May 7, 2015

Pairing Herbs and Meats

When it comes to cooking Paleoista-style, simple does not equal boring.

Even though I prefer focusing on the essence of the protein itself rather than hiding it under a Paleo(ish) substitute for a sauce, there’s one route that not only heightens the layers of flavor of your favorite protein, but also adds an extra nutritional wallop to the dish.

Fresh herbs offer a plethora of health benefits, and, when paired correctly with that gorgeous piece of wild black cod or grass fed ribeye, can create a dining experience that will leave your guests thinking you’re the most talented chef ever to walk the face of the earth.

In particular, there are certain herbs that stand out for their contribution to promoting good health.¹ Some of my favorites include:

Cilantro, which is high in Vitamin K and may help to prevent blood clots
Ginger, rich in compounds that help soothe an upset stomach and naturally relieve pain
Cinnamon, purported to help reduce risk of Type II diabetes (the perfect match for True Paleo living, which does the same thing!)
Turmeric, with natural anti-inflammatory properties
Rosemary, which stimulates the production of acetylcholine, which in turn helps boost learning and memory

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! When you consider all the herbs you might find at the farmer’s market or in your own garden, there are countless combinations to use when preparing a meal.

So how do you figure out what goes with what?

That’s the fun part – doing your own kitchen experiments! There’s really no right or wrong, and as long as you’re not following the Paleo autoimmune protocol and need to avoid spices in the pepper family, anything is fair game.

You can stick with the tried and true, like lamb with rosemary or chicken with basil, or be a bit more adventurous and go for something a bit off the beaten path. Does wild salmon dusted with dried sumac, or perhaps a bit of Kala Jeera (also known as black cumin) infused into your wild elk steak suit your fancy?

Whether you’re inclined to start with the familiar or dive right into a global dining experience right in your own kitchen, you can rest assured you’ll end up with a dish that’s as pleasing to your palate as it is nourishing to your body.

Try my take on a traditional Argentine dish – Paleoista Chimichurri, perfect for that grass fed flank!