Incorporating new challenges with Oma's Recipes - Boer Kohl, Paleo style

Once again, I am in the middle of a 30 day Paleo eating challenge through my gym.  Not sure what this means? Just google Paleo diet or check out www.robbwolf.com (the guru of the Paleo movement).

Basically, the premise is that our cavemen ancestors, in fact, lead a more healthy life as their diets did not include processed foods, grains, sugars or dairy.  By removing these foods from your diet for 30 days, you can see big results in energy levels, weight loss and workout results.

But enough about that.  Here is the dilema.  I wanted to keep going with the Oma project, but how could I take one of her recipes and make it 'caveman' friendly?      I decided to take a stab at one of Oma's most famous Dutch meals, Boer Kohl.   This is a family favourite!   It's very simple:

Mash potatoes with milk and butter.  Add cooked, chopped kale and put in a casserole dish and put sausages on top.  Serve with cider vinegar on the potato mixture and some dutch mustard for the sausages.  Sounds weird, but trust me, this is COMFORT FOOD!   I've even been able to convince my kids to eat kale this way.  

Kale, is a no-brainer.  It's a paleo approved veggie and is super healthy.  Sausage can also be acceptable as long as it's gluten free.  Our local butcher carries this.   The problem lies in the potatoes.

Solution????  -  Cauliflower!!!!    Multiple paleo recipes, including the cookbook that I've been using this challenge (Paleo Comfort Foods by Julie and Charles Mayfield),  swear that cauliflower, when cooked soft can be mashed to replicate mashed potatoes.

So I decided to give it a whirl:


Paleo Boer Kohl

• 1/2 head of cauliflower (only made half batch as was sure I wouldn't sell the kids on it) chopped into small pieces, stems also
• 1 cupChicken Stock
• Gluten Free Sausages  - Bratwurst if you can find it
• Tbsp Olive oil (can't use canola with Paleo)
• 1 head of fresh kale or 1/2 can of cooked chopped kale (I've done it with both fresh and canned and honestly, there is no difference in taste)

In a large pot, boil water and add kale.  It will cook down to a much lower volume.  When soft, about 5-8 minutes, drain and chop.  Set aside.  
In another pot, put 1 cup of chicken stock and the cauliflower.  Bring to a boil and cover.  Cook until cauliflower is very soft (watch that the stock doesn't boil away, if it does, just add some more).
In a fry pan, place sausages and olive oil and 1 cup water.   Bring to a boil and cover so that the sausages steam for about 10 minutes.  Remove cover and cook until the water boils off.   Once it boils off, oil will remain and brown sausages.
When cauliflower is cooked, mash it very well.  I used my food processor to get mash potato consistency.  Add chopped kale and mix.  
Put kale/cauliflower mix in a casserole.  Top with sausage.

You can then serve it, or if you make it ahead, cover with foil and warm in oven when you want to eat it at 325 for 25 minutes.    Seve with cider vinegar for kale/cauliflower and a good quality Dutch mustard for sausages.

Wonder veggie!

Caveman approved!

Verdict

FANTASTIC!!!!   It really tasted like the original thing.  The only difference was that it tasted 'wetter' than potatoes.   Even mike asked for seconds.  The kids turned their noses up at it, mainly because I caved and made them some mac and cheese on the side.   I would make this again, whether on the challenge or not.