11.10.13

GF Flourless Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (say that 10 times fast!!)

So now that Im a stay at home mom (till December!!),
I should be trying..
maybe more like attempting..
to do more things around the house
like laundry....sigh.
I know, when he sleeps I should too
but what happens when you have a coffee at noon
and then hes sleeping by 1pm?
Why you bake cookies,
thats what!

So throw a load of laundry in and then make these
simple
peanutty*
sure to hit the spot of any chocolate craving
cookies!


(*note: I used the recipe from this site called Tasty Kitchen http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/flourless-peanut-butter-oatmeal-chocolate-chip-cookies-2/
but I lowered the sugar(and used coconut sugar) since I used reg peanut butter which has lots of sugar in it (I find anyways). ALSO she said to switch the peanut butter for any nut butter of your choice for peanut nut allergies, but not tree nut allergies!)



Preheat oven to 350

You will need:

2/3 cups GF rolled oats (I use Bobs Red Mill)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup peanut butter (or any nut butter)
1/3 cup coconut sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons Vanilla
2/3 cup chocolate chips (I used semi sweet)

How to:

In a small bowl mix Oats with baking soda
Set aside

in a large bowl mix
the peanut butter, sugar, eggs
vanilla with a wisk until 
smooth

with a wooden spoon stir in oat/soda mix
then fold in chocolate chips

on a large baking sheet 
with a piece of parchement paper
roll dough into 2 inch balls
place 1 inch apart

bake for 9-11 min
until edges are slightly brown/golden
they will continue to cook once out of the oven
allow to cool on tray for 2-5 min
and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely

enjoy!!





4.10.13

GF easy homemade yumma pockets

I created this recipe
from pinning on Pinterest
I kept seeing all these yumma recipes for 
puffed pastry stuffed deliciousness
and since I do not have the time to make
let alone I don't even know where to find
 Gluten Free puff pastry 
I decided Bobs Red Mill Pizza Crust Mix
would probably be just fine...

I WAS RIGHT!! 



You will need:

1 package Bobs Red Mill Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix
(2 eggs, 1 1/2 cups warm water, 2 tbsp olive oil) 

Filling:

1/2 lb ground beef 
3/4 cup your favorite spaghetti sauce
mozzarella cheese cut into 2 inch rectangles 1 inch thick (about 12/15 pieces)
italian seasoning
s & p

Before Baking:

1 egg scrambled
s & p

How to:
Follow directions on pizza crust mix package
allow to rise for 20 min covered with plastic wrap
meanwhile...
saute ground beef
season with italian seasoning and 
s & p
once cooked thru
place in bowl and mix with sauce
let cool

on a pizza pan
drizzle olive oil
using a paper towel
spread on the pan evenly

with wet hands (dough wont stick to you)
take about a palm full of dough
flatten in your hands
place 2 pieces of cheese on dough
add 1.5 tablespoons of meat mixture
one more piece of cheese on top (if it will fit)
and close up dough into a pizza pocket shape
 (you may have to add more dough to close it
be creative here and just work with it!!)
should make 5/6 pockets

preheat oven to 425
using a basting brush
paint on scrambled egg over each pocket

bake for 20/25 min
eat with sliced cucumbers 
or a nice salad

wonderful the next day reheated in the toaster oven
or eat cold!

enjoy!!

GF Oven Crispy Chicken Fingers

I'm back!!
After a long time no blogging I've decided to 
post a few recipes that I have been eating at home
Now that Im a Mama!
When G is sleeping in the afternoon
I have found myself making dinner
Surprising myself and my main squeeze!!

Here is a Gluten Free
super easy,
super fast dinner recipe
that I have made numerous times now
and serve with a huge side salad (gotta get your veggies!!)



You will need:

2-4 chicken breasts cut into strips
(or buy chicken fillets, already in strips!)
1 egg
1/2 cup tapioca flour
1/2 cup rice bread crumbs
3 tbsp italian seasoning blend 
2 tbsp granulated garlic
2 tbsp smoked paprika
s & p

How to:

Preheat oven to 400
line a baking sheet with foil
Set up a breading station:
3 shallow bowls in a row
and place baking sheet at end

bowl #1
tapioca flour
smoked paprika
s & p
mix well with a fork

bowl #2
scramble egg
s & p

bowl #3
bread crumbs
Italian seasoning
granulated garlic
mix well with a fork

take chicken strip
coat in bowl #1
coat in bowl #2
then coat and press in breadcrumb mix in bowl #3
place on baking sheet

continue until all chicken is coated

bake for 20-25 minutes

serve with mayo for dipping 
or ranch dressing

enjoy!


7.8.12

I love burgers

So I admit
I LOVE BURGERS!
There! I said it!!
I could probably eat a burger everyday if I really wanted to.
And when im talking burgers.. Im coming from a gluten free way and not having it with a bun
Something about all the different ways to flavor the ground beef/chicken/turkey just gets me excited...
is that weird?? a little.. ill admit! haha!

anyways one of my favorite burger to make is 
Turkey Spinach
ONLY if I get to the Tuesday market however and pick up
fresh ground turkey from Hilltop Farms
Something about their freshly ground meat that just makes these burgers so so good!

Now, I only made this recipe because of one of my best gal pals 
introduced me to frozen boxed spinach....
P.
She is a great cook/bartender (makes a wicked punch)
And has a young son, so she sneaks frozen spinach into everything she can!
She had a bbq and made wicked burgers with spinach in it
So whenever I add frozen spinach into anything now 
I refer to it as A la P

Turkey Spinach Burgers A la P

you will need:

1lb of fresh ground turkey 
1 egg
1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
4 tbsp yellow mustard
2 tbsp Epicures French Onion dip mix
1/2 cup pasta sauce (I like classico tomato pesto)
fresh cracked pepper
1 box frozen spinach (squeeze excess water out in paper towels)
1 Shallot, finely diced

how to:

mix all ingredients together in a bowl
form patties, making sure they are the same size and same thickness throughout
to ensure proper cooking

bbq at 400 degrees for 4 min a side (1/4 inch thick) or until cooked thru
cover with foil and allow to rest before serving

I top them with fresh avocado serve alongside some fresh tomato slices


National Put a Zucchini On Your Neighbours Porch Day!!

Happy National 'put a zucchini on your neightbours porch day!'
I heard that on the radio this morning.. haha
anywho...
My loves birthday was last friday
and his AWESOME sister, M,
gave him a beautiful bag of her own home grown veggies!
In that bag were 3 HUGE zucchini
which I have heard are the best for making 
Zucchini Loaf.
Then, while we were out for dinner,
M told me she tried a pin she repinned from me
Cheesy Zucchini Rice.
Both her and her hubby D agreed it was 
AMAZING!!!
Yesterday I created both.
and yes, im sharing them with you because they were 
AWESOME!!
Go to your local farmers market and get 2 big-ish zucchinis
and re create this yumminess soon while they are in season!!

Double Chocolate Zucchini Loaf
(Slightly adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-zucchini-bread-i/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=double%20chocolate%20zucchini%20loaf&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe%20Search%20Results)

preheat oven to 350
grease 2 loaf pans

you will need:

2 squares unsweeeted chocolate, melted (I did the double boil method)
3 eggs
1 cup coconut sugar or any sugar you wish (unrefined!!)
1 cup veggie oil 
(next time im going to try half cup melted butter and half cup applesauce)
2 cups coarse grated zucchini (one about the size of your forearm)
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
2 Cups gluten free flour
1 teaspoon of each: baking soda, cinnamon and salt
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

how to:

In a large bowl combine:
eggs, sugar, oil, zucchini, vanilla and melted chocolate
mix well so eggs are broken up

In a small bowl combine:
flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt
add to wet ingredients 
make sure no flour bits are left
add chocolate chips

pour into 2 loaf pans evenly
and bake for 50-60 min or until a toothpick comes out clean

I froze half of one and sent the other off to work with my love.
SO GOOD with coffee.


Cheesy Zucchini Rice
(adapted from http://bunsinmyoven.com/2012/06/28/cheesy-zucchini-rice/)

you will need:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup brown basmati rice
2 cups veggie stock
1 large zucchini coarsely grated
1 cup Daiya Motz cheese
1/4 cup parmesan cheese grated
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and fresh cracked pepper
bacon cut into small bits (optional but DELICIOUS!)

how to:

in a large saucepan place butter and olive oil over med heat
add rice and stir until rice smells toasty (1-2 min)
add veggie stock
bring to a boil
then put a lid on it and turn down heat to low
simmer for 30 to 40 min (brown rice takes longer)
until almost all liquid is absorbed
then throw in zucchini, Dayia, parmesan, garlic powder, salt and pepper
stir on low heat until combined well and resembles risotto (5min or so)

top with bacon on your plate for some texture

enjoy!!







30.6.12

Gluten Free Strawberry Pie, OH MY!

Nothing tastes more like summer then 
fresh Ontario strawberries!!


I found this simple strawberry pie recipe online
(http://allrecipes.com/recipe/strawberry-pie-ii/)
and adapted it and made it Gluten free!!

Thanks to Healthy Foods and More 
(bridgeport street, across from the zellers plaza)
for their 2.99 gluten free pie shells!
And!
To Herrles Market
(erb street)
for growing the WORLDS BEST
Ontario Strawberries!!

you will need:
1 frozen gluten free pie shell 
1 quart fresh strawberries
1/2 coconut sugar 
zest from one lemon (optional)
2 teaspoons arrowroot powder
2 tablespoons water

how to:
pre heat oven to 400 degrees
with a fork, poke numerous holes in your pie crust
bake for approx 10-15 min
until a little golden brown on edges
cool

in a small sauce pan on medium heat
add approx 1/4 of your strawberries 
(washed, hulled *fancy term for tops removed*, sliced and mashed with a potato masher til chunky ish)
and the coconut sugar
bring to a boil, stirring constantly

in a small dish
combine arrowroot powder and water
until disolved 

when strawberry mixture is boiled
turn off heat
add arrowroot liquid 
and stir stir stir
til it thickens
pour into a glass bowl 
cool a bit
then add lemon zest
cool more til room temp

add rest of your berries to your strawberry mixture
pour into pie shell
refridgerate for at least 2 hours before serving

I picked up So Delicious Vanilla Coconut Milk ice cream to go along
but I bet Cool Whip would be yum too!!

Enjoy!!




10.5.12

Amazing blog!

Woke up to a facebook inbox message from my brother:
omg and then a link to this fab blog with AMAZING paleo recipes!

http://earthenergyyoga.com/category/recipes/

Please check it out.
He sent me the link to the caprese cauliflower crust pizza

since I am on a cleanse right now
Im not eating anything really exciting except chicken fish and veggies
and my bbq is getting a workout!! hehe

once im able to eat eggs and pork again
I will for SURE be trying that pizza!!
YUM YUM!


7.5.12

Worlds best Egg Salad recipe

Nothing screams more like comfort food to me then a great
egg salad sammich!!

I remember my mom making these for lunch when I was younger

and I have finally perfected
thee worlds best
Egg Salad Sammich recipe!!



you will need:

6-8 hard boiled eggs*
2 stalks celery, diced
2 tbsp green onions, sliced into Os
1 heaping tbsp helmans olive oil mayo
2 tsp yellow mustard
2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
1/4 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp cumin
8 dashes of Franks Red hot sauce
S & P to taste
2 separate bowls

*how to boil eggs*
place eggs in bottom of saucepot
add water til eggs are just covered
bring to a boil, once it starts to boil
time for 5 min
then turn off the heat
cover
and let stand for 10 min
then add cold water to pot
let cool for 5 min
peel in water

how to:
separate the cooked yolks and cooked white in separate bowls

bowl #1 - yolks
Add mayo and mustard to yolks
mash until combined with back of spoon
add celery, green onion, dill, smoked paprika, cumin
Franks and some s & p
fold and evenly mix together
taste
need more salt? pepper?
add to taste

bowl #2 - whites
season whites with salt and pepper
with a potato masher
mash to medium size pieces
add to bowl #1

fold the white into the yolk mix

place on boston leaf lettuce on your choice of bread
I like Udi's whole grain loaf (gluten free)
or gluten free brown rice tortillas
I also like adding alfalfa sprouts but thats just me!

I can imagine this would be unreal on some pumpernickel bread
or a cheese bun!! dammit. I miss those!

*CAUTION!*
if you are making this the night before for lunch
do not
mix the two bowls together until the day you wish to eat!
therefore mix it the morning of!
it tends to get watery when mixed together overnight

enjoy!








3.5.12

Gluten Free Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins



Everyone has those brown bananas on their counter
but have you found the ultimate banana muffin recipe?
one that promises amazing muffins everytime?
One that delivers a crunchy muffin top
with a soft and fluffy banana-y inside?

Well.. you're in luck!
Cuz Ive been making banana muffins for as long as I can remember
way back with my mom
and now I make them in my own kitchen
gluten free of course

This recipe Im about to give you 
I found online (http://www.catcancook.com)
however
I have tweeked it and made it my own
I also have 2 versions
1 with butter and 1 without
With butter, the muffins are fluffy and crunchy topped
With applesauce, the muffins are a bit more dense but plenty moist which makes them just as tasty!

You will need 2 bowls, 1 large for wet ingredients, 1 small for dry
Also have your muffin tin ready with muffin liners in it
After stirring you wanna get those suckers in the oven asap
so the baking soda and powder do their thing and rise 

preheat oven to 350 

Bowl #1:
Mash together with a potato masher the following

3-4 brownish yellowish bananas
1/2 cup sugar (I use unrefined coconut sugar, any unrefined sugar is great!)
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup of melted butter or 1/3 cup plain applesauce
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
set aside

Bowl #2:
Mix together gently with a spatula

1 1/2 cups bobs red mills gluten free all purpose flour mix
(since these are muffins you dont need to add xanthan gum)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

add bowl 2 ingredients to bowl 1
mix gently with a spatula
until flour is just combined

spoon into liners
bake for 20-25 min until toothpick comes out clean

makes 12 large muffins or 10 jumbo muffins

enjoy


26.4.12

Beef and Quinoa Stoop

Stoop:
not quite thick enough to be a stew,
not quite thin enough to be a soup.



I currently have bronchitis 
and really just want a big bowl of
soothing/comfort/warm

What better then this protein packed
STOOP!

you will need:

stewing beef (I bought 2 packs, around $8 worth)
3 stalks celery thin sliced
 1/4 bag of matchstick carrots (just easier and fast when your sick)
1 small sweet potato diced (approx same amount as celery)
1 small turnip diced
2 cloves garlic chopped
2 containers of beef broth (1.5L)
1/4 cup dried quinoa
frozen peas (if you like)
a large glug of red wine from your fridge (HA!)
s&p

roll and tie together with cotton string:
3 sprigs parsley (stole some from my bunny Flopsie. Shes cool)
4 sprigs fresh thyme
3 bay leaves (dried)

how to:

In a large pot
add some olive oil or red palm oil
add onion, cook for a min or 2 on med high heat
then add beef, it should make quite a sizzling sound
you want that, trust me
dont touch it at first, let it sear 
thats flavor my friends!
add s&p
cook beef for approx 5 min
then add all veggies except carrots(if using matchstick, dont want them mushy)
cook veggies with beef for approx 4-5 min
then add quinoa
stir quick so quinoa is mixed around with beef and veg
then add broth
wine
garlic
and your bunch of herbs

stir
bring to a boil
then simmer for 17 min 
or 
until quinoa is done and veggies are cooked thru
last 2 min add frozen peas

enjoy!



23.4.12

Bacon wrapped Turkey meatloaf with more bacon

Yes.
MORE bacon
You read right

Ahhh bacon...you can never get enough!


Turkey meatloaf is something I make often
Why?
ground turkey is super cheap
and who doesn't love meatloaf?
this is jazzed up meatloaf ladies and gents!!

preheat oven at 350

take 6 strips of bacon and line a loaf pan with the edges slightly overlapping.

in a large bowl I add

1 heaping tablespoon of PC Black Label bacon marmalade 
1 1/2 (eyeballed) yellow mustard
1/4 cup pasta sauce
1 egg
fresh ground pepper
salt
2 tablespoons of epicures meatloaf seasoning
1 teaspoon of epicures poultry seasoning
mix til combined

add 2 trays of ground turkey
get your hands in there and mix it well
add to loaf pan, then gently fold over remaining bacon edges

bake for 40 min
then top with a mixture of 
yellow mustard (1/2 teaspoon), bacon marmalade (1 teaspoon) and pasta sauce (3-4 tablespoons)
(mix together well)
and bake for another 20 min 

let rest
better even the next day.. on a sammie!!

enjoy!