Posted in Christmas, Dairy Free, Dessert, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Holiday, Soy Free, Sugar Free, Thanksgiving

No Bake Pumpkin Pie

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 can full fat coconut milk (room temperature, liquid and fat)
  • 1 cup Swerve brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup arrowroot flour
  • 1 TBSP powdered gelatin
  • 1 cup Organic 100% Pumpkin Puree
  • 2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • 1/4 tsp Redmond Salt
  • You will also need 2 9 inch store bough pie crusts or baked ones of your choice.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Without heat, whisk the first 4 ingredients in a medium sauce pan really well.

2. Add medium-low heat until mixture becomes thick, 8 to 10 minutes. Whisk often.

3. Remove from heat.

4. Add remaining 3 ingredients. Whisk thoroughly.

5. Pour filling evenly into the 2 pie crusts. I used ready-made pecan pie crusts.

6. Put in the pies into the fridge without the lids on for about 30 minutes.

7. After 30 minutes, put the lids on, put back into the fridge and chill for 4 to 6 hours.

Dishing on this Dish: This easy pie was a hit, easy to travel with, and gives a break from baking. What I love about this recipe is that the coconut milk is used at room temp. If yours is already refrigerated, just pull it out and let it warm up awhile. It will still work. And yes, you add the liquid and the fat. Also, the gelatin is added without blooming it first. How easy is that?! Be sure to whisk the first four ingredients together, before adding heat. This ensures the arrow root doesn’t get clumpy when warmed. Setting the pies in the fridge for 30 minutes without lids prevents condensation from sticking to the lid covers. It offers a better presentation of the pies if you are sharing them with others. I also like this recipe because it makes 2 pies. You’ll need them!

Posted in Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Snacks, Soy Free

Oat Crackers

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp pink Himalayan salt (or to taste)
  • 4 tsp nutrional yeast
  • a pinch of organic dandelion herb (optional)
  • 4 cups organic, gluten free oat flour

Instructions:

  1. Whisk the first three, wet ingredients in a large bowl
  2. Add in the baking powder, salt, yeast, dandelion and whisk them.
  3. Add the oat flour and stir with a large, metal spoon, until thick.
  4. Knead the dough into a nice, smooth little ball.
  5. Pull the ball into 4 equal parts. Since you’ll work with one ball at a time, keep the other balls covered.
  6. With a rolling pin, roll out one ball at a time between parchment paper. You want the dough to be very thin, like a cracker. Go for 1/16 of an inch.
  7. Using a round pizza cutter, cut the rolled dough both vertically and horizontally so that squares are about 1 x 1 inch. You can make them larger if you wish!
  8. I like to use a fork to quickly but gently puncture each cracker, encouraging even baking.
  9. Since your scored dough is already on parchment paper, simply move the whole thing – paper and cut dough – onto a nice big baking sheet. A professional 1/2 size pan is perfect.
  10. Bake at 350 Fahrenheit. Check the crackers at about 10 minutes. Ovens bake at varying times and I usually check mine at 13 and see that they need a little more time. But they should bake up with a nice, light color. The outsides will bake first, so you can easily remove these and then continue to bake the more centered ones, gradually removing them, getting closer to the center as they get baked.
  11. While your crackers are baking, you can roll out the next ball in the same manner.

What’s in the Cupboard: You can add other fresh herbs if you like, you may just need to add a bit of water to the recipe if you are adding a lot of extra dry ingredients. If you are fresh out of coconut oil, you can substitute olive oil although it changes the flavor to a more bitter cracker. You can also use ghee.

Dishing on this Dish:1. You can make oat flour using a food processor to grind up whole oats or steel cut oats. Grinding a few cups of oats first on low and then on high for a couple minutes each makes a really nice, soft, flour. If you spoon your flour from the processor into the measuring device you may find you need to add a couple more spoons to the recipe to be able to knead your ball. When you spoon it versus pouring it the measured amount is slightly less, so just add a bit more if your dough ball is too sticky to knead. 2. This recipe is low/no oxalate. If your looking for a cracker that is keto minded, click here.3. Crackers are really easy to make once you get all the kinks figured out. The biggest issues are rolling them thin enough. 1/16 – 2/16 of an inch is just right. They will bake quickly and crisply. Also baking them just right by removing outer squares while leaving the center ones to bake a little bit longer is key. It just takes a few times to get into your cracker baking ‘zone’. This recipe provides four dough balls so you’ll be an expert by the time you are done. This is enough crackers to snack for the day as well as having enough to box up in savvy bags and boxes for gifts or snack trays for parties. These crackers are thin yet hardy enough for topping with salsa, avocado, meats or cheeses. Air-tight containers will keep the crackers for several days.

Posted in Dairy Free, Dessert, Egg Free, Gluten Free

Gluten Free Apple Crisp

INGREDIENTS FOR FILLING:

  • 1/2 cup Lemon Juice
  • 1/2 cup Arrowroot Flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar of choice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 3 pounds of your favorite apples

INGREDIENTS FOR TOPPING:

  • 1 cup Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour OR King Arthur
  • 3/4 cup Gluten Free Oats
  • 3/4 cup Sugar of Choice
  • 1/4 cup Earth Balance Butter (soft or refrigerated)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Wash, core, and cut up 3 pounds of apples.
  • In a large bowl mix all ingredients for the filling.
  • Add apples and stir filling over all the apples.
  • Pour all the filling in a 9×13 glass baking dish.
  • Re-using the same large bowl, add all the dry ingredients and stir.
  • Cut in the butter (or stir) using a fork.
  • When it becomes crumbly, sprinkle over the top of the apples.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 to 50 minutes. Until apples are soft.
  • Let it cool for a bit and serve. It’s perfect alone or with ice cream.
Posted in Cane Sugar Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Peanut Free, Soy Free

Avocado Snicker Doodles

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 Tbsp Chia
  • 6 Tbsp filtered water
  • 1.5 Cups Coconut Sugar (Xylitol will work too)
  • 1/3 Cup soft (not melted) Enjoy Life Soy Free Butter
  • 1/2 avocado
  • 2 tsp Vanilla
  • 3 cups gluten free Bob Red Mill 1:1 Baking Flour or King Arthur Flour
  • 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
  • 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
  • TOPPING:
  • 4 TBSP Coconut Sugar (or Xylitol)
  • 1 tsp Cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

  • Tilt a mixing bowl to one side and whisk together the Chia Seed and Filtered Water. When thickened, set the bowl down flat.
  • On the other side of the mixing bowl, mash the butter, avocado, vanilla, and sugar together with fork. When mixed well, go ahead and blend into the thickened Chia Seed so that now all ingredients in the bowl are well combined.
  • Add the Flour, Baking Soda, and Sea Salt. Stir until it becomes easier to just mix with your hands. You will have a dough that is very thick.
  • Using a TBSP measuring spoon, scoop out rounded balls onto parchment lined baking sheets. This recipe makes exactly 4 dozen.
  • Take the dough balls and roll the tops through the Sugar and Cinnamon topping.
  • If desired, you can slightly press the dough down so it is more flat. It won’t flatten on it’s own while baking. You can leave it as a ball though, if you wish.
  • Chill the cookie dough balls on sheets for an hour in the fridge. This step isn’t required, but is recommended for texture.
  • Bake them at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes, but be very careful not to over-bake. 8 minutes was good enough here.
  • Let them cool completely before eating.

DISHING ON THIS DISH: So, yeah, avocado in my Snicker Doodles? Yep. It’s excellent. You can’t taste it and your cookies won’t be green. This is a fabulous way to save money on expensive dairy free butter. Try not to be put off by having to chill the dough balls in the fridge for an hour, they are worth the wait!

WHAT’S IN THE CUPBOARD: You don’t have to use an avocado in this recipe, but the cookies are extra soft and fantastic with it. If you have an allergy or are just freaked outyou can simply use 1 Cup of Earth Balance Butter instead if you prefer.

Posted in Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Main dishes, Soy Free

Chicken Pot Pie

INGREDIENTS FOR CRUST

  • 1 1/2 Cup Garbanzo Bean Flour
  • 1/2 tsp Sea Salt (or Himalayan Pink Salt)
  • 1/8 tsp Xanthum Gum
  • 1/2 Cup Cold Earth Balance Butter
  • 3 TBSP Coconut Milk (or other)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CRUST

  • Mix flour, salt, and xanthum gum into a large bowl. Whisk together.
  • Cut in 1/2 Cup Cold Butter until crumbly.
  • Add 3TBSP milk. Stir until able to mix with hands and shape into a ball.
  • Roll out between two large pieces of parchment paper, shaping into the rectangular size of your pan.

INGREDIENTS FOR SAUCE

  • 1/4 Cup Gluten Free Flour
  • 2 cups Chicken Broth or Filtered Water
  • 1 cup Coconut, or other, milk
  • 2 TBSP Earth Balance Butter

INSTRUCTIONS FOR SAUCE

  • Melt butter in a saucepan
  • Add Chicken Broth (or water) and Milk.
  • Warm the mixture a bit then stir in Flour.
  • Simmer on medium low heat until thick.
  • Season if needed with Sea Salt and Pepper.

INGREDIENTS FOR PIE

  • Cooked Chicken (or Turkey)
  • Organic Corn
  • Organic Peas
  • Organic Broccoli
  • Sea Salt (to taste)
  • Seasonings to taste. I like Rosemary, Thyme, Parsley, and Basil

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PIE

  • Warm all the ingredients for about 15 minutes in a large pan.
  • Strain liquid if there is any.
  • Put well mixed ingredients into a 9 x 13 baking dish.
  • Pour the Sauce over the top and stir in.
  • Place crust on the top and shape and form to the edges of the dish.
  • With a knife, slay a few slits in the top of the crust so steam can escape.
  • Bake at 425 for about 30 to 35 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.

DISHING ON THIS DISH: I love making this Pot Pie for so many reasons. First, it’s in one dish and easily feeds four. Second, it handles leftovers. Third, all of the ingredients are versatile. Use chicken, turkey, steak, pork – anything that is cooked or left over – go ahead and toss it in. Same with veggies – add red bliss potatoes, carrots, or cauliflower if you like. Fourth, this can be a quick meal. I’ve completely left out the sauce, many times, and just tossed in left over turkey or chicken with frozen veggies, added the crust and popped in the oven. That’s my kind of fast.

Posted in Cane Sugar Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Soy Free

Homemade Granola

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 Cups Gluten Free Oats
  • 3 Fresh, Organic Apples (cubed, can sub other fresh fruits)
  • 1/2 cup melted Coconut Oil ( can use olive oil)
  • 1/2 cup Maple Syrup (honey or agave will work)
  • Raisins (or other dried fruit) Save for after baking.
  • Cashews ( or any alternative or omit completely) Save for after baking.

DIRECTIONS

  • In a large bowl, measure out oats.
  • Add fresh, cubed apples
  • Stir in Maple Honey
  • Add Coconut Oil
  • Mix ingredients very well
  • (Save nuts and dried fruit for later)
  • Pour mixture onto large, rimmed baking sheet. I line mine with parchment paper.
  • Bake at 350 Degrees for about 20 minutes (stirring a couple times to ensure even drying/roasting.) Bake a few minutes longer if needed for desired doneness.
  • After pulling the sheet out, add nuts and dried fruit. Stir into cooling mixture and let it all sit and cool together.
  • I scoop cooled mixture into glass jars for storing.

DISHING ON THIS DISH: We love granola but I rarely buy it because of sugar content, allergens, and cost. This recipe puts you in control of all three and it’s fast enough to make fresh in the morning yet flexible for huge batches and storing. It’s perfect for a fast breakfast and travels well for a snack on the go. Be sure to add any dried fruit and nuts after baking, otherwise, they’ll burn. You can add any fresh fruits to the mixture and bake those with the oats, though. Other ingredient ideas: fresh apricots, peaches, or strawberries, dried cranberries, dates, coconut shreds…make the mix unique with your own preferences.

Posted in Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Peanut Free, Soy Free, Sweets

Orange Pumpkin Spice Cake

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 TBSP ground flax seed
  • 2/3 cup filtered water
  • 2 tsp Cinnamon
  • 2 tsp Nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp Ginger
  • 1 tsp Baking Soda
  • 2 TBSP Baking Powder
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt
  • 1 1/2 cups Monkfruit Sugar
  • 1 Cup (generous cup) melted Coconut Oil (or preferred)
  • 6 TBSP Lemon (or orange) juice
  • 2 cups Organic Pumpkin Puree
  • 3 cups Bob’s Red Mill (gluten free) All Purpose Baking Flour

DIRECTIONS

  • Tip a large mixing bowl on it’s side and add flax seed and filtered water.
  • Whisk and let it thicken up a bit. Set the bowl down flat.
  • To the other side of the bowl, add seasonings, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
  • Add melted oil and whisk everything together.
  • Add Pumpkin Puree and Lemon Juice. Stir with a large spatula or spoon.
  • Add Flour and stir with large spoon or spatula.
  • Spoon into 8 inch round cake pans that are already greased and floured if needed, or use parchment paper.
  • Bake 20 – 25 minutes ( when knife in center comes out clean) at 350 Degrees.

FROSTING

  • 1 1/2 Cups Ghee
  • 1 pound MonkFruit Powdered Sugar
  • 2 tsp organic Orange Flavoring (or you can just use Vanilla if preferred)
  • 1 tsp Redmond’s Real Salt (finely ground)
  • Mix all ingredients with a hand mixer
  • Frost cake when completely cooled.

DISHING ON THIS DISH: This is a fabulous cake for birthdays in the Fall or for the holidays. Be sure to use a full cup of oil, slightly overflowing. It really brings on the moisture and flavor of the cake. We grow a lot of pumpkins in our garden and I love using our fresh, organic puree for this recipe. You could use other ideas for a topping such as an orange glaze with Stevia or Stevia drops, home-made dairy free ice cream, or whatever you might come up with. It’s a very flexible recipe.

Posted in Dairy Free, Dessert, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Sweets

Summerlicous Strawberry Ice-Cream

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 cans Organic Coconut Milk, full fat (not lite), refrigerated
  • 2 pounds Organic Strawberries
  • 1/4 cup Organic Lite Agave Syrup (or regular) (to taste)
  • 1/4 cup Organic Coconut Sugar (to taste)
  • 1 tsp Sea Salt (or to taste)

DIRECTIONS:

  • Wash and cut the stems off of strawberries.
  • Combine all ingredients into a blender or food processor.
  • Blend until mixed.
  • Pour into your Ice-Creme Maker and operate according to instructions.
  • Enjoy!

DISHING ON THIS DISH: This ice-cream is simply…summerlicious! So rich and ice-creamy – just like the texture of store-bought ice-cream without any ingredients you can’t pronounce.

As always, sweeteners and amounts are up to you! Even drops of Stevia will work great here. That would’ve probably been my go-to, but I was out!

Keep a couple of cans of full fat coconut milk in the fridge for those surprise days when you find yourself making ice cream. If your cans aren’t cold, no worries! Either toss them in the fridge for a couple hours OR go ahead and mix everything together, then store in the fridge for a couple hours before putting in your ice-cream maker.

This is a pretty big batch, so depending on the size of your ice-cream maker, you may have to do this in two batches or 1/2 the recipe. This recipe easily makes a half gallon.

Posted in Cane Sugar Free, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Gluten Free, Peanut Free, Soy Free, Sweets

Schmeese’s Sun Butter Cups

INGREDIENTS

  • 2/3 cup coconut oil
  • 1 avocado (scooped out and seed removed)
  • 3 tbsp cocoa
  • 2 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 2 tbsp agave syrup
  • 10 drops Stevia
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 cup Organic Sun Butter

DIRECTIONS

  • Food Process all ingredients except the Sun Butter
  • Spoon chocolate mixture into the very bottom of ice trays.
  • Freeze for 15 minutes.
  • Remove from freezer.
  • Add a small layer of Sun Butter on top of the frozen chocolate.
  • Add another layer of chocolate to the top of the Sun Butter
  • Freeze again for about 40 minutes or so.
  • Push out of ice cube trays.
  • Store in Container in Freezer.

DISHING ON THIS DISH: There are so many things to love about this healthier twist of fat bombs meet Reese’s => Schmeese’s. First, the purpose of the sweeteners is taste only so you are free to use your own preferences and amounts to your own taste and needs. Second, Sun Butter is a way-yum alternative for those of us allergic to peanuts and the sweet/salty taste and smooth texture of these will satisfy any chocolate craving, in fact, half of one is enough for me. Last, if you’re short on time, you can mix all the ingredients together and freeze. You’ll get the same flavor, just not the layered look. Be sure to use the ice cube trays that pop out, not the ones that twist. They are usually circular, not rectangular. Candy molds could be used instead.

Posted in Egg Free, Gluten Free, Kids Meals, Main dishes, Nightshade Free, Soy Free

Super Quick Veggie- Meatballs

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 lbs organic beef
  • 1/2 head of cauliflower ground in food processor
  • Handfuls of organic spinach (I use 3) ground in food processor
  • 2 Tbsp Ground Chia Seed
  • 1/3 cup filtered water
  • Sea Salt to taste
  • Oregano to taste

DIRECTIONS

  • Tip a large mixing bowl to whisk chia and water until thick. It will continue to gel.
  • Process cauliflower, add into large bowl with chia
  • Process spinach, add that into large bowl also
  • Add beef to large bowl
  • Mix well with hands.
  • Form into meatballs and place into frying pan
  • Sprinkle with salt and oregano (or any seasonings you like, to taste)
  • Fry on medium low heat, rotating meatballs as needed.
  • Takes 15 to 20 minutes to cook through.

DISHING ON THIS DISH: The weather is getting nice here and playing outside combined with running errands equals super hungry family needing to eat on the fly. This was about 10 minutes to prep and 15 to 20 minutes to fry in the pan. The chia seed helps the mixture to stay packed together good enough for turning over in the pan. So, if you use more meat, be sure to use more chia. I threw some Brussels Sprouts in the oven and everything was done about the same time.