Main Dish

A Really Tasty Way to Cook Brisket or Chuck Roast

I adapted this from the Pot Roast recipe in "Full Moon Feast," by Jessica Prentice. It was really good! A really tender roast, swimming in a pot full of creamy gravy, with lots of tender veggies. Everyone loved it, and we ate leftovers for breakfast. With this much broth, it's almost like a soup. Use less if you'd prefer a more meaty entree.

This is probably a very variable recipe--I'm just noting the measurements I used last night.

Crockpot Roast

I adapted this from the "California Pot Roast" recipe in The Grassfed Gourmet, by Shannon Hayes. It came out nice and slice-able, with more than enough tasty sauce.

1 3.5 pound (or bigger) roast (I used sirloin tip)
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
3 tbsp. beef tallow or other fat

2 cups tomatoes, fresh or frozen
1 onion, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. dry basil
1 tsp. dry oregano

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Swedish Meatballs

This is adapted from a new cookbook that looks fantastic: "Full Moon Feast," by Jessica Prentice. I took out GAPS-illegal ingredients, and didn't make the gravy (which she makes by deglazing the pan with beef stock and creme fraiche)...

1 pound ground beef
1 egg yolk

3 oz. beef liver (or other type of liver)
1/2 medium onion, peeled and coarsely chopped
1 handful parsley leaves
1 tsp. good salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. dried thyme

1-3 tbsp. lard, tallow, or other fat

Italian Beef Sausage Patties With Organ Meats

Tonight, we have a winner! A sausage patty that the boys said was SO good...and it's full of the most nutrient dense meats! Thanks to Christie, from whose recipe I adapted these. (Jeff thought they could use more salt and spices, but I didn't want them too strong, personally)

Makes about eight patties

1/2 lb. beef heart, cut into large chunks
1/4 lb. beef liver
2 tbsp. chopped onion
1 large garlic clove
1 tsp. fennel seeds
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt

Lamb Ribs with Mustard-Rosemary Garlic Paste

This is adapted from a recipe in "The Grassfed Gourmet," by Shannon Hayes. I usually don't much like rosemary, but it's delicious in this. The edges are so crispy! You can use Denver ribs, short ribs, or riblets.

Serves 2-4, depending upon meatiness of ribs/riblets and/or hunger level of the diners.

1-2 pounds lamb ribs/riblets
1 tbsp. ghee
1 tbsp. mustard (wet)
2 tsp. dry rosemary
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 large cloves garlic, crushed

Herb Roasted Lamb Chops

This is a recipe adapted from Epicurious.com, by Maria Helm Sinskey.

4 large garlic cloves, pressed
1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp. dry)
1 tbsp. fresh rosemary leaves (or 1 tsp. dry)
3/4-1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. fat or ghee
6 1 1/4-inch-thick lamb loin chops

Mix first four ingredients and 1 tbsp. fat in a large bowl. Add lamb; turn to coat. Let marinate at room temperature at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 400f. Heat remaining tbsp. fat in heavy large oven-proof skillet (preferably cast iron), over high heat.

Spaghetti Squash and Bacon Pie

This is super tasty! Kind of like a crustless quiche. Even with uncured (no sugar) bacon...

1 medium onion
1 lb. uncured pork bellies (or bacon), diced

1/2 cup ghee
1 3-lb. spaghetti squash (pierced several times, baked till tender at 375f (about 1.5 hours, flipping halfway through), then scraped out (skin discarded).)
1 dozen eggs
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper

Saute onion and bacon over medium heat with 1 tsp. salt, until most of the bacon has started to crisp. Preheat oven to 350f.

Chicken in a Dutch Oven

adapted from "French Chicken in a Pot," from the February 2008 edition of Cook's Illustrated. No crisp skin here, but very tender and flavorful meat.

"The cooking times in the recipe are for a 4 1/2 to 5 pound bird. a 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 pound bird will take about an hour, an a 5 to 6 pound bird will take close to hours. We developed this recipe to work with a 5 to 8 quart pot with a tight-fitting lid. If using a 5-quart pot, do not cook a chicken larger than 5 pounds."

Really, Really Tasty Roasted Pork Shoulder

This is adapted from Mark Bittman's recipe. Serves 4-6.

one 3-4 pound bone-in pork roast, such as Boston Butt
2 large garlic cloves, pressed
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. dried rosemary (or use more fresh)
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

About 2 cups of broth (or try white wine)
1 tbsp. butter or ghee

Preheat the oven to 450f. Rub the salt and spices all over the roast, and place in a cast iron Dutch oven.

Subscribe to Main Dish