Oh so yummy…this week we’re creating “Beef Poppers & Sauce” which can serve as both a main course or as a fun appetizer—it’s up to you. These great little poppers are also a great grab-and-go protein snack for anytime you’re on the run. You can even spend some extra time creating a stock of them to freeze for that quick meal necessity in the future.

Ingredients: (serves approx. 8-12)

• 2 lbs. pounds grass-finished ground beef
• 2 Tbsp. organic ground pepper
• 1/2 tsp. organic cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp. organic chili pepper
• 2 tsp. organic coconut oil
• 1/4 cup minced organic onion
• 1/4 cup minced organic celery
• 1/4 cup minced pecans

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line an 11 x 17 inch rimmed baking pan with parchment paper.

In medium mixing bowl, combine beef, pepper, cayenne, & chili powder—thoroughly mix; set aside for now.

Melt the coconut oil in a large ceramic skillet over medium heat and add onions & celery; cook until they’re translucent (approx. 4 minutes); add the pecans and sauté for another 2 minutes—set mixture aside until mixture is cooled enough to handle.

Combine the cooled mixture with the meat and form into approx. 24 poppers (meatballs), 1 inch in size.

Place meatballs on the lined baking pan and bake 30-35 minutes.

Serve warm with following sauce:

• 4 Tbsp. organic lemon juice
• 2 organic garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp ground organic cumin
• 1/2 tsp sweet organic paprika
• 1 pinch organic cayenne pepper
• 1/8 tsp. Himalayan salt
• 1/3 cup organic extra virgin olive oil
• 4 Tbsp organic minced fresh cilantro