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No Nightshade Ratatouille from ‘Simple French Paleo’

JFC SFP No Nightshade Ratatouille

Simple French Paleo Giveaway

Sophie Van Tiggelen, aka A Squirrel in the Kitchen, not to mention the AIPer with the most Frenchie-inspired recipes has a published an epic cookbook cookbook – ‘Simple French Paleo’.

I was lucky enough to get my hot little hands on this baby very early in the piece (I may have been called upon to do some recipe testing because the lovely Sophie wanted to ensure she looked after the Southern Hemisphere, too!)

So, today we’ve got the Sophie trifecta – an interview with the author herself, a wee recipe that is seriously popular with one of my clients and a triple giveaway! Yowza!

For the uninitiated, just who is this Sophie Van Tiggelen??

jfc-sfp-post_svtSophie is an autoimmune warrior, foodie, recipe developer, photographer, blogger at A Squirrel in the Kitchen and author of ‘Simple French Paleo’. She is also married to an athlete who is always hungry, and mother to three busy teenage girls.

Sophie and her family moved to Colorado from Belgium in 2000 and they still all speak French at home. She has a wonderful ability to pair her French heritage with the anti-inflammatory ingredients available to those of us following the Autoimmune Protocol.  

After her wonderful blog received such rave reviews, Sophie undertook the mammoth task of writing her first published cookbook.

It was my pleasure to have the opportunity to pick the lovely Sophie’s brain.

Here’s what we discussed…

Sophie, what a labour of love this wonderful cookbook is. It is clear that AIP is very much a family-affair in the Van Tiggelen household. How do you navigate this with your family?

Right from the start of my healing journey, I have been extremely fortunate to have the full support of my husband and children. They saw how sick I was, they understood the importance of the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol, and they supported me 100%. We eliminated gluten completely from the house to avoid any risk of contamination, and their paleo snacks were limited to a specific area in the pantry. Nothing I couldn’t eat was in sight.

We transformed our kitchen into a real AIP kitchen, and that helped me a lot. For the meals, I prepare the same food for everyone. Occasionally my family will add rice or quinoa to their plate. But even that has become rare. My husband and kids experienced the healing benefit of the Autoimmune Protocol themselves and they don’t want to be unhealthy now, either.

I’d love to know what your family’s favourites are in ‘Simple French Paleo’. Which are the ones on repeat in your house?

Our family favorites are: the creamy liver pâté, the artichokes with shallot vinaigrette, the Niçoise salad, the pork belly salad, the butternut squash and sweet potato soup, the balsamic spaghetti squash, the pan-fried sweet potatoes with sage, the sage roast chicken, the rustic beef and pork meatloaf, the baked salmon with lemon and dill sauce.

For the desserts, they are not on repeat per say, but our favorites are the crèpes for sure, the pear cake , and the afternoon tea time cookies!

In your book, you provide a wonderful introduction and overview to the protocol. In my experience, everyone has a ‘tricky’ bit. Some part of AIP that is particularly challenging. What was your ‘tricky’ bit, and how are you managing this?

For me, the tricky part has been the reintroductions. I haven’t been super systematic with them. My reintroductions where guided more by convenience and personal taste. For example, I reintroduced nuts and seeds early on because it was a convenient snack for me on the go. I have also tried coffee and chocolate, because they are such luxury foods for me, only to discover that I can only do a very limited amount of these foods. Limited as in one cup of coffee per month!

I am currently working on chili and tomatoes, because they are present in this dish I really like in a local restaurant. I also indulge in a glass of red wine for special occasions like birthdays or Christmas. That’s about it. I really don’t feel the need to reintroduce something else at this time. I’d rather go with my gut and wait to have a “craving” for a certain food before I try it again.

JFC SFP No Nightshade Ratatouille

Can you give us your top Sophie tip for making AIP work for you and your family?

I know that you like quotes Joanna, so I have one for you, to answer your question!

“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” Alexander Graham Bell.

Being prepared is my number one piece of advice. And being prepared to tackle the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol means different things.

  1. Educate yourself about the Paleo Autoimmune Protocol. Do your research and know which foods you can eat and which foods you can’t. Print lists and keep them handy, especially when you go shopping for food.
  2. Prepare your kitchen so that it will be easy for you to cook your meals. For example, buy an excellent chef’s knife or a food processor because there will be a lot of chopping!
  3. Stock up on AIP compliant foods so that you never go hungry. Your refrigerator should be full of vegetables, fruits, meat, and fish. Being super hungry with nothing safe to eat leads to bad choices!
  4. Become adept at meal prepping and batch cooking. This will save up time in the kitchen and allow you to step away from the kitchen and take care of yourself in other areas.
  5. Always have AIP compliant snacks in your pantry you can reach for so that you won’t feel deprived when you see others snacking!

Thank you, Miss Sophie! (and yes, I do love a good quote)

Sophie has generously shared this recipe for her no nightshade ratatouille. If, like me, you’re a ratatouille lover from back when tomatoes , capsicum and eggplant were on the menu, then you’re going to love this baby!

Small secret – As mentioned above, I have a client who just raves about this dish. He thinks it’s the best AIP veggie dish around. And, he may just be on the money…

No Nightshade Ratatouille
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
This recipe is AIP friendly. It has been reprinted with the author's permission.
Author:
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 medium golden beets, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 3 medium carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 large yellow onion, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 medium yellow summer squash, chopped
  • 1 medium zucchini, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Method
  1. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over a medium-low heat. Add beets, carrots, and garlic. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  2. Add onion, yellow squash, zucchini, oregano, rosemary and sea salt. Continue cooking, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
  3. Check seasoning and adjust salt to taste. Serve hot or cold.
Notes
*the original recipe calls for golden beets which were impossible to find in Sydney at the time of posting. I used purple beets.

 

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As promised, it’s giveaway time again!

SFP Giveaway

ENTER TO WIN ONE OF THREE (yes, THREE!!) EBOOK COPIES OF ‘SIMPLE FRENCH PALEO’ BY SOPHIE VAN TIGGELEN.

There are 2 easy steps to enter the giveaway –

1. Subscribe to my newsletter. Either signup HERE or click the link at the top right corner of this page. If you already receive my newsletter, you’re good to go! No need to sign up again.
2. Leave a comment on this post telling me why you’d want to win a copy of Sophie’s wonderful cookbook. Be sure to leave your country of residence, too – one winner will be chosen from Australia, one from New Zealand, and one from anywhere else in the world!

A Couple of Things to Note:

This giveaway is for a digital product and is open to anyone BUT please be aware that one copy of the ebook will go to an Australian resident, one will go to a New Zealand resident, and the third copy will go anywhere else in the world.
The winner will be chosen at random on Friday 23rd September at midday Australian Eastern Time.

PLEASE NOTE – THIS GIVEAWAY IS NO LONGER OPEN!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!

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Comments (77)

Hi Jo
I’m a real foodie and like to try & cook all types of cuisine. Modifying Asian cuisine to AIP is easy for me but French cuisine is well ‘French ‘ to me. So would love a copy to try my hand at French cuisine. And of course love Sophie’s recipes❤️ That reminds me I should make her carob fudge which I’ve forgotten about.

You’re in the draw, Gita!

Add the ratatouille to your list. It’s fabulous!

Love it! Love this book! I don’t need to enter the competition as I already have a hard copy of Sophie’s book. My fave recipes are the rustic beef and pork meatloaf, tarragon provencal chicken and the layered raspberry crepe cake. <3 I am thinking about trying the chicken livers with fresh figs when figs come into season (which I guess will be soon, summer right?) and fisherman soup – though may replace the cod with ling.

Melanie – you are ALWAYS a foodie inspiration to me!

Oh my goodness – this book looks amazing. I would love to be entered into the drawing!
To have the elegance and diversity of French cuisine that is AIP friendly – amazing!

Hi Katy – Can you please confirm your country of residence and you’ll be in the draw!

I’d love to try the creamy liver pate, still trying to incorporate more offal in my diet so count me in for the giveaway please! I had the ratatouille last night for dinner, I got it off Sophie’s website and it is a favourite, especially since I can double the mixture and put a serve in the freezer! I’m in Western Australia 🙂

Hey Susan! – That ratatouille is damn fine, isn’t it?

You’re in the draw!

I have been eyeing this gorgeous book and would so love a copy, it would be a great asset in my kitchen!
I am a cook who loves to experiment and I’ve learned AIP food doesn’t have to be bland. Yay! I would love to expand into traditional French flavours mon ami ?
(Ok that’s all my French)

Hey Aussie Cindy – AIP food definitely doesn’t have to be bland, especially when you have Sophie’s recipes! Good luck!

Because I love love love Sophie’s recipes and I’m a terrible cook who does the same thing day in day out, plus this would be a a wonderful l birthday treat for me! Kahu, nz

Kahu – I bet you’re not a terrible cook, but I completely understand that you love Ms Sophie’s Recipes!

Best of luck!

Ha ha ha I truly am!! But I make a mean smoothie ?

I would love to win this book 😀 My husband has just finally come on board to full paleo and I want to inspire him with a variety of vegie filled dishes. Hde is great with the meat and no bread, part but I have to work on upping the veg. This ratatouille looks a great start. 🙂 We are in Australia

Hi Lisa!

What great news about your husband – this caper is SO much easier when you have support!

Good luck.

I’ve always loved cooking and things became quite tricky as my diet became more and more restricted over the years – however that’s far from how I see it now. There are more opportunities than ever to be creative and it’s always great to look at other recipes for a treat and inspiration! I’ve lost count of the times I’ve really wanted to make a recipe and realised I was missing a few ingredients and decided to substitute them and stumbled upon a great variation. I would love this book to cook from and to expand on in my own kitchen in Australia.

Hey Angela – yes! We have to re-wire our thinking when it comes to eating this way.

Good luck!

This is one I still want to add to me new AIP collection! I can’t wait to try the ratatouille!!!! Perfect time since we are eating 2-3 yellow squash daily from the garden! Thank you for sharing with us! ?

Cyndi – the ratatouille is fab’! I HIGHLY recommend it. 🙂

Good luck in the draw.

Greetings from Orange County, California. Today marks 60 days on AIP for me!!! Not perfect, but pretty close!. It’s time to branch out and try some new dishes, and the Simply French Paleo cookbook looks like it has some awesome recipes!

Hello Dorothy of Orange County!

Congratulations on hitting 60 days!!!

Good luck.

I have been eating gluten free, dairy free, soy free and cocoa free for almost 2 yrs now. I’ve even managed to do this while travelling in Greece. But I am looking forward to being in my own kitchen and expending my repertoire. I would very much like to have my whole family join me in my journey. Good interview! Hope I win!

I’d love to win! This book looks full of mouthwatering recipes that I can hardly believe are Paleo. Wow!
Jacqui (Australia)

Hi Jacqui in Oz!

This book IS full of mouthwatering recipes!

Good luck!

We have been wanting yhis ebook! Thanks!!!

Hi Kelly – where in the world are you?

Thank you so much for such a wonderful review dear friend 🙂 <3 And good luck to everyone for the giveaway!

Thanks for such a wonderful cookbook, lovely Sophie! You’re an inspiration!

I am new to AIP and am searching for good recipes. I have loved the recipes I’ve found on Sophie’s website and would love to have her cookbook! (From the US)

Hi Stephanie from the US!

Sophie is great at making this AIP caper accessible, isn’t she?

Good luck!

I’ve dabbled in Paleo type of diet for five years, and I’m highly allergic to nightshades and get hives from chili peppers/capsicums, eggplant, and tomatoes.

Just heard of this French Paleo book yesterday and recipes on the cover look exciting. Also, never thought I would see a nightshade free ratatouille!

Hey PW – where in the world are you located?

I urge you to make the ratatouille – it’s SO good!

Good luck!

I would love to win a copy of the cookbook! Going through a rough time, I have Hashimoto’s and about to be diagnose with MS :…( I’m in the process of completely changing my way of eating and this would help me tons to survive this process. Thank you for all you do and God bless, all the love to you!

Hi Adrana – where in the world are you located?

AIP has been transformative for many – I hope you experience improvement, too.

Goodluck!

I would love a copy of this book. My daughter has been doing AIP for almost 100 days now, and at 20 this takes a lot of discipline, but she is feeling great. It would be great to have some great recipes from this book to work from.

Hi Marla – where in the world are you located?

What a great Mum! Entering for your daughter…

Best of luck!

After two years paleo I’ve finally made the long overdue leap into AIP to try and get on top of some AI issues. It’s the third day of my AIP journey and I’m realising it’s not so scary after all! I’m feeling positive and motivated. A digital copy of Sophie’s gorgeous book would be wonderful to give me some different ideas of what to cook. I’m in Australia. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂

Hi Yvonne – congrats on making the leap. Good for you!

Good luck in the draw, too!

Being on the autoimmune protocol, many times I feel like foreign food and flavors are out. This is mostly because I don’t fully understand the flavors that come from those other cultures and therefore cannot tailor them myself. I would love to have this cookbook as the food looks amazing!

Hi Rebecca – Where in the world are you?

And, I totally get that understanding cultural differences when seeking flavour. Sophie has a way with herbs!

Good luck.

My cooking is barely adequate and when you are on AIP, as you know, one’s own cooking is the only game in town. I would love to get this cookbook because I need help! I have a small (very small) rotation of foods that I depend on (bison burgers, salmon burgers, chicken burgers, turkey burgers – get the picture?) and between this lot and buckets of canned fish, I am surviving. But I want to thrive! I have been fearful of cookbooks because AIP is complicated enough……but Sophie is so adorable and upbeat that I think her book would work for me!

Karen – Sophie IS adorable and upbeat!

Given you mention bison burgers, I’m guessing you are in the US or Canada?

Good luck!

Hi Joanna, this looks like a fantastic book to add to my shelf. I love to cook and try new things so this would fit the bill. I already get your newsletter and love it.
Im in New Zealand .
Thanks Traci

Kia Ora Traci! Here’s hoping it’s your lucky day… Best of luck!

I’ve been AIP since Feb and find it very difficult to get enthused about cooking. I’m struggling to reintroduce anything so I’d love a cook book to help me out. Im in Brisbane

Hi Stephanie – I think Sophie’s lovely cookbook may be just the ticket for re-igniting your enthusiasm!

Best of luck.

Did I read paleo CREPES???
That would be my first try in the cookbook.
I’m in the US.

Yes! Katherine you DID read crepes and, I speak from experience when I tell you they are fabulous!

Good luck!

Hi Joanna. Many thanks for sharing this interview and the ratatouille recipe. I am hoping to try it out tomorrow, as I am now on school holidays 🙂 (I am a teacher). I have suffered from ulcerative colitis since 2006 and have just started researching about the AIP. I am hoping to begin achieving healing through nutrition as conventional medicine is failing me. Sophie’s cookbook looks amazing! I have just subscribed to your newsletter and would love to be put into the draw to possibly win a copy. I live in Victoria, Australia. Kind regards, Jenny.

Hi Jenny – and welcome!

You are definitely into the draw – good luck!

I am one week into AIP- I have rheumatoid arthritis and am hoping to get it better under control through diet+lifestyle changes. Before I started this, my favorite cookbook was Julia Child’s ‘Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” I would LOVE Sophie’s book to keep healing, nutrient dense French cuisine in my kitchen 🙂 I also second the comment above that crepes would be the first recipe I try!! I’m in the USA.

Hey Becca – well done on one week of the protocol! It gets easier as you find your groove.

I’m a fan of Julia, too – best of luck in the draw.

I would love to win this cookbook! I have been on the AIP diet since May and I feel much better. But I literally eat the same things day in and day out. I don’t own even one paleo cookbook! This would open up a new world of flavor and options ‘s for me. I live in The US. Thanks for this opportunity!

Hi Stephanie – Congrats on staying the course since May!

Good luck in the draw!

Hi! I am a working mom who was diagnosed with Crohns in March of this year. I began AIP in June and have seen healing. Having a cookbook of go recipes will be so helpful when meal planning and to stay on track!

Hi Liz – Where in the world are you?

Good luck!

I am from Carlisle, PA

I have heard/read such wonderful reviews of Sophie’s book that I would love to try it! I’m from the USA.

Hello Molly in the US! Sophie is a legend!

good luck in the draw!

Gotta be in to win! It’s a few more weeks until I will have fully transitioned to AIP. Missing some “past” foods from time to time so inspiration from anywhere is most appreciated. So far the recipes I have tried from AIP people have been wonderful. I believe it is because so much love and even desperation 🙂 to make a dish tasty and full of nourishment has been put into each recipe. Would love to try these recipes. I will start with the Ratatouille. Thanks Joanna from me in NZ!

Hey Felicity across the ditch!

I promise that you will not be disappointed in the ratatouille. It seriously rocks!

Best of luck.

I would love to win. I’m here in the US (Indiana) and Sophie has great recipes that are delicious! Thank you!

Hello Rebecca from Indiana!

Best of luck in the draw!

Alexandra Chappell

Hi Jo! This is Alexandra from the good ol’ USA. I am an avid cook, though I’m new to AIP and looking for some inspiration with these resteictions. This seems like the PERFECT place to start! If that ratatouille is any sign, this cookbook will be amazing to play with!

Hey Alexandra! The ratatouille rocks! – and Sophie’s book is seriously fab’.

Best of luck!

Hi Joanna, while I’ve been finding foodie inspiration for typical western substitutes pretry easily, but it would be amazing to have some European inspo for my AIP adventure.
Mikal.

Hey Mikal! How are you?

Sophie IS an inspiration, especially with the French foods!

Good luck.

I’m always looking for new AIP ideas , and I love Sophie’s blog! (Writing from USA)

Hey Krista from the USA – best of luck in the giveaway!

Hi!
I’m new to the AIP/alternative medicine world and am in the process of discovering healing through changing my diet and lifestyle. I love how the Simple French Paleo cookbook shows how to incorporate this approach to wholeness in a very “normal” way. Food is such a communal aspect of life. Learning how to cook in such a way as to invite others into my healing process through following fun recipes that family and friends are familiar with sure would help!

Hi Annika – I like the way you think!

Where in the world are you?

Best of luck!

Wilma de Swart-Koevermans

Hi,
During my holidau in Sicily last week I met a very nice Belgium girl (I am from The Netherlands). We talked about healthy lifestyles and I mentioned I appreciate the Paleo style so much. Theb she told me about her aunt who wrote this book. So, what a coincidence!!! I would love to recieve a copy and be inspired more.
Thanks!!

I LOVE this story, Wilma! WHAT a small world!

Best of luck in the draw.

Hi Joanna,
I would be ever so grateful to win a copy of Simply French Paleo as I have absolutely no idea how to cook anything French and an e copy would be perfect to have on my phone so as to pick a recipe on my way home from work! Yes, I’m odd like that ?
Thanks
Tanya Sutton

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