Tostone Taco Bites (AIP, Paleo)

Tostone Taco Bites (AIP, Paleo)

It’ll be love at first bite with this Tostone Taco Bites recipe! This dish is packed with all the good stuff including healthy fats from grass-fed beef and avocado, PLUS loads of fiber thanks to plantains and avocado, once again. So whether it’s Taco Tuesday or just a regular night, you’ve got to try this paleo & AIP friendly dish!

You know that feeling when you try a recipe for the very first time and after just one bite you can’t wait to make it again and again?!

Well, that’s the feeling you’ll get when you try this dish!

These bite-sized tostone tacos are to die for and super fun to eat. I replaced the traditional taco shell with tostones since they are grain free, gut friendly and so delicious! 

Just in case you’re wondering what tostones are, they’re slices of unripe plantains that are fried, flattened, then fried again (in heat stable oil, of course!). Learn more about plantains and tostones here.

You can find plantains at most grocery stores. They look like big green bananas and tend to be located next to regular bananas. I’ve been able to find them at stores like Walmart, Fortinos & Longos.

How to assemble Tostone Taco Bites:

  1. Spread guacamole on tostone.
  2. Add beef on top of guacamole.
  3. Grab with your fingers (or use a fork) and bite into your delicious creation!

This meal is packed with all the good stuff including healthy fats from grass-fed beef and avocado PLUS loads of fiber thanks to plantains and avocados, once again. I highly recommend adding this recipe to your list of “must try”, it’ll be love at first bite!

Tostone Taco Bites (AIP, Paleo)

What you need for Tostone Taco Bites:

Want more healthy dinner recipes? You’re going to love these …

Tostone Taco Bites AIP Paleo

Tostone Taco Bites

It'll be love at first bite with this Tostone Taco Bites recipe! This dish is packed with all the good stuff including healthy fats from grass-fed beef and avocado, PLUS loads of fiber thanks to plantains and avocado, once again. So whether it's Taco Tuesday or just a regular night, you've got to try this paleo & AIP friendly dish!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: AIP, Paleo
Servings: 3

Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb ground beef⁠, grass-fed
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped⁠
  • 2 cloves garlic, ⁠sliced
  • 1 zucchini, chopped⁠ (optional)
  • 1 pack mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 large green plantains, peeled and cut into 1 inch slices
  • 1-2 avocados
  • ½ lime, juice only
  • Avocado oil
  • Sea salt & black pepper, to taste

TACO SEASONING:

  • 2 tsp dried oregano⁠
  • 1 tsp garlic powder⁠
  • 1 tsp onion powder⁠
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon⁠
  • ½ tsp sea salt⁠

Instructions
 

  • Sauté onion and garlic in 1 tbsp avocado oil until fragrant, then add in zucchini and mushrooms. Cook for 5 minutes.
  • Add ground beef and taco seasoning. Break a part meat and cook until liquid evaporates and meat is browned.⁠
  • While beef is cooking, use another large pan to cook the plantains. Cover bottom of pan in avocado oil, heat oil then add plantain slices and fry on both sides until golden (roughly 2-minutes per side).⁠ Season with salt.
  • Remove plantains from pan and gently smash until flattened (I smash my plantains between two pieces of parchment paper with a mug or can).⁠
  • Add smashed plantains back to the pan and fry again on both sides until golden brown.⁠ Now you have tostones!
  • Mash avocado in a bowl, add lime juice, sea salt, black pepper and a pinch of garlic powder.
  • Place everything onto a dish, as shown in photo, and assemble your tostone tacos as you eat them!
Keyword autoimmune protocol, dairy free, gluten free, grain free, grass fed beef, healthy dinner, paleo diet, plantains, quick meals, tacos

 

Sausage & Butternut Squash Skillet (Low-Carb, Paleo)

Sausage & Butternut Squash Skillet (Low-Carb, Paleo)

Sausage & Butternut Squash Skillet makes for a wonderful dinner during the fall and winter. The combination of warming spices, butternut squash and sweet Italian sausage creates a recipe that’s heartwarming and healthy–not to mention, low-carb and paleo too!

DID YOU KNOW? Butternut squash has over four times the recommended daily value of vitamin A and over half the recommended intake of vitamin C in just one serving!

Vitamin A has the ability to fight diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders, it can also help prevent the common cold and other infections. Part of how it protects against such a large number of infections and diseases is because vitamin A reduces inflammation, which is at the root of most diseases.

Inflammation is generally caused by an overactive immune system that attacks more than it should. Vitamin A helps to keep your immune system in balance therefore reducing inflammation.

In addition, butternut squash contains high amounts of vitamin C, another common immune system booster that not only helps prevent and treat colds, but also lessens or inhibits the development of more serious conditions from common infections.

Consider adding more butternut squash to your diet to help boost vitamin A & C. Try this yummy Sausage & Butternut Squash skillet.

Sausage & Butternut Squash Skillet

What you need for Sausage & Butternut Squash Skillet

Sweet Italian sausage (find pastured pork sausage here)
Butternut squash
Chicken broth
Onion
Garlic
Fresh sage
Fennel seed
Ground cloves or ground allspice
Crushed red pepper
Ground nutmeg
Avocado oil
Sea salt & black pepper

Want more wholesome squash recipes? You’re going to love these …

Sausage & Butternut Squash Skillet

Sausage & Butternut Squash Skillet 

Sausage & Butternut Squash Skillet makes for a wonderful dinner during the fall and winter. The combination of warming spices, butternut squash and sweet Italian sausage creates a recipe that's heartwarming and healthy--not to mention, low-carb and paleo too!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Low-Carb, Paleo
Servings: 4

Ingredients
 

  • 2 lbs sweet Italian sausage, casings removed
  • 2 tbsp. fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp. fresh sage, coarsely chopped
  • 1 tsp. fennel seed
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cloves or ground allspice
  • 2 tbsp. avocado oil
  • 1 1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1-inch cubes*
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, sliced
  • 1 tsp. crushed red pepper
  • 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup organic chicken broth
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, mix sausage, finely chopped sage, fennel seed, cloves/all spice and ground black pepper.
  • In a large skillet with a lid, heat oil over medium-high. Add the sausage mixture and cook, breaking into large pieces until browned.
  • Add the squash, onion, garlic, crushed red pepper, nutmeg and coarsely chopped sage; season with salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add broth and cover. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the squash is tender, 18 to 20 minutes.

Notes

* TIME SAVER: You can find containers of peeled and cubed butternut squash at most grocery stores.
Keyword butternut squash, dairy free, dinner, gluten free, grain free, meat, nutmeg, sage, sausage, vegetables

 

Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings (AIP, Keto, Paleo)

Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings (AIP, Keto, Paleo)

Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings are not only delicious, but also super easy to prepare with only 4 simple ingredients needed. These guilt free wings are keto, paleo and AIP friendly.

Chicken wings are an essential part of any sports lover’s diet! They’re flavourful and easy to munch on while your eyes are glued to the screen.

As yummy as restaurant and bar wings are, these places almost always deep fry their wings in rancid vegetable oil. These inflammatory oils can cause many short and long term health problems and should be avoided whenever possible.

You might be thinking – “Jen, why do you have to be a game day buzz kill?!”

I’m not – I promise! Today, I come to you with a better alternative which will not only save you from spending time in bars that smell like a combination of body odour and beer – BUT also keep you from burping up rancid chicken wings for the next week!

So, here’s my brilliant game plan … Host game day in the comfort of your home with your best people (no buzz kills allowed) and make my simple chicken wing recipe below!

I use heat stable avocado oil in my recipe, which has a smoke point of 500F. You can safely bake your wings in the oven at a high temperature without worrying about creating toxic fumes or harmful free radicals.

Now check out my Salt & Pepper Chicken Wing recipe with avocado oil!

Healthy sides to pair with these wings …

Simple Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings

What you need for Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings

  • Chicken wings
  • Avocado oil
  • Sea salt
  • Fresh ground pepper

Looking for more healthy chicken dinner recipes? You’re going to love these …

Simple Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings

Simple Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings

Salt & Pepper Chicken Wings are not only delicious, but also super easy to prepare with only 4 simple ingredients needed. These guilt free wings are keto, paleo and AIP friendly.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: AIP, Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo
Servings: 3

Ingredients
 

  • 2 lbs chicken wings, pastured
  • 2 tbsp. avocado oil
  • 2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1 tsp. fresh ground pepper
  • 1 tbsp. fresh parsley for garnish, optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425 and line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Add wings to a large bowl and coat with avocado oil.
  • Add salt and pepper to bowl and toss wings so they are evenly coated.
  • Place wings on baking sheet in a single layer.
  • Bake for 25-minutes then flip wings and bake for another 25-minutes. Wings should look golden. Cooking time may vary.
Keyword avocado oil, chicken wings, easy recipes, gluten free, healthy dinner, pastured chicken
Beef & Black Bean Chili (Paleo, Low-Carb)

Beef & Black Bean Chili (Paleo, Low-Carb)

Does the cold weather have you searching for recipes that you and your family can warm up to in the comfort of your home? Search no further than this Beef & Black Bean Chili! It’s easy to make and will leave your home smelling of soul warming comfort food.

Here’s what makes this chili recipe the best …

  • It uses black beans which may be easier to digest when compared to other beans traditionally used in chili.
  • It can easily be modified to be paleo, dairy free, keto and low-carb (see recipe below for modifications).
  • There’s a variety of healthy and unique toppings that you can try.
  • It uses fire roasted tomatoes which adds extra flavour, but regular canned tomatoes works great too.
  • The end result is absolutely delicious and soul warming! Best part is, leftovers taste just as great–if not better!

Serve this dish on its own or on top of cauliflower “rice” for an even heartier meal.

Looking for more chili recipes?

Try my Pumpkin Chili! It’s a hearty, paleo friendly and low-carb chili with a unique combination of pumpkin, zucchini, warming spices and cocoa.

Beef & Black Bean Chili

What you need for Beef & Black Bean Chili …

  • Grass-fed ground beef
  • Black beans (see recipe for paleo version)
  • Onion
  • Red pepper
  • Jalapeño pepper
  • Canned tomatoes
  • Garlic
  • Chili powder
  • Cumin
  • Smoked paprika
  • Avocado oil
  • Optional Toppings: Lime, goat sour cream or coconut kefir, cilantro, plantain chips

Want more wholesome comfort food recipes? You’re going to love these …

Beef & Black Bean Chili

Beef & Black Bean Chili

Does the cold weather have you searching for recipes that you and your family can warm up to in the comfort of your home? Search no further than this Beef & Black Bean Chili! It's easy to make and will leave your home smelling of warming comfort food.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo
Servings: 4

Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb grass-fed ground beef
  • 400 ml can black beans, drained and rinsed, OR 1/2 lb extra ground beef*
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 red pepper, deseeded and chopped
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, deseeded and chopped
  • 796 ml can fire roasted tomatoes (or regular), diced
  • 2 cloves garlic , finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • Fresh ground pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 cup filtered water

Toppings (optional)

  • 4 wedges lime
  • 4 tbsp. goat sour cream, or coconut kefir (dairy free version)
  • 1 handful cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1 small bag plantain chips

Instructions
 

  • Over medium heat, sauté onion and garlic in ghee or avocado oil (~2 minutes).
  • Add red peppers and jalapeño (~2 minutes).
  • Add all spices and sauté until aromas begin to surface.
  • Add ground beef and allow meat to brown (~2-4 minutes).
  • Add tomatoes, black beans and water then bring to a boil for 5 minutes.
  • Lower heat, cover and let simmer for ~1.5 hours OR throw everything into a slow-cooker and set at low for 8-hours or set at high for 4-hours.
  • Top each chili plate with a lime wedge, 1 tbsp. sour cream/coconut kefir, a sprinkle of cilantro and/or a few plantain chips.

Notes

*If you're following a paleo, low-carb or keto diet, you can modify this recipe by replacing black beans with 1/2 lb more ground beef. 
Keyword black beans, chili, comfort food, dairy free, gluten free, grain free, grass fed beef, soy free, winter recipes