Christmas Dinner

This year we hosted Christmas dinner. This was the first time that I know of in 31 years we didn't have at our grand parents house in Charlotte.  My brother and his family, my mom, and grand parents came over.  Most of the meal was Paleo :)

I prepared:

• Ham
• Turkey
• Greenbeans
• Sweet Potato casserole
• mashed potatoes (with coconut milk)
• Paleo Stuffing\
• and Grandma brought fruit salad, mom brought Cheesecake!!!

I marinated the ham with coconut aminos & honey and baked at 350 for about 40mins

Paleo & Whole30 Sweet Potato Delight

2 lbs or around 4 Sweet potatoes (boil until they are softened)

Put the sweet potatoes and the remaining items in a blender or ninja:

1/2 C. Coconut Milk

2 Large Eggs

1 tsp. Vanilla

2 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 tsp. Nutmeg

1 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice

2 TBS. 100% Pure Maple Syrup

2 TBS. Coconut Oil

sprinkle of Sea Salt

sprinkle of Black Pepper

Blend until smooth!

Put in a casserole dish. 

The topping was chopped pecans, almonds and coconut with coconut butter melted. It made for a good "crunch" on the top. Bake for 350 for 30 minutes. The toppings toast up beautifully, and make this casserole SO delicious!

Paleo Stuffing

1 lb mild Italian pork or chicken sausage, casing removed (I used chicken sausages from my local butcher)

4 ½ cups mushrooms, diced

1 medium yellow onion, diced

6 celery stalks, diced

4 carrots, diced

1/2  cup chicken broth

1 tablespoon diced fresh sage

½ tsp minced fresh thyme leaves

½ cup dried cherries, finely chopped

½ cup slivered almonds

½ tablespoon garlic powder

4 tablespoons olive oil

Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350. In a large soup pot, sauté onions in olive oil until translucent.  Add the sausage and brown.  Add the carrots, celery, mushrooms, chicken broth, cherries, almonds, sage, thyme, garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Mix well, bring to a simmer, and cook for 5-10 minutes or until the veggies begin to absorb the chicken broth.  Transfer to a large glass baking dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes.