Salsa

A food processor is crucial for this recipe, in my opinion for time. Takes about 5 minutes to whip up the most delicious, fresh salsa. 

10-12 big tomatoes  (I like to mix varieties)

1 small purple onion 

3 cloves of fresh minced garlic

1 bunch fresh cilantro

1 jalapeño 

1 green pepper

Juice of 2 limes

1 1/2 tsp cumin

1 tbsp olive oil

Salt to taste 

1. Add onion, jalapeño, garlic and a few tomatoes and pulse In food processor till chopped but not mushy. 

2. Add cilantro, green pepper and rest of tomatoes to processor and pulse till chopped but not mushy. 

3. In a large bowl mix both batches from processor and add oil, lime juice, cumin and salt. Chill well before serving. 

Enjoy!

Bacon and Brussels Slaw

Totally addicted. 

1 small head of cabbage sliced thinly

1 cup chopped brussel sprouts

2 shredded carrots

4 green onions chopped

1/2 cup Primalkitchens mayo

2 tbsp Apple cider vinegar

2 tbsp coconut aminos

8 slices of cooked bacon

Salt

Celery seeds for garnish

1. Mix mayo, vinegar, aminos, onions and a little salt (rememebr the aminos are very salty) to make the dressing. 

2. Mix and the veggies and top with dressing. Allow to chill slightly before serving. 

3. Top with bacon and celery seeds before serving. (Also is REALLY good with a little crumbed blue cheese)

Enjoy!!!

Whole 30 Traditional Potato Salad

8 potatoes cut in chunks with skin

4 boiled eggs peeled

1 cup of a whole 30 approved Mayo

1/4 cup yellow mustard

1/2 cup chopped whole 30 approved pickles

1/4 cup pickle juice

2 tbsp diced pimentos

3 stalks of celery chopped

1 bunch of chopped green onions 

1 tsp celery salt

1 tsp Himalayan salt

1. Boil potatoes till soft but not mushy and drain well. Sit aside and allow to cool slightly. 

2. Add eggs and vegetables to potatoes in a big bowl. 

3. Whisk Mayo, mustard, pickle juice, pimentos and spices together. Stir into potato mix. Season with more salt if needed. 

Enjoy!!!

 

Creamy Kale

You can go wrong with garlic, purple onion, bacon and whole fat coconut milk. Dreamy. 

2 tbsp ghee or butter

2 garlic cloves minced

1 small purple onion sliced thin

2 slices of bacon chopped

1 tsp nutmeg

3/4 cup whole fat coconut milk

8 cups fresh chopped Kale 

Himalayan salt to taste 

1. Heat ghee or hitter in a large cast iron skillet. When hot add bacon, garlic and onion. Cook till slightly carmelized. 

2. Add nutmeg and stir well. Toss is Kale and drizzle with coconut milk. 

3. Mix and cook on medium heat till Kale is all wilted and tender. Season with Himalayan salt. 

Enjoy!

 

Squash Casserole

In the summer, when yellow squash is coming out of my ears, I slice and freeze for later use. I like it cooked many ways, but what's more southern than Squash Casserole? But by the time many put cream of this and cream of that is full of junk. This is by no means healthy but its good and better than the norm!

Squash Casserole

4 cups of sliced yellow squash
1 sweet onion chopped

2 fresh garlic cloves minced
 1/2 cup organic plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup fresh grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 egg
1/4 cup homemade whole wheat bread crumbs, crackers etc
 2 tbsp of organic melted butter
1 tsp of Himalayan salt

1. Boil squash and onion till tender in water.
2. Remove moisture from squash and onion.
3. Mix squash, garlic, stock, yogurt, egg, cheese and salt. Place in a greased baking dish.
4. Top with bread crumbs and drizzle with butter
5. Bake at 350 for 30-45 minutes or till bubbly.

Broccoli Souffle

Eat your broccoli. Eat your broccoli. EAT YOUR BROCCOLI.

For some it's a act of congress. Help ease the pain with this easy and flavorful broccoli dish.

1 bunch (3 small heads) of broccoli ...
1 cup plain organic Greek yogurt
1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 free range egg
1 small sweet onion
1 fresh garlic clove
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp organic butter
Himalayan salt to taste

1. In food processor pulse raw broccoli till desired consistency. I like finely ground.
2. In sauté pan. Heat oil and add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook till tender.
3. Mix broccoli with cooked onions and all other ingredients but butter.
4. Grease a baking pan and pour broccoli mixture in. Top with melted butter.
5. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Marinated Carrots (Copper Pennies)

Take your favorite recipe and make it a healthier version with a few alterations!

This has always been one of my favorites. The tomato soup has many unnecessary ingredients. And a cup of white sugar is a little much.

Here's my version:...

Marinated Carrots

2 lbs of slices carrots
1 green pepper sliced
1 onion cut in thin rings
1 14 1/2 oz box or can of organic diced tomatoes
1/2 cup local honey
1/2 cup olive oil
3/4 cup Braggs apple cider
1 tbsp Braggs liquid aminos
Himalayan salt and pepper to taste

In blender or with immersion blender. Purée the can of diced tomatoes.

In large bowl mix puréed tomatoes with all other ingredients. Chill before serving.

Sweet Potato Souffle

Clean up that thanksgiving menu!! No one will know when they are eating and only tell them after they gobble it up!

Sweet Potato Casserole

6 sweet potatoes peeled and in chunks...
1/2 cup of milk of choice (I recommend coconut or almond/cashew)
2 free range eggs
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp organic virgin coconut oil
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup local honey
1 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup coconut sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

1. Boil potatoes in water on stove till easily pierced with fork. Drain water.
2. Mash potatoes with milk, 2 tbsp coconut oil, eggs, vanilla, honey and cinnamon till creamy.
3. Spread in a greased baking dish.
4. Mix pecans, flour, 1/2 cup coconut oil (can substitute butter), coconut sugar. Top potatoes.
5. Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

So good! I could eat for dessert!

Orzo with Turmeric and Asparagus

1 cup whole wheat orzo

1 1/4 cup bone broth or chicken broth

3 cloves of fresh minced garlic

1/2 tsp turmeric 

Juice of 1 lemon

2 cups fresh asparagus cut in 2 inch pieces

2 tbsp olive oil 

Himalayan salt to taste 

1. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in pan and add orzo. Browning slightly. Add broth and turmeric and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook for approx 5 minutes. 

2. In sauté pan, heat remaining 1 tbsp oil and add garlic. Throw in asparagus and cook till tender. About 3 minutes. 

3. Toss orzo into pan with asparagus and top with fresh lemon juice. Serve immediately. 

Enjoy!

Roasted Maple Acorn Squash

1 acorn squash

3 tbsp coconut oil (or butter)

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp pure maple syrup

Himalayan salt to taste 

1. Mix melted coconut oil or butter or mix of both, with vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup, and salt. 

2. Cut squash in half and cut in 1 inch slices. 

3. Place on a greased cookie sheet or use a silicone mat, and brush with coconut oil mix. 

4. Roast at 400 for approx 25 minutes. Flip squash to the other side and brush with coconut oil mix and cook additional 10 minutes. 

Enjoy!

Homemade Sriracha

I got this recipe from a dear friend and have adjusted to my preferences. It makes a good bit and you can save for later use by canning, but if your like me, I put sriracha on anything and just store in a large container in the fridge. 

1 1/4 cups peeled garlic cloves

1 lb of red jalapeños. Sliced and most seeds removed. Leave more for more spice. 

2 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 

1/4 cup local honey

2 tbsp Himalayan salt

2 tbsp fish sauce

Place all but fish sauce in a large pan and bring to a simmer till mostly cooked together. About a hour. Add fish sauce and use an immersion mixer to get a finer consistency. Store in fridge. 

Macaroni and Cheese

Let's face it. If you have young children. Macaroni and cheese is a easy "go to" staple. And it's not meant to be low fat. Or complicated with ingredients. It's just meant to be creamy and comforting. I am not speaking from experience or an...ything

The. Simpler. The. Better.

This is our version:

Macaroni and Cheese

1 16 oz box of organic whole wheat noodles (we like penne)
1 8 oz block of sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
1 stick of organic butter
2 tbsp whole wheat flour
2 cups of organic milk of choice
1 tsp Himalayan salt
Few shakes of garlic powder

Cook pasta according to directions. Drain and set aside. In a large sauce pan melt butter and whisk in flour. Add milk slowly. Bring to a low simmer. Slowly add cheese, continually whisking till smooth. Add salt to taste and a few shakes of garlic powder if desired. Add pasta and mix well. Allow to sit for a moment for cheese sauce to stick to noodles before serving.

Broccoli Casserole

Eat your broccoli. Eat your broccoli. EAT YOUR BROCCOLI.

For some it's a act of congress. Help ease the pain with this easy and flavorful broccoli dish.

1 bunch (3 small heads) of broccoli
1 cup plain organic Greek yogurt...
1 cup freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 free range egg
1 small sweet onion
1 fresh garlic clove
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp organic butter
Himalayan salt to taste

1. In food processor pulse raw broccoli till desired consistency. I like finely ground.
2. In sauté pan. Heat oil and add chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook till tender.
3. Mix broccoli with cooked onions and all other ingredients but butter.
4. Grease a baking pan and pour broccoli mixture in. Top with melted butter.
5. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Garbanzo Bean Salad

Get back on track after a weekend of fun. Make this and eat for lunch or serve on top of grilled chicken for dinner. Easy to pack and would be amazing as a appetizer with some chia chips. Anyway you make it, it will be enjoyed!

Garbanzo Be...an Salad

1 can or box of garbanzo beans rinsed and drained
1 tomato chopped
1 cup fresh baby spinach chopped
1/4 cup feta cheese
1/4 cup fresh basil chopped or a few shakes of dried basil
1 tbsp of fresh oregano chopped or a few shakes of dried oregano
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp olive oil
Himalayan salt and pepper to taste

Toss all together. Chill slightly or eat immediately.

Pumpkin Butter

I am proving the white girl tradition and making all things pumpkin this fall.

All Natural Pumpkin Butter

1 can organic pumpkin purée
1/4 cup all natural apple juice (I used my homemade apple cider)...
1/2 cup local honey
2 tbsp all natural maple syrup
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
Juice of 1 lemon (good for preserving)
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Himalayan salt to taste

Mix all together in pot and simmer on low for about 1-1/2 hours. Store in fridge.

Amazingly good on Ezekiel cinnamon raisin bread/muffin.

Cauliflower Potatoes

Cauliflower "rice" and cauliflower "potatoes" are delicious to me.

Not. So. Much. My family.

After a friend (Rebecca Bibb) said she mixed and her family didn't even notice. I couldn't try fast enough.
...
1 head of cauliflower
2-3 organic white potatoes
1 fresh garlic clove
1-2 tbsp organic half and half
1/4 cup organic butter
Himalayan salt and pepper to taste

I chopped the cauliflower head in food processor. Added it to the pot of peeled and diced potatoes with the fresh garlic clove and covered with water. Cook till potatoes are done. Drain all liquid. Mash with hand masher or electric mixer with half and half and softened butter. Season with Himalayan salt and pepper.

No one will notice. And dang good!!

(This was roasted chicken, tri-color carrots and sautéed bok choy)

Zoodle Lo Mein

I wish I could buy each of my followers a Paderno Spiralizer. I am pretty sure there is NOT one person that would not agree that it rocks.

Tonight's zoodle lo mein did not disappoint. AND there no bloat, swelling, or guilt from the huge p...late of noodles consumed.

Sauté fresh garlic and fresh ginger in sesame oil. When tender, add hard veggies first, so they can cook longest. Adding the zoodles last. I did carrots, sweet peppers, bok choy and zoodles. Use aminos, tamari or a good quality soy sauce for seasoning.

Grilled Balsamic Green Veggies with Honey Goat Cheese and Whole Wheat Orzo

 Grilling veggies is a double score for me, husband takes care of most of meal.

One of the simplest and most delicious marinade for veggies to me is olive oil, bal...samic vinegar, honey, fresh garlic, fresh basil (if in season) and Himalayan salt.

Tonight's vegetables were Brussels sprouts, zucchini and sweet onions. After grilling I added them to cooked whole wheat orzo. Tossed well and added arugula and fresh honey goat cheese. The topped with grilled chicken. It was amazing as a meal or just the orzo as a side. Yummy for lunch too!

Roasted Tomatoes

The name of the game is easy and delicious......enjoy the last of your summer tomatoes with this side dish!

Slice tomatoes. Line on baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with Himalayan salt and pepper. Top with freshly grated Parmesan or Asiago cheese and a little fresh oregano (could use dried). Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes. Top with fresh basil and serve.

Classic Chicken Salad

Classic Chicken Salad

4 boiled free range chicken breasts
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped green onions...
3 fresh garlic cloves
3/4 cup plain organic Greek yogurt
2 tbsp local honey
1 1/2 tsp dill weed
1/4 cup craisins ( I used reduced sugar)
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Himalayan salt to taste

1. Pulse chicken with garlic in food processor till desired consistency.
2. In large bowl mix all ingredients with chicken.
3. Chill in fridge for a few hours before serving.