Gluten Free Waffles

On Saturday and Sunday's we love to cook brunch at our house. This normally consist of bacon, sausage, and eggs for my husband and I, and pancakes or waffles with eggs for the girls. When we started eating Paleo we tried several versions of pancakes and waffles, but none compared to what we had been used to eating. We had been buying Pamela's mix for the girls, but I wanted to try something different, and a little bit more healthier than the normal mix you find in the stores. We have made this recipe twice, and has been a hit with my girls and we even cheated and ate one each. Although, this is not at all the normal "Paleo" recipe I would post, it is a more healthier of an option for a gluten free waffle that you will find online, or buy in the store. They are also the best out of all the recipes that we have tried so far! 

Ingredients:

• 3 teaspoons of baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp Himalania Pink salt
• 1 cup of brown rice
• 1/2 cup of Potato starch
• 1/4 cup tapioca flour
• 1/2 cup of coconut oil
• 1 1/2 cup of Coconut Milk
• 2 tsp honey
• 1/2 teaspoon of Baking soda
• 3 eggs

Directions:

Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl, and slowly mix in wet ingredients. Cook on low in waffle machine. 

Serve and enjoy!

Strawberry Banana Spinach Smoothie

Spring is in the air, or should be at least. All the updates on Fb from around the country keep telling me that it is. People are grilling, and drinking fruit smoothies as the weather gets warmer. Portland has yet to warm up. The only signs of spring are the birds, and the slow bloom of our cherry blossom trees, and tulips. Of course it is still cold, and we are prepared for the cooler weather and rain until early July, which then we will join the rest of the country in summer weather, and the joys of warm summer grilling parties next to the pool. 

When my friend posted a similar recipe, "Green Monster Spinach Smoothie" that she made, it only reminded how much I loved the warmer weather, and sipping on smoothies. Immediately, I sliced and froze my bananas. This recipe is packed full of nutrients, and could serve as a meal. I tweaked a few ingredients, to make it more Paleo friendly, and added strawberries, and a hint of cocoa. 

Every ingredient in this recipe, is a power food, and good for you. It was a great afternoon treat for my girls too. All three, drank it up and have been begging for more. Perhaps, breakfast tomorrow will be served with an egg, and this tasty treat!

Ingredients:

• 1 sliced frozen banana
• 1 cup of sliced Strawberries
• 1 tablespoon of Almond Butter
• 1/2 cup of Plain 0% Greek Yogurt
• 1 cup of Coconut milk, unsweetened
• 5 cups of baby spinach
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1/2 tablespoon of 100% pure Maple Syrup
• 1 heaping spoon of Cocoa Powder

Directions:
In a blender combine all ingredients, and puree until desired consistency.


Serve and Enjoy!

Carrot Macadamia Coconut Honey Raw Balls

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Recently I saw a photo posted from Foodie and the Family for Carrot Cake  Bites, courtesy of Daily Bites.


The recipe and photo inspired me to make a special treat for my kids and husband! We have been very cautious as what nuts we use, and have been favoring Macadamia nuts these days due to the omega 6:3 ratio. Macadamia nuts also contains all essential amino acids, and contains healthy fibers. Overall they are best for us!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of Macadamia nuts
• 1/3 cup of Unsweetened Coconut shredded
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup of Honey, depends on desire of sweetness
• One carrot shredded, about 1/3 of a cup.
• 10 dates pitted, and soaked in water for 5 minutes to soften
• 1 tablespoon of Olive Oil
• 2 tablespoon of Coconut to roll balls in

Directions:


In a blender process Macadamia Nuts, and then simply individually add each item. Roll into tiny balls and then on a plate roll spread enough shredded coconut and roll to coat!


Serve and enjoy! Pin It

CocaoCoco-nut Raw Balls

I had the pleasure of taking a trip to Boulder Co, recently and visited a little coffee shop called the Unseen Bean. To my surprise they had candy, caramels made out of coconut, and little Raw balls made by Simply Dara. I picked out my choice of candies and one Raw Ball, to take home and share with my husband, which never made it home because I indulged myself on my plane trip back home.

Skip forward to Sunday, I knew that I wanted to make these balls, and all I had was the ingredients but not the measurements of the the recipe. So off to whole foods we went. This recipe is my first try and pretty good, but it is really rich. My husband insist it is a winner, but I am wondering if it may be too sweet, and will revisit and revise this recipe and add a little less agave.

You can flavor this differently, and next time I am thinking of using a Cherry extract to just for fun.
The time it took me was only ten minutes, and the balls were done, and better yet there was no cooking time. The girls were able to snack on it immediately, with no fears of food poisoning from raw eggs.
And all around these Balls were a great winters treat, with no guilt.

Ingredients

• 1 cup walnuts 
• 1 cup slivered blanched almonds
• 1 cup dried dates, separately
• 1/2 cup cocoa nibs blended
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder (1 tbls cocoa)
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 agave
• 1/2 Cup of Coconut flakes

(Note this recipe is very sweet, so at first I would add less Agave, and if desired add more to until you get to the 1/3 cup.)

Place 1 cup of walnuts in the food processor and use setting on the blender "chop". Add almonds, Cocoa Nibs, and then place the dry ingredient's in a medium to large bowl. Add one cup of dates to the food processor, and puree, until it is almost a paste. Add to the bowl and all wet ingredients, and stir well, until the mixture is all mixed well. 


Next step is a little messy because dough will be sticky, but roll into balls. On a plate, or flat surface spread out Coconut flakes. Roll the balls in flakes, until covered on all sides. 


Serve and indulge, and enjoy!!! Remember these are very rich, and you will only need just a little!

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

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.

Banana Pancakes

Banana Pancakes

I am pancake snob. You have coffee snobs, wine conesures and then me the pancake-connoisseur-snob. I am on the search for the perfect Paleo Pancake, and have yet to find one or make one. Out of all the recipes that we have tried so far none of compared to my beloved Saturday morning pancakes. 

This recipe is close to my liking! Out of all the Almond Flour recipes that I have tried online so far, the consistency of the batter is closes to pancakes. They are not to salty, the do not fall apart, no crumbling. What I would do next time is take out the Apple Cider Vinegar. My kids and their friends asked for seconds, so it does past the kid test.

As a pancake-conesures-snob, I rate this pancake recipe at a 7 out of 10. So far the other Almond flour recipes I have tried rated at a 3, so that is not to shabby! 

• 2 cups Almond Flour 
• 2 Whole eggs
• 2 Egg yokes
• 1/4 teaspoon of Celtic Sea Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of Baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of Maple extract
• 1/2 cup of Pure Maple Syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar (optional)
• 1/2 cup of Almond Milk
• 1 mashed Banana!!
• 1 tablespoon of melted butter ( optional)

When measuring with a 1/4 cup Makes 14 to 15 pancakes. 

Takes a while to cook on each side, I would recommend 3 to 5 minutes, on low to medium heat on each side. If the heat is too high, almond flour will burn easily.

Fluffy! 

Stacked and ready to eat

Garnished or accessorized? 

Notice if heat is too high, almond flour easily burns

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Broccoli Bacon Soup

It has been a while since my last post. We have been cooking, and taking photos, and chasing our kids! Mainly chasing kids! Which is why I love this recipe that I am about to share with you today! It is fast, and loaded full of vitamins. It took me under 35 minutes to prepare the whole dish.

Green Goodness!

Recently, I went over to a girlfriends house for a fun night of Bunco, and indulged in a delicious blueberry muffin. The recipe, was from the new cookbook My Father's Daughter, by Gwyneth Paltrow. Everyone knows that I have a deep love of cooking and cookbooks, I would consider it more of an obsession, to be honest.

Last week, I bought the book, and made an amazing broccoli  soup. Broccoli soup was more of an experiment to see if my daughters would eat the broccoli, with no complaints. It was a pleasant surprise when they devoured their bowls with no complaints. They loved this soup, so much they had two servings. I did modify it, it a little. Next time to add more life to the soup I will add diced tomato. We will be making more of it this week, and freezing it.

• 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil, Napa
• 2 teaspoons of Granulated Garlic, or you could use 3 fresh garlic cloves sliced
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 3 Medium Broccoli stalks, cut into small florets
• 32 ounces of Chicken Broth, or Vegetable stock
• 1 teaspoon of Celtic Salt
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 5 slices of cooked bacon (omit for vegan option)
• 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, or sprinkle of Parmesan cheese (optional, if dairy free)

This recipe is really simple. In a skillet add olive oil, and then toss in onion, broccoli, granulated garlic. Cook on medium high for ten minutes to fifteen minutes, until broccoli is green and tender but firm. In a dutch oven, add the broccoli mixture, broth, salt and pepper. Then use the skillet to fry up the bacon. While bacon is cooking simmer soup mixture on a medium high for ten minutes, and then add bacon and heat at a medium for ten more minutes.

Pour soup into a large bowl, and puree. I use my Cuisinart Smart Stick Hand Blender. 

Serve and enjoy!

Messy looking, but tasty

Two thumbs up from our picky eater!

Thumbs up from V

My family loved this recipe so much it was gone as quickly as it was made.

Coconut Flour Brownies

Organic Coconut Flour Brownies

Did you know that Chocolate is a super food? Chocolate has tremendous health benefits that can not be ignored. So Eat up! Eat for your heart, eat for your memory, eat it for your health!

Below is a brownie recipe that I made yesterday. It is not yet perfected, but if I promise I will be making a new and improved batch this week. It was still very delicious. I was not a fan of the Agauve so I may try Applesauce or stick with regular sugar, and would like to replace the olive oil with Grapeseed oil, coconut oil, or Walnut Oil next time!

• About 1 cup of Olive oil, give or take.
• 1 cup of Cocoa Powder
• 12 eggs or equivalent egg substititute. 
• 1/2 cup of Agauve
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 1 tsp of Vanilla extract
• 1 cup of Coconut Flour ( Lets Do… Organic)
• hand full of chocolate chips and walnuts if desired.

Pre- heat oven to 350. Whisk eggs and add olive oil, extract, and aguave. Stir, and add Cocoa Powder and coconut flour. Finally add chocolate chips and walnuts!

This was a good brownie mix and was gone in a days time. It is just not my all time best! To me it tasted like a healthy brownie! All in all, this recipe would get 7 starts out of 10. Stay tune for more brownie recipes to follow!

We did have a fun time making the brownies, which is the main reason I cook, and that is to enjoy the experience with my family. Below I included some pictures. Violet even got into the mixing!

Chocolate Coconut Ice Cream Pie

Chocolate Coconut Ice Cream Pie
Yum Yum!

Pie crust

• 2 cups Almond flour
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
• 2 1/2 tablespoons of Cocoa powder
• 2 1/2 tablespoons of Irish creme Agave
• 1 teaspoon of Vanilla extract
• 4 tablespoons of cold butter 

1. In a medium bowl mix Blanched Almond Flour, salt, baking soda, cocoa powder.
2. Mix in Agave, vanilla extract and butter with a fork.
3. Spread into pie pan with hand
4. Chill in refrigerator for 15 minutes
5. Preheat oven at 350
6. bake for 10 minutes
7. Cool and place in freezer

Pie crust mix

I had a hard time getting the butter to mix in. I am thinking about leaving the butter out and letting it soften to room temp.

Ice Cream Filling

Ice Cream Filling

• 1 tablespoon of bowling water
• 2 teaspoons of coffee instant
• 3/4 cup of chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons of coconut milk
• 1 Pint Naked Coconut 
• 1 pint Dark Chocolate  Luna & Larry's Organic Coconut Bliss

1. In a small bowl heat a tablespoon of water in the microwave for a minute, and dissolve a packet of Via coffee. 
2. On stove top heat in a saucepan 3/4 cup of chocolate chips, and add 2 tablespoons of coconut milk. 
3. Add melted chocolate mixture into a small bowl with the coffee that has now dissolved into the water.
4. In frozen bowl mix the two variety of ice creams and add 3 Tablespoons of chocolate/ coffee mixture. 
5. Spoon ice Cream filling into the Pie, 
6. then cover and freeze for 3 to 4 hours.

I told my husband two Chocolate and this is what he brought home! So we improvise!

Chocolate goodness!

After filling Pie with Ice Cream, I smoothed top with a Cake smoother tool, and drizzled on a little of the extra melted Chocolate.