The paleo diet contains some of the most colorful, healthy meals of all diets because it is so rich in fruits and vegetables as sources of carbohydrates and avoids processed foods. Most paleo recipes are high in protein and healthy fat content. While meats contain plenty of protein and fat, it can be hard trying to find carbohydrate sources and healthy fat sources that will complement the protein on your plate. However, each of these recipes includes a hearty amount of vegetables that do just that.
These recipes are quick and easy. You don't have to wait for hours while your food cooks, constantly monitoring the progress of whatever you're cooking. For these recipes, the marination phase of meat preparation is not factored into the time it takes to cook them. All of these recipes can be cooked in a skillet on a stovetop and on medium-high heat. None require a grill.
1 - Steak, Eggs and Sweet Potatoes
The serving size for this meal includes one steak of whatever size and cut you desire with two eggs per steak. Baste your steak in olive oil, then sprinkle on salt, pepper and paprika. Allow the steak to sit for 35 minutes.
Put 2 tablespoons of butter in a pan for your steak. Cook the steak for four minutes per side. Once this is done, remove the steak and add another tablespoon of butter to your pan. Now fry your two eggs. Season these with salt, pepper and paprika while they are cooking.
Sweet potatoes are versatile enough to be paired with steak and eggs for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sauté them while you cook your steak and eggs. This should take 25 minutes maximum. A pound of these will serve four people.
Cut your potatoes into 1-inch cubes, and put them in a pan with 1/2 of a cup of water. Cook these until the water evaporates. Then, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and toss the potatoes around in it. Add salt and 1/2 of a cup of onion slices, mixing these with your potatoes. Let this sit until the onions caramelize. While you let the potatoes finish cooking for five more minutes, toss them a few more times. Add 1/4 of a cup of chopped cilantro to the potatoes, and toss them one last time. Top this off with some lime juice and chili powder.
2 - Pork Chops, Caramelized Apples and Onions
If you're craving a balance of salty and sweet, this dish is for you. This recipe will serve 4 people. It takes about 30 minutes to make, including cooking and preparation. You'll need four bone-in pork chops to start. Season these with your desired amount of salt and pepper. Then, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a pan, and cook the pork chops for five minutes per side.
After this is done, remove the pork chops, and add another tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Place slices of two apples and slices of two medium onions in the pan. Add salt and pepper to the pan, along with 1 teaspoon of chopped rosemary and 1/2 of a teaspoon of chopped thyme. Caramelizing this mixture will take about five minutes. Once the apples and onions have started to brown, put your pork chops back in the pan, and cook these together for another five minutes.
3 - Lettuce-Wrapped Chicken Fajitas
If you're in the mood for something other than beef and pork, chicken fajitas are for you. Because this is a paleo meal, there will be no tortilla for the fajita meat. However, there will be plenty of vegetables. First, make your marinade for the chicken by combining three sliced onions, juice from five lemons, six chopped garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of oregano, 2 tablespoons of chili powder, 2 tablespoons of cumin, 2 tablespoons of cilantro and three sliced peppers in a bowl. Peppers that work well are jalapenos, serranos or bell peppers. Next, slice your raw chicken into strips, and put it in the bowl. Let it marinate for four hours at a minimum and overnight if possible.
Once the chicken is done marinating, cook it in a pan filled with 4 tablespoons of coconut oil. The fajita preparation and cooking will take about 30 minutes maximum, not including the marination phase.
Include avocado slices on the side. Squeeze lime juice on top of your meat. Use lettuce as a tortilla substitute. This will serve five people.