Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Cinnamon Almonds

 Hey all,

This weeks recipe is one that I am very proud of! I made this one up and I couldn't believe that they actually came out good and tasted like Christmas in your mouth! That's how I describe them to people, they literally taste that good! This is a really easy recipe to make and these almonds make for a nice midday or midnight snack! Also, the only sweetener is organic maple syrup and only a little at that, so this is not only a delicious snack but also a healthy one!

Enjoy,
Jaimee


Cinnamon Almonds

  Ingredients:


  • 1 c. almonds
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. 100% organic maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp. cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. + dash of stevia
  • 3/4 tbsp. coconut flour

 Instructions:

Mix almonds and maple syrup, till coated. Add in syrup, stevia, cinnamon and flour. Mix until almonds are fully coated. Prepare cookie sheet with parchment paper and pour almonds on top. Bake at 275F degrees for 30-40 min.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Clean Reuben Sandwiches

Hey all,

    This week's recipe has got to be my all time favorite of mom's. These sandwiches are not only incredibly flavorful but they are also as clean as you can get! I have never had a Reuben sandwich before we made them clean, but people who have tasted both said that they could not taste a difference and prefer the clean version. These Reuben's are a perfect lunch or brunch idea for a weekend afternoon.  Throw in some college or NFL football and you have got my perfect day!


      In my findings, I have noticed that a lot of meats, such as sausages, prepared burgers and some kinds of corned beef, come prepared with either sugar, corn syrup,  high fructose corn syrup or all the aforementioned. For me, this ruins the taste and quality of the food, I think that if someone wants a sausage or a burger that should get just that not meat plus fillers and preservatives that we can't even pronounce and our body's can't digest. So as you are shopping this week, read the labels on your meat selections and be sure to look for ones that have as little extras as possible!

The bread recipe is from one of the "Know the Cause" cookbooks written by Doug Kaufmann. I highly recommend checking out his website http://www.knowthecause.com, for more information on clean eating and why it matters what you put into your body.



Enjoy,
Jaimee

Clean Reuben Sandwiches

For the bread:

  • 1 1/2 c. almond flour
  • 3/4 c. tapioca starch
  •  1/4 c. flax seed meal
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 4 eggs
  • dash of stevia
  • 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

 In medium bowl combine flour, starch, flax seed, sea salt,  and baking soda. In larger bowl blend eggs 3-5 min. till frothy. Add in the stevia and apple cider vinegar. Mix the dry ingredients with the wet. Pour batter into well greased loaf pan and bake at 350F degrees for 30 - 35 min., until toothpick comes out clean.

For the Reuben:


  • Corned Beef make sure when buying, make sure it has no extra added sugar (HFCS, or dextrose. Sam's Club has good selections with really great prices)
  • 2 jars Sauerkraut- rinsed and drained (again make sure there is no added sugar, that stuff is everywhere!)
  • Sliced swiss cheese
  • 2 med-lg vidalia onions chopped & browned w/ olive oil, salt and pepper
  • 1/2 c. coconut sugar
  • 3 granny smith apples w/ skin on - cored and grated in food processor

 Prepare cornered beef according to instructions. Once it is cooked place all ingredients in the crockpot. Cook for several hours.

To prepare the sandwiches, remove sauerkraut and cornerd beef from crockpot. In griddle or fry pan, melt butter and soak both sides of bread. Place sliced corned beef on top and add sauerkraut, mustard and swiss cheese on top. Place the other slice of bread on top and let the cheese melt a little bit. Remove and devour!!


Sunday, October 13, 2013

Snickerdoodle Butter Pecan Ice Cream Sandwiches

Hey everyone!

Alright, I am super excited about this weeks blog, because this recipe called for a mash up - inventing on mine and my brother's part. You see, to eat the way we do, there aren't recipes that are 100% made of what we eat. So, we have to use our inventing skills and sort of mash up recipes that we have found and what we know works, and we were not disappointed!! These snickerdoodle butter pecan ice cream sandwiches were Unbelievable and it was amazing to taste it and think "This ice cream sandwich is made with no sugar and no preservatives and it tastes like I am having a guilty pleasure!". These sandwiches are amazing and I dare you to try experimenting yourself with different and healthier alternatives and see if you can love your favorite foods even better!

The recipes that we mashed together and referenced for this recipe come from: "The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook" and www.momgonepaleo.com. Check them out!

Enjoy

Jaimee

Snickerdoodle Butter Pecan Ice Cream Sandwiches

For Snickerdoodles- makes 36 cookies

  • 2 1/2 c. almond flour
  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1/2 c. tapioca starch
  • 6 tbsp. grapeseed oil
  • 1/2 c. 100% maple syrup (with no added sugars or preservatives!)
  • 2 tbsp. vanilla extract
  • Cinnamon for topping

 Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper. In large bowl mix the flour, salt, baking soda, and starch. In medium bowl, whisk the oil, syrup and vanilla. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix till incorporated. Spoon dough (1tbsp) onto cookie sheets. Pressing down with palm of hand to flatten the dough. Leave two inches in between. Sprinkle cookies with cinnamon and bake for 7-10 min. till golden brown! Let cool!

For Butter Pecan Ice Cream
  • 3 c. heavy whipping cream
  • 3 egg yolks
  • 1/2 c. salted butter (add more if you want ice cream to be more buttery)
  • 1/4 c. maple syrup
  • 1 tbsp. vanilla
  • 2 1/4 c. pecans (coarsely chopped)
  • 3/4 tsp. stevia
In small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter, then add maple syrup and vanilla extract. Simmer for 5 min. then add pecans. Let mixture incorporate and remove from heat and set aside. In another saucepan heat cream and add stevia. Add 1 c. praline mixture into sauce pan plus extra to taste. Prepare egg yolks and slowly add into the cream mix. Once it's all in there, put in the fridge till cool. After cooled, prepare according to the ice cream instructions on your ice cream maker!

Once the ice cream is done, place a scoop or two of ice cream onto the cookies, top with the other cookie and there you have it! Add a cup of coffee and for me its heaven! =)

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Fudge Bars

Hello all,

Sorry about not posting last week! It was a crazy one, but I am back with a recipe that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth! Mom found this recipe original entitled "Paleo Brownies", after working her magic , these "brownies" came out more like fudge bars, amazing, chocolatey, guilt-free goodness! For those with nut allergies! Try swapping our almond flour for coconut flour. Make sure you look up conversions though because coconut flour is denser flour!

Enjoy!

P.S. As a challenge, so to speak, next time you are at your grocer, read the backs of the labels. Notice all the preservatives and sugars that are in most of the foods with names you can't even pronounce? Try instead to find a healthier version or just have an adventure and make it yourself!!



Fudge Bars
      
       Ingredients

  • 3/4 c. almond flour
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/8 tsp. baking soda, 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
  • 2/3 c. local honey, +1 tsp. stevia
  • 3 eggs
  • 1tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 c. coconut oil
  • 4 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate squares
  • 1/2- 1c. chopped walnuts (optional)
     Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Mix dry ingredients. Melt chocolate squares and coconut oil in a pan. beat eggs, honey, and vanilla in a separate bowl. Slowly add melted chocolate to egg mixture. Whisk thoroughly and add slowly so eggs won't scramble! Add dry ingredients to the bowl and mix completely. Fold in walnuts (optional). Pour batter into greased 8x8 or 9x13 pan. bake for 20-25min until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely. Serve with vanilla ice cream!

Friday, September 20, 2013

Baked Breaded Chicken w/ Sour Cream Dill Dip (Grain free, sugar free)

Hello all!

So for this week's blog, I will be posting my family's go-to chicken recipe. This dish is super easy to make and the taste is incredible! (KFC, watch out). The breading mix, created by mom, is versatile so often times she will put it on fish, zucchini (this makes for incredible fries), and a bunch of other fried dishes. This is a great, gluten- free alternative for those days where you just feel like ordering a bucket of chicken! So Enjoy!

P.S. Also, on top of the chicken is a balsamic reduction. Its super easy to make! Just put some balsamic vinegar in a pot and put it on low. Let it reduce done till its about half of the amount you put in. Super easy and delicious on everything from chicken to fish!

Jaimee



Breaded Baked Chicken w/ Sour Cream Dill Dip

This recipe is enough for 16 chicken tenders and 8 chicken thighs. So make accordingly.

Ingredients:

Baked Breaded Chicken w/ Sour Cream Dill Dip
  • 3 eggs                                         

  • 1/2 c. almond meal

  • 1/2 c. coconut flour

  • 1/2 c. parmesan cheese

  • 1tbsp. garlic powder

  • 1tbsp. paprika

  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt

  • 1/4 tsp. black pepper

  • 1tbsp. chipotle chili powder (Optional but highly recommended!)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk eggs. In shallow dish mix flours, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper. Dip chicken in egg then flour mixture. Place in single layer on baking sheet greased with coconut oil. Drizzle pieces with olive oil. Bake 45min-1hr until golden brown.

Sour Cream Dill Dip

  • 16oz. package of sour cream ( make sure it is the all natural, read the back to make sure there is no cornstarch or sugar!)

  • 1tsp. dill weed

  • 1tsp. dill seed

  • 1/2 tsp. sea salt

  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper


Instructions:

Combine all the ingredients together and stir till mixed. Add more of spices if needed.





Friday, September 13, 2013

Grain- free Peach Cobbler

Hello All,

It is peach season in Georgia and I couldn't be happier!! Peaches are one of my favorite fruits and any peach dessert I love! This recipe I found off google, and me and mom couldn't wait to try it. The recipe is super easy to make and the fruit can be made in advance and kept in the fridge. Mom made a few adjustments to the recipe to make it just a bit sweeter and more cobbler like.

For the ice cream, there are two options that you can do to keep it clean with no sugar. The first option is to make it yourself. We use this recipe (http://www.musingsofaworkathomemom.com/171/ice-cream-in-a-baggie/)  with 1 c. heavy cream, only 1 tsp. of stevia, and the vanilla we use 100% organic with no sugar. Make sure you read the labels because that stuff is everywhere!

The second option is to go to either your local grocery store or health food store and look for ice cream brands that are sweetened with stevia or xylitol (a natural sweetener). A brand that I know is good is the"So Delicious: Dairy Free" No Sugar Added Vanilla Bean ice cream. This is sold at our local store!

Enjoy!
Jaimee

P.S. The recipe says to top the cobbler with coconut milk! I was like, "What?"but, apparently, this is a common thing to do with cobbler. Who knew?!?



Grain-free Peach Cobbler w/ homemade ice cream
Grain-free Peach Cobbler
  • 4 peaches (diced, pitted, skinned)

  • 1/2 water

  • 1/3 c. honey

  • 1 1/2 c. almond flour

  • 2 tbsp. butter

  • 1 tsp. cinnamon (heaping)

  • 1 egg

  • pinch of salt

  • 1 tsp. stevia (heaping)

  • 1/4 c. coconut sugar


Instructions

Put peaches, water and honey in saucepan. Heat until boiling, stirring often. Then turn to low and let simmer for 10min.

Coat baking dish w/ coconut oil. After fruit has simmered add to baking dish.

In separate bowl add flour, butter, cinnamon, egg and salt. Mix well. Crumble over  fruit, coating evenly. Place in 350F oven and bake for 35 min.


Top with coconut milk or ice cream.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Clean Baked Beans w/ quinoa flour chips

Hello all! Football season (NFL that is) is thankfully starting this Sunday! So what better way to celebrate than baked beans and chips, and not only are they just baked beans and chips but they are clean and gluten free!! This baked bean recipe, created by mom, is by far the best bean recipe I have ever had in my life and the fact that its healthy is an extra bonus! The chips are actually an adaption of quinoa flour tortilla's that we just cut to chip size and bake in the oven! So get ready folks, for a warm bowl of baked beans with chips, watching your favorite football team! GO FALCONS!!
Enjoy!
Jaimee


Clean Baked Beans

Ingredients:

  • 6 cans navy beans (drained, rinsed)

  • 2 med/lg onions (diced, browned)

  • 3/4 c. molasses

  • 1/2 c. coconut sugar

  • 1 c. homemade ketchup (sugar free ketchup, or ketchup with no high fructose corn syrup)

  • 6 shakes coconut aminos( great alternative to soy sauce)

  • 1 tsp. salt and pepper

  • 4 slices bacon , cooked and cut in pieces + a bit of the grease


Instructions:

Combine in pot over medium heat. Let simmer. Top with shredded cheese and DEVOUR with homemade quinoa flour chips!

P.S. Variation of this recipe is to put beans in baking dish. Slice pepper and onion and cook in skillet. Add to dish. Cover with cheese and bake till cheese is golden brown and melty!


Homemade Quinoa Flour Chips ( Tortilla's)

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 c. quinoa flour

  • 1/4 tsp. sea salt

  • 1/2- 3/4 c. lukewarm water


Instructions:
Mix flour and slat adding water progressively (make sure the dough doesn't get too wet). Gather dough into a ball and knead until it loses its stickiness. Add more flour if necessary. Leave dough to rest for 1 hour. Cover with towel.

Heat skillet on medium heat and add a few drops of olive oil.

Place plastic wrap on counter, dust plastic and rolling pin with quinoa flour. Pinch off dough to size and roll into ball, roll in flour and place on top of prepared plastic. Put another piece of plastic wrap on top and roll till thing (about 1/8" thick)

Cook in skillet about 30 sec., then turn for another 30 sec. Let cool and cut the tortilla's with a
pizza cutter. Bake at 350 degrees till crispy. These can be re-heated and re-fried!