Eating AIP can be really difficult any time of year, but I know for me, it felt especially difficult and isolating around the Holidays; that's why I put together a list of the Top 5 super easy & delicious AIP & Paleo recipes I make to feel included at family meals. I hope these recipes bring a bit of peace into your holiday meal planning! 

1. My Orange Cranberry Sauce 

AIP Cranberry Sauce

Yields: 4-8 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 12oz fresh cranberries
• 4 air-dried organic orange slices
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
• ⅓ c date sugar (I love the Date Lady)
• 2 Tbsp organic maple syrup
• 1c water

Instructions:

1. Combine all the ingredients into a medium-sized saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Once boiling, allow to simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes.
4. Mash roughly half of the cranberries unless you prefer a smoother sauce, then mash them all.
5. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely before storing in a container.

I leave the orange slices in to continue adding flavor as the sauce cools but you could certainly remove them if you prefer a mild orange flavor. I love this recipe, especially for the holidays because it could not be easier and tastes best when made 1-2 days in advance!

Just as easy, if not easier, is my AIP Cauliflower Gravy made with my AIP Mushroom Beef Soup! 

2. My AIP Mushroom Beef Cauliflower Gravy

Yields: 8 servings

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 small organic cauliflower, chopped
• 3 packets of Mushroom Beef Soup
• 1 tbsp Olive oil or another fat, (Beef Tallow or Ghee would work great!)
• 2 tbsp Primal Palate Garlic & Herb Blend (optional)
• 2 ½ c water or bone broth

Instructions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
2. Add in the chopped cauliflower and boil for 15-20 minutes or until fork tender.
3. Once boiled, strain the cauliflower but keep the liquid.
4. Combine the cauliflower, the oil (or fat) and 1 cup of the cooking liquid to your blender and blend until creamy smooth. You may need to use all the cooking liquid, depending on your preferred texture. 
5. Pour this mixture back into your pan and add in the soup packets.
6. Bring to a rolling simmer for 5-10 minutes, adding more liquid as needed to achieve your desired consistency. 
7. Serve hot.

The rich, and savory Wild Zora Mushroom Beef Soups make this recipe SO easy! Of course, you could use any flour or starch to make this gravy, but I love using cauliflower because I can sneak in added fiber and nutrients and my kids never notice a difference! 

3. Paleo Mom, Dr. Sarah Ballantyne's, Mashed Sweet Potato

This is my go-to mashed potato recipe, regardless of the season! It's written as a Paleo recipe but the AIP substitutions are super easy! I use duck fat and I swear it taste better than with butter. 

Find her recipe here! 

4. Sugar-Free Spice Rub

Depending on what meat I'm making, I will switch between the KC Naturals Mastodon Rub, which is smokey and slightly sweet- perfect for pork & beef. If I'm making my holiday turkey, I tend to like more savory, herb-forward flavors so I combine Primal Palate's Everyday AIP Garlic & Herb(plus extra sage) with either Duck or Chicken Fat and massage it under the skin of my turkey. I wrap it in plastic wrap and leave it in my fridge overnight before roasting. 

5. My AIP Pumpkin Spiced Cookies

I recently posted these for Halloween but luckily, they are amazing any time of year! For Thanksgiving & Christmas, I use festive cookie cutters and frost them with my AIP Buttercream. 

I list some methods of natural food coloring in my recipe but if you're making these for the holidays; I like using spinach or matcha (if you drink caffeine) for green, beetroot powder or pomegranate for a pinkish red, purple cabbage for a deep blue. 

Find my recipe here!  

I hope you enjoy these easy, naturally Gluten-Free, Paleo, Auto-Immune Protocol friendly recipes! Happiest of Holidays to you and yours!