Five Paleo Dinners To Cook Next Week #106

I think you all know how much I adore my adopted city of Prague: the architecture that makes my heart swell, the silly nutria, the comfort food, the kind people… there’s so much to love. But there’s one important thing missing: air conditioning.

I am about to burst into a ball of flame.

Our temperatures have been hovering in the high 90s, and I’ve spent the last week or so directly in front of two electric fans. Today, we surrendered and have planted ourselves in one of the all-too-rare cafés with air conditioning.  I will be drinking endless decaf iced americanos as rent on my chair as I type today.

Paradoxically, spicy-hot foods and temperature-hot foods can help you cool off. According to this article in Wired, eating or drinking hot things warms up our insides—specifically the esophagus and stomach—and that makes us sweat. If you’re in an environment that’s not too humid, you’ll feel cooler as the sweat evaporates from your body.

This week’s recipes are a combination of hot (soup), spicy (Nigerian street fries), and cold (salads) to help you stay cool. May as well eat delicious things as you try to beat the heat.

Dinner Ideas (Whole30 compliant)

Italian Vegetable Soup

Cookup Tips: This soup is a delicious, comforting, hearty way to eat more veggies. Make it with bone broth for collagen, gut-healing power! This can simmer on the back of the stove while you go about your business with the rest of your Cookup.

Recommended Sides: None required because it’s protein, veggies, and fat in one bowl, but if you want extra credit, a salad with Creamy Italian Dressing

Nigerian Beef Street Fries

About the Recipe: This recipe for Spicy Nigerian Beef on oven-baked fries is just one of 12 meat-and-potato recipes in Well Fed Weeknights. Spicy beef, fresh veggies, crispy fries… what else do you need?

Cookup Tips: Make the spice blend, cut the steak, prep the veggies, and cook the potatoes in advance, then when it’s time to eat, give the meat a quick stir-fry while the fries bake and dig in!

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.

Pork and Fried Watermelon with Cauliflower Rice

Cookup Tips: This tastes best when it’s stir-fried to order, but it’s a fast recipe so you won’t even mind.

Recommended Sides: This recipe has everything you need in one place!

Classic (Paleo) Coleslaw

Cookup Tips: This needs protein for a complete meal; I really like it with bunless burgers or simple grilled chicken. The Coleslaw tastes fresh for 3-4 days, so you can make it in advance.

Recommended Sides: If you want to really push the whole picnic vibe, you could also make a batch of Classic Potato Salad.

Condiment (Whole30 compliant)

Sunshine Sauce

Cookup tips: In the Paleo world, peanuts are a big no-no. (Because they’re legumes, not nuts, and blah blah blah. Get the full explanation here.) But Sunshine Sauce, made from sunflower seed butter, is even better than peanut sauce… and it takes about 5 minutes to throw together. Drizzle happiness on veggies and protein all week long.

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