Cinnamon Spice Cookies (Grain-Free)

what you need:

• ¼ lb butter
• 2 eggs
• ¼ cup honey
• ¾ cup coconut flour
• 2 tablespoons kefir (optional)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ to 1 tablespoon chili powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

what you do:

Melt butter and beat with eggs and honey. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Set dough in refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes. Place half of dough on coconut floured surface and roll to about ¼ inch thickness with rolling pin. Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes. Place cookies on parchment paper lined cookie sheet and bake in 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Let cookies cool off. If desired, drizzle with melted chocolate.

This post was shared on Monday Mania and Fat Tuesday.

Grain Free "Vanillekipferl"

Vanillekipferl were my favorite Christmas cookies when I was growing up. The dough for these cookies consists of flour, sugar, butter, and ground hazelnuts (or almonds). The baked cookies are then coated with a mixture of powdered sugar and vanilla flavored sugar. I made these last night and decided to try a grain-free version of them. I doubt they taste anything close to the real thing, but DH said they are good which means a lot. He's pretty picky when it come to grain-free baked goods or meals.

what you need:

• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/8 cup of honey
• 1 egg
• 1/8 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup ground almonds
• 1/8 cup heavy whipping cream (you can use coconut milk)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

what you do:

Mix or knead all ingredients until well mixed and a soft dough forms. Place in fridge for 10 to 20 minutes. Form half moon shapes and place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

This link was shared on Monday Mania and Fat Tuesday.

Paleo "Beef Rouladen"

Rouladen are a typical Germany meal and made from beef. The name refers to the actual piece of meat you get from the butcher (typically taken from round roast, tip roast, etc.) and it also refers to the finished meal. In its simplest form it's a thin piece of "rouladen" with some onions or pickles or something, rolled up and sort of cooked like a roast. My mom and grandmother used to fill theirs with bacon, seasoned ground beef, onions, and pickles, so that's how I make mine. Rouladen are often served with potatoes, gravy, and warm red cabbage. The gravy is usually made with flour of course. I am skipping that step since flour is not Paleo and I am making sweet potatoes for DH.

what you need (for 4 Rouladen - I made 10 for 4 people):

• 4 pieces of round steak roughly 3/16 inch thick
• mustard
• 2 medium to large onions
• 8 (or so) slices of bacon
• salt and pepper to taste
• tallow, pork fat, palm oil, or coconut oil
• pickles (homemade or whatever brand you like - I used Bubbies)
• fresh parsley
• 1 lb ground beef
• spices of your choice for ground beef

what you do:

Season ground beef with spices you like. If you are brave you can taste it. Chop pickles and onions. 

Spread some mustard on each "steak" and season with salt and pepper. Place slices of bacon on steaks, divide ground beef evenly between steaks, then add chopped pickles and onions. Roll up each steak as tight as possible, then secure end with a "Rouladen Nadel" or wrap with some sewing yarn.

 

Heat oil of choice in a large pot and brown Rouladen on all sides. Add onions and sautee until translucent. 

Add water so Rouladen are just covered, bring to boil, then reduce heat to simmer with the lid on. Simmer for roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Remove Rouladen from pot, puree onions to make a gravy, and season to taste. Remove Rouladen needles or thread and place Rouladen back into the gravy.

Unfortunately after this I forgot to take pictures, but the finished product looks something like this. 

This post is part of Sunday School, Monday Mania, and Fat Tuesday.