This is one of the first seasonings I started making from scratch. I was trying to wean myself off of those little green packets, and although it doesn’t taste exactly the same (it’s hard to compete with MSG), it still hits the spot and adds that familiar creamy,…
When I realized that taco-seasoning packets were simply a mix of things I probably already had in my kitchen, it was a revelation. And that discovery ultimately resulted in the best homemade taco seasoning I’ve ever had. Cocoa might seem like an odd addition, but it…
I like making my own Cajun seasoning, because sometimes the prepared kind is too spicy for my kids. Or it isn’t spicy enough for my husband and me. I like this version because it has a bit of heat, but not too much. And I have all of these seasonings in my cupboard,…
I love this “dump and walk away” marinara sauce—it’s versatile enough to use on anything from zoodles to eggs to paleo pizza. If tomatoes are in season, try using 3 to 4 pounds (1.4 to 1.8 kg) of fresh, ripe ones instead. Prep time 15 minutes Makes about 11/2 to 2…
I noticed an autumn-inspired pasta sauce during one of my shopping trips to Trader Joe’s, and snagged a jar to try at home. Wow. I loved that the tomato base takes a back seat to the squash and pumpkin flavors. I was determined to create a version of my own, and love…
Roasting garlic in the oven is easy, but using a slow cooker is good for large batches if you don’t have the time to “babysit” it. Also, it’s much more forgiving and won’t burn as easily as it does in the oven. Roasted garlic is such a versatile, flavor-boosting…
Over the past several years, my husband and I have purchased beef shares from a local grass-fed beef ranch. In every share, we get packages of soup bones, which I love. They make the best-tasting bone broth—and all of those minerals and collagen from the bones are…
I started making my own stock around the time my husband and I became more conscientious about the meat we eat. He was in chiropractic school at the time, so eating higher-quality meat meant we didn’t eat it often. After paying premium prices for whole chickens, I…
This is one of my favorite recipes in this chapter. I love the variation on a cobbler, using a chocolate cakelike topping over saucy cooked berries. It’s heavenly. And don’t forget about the Whipped Coconut Cream. Prep time 20 minutesServes 6 11/2 pounds (680 g)…
This is just what the title says—a big chocolate chip cookie. It began as a fun experiment, but after three or four tries, it became a contest of me vs. the cookie. After six tries, I finally had something I was excited about. You could also use this dough (or even…
One aspect of a paleo lifestyle I like a lot is how fine the boundary is between a dessert and a sweet breakfast. They could almost be interchangeable. And if a doughnut can be considered a breakfast food, I’m pretty sure that this lightly sweetened crumble can join…
Although our family does splurge sometimes and use real whipped cream, it’s nice to have a dairy-free option if you don’t tolerate dairy well—or eat it at all. I love the coconut flavor this adds, too! Prep time 5 minutesServes 6 2 to 3 13.5-ounce (398 ml) cans…