Mexican Lettuce Wraps

There is nothing I love more than a delicious meal that is organic AND paleo!  Makes me so happy :)  My husband loves tacos but always complains that the shell becomes too heavy and he feels guilty when he eats two (or three or four or five ;)).  So I decided to replace the shell with lettuce and the result was fantastic!  Now he can eat six without feeling guilty!  These are also particularly great because you don't have that overstuffed feeling -- love it.

Yields: 2 servings
 
Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb grass-fed ground lamb (any ground meat will work)
• 2 tbsp organic olive oil 
• 1/2 packet taco seasoning 
• 5 tbsp water
• 6 organic romaine lettuce leaves 
• 1/2 organic onion, diced
• 2 small organic tomatoes, diced
• 6 tbsp organic sour cream (optional) 
• 3 - 4 green chilies, chopped (optional)

Directions:
Cook the ground lamb in a large skillet with two tablespoons organic olive oil.  Cook until lamb has browned.  Add taco seasoning and 5 tablespoons water.  Let simmer 1 - 2 minutes until lamb has absorbed the seasoning.

         

Wash lettuce leaves.  Arrange lettuce leaves, onion, tomato and chilies on a plate (and sour cream on the side).

Place ground beef in lettuce leaf.  Add desired toppings, roll and enjoy!

Strawberry Shortcake

Adapted from Paula Deen's Recipe

I was actually asked to make this recipe for a colleague's birthday by request of my boss.  At that time, I didn't even like Strawberry Shortcake so I wasn't exactly thrilled to be making it.  BUT but I love to bake anything, so I gave it a shot.  I discovered a Paula Deen recipe with 5 stars, so I went for it -- oh.  my.  goodness.  Not only did I have a new found love for Strawberry Shortcake but now I make it all the time!  It is pure deliciousness.  I changed a few things to make it my own, but this cake gets served every Thanksgiving, Christmas, 4th of July, Barbeque Party, etc. -- you name it, they request it!

Yields: 10 - 12 servings

Ingredients:
Cake

• 1 box yellow cake mix + ingredients for baking cake

Custard

• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 12-oz container frozen whipped topping, thawed (Cool Whip works best)
• 10 strawberries (each sliced into 4 - 5 slices)
• 1 can whipped cream

Directions:
Bake cake according to instructions in a 9 inch cake pan.  When cooled, slice cake, using a serrated knife, horizontally into 2 equal layers.

Mix together cream cheese, condensed milk, and whipped topping in a bowl (using a stand mixer will work best); set aside.

Place 1 layer of cake on a large cake stand.  Top with a layer of custard mixture and then arrange sliced strawberries around the perimeter of the cake and one more layer inside the perimeter (like concentric circles).  Top with the other half of the cake, layer with custard, sliced strawberries and a dollop of whipped cream over each strawberry slice and in the center.

Serve and enjoy!

Cavatappi with Sausage & Tomato Sauce

 

Tomato Sauce Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Yields: 3 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 28-oz can organic whole peeled tomatoes
• 1/2 organic onion, sliced in two halves
• 5 tablespoons organic butter
• 1 tbsp organic olive oil
• 3 links hot italian sausage - casings removed
• 1/2 lb cavatappi pasta
• parmesan cheese to taste (optional)

Directions: 
Put the tomatoes, onion and butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat.

 

Bring the sauce to a simmer then lower the heat to keep the sauce at a steady simmer for about 45 minutes (stir occasionally, crushing the tomatoes against the side of the pot with a wooden spoon). 

While sauce is simmering, cut sausage into small pieces.  In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 tbsp olive oil and add sausage to skillet.  Cook until slightly browned and cooked through.

Remove sausage from heat and set aside.  Fill a saucepan with water and bring to a boil.  Add pasta and cook until al dente.

When pasta is done, discard the onion from the tomato sauce and add salt to taste.  Add the cooked sausage and pasta to the tomato sauce.  Mix well.  Sprinkle parmesan cheese (if desired) and serve!