Coconut Cream Olive Sauce & Blogger Throwdown!
On What Runs Lori’s edition of WIAW, on Wednesday, I asked if anyone could guess where I was going this weekend… passport required.
No one guessed correctly. But I’m excited to announce that today (Saturday) I leave for the sunny Riviera Maya (by Cancun) in Mexico! A week of hopeful sun, sand, and all the food and alcohol I can consume (which actually won’t be much- damn MANDATORY all-inclusive resorts)!
Notice the sunny? Yes, the weather forecast is not in my favor for next week…
Not lucky. Oh well, it’ll still be nice. I’m not worried. 😉
In other news, last week, via Twitter, I was called out for a Paleo Throwdown.
I love a good challenge so I kindly accepted.
If Chuck from Feerless Foods wants a throwdown, a throwdown he’s going to get!
And then he told me the two ingredients we’d have to incorporate into a Paleo-esque meal.
Beef. And coconut cream/milk.
Ew.
Yes, I said, EW. That just sounded disgusting to me, but I though, What the hell. Why not
Thus, coconut cream olive meatballs were born. And they are pretty tasty, if I do say so myself. Even better the next day when all the delicious flavors meld and mingle together.
I give you… the Paleo Coconut Cream Olive Meatballs. Note: It tasted better than the photos show.
Enjoy!
Coconut Cream Olive Sauce
Makes about 1.5 cups of sauce
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- (about) 3 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp kalamata olives
Pour the coconut milk and chia seeds into a blender. Let sit for 5 minutes, letting the chia seeds absorb the coconut milk.
Place the remaining ingredients into the blender and blend until chia seeds start to break down a bit, about 30 seconds. Chia seeds will probably not all blend but you will want things well enough incorporated.
Reserve 1/4 cup of coconut milk mixture into a medium sized bowl. Pour the remaining mixture into another bowl, cover, and set into the refrigerator.
Prepare your meatballs.
Meatballs
Makes approximately 12 larger-sized meatballs
- 2 pound grass-fed ground beef
- 1/2 cup coconut milk mixture (from coconut cream sauce recipe above)
- 4 tbsp crumbled goat cheese
- 2 tbsp red peppers, roughly chopped
- 3 tbsp kalamata olives, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
- 2 clove garlic, crushed
- 2 tsp each sea salt & freshly ground pepper
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mixing thoroughly.
Heat a nonstick or greased sautee pan on high heat. Form meatballs into just-smaller-than palm sized balls. Place into heated pan. Sear the outsides of meatballs until crispy on all sides. Pour about 1/4-1/2 cup water into the pan with meatballs, cover, and reduce heat to medium-low. Heat for approximately 15-20 minutes, covered.
Serve on a cabbage leaf bun.
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So, that’s my Paleo-Blogger Throwdown meal. Take that Mr. Feerless! Speaking of… let’s see what he came up with… (he’s working on his post as we read… will update when he’s done!)
And YOU be the judge! Leave a comment on my blog or his with your vote. (not like it matters at all- we’re both winners in the game of life. 😉 )
See ya in Mexico! I’m crossing my fingers I’ll have computer/internet access to blog! Otherwise, I’ve got some fun posts scheduled.
What are your plans this weekend?
What was the last vacation you went on?
Love your recipes and just came across this post. Beef rendang is one of the best foods in the world (no, really -http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/eat/readers-choice-worlds-50-most-delicious-foods-012321) and beef and coconut are front and center.
I would never tought about combining those 2 tasty component togther. I would definitely try it
This one looks reall interesting! not that I’m surprised because it is your blog after all:)
I love Mexico! have fun!
oh have fun on your vacation, we will have to catch-up when you get back!!!
and oh my that coconut olive sounds heavenly, I must try!
xo
Indeed the olive coconut sauce sure sounds amazing to me too.
What can I say, you left me hungry dear 🙂
Thank you
Enjoy your vacation! you’ll be missed :*
Have fun in Mexico dear, the olive coconut sauce sure looks amazing, I bet it taste even better!
I vote for you – blind loyalty, really, as I haven’t even see his recipe, but I’m sure I like yours better!
Have fun in Mexico! I’ll be at work so that I can take Tuesday off!
still waiting on his recipe, but he’s gotta a lot work cut out for him!
oh this is going to be awesome! love the throw down! and have fun in Mexico. I’d totally come wit you, sigh.