Beef and Broccoli (AIP, Paleo, Whole30) -with stop motion video recipe!

Though this beef and broccoli dish has become one of our favorite meals, it’s something I’ve held off posting because it almost seems too easy to qualify as a recipe. But sometimes, simple, easy, and delicious is just what’s needed, especially with how complicated life can be on AIP. And since I’ve been making this recipe almost weekly for the past few months, it’s time I shared it ;)

The Beef and Broccoli recipe comes together pretty quickly with minimal prep and minimal planning ahead AND minimal clean up. All ingredients are ones I generally keep on hand. With only a little extra time, the recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.

The ingredients are economically-priced. It travels well. It’s delicious warm or cold. It freezes well. I find my body really likes the ratio of protein/carbs/fat, plus it’s veggie heavy and features gut-healthy sauerkraut. And it’s just plain tasty!

For fun, I’ve also created a stop motion video of this recipe. While it isn’t possible to make this meal in 30 seconds like the video, it is possible to make it under an hour!

Beef and Broccoli (AIP, Paleo, Whole30) 
yields 4 servings 

For the roasted broccoli
Two 16 oz bags of frozen broccoli
5 tablespoons olive oil (or other AIP fat of choice)
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic

For the roasted sweet potatoes
1 large (around 1 to 1.25 pounds) white sweet potato
2 tablespoons olive oil (or other AIP fat of choice)

For the beef
1 pound grass fed ground beef (85/15, if possible; see note below if starting with frozen ground beef)
2 tablespoons coconut aminos

For serving
Farmhouse Culture garlic dill pickle saurkraut (or make your own with this recipe, though I have not tried it…)
Smoked salt  (or other finishing salt of your choice)

1. Preheat the oven to 425 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. 
2. For the roasted broccoli: spread the frozen broccoli on one of the prepared baking sheets. Drizzle with oil & and sprinkle with the granulated garlic. Roast in the preheated oven, on a middle rack, for 50 minutes. After 25 minutes of roasting, stir the broccoli & continue roasting. 
3. For the roasted sweet potatoes: cube the sweet potato (no need to peel), spread on the second baking sheet, and drizzle with oil. Roast in the preheated oven, on a bottom rack, for 40 minutes. After 20 minutes of roasting, stir the potatoes & switch the broccoli to the bottom and the sweet potatoes to the middle rack. 
4. For the beef: After the broccoli & sweet potatoes have been stirred once, heat a cast iron skillet (I use my Lodge cast iron skillet) over medium high heat. Add the beef and coconut aminos to the pan. Brown until the ground beef is cooked through. Set aside until the broccoli & sweet potatoes are done. 
5. To assemble: add the browned beef, roasted broccoli, and roasted sweet potatoes to a large bowl. Toss to combine. 
6. To serve: portion onto plates. Top with Farmhouse Culture garlic dill pickle sauerkraut (I like about 1/3 to 1/2 cup of sauerkraut on mine, but use less, if you prefer) and a generous sprinkle of smoked salt. 
7. Store leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer. 

Notes:

• If you’re starting with frozen ground beef, quick thaw it in warm water, while the vegetables are roasting, until the edges are soft—don’t worry if the middle is still a bit frozen… it will finish thawing in the skillet. Just make sure to use the quick-thawed beef immediately (i.e. don’t save it for another use). Alternately, thaw the beef in cold water or in the refrigerator if it isn’t to be used right away. 
• If not cooking the ground beef in a cast iron skillet (or if a lower fat content beef is used), a little additional fat may be needed to keep the beef from sticking to the pan. 
• Feel free to play with the ratios of beef/broccoli/sweets in this recipe based on your preferences (or what ingredients you have on hand). 
• This recipe is NOT sponsored by Farmhouse Culture…. I just really love their sauerkraut! 

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Beef Stew (AIP, Paleo, Low FODMAP, Whole 30)

Traditionally, as summer moves to fall, many people’s preferences move from grilling to braising and roasting. I confess that even though it was considered seasonally inappropriate, I kept braising and roasting throughout the summer. I blame it on my new favorite kitchen appliance, my Instant Pot (or as my mom refers to it, a “turbo crock-pot”). 

With the help of my Instant Pot  I’ve been making this beef stew since July when I originally went back to strict AIP & added a low FODMAP component. I didn’t know if it was possible to make palatable beef stew without high FODMAP ingredients like onions, shallots, garlic & mushrooms. Brainstorming different vegetable options & changing my mindset of what were “necessary” stew ingredients allowed me to create this really phenomenal stew. 

My preference these days is to make as many things in my Instant Pot ,  as possible, but since I realize that not everyone may have this particular appliance, I’ve written out stovetop approximations too. One of the other things I appreciate about this recipe is that it is comprised of primarily “staple” ingredients, or ingredients that I generally have on hand all the time. Carrots, and rutabaga are really hearty veggies that keep in the refrigerator for a good amount of time. Leek greens, if stored properly, can also last a while. I keep meat, broth, and bacon in the freezer at all times. And in a pinch, dried herbs can be substituted for fresh ones. 

The stew is really great on its own, but if you want to bulk it up further or serve it for a celebratory meal, I also like to serve it over mashed (white) sweet potatoes or squash. And I’ve often added a few spoonfuls of braised greens (I love this recipe from the Paleo Cajun Lady, & usually make it with chopped swiss chard & bacon & omitting the garlic to make it Low FODMAP) to the stew to up the vegetable content. Additionally, the leftovers freeze beautifully & there’s nothing quite like finding a jar of delicious beef stew in your freezer on a day when you’re not in the mood to cook.  

Note on FODMAPs: FODMAPs are confusing things... Certain resources will say that one item is “ok” and other resources will list that item as “avoid.” I am choosing to get my information about FODMAPs from Monash University & their app. Monash is continually updating their information & they are great about listing what quantity of food (both by volume & by weight) keeps it within the low FODMAP guidelines. As always, though, you know your body best. Just because one list says a food is fine, doesn’t always mean your body will be fine with it. Or on the flip side, just because one list says a food is on the avoid list, doesn’t mean your body is automatically going to be bothered by it. Do what makes your body & mind feel the best.

Low FODMAP Beef Stew (AIP, Paleo, Whole 30)

Yield’s 6 to 8 servings 

2 Tbl solid fat (I used duck fat, but bacon drippings or lard could be substituted as well) 

2 lbs Grassfed Beef Stew Meat 

4 strips Bacon, cut into small pieces 

2 heaping cups (approximately 140 g) chopped leek greens and/or scallion greens (I used a mix of the two) 

2 heaping cups (approximately 425 g) chopped carrots 

2 heaping cups (approximately 365 g) cubed rutabaga 

1.5 c bone broth

1.5 c red wine (I’ve used both merlot and cabernet sauvignon) 

2 dried bay leaves

1 Tbl salt

Few sprigs of fresh thyme & parsley, plus additional for serving 

Instant Pot Instructions: my preferred method of cooking 

1.  Add the fat to the insert of an Instant Pot . Turn the pot onto “Sauté” & allow the fat to melt. 
2. Dry the meat very well. Brown the beef on all sides, in batches, in the sautéing Instant Pot --it usually takes me three batches to brown 2 lbs of stew meat. Remove the browned beef & set aside. 
3. Sauté the bacon & leek/scallion greens in the Instant Pot until the bacon begins to crisp & the leeks/scallions begin to wilt. Stir occasionally. 
4. Add the carrots & rutabaga, broth, wine, and browned beef. Stir to combine. Tuck the bay leaf & herbs into the mixture. 
5. Place the top on the Instant Pot & make sure the vent is closed . Pressure cook using the manual setting for 50 minutes at high heat. Note: the entire process will take longer than 50 minutes because it does take time for the pot to come up to pressure. 
6. Once the machine has beeped, allow it to switch to the “keep warm” function or turn completely off for 15 minutes to let the pressure come down a bit. Use a silicone oven mitt or heavy kitchen towel to move the vent from the “sealing” position to the “venting” position. Allow all the steam to escape then it is safe to open the lid.
7. Serve the stew on its own, or along side a starchy vegetable. Adding extra cooked greens is also a great option. Sprinkle with some extra chopped herbs just before serving. 
8. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer. 

Stovetop Instructions 

1. In a large dutch oven, melt the fat over medium high heat. 
2. Dry the meat very well. Brown the beef on all sides, in batches if necessary. Remove the browned beef & set aside.
3. Sauté the bacon & leek/scallion greens until the bacon begins to crisp & the leeks/scallions begin to wilt. Stir occasionally.
4. Add the carrots & rutabaga, broth, wine, and browned beef. Stir to combine. Tuck the bay leaf & herbs into the mixture.
5. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, cover & allow to gently cook for 2-4 hours, or until the beef is tender. 
6. Serve the stew on its own, or along side a starchy vegetable. Adding extra cooked greens is also a great option. Sprinkle with some extra chopped herbs just before serving. 
7. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer.

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Arnold Palmer Gummies (AIP, Low FODMAP, Paleo)

This weekend--Labor Day weekend in the US--might signal the unofficial end of summer, but the flavors of summer can continue year round with these Arnold Palmer-inspired gummies. 

While lemonade & sweet tea can be consumed any time of the year, I find myself indulging in them more in the summer time than in the winter. Of course my methods for making said lemonade & tea have changed pretty drastically since I went AIP/Paleo--I’ve taught myself to drink “lemonade” with just filtered water + a generous splash of lemon juice, no sweetener, including the “allowed” ones like maple syrup and honey (high FODMAP alert). But when it comes to gummies, a little bit of sweetness is necessary to counteract the slight gelatin flavor. 

I’ve been very intentional in my gelatin & collagen consumption since going low FODMAP in July to combat my stubborn case of SIBO. Collagen goes in my tea every morning. There’s almost always a batch of gelatin-rich gummies in the refrigerator, like my various test batches of this Arnold Palmer-inspired recipe. Barely sweetened panna cotta with low FODMAP berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) is a regular occurrence.

 While it is sort of difficult to report on how the gelatin/collagen is improving my digestive system & helping to heal my gut, I can most definitely notice an improvement in my skin, hair, & nails. Plus, a couple weeks ago, my new holistic dentist’s ultrasound scan of my jaw revealed some pretty extreme jaw cavitations (i.e. holes in my jaw) leftover from when I had my wisdom teeth extracted over a decade ago (I’ve posted more about this over on Instagram). I’m hoping that the gelatin/collagen will also aid in my (and my dentist’s) goals of stimulating my body to re-grow that bone & heal itself. When healing tastes as great as these gummies, I’ll totally take it ;)

Arnold Palmer Gummies

For the Tea...

1 large sachet of Rishi Tea Summer Lemon blend (each bag weighs around 8 g)

16 fl oz / 2 c Filtered Water

1. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Place the tea sachet into a large liquid measuring cup. 
2. Pour the boiling water over the tea sachet & allow to steep for 8 hours, first by cooling to room temperature & then placing the measuring cup in to the refrigerator. 

Note: if you can’t find Rishi Lemon Ice Tea blend, peel a couple thin strips of peel only (no white pith) from a washed lemon & steep it with a couple black tea sachets & the hot water. 

For the gummies 

1 3/4 c Steeped Tea (see above) 

1/4 c Lemon Juice

39 g / 2 Tbl Grade B Maple Syrup

28 g / 4 Tbl Pasture-Raised Gelatin (NOT collagen--collagen will not gel!) 

a few drops of organic lemon essential oil, optional, or a couple strips of lemon peel (no pith) 

1. Mix the tea & lemon juice in a medium sauce pan. Whisk in the maple syrup. Sprinkle the gelatin over the liquid & allow to bloom for 5 minutes.
2. Heat the pan over medium heat, whisking gently, until the gelatin completely melts. 
3. Remove from the heat & add the optional lemon oil, if desired. 
4. Pour the liquid into silicone molds (I used this silicone mold or into a large baking dish. (I usually transfer the mixture to a liquid measuring cup for ease of pouring). 
5. Refrigerate the molds for 2 hours, or until set. Gently pop the gummies out of the mold or cut them into squares.
6. Store the gummies in the refrigerator. 

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Marinated Flank Steak (AIP, Paleo, Low FODMAP)

While I have very limited photographic evidence of this marinated flank steak, I simply couldn’t let that small hiccup keep me from sharing this amazing recipe.

I’ve been making marinated steak for a couple years, helped in part by a childhood memory of my uncle’s recipe, though my recipe has undergone many changes to accommodate different dietary needs. This latest batch was meant to be a test for a future blog post. I had developed a habit of not measuring the marinade components, so each batch turned out a little different... But this time, I wrote down the ingredients & amounts in my recipe journal intending to make the recipe at least one more time before posting it. Fun fact: did you know that for most recipes I post on this site, I’ve tested them at least 2 to 3 times (sometimes as many as 5 times) before posting them? I just want to ensure that the results are consistent & that I can craft beautiful images.

Ok, back to steak.... After 7ish hours, the meat was all marinated & ready to be cooked. Unfortunately, the remaining daylight was disappearing quickly & I worked as fast as I could to get the steak finished + styled for a “just in case” photo. Husband and I both couldn’t stop sneaking little pieces of cooked steak off the cutting board as I styled the shot. We both realized that this marinade version was completely spot on! I quickly grabbed a photo of the steak in what remained of the daylight & we ate it with sautéed spinach & a little squash puree. Ohmygoodness, so tasty!

Immediately, I mentally added the recipe to the upcoming week’s meal plan, planning to do a more “proper” photo shoot. But when we headed to the city for a day of appointments, errands & grocery shopping, the stores we visited were out of flank steak! Bummer! But at least I grabbed those quick shots when I had a chance :)

Note on FODMAPs: FODMAPs are confusing things... Certain resources will say that one item is “ok” and other resources will list that item as “avoid.” I am choosing to get my information about FODMAPs from Monash University & their app. Monash is continually updating their information & they are great about listing what quantity of food (both by volume & by weight) keeps it within the low FODMAP guidelines. As always, though, you know your body best. Just because one list says a food is fine, doesn’t always mean your body will be fine with it. Or on the flip side, just because one list says a food is on the avoid list, doesn’t mean your body is automatically going to be bothered by it. Do what makes your body & mind feel the best.

Marinated Flank Steak (AIP, Paleo, Low FODMAP) 
yield’s 3ish servings, depending on appetite 

1/4 c Olive Oil
2 Tbl Garlic Oil (My favorite brand is from Trade Joe's)
2 Tbl Red Wine Vinegar
2 Tbl Coconut Aminos
1/2 tsp Pink Sea Salt
2 tsp chopped fresh Rosemary
1.25 lb Flank Steak (grassfed, if possible)

Additional rosemary & Maldon Smoked Sea Saltfor serving

1. In a large ziplock bag, combine the olive oil, garlic oil, vinegar, aminos, pink salt & rosemary. Add the flank steak & seal. Squish everything around until the steak is well coated.
2. Marinate in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 hrs. Turn the bag over half-way through the marinating time, if you can (optional). 
3. Remove the bag from the refrigerator & allow the steak to sit at room temp, in the marinade, for an additional 30 to 40 minutes.  
4. Preheat a large cast iron skillet  lightly greased, over medium high heat. Pan fry the steak for 2 minutes per side for medium-rare. 
5. Remove from the pan & allow to rest on a cutting board for 10 minutes. Slice across the grain into thin slices. Garnish with additional rosemary & Maldon Smoked Sea Salt. 

Note: 

• You can marinate the steak in a large glass dish if you prefer not to use plastic. 
• If you’re not following low-FODMAP, the garlic oil can be replaced with 1-2 smashed garlic cloves.  
• The marinade can be boiled & used as a sauce, if desired. 

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Beef Skillet Supper (Low FODMAP, AIP, Paleo, Whole 30)

Everyone needs staple meals. Easy dishes that can be made when time is short (and that dirty fewer dishes during preparation). Things that require regularly “on-hand” ingredients. Meals that remain economical (AIP/Paleo isn’t always cheap) without compromising on food standards. And things that are tasty, of course :)

We’ve eaten variations on this beef skillet supper on many occasions over the past year & it seemed only fair that I share it with you, my beloved readers. The last couple times I've made it, my husband has even licked his plate to ensure nothing is wasted! I would have shared the recipe sooner, but alas, I never took the time to write down exact measurements... But that is sort of the beauty of this recipe: it doesn’t require exact measurements & it adapts well to whatever veggies you might have on hand.

My husband and I concocted this meal last summer (2014) after desperately staring into our refrigerator, wondering what to make out of the random mix of ingredients we had on hand. The skillet has gone through several transformations, most recently when I went back to strict AIP + adding in a low FODMAP component. But it still remains as easy, economical, versatile & delicious as ever.

I haven't timed it out precisely, so don’t quote me, but I do believe this skillet supper could be made + on the table faster than if one was to order & pick up a pizza. Even if the ground beef is initially frozen (I’ve included some quick-thaw guidelines in the recipe below), this meal is still quite speedy. Often it is one I fall back on if I discover the protein I had planned to cook has not yet thawed & dinner time is looming! As a bonus, the leftovers travel well & we don’t mind eating them either cold or room temperature, though sometimes it is difficult to actually *have* any leftovers (just ask my husband!) ;)

Note on FODMAPs: FODMAPs are confusing things... Certain resources will say that one item is “ok” and other resources will list that item as “avoid.” I am choosing to get my information about FODMAPs from Monash University & their app. Monash is continually updating their information & they are great about listing what quantity of food (both by volume & by weight) keeps it within the low FODMAP guidelines. As always, though, you know your body best. Just because one list says a food is fine, doesn’t always mean your body will be fine with it. Or on the flip side, just because one list says a food is on the avoid list, doesn’t mean your body is automatically going to be bothered by it. Do what makes your body & mind feel the best.

Beef Skillet Supper (Low FODMAP, AIP, Paleo, Whole 30) 
yields 3 low FODMAP servings for people with hearty appetites 

1lb grass-fed ground beef (my preference is 85/15, but more lean will work too, though more fat may be necessary)
1 tsp Solid fat (such as duck fat, bacon fat, lard...), plus additional if needed
300 g / 3 c / 1/2 a medium cabbage, sliced
210 g/ 1.5 c diced White Sweet Potato, (I used Japanese variety this time)
3 Tbl Coconut Aminos
1 tsp fresh Ginger, grated (optional, I’ve developed a sensitivity to ginger, so I often leave it out....)
100 g / 1 c / 1 large Carrot, very thinly sliced (I use a mandoline slicer set to the medium thickness, but a sharp knife could work too) 
140 g / 1.5 c / 1 medium-ish Zucchini, very thinly sliced (I use a mandoline slicer set to the medium thickness, but a sharp knife could work too)
Fresh herbs, such as cilantro or parsley, for serving
Scallion, green parts only, for serving
Sea Salt, for serving (Smoked Maldon is my favorite)

1. In a large skillet (I used my 12-in cast-iron skillet , melt the fat over medium high heat. Brown the ground beef in the melted fat. 
2. Once the beef is 2/3 of the way browned, add the cabbage, sweet potato, coconut aminos, and ginger. Cover the skillet & cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potato is cooked through. Add additional fat if any of the ingredients begin to stick to the pan.
3. Once the sweet potato is cooked through, turn off the heat. Add the carrot & zucchini. Toss everything together, replace the cover & allow the carrot/zucchini to steam for 3ish minutes, or until they are done enough to your liking. Turn the heat back on low for a minute or two if you desire more “cooked” veggies, but I prefer them a little on the crunchy side. 
4. Portion the hash on to plates, making sure to divide it into no fewer than 3 servings if following a low FODMAP diet. Top with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, scallion, and sea salt. 
5. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator. 

FODMAPs in this recipe

• I find that I can tolerate cabbage just fine, though some FODMAP lists say to avoid it. Monash states that green cabbage (NOT savoy) in quantities of less than 150 g / 1.5 c fits within Low FODMAP guidelines. 
• Some sources recommend eliminating most starches while on Low FODMAP. I attempted removing most starches, but found that my body needs some starch for energy. I prefer to use small quantities of white sweet potatoes (they are less sweet), but in keeping with Monash guidelines, limiting my servings to 70 g / 1/2 c (pre-cooked) at most. 

To Quick-thaw frozen ground beef

• If the package of beef is wrapped in paper or on a plastic wrapped tray, place it in a ziplock bag. If the beef is in a fully sealed plastic package already, leave it as it is. 
• Fill a large bowl (or sink) with hot water. Immerse the package in the hot water & allow to sit until the edges are no longer frozen--it is ok if the middle is still frozen if the beef is to be sauteed. Sometimes, I’ll use a water-filled pan or dish on top of the beef to keep it fully submerged. 
• Cook the beef immediately. 
• This quick-thaw method is only safe if the meat is cooked immediately! Thawing the meat in cold water or in the refrigerator is a safer method if the meat is not going to be cooked immediately. 

If not following a low FODMAP diet, feel free to add in.... (you may need a bigger skillet!) 

• 1 onion, diced
• 1-2 cloves of garlic
• additional sweet potato (or even substituting regular potato, if not AIP) 

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