Asian Pear Spaghetti Squash Pomegranate Salad

    
            
What is that expression.. iimitation is the sincerest of flattery.
These last two post, seem to be inspired by my latest trip to Colorado. Once again, Denver has it right, with the fine dining, and gluten free alternatives, Root Down is an amazing restaurant, with an awesome menu. My recipe here is inspired by a dish that I ate, while at Root Down.   With some simple tweaks, by omitting the Star Anise Vinaigrette sauce because it had rice and making my own little vinaigrette, and using an aged Cheddar I was wanting to create a dish that would satisfy my craving until I can get back for a visit! 


I felt slightly hesitant that my family wouldn't love this dish as much as I did. My husband who does not like Spaghetti squash loves this dish, and had seconds, and will be taking some to work tomorrow. It turned out amazing, even though we were unable to make it precisely the same.


Ingredients


1 Spaghetti Squash
2 Asian Pears (sliced)
4 Tablespoons of Pomegranate
1 cup of Candy Walnuts (paleo Recipe here)
3/4 cup of sliced mushrooms
2 garlic cloves
2 Chicken Breast (if desired, but not needed)
Kosher Salt
Pepper
4 tablespoons of Olive oil 
1 tablespoon of butter
4 cups of Arugula


Dressing
1/2 cup of olive oil
2 tablespoons of Balsamic vinaigrette
1/4 tsp of pink Himalayan salt 
Dash of pepper
2 teaspoons of lemon juice ( fresh squeezed)
Dash of granulated garlic


Pre- heat oven for 425 degrees, and roast Spaghetti Squash 45 minutes to an hour. If you are new to roasting Spaghetti Squash I have a standard recipe here. This is great time to salt and pepper your chicken and bake it covered for 30 minutes or until done. 


While Spaghetti Squash is roasting, roast your sliced pears for 10 to15 minutes. Sprinkle one tablespoon of olive oil or grape seed oil on top, to keep moist.

Start Candied Walnuts. 

Saute diced garlic, and sliced mushrooms in one tablespoon of butter for ten minutes. 


Once Spaghetti squash is roasted, and soft. Take your fork along the inside of the squash, and shave out the squash. 

Layer, the squash on the bottom adding all the other ingredients as you desire them. Add cheese if you chose, we used Kerrygold Dubliner cheese, Toss and serve!

Powerful Antioxidants, and adds so much color to this dish!

Gluten- Free Molten Cake

Serve as a Holiday treat!

My downfall is my sweet-tooth. I crave chocolate all the time, everyday, and could eat it all day, to fill a craving that can never be really filled. It is not necessarily the chocolate that I am craving. The texture, temperature play a part in filling my craving too. This cake hits that craving. It can be served chilled, or warm right out of the oven.

Moist, but thick, sweet, and very rich, this dessert is sure to please. This dish is sure to be a holiday treat, and can be dressed with Almond whipped cream, or would go well with a homemade cherry sauce. Or Serve as dessert with a coffee. 

Ingredients

• 6 ounces of Bittersweet Chocolate, chopped
• 6 tablespoons of Butter
• 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
• 4 large egg whites
• 1/4 tsp of cream of tartar
• 2 tablespoons of Coconut Sugar

1. Melt Chocolate and butter in a small sauce pan, remove from heat, and pour in a medium sized bowl.
2. Add cocoa
3. In a deep small bowl, carefully separate egg whites, and beat on high speed the cream of tartar, and egg whites. until you form white peaks. 
4. Add coconut sugar
5. 
   
6. Preheat,  oven to 400 degrees, and cook for about 8 minutes. You can put into muffin cups, or a 9 inch classic round.

Sweet Potato Carrot Soup

Nothing reminds me more of autumn, than warm bowls of delicious stews and harvest soups. Now is a great season for carrots and Carrot soup is one of my favorite soups to make. It is a hearty soup that is sure to satisfy your taste buds, fill your belly up, on the first serving. Best of all it is a quick dish to make and fairly inexpensive. This dish made around 20 servings for my family, and we have eaten for lunch for several days now. I am unsure if it can be freeze due to the Yogurt? If anyone does know the answer to this feel free to leave a comment below.

• 2 1/2 pounds peeled or scrubbed, chopped carrots
• 4 cups vegetable stock
• 1 cup of water
• 1 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 2 medium sweet potatoes, chopped (optional, for heartier soup)
• 3-4 tablespoons Kerrygold butter
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1-2 small cloves crushed garlic
• 1/3 cup Almond Flour
• dash of Kosher salt
• 1 cup of Greek Yogurt, plain
• 1 tbsp of Honey
• 1 tsp of nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon dried mint (I bought mint tea at the grocery store, and cut open the bag)
• 1/2 tsp of cinnamon
• and 1 tbsp of grated ginger (optional)

1. In your dutch oven melt butter and saute onion, and garlic for 6 minutes or until onion is clear. Add salt, and potatoes and carrots, and saute for five more minutes.
2. Add stock and water, and bring to a boil. Should take 15 to 20 minutes or until the carrots and potatoes are tender. 
3. Mix soup in a blender, by transferring carefully, I would probably cool the soup if I were to use this method. Or you can carefully mix with a handheld mixer if you are in a hurry. Definitely wear an apron for this, and do not burn yourself!
4. Stir in Almond flour, Greek yogurt, honey, and all the rest of the dry ingredients. 

Serve and enjoy!

Quick facts about the health benefits to this soup..

• Carrots are rich in antioxidant nutrient beta-carotene, and polyacetylenes as phytonutrients that can help inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells, provides cardioprotective benefits, vision health, Anti-Cancer Benefits,
•  Sweet Potatoes have Anti-Inflammatory Nutrients. They can also regulates blood sugars, and has beta-carotene, an antioxidant that converts to vitamin A in your body and switches on DNA that's in charge of producing new skin cells and shedding old ones.
• Garlic, acts as an natural antibiotic, which has allicin and dilly sulfides. Again garlic is a powerful antioxidant.
• Greek Yogurt has twice as much protein as regular, packed with calcium and live bacterial cultures.
• Almonds are high in monounsaturated Lower LDL-Cholesterol and Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease, full of vitamin E. Almonds Provide Double-Barreled Protection against Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease
• Eating Nuts Lowers Risk of Weight Gain
• Manganese, Copper & Riboflavinâ Provides more assistance with energy production
• Daily consumption of almonds help you eat a healthier diet
• Almonds Help Prevent Gallstones

Halibut Tomato Zucchini Roast

A brief apology for my two month absence. Summer has flown by so fast and I have been chasing three active girls around, losing track of all time. We have still been trying to follow close to our Paleo diet, but I have found myself slacking and consuming more sugars from fruits and chocolates than I would like to admit.

In an attempt to get our eating back on the right track, I am trying to focus more on fresh seasonal produce, which is not hard when you live in Oregon. This time of year fresh produce is abundant and inexpensive.

Courtesy of Rachel Coward

 When they said Eat the Rainbow, I am sure those researchers must have been thinking of the typical Oregonian Diet. Tomatoes are also a excellent source of antioxidants that can protect your skin against UV's , and is a great anti-aging vegetable.

Halibut Tomato Zucchini Roast

• 1/3 Cup of Olive Oil + 1 tbsp of Olive oil
• 2 (10) ounces of heirloom Sweet tomatoes
• 1 cup of Mushrooms
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 juice of lemon
• 1 Zucchini
• 1 Pound of Halibut
• 1 tsp red pepper
• dash of Kosher salt
• dash of black pepper 
• 1 tsp. peppercorn
• 4 ounces of goat cheese
• Fresh torn spinach leaves about 7

Pre- Heat oven to 350

Steps

1. Slice Tomatoes lengthwise in halves
2. Slice mushrooms 
3. Slice garlic cloves lengthwise
4. Pour 1/3 c. of olive oil in a dutch oven
5. Place halibut in and rub olive oil on fillet
6. Sprinkle red pepper on and peppercorn
7. Squeeze lemon about half
8. Pour remaining ingredients, tomatoes, garlic, zucchini
9. Sprinkle with salt and pepper
10. Squeeze remaining lemon
11. Line a deep platter with Fresh torn spinach leaves

Bake @ 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. Or until fully cooked but still tender. Stir in Goat Cheese. Serve and enjoy!!! 

Halibut, olive oil, and garlic

Slice Tomatoes and Mushrooms lengthwise in halves

Spicin it up

Fresh Seasonal Zucchini, and tomatoes

Bake 350

Opt for fresh organic spices!

creating a recipe!

Slice and stir in, I used 4 ounces

And Eat

Hearty Healthy Chicken Soup

A Chicken soup to savor!

When it is chilly outside, and you have a cold,  there is nothing more soothing than a nice warm bowl of Chicken Soup. For generations chicken soup has been said to assist the body in the healing process. For years I wondered if this was a myth told by my grandmother or a fact. Does chicken soup heal the body and soul?

According to a study done by University of Nebraska Medical Center, it does heal the body. Chicken noodle soup has anti-inflammatory properties, Neutrophil, that when activated may sooth that sore throat and assist in taking away some of the common miseries that are associated with cold and flu symptoms. 

The vegetables are an amazing source of vitamins and antioxidants! This soup has added sweet potato to replace the noodles, which adds vitamin A, vitamin C, and potassium to this dish. Carrots and zucchini, which again gives the body a boost of vitamin A , and also provides cardio-protective benefits. All beneficial when you are feeling ill. 

Ingredients

• 1 zucchini 
• 8 medium carrots 
• 2 chicken breast (vegetarians leave out!)
• 2 (32oz) of low sodium Chicken broth (vegetable broth, or water)
• 1 cup of onion
• 2 medium sweet potatoes
• 16 small vine tomato
• Organic All Spice
• Olive Oil
• Sea Salt and pepper
• 16 ounces of water

Step One.

Rinse and pat chicken, slice thinly and season with salt and pepper. Slice tomatoes, thinly, line the bottom of a baking dish with tomatoes and olive oil, layer chicken on top, and top with remainder of tomatoes.  Top with a tablespoon of olive oil. Bake at 275 for 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Slow roasted chicken and tomatoes for the soup

Step Two.

Pour broth and water into a stock pot. Add sliced vegetables, chicken, tomatoes, and spices. Bring to a slow boil over medium high for 15 minutes, and then simmer until vegetables are tender. 

Antioxidants! 

Serve and enjoy!

Chunky Tomato Soup

Portland grey skies never seem to leave us, until July. With cool temperatures, overcast clouds, some days I want to curl up and read a book next to a fireplace, enjoying coffees, teas, and warm bowls of soup for dinners. 

I love soups. They can be so versatile, flavorful, and simple to make. You can slow cook them, and allow the aroma's  fill your home. They are filling, and easy to use for leftovers!

Hold the Bread Please

• 1 Onion
• 3 Garlic Cloves
• Handful of Basil leaves
• 4 (14.2 ounce) cans of Diced Tomatoes 
• 16 slow roasted tomatoes
• Kosher Sea Salt
• Black pepper
• 2 sprigs of Rosemary
• 1/4 cup of Olive oil

Dice Onion, and garlic. Heat olive oil, onions, and garlic in a dutch oven over medium heat for ten minutes. Add tomatoes, salt, rosemary, basil, slow roasted tomatoes, salt and pepper. Turn down heat, and simmer for 20 minutes.

This soup is chunky and thick. If you like a thinner soup, feel free to add a cup of water.

Slow Roasted makes this soup amazing

Fresh Garden Herbs add intensity and flavors to the dish

Dice and simmer for ten minutes

Add bacon instead of bread, for a complete meal!

Roasted Tomatoes

Slow Roasted Tomatoes

I hate to admit that I have been sort of lazy this summer, and not wanting to cook much. I have been staying away from the more complicated dishes and trying to stick to the basic easy to cook dishes.

This recipe was so simple, and can turn ordinary dishes into the extraordinary dishes! Add it to salads, pizza, marinara, scrambled eggs, or my sun-dried-feta-cauliflower ,or even soups! I found myself snacking on them, because they store easily!

Loaded with tons of Antioxidant goodness!

• 16 Vine-ripened tomatoes 
• Two tablespoons of olive oil
• Kosher Sea salt

Preheat oven to 275.
Slice tomato's 1/2 inch each and place tomatoes on to parchment paper on a baking sheet. Lightly drizzle olive oil on top, and sprinkle lightly salt. Roast for 3 hours.

Make sure to chill the tomatoes before refrigerating. You can easily store these for up to a week, in a Ziploc bag.

Sun-dried Feta Cauliflower

Sun-dried Feta Cauliflower

• 2 cups of Cauliflower
• 1/2 cup of sun-dried tomato
• 1/4 cup of feta cheese or goat cheese
• Sprinkle of oregano, basil, garlic powder, and thyme

1. Steam cauliflower.
2. In sauce pan add Cauliflower, Sun-dried tomato's, feta and spices,
3. Serve and savor!

Berry Summer Salad

I love summer Berry Much. What better way to celebrate warmer temperatures than by enjoying a light summer salad, topped with natures antioxidant goodness!

• 1 Cup of Rasperries
• 1 Cup of Blackberries
• Avocado
• several sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 6 cups of Fresh Spring Mix or Spinach
• 1/2 cup of Goat Cheese or Feta Cheese
• 3 Tablespoons of Napa Valley Naturals Olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons of Oilerie Balsamic Vinaigrette aged 25 years
• a dash of salt

This is a simple recipe.

Toss leaves in a bowl. Toss on top the rinsed fruit and diced avocado. Add Cheese. In a small bowl add Olive oil, and balsamic, and a pinch of salt. Stir well and add to salad.

This can be topped with any not that you choose. Goes excellent with Chicken as well!

Serve and Enjoy!

Greek Strawberry Salad (Tracey Original!)

Today was a perfect day in Portland! A high of 70 degrees, with the sun shining all day. My daughter had a play date and had been playing all day long. They were playing Cinderella, and cleaned the kid table outside off, and placed fresh picked flowers in a bowl. 

The simplest joys in life are the best!

For snack I made Fresh Greek Strawberry salad for the girls! And of course they loved this sweet and cool snack after playing outdoors all day long!

4 cups of Fresh Sliced Strawberries

1 Tablespoon of honey, or Maple Syrup

1 tablespoon shaved coconut

6 tablespoons of Greek Honey Yogurt

1 Banana

Slice the strawberries and toss in a medium sized bowl, stir in sweetener, Yogurt, coconut, and sliced banana.

Chill for twenty minutes.

Serve and enjoy!