OMG Sweet Potatoes...

Over 5 weeks into the Paleo challenge and I am finally starting to understand that, in many ways, eating this way is much simpler than how I used to eat. For instance, when I go to 'throw together' a quick meal, there are loads of meats, veggies, and spices to choose from. Tonight I threw some chicken breasts in a pan with olive oil and garlic, while cooking a frozen veg mix in a pot. Then, at the last minute, I thought, "huh. Why not a bit of sweet potatoes?". It was out of this thought that the OMG Sweet Potatoes were born.

Each time I cook sweet potatoes I cut them smaller and use more coconut oil. These 2 ingredients are made for each other, trust me (especially extra-virgin coconut oil, which is more flavorful).

So this evening, I cut them pretty small and threw only 1 potato in the pot at a time so that every bit was sizzling in the lake of coconut oil (med-high heat, and covered). Then, from no influence of my own, but rather of the favor of the almighty lord directing my hand toward the last, and most sacred ingredient, I grabbed the curry powder and sprinkled it throughout the pot liberally. Oh man, stirring around these 3 ingredients together, I knew I had touched on something divine.

They turned out much spicier than I would've imagined, but the spice, flavor, texture, and everything about it was just so balanced and satisfying. I suppose there is a slight chance that I was so hungry that I am overreacting about this, but go ahead and try it for yourself. See if this doesn't become your new favorite side dish.

Simple. Delicious. Spicy. Sweet. Welcome to OMG Sweet Potatoes.

You're welcome.

a quick update...

Soooo........................ I got lazy. I stopped thinking ahead, shopping ahead, and meal planning. My new ritual this week was to stand with the fridge door wide open while calling out to Luke desperately to figure out what we were going to eat for dinner. The few things I had planned well, turned out tasting like crap. So, I finally printed out some recipes from my favorite paleo sites, and went to Costco, and will be going to Trader Joe's tomorrow for some staples. (By the way, TJs has the CHEAPEST quality products! Especially never buy olive oil anywhere else.) So, here is how my grub has been tasting lately:

BAD

Paleo Pizza: I did not follow the recipe of my friend, Lisa, but found another (for no good reason at all), and it was not good. I ate it, but it was not good.

Coconut Ice-cream: A complicated process of egg yolks and coconut milk first cooked together then frozen (then added berries), this did not turn out well. I kept feeling like I just wanted to add sugar; it was bland. However, when I let it thaw in my fridge, it tasted like a rich yogurt.

Lesson Learned: Don't try to eat 'healthy' junk food. Just eat healthy, and then when you really need to, splurge and eat a real slice of pizza or a real serving of ice-cream. Of course, I won't be doing that while I am on this challenge, but in 3 1/2 more weeks, I will be eating ice-cream.

GOOD

Meat: after much 'bad' food that I cooked, I begged Luke to take over on some meals, because I couldn't eat my cooking anymore. And man, does he know how to cook meat. One night, he perfectly cooked pork chops (pan seared then roasted), and another night he mastered flank steak on the stovetop. The wonderful revival of my taste buds also revived my desire to plan and cook delicious meals. Thanks, Luke!

Roasted Chicken: the perfect roasted chicken recipe found at Elana's Pantry, and it was actually easy to follow. Next I will take the carcass and make some stock for some recipes I have set aside to make later in the week

Taco Salad: always a favorite meal of mine! This time, I finely chopped the cilantro and just mixed it in with the greens, and also mashed up avocado all throughout the salad, and the flavors were just bursting. And it was an easy meal to pack for work; just microwave the taco meat and pour some salsa on top.

Veggies: highlights include cooking brussels sprouts in bacon fat, and roasting chopped up sweet potatoes in coconut oil.

Lesson learned: when some mysterious liquid in the bottom of your oven catches on fire, pour baking soda on it. Also, make Luke make more meals.