Tag: paleo blogger

Celery Root Soup (Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Paleo, AIP)

Posted on
Are you familiar with celery root? It’s also called celeriac and it tastes like a cross between celery and parsley. It’s starchy like other root veggies and makes a really fantastic substitute for mashed potatoes (no, really!). So if you’re looking for a low carb alternative, celery root is it! 
 

Although this amazing vegetable offers a lot to write home about in terms of taste and nutrition, it’s one of the less attractive veggies at the market and for that reason, it’s often overlooked. This vegetable gives new meaning to the phrase, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover.’ It’s shaped like a globe and has this gnarly, uneven and brown appearance – it reminds me of something straight out of Harry Potter 😛 (take a look at the photo and you’ll see what I mean!).

 
On the inside however, this veggie is creamy, white and aromatic – just beautiful. Once you’ve tasted it, you’ll kick yourself for not having tried it sooner. 
 
Celeriac is rich in dietary fibre which is essential for maintaining proper digestion. It helps keep everything moving, if you know what I mean 😛 It’s also a good source of Vitamin C and fantastic for helping to strengthen the immune system, especially this time of year (hello cold n’ flu season and cold weather!). 
 
Ok, back to the mashed potatoes talk! When you’re on an AIP diet, the comfort of the white potato is off limits to you. White potatoes are part of the nightshade family and many people who have autoimmune conditions have trouble with them. That’s why it’s invaluable to have substitutes like celery root to lean on when you have these dietary restrictions. You can turn this unassuming veggie into a gorgeous puree or mash to help satisfy that carb craving. 
 
Let’s talk about this soup now. It’s rich and savoury. Luxurious in texture. And adding the cooked bacon bits on top just adds some much needed crunch. Enjoy!
 
We want to know –> what’s the most challenging part of following an AIP protocol for you? Share with us in the comments below. 
 
We love seeing what you’re cooking up! Don’t forget to share your recreations with us on Instagram @holisticwellnessfoodie  @valeriepiccitto
Celery Root Soup
Serves 4
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
45 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
45 min
Ingredients
  1. 4 slices bacon, cooked & chopped
  2. 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  3. 1 large leek, sliced
  4. 2 1-pound celery roots, cut into 1 inch pieces
  5. 1 cup celery, chopped
  6. 2 garlic cloves, minced
  7. 5 cups vegetable stock
  8. 1/4 cup full fat coconut milk
  9. 2 Tbsp fresh chives, chopped
  10. sea salt
Instructions
  1. Cook bacon as you normally would. Drain on a paper towel lined plate. Chop & set aside.
  2. In a large soup pot, warm olive oil over medium heat, add sliced leeks, celery root and celery. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and sauté for a minute until fragrant.
  4. Stir in broth. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer for 10-15 minutes or until celery root is fork tender.
  5. In batches, carefully blend soup mixture (you can use a hand immersion blender or your blender).
  6. Add the blended soup back into the pot and stir in coconut milk. Season with sea salt.
  7. Portion out soup and garnish with chopped chives and bacon.
Notes
  1. *If you are NOT on the AIP protocol, feel free to add in some fresh black pepper.
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
 
SHARE THIS!
Share on Pinterest

Thai Red Curry Chicken (Paleo, Grain Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free, Egg Free, Nut Free)

Posted on
What is it about the fall that makes me wanna eat all the curry bowls ??  They’re just so aromatic and warming and cozy. I’m just gonna say it – comfort food, right? This time of year, I want all the ‘stick to your ribs’ dishes. 
 
As we approach fall/winter, we naturally start to crave heavier foods like stews, pureed soups and hearty bowls. We eat less light, raw and cold dishes because our body craves warmth. It’s called, ‘eating with the seasons’ and it’s exactly what we’re meant to do. 
 
Of course, there’s more to it than that. Eating with the seasons often means eating what is in season and that usually means eating what is local to you. That has many benefits. It benefits the environment because your food isn’t traveling as far to get to you. It requires less resources and transportation. It benefits you because the food you’re eating is more nutritious. It wasn’t picked prematurely and sitting on a transport truck for days losing vital nutrients. It also supports your local economy. 
 
A small example of this, here in Canada, would be that right now apples and squash are back in season and berries are not. For us, we meal plan around what’s in season. That includes plenty of butternut squash dishes and snacking on local apples. I’m not buying fresh berries this time of year, instead, I choose frozen berries – they’re more cost effective and more nutritious than the fresh. Do you eat with the seasons? Share with us in the comments below! 
 
Fun fact about me, I was in my mid twenties when I first tried curry!! Fast forward to today and it’s a staple in our home. I had a very limited palate back then. I was really resistant to trying new foods which is crazy because the first bite of curry I had, I was hooked! Now, I’m a total foodie. I love trying new dishes. Curry is one of those things that people either love or hate. Are you a curry lover as well? 
 
This dish is delicious served over cauliflower rice. You can check out this recipe here for Cauliflower Fried Rice, or simply just sauté the cauliflower rice in some coconut oil for this dish. I suggest you make extra to have on hand for other dishes. Nothing beats making one dish but prepping for 2 or 3 meals at the same time.

The other night, I was craving a curry chicken dish and found it really difficult to find one free of grains and legumes (right now, I’m really thriving on a paleo-friendly diet). So I decided to create my own! This recipe is paleo-friendly, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and soy-free – without compromising on BIG, BOLD flavours. And it’s really easy to make, in fact, it’s a one pan meal and who doesn’t love that? 
 
ENJOY and Happy Cooking 🙂
Thai Red Curry Chicken
Serves 4
Write a review
Save Recipe
Print
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
30 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
20 min
Total Time
30 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 pound organic chicken breasts, sliced
  2. 1.5 Tbsp coconut oil
  3. 1 onion, diced
  4. 2 tsp ginger, grated
  5. 4 cloves garlic, minced
  6. 2 Tbsp red curry paste (I used Thai Kitchen brand)
  7. 1 red bell pepper, diced
  8. 1 orange bell pepper, diced
  9. 1 can full-fat coconut milk
  10. 1 Tbsp arrowroot starch
  11. 2 Tbsp tamari sauce
  12. 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
  13. 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup
  14. sea salt & fresh black pepper
  15. 1 cauliflower, processed into rice
  16. hot sauce to taste
  17. handful basil leaves, torn
  18. fresh chopped cilantro & sliced thai chilli for garnish
Instructions
  1. Sear chicken over medium heat in coconut oil. Remove & set aside once done.
  2. In the same pan, sauté onions, ginger, garlic and curry paste for about 5 minutes.
  3. Add peppers and sauté for another 5 minutes.
  4. Add 1/2 the coconut milk to the pan.
  5. Mix the remainder of the coconut milk with arrowroot starch. Add it to the pan with tamari, lime juice, maple syrup and a pinch or two of sea salt and pepper.
  6. Bring everything to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until mixture thickens and vegetables are cooked.
  7. In the meantime, cut cauliflower into florets, add to food processor and pulse until it looks like rice. {you can either serve the curry over raw cauliflower rice or gently sauté it in a pan with a touch of coconut oil}.
  8. Taste curry carefully for seasoning and adjust accordingly.
  9. Serve curry over cauliflower rice with hot sauce, torn basil leaves and garnish with cilantro and thai chilli.
Notes
  1. *Omit peppers if avoiding nightshades and swap for chopped carrots
Holistic Wellness https://holisticwellness.ca/
SHARE THIS!
Share on Pinterest

@holisticwellnessfoodie