A few days after I ended my food challenge Matt casually mentioned to me that there was a paleo food truck that stopped near our office. OMG Wha??! I remember clearly. He told me Tuesday afternoon that it came on Tuesdays. The next Tues I would be on vacation, so I would have to wait until the following Tues to check it out. That was this past Tuesday. Unfortunately, my whole 30 partner Smita was out on Tues, so I cajoled my boss to try it out. My decidedly non-paleo boss.
Outside the Box camps out in the Crossfit Amped parking lot, across the street from the Bellevue Hyatt (south side of the Hyatt). Simple offering of entrees: pork belly; pork carnitas; turkey adobo something or other. Boss and and I both got the pork belly, served with cauliflower rice and steamed kale. I also ordered a side of plantains.
The plantains were tasty, with a familiar-to-paleo-eaters coconut aftertaste, I presume from the oil used to roast or bake them, but was a bit of a surprise to the boss. Yummy.
For the entree, Boss’ reaction: “Are you not allowed some salt on paleo?” So, the veggies, not really seasoned. The pork was also a little chewy but, I mean it is a food truck. I liked it. I didn’t notice a lack of seasoning, but then, I have been on a steady diet that includes kale and cauliflower for a while now.
She came by my desk later and asked, “what was that white stuff?”
“Um, cauliflower rice? You, like shred, but don’t pulverize the cauliflower? Then you cook it? And it sorta looks like rice?” Boss just nodded. She’s Korean, and I suspect she was thinking what I’ve said a hundred times. It’s not rice. It’s just cauliflower.
Fun to see it from a non paleo perspective. I will try the pork carnitas next time. And will get those plantains again.
On a side note, speaking of cauliflower … The husband recently bought some frozen cauliflower, and the other night steamed it alongside some butternut squash. A little odd, since the kiddo doesn’t like butternut squash, none of us like frozen cauliflower … so … Thanks? I took the steamed veggies and mashed them together. Only tasted so-so. Seasoned heavily with salt. Mildly better. Added a tbsp of butter. Dramatically better … And all for me since no matter what the kid will not touch butternut squash. I finished the leftovers this morning, alongside my egg/egg-white omelet laced with a cilantro chutney. Tasty.
***addendum***
I’ve been back to Outside The Box a few times. Always get the pork carnitas. And those delicious plantains. Kind of indulgent, but I’m ok with that.
I even have a punch card 😐