Paleo Good Fats: Rendering Lard

I know it's hard not to think lard ass when you read this post, but hold your eye rolls, this will not make your ass fatter (unless you sit on it 23 hours a day).  Lard used to be the go-to fat for most home cooks, how many grandmother's used coconut oil?  But it fell out of vogue during the microwave heyday and was replaced by some unsavory counterparts, can we say Crisco?  If you can find lard in the store, it's usually hydrogenated and pumped with preservatives, so do yourself a favor and make some yourself.

Still not convinced?  Lard is high in Vitamin D and just behind olive oil in monounsaturated fats (or MUFAs, which I have trouble saying without laughing), and tolerates high heat when cooking with it.   Monounsaturated fats are the 'good fats', and including them in your diet (according to the Mayo Clinic) improves "blood cholesterol levels, which can decrease your risk of heart disease.  Research also shows thats MUFAs may benefit insulin levels and blood sugar control, which can be helpful if you have Type 2 diabetes".

I got my pork fat from my Cook Pigs Ranch visit.  But you may be able to find it in specialty markets, or if you have a butcher they may carry it or can order it for you.  My suggestion, find a farmer.  They probably have tons.  

Eat Your Greens: Paleo Dijon Super Slaw

This is a delicious way to eat your greens... I made a huge bowl, expecting it to last a couple days, and we devoured it in one sitting.  By sitting, I mean standing at the kitchen counter, then leaving the fork in in the bowl and taking a bite every time we walked by.

Out & About: Cook Pigs Ranch

The picturesque drive up the mountain to Julian is two lanes most of the way, but as you start to climb up into the forest, past the pie places, egg stands, apple trees, and cider mill*, you almost forget you're in Southern California.  Julian is northeast of San Diego, nestled in the Cleveland National Forest and home to the new Cook Pigs Ranch.

Paleo Pork Chop with Chipotle Blueberry Glaze

I came home with some major pig loot after my visit to Cook Pigs Ranch, and since I have a small freezer, I got right to work eating some of that delicious heritage pork. If you have a great piece of meat, I always recommend going easy on the sauce - if not forgoing it altogether. My husband and I shared this GIANT bone-in pork chop and had a ton of the sauce left over, so this recipe can easily work for up to 6 pork chops. 

 

Primal Pastures Farm Tour

I'm sorry I have to miss this one!  I visited the guys out at Primal Pastures and enjoyed meeting them and their delicious chickens.  If you're in Southern California, you should check it out the farm tour this weekend and see what pastured chickens are all about. 

Paleo in the Mainstream

I was almost giddy when I saw a feature in my beloved Sunset Magazine about a Portland chef, who's also Paleo.  Gregory Gourdet, from Departure Restaurant + Lounge, did a very brief Paleo diet overview, and then added a little magic.

"Paleo food doesn't have to be stripped down.  I cook with bold Asian seasonings: lots of ginger, chiles, like jalapenos and and Thai, lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime.  And I like to finish dishes with hazelnut, coconut, or pistachio oils to crate unique flavor profiles."

See...like I've been saying, it doesn't have to be boring!  (but good on those of you than can eat steak and steamed broccoli for every meal)

Gourdet is also a marathoner and reminded me a little of Steve Erkel....anyone up in rainy Portlandia eaten at Departure? 

Paleo Leek & Yam Latkes

Say that 5 times fast, leek and yam latke... I said lamb instead of yam every time.  Leeks look like a giant green onion, but they have a great mild flavor that works well in soups or even just solo with a little olive oil. These latkes are a spin off a traditional potato pancake, and they are quite addicting.  I ate 3 right out of the pan before I could even take pictures. 

Paleo Balsamic Pork Chops

This is a pretty easy weeknight meal, and I find that pork chops go on sale pretty frequently at my local grocery store.   This pan sauce only has 2 ingredients and isn't overly sweet.