BY: Chef Ron Dombroski
I was in my local grocery store the other day, minding my own business, when I noticed a clerk helping a woman look for something on the shelf and having no success. Being the helpful sort, I asked what they were looking for. “Tomatillos,” she answered. Being that I shop at this store every day, I pretty much know where every product is, so we went to the ethnic aisle. As fate would have it, they don’t stock canned tomatillos anymore, but I solved the problem with a jar of Salsa Verde. Close enough, I thought. I couldn’t help myself and asked what this was for, to which she responded “Paleo Pork.” After a bit of research, I know now that premade Verde was the wrong call, but I honestly had no idea what Paleo Pork was, and I do apologize. “Paleo Pork” is just a simple recipe based on the Paleo theory (ancestral dietary patterns) which was first introduced by Charles Darwin in his writing Origins of the Species. This theory has been expounded upon by countless scientists through the last century and a half. In the 20s and 30s, a doctor traveled the world and made detailed observations about health and diet in several non-westernized communities where modern processed foods were not available. He noted that wherever modern diets and eating habits were adopted by non-westernized cultures, their health declined. In a nutshell, those that eat what was available before modern civilization and the advent of processed foods are exponentially healthier. So if you can forage, hunt or gather it, you’re eating Paleo style. Here is a small list to help you out. GOOD: Fish/Seafood, Fresh Fruits and Veggies, Eggs, Nuts and Seeds, Grass fed meats, Natural Oils (Olive, Walnut, Flaxseed, Coconut). BAD: Cereal Grains, Legumes (also peanuts), Refined Sugar, Dairy, Potatoes, Salt, Refined Vegetable Oils, Processed Foods.
I am going to try this for a month and if that works, I’ll try another month and so on. It’s so easy to just make a pizza, popcorn or grab a burger that even thinking about this is daunting, but with a little help, I will persevere and report on my incredible weight loss and better health. Just remember, beer and wine are ok! Until next time… Chef Ron
RECIPE: Paleo Mojo Pork
Pork Shoulder, about 5#
Minced Garlic, 2 Cloves
Chopped Cilantro, ½ bunch
Lime Juice, 1 cup
Orange Juice, 1 cup
Chopped Oregano, ¼ bunch
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, ½ bunch
Place pork in a crockpot set at 225. Place all other ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until emulsified. Pour over the pork and allow to cook for about 8 hours (check pork from time to time for tenderness). If salt is necessary, use Sea Salt, preferably grey salt.
