Pumpkin Sausage Soup (Dairy and Gluten Free)

I got this recipe from www.paleotable.com


While the recipe boasts "paleo" I'm a pretty easy going paleo-er (as in I use maple syrup and honey sweeteners, I occasionally use grass fed butter, and I will indulge in grass fed greek yogurt sometimes) but I don't really consider sausage "paleo", cavemen weren't eating sausage and that's the premise of paleo eating.

That neither makes this soup less delicious or easy to make. It is still gluten-free and dairy-free too!

Ingredients-
2 lbs italian sweet ground sausage
1 medium onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, diced
2 (15oz) cans of pure pumpkin puree
32 oz container of gluten free organic chicken stock
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 dried bay leaves
sea salt and pepper to taste

1 can of coconut milk (I left it out- so optional)

garnish with toasted walnuts (I also think it would be yummy with toasted pepitas too)

Sauté the sausage on medium in a large stock pot until browned then add onion and cook until translucent, add garlic and cook until tender, another few minutes. Add pumpkin and stock, stirring to prevent lumps. Season to taste, let simmer on low for 30 minutes, then add coconut milk if desired. Toast walnuts in a small frying pan until light fragrant, remove from heat immediately, top soup.

Very quick to make (15 minutes or less).

Enjoy!

Superfood Friday- Salmon and Broccoli

Pleeeeeease always buy wild-caught fish.

Farm raised fish have a 20% lower protein content, contain antibiotics, higher levels of cancer causing PCBs than wild-caught, and the omega 6/omega 3 balance is altered.

Part of eating paleo is eating foods that have not been "tampered" with or have very little tampering done. So keep that in mind while you are shopping for your fish. If you are just looking in the fish case, you can see that farm raised salmon is really pale and wild caught is always a nice rich orange color, it's a lot more appealing when you're picking between the two. It can be pricier, but worth it. Plus, you can usually find a market that's running a sale on wild-caught, it's a pretty popular protein.

I usually get my fish from Whole Foods and I will ask the guy at the counter what is freshest, and then just pair it with a vegetable. Tonight I was craving salmon though.

*Tip-I asked him to take the pin bones out of the salmon, because they have special tweezers back there that make it a lot easier than doing it at home!

My husband, Rob, always cooks the fish, he is just better at it, but this is pretty much a no brainer, and even if you have no cooking skills, I assure you, you can make this!

Season with some salt, pepper, lemon, dill- or what ever you like your salmon with, pop in the oven on a parchment lined cookie sheet. About 15-20 minutes for a whole piece, but if you get the individual pieces just ask your fish guy how long he would suggest.

I cheated on the broccoli- Whole Foods sells containers of organic, pre washed, and pre cut broccoli. Essential to the nights that I just don't want to cook. You can steam it, throw it on a sheet with the salmon, or cook it stove top. Rob always makes it with crushed red pepper flakes and garlic, and it's awesome. Steam it a little, then sauté with the garlic and red pepper flakes once it's tender.

Dinner in about 15 minutes. Ideal for a busy night, or one where you don't feel like cooking. It's super healthy, really delicious, and very filling!

Ingredients-
Salmon
Broccoli
Lemon
Garlic
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Salt
Pepper