thing on a bed of baby spinach tossed with lime juice and coconut flakes to make a Big Ass Salad.

Thai Larb

Cookup Tips: This recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, so make it to order for the freshest taste. You probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen right now!

Recommended Sides: Again, this really doesn’t need a side, but if want to add a veggies, Oven-Roasted Cauliflower Rice would be great. If you slide it into the oven when you start making the larb, they’ll be finished at the same time!

Condiment (Whole30 compliant)

Caramel-Apple Applesauce

Cookup Tips: This can just simmer away on the back of the stove while you go about your business, and then you’ll have a big jar of happiness to add to meals that need extra cheer. (And don’t forget about these Gingerbread-Spiced Pecans!)

Tahini Dressing

Cookup Tips: This takes, like, 2 minutes with the stick blender, and it’s never a bad idea to have a jar of luscious dressing in the fridge. Drizzle it on salads to get extra veggies with your meal, or on top of a bunless burger or roasted chicken on days when you need to eat, but have zero cooking mojo.

A Gift Recommendation for You (Whole30 compliant)

Chocolate Chili

Cookup Tips: What’s a more thoughtful gift to yourself than spicy, mellow, rich, comforting, just-pull-it-out-of-the-freezer-and-heat-it Chocolate Chili?! Make a batch or two, divide it into BPA-free containers, and sock it away for future dinner emergencies. You know there’s going to be an evening, sometime between now and New Year’s Eve, when Future You will be very grateful to Present You if you sock away some chili in the freezer.

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