Chicken, Bacon, Kale & Spaghetti Squash Hash (AIP)

“Laura, will you ever be able to eat normal food again?” was a question my Grandma Vein asked when I was back in North Dakota in January. Very good question, Grandma.

I know it is so hard for Grandma (and for other friends and family members) to understand my health challenges & the journey that has lead me to following the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP).

Yes, I will freely admit that even after months and months on AIP, including some successful reintroductions, I do occasionally mourn the food I cannot eat. But instead of dwelling on what I can’t eat, I find it better to concentrate on what I can eat. I can eat lots and lots of delicious foods! Rarely do I feel deprived after eating a good AIP meal at home or with family/friends. There is something empowering about eating tasty food that is also going to be beneficial to your health. Though, yes, there are times I wish I could eat “normal” foods, like pasta & pizza & cereal...... AIP isn’t meant to last forever, but given my particular AI diagnosis’s, there are certain foods my body may not ever tolerate.

Thankfully, there are a few other AIP bloggers who have concocted AIP pizzas & cereals (I’ve tried this stromboli recipe (yum!), but also have been eyeing this one, and this one, and this one). And I created this spaghetti squash hash, which really does remind me of pasta, but isn’t going give me horrible symptoms for days on end which would make me regret eating it.

Chicken, Bacon & Kale Spaghetti Squash Hash
yields 2-4 servings, depending on how hungry you are 

3 Strips of Bacon
1.15 lb Chicken Thighs
Sea Salt
2 Onions, sliced
5 c (100 g) Kale, ribs removed & chopped
3 c (325 g) Cooked Spaghetti Squash strands (see this post for spaghetti squash cooking instructions)

Smoked Sea Salt, for serving

1. In a cast-iron skillet fry the bacon over medium high heat, flipping as necessary. When the bacon is golden, remove from the pan & reserve for garnish at the end. Leave the drippings in the pan. 
2. Sprinkle the chicken thighs with salt & sauté them in the bacon drippings until they reach an internal temperature of 165 F. Transfer the cooked chicken thighs to a cutting board. 
3. In the same pan, with the drippings from the bacon & chicken, caramelize the onions over low heat, stirring occasionally. This process may take more than 20 minutes. 
4. Once the onions are golden brown, increase the heat to medium low and add the chopped kale & cook, stirring occasionally, until the kale wilts slightly. Meanwhile, chop up the cooked chicken thighs. Add the spaghetti squash to the skillet.  Toss to combine. 
5. Add the chicken pieces & continue to cook until heated through. Portion onto plates Chop the cooked bacon & sprinkle, along with some smoked salt (or other pink or sea salt) and serve. 
6. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator or freeze for longevity. 

This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting Sweet Treats! 

Grapefruit & Avocado Kale Salad (AIP)

I had intended to share this recipe back in December, but alas that never happened, due in part to some unexpected circumstances like the video card on my computer dying right in the middle of working on this post & some further health flare ups & the loss of a family member. I’m trying to get back to “normal” life, catching up with the recipes & posts I’d previously planned on sharing, such as this salad.

It’s a bit cliche to share a salad in January, I know, but whether or not you’re trying to make more health conscious decisions, this salad combination is delicious, easy & really good for you. It is one of my all-time favorites, even from my pre-AIP days. While I’ve been known to eat this salad any time of the year, it’s especially good when citrus fruits are in season. Once the organic Texas ruby red grapefruits began appearing in the grocery stores in late November, this salad has been in heavy rotation.  We’ll eat it as a side to a more main course item, or I’ll top it with some seared ahi tuna (or even wild-caught canned tuna) and it becomes the main course on it’s own.  If I don’t have kale on hand, I’ve also used arugula or spring mix instead, but I do like how sturdy the kale is & how it provides a little extra crunch.  

Also, don’t skimp on the grapefruit vinaigrette. It’s a refreshing dressing that not only ensures all the residual grapefruit juice/pulp gets utilized, but also breaks out of the realm of my “regular” vinaigrettes (such as red wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar).

Grapefruit & Avocado Kale Salad
serves 2

3 heaping cups of chopped Kale, ribs removed (or substitute other greens like Arugula)
3 Tbl Grapefruit Vinaigrette, recipe follows
Sea Salt, to taste
1 Avocado, sliced
1 grapefruit, sectioned, reserving the remaining juice (for a tutorial, see this Steller Story I created)

1.  In a large bowl, toss together the kale with the vinaigrette, “massaging” the dressing into the kale until well coated. 
2. Top with sliced avocado & grapefruit sections. 
3. Taste & adjust salt, as needed. 
4. Serve immediately, or cover & refrigerate to serve later. Note: wait to slice/add avocado if not serving the salad immediately. 

Grapefruit Vinaigrette
1/4 c Grapefruit Juice, squeezed from the juice left after sectioning the grapefruit (see above)
1/4 c Avocado Oil (or substitute Olive Oil)
2 tsp chopped shallot (approximately 6 g by weight)
1/4 tsp Sea Salt

1. Combine all the ingredients in a glass measuring cup or high speed blender. Blend together, either using an immersion blender or the high speed blender. 
2. Use in the grapefruit & avocado salad. Place any leftovers into a glass mason jar, cover & store in the refrigerator. Shake before serving. 

This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting Sweet Treats.