I’ve been hosting Thanksgiving dinner for several years. Because I enjoy cooking and can plan and multitask like no one’s business, Thanksgiving is totally doable for me. And I love that I can make it all gluten, dairy, and cane-sugar free, and everyone always, every year, raves about the food. They can’t tell my stuffing is gluten free, or that the sweet potatoes aren’t swimming in cane-sugar, or the gravy is Paleo (gasp)! So when I started hosting the thought of roasting an entire turkey was completely unappealing. I mean, yes, it looks lovely, but it takes so long and it just made more sense (to me) to buy turkey parts and roast them to their appropriate doneness (as we all know, white meat cooks differently than dark meat). I’ve also noticed that turkey legs are really popular and I like having more than two available. I’ve really enjoyed preparing turkey this way and my guests seem to enjoy it as well. Perfectly moist breast meat and perfectly moist dark meat?! Yes please. I wanted to share my method with you in case you were feeling a little overwhelmed by the whole bird. By the way, brining turkey is a necessary step to that delicious, moist meat…so don’t skip it! Gobble-gobble. Continue reading
Category Archives: grain free
Roasted Turkey with Garlic, Thyme, and Lemon w/ Paleo Gravy
Grain-Free “Corn” Dog Bites
I am on a never ending mission to make new and fun snacks and lunches for my kiddos. It makes me happy to fill their lunch bags every morning with nutritious whole food that I feel good about. My kids LOVE corn dogs, as do I. I recently saw a new product pop up in the frozen food isle. They are these little mini corn dogs – they are round and gluten free (the coating is mostly corn). I bought some to try. They were good, but the coating was really hard, but I loved how they were bite size! And do you know what else is bite size?….MINI MUFFINS. So I created a very basic almond flour batter as the “corn” and used our favorite grass fed beef dogs to make a fun little snack that isn’t deep fried, isn’t on a sick, but mimics the flavor and essence of a corn dog. My kids gave them a rousing thumbs up, so yay! Another fun idea for their lunch boxes.
Grain-Free Apple Cinnamon Mini Muffins
I wanted to make a fall-inspired snack for my kiddos this week…and they LOVE apple cinnamon anything, so some yummy apple cinnamon mini muffins fit the bill. I find that mini muffins are perfect for snack time – they are easy to pack and easy to eat. I prefer to make muffins with almond flour, as one cup of almond flour has 20 grams of protein! I love that my kiddos are getting a good protein surge for their morning snack (not to mention all those good fats) to hold them over until lunch. I’m excited about more apple recipes in the coming weeks, especially this one from Ricki Heller. I hope everyone is having a great fall so far. I’ve got my Halloween costume all set and ready to party. Woot-woot. Continue reading
Labels: fall treats, grain free, holidays, muffins, Paleo, snacks, thanksgiving desserts.
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Southwestern Quinoa Salad
My local Natural Food Coop has been making a fiesta quinoa salad for years (10+). I ate it like crazy when it first showed up in the deli and would also pick some up for potlucks or for dinner. A few years ago I started making it myself. I remember it was a blistering hot summer, and for weeks it was over 100 degrees and I refused to turn on my oven for most of it. Like most summers, we live off of cool meals such as avocado mint soup, salads galore, raw treats and homemade ice cream. This quinoa salad is super refreshing and it’s a favorite among my family and friends. Maybe this dish will make an appearance at your next party…or for dinner one hot summer night. xo, –Amber Continue reading
Labels: allergy-friendly, grain free, salads, summer cuisine, vegan, vegetarian.
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Almond Flour Blueberry Mini Muffins
Last year I finally bought myself a mini muffin pan…and I love it! I try to keep snack time creative and healthy for the kiddos and mini muffins were a perfect new addition. I love using almond flour for the muffins, as they are packed with protein. Any flavor combo is possible and I adore that they are easy to make, easy to pack, and easy to eat. Today I am sharing blueberry, as blueberries are in season and such a delightful little berry. I also use cherry, strawberry, or raspberry or any combo of each. The kids also love banana chocolate chip, which I will share soon. Have you ever made mini muffins? I am addicted! Continue reading
Labels: grain free, kids, muffins, Paleo, snacks, summer cuisine, summer treats.
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Grain Free Cashew Thumb Print Cookies
Okay, these aren’t really thumb prints I guess, more like heel prints (ha ha). I like lots of filling in my cookies so I make the dips bigger than your typical thumb print width. So these cookies were inspired by a new paleo cookie that has arrived at my local natural foods coop (created by a local bakery called Sugar Plum Vegan). The ingredients: super simple. The price: OUCH! One cookie costs $4 – I’m not kidding. That’s a bit outrageous, especially since these cookies are very easy to make with some very basic paleo ingredients. I bought one to taste test (and I really liked it) so took note of the ingredients and made my own batch the next day. My recipe contains an egg because I like to use egg as a binder and like the way it tastes with the cashews (vegan option in notes). The flavor is truly spot on. I could not justify buying another $4 cookie when I literally had everything at home to make a big batch. These are my family’s new favorite treat. I try to make 2 or 3 homemade snacks each week for the kiddos to decrease my dependence on packaged food (especially packaged snacks). And these are super easy to make and low in the sugar department (which is always a plus). Continue reading
No-Bake Mini Pumpkin “Cheesecake” with Vanilla Bean Coconut Cream Topping (dairy free, grain free, cane-sugar free)
Crust
-1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
-1 cup Medjool dates (about 7 regular size), seeded and chopped
-1 tablespoon maple syrup*
-2 tablespoons carob powder
Pumpkin Filling
-1 cup raw cashews soaked 4 to 6 hours
-1 cup cooked plain pumpkin puree
-1/3 cup maple syrup*
-1/2 cup melted coconut oil
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
-1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
-1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Vanilla Bean Coconut Cream Topping
-3/4 cup cashews soaked 4 to 6 hours
-Cream from 1 can of full fat coconut milk*
-2 tablespoons maple syrup*
-1 vanilla bean
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
How To:
Crust
In a food processor add the pumpkin seeds and blend for 10 seconds. Add in the chopped dates and blend with the pumpkin seeds until incorporated. With the food processor running, add in the maple syrup and carob. Blend until incorporated. Press the mixture into baking cups or a spring form pan.
Pumpkin Filling
1. Drain and rinse the cashews.
2. In a high speed blender (or high quality blender, such as a Ninja), add in the cashews, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, and maple syrup and blend on medium speed. Use the tamper to encourage the mixture to move around.
3. Turn the blender on low and drizzle in the melted coconut oil. Repeat with the tamper, encouraging the mixture to flow, and turn on high.
4. Turn down to low and add in the spices, then continue blending.
5. The mixture is ready when it’s creamy and smooth.
6. Add this mixture to the top of the crust. Then place in the refrigerator.
Vanilla Bean Coconut Cream Topping
1. Drain and rinse the cashews.
2. In a high speed blender (or high quality blender, such as a Ninja), add in the cashews, coconut cream, vanilla extract, and maple syrup and blend on medium speed. Use the tamper to encourage the mixture to move around.
3. Scrape out inside of the vanilla bean and add this to the mixture. Blend until incorporated.
4. Add this mixture to the top of the pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle with cinnamon (optional). Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to firm up.
This recipe makes 18 mini cheesecakes or one 8 inch spring-form pie.
Notes:
*Vegans use maple syrup or coconut nectar. SCD use only honey. Paleo use coconut nectar or honey. SCD omit carob and use 2 tablespoons of coconut flour.
*For the coconut cream, place a can of full fat coconut milk in the refrigerator for at least 3 days (I always have 4 or 5 in there). It’s okay if the coconut cream doesn’t separate well after 3 days. Just be sure to NOT shake the can. Gently open the can and pour the coconut cream into the blender. Stop when you get to the watery part. The coconut cream doesn’t need to be super thick for this recipe, you just want the cream and water to be separated so you can get the cream out.
Mini Strawberry Cultured “Cheesecakes”
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Shared on: Allergy-Free Wednesdays, Wellness Weekend, Lunchbox Love, My Meatless Mondays,
Fat Tuesdays
Cauliflower Tortillas
Raw Lemon Pie Macaroons: Coco-Roon Knock Offs (dairy free, grain free, Paleo, SCD, GAPS)
-2 cups shredded coconut (any brand will do, I purchase mine in the bulk section)
-1 cup almond flour (I used Bob’s)
-2 teaspoons lemon zest
-2 tablespoons honey (vegans, use maple syrup or coconut nectar)
-2 tablespoons melted coconut oil
-2 tablespoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
-1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1/4 teaspoon lemon oil (optional, or use an extra tablespoon of lemon juice)
-1/2 teaspoon salt
How To:
1. In a food processor add the 2 cups of shredded coconut. Blend for 30 seconds. Then add in the almond flour. Blend together for 10 seconds.
2. With the food processor running, add in the lemon zest, honey, coconut oil, lemon juice, salt and lemon oil (optional). Blend together for 15 seconds.
3. The mixture will feel wet and oily. That’s okay.
4. Scoop out the mixture with a 1-ounce ice cream scoop and place directly on the dehydrator tray (no screens). This is the dehydrator I use.
5. Dehydrate for at least 6 hours on 110 degrees. These dry nicely on the outside (leaving no oily residue) and stay moist on the inside. Makes about 12 macaroons.
Labels: cane sugar free, dessert, GAPS, grain free, Paleo, raw, SCD.
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Raw Apple Cinnamon Cereal (nut free, grain free, dairy free, cane-sugar free, vegan) For Go Ahead Honey
Labels: breakfast, cane sugar free, dairy free, grain free, raw, snacks.
I’d LOVE to come your Thanksgiving dinner…your cranberry sauce is one of favs!! This looks delicious too…the cashew gravy looks to die for!
Awe, thanks Tessa! That would be a meal to remember for sure! Can you imagine. 🙂
So glad you are still enjoying the cranberry sauce. So fun. 🙂
That gravy looks so thick and delicious! Thanks for sharing this at Savoring Saturdays!