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With posts like this and this and this, you may have thought I was off the Paleo Diet. But that’s totally not the case. I’m still going strong 🙂 I did put on several pounds after my trip to NYC though. With dining destinations like Le Bernadin, The Big Gay Ice Cream Shop, Eataly, Baked and the Momofuku Noodle Bar, it was close to impossible for me to follow Paleo guidelines. But I don’t go on many vacations throughout the year, so I was totally fine with breaking the rules. I’ve got three recipes below that have helped me get back on track. They’re easy to prepare and packed with flavor. Each recipe also has a richness that makes you forget the fact that you are eating diet food. Citrus Avocado Dip, Coconut Yogurt, and Chorizo Meatloaf recipes below.
First up is a super tasty Citrus Avocado Dip. I originally blended up a batch of this pale green goodness as a dressing for a salad of peppery watercress and sliced radish. The combination was definitely tasty, but the following day, I decided to dunk some celery sticks in it to see what would happen. Results? So. Yum. I spent the entire afternoon happily dunking away. It was at that moment that I decided this sauce would be labeled as a dip rather than a dressing. Rich avocado is blended with scallion, shallot, cilantro, and a vibrant mix of orange, lemon and lime juice. If you really want to use this as a salad dressing, I would recommend thinning it out a bit with the addition citrus juice or water. Get the recipe for Citrus Avocado Dip here.
Next, sweet-tart Coconut Yogurt. Yogurt is definitely one dairy product I’ve been missing from my weekly eating routine. For breakfast, I would frequently enjoy a small bowl of yogurt mixed with fresh fruit and nuts. For dinner, I would often spoon a dollop of cool, creamy yogurt on to a plate of spicy Indian food. To fill this void, I started experimenting with Coconut Yogurt. And I’ll have to say, the process couldn’t be easier. Simply introduce some good bacteria to canned coconut milk, keep warm, and let sit for several hours. BAM! Coconut Yogurt. I love serving it with toasted pepitas, dried apricots, flaked coconut and a drizzle of runny honey. Get the recipe here.
Finally, the best meatloaf. EVER. Ok I might be exaggerating just a bit, but really not that much. This Chorizo Meatloaf is crazy good. Ground beef is mixed with fresh Mexican chorizo then spiced with onion, garlic, cilantro, oregano, cumin, Worcestershire and black pepper. The loaf is then glazed with a sauce made of tomato, chipotle, lime, garlic and allspice. One bite and you will totally do this.
While recipe testing, I made this meatloaf at least 4 times, trying to perfect its consistency. Typically, a mixture of breadcrumbs and egg bind a meatloaf. I tried doing a direct almond meal substitute for the breadcrumbs, but that was a bit of a fail. The flavor was great, but the loaf crumbled easily. So how did I solve this issue? Gelatin. Adding 1 tsp of powdered gelatin to the meatloaf firmed everything up nicely. Get the recipe for Chorizo Meatloaf here.
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Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I love that you’re into coconut milk yogurt! I’ve made coconut milk kefir and love using it in breads and anything I can – need to try your yogurt!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) says
The meatloaf sounds fantastic – great idea on the gelatin!
sippitysup says
So you’re saying this is chorizo jello? Cool. GREG
Trisha @ Vignette says
Wow, who knew making coconut yogurt was so easy? Thanks for sharing – definitely going to give it a try! And your bowls are super cute – love the patterns and colors!!
Charis says
I love coconut a little too much, so the yogurt is going to made. Like now. Great pictures too 🙂
Betsy says
I just got back from New York too and totally feel your pain! (I went to Eataly twice!) That dip sounds awesome. I’m definitely going to make that for my Memorial Day BBQ. I’m in desperate need of nutrients right now!
J.S. @ Sun Diego Eats says
The coconut yogurt sounds like an amazing thing to try whether you’re going Paleo or not!
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
We enjoy coconut yogurt every now and then. It’s seriously addictive!
nusrat2010 says
OMG! Never heard of such a yummy word “Sweet-tart Coconut Yogurt”! How creative ! How healthy and flavorful !
Awesome post 🙂
laurasmess says
I love coconut milk yoghurt. It’s deliciously creamy and after a few bites, you totally forget any longings for dairy yoghurt! I haven’t had meatloaf for years. Totally trying this gorgeous recipe! Love the sound of the spicy chorizo and glaze. Thanks Brandon!
Jacki C. says
Love your classy spin on paleo recipes. This cavegirl is always looking for new things to try–keep ’em comin’! Very excited to try all of these!