Common Difficulties in Starting a Paleo-Mediterranean Lifestyle

Living a Paleo-Mediterranean lifestyle is full of benefits. Sometimes, however, (especially as you begin your paleo-med journey), it can feel like a huge sacrifice to say goodbye to some of your favorite foods. This can also have social consequences, as you learn to navigate a new way of eating.

Fortunately, this approach favors the "80/20" rule, meaning that you can enjoy some treats and also not be strictly bound to this lifestyle and diet in a way that causes stress. But, in case you'd like to use your 20% on something else, or you'd just prefer for health or other reasons to not have gluten, cow's-milk cheese and other things that are eliminated by following a Paleo-Med diet, we have a solution for your Hot Brown cravings!

Hot Brown History

The "Hot Brown" is an open-faced sandwich that was created and popularized in Louisville, Kentucky at the Brown Hotel in 1926. During Derby Season especially, it is a favorite, with a multitude of versions and interpretations. Yet, there was no recipe we could find that would be compatible with the paleo-med diet - cue the Paleo-Mediterranean Hot Brown! Now you can enjoy this Derby classic and celebrate some Kentucky-proud cuisine, without sacrificing your lifestyle and diet resolutions.

Paleo-Mediterranean Hot Brown Recipe

Paleo-Mediterranean Hot Brown Sandwich Ingredients:

• (6) slices good quality gluten-free, paleo or grain-free bread, toasted (we use Base Culture Simply Classic, which is paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian and dairy-free)
• (1) lb sliced best-quality turkey (Boar's Head All Natural Oven Roasted Turkey Breast is our choice)
• (12) slices thick-cut bacon, ASH-, nitrite- and nitrate-free (Boars Head or Whole Foods have nice choices)
• (12) slices tomato
• Salt and pepper (be generous)
• Smoked paprika for garnish
• Sliced avocado, if desired
• Paleo-Mediterranean Mornay Sauce (recipe below)
• Grated pecorino Romano cheese

Paleo-Mediterranean Mornay Sauce Ingredients:

• (2) tbsp butter
• (3) tbsp tapioca flour
• (2) cups of creamy oat milk, plain and unsweetened
• (½) tsp Salt (or to taste)
• (½) tsp Pepper (or to taste)
• (1) cup grated Manchego cheese
• Additional (1-2) tbsp butter to finish

Paleo-Mediterranean Mornay Sauce Preparation:

1. In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter.
2. Add flour and whisk to combine, heating for 1 minute until you get a frothy white roux. Do not let the roux discolor.
3. Take saucepan off heat, add hot milk and whisk until flour is dissolved and is not clumpy.
4. Return to heat and continue stirring until sauce is thick and bubbly, about 2 minutes.
5. Add cheese, and stir until it is all combined.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. The sauce can be served immediately or it can be kept warm until ready to serve. Whisk the additional butter into the sauce just before serving.

Paleo-Mediterranean Hot Brown Preparation:

1. Arrange toast on buttered cookie sheet or in individual serving, oven-proof dishes or small, cast iron skillets (these can give a beautiful presentation).
2. Top with turkey breast and tomato slices.
3. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Ladle Paleo-Mediterranean Mornay Sauce generously on top to cover.
5. Sprinkle with Pecorino Romano.
6. Place under broiler until cheese sauce browns.
7. Remove from oven.
8. Sprinkle with paprika.
9. Place 2 slices of bacon on top in an "X" formation, and warm under broiler.
10. Serve with avocado garnish (if you choose).

Enjoy Your Paleo-Mediterranean Hot Brown

 

Whether you're celebrating Kentucky Derby season or making yourself a spectacular lunch or dinner, the most important part is to savor! Not only the sandwich itself, but also the process of choosing your ingredients, prepping them and finally making the sauce and the sandwich. Sharing it with others can be especially rewarding. As you can see below, my husband and the CMO of Regenavita, Dr. Carl Paige, definitely approved!

If you'd like more paleo-mediterranean recipes, plus blogs on supplement ingredients, lifestyle and other topics informed by cellular and regenerative medicine, join our mailing list to know when our latest article comes out!