Authors: Carrie S. Forbes
The mortar and pestle was originally used in pharmacies to crush ingredients to make medicines. In the culinary world, the mortar and pestle is a very useful tool for crushing seeds and nuts and making guacamole, pesto, and garlic paste.
Per Serving: Calories: 633 | Fat: 39 g | Protein: 25 g | Sodium: 1,548 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Carbohydrates: 26 g | Sugar: 15 g | GI: Low
Buckwheat (it is gluten-free!) instead of bread crumbs is used to keep these meatballs flavorful but still maintain a low-glycemic value.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 10
1 cup cooked buckwheat or quinoa
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 medium onion, peeled and minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 bunch fresh mint leaves, chopped
2 teaspoons white vinegar
2 eggs, beaten
Salt and pepper, to taste
1
⁄
2
cup olive oil
Try serving these Greek meatballs with the Cucumber with Yogurt and Dill Salad in
Chapter 5
, or with steamed broccoli or asparagus.
Per Serving: Calories: 209 | Fat: 6.5 g | Protein: 23 g | Sodium: 313 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Carbohydrates: 13 g | Sugar: 0.5 g | GI: Very low
Choose a variety of red, yellow, orange, and green bell peppers to bring vibrant color to this one-pot dinner.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
1 pound lean beef
4 bell peppers, seeded and chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 2 lemons
1 can chickpeas, drained
4 stalks celery, chopped
3 large shallots, sliced
Salt and pepper, to taste
Per Serving: Calories: 358 | Fat: 13 g | Protein: 31 g | Sodium: 1,321 mg | Fiber: 8 g | Carbohydrates: 31 g | Sugar: 2 g | GI: Low
These meaty, juicy kabobs are a hit at summer barbecues. They can also be cooked indoors on a well-seasoned grilling pan.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 3
1 pound sirloin steak
3 tablespoons olive oil
1
⁄
4
cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1
⁄
2
teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1
⁄
2
pound large white mushrooms
Per Serving: Calories: 321 | Fat: 17 g | Protein: 25 g | Sodium: 401 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Carbohydrates: 16 g | Sugar: 1 g | GI: Low
A well-known classic French beef stew.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 8
2 pounds stewing beef, cut into
1
⁄
2
" cubes
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 medium onions, peeled and quartered
2 cups red wine
3
⁄
4
pound carrots, peeled and sliced
3
⁄
4
pound white mushrooms, sliced
1 bunch fresh rosemary, chopped
1 bunch fresh thyme, chopped
Water, as needed
Per Serving: Calories: 383 | Fat: 25 g | Protein: 21 g | Sodium: 302 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Carbohydrates: 14 g | Sugar: 4 g | GI: Low
When you have a bit more time and want to prepare a meal for a large family gathering, this is the recipe to use. It serves ten easily and will wow your guests with its flavorful punch.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 10
2
1
⁄
2
pounds pork loin
Juice of 1 large orange
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons red wine
10 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons dried rosemary
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
Per Serving: Calories: 218 | Fat: 9.5 g | Protein: 30 g | Sodium: 53 mg | Fiber: 0 g | Carbohydrate: 1 g | Sugar: 1 g | GI: Very low
In this recipe, the pork is gently cooked in tomatoes to yield incredibly tender meat.
Try serving the pork and sauce over cooked rice or polenta with a salad on the side. Delicious!
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup loosely packed fresh basil
1
⁄
2
teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1
⁄
2
teaspoon marjoram
1
1
⁄
4
pounds boneless pork roast
Per Serving: Calories: 226 | Fat: 5 g | Protein: 34 g | Sodium: 176 mg | Fiber: 3 g | Carbohydrates: 10 g | Sugar: 7 g | GI: Low
You would never guess this meal is Paleo-approved. It tastes so amazing, you will swear it was deep-fried with flour.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 2
1 pound pork tenderloin
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, peeled and sliced
1
⁄
4
cup sliced fresh mushrooms
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons flax meal
1
⁄
2
cup gluten-free beef broth
1
⁄
4
teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1
⁄
8
teaspoon ground black pepper
Per Serving: Calories: 196 | Fat: 11 g | Protein: 16 g | Sodium: 325 mg | Fiber: 1 g | Carbohydrate: 3.5 g | Sugar: 0 g | GI: Very low
These big, meaty ribs are delicious when properly cooked. If you don’t have a smoker, add some wood chips to your grill. If you don’t have a grill, use a couple of drops of liquid smoke.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
2
1
⁄
2
pounds country-style pork ribs
Salt and pepper, to taste
Garlic powder, to taste
Cayenne pepper, to taste
1 cup water
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 cup barbecue sauce
Liquid smoke is a flavoring for food used to give a smoky, barbecued flavor without the wood chips. It is most often made out of hickory wood, which the manufacturers burn to capture and condense the smoke. They filter out impurities in the liquid and bottle the rest.
Per Serving: Calories: 186 | Fat: 7 g | Protein: 5 g | Sodium: 775 mg | Fiber: 0 g | Carbohydrates: 25 g | Sugar: 4 g | GI: Low
Apple and rosemary pair perfectly with pork chops.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 4
4 boneless pork loin chops
2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
1
⁄
4
teaspoon salt
1
⁄
2
teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 medium Granny Smith apple, cored and quartered
1
⁄
4
cup golden raisins
3
⁄
4
cup red wine
Per Serving: Calories: 273 | Fat: 6 g | Protein: 35 g | Sodium: 163 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Carbohydrates: 15 g | Sugar: 5 g | GI: Low
A country ham is a beautiful thing! Depending on where they come from, country hams are smoked or salt-cured. Both are improved by soaking.
INGREDIENTS | SERVES 20
10-pound country ham, bone-in
10 bay leaves
1 pound plus
1
⁄
2
cup brown sugar, divided
20 whole cloves, bruised
25 peppercorns, bruised
10 coriander seeds, bruised
2 tablespoons dark mustard
1
⁄
2
teaspoon powdered cloves
1
1
⁄
2
cups apple cider
Applesauce (optional)