My Favorite Paleo recipes: Apple - Dijon Burgers

Two events collided this weekend to point me in the direction of the BEST BURGER RECIPE EVER.  Yes, I realize I shouted that.  If you were here in person you would have actually heard my enthusiasm for this burger recipe.  Event #1: On saturday I picked up my order from Golden Share Foods.  It's "Southern California's largest LOCAL food cooperative".  While the meats are not technically paleo since they aren't grass fed beef and free range chicken, it is REALLY REALLY cost effective and it alleviates me from having to search the ads for meat sales for about 2 weeks out of every month.  I totally recommend using this program.  Event #2: I took the kids Apple Picking while Hubby was trying to survive the Run For Your Lives, a zombie infested 5k obstacle course.  So the kids and I picked probably 10 pounds of apples and you can only eat SO many before you're bribing the children to "eat just one more, for mommy?"  I needed to find recipes to cook them in.  And lo and behold there was the Apple Dijon Burger recipe from Civilized Caveman Cooking Creations.  These burger patties are a bit crumbly, best eaten with a fork rather than in an unstable lettuce "bun".  But they are SO good.  The apples, onion and dijon mustard give them almost an asian flavor which I just adore.  I made these on Saturday, and lucky for the hubby, I'm making them AGAIN tonight because I love them that much.  

My slave labor, I mean, the kids had fun picking apples!

APPLE - DIJON BURGERS
serves 4 cook time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 Lb Grass-Fed Beef
• 1/2 Cup Shredded Apple
• 1/3 Cup Minced Red Onion
• 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
• 1 Tsp Black Pepper
• 1/2 Tsp Sea Salt
• 1 Egg

Process:

   

1. Place all the above ingredients except the egg in a mixing bowl and mix well.
2. Use your hand to form 4 even size burgers.
3. Have your grill on medium heat (350-400 Degrees F) and grill for approximately 5-6 minutes per side or until done to your liking.
4. Once you place your burgers on the grill, fry your egg in bacon fat on the stove and set aside.
5. You can now plate your burgers how you see fit.  I used romaine lettuce as a base. The Civilized Caveman suggests serving the burger with grilled onions, and topped with the fried Egg. I ate mine topped with guacamole and tomatoes.  
6. Enjoy

Nutritional Info: 381calories, 30.1g fat, 12.2 g sat fat, 96.4mg cholesterol, 458.4 mg sodium, 6.9g carbs, 1.6g fiber, 19g protein

She Runs Paleo . . . with Friends

The Cupcake Classic Crew

One of the most wonderful things about running is the friends I've made through it.  I am constantly motivated by their successes and struggles and I am proud to have inspired some to take up running.  Today I took part in the CUPCAKE CLASSIC 5k.  This was a virtual race put on by Run with Jess, where you simply had to run a 5k (3.1 miles) anywhere, anytime during the allotted time frame.  I run a similar monthly race for my Facebook 5kers group, which you are free to join in.  I offer prizes like Jess, but at a MUCH smaller level.  

Paleo cupcakes!!!

My dear friend Amanda organized our little local Cupcake Classic and we convinced her that we needed to have a potluck post-run feast.  Amanda is an AMAZING baker, and promised to make me paleo cupcakes.  I held my breath, hoping for the best but not knowing what to expect from a paleo dessert.  (I know, I'm on day 73 of the Paleo Diet and hadn't tried to replicate desserts???  What can I say, I'm not a sweets person)

Race day greeted us with RAIN.  I live in San Diego, rain doesn't happen.  Except on days that I promise my children that if they run 3.1 miles with Mommy they'll earn themselves both a shiny medal AND a plate of Miss Amanda's cupcakes.  I'm happy to say that my kids take after their mommy and the rain didn't bother them one bit. 

Amanda had plotted out a 5k course for us from her house to beautiful Mission Bay.  It was a quick run, and everyone did SO well!  We had 16 people show up to run with us, making it feel like a REAL race event.  

The post-race feast was great.  Amanda never does anything on a small scale and had made 5 different kinds of cupcakes, including MY paleo cupcakes.  I also made sure to bring protein in the form of Bacon-Egg Cups and I also brought apples from the Apple Picking trip my kids and I went on.  It's easy to stay paleo when you have thoughtful friends.  

I'm sharing the recipes from the party below.  I certainly hope all runners have a group of runner friends that will laugh with you when you tell them tales from race day and give you advice when you struggle.  I'd be nothing if it weren't for the support from these wonderful people.  

Today's Paleo Goodies can be found here:

• The icing used was from Vanilla Cupcakes with Coconut Flour
• Paleo Vanilla Cupcakes
• Bacon-Egg Cups