Making Paleo Meals Without all of the Fuss

When Paleo recipes first started showing up on the internet, I remember looking them over and thinking to myself “why so many ingredients”?!? Surely each recipe didn’t absolutely have to use 11 separate items right? Honestly, it detoured me from cooking Paleo meals for a while because I didn’t want to bother buying all the unusual substitutions and have them just sitting in my pantry for eternity. If I didn’t want to cook ingredient heavy meals, then people who don’t like to cook wouldn’t be making these meals either. We live in an age of convenience and let’s face it, a laundry list of ingredients isn’t convenient. Being one to NOT follow recipes, I of course took the bulk of the idea, made my own modifications and came up with the recipes that you see in my posts today.

My sister is the queen of finding Paleo recipes online, but they are oftentimes very time consuming and difficult to make. Perhaps if you’re wanting to make a special meal over the weekend this method is just fine. For everyday meals simple is best, otherwise the temptation to sway from your nutrition will be all too overwhelming. Converting your favorite family recipes to Paleo is not as difficult as you may think. With a little knowledge and skill, those recipes will be converted in no time.

Let’s start with dairy substitutions. My go to is always full fat coconut milk if a recipe calls for a milk base sauce. The perfect example is in my Creamy Double Mushroom Skillet. Granted I invented the recipe, but still I could have very well used dairy. Instead of using heavy cream in my recipe, I use full fat coconut milk and get the same amazing, creamy results. Coconut milk can also be used as a substitute in chicken pot pie, curries, quiches, puddings, and milk based soups. I’ve never tried to use coconut milk in a baking recipe, but I am sure that the liquid ratio would be similar given the consistency is similar. Almond milk could also be used, but I am not a fan of the stuff. All I taste is plastic and stabilizing agents. To each their own.

When it comes to breading, almond and coconut flour are your best friends. Both are very fibrous and will burn if cooked too long in a skillet (they ARE technically fats and very heat sensitive). If you are baking and air frying, these guys are going to steal the show. The key is to give your protein a quick bath in an egg wash (beat an egg in a bowl) and then generously coat your protein in the flour on each side. Be sure to season your protein first with salt, pepper, and whatever other seasonings you desire. It will come out flavor rich and ever so moist. Both almond and coconut flour can be used for quick drop biscuits or even naan. As long as you have the correct leavening agent (baking soda, baking powder) and the correct wet ingredients, these recipes should be pretty foolproof.

Nuts are also a great way to coat proteins and create no-bake Paleo goodies. Recently I made a Paleo Pecan Crusted Flounder and it came out mouth watering delicious. My sister makes Paleo desserts all of the time for her husband who has a constant sweet tooth. She uses date paste, almond butter and nuts to create some of the most amazing nutrient dense,sweet treats that you’ve ever tasted.

Speaking of dessert, let’s talk sweeteners shall we? Refined sugar is a no-no in Paleo nutrition, but honey and 100% real maple syrup is a total green flag. Both are great in baked goods, puddings, tea or coffee. I’ve had Paleo salad dressings that use maple syrup as a sweetener and it has been delightfully undetected. Since both are in liquid form, it takes LESS of each to sweeten your food. I make Paleo Cranberry Sauce with honey and no one can detect it’s not a conventional sugar recipe.!

The next time you’re getting ready to cook a favorite meal and want to make it Paleo, just remember these simple substitutions and you’ll be well on your way to something quick and not complicated. Eating Paleo doesn’t have to be difficult, nor ingredient heavy. All you’ll need to know is your Paleo equivalent to be set in motion for the next amazing meal.