A Very (Sorta) Paleo Thanksgiving!

Hello all, So it has been a few weeks since thanksgiving, I know, but I thought I'd share with you my fully gluten and dairy free experience! I want to warn you all though... there was some startch involved... BUT it was for a good cause! A pumpkin pie! (because really, what is thanksgiving without the pie!)

Luckily having convinced the family of the benefits of going gluten free, I was delighted to find gluten-free stuffing, gravy and pie crust mix all awaiting in Ottawa upon arrival. We hit the grocery store to get a few more items for the table, and got started!

Joined by my sister, in from lennoxville, and her roommate Lauren, we had a good bit of girl time in the kitchen, drinking our gluten free beer and some wine, and just generally being in a festive mood.

We started with cranberry sauce, which is usually packed with all kinds of poisonous white sugar, and emptied a pack of cranberries into a saucepan with a cup of fresh orange juice for sweetness. Then, adding about 1/4 cup of maple syrup, and stirring until all the berries popped, the sauce was ready! This was delicious, tart and sweet at the same time, and went perfectly with our farm fresh bird.

To add some green to the meal, I grabbed a few brussel sprouts, the oft misunderstood cruciferous veggie that really was delicious! With olive oil, garlic salt and sesame seeds, I tossed the steamed and halved sprouts and set them in a serving dish.

With dessert on the brain, my Mom and I started figuring out the dough for our pie crust. This was harrrrd. It crumbled and stuck, and really should have been chilled before we tried to handle it, but ah well, the lesson was learned. It turned out well regardless though, and we were pleased with the end result!
The filling was made up of pureed pumpkin, cloves, cinnamon, eggs and a bit of honey, and it was amazing!! It is super simple to search a recipe online for a paleo pie filling, so google away!

The leftover crust we made into stars and set on top, and they were deliciously crispy at the end! Everyone else had theirs with whipped cream, but for us paleo people, the starch is enough of a cheat!

Such a healthy, happy and awesome homecoming! Great times had by all!