Moroccan Meatballs with Citrus-Glazed Carrots

Let's talk, friends. I have heard people worry that a Paleo diet is "boring" and that it is hard to stick to a diet with such "bland food". I am going to go ahead and say that is just straight up lazy talk. Since going Paleo, my cooking repertoire has expanded tremendously and I have been trying to make foods from all different types of cuisine. All you need to do is invest in some spices and your possibilities are really endless!

This meal is a perfect example. Even though the main ingredients are only beef and carrots, the spices and seasonings elevate this to a delicious Moroccan-inspired dish.

2 teaspoon olive oil
4 to 6 large carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch wide and 2-inch long matchsticks
1 orange, juiced and zested
1 pound 85% grass-fed ground beef
1 egg white
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/8 cup almond flour
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1/2 tablespoon fresh mint, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Fresh ground black pepper

Instructions:
In a medium nonstick skillet, heat oil on medium heat for 1 minute.  Add carrots and saute, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Stir in orange juice and 1 teaspoon orange zest.  Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 8 minutes, until carrots are slightly softened.  Remove from heat and keep covered.

In a large bowl, combine beef, egg white, garlic, almond meal, coriander, fresh mint, cumin, cinnamon, salt and pepper.  With hands mix well to combine and shape into 15 or more mini-meatballs.

Heat a large nonstick skillet on medium heat.  Working in batches, add meatballs and cook for 7 to 8 minutes. Turn frequently making sure to cook all sides. Meatballs are fully cooked when completely opaque in center.  Place cooked meatballs on plate with paper towel until all meatballs are cooked.

I did something really crazy...put it on spinach! Are you sensing a theme here? Go get some of that leafy green goodness in your bellies!

recipe adapted from multiply delicious

I tried to take some nicer pictures on a regular camera tonight as opposed to the good old iPhone. I think they turned out much nicer but they are also a bit more time consuming. I'll try to keep the better quality  pictures coming unless I feel really lazy.

Is anyone excited for 12.3 in the CrossFit Open? I don't know why it gets me so pumped, since I am still pretty beginner with my skills, but I just love it!  Best of luck to everyone competing. It's been so fun to see RNCF come together as one of the biggest teams in the world! I feel pretty lucky to be a part of that. Anyone have any guesses what the workout is going to be? I'm guessing box jumps and double unders...hopefully something that I can do Rx.

Love you guys to pieces and thanks for reading! It would be really super nice if you would "follow" the blog. Just click on the link on the right sidebar.