Paleo Bang Bang Shrimp over Chili-Mint Slaw

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When something is named "Bang bang," don't you just want to try it? Just because of the name? With a name that exciting these things must be pretty awesome. How could they not be? That's how I felt when I started hearing about these. When I found out they are crispy shrimp smothered in a spicy aïoli, I was sold. 

Unfortunately, the original restaurant version of this dish is breaded, deep fried, and tossed in a mystery mayo. Shrimp themselves are actually a great source of minerals and antioxidants! I love to checking out World's Healthiest Foods for a quick overview of the antioxidant properties of different ingredients. Reading up on the selenium content and antioxidant profile of shrimp was the nail in the coffin: now I have to try making Bang Bang Shrimp. Just for the antioxidants, you know. 

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I started swapping out the mystery ingredients in the restaurant version of Bang Bang Shrimp, adding back real foods. The result? BANG! Not only could I eat these shrimp all day long (yum!!) but I wouldn't feel guilty about it. Not for a second. Served over slaw marinated in a chili-mint vinaigrette, this meal is somehow light and satisfying all in one fell swoop. 

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Bang Bang Shrimp with Chili-Mint Slaw

Paleo, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free    |   Caitlin Sherwood    |   

Shrimp in a spicy, cream sauce. Served over a fresh slaw.

Serves: 2-3    |    Total Active Time: 45 minutes

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Ingredients:

For the shrimp:
• 10 ounces deveined and shelled raw shrimp (if using frozen, allow them to thaw first)
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 3 tablespoons coconut flour
• 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
• 3 tablespoons paleo mayonnaise (try making your own!)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the slaw:
• 1/4 head green cabbage
• 1 large carrot
• 4-inch piece diakon radish
• 1/4 cup minced fresh mint
• 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onion
• 1 tablespoon chili garlic sauce
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar OR rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons coconut aminos OR soy sauce

Directions:

1. Prepare the sauce. Whisk together Paleo mayo, chili garlic sauce, and salt. Set aside.
2. Prepare the shrimp. Heat the coconut oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Mince the garlic, and when the oil is hot, add it to the pan.
3. While the garlic sautés, toss the shrimp in the coconut flour. Once coated, place the shrimp in the hot oil. Carefully flip the shrimp after a few minutes. Once the shrimp are pink and cooked through, remove them from the heat. Toss the shrimp in the chili mayo. Set aside while you prepare the slaw.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together in ingredients for the vinaigrette: Sriracha, vinegar, sesame oil, and salt.
5. Shred the cabbage, julienne the daikon radish and carrot, and mince the mint and cilantro. Chop the green onion. Toss all of the vegetables together, and then toss them in the vinaigrette. Set aside to marinade for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve fresh!

Salmon, Shiitakes & Chard in Parchment with Sriracha Aioli (Paleo)

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When life hands you a bag full of organic locally-grown shiitake mushrooms, you don't just throw them into any old dish. Oh no. 

First, you brainstorm all of the ways you could use the mushrooms. Surely you've filed  away something with potential in that brain of yours. 

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When the brainstorming slows down, you whip out your tablet or computer (whichever is closer) and you search all of your previous pins for the words "shiitake," and "mushroom". You open every potential recipe in a separate tab to read later. Then you expand your search: you browse everyone else's pins for the words "shiitake," and "mushroom". You open more tabs. 

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Once you've exhausted Pinterest, you make your way around the web. Foodgawker. Tastespotting. Stalkerville. Google image searches. The word Shiitake can now be found in the last 500 pages of your browser history. That's when you start pinning like a lunatic. All of your followers probably know now that your fridge is full of shiitake mushrooms. 

It's okay. They understand, because that's how everyone does it, right? ;) 

At some point, something just feels good. All of that pinning and you've got one shot. Finally you get to cook. 

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This recipe is part of the Real Food Fat Tuesday round up. Find more real food recipes on the Real Food Forager's round up post! 

Salmon, Shiitakes & Chard in Parchment with Sriracha Aioli

Paleo, Gluten-Free, Grain-Free    |   Caitlin Sherwood    |   

Serves: 4   |    Total Time: 60 minutes

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Ingredients:

For the Salmon, Shiitakes & Chard:
• 1 pound organic shiitake mushrooms
• 1/4 white onion
• 2 tablespoon avocado oil
• 2 tablespoon organic wheat-free tamari, traditional fermented soy sauce, or coconut aminos
• 1 bunch swiss chard (or about 5 large leaves)
• 2 pound wild caught Alaskan salmon filet
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon minced ginger
• 3 small thai or vietnamese chili peppers, minced (NOTE: use less or completely eliminate this ingredient if you are spice-sensative, use more if you are a spice lover)
• Salt
• Cilantro, minced, for garnish
• Parchment paper
For the Sriracha Aioli:
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons Sriracha hot sauce (You caught me: Sriracha is not paleo).
• Pinch salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Wash and slice the mushrooms and onion. Cut the stems off of the chard leaves, setting the leaves aside for later use. Chop the stems into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss the mushrooms, onion, and chard stems in a bowl with the avocado oil and tamari, mixing until all of the vegetables are coated. Chop the chard leaves into thin ribbons, and set them aside as well.
2. Then cut your salmon filet into 8 equally sized portions. Then, prepare the parchment: cut out 8 circles with a 1-foot diameter each. Rub each piece of paper with avocado oil. A thin layer is fine, but be thorough--spread the oil all the way to the edges.
3. Working with one parchment circle at a time, place a handful of the chopped chard leaves on the paper. (TIP: You want to place the food just off from the center--not in the center. Think of the paper as the crust of a calazone. One half of it will fold over top of the food.). Add a handful of the mushroom mixture over the chard, and place one salmon filet over that, and sprinkle with salt. Top with a pinch of garlic, ginger, and a few pieces of chili pepper. Fold the parchment over the salmon. The two opposite edges of your parchment paper should now touch. Working from one side, fold the edge of the parchment paper over, creating a seem that closes the salmon into a parchment pocket. Work around the circle, folding a small amount of the edge over, until you have reached the other side of the pocket. Place on a baking pan. Repeat with the 7 other parchment circles and salmon filets.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes (15 for very thin filets of fish, 20 for thicker filets). While the fish bakes, prepare the aioli. Put all of the ingredients in a blender and turn it on. The mixture should become thick, opaque, and a light pinkish color. Add more hot sauce if you like things spicier (we do).
5. When the salmon is done baking, place each parchment packet on a plate to serve. Cut open the center of the paper pocket, revealing the salmon. Top each filet with a dollop of mayo, and sprinkle with cilantro.