Sweet Potato Fries, Pan Fried Tilapia...

Wasn't really going for Paleo diet but I didn't have buns to make black bean burgers! - fried sweet potato fries, pan fried tilapia with almond meal, Parmesan, and a homemade aoli sauce (was going to make tarter but no mayo, so had to make my own). Yeah, I know...first world problems!

Bread-Less Cajun Pork Sandwich!

From time to time I get to enjoy samples that are brought to me from food purveyors. THANK YOU HALSEY FOOD SERVICE! (Yes it's a shameless plug for my local, notice I said LOCAL, Food Service provider) - for those 2, 4oz center cut boneless pork chops!!!

(Note: sorry Sous Chef Roberto and PW, you weren't working at the time or I would have shared! LOL!)

As the kitchen director for a private academy these things do happen, and when they happen its my duty to try out the quality of a food product before I go letting anybody else eat it! Or let my students be subject to a possible menu item without testing it first!

Since I have been on this 'eat foods styles from other diets' food kick in order to further educate myself in eating patterns, trends, and fads I chose to apply this concept to my free samples!

Looking around I found a partial onion and a few slices of provolone cheese hanging out in the fridge. Before caramelizing the onions I rubbed down the chops with some Cajun seasonings (very similar to blackening seasoning). After the onions were done I quickly pan seared and cooked the chops. They were very thin and lean meat. While they were still hot I put a piece of cheese on each chop. Going back to the pan i swirled a thin pat of butter around till it melted all the way and picked up the remaining flavor of the onions and seasoning, then pouring it over the onions.

Taking one cheese topped chop I piled it high with caramelized onions flipping the other chop with cheese over on top of it! I waited just long enough to be able to handle it without burning myself and let the juices run down my arm while I happily munched it down.

Cajun rubbed, pan-seared center cut pork chop sandwich with provolone and caramelized onions:

The Man's Meat Paleo Pizza Crust!

But seriously it can be for women too if they like this much meat! I suggest using ground pork of some form, whether it be Italian sausage, breakfast sausage, or just ground pork. I suppose hamburger may work but sometimes it doesn't seem to be as cohesive as pork.

Flatten ground pork down with hand or parchment paper and rolling pin. I would suggest a half inch thickness, some will melt away. Make sure you at least have parchment paper, silpat, or something nonstick underneath.

Bake the meat in a sheet tray or pan. My meat crust was baked in 350 degree (F) oven for about 15 minutes. You need to make sure and use a sheet tray or pan to catch the grease and juice that will cook out so you can drain it off. And just like the cauliflower crust in my previous post, you would then top it with sauce, cheese, and whatever else you desire! Then put back in oven till the toppings are done or cheese is melted.

This should easily be Paleo, Keto, and Atkins friendly! LOL!

Cauliflower Crust

I am not on the Paleo diet. But as we go thru different fads and diets I like the creative thinking that inspire people to do different things with food. And wanting to be versatile in my technique for self education and my clients, I tend to try the new recipes that start circulating. Maybe even putting my own spin on it! ~ Lets start with the Cauliflower Pizza Crust.

If you want a cauliflower crust that works start with this link: http://detoxinista.com/2012/01/the-secret-to-perfect-cauliflower-pizza-crust/  It has great pictures and instructions! I am not trying to re-invent the wheel but maybe discuss what happened when I used the same recipe and pics/illustrationsand give you some insight.

Pulse the cauliflower down. I have a full size processor but it was still better to do one head of cauliflower in two batches.

If you stop a little bit before this stage they say you can use the cauliflower as a 'rice' for stir-fried rice! (I will try that out in the future also and give you a report whether or not its worth it)

The recipe was correct, you basically get 4 to 5 cups of 'rice size pieces of cauliflower.

Boiling water. Salt goes in the recipe so I did not 'salt' the water.

Cooking/simmering.

Strainer.

Flour sack cloth or cheesecloth liner.

And drain.

Pull together.

Now here is where I deviated just a little, people were talking about how hot and wet the cauliflower was and whether they needed to wait a bit for it to cool down? NO! Just get out a rubber spatula or small pot and mash that baby down until you can't get any more out...no need for handling it with your hands!!!

Dry crumb clumpy texture, ready for mixing.

Add ingredients. Here is where the recipe called for goat cheese, I substituted with cream cheese with great  results. In the future I think adding real shredded Parmesan would help in taste and structure in addition to cream cheese.

Mix. I like to use my hands.

This technique I actually use on my pizza dough because I hate cleaning up and dealing with flour. Use two pieces of nonstick sprayed parchment paper with mixture in between. You don't actually even need to 'roll' the dough out, use it to smooth the dough out. I push down on rolling pin and smash outward feeling the thickness and watching it spread even.

Hand contour (spray your hand with nonstick spray so it doesn't stick) your crust so it looks like what you want.

Bake it according to recipe. I have some dark spots because I let it get a bit thin in these areas.

I started basic because I wanted to really taste and observe the crust. So sauce and cheese.

Throw back in the oven on the stone. (still re-using the same parchment paper under it). Looks good! Looks like a boring old cheese pizza! LOL

Crusts holds together like a real bread or dough. Some parts even crunchy with a bit of chew. Will it ever replace a real pizza crust or fake somebody out? Nah, I don't think so...maybe small kids! But the taste is neutral enough and recipe technique ingenious enough to be a great idea! (and great Carb replacement)

Not to shabby!

Next Time: 

THE MAN'S ALL MEAT PALEO PIZZA CRUST!!!