Guest Post: Predominantly Paleo’s EPIC AIP Round-Up & New Recipe for Carnitas atop Yuca Cakes with Avocado Cream

By now I am sure that most of our readers are familiar with our “Guest Blogger Wednesdays” where we feature a new Paleo blogger that we have been digging on lately. Jennifer is the talented blogger behind the site Predominantly Paleo, and when I saw her recipe for Paleo Empanadas with an AIP option, she flipped and immediately asked her to guest post! Actually, a lot of the recipes on Jennifer’s site have convenient AIP modifications, and that got us thinking – let’s do a round-up!

One of the most frequent questions I am asked is why I don’t eat certain foods that are paleo-compliant, like egg whites and nightshades. I detail all of that in my autoimmune posts, and also a summary in my review of The Paleo Approach here. If you’re not sure what AIP (autoimmune protocol for paleo) means, we recommend you start with those posts first. For those of you who do know and are desperate for recipes free of nuts, seeds, eggs, nightshades, chocolate, coffee, booze and all the rest of the things you miss…  Jennifer has pulled together OVER 50 recipes that are AIP friendly, or have easy AIP modifications. She has also included a brand new recipe for her Carnitas atop Yuca Cakes with Avocado Cream, so make sure you read to the end of this post to get the recipe! 

carnitas side

I just want to reiterate, that although extremely frustrating and difficult to start with, going on the autoimmune protocol saved my health. These recipes will get you started, as will , but I highly recommend you check out The Paleo Approach if you’re looking for more information on how to help manage your autoimmune disease through diet and lifestyle.

♥♥♥

AIP Appetizers:

 AIP Appetizer Collage Final

Tuna Salad on Endive Boats by Mickey Trescott

Savory Pumpkin Dip by Meatified

Nightshade Free Guacamole from Propel Wellness

Bacon Wrapped Dates from The Real Food Guide

Beef Liver Paté with Bacon and Rosemary by Gutsy by Nature (omit black pepper)

Baked Paleo Meatballs (omit black pepper)

AIP Breakfast Items:

 Breakfasts collage final

Coconut Milk Kefir Yogurt by The Paleo Mom

Breakfast Butternut Squash by Paleo Parents (omit black pepper)

Breakfast Sausage by Gutsy by Nature

Sweet Potato, Apple, and Pancetta Hash by Gutsy by Nature

Plantain Pancakes with Maple Coconut Cream by The Paleo Mom

AIP Beverages:

AIP Beverage Collage

Virgin Mojitos by Predominantly Paleo

Love your Liver Herbal Coffee by Delicious Obsessions

Simple Sweep-it-up Smoothie by Predominantly Paleo 

Strawberry Watermelon Slushee by Delicious Obsessions

Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tea by Mickey Trescott

AIP Condiments:

AIP Condiment Collage

Tomatoless Meat Sauce by Against All Grain (omit black pepper & red wine)

Cranberry-Citrus Relish by Mickey Trescott

Dairy Free Paleo Butter by Predominantly Paleo

Coconut Butter by Stupid Easy Paleo

Garlic Cilantro Vinaigrette by Predominantly Paleo

AIP Sides:

AIP Sides Collage

Roasted Beet with Beet Greens and Grapefruit Salad by Gutsy by Nature (omit black pepper)

Lactofermented Garlic and Dill Carrots by Delicious Obsessions

Garlic and Ginger Glazed Baby Bok Choy by Gutsy by Nature (omit vinegar and Sesame oil/seeds)

Crispy Noodles by A Girl Worth Saving (omit black pepper)

Everyday Maven with Ginger Coconut Cauliflower Rice 

Snacks:

snacks collage

Apple Pie Balls, Nut Free Larabar Wannabees by Paleo Parents

Zesty Turnip Chips by Predominately Paleo 

Plantain Crackers by The Paleo Mom

Butternut Squash Fries by Cinnamon Eats

Orange Dreamsicle Gummies by Predominantly Paleo

Main Courses:

main dishes collage

Chicken with Basil Avocado Cream Sauce by Just Enjoy Food (omit vinegar and black pepper)

Paleo Empanadas by Predominantly Paleo (AIP option)

No-tato Leek Soup by The Paleo Mom

Gluten Free Meatloaf (AIP Compliant) from Propel Wellness

Caramelized Broth Brisket by Paleo Parents

Ham and Sweet Potato Soup by Predominantly Paleo

Bison Sweet Potato Stew by Delicious Obsessions (omit vinegar and black pepper)

AIP Pizza  from The Real Food Guide

Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon by Gutsy by Nature (omit black pepper)

Roasted Chicken Legs (with AIP options) from The Real Food Guide

Stuffed Leg of Lamb by Gutsy by Nature (omit black pepper)

Treats:

treats collage

Caramel Apples by The Paleo Mom

Paleo Bananas Foster by Predominantly Paleo 

AIP Cookie Recipe from The Real Food Guide

Strawberry Mousse from A Girl Worth Saving

Apple Pie from The Real Food Guide

Mini Lemon Cheesecake with Ginger Date Crust

Gingerbread Cookies from The Real Food Guide

Pumpkin Pie from The Real Food Guide

Maple Coconut Bars from Delicious Obsessions

 Carnitas atop Yuca Cakes with Avocado Cream

Autoimmune Paleo or AIP takes an already restricted set of (Paleo) foods and limits them further. Nuts, legumes, eggs, nightshades, and sugars are put on the back burner until autoimmune disease can be quieted. It can take some finessing to make these limitations interesting again, but with the help of kitchen chemists, a short list of foods can become a long list of palatable creations.

Though I am not AIP in my day-to-day eating practices, I try to adopt many of the ideals and in creating recipes, and try to be accommodating of those with a shorter list of accessible foods. I remember when I was first sacrificing grain and dairy how frustrating it was for me and all I wanted was access to the foods I had adored for so long.

So it became my mission to create food that people want. Foods that people crave. Foods that people feel satisfied upon eating, so that junk becomes less tempting. Growing up in Texas, I was and still am obsessed with Tex-Mex and other Latin yummies. This carnitas recipe feels and tastes like the stuff I grew up eating, but without corn, dairy, rancid vegetable oils, or other bad fats and grains. Everything is whole food based and as a bonus, has AIP modifications! Enjoy y’all!!!

Carnitas arial

 

Carnitas atop Yuca Cakes with Avocado Cream

Ingredients

    For Carnitas:
  • 1 pork roast (3-4 pounds, pasture raised when possible)
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin (omit for AIP)
  • 4 cups beef broth (homemade best option for AIP)
  • For Yuca Cakes:
  • 3 cups yucca (one big yuca root – peeled, coarsely chopped, and boiled for 20-25 minutes)
  • 1/2 cup avocado oil
  • 2 tablespoons coconut flour
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground garlic salt
  • Additional avocado oil for frying
  • For Avocado Cream:
  • 2 avocados
  • Large handful cilantro
  • 4-6 tablespoons flax milk (or coconut milk for AIP)
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground garlic sea salt

Instructions

    For Carnitas:
  1. Place all ingredients into crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours or until meat shreds easily
  2. Remove and set aside
  3. For Yuca Cakes:
  4. Take 3 cups of the peeled, chopped, and boiled (softened) yuca root
  5. In a blender, Vitamix, or Nutribullet, puree yuca with oil and garlic salt
  6. Empty pureed yuca onto a piece of parchment paper and allow to cool
  7. Incorporate coconut flour to help with any residual stickiness of the yuca dough
  8. Heat additional avocado oil in a medium skillet over medium/high heat
  9. Once cool, take about 2 tablespoons of the dough, roll into a ball and slightly flatten to make a “cake”
  10. Fry in avocado oil on each side until nicely browned, remove from heat
  11. Note: if your oil is not hot enough, your yuca cakes may stick to the skillet - make sure to heat oil properly before attempting to fry
  12. For Avocado Cream:
  13. Take pitted avocados, cilantro, flax milk (or coconut milk), and garlic sea salt and blend in a blender, Vitamix, or Nutribullet
  14. To Assemble:
  15. Take one yucca cake and top it with about a tablespoon or two of the carnitas
  16. Spoon desired amount of avocado cream atop the carnitas
  17. Garnish with diced red onion and additional cilantro if desired
https://realeverything.com/guest-post-predominantly-paleos-epic-aip-round-new-recipe-carnitas-atop-yuca-cakes-avocado-cream/

Jennifer squareConnect with Jennifer:

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 [author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://paleoparents.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Jennifer-square.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Jennifer is a mother of 3 and wife in pursuit of better health for her family.
After being gluten free for about 4 years, and having a multitude of chronic health issues, she realized there was still a lot of junk in her pantry and change was needed.  Jennifer began feeding her family more meals from WHOLE foods and less from boxes. Her recipes are predominantly paleo,  meaning they are free of grain, gluten, dairy, and refined sugar, but makes allowances for a few treat and sweets. She believes food can be medicine when used appropriately and that a few changes now can equate to huge benefits later. Healthy food does not need to be flavorless and void of personality, proven by all of her amazing dishes.  [/author_info] [/author]

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