Tag Archives: recipes

15Jan/17

The Cultivating Cooking Queens #3…

Well, kind of…
As the season progressed and all of our schedules got a little more hectic, it became pretty challenging to find a time where everyone’s schedules aligned. So, sadly, our group did not meet nearly as often as we would have liked. However, we were always sharing the wonderful meals we were creating on our own via our GroupMe chat.
Our last ‘group’ meeting only included one other member, Shea, but we were graced with a special guest for the night, Tiff. It was very fun to hang out and chat as we prepared this delicious meal together. Our menu on this night included: steak rolls w/balsamic glaze, roasted sweet potatoes, and Brazilian cheese rolls.

This is long overdue, but be sure to check out the video here on YouTube.

Steak Rolls (adapted from Noreen Hiskey @PictureTheRecipe.com)

ingredients:

+ 1.5 – 2 lb skirt steak/flank steak/thinly sliced steak of choice (sirloin)
+ salt and pepper, to taste
+ 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
+ steak seasoning of choice (try to find salt free)
+ 1 tbsp olive oil

veggie filling:

+ 1 carrot
+ 1 red bell pepper
+ 1 zucchini squash
+ 1 yellow squash
+ 5-6 green onions
+ 2 cloves of garlic
+ 1 tsp Italian herb seasoning

balsamic glaze sauce (may want to double this, it is that good!!):

+ 2 tbsp butter
+ 2 tbsp finely chopped shallots
+ 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
+ 1-2 tbsp maple syrup
+ 1/4 cup beef broth

prepare:

+ cut the steak into 2-3 inch wide strips
+ season the steak with salt (if using), pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Let them sit and marinade for about 30 minutes
+ prepare the filling – chop up the veggies into matchsticks that are longer than the width of the steak. Peel and mince the garlic.
+ prepare the sauce – melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped shallot and saute for a minute or so, until they turn soft and translucent. Add the balsamic vinegar, syrup (if using) and beef stock and stir to mix well. Allow the sauce to come to a boil and reduce to almost half. You want it to thicken to an almost syrup-like consistency.
+ in another pan, add a little olive oil and briefly saute the garlic. Turn the heat up to high and add in all the veggies, except the green onions. Saute until just cooked through but still crispy. Season with the Italian herbs and transfer to a bowl.
+ assemble – take a strip of the marinated steak and lay it flat. Fill with a small handful of veggies (don’t forget to add the green onion). Roll the beef and secure with a toothpick. Repeat with all the pieces of steak.
+ heat a large skillet or grillpan over medium-high heat. Add a little oil to coat the pan. When hot, add the beef seam side down and pan fry for several minutes. Then turn, roll and cook on all sides. Cook until it reaches your desired doneness
+ remove the toothpick and serve with the balsamic glaze sauce

 

Brazilian Cheese Rolls

ingredients:

+ 1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
+ 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, cut into pieces
+ 1/4 cup olive oil
+ 2 cups plus 2 tbsp tapioca flour
+ 2 eggs
+ 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, or other firm cheese

prepare:

+ preheat oven to 350 degrees F
+ combine milk, butter and oil in a large saucepan. Bring it to a boil over medium heat, stirring to melt the butter. When it reaches a boil, remove from the heat.
+ stir in the tapioca flour. The mixture should be thick, sticky and stretchy.
+ stir in the eggs, one at a time, and the cheese. Allow the mixture to cool in the pan until it is cool enough to handle.
+ take heaping tablespoons of dough with tapioca-floured hands and roll into 1.5 inch balls. Place 1 inch apart on a baking sheet.
+ bake 20-25 minutes or until puffed and golden. Serve warm.

 

01Jan/17

HAPPY NEW YEAR…

A very Happy New Year to you!!  How many of you have started this 2017 year off just like any other?  You’re making a resolution that is so far out there, you know you will never actually accomplish it.  Or it will only last for a week or two before you go back to your old ways. I want to encourage you to be different this year. Try to change the way you buy, prepare and eat food. Put a little more thought into the things you are buying. Read the labels. Try to eat as natural as possible, and prepare the food on your own as much as possible. I know it is not easy, but once you start eating like this, you will not want to go back. Check through my other blogs for some healthy ideas to get you started. Let’s make this year the best one yet. As always, eat well, be merry!!

26Dec/16

Meatloaf…

I‘m sure as a child, there are many of you who upon hearing the word meatloaf cringed at the thought of having to eat it?  Well, I was one of those kids who loved meatloaf, and still do.  This recipe is one that I’ve adapted a bit from Miranda Lambert’s recipe that I found on Pinterest a while back.
This is a meal that you can’t be afraid to dig your hands into and get a little dirty as you prepare it.  If that’s not for you, then you probably want to stop right there, but just know that you are really missing out.  The nice thing about this is that it is very easy and quick to prepare.
Just so you know, this will look like enough food to feed an army; however, it is such a big hit that everyone will be going back for seconds, and before you know it, most of it will be gone.  If you are fortunate enough to have any leftovers, this is one of those foods that gets better as it sits in the fridge, and is even more delicious the next day. I’ve eaten it hot, cold, in sandwiches, and it never let’s me down.  This is one of those recipes that everyone will keep asking you to make again and again…

 

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Meatloaf Recipe
**note: I pretty much never measure any of this, but just eyeball it all as I throw it in**

1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb ground turkey
1 lb ground sausage (you can play around with different flavors for a little variety in the overall taste, just remember to read the label and see what else is added in before you buy)
1 pack Glutino crackers (plain or multigrain work)
2 eggs
a few dashes of Worcestershire
1 tsp – 1 tbsp prepared mustard (can use different kinds to play with the flavor a little more)
dash of maple syrup
1/2- 1 whole finely chopped bell pepper
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup ketchup
mushrooms, chopped
Large handful spinach, chopped

Topping:
1 cup ketchup
maple syrup

Mix all of the ingredients together really well in a large bowl (don’t be afraid to dig in with your hands!).  Put in a large casserole and shape into a flatter but slightly rounded loaf.  Leave just a small amount of space around edges for uniform cooking. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Prepare the topping while the loaf is baking.  Blend together 1 cup of ketchup with a dash of maple syrup.
After the loaf is done baking, pour the grease out.  Spread the topping generously on the meat.  Place the pan back in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.  If you want, you can broil it for the last 4-5 minutes to get the top nice and golden. Allow it to cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting to serve.

Enjoy!!!  As always, eat well and be merry…Mmmmm

09Nov/16

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread…

As I mentioned in a previous post, I absolutely love the flavor of pumpkin.  I also love trying to take normal recipes laden with a lot of sugar, and figuring out a way to make them without all of that added sugar, while still maintaining the delicious flavor.  I think this one was a success, as I have made this for many gluten lovers, and they always come back asking for more.

Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread:
Dry Ingredients:
1  cup white rice flour
1.5 cups brown rice flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 tsps. baking soda
5-6 tsps pumpkin pie spice
pinch salt
1 tsp. xanthan gum

Mix-ins:  raisins, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, nuts
Toppings: oatmeal, cinnamon

Wet Ingredients:
< 1/4 cup coconut sugar
1 banana, mashed
1 cup olive oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup orange juice
1 15-oz can pure pumpkin

Preheat oven to 350 degrees,  Spray two loaf pans with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, mix together: flour, cornstarch, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, salt, and xanthan gum.
In a separate bowl, mix together: eggs, oil, orange juice, banana, sugar and pumpkin.
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until thoroughly combined and have a smooth batter.
Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans.  If adding any mix-ins, can stir them in before dividing (or divide and make two different kinds – I typically do one raisin, for me,  and one chocolate chip, to give away).  I typically sprinkle with a generous amount of cinnamon and sometimes a little bit of oats, before baking.
Bake for about 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Allow to cool slightly in pans before trying to remove and slice.

28Oct/16

Pumpkin Granola…

Who doesn’t love pumpkin?  I am all about this wonderful flavor, and will eat it any time of the year.  However, many people tend to only think of pumpkin during this Fall season, when we celebrate Halloween and Thanksgiving.  Maybe it’s the lure of pumpkin carving, Jack-o-lanterns, and pumpkin pie?  Did you know that pumpkin is a very nutrient-dense food?  It is full of many vitamins and minerals, all while being low in calories.  So, why not think about it all year?  I think you may reconsider the use of this delicious, plump, orange plant when you see this yummy pumpkin granola recipe.  I use this to top off all kinds of delicious foods, like crepes, waffles, fruit and yogurt bowls, and more.
This is just one of many ways to use pumpkin in your cooking.  There are so many other creative ways pumpkin can be incorporated into any meal, including desserts, soups, salads and preserves.  Did you know that it can even be used as a substitute for butter? Try out this recipe, or feel free to share some of your own favorite pumpkin meals, recipes and foods.  Don’t forget to check out one of my favorite pumpkin recipes, Pumpkin Waffles, from my earlier blog.

A friendly reminder…be careful when buying pumpkin.  Look for the 100% pumpkin, as pumpkin pie filling is often loaded with added sugars.

Read this article from Medical News Today to learn more about this great food.
As always, eat well and be merry!!

Pumpkin Granola Recipe:
3 cups oats
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 individual size cup of apple sauce (no added sugar)
3 Tbsp. molasses
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
3-5 tsps. pumpkin pie spice (based on individual preference)
Add in options: dried cranberries, raisins, cashews, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, almonds, vanilla, pecans, walnuts

Mix everything together really well.  Bake at 300 degrees for about 70-80 minutes. Keep a careful eye on the granola, and stir a few times.  It will harden a bit as it cools. You will most likely also have to break it up once it cools down.  It may look burnt when done, but that is just from the pumpkin, molasses and spices.

 

17Oct/16

Sweet Potato ‘Toast’…

First off, it’s been way too long!  Sadly, I have been super busy, traveling and on the road a lot lately for coaching, and have not been able to spend much time cooking and preparing meals on my own. Being on the road means a lot of meals in the hotel and out at restaurants, neither of which I am a big fan.  As I’ve mentioned before, I like to know exactly what I am eating and putting in my body, I prefer foods to be minimally processed, and on top of that, I eat gluten-free which makes it challenging at times and often leads to a lot of salads (I’ve learned to be very creative with these).
Needless to say, I was very excited to finally return to KC and be able to start cooking my own food again.  My love for food and trying to encourage others to really think about what they are eating often leads to really great conversations where I share some easy tips and recipes.  This time, however, I was fortunate to have a fellow coach share something new with me, and I wanted to share this with you, as it is super easy and delicious.
To make sweet potato toast:  slice a sweet potato in about 1/4″ pieces, toast on high in toaster until ‘cooked’ to desired doneness (it took me about 3 toasts), top with favorite ingredients. You can leave the skin on and should be certain that the slices are a uniform thickness for even toasting.  You will know it is ‘toasted’ when the outside starts to lightly brown and the center is soft when pierced with a fork.   I like mine to have a slight crunch to them, so I do not toast mine quite that long.  This time, I topped mine with an egg, some fresh spinach and a small sprinkle of cheese.  I had meant to add avocado, but never did, which I think would make it even more yummy.  Some other ideas would be to top with butter, a little butter and cinnamon, cream cheese, peanut butter, peanut butter and jelly, butter and jam or anything else you would put on regular toast.
You might be asking yourself, why would I want to eat this when I can just have a piece of bread?  Well, unlike most bread, sweet potatoes are gluten-free, high in fiber, and are packed with many healthy micronutrients. Want to know more about the possible health benefits and nutritional value of a sweet potato? Click here to read a great article on Medical News Today.
Go ahead, give it a try and let me know what you think.  Please share some of your favorite creations you make using sweet potato toast.  Until next time…eat well and be merry!!

 

 

Sweet Potato 'Toast'

Sweet Potato ‘Toast’

27Jul/16

Gluten Free Pumpkin Waffles…

Mmmmm.  I love anything pumpkin, and if you are the same, this is a recipe that will not disappoint.  I have made this for gluten lovers, and they enjoy it just as much, if not more than their normal waffles.  I have even made them before by adding some leftover mashed sweet potatoes, and they are equally as yummy.   When I make them, I typically add a generous amount of pumpkin pie spice and also put less maple syrup in the batter, but for you sweet tooths, you will probably enjoy the recipe as is.  Top it off with your favorite ingredients, but I love fresh fruit and a little drizzle of maple syrup. Check out the recipe below or where I found on Fit Foodie Finds and let me know if you too agree that they are the ‘Best Ever Gluten-Free Pumpkin Waffles.’

Ingredients
Wet:
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
2 eggs
1 Tbsp coconut oil, room temperature
2 Tbsp maple syrup
splash of vanilla
1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Dry:
1.5 cups gluten free all-purpose flour
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda

Instructions:
1.  Preheat waffle iron to medium
2.  In a large bowl mix together the wet ingredients (I do this in the tall NutriBullet cup).
3.  Then add in the dry ingredients and stir until combined (I also add this to the NutriBullet cup).
4.  Pour the desired amount of batter into non-stick waffle maker and cook until done (Makes about 4 large waffles).

 

27Jun/16
Energy Balls

Have You Ever Read A Label…

Have you ever picked up an item in the grocery store and carefully read the ingredients and nutrition label?  If not, I strongly suggest you do, as you will be absolutely amazed at what is in some of the products.  I’m not just talking about what the items listed are (many of which you cannot say or recognize), but I’m talking about the sheer amount of unnecessary items listed.  Why do there need to be 15 items listed on a carton of almond milk, when I can make the same thing with 4-5 ingredients, and enjoy the flavor much more.  And the best part of it all, you have the leftover meal to dry out and grind up as almond flour, which can then be used to bake up all kinds of healthy, gluten free treats.   So, not only does it taste better, but I am saving money as well.  Unfortunately, there are occasions where I do not have the time or energy to make my own, and when that is the case, I look for the brand with the fewest ingredients on the label.  They say that you should do most of your shopping in the outskirts of the grocery store, as that is where the least processed foods can be found.  If you think about it, isn’t that where all of your fruits and vegetables are located?  Have you also ever noticed that once you delve into the depths of the aisles, some of the worst items are those located right at your eye level.  It’s like they are targeting you to buy the bad stuff. Oftentimes you have to really search hard to find something that is somewhat okay to eat. A few months ago, I needed to buy some pasta sauce.  Not all grocery stores have the same options, but most tend to have a wide variety of some sort.  I probably looked like I had been shopping for the first time (luckily, not many people were around).  If someone would have been there watching me, as I stood in the same spot for 15 minutes (or at least it felt like that), repeatedly picking up and putting down jars of sauce as I carefully studied the ingredients, they probably would felt the need to offer me some help.  I was trying hard to find one with minimal ingredients that shouldn’t be there, but mostly no added sugar.  Every one I picked up had some added sugar, so then the task became to see which one was the lesser of two evils.  Once again, I picked up all the ones that were still in the hunt, to then compare and finally decide on one that wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but was the closest to what I was willing to deal with for that night.  If I would have just made my own, I would not have been faced with such a dilemma.  So, I am going to encourage you to think a little harder about what you are buying at the store.  Take the time to read the labels; I read the labels on every item I pick up to buy. See what ingredients are actually in the product, many of which do not really need to be there.  Check how much unnecessary sugar and sodium is in the food; you will be shocked by how much of these two items you consume daily without even knowing.  Ask yourself,  is this something that I can make on my own with a little time and effort? Or, another really great option is to frequent a local farmer’s market, where you will be able to find all kinds of great, fresh products, and support your local farmers and community at the same time.  Check out some great items below that I have made from scratch with fresh ingredients.  Meals from fresh ingredients not only taste great, but are better for you.  You will feel so accomplished after you make a fresh, healthy meal or snack, and the best part is, you then get to enjoy the great flavor of all your hard work!