Paleo Salisbury Steak
Greetings Earthlings!
I love to entertain. Dinner parties, pot lucks, BBQ’s and beyond. The problem is, the folks you’re hosting may not always be Paleo. I always say the best way to educate about the way we live is to share! If you have friends or family members that are skeptical or unaware about Paleo, invite them over and follow these 8 steps for a perfect and educational experience!
8 Tips for Perfect Paleo Entertaining
1. Set the Mood.
Decide on the spaces that you’ll be hanging in most. In my case, it’s around the counter and in the back yard. Make sure these places are tidy, fresh flowers and candles are a great touch. Don’t forget the bathroom either!
2. Set the Table.
A nice set table is a great way to show your guests that you’ve spent some time preparing for them. I always put out cloth napkins (save the trees!), water glasses, salt and pepper and whatever utensils will be necessary. When you’re setting the table, have a seat in the actual chairs to make sure that the place settings are nice and centered, check the across setting as well. Fresh flowers or greenery are a must even if they’re just in a mason jar!
3. Prep Cook and Prep Some More.
Make sure to do all of your chopping before hand. For example, I recently made Paleo lasagna for 6 people. I chopped all of my ingredients, prepped my marinara sauce and did all the assembly so all I had to do was pop it in the oven. It’s a great way to showcase what’s on the menu and also a great time to field some questions! If you’re doing a salad, prep everything in the salad bowl and make the dressing in another container so all you have to do is toss! A hot grill is also widely accepted by guests on a warm summer evening!
4. Keep Options On Hand and Know Who You’re Serving.
It’s always a good idea to have beverage options on hand. I make sure to have cut limes, fresh berries and mineral water for a lovely mock-tail. Even if you’re not having wine, it’s a nice courtesy to have a nice bottle for those who partake (not gonna lie, I usually am!). Goodness forbid you have a vegan guest :), but make sure you have substitutions for special dietary needs (nut allergies etc) as well.
5. Have a Full Menu: Mock-Tail, Appetizer, Entrée and Dessert.
The mineral berry drink is great to start, just add tequila if you’ve got drinkers around. I love to start with guac and marinated cucumber chips (salt, lime, cayenne). Of course the entrée and to finish with a simple dessert will always be appreciated. Try out a coconut milk ice cream with a shot of espresso poured over the top. Or simply just grab some strawberries and local honey from the farmers market!
6. Use Fresh Herbs Whenever Possible.
Fresh herbs just taste better. They’re aromatic and will always add a wonderful touch to even the most simple of recipes! I LOVE my little kitchen herb garden!
7. Be Ready to Share Your Recipes.
I usually email my recipes out after the party but you could jot them down on a 3x5 card. Not only will it remind your guests of the wonderful Paleo party, they’ll be able to share it with their friends and family. Now we’ve got the whole world living Paleo you see!?
8. Have Your Elevator Pitch Ready - Share Your Story!
It’s probably a sure shot that you’ll get asked “what is Paleo?” or “why don’t you eat grains, they’re heart healthy right!?” Be sure to have a short description of what living Paleo means, why we’re going against conventional wisdom and why it’s important to you. Mine goes like this: “Paleo is basically simplifying the way we eat based on what was available to our ancestors. The type and quality of food that is readily available to us today is vastly different than that of our ancestors. Paleo means no inflammatory foods like grains, legumes, most dairy, processed items, and fake sugars. After I quit smoking, I gained about 30 lbs and living Paleo allowed me to lose the weight and support my local farmers and gardeners. I have a couple of great books that can give you the full scoop.”
So there you have it! 8 tips for Perfect Paleo entertaining! Get as fancy or as basic as you like. Share your wisdom, eat and be merry!
If you have questions for me on some specifics or entertaining meal plans, shoot me an email at lauren@simplypaleo.com
Now for the yummy in your tummy stuff!! Here is my Paleo Salisbury Steak recipe. A while back, I bought 1/4 cow from a local farmer and have had ground beef up the wazoo! It was time to try something different and this recipe turned out so good! It's basically like making a burger and a really delicious mushroom gravy. It's really savory and a great winter dish. Enjoy!
A wonderful, savory, winter dish!
Ingredients
- ground beef - 2 lbs
- mushrooms - 1 package, sliced
- yellow onion - 1, sliced
- almond flour - 1/4 cup
- Worcestershire sauce - 1 tbsp
- organic, no sugar added ketchup - 1 tbsp
- mustard - 2 tbsp
- bacon - 3 slices, cooked
- eggs - 2
- coconut oil - 2 tbsp
- ghee - 1 tbsp
- balsamic vinegar - 1 tbsp
- arrowroot powder (if you don't have this on hand you can let the sauce reduce for a bit longer and get the same results) - 1 tsbp
- beef bone broth or chicken broth - 1 cup
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the ground beef, mustard, eggs, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce and a few turns of salt and pep. USE YOUR HANDS! :)
- Form into patties, making sure the edges are the same thickness of the center. The patties should be 1/4 inch thick, thinner than a normal burger. Like a steak, get it!?
- Place the patties in a large pan on medium heat with the coconut oil.
- Brown for 7 minutes per side.
- Remove from pan and set aside.
- Keeping the fat in the pan, add the onions and the vinegar to deglaze the pan.
- After about 5 minutes, the onions will be soft and translucent, add the bacon and mushrooms.
- Sauté for another 5 minutes.
- Add the broth and ghee, a little salt and pep and bring to a boil.
- Turn the heat to low, add the arrowroot powder and let the gravy reduce for 10 minutes.
- Place the burgers back in the gravy, give them a stir to get happy and serve!
Notes
I served it up with a simple green salad. You'll love this and it's leftovers!
Live to Thrive,
Lauren
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Yummmm. Thanks for the tips! Can’t wait to make the salisbury steak; it looks amazing!!
You’re welcome Laura! Enjoy :)))))
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