Wednesdays used to be our Guest Blogger Series day; but, there’s just so many new and wonderful Paleo and real-food bloggers out there that we’ve expanded our series. We hope you enjoy the new view points and unique content; if so, we encourage you to show these guest bloggers your support by visiting their blog and social media links at the end of this post!
This week we’re visited by Peter of Strictly Paleo…ish, a Swedish Dad sharing his love of healthy, paleo food with the world. Peter’s site not only provides delicious and creative recipes, but easy to navigate menus that allow you to search by dietary preferences. Today Peter shares his recipe for Crawfish Etouffee – enjoy!
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When I got the opportunity to write a guest post for the Paleo Parents, I must admit I had some decision anxiety…should I post a recipe (since that is what I usually do), or should I take the moment to think out loud on some topic I feel is important?
After some pondering I asked myself – does it have to be either/or? The answer, nope. So here comes a little bit of both for you!
Don’t worry, I’ll do my best to tie it all together and have it make sense.
Considering the likely main audience of this post (paleo parents), the one thing I would like to think out loud about is actually a humble reminder:
– DON’T FORGET ABOUT EACH OTHER!
It may sound obvious, but I see so many parents around me that are so busy being parents that they seem to forget to also care for each other and maintain the relationship that once led to those lovely families.
I’m sure you all agree with me that in order to build a good, strong relationship with your kids it’s important to spend (a lot of) time with them on “their level”, doing activities together that they like doing with you. Hopefully these are things that you like doing with them as well.
I strongly believe that statement is equally true for maintaining the relationship with your better half. Every once in a while you need to take some time off from being parents, and give the love for each other the attention and care it deserves.
And I also strongly believe that, by doing so, it will only make the family stronger. You will both feel better, and no matter how young your kids are, trust me that they’ll feel it too. Emotions reflect.
Plus, be assured that your kids will grow up and eventually one day move out to start a life of their own. Personally, I dread reaching that day only to find out that I and my better half no longer know each other, and I will do my best to prevent that scenario from coming true!
With that said, what I would like you to do now is to schedule one weekend in the coming month where you leave the kids with their grandparents or with some friends for at least 24 hours, and have some time on your own, just the two of you!
Regardless of whether you feel you need it or not, recently did it, or maybe even totally disagree with what I’ve just said, I’m sure it’ll be good for you.
Of course I understand there may be situations where you just can’t, whatever the reason is, but you can always TRY to make it happen if you want to and feel it’s important – especially since it in most cases will be a fool-proof and definite positive return of investment.
The most important thing I want you to do during this weekend will also definitely be the hardest: Try to keep the conversations about you, NOT your kids.
Other than that I’m sure you know best what you want, and need, to do to make the best out of this precious and well deserved time together However, considering the likely main audience of this post (paleo parents), I am guessing (and encouraging) cooking and enjoying a good and healthy meal together might be on the to-do list.
Yep, here’s where I’ll try to tie it all together. So of course I will also share a recipe with you, as a little suggestion on something you could take the moment to try out. And it’s just perfect for the occasion, it’s got a heat to it that probably is more appreciated by you than your kids, it’s fun to cook, I doubt it’s your regular weekly dish, and it’s DELICIOUS!
Ever since I visited New Orleans in ’99, this dish has been one of my absolute favorites (top five without a doubt!).
That was long before I had ever heard of paleo, but don’t worry I’ve tweaked it into being paleo friendly and think it’s just as good as the original!
Oh, and don’t let the somewhat muddy looks of the dish pictured below fool you, this is one of those dishes that taste way better than it looks.
So without further ado I give you:
~ CRAWFISH ETOUFFEE ~
Ingredients:
(Serves 4)
- – 2 tbsp Coconut Flour
- – 2 tbsp Almond Flour
- – 1 tbsp Tapioca Flour
- – 1/2 cup (1 dl) Bacon Fat
- – 1 lb (500 g) Crawfish Tails, peeled
- – 1 1/4 cup (3 dl) Chicken Stock
- – 2 Onions, chopped
- – 1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
- – 1 1/2 Celery Stalk, chopped
- – 5 Green Onions, chopped
- – 2 Cloves of Garlic, minced
- – 1 tbsp fresh Parsley, chopped
- – 1 tsp dried Basil
- – 1 tsp Paprika powder
- – 1/2 tsp ground White Pepper
- – 1/2 tsp crushed Black Pepper
- – 1/2 tsp Salt
- – 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- – 1/2 tsp Tabasco
How To:
- Blend the coconut flour, almond flour and tapioca flour in a bowl using a fork.
- Then start cooking by making the foundation of many Cajun dishes, the “Roux”.
- In a large, heavy bottomed Dutch oven or pot, melt the bacon fat over medium heat.
- Add the flour mix while constantly whisking to make sure there are no lumps.
- The flour mix will start to fry, and when it has got a peanut butter like color, add the “Holy Trinity” – onion, celery and bell pepper.
- While stirring occasionally, fry until the onion is translucent and the celery and bell pepper has softened a bit.
- The roux will likely stick a bit to the bottom of the pot, but don’t worry about that.
- Add the salt, black pepper, white pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, basil, and garlic and cook for a couple of minutes.
- Stir in the chicken stock and Tabasco, and bring to a gentle boil.
- See, I told you not to worry about the Roux sticking to the pot.
- Add the crawfish, green onions and parsley, and let simmer for five more minutes until the crawfish is cooked.
- Serve over your favorite cauliflower rice, and by all means…if you’re in the mood for it, enjoy it with a nice glass of wine (or two)!
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Final Words:
I would like to thank Stacy and Matt for the opportunity to write this guest post for their site, it has been a totally new, yet awesome, experience for me!
I would also like to thank you for taking the time to read this, hope it wasn’t a waste!
Finally, I also really hope you do manage to schedule some “caring time” in the near future, that you’ll have a great time together doing it, and that it’ll become a reoccurring healthy habit for the future!
Take care // Peter
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ABOUT STRICTLY PALEO…ISH!
The Strictly Paleo…ish! blog is written by Peter, a 34 year old Swede and father of two little girls (4 and 2 years old).
For a little over a year he has mainly been posting paleo/Pprimal friendly recipes, mixed with a few inspirational posts every now and then. The blog started out as an LCHF/paleo hybrid, but has over time become more and more paleo focused (as has Peter).
He loves the genuine kindness he has found throughout the paleo community, and is both happy and proud to be a part of it!
Connect with Strictly Paleoish!:
Blog: http://strictlypaleoish.com
Twitter: @Strict_Paleoish
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/strictpaleoish/strictly-paleoish/
Mail: info@strictlypaleoish.com
