So, I started this whole "clean eating" thing back in February 2011, after being really intrigued about a plan called the Whole30 . I decided to give it a go, but quickly realized that I needed to make it more adaptable to the way that our family eats and lives. I like my glass of wine at night. I don't think a piece of gum is going to sabotage me. I think that a DQ Blizzard is a good thing every once in a while. If my friend makes the most awesome jalapeno poppers you've ever had, you know I'm going to have one. But I also know that I feel pretty darn good when I'm eating quality proteins, fats, veggies, fruits and nuts, while leaving out dairy, grains, legumes (including soy and peanuts) and the big one, sugar, at least most of the time.
Here are some of the ways to do just that....

Friday, September 23, 2011

Best Slow Cooker Pork. Ever.

This is a recipe that was going around Pinterest lately.  No, it's not a "clean" recipe, but it was so, so good and I thought I'd post it here.  I served mine with chili roasted sweet potatoes and steamed kale.  I don't know who to credit it to, but it's not my own creation (most of the other recipes here are).  I recommend doubling the recipe so that there are plenty of leftovers.
So, here's the recipe for Balsamic Brown Sugar Pulled Pork.



Ingredients
  • 1 (2-pound) boneless pork loin
  • 1 teaspoon ground dried sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 clove crushed garlic
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 Tablespoons soy sauce
Instructions
  1. Mix together sage, salt, pepper, and garlic.
  2. Rub the mixture over the pork. Add it to the slow cooker and pour 1/2 cup water in the bottom of the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
  3. One hour before the pork is cooked, put the brown sugar, cornstarch, balsamic, water, and soy sauce in a sauce pan. Bring the mixture to a bubble over medium heat. It will get thick.
  4. Pour half of the glaze over the pork. Reserve the rest to serve alongside.
  5. Cook the pork for another hour.
  6. Shred the pork with a fork. It will fall apart, it is so tender.
  7. Serve with the remaining glaze.

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Roasted Shrimp and Broccoli

I've been wanting to roast shrimp for a while--it's not a technique that I've used before.  Here is my attempt--it was well worth shelling all of those shrimp for!



1lb Broccoli florets
EVOO
S+P
garlic and onion powder

2lbs fresh shrimp, peeled, but with tails left on
2 TBS EVOO
S+P
zest of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp oregano
2 garlic cloves, minced

Preheat oven to 425.  Toss broccoli with EVOO, S+P, garlic and onion powders.  Place in large roasting pan in a single layer.  Roast for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, toss shrimp with EVOO, S+P, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, oregano, and garlic.  Let marinate while broccoli cooks (can be done ahead of time for more flavor).

Add shrimp to broccoli and roast for an additional 10 minutes or until shrimp is cooked through.  I served mine with roasted acorn squash.