Sweet and Spicy Hash

Love love love sweet and spicy, sweet and salty, whatever. Contrasting flavors are a huge weakness of mine. This recipe is also quite versatile and easy to change it up depending on your personal taste preferences.

Sweet and Spicy Hash

4 sweet potatoes, peeled and grated

1 lb canadian bacon, diced

2 spicy red chiles, seeded and minced (I suggest wearing gloves while handling!)

1 green pepper, diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 small yellow onion, diced

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

salt and pepper to taste

cooking fat (we used roughly 1/4 c bacon grease)

Heat the cooking fat in a cast iron skillet. Saute the onions until transluscent then add the canadian bacon. Brown the canadian bacon until desired doneness (we like ours a bit crispy) then toss in red chiles. Add sweet potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened. About 5 -10 minutes. Sprinkle the spices on top and stir in gently. I like my hashbrowns crispy so I let it sit for a couple minutes then flip, turning off the stove (cast iron holds heat extremely well).

Filling by itself but getting topped with a couple fried eggs would up the protein.

Paleo Porridge

Breakfast is definitely my favourite meal. I could eat it any time of any day. This one takes a little bit of time (but not effort) to prep, but it feeds both the toddler and me for several days! It is great for toddler spoon practice, too, because of how thick it is. Just be prepared for a mess!

Paleo "Porridge"

This recipe makes quite a bit. I find it easier to make a large amount all at once so I have a "grab-and-go" breakfast later on.

3-4 lbs assorted squash (acorn, hubbard, petite, etc)

3 tblsp butter

1/4-1/2 c maple syrup

1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract

8 slices bacon, diced

salt to taste

Preheat oven to 350F. Halve and seed the squash. Fill a roasting dish with water 1-2 inches deep then place the squash cut side down in the water in a single later. Roast in the oven for 25-35 minutes, until a fork can easily pierce the outside.

While the squashes are roasting, cook the bacon until crispy. Set aside the bacon and 2-4 tblsp of the bacon grease.

When the squash is cooked, scrape out the flesh into a food processor. Add the butter, maple syrup, vanilla, salt, and bacon grease. Puree until smooth. Top with bacon bits before serving. Can be eaten cold or hot.