Julie Sullivan Mayfield Charles Mayfield - Paleo Comfort Foods: Homestyle Cooking in a Gluten-Free Kitchen

PALEO

COMFORT FOODS

Homestyle Cooking for a Gluten-Free Kitchen

Julie & Charles Mayfield

VICTORY BELT PUBLISHING INC.
Las Vegas

First Published in 2011 by Victory Belt Publishing.

Copyright 2011 Julie Mayfield and Charles Mayfield

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher.

ISBN 13: 978-1-936608-93-5 (paperback)
978-1-936608-91-1 (ebook)

This book is for educational purposes. The publisher and authors of this instructional book are not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any adverse effects arising directly or indirectly as a result of the information provided in this book.

Victory Belt is a registered trademark of Victory Belt Publishing Inc.

Cover Layout by Mark Adams

Cover Design by Brian Rule

contents

foreword

by Robb Wolf

New York Times Best-selling Author of The Paleo Solution

I had an idea for a cookbook. Once. Then a set of circumstances proved to me that my cookbook would not be as unique, good, or snazzy as Id like... so I scuttled the whole idea. To understand why the idea of writing my own cookbook seemed silly requires a little backstory. You see, I wrote the New York Times best-selling book The Paleo Solution , and apparently after you write a successful nutrition/diet-oriented book you produce a follow-up cookbook.

Ducks quack, cats purr, and apparently nutrition gurus write (or subcontract) cookbooks.

So, I was mulling over this idea of a cookbook while on a trip to Atlanta, Georgia. Some of my very dearest friends (who are serious foodies) live in Atlanta, so I was pretty excited about this trip. My wife, Nicki, and I were scheduled to have dinner with two sets of friends: Jeff and Melissa Hayes (owners of one branch of the best gym in Atlanta, BTB Fitness) and Charles and Jules Mayfield (owners of the other branch of Atlantas best gym, BTB Fitness). These folks know good food and good booze, and they are great athletes and outstanding coaches. Dinner was a Thai theme with paleo ingredients that included grilled chicken, a green curry, and cauliflower rice. Its tough to describe how amazing this food was without using enough four-letter explicatives to give this book an NC-17 rating.

It was amazing.

Every time Ive been in Atlanta Ive had a meal or two with these folks, and the food that Charles and Jules make is just second to none. I was reflecting on the previous meals Ive shared with the Atlanta crew, and right before I lost consciousness from a Curry Coma I mumbled, you guys need to make a cookbook.

With Southern-tipped drawls, Charles and Jules simultaneously said, Excuse me? I repeated myself, all while ladling another helping of four-alarm curry into my bowl.

Really? they asked.

Yesfg, was the closest affirmative I could muster while still shoveling curry and leaving the teensiest respiratory passageway for that silly stuff air.

Charles and Jules have fed me paleo interpretations of: Greek, Italian, Indian, Mexican, and several other ethnic cuisines, and their food is amazing. Perhaps most impressive for me, however, was Charles & Juless Paleo spin on Southern U.S. cooking. My family (on my moms side) is from Appleton, Arkansas, so I grew up with biscuits and gravy, fried okra, berry cobblers, and food so good that you could just weep eating it. Or, you could weep when you (or me in this case) discover you are gluten intolerant and many of the old standards are simply not options anymore if you want to be healthy.

I consider myself an athlete, I work to squeak as much performance out of my body as I can, and good-quality food is central to my quest to stay healthy, lean, and strong. Thats all great, but food is much more than fuel. Food should be about traditions, holidays, family gatherings, and nights on the town with friends and loved ones. This is what Paleo Comfort Foods is all about. The best food you have ever eaten, made with ingredients that will not create those other fun social gatheringsthe funeral.

As Im writing this foreword I realize that this book was born of everything that food should be about: People you love, good times, fond memories, and food that is worth a second or third helping. It was a dinner party in Atlanta that convinced me that my cookbook would be an infantile attempt compared to what Charles and Jules make every single day. I make good food, but Paleo Comfort Foods is great food. So, in many ways, this is my cookbook in that it shows you how to cook the type of food Id want to eat every day, especially if I have great people to share it with. These recipes are easy and time-efficient, and, as I mentioned, they span the world of culinary offerings. If you or someone you know had reservations about eating Paleo because youd be missing out on some old favorites, you will find help in this book.

Robb Wolf

acknowledgments

T his may be the most challenging part of the book for us. So many people have influenced us over the years, and led us to where we are today. Quite honestly there are too many to mention, but here goes with a short list of people who have made this book possible.

Charles would like to thank:

The two best parents a man could ask for, Scottie and Lisa Mayfield. You have always given me the love, support, and encouragement I needed. You believed in me when I didnt believe in myself, and showed me that hard work and honesty can take you as far as you want to go. To my amazing sister, Mariah, you have always supported me and were willing to help clean up the messes Ive made over the years. Michael, you are such an amazing brother. I can always count on you for a straight answer and feedback on just about anything. My son, Dylan, for having an amazing heart and always being willing to try new things.

Buzz and Phoenix. How would we keep our floors clean without you there to clean up all the spills? Youre always willing to hop up in my lap and discuss the trials of the day.

The real talent behind this amazing book: My sunshine, loving wife, gardening buddy, and culinary queen, Julie. Do I hear Barry White playing?

Julie would like to thank:

My mom, Lynn, for fielding all those phone calls while you were at work from your inquisitive daughter who needed to know what temperature to set the oven to, for Sullivans Apple Pie, and for your constant love and support over the years. My brother, Andy; sister-in-law, Shada; and, of course, Becket and Aurelia: you always show us some of the best places to eat in Philadelphia, and have introduced us to such culinary delights over the years. You also share in our passion for great, homemade meals. My sister, Kerry; brother-in-law, Gregg; and Chloe; Paige; Grant; and Lowen: You all remind me that when our plates seem really crazy and really full, we never have more than we can handle.

All the BTB Freedomites over the years and, most especially, Erin Elizabeth Evans.... Its pretty certain we were meant to be friends, and I am so grateful for you every day!

My California friends, who are too many to name, please know how appreciative I am for the many years of love, support, adventures, and guidance.

Finally, my coauthor, business partner, love of my life, amazing husband. You are my first, my last, my everything.

Julie and Charles would like to thank:

Mark Adams, aka the Grizzwhere in the world would we be without your amazing talents, patience, and complete support? We know our food tastes great; you make it look even better. You have been in the trenches with us from the beginning. Truly, we will never be able to thank you enough for your influence on this book.