Blog Archives

I’m blogging over at The Balanced Platter today about some easy tips to keep eating healthy. Eating healthy can still be doable, even after that initial “I’m gonna change my diet and be healthy!” push you made at the start of the new year has long since fizzled. Along with some ways to make cooking and eating whole, healthy, unprocessed foods a bit easier, I’m also sharing a technique for roasting chicken that I’m sure you’ll love – spatchcocking. This technique can make roasting a whole chicken a weeknight event, and can make it taste better than any other method I’ve tried! (Roast chicken is definitely a wonderful way to your lover’s heart, too, so why not try it tonight for Valentine’s Day dinner?)

Head on over to The Balanced Platter to find out how to whip up a delectable roast chicken!

posted on Tuesday, February 14th, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Budget-Friendly,Chicken, Turkey, and other Poultry,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Healthy Meals,Quick and Easy 1 Comment

It’s that time of the year – time to gather around friends and family and watch football! Superbowl is one of those events that draw football fanatics and non-football watchers alike. After all, it’s a big party that often includes booze and delicious-but-unhealthy snacks, and it’s an opportunity for people to get together and have fun.

But what if you are following a gluten-free or other allergen-free diet? Or are simply trying to eat healthier? What do you do to combat the beer, pizza, wings, and chips-and-dip-fest that occurs at a Superbowl party? Bring your own healthier, wholesome, nutritious snack, that’s what! This dip is creamy and slightly spicy, but packs a good amount of vitamins from the butternut squash, and healthy fats from cashews, tahini, and olive oil. It’s also addictive – I love it paired with gluten-free crackers, but it really works well with raw veggies, such as celery sticks.

This is like an indulgent party dip, but in fact, it’s full of whole, healing foods, and for that reason, I’m sharing this recipe also as part of Go Ahead Honey, It’s Gluten-Free this month, hosted by Maggie of She Let Them Eat Cake. The theme this month is Foods That Heal.

While I’m a huge fan of vegetables in all forms (I do green smoothies and love them), I realize not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. However, veggies are an integral part of healing your body – something many of us on a gluten-free diet are working to do. When the opportunity comes along to eat something healing and nourishing that feels like party food, well, that’s a win-win for everyone, as even those that usually shy away from veggies can be enticed to indulge!

Of course, this isn’t a Superbowl party-only treat. I have been enjoying it in my lunch lately. I even shared it on Instagram the other day.

See that orange in the background? Yep – it was an orange-y food kind of day.

Anyway, this dip is easy to throw together in advance, and will store in the fridge for a few days (tastes great cold), so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t find a reason to make it. It’s like a sweet-and-spicy orange hummus. Only better.

Creamy Chipotle Butternut Dip (Gluten-free, Vegan)

1 ½ c cooked butternut squash

½ c raw cashews

¼ c tahini

2 garlic cloves

1 lime, juiced

2 T olive oil

1 T maple syrup

½ t cinnamon

½ t chipotle chile powder

¼ t ground cumin

½ t salt

Roast butternut squash – either cut in half and scoop out seeds, and roast cut-side-down in an oven at 375 degrees until soft (about 45 minutes), or do like I do – poke holes in the squash with a knife, place on a plate, and microwave until soft, about 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool, and then cut in half and scoop out seeds.

Place cashews and tahini in food processor and puree until smooth. Scoop out cooked butternut squash and add it, the garlic, lime juice, olive oil, maple syrup, cinnamon, chipotle chile powder, and salt. Puree until smooth. Adjust seasoning as needed.

Serve with gluten-free crackers, chips, or raw vegetable crudités.

Looking for more gluten-free Superbowl recipes? Check out this forum discussion at Udi’s Gluten-Free Living Community, or these recipes:

Texas Chili

(Dairy-Free) Nacho Cheese Stuffed Jalapenos

Adzuki Bean Spread

Deviled Eggs

Turkey Pumpkin Chili

Spicy Roasted Cashews

Quinoa Pizza Crust

This post is linked to Allergy-Free Wednesdays at Tessa the Domestic Diva.

posted on Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Appetizers,Budget-Friendly,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Kid-Friendly,Quick and Easy,Side Dishes,Vegetables,Vegetarian 40 Comments

I am a Texan. I grew up here in the Lone Star State, and I still live in the Dallas metroplex, not very far from where I grew up. Does that make me a little less worldly than some others? Perhaps. I’d like to think I make up for it with adventurous dishes with international flavors, like this beef curry or a big bowl of menudo. Sometimes, though, I love embracing foods a little closer to home.

I didn’t grow up eating much Southern food. My parents aren’t from the South, and so foods like grits, okra, fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, or collard greens were mostly foreign to them. I discovered these foods as I grew older and started eating outside of my own home, and let me tell you - I’m hooked. A great many Southern foods are humble and simple, making them the ultimate comfort food.

Collard greens are fairly common in my home today, and for good reason. Of course, they’re a delicious comfort food, as previously stated. In fact, this isn’t the first time I’ve blogged about them. But they’re also inexpensive and healthy, packing a good amount of vitamins A, C, E and calcium. I love them prepared in the traditional manner – simmered for a long time with some smoked ham hocks or bacon and onion, and doused with a bit of Tabasco when served – but  I also love them prepared in a speedier and lighter manner. Surprisingly, this version is just as tasty, without the ham or bacon.

My fellow Southerners might lynch me for considering such a notion, but hear me out. There is a product out there in the world that is smoky and delicious and is not bacon. The secret to my collard greens? Smoked sun-dried tomatoes. I find mine in the Italian food section of my specialty grocery (They’re California Sun-Dry brand, and no, I’m not being paid by this company to write about these babies, I just love this product.) They’re like vegan bacon, and they’re addictive. Try sprinkling some on salads, or incorporating them into a dip. Just try not to eat them all straight out of the bag. I dare you. If you don’t have access to this ingredient, you can always substitute regular sun-dried tomatoes (or even make your own!), but you might want to include some smoked paprika or something similar to add a depth of flavor to your greens. I encourage you to seek these out though.

The other main player in these easy greens is crimini mushrooms. I love them for their meaty texture and rich umami flavor. Slice a few of these up, and you’ve added a great element to a delicious dish.

There’s not much else to it. I intentionally wanted to keep this recipe fairly straightforward, so it could still speak to the simplicity of the more traditional version. Contrary to popular belief, Southern food doesn’t have to be all butter, deep-fried, and heart-attack-inducing. Traditional foods of the South never were about those things at all. Many people in the South simply learned to create delicious dishes on very humble, inexpensive, local ingredients, and nothing went to waste. If you ask me, this should be the philosophy of any great cuisine (and is the foundation of many traditinal foods!). Serve these up alongside some gluten-free cornbread, as a side dish, or as I often do with greens, as part of a warming breakfast. But whatever you do, make them soon!

Collard Greens with Crimini Mushrooms and Smoked Sun-Dried Tomatoes (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

1 T olive oil

4 oz crimini mushrooms, sliced

1/3 c smoked sun-dried tomatoes

1 large bunch collard greens, cut from stems and chopped

1-2 c vegetable broth

salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat. Sauté mushrooms and dried tomatoes for 5-7 minutes or until mushrooms are soft. Add collard greens and sauté for another minute, tossing to coat them in the remaining oil. Add vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cover. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes or until greens are wilted, opening the lid to stir occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serves 4.

posted on Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Budget-Friendly,Gluten-Free,Healthy Meals,Quick and Easy,Side Dishes,Vegetables,Vegetarian 17 Comments

This soup is a bit random. Chicken, a lot of different vegetables, and even some ham all found their way into my soup pot this past weekend. But often times, isn’t that the beauty of soup? You might have a kitchen full of various bits and bites, leftovers, and odds and ends, and with the right combination and a little simmering time, you have a rustic, comforting meal. It’s not culinary extravagance, but it’s good, particularly when a cold wind is blowing outside.

This particular soup started because I wanted to find something to make using the ham bone from Christmas that I’d thrown in the freezer. I didn’t want a bean soup (although leftover ham bones make beans taste delicious), nor did I want a potato or greens soup. Instead, I opted to go rogue, and create a random soup using a chicken that was also in my freezer, dried shiitake mushrooms, and whatever veggies were knocking about in the fridge. I wanted it to be creamy and comforting, but I didn’t want it to be heavy.

What resulted as a humble soup relying mostly on long-simmered, pureed vegetables as the “cream”, plus more veggies for texture and interest. Not to mention tasty bites of chicken and a lovely ham flavor accenting throughout. It wasn’t beautiful, and it wasn’t fancy, but it warmed my belly and satisfied my soul. (It didn’t hurt that it was a bit nutritious too.)

Creamy Chicken and Vegetable Stew

1 ham bone with a bit of ham left on it

1 whole chicken

1/2 yellow onion, peeled but left in one piece, studded with 6 cloves

2 carrots, scrubbed and cut into a few pieces (don’t bother to peel)

1 stalk celery, cut into a few large pieces

1 bay leaf, 1/2 t coriander seeds, and 1/2 t peppercorns, tied into a bag with a small piece of cheesecloth

1 oz dried shiitake mushrooms

2 c vegetable broth

1 lemon, sliced

2 T olive oil

2 T arrowroot starch

1 c non-dairy milk (I used So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk)

2-3 c water

3 carrots, peeled and sliced

1 zucchini, chopped

3 c chopped kale

1/4 t cayenne pepper

salt and pepper tp taste

Juice of 1 lemon

1/4 c chopped flat-leaf parsley

Place ham bone, chicken, onion, carrot, celery, bag of spices, mushrooms, and vegetable broth in a slow cooker. Lay lemon slices on top. Cook on low for 5-6 hours.

Strain broth from meat and vegetables. Skim fat from broth, and place broth and the carrot, celery, and mushrooms (as many as you can pick out, don’t get too worried about getting every last one of them) in a blender and puree. Set aside. Pick meat from bones and tear into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

In a large Dutch oven or soup pot, add olive oil. Heat to medium heat and whisk in arrowroot starch. Add non-dairy milk and whisk in. Bring to a slow boil, whisking frequently, until thick. Add broth mixture from blender, water, and carrots. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add meat, zucchini, kale, and cayenne. Simmer for 30 minutes. Add more water if needed. Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more salt and pepper as needed. Just before serving, stir in lemon juice and parsley.

Serves 6.

This post is linked to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays at Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free.

posted on Friday, January 13th, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Budget-Friendly,Chicken, Turkey, and other Poultry,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Healthy Meals,Main Dishes,Soups,Vegetables 8 Comments

Have you checked out The Balanced Platter yet? It’s a brand-spanking-new website, just launched on January 1. It’s an amazing resource for reliable, comprehensive, accurate, and easy-to-access information about balanced, healthy living, and is the creation of two of my most favorite gluten-free bloggers, Amy Green of Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free and Maggie Savage of She Let Them Eat Cake. This site will feature tips and recipes for healthy living, whole foods based recipes, helpful hints for living a full and balanced life and a lot more. I feel particularly blessed, as I’ve been asked to be a regular contributor to The Balanced Platter.

In fact, today is my first post! If you visit, you can read a bit about keeping things simple when trying to maintain a healthy diet, and you can check out my recipe for braised cabbage.

It’s not the most glamorous of vegetables, for sure, but it’s comforting, easy, and delicious, which makes it perfect for keeping your “must eat more vegetables” plan on track. It’s so simple, it barely needs a recipe, in fact. To read more about it, visit The Balanced Platter. Check back often – there is a lot of valuable information to come!

posted on Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 by altawrites Posted in Budget-Friendly,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Healthy Meals,Quick and Easy,Side Dishes,Vegetables,Vegetarian 4 Comments

A Gluten-Free Holiday is being hosted this week over at Diet, Dessert, and Dogs by Ricki Heller, and the theme is Holiday Breakfast and Brunch. Ricki is giving away a copy of her book, Sweet Freedom, and a copy of Gluten-Free and Vegan Holidays by Jennifer Katzinger, so be sure and head over there to check out the party!

Christmas is a time filled with lots of indulgences. Lots of cookies, tons of candy, and ever-so-special baked treats that make the season bright. Breakfasts are no exception, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t fond of a Christmas stollen, donuts, or a coffee cake. But overindulgence in these treats, I’ve learned, comes at a price – my still-sensitive system still can’t handle a ton of sweets and grains, even gluten-free ones. So I pick and choose when and what I’m going to enjoy, even on the holidays. But that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for “special” meals – far from it! Special, in my mind, means something that’s a departure from the everyday (in a good way), and that doesn’t always have to equate to extra sugar. In fact, for breakfast, I know I prefer a protein-and-veggie-filled meal to a carb-heavy one.

Hence the reason for this frittata. It comes together relatively quickly. Of course, the most important part? It’s tasty, in a light and fresh sort of way. Yes, there is some bacon involved (which also ups the “special” factor a bit), but it’s definitely nowhere near as heavy as most baked egg dishes, which are full of cream and cheese. The bacon and sun-dried tomatoes are pleasant components here, providing some depth of flavor without being overwhelming. This frittata is a delicious way to start a special day, and is light enough to leave room for a bit of other Christmas breakfast goodies, such as those being shared over at Diet, Dessert and Dogs this week!

Zucchini and Sun-dried Tomato Frittata

2 slices bacon, cut in half to fit skillet

1/4 c thinly sliced onion

1 large zucchini, thinly sliced (I used a mandoline)

3 T sun-dried tomatoes (I used my dehydrated “tomato candy“)

1/4 c roughly chopped flat-leaf parsley

3 eggs, whisked

Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Heat a small 8-inch oven-proof skillet over medium heat and fry bacon until crisp, about 5-8 minutes. Remove bacon, leaving the grease in the pan. Once bacon is cool enough to touch, crumble. Add the onion to the pan and saute for 2 minutes, then add the zucchini. Saute until just tender and brown in a few spots, then add the sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, and crumbled bacon. Toss together a bit, and remove from heat. Add the whisked eggs and season with salt and pepper. Stir the vegetables and bacon together with the eggs a bit to incorporate everything evenly. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until eggs are set in the center. Remove from oven, and place a plate upside-down over the skillet. Holding the bottom of the plate with one hand, and the handle of the skillet with the other, flip the pan and plate together so that the plate is now at the bottom and the skillet upside-down on top. The frittata should come free from the skillet and lay on the plate. Cut into wedges and serve.

Makes enough for 2 as part of a breakfast or brunch. Can be doubled – just bake in a larger skillet, perhaps for a few extra minutes.

This post is linked to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays over at Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free.

posted on Thursday, December 8th, 2011 by altawrites Posted in breakfast,Budget-Friendly,Dairy-Free,Eggs,Gluten-Free,Healthy Meals,Pork,Quick and Easy 11 Comments

At the Gluten-Free and Allergen-Free Expo in Dallas last month, I had the privilege of meeting Laura B. Russell, author of The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen. While I’m no stranger to making some Asian dishes gluten-free, (wheat-free tamari is a staple at our house, as are other gluten-free Asian pantry items, like fish sauce, coconut milk, curry pastes, ginger, garlic, sesame seeds – the list goes on.) there are gaps in my knowledge. For instance, I’ve never made dumplings or fried egg rolls, and I’m limited on my knowledge of Korean and Japanese cuisine. I tend to stick to South Asian curries and an occasional stir-fry. Well, friends, I’m here to tell you, not anymore. I’m branching out. After seeing recipes for gluten-free dumplings, bibimbap, and crispy spring rolls, I’m strongly considering making an Asian treat as often as possible. Laura definitely delivers, bringing foods back to my plate that I’d long since written off as one of those items I “used to eat”.

Have you ever done that? You’re sitting around chatting with a group of people, and the subject of food comes up. Someone mentions a restaurant or a food item that contains gluten. This restaurant has the best fried chicken, or OMG, homemade lasagna is the best are examples of such talks. And while you might not truly pine for the aforementioned fried chicken or lasagna, you join in the conversation, remembering that you “used to eat” it too, and you agree – it was good. I find myself in these conversations a lot – and find that I “used to eat” a lot of stuff, both good and bad. While 99% of the time, I’m much, much happier eating in a way that jives with my body (and over time, my body is thanking me for this – I’m feeling healthier every day), but there is that other 1%. That moment when the pining actually hits, and I truly miss one of those items I “used to eat”.

Laura helps fill that little void with her book. If you’ve ever missed your Chinese take-out, or long for crispy spring rolls, then pine no more, and grab yourself a copy of The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen.  The pictures alone will make you drool, but don’t stop there. Make something. You certainly won’t be sorry.

After bookmarking half the book when trying to decide what to make, I opted for quick-and-easy. I made Laura’s Kung Pao Chicken, substituting arrowroot starch for the cornstarch. It didn’t disappoint – it was full of flavor, but not so spicy that it wouldn’t be kid-friendly. (You can certainly add more red pepper flakes if you need additional heat.) This Kung Pao Chicken delivers that delicious, Chinese take-out fix you need, without all the MSG and gluten, and it can be prepared in about the same amount of time it would take for the Chinese food delivery guy to arrive at your door.

Just because Ten Speed Press and Laura B. Russell are so awesome, they’ve graciously offered to provide a copy of The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen as a giveaway for one of you. You could be cooking your very own Asian favorites in just a few weeks! Here are all the details on how to enter to win:

1. Leave a comment telling me what Asian food favorite you’d love to see made gluten-free.

2. Subscribe to Tasty Eats At Home and leave me a comment telling me you did so.

3. Visit Laura B. Russell’s website and subscribe, and leave me a comment telling me you did so.

4. “Like” Tasty Eats At Home on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did so.

5. “Like” Notes from a Gluten-Free Kitchen on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did so.

Best of luck to you! This giveaway closes on Friday, November 11, 2011. I will randomly draw one lucky name on Saturday, November 12.

Kung Pao Chicken, Reprinted with permission from The Gluten-Free Asian Kitchen: Recipes for Noodles, Dumplings, Sauces, and More. Copyright © 2011 by Laura B. Russell. Published by Celestial Arts, an imprint of Ten Speed Press and the Crown Publishing Group, Berkeley, CA. Photo Credit: Leo Gong.

1¹/₂ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into ¹/₂-inch dice

4 tablespoons soy sauce or 
tamari  , divided

1 tablespoon sake or dry sherry

¹/₂ teaspoon salt

¹/₂ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons warm water

1 tablespoon sugar

2¹/₂ tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar

2¹/₂ teaspoons toasted sesame oil

3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

8 cloves garlic, minced

6 green onions, white and green parts, sliced

¹/₂ teaspoon red pepper flakes

¹/₂ cup coarsely chopped roasted peanuts or cashews

Steamed rice, for serving (optional)

In a medium bowl, stir together the chicken, 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce, the sake, salt, and pepper. Set aside until ready to use.

In a small bowl, stir together the warm water and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Add the rice vinegar, sesame oil, and the remaining 3 tablespoons soy sauce.

In a large frying pan or a wok, heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned but not all the way cooked through, about 2 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a large bowl. Repeat with the remaining chicken and 1 tablespoon of the oil. Add the cornstarch to the chicken. Toss to combine. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add the ginger, garlic, green onions, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the chicken back to the pan and stir to coat. Stir in the soy sauce mixture and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce coats the chicken and everything is heated through, about 2 minutes longer. Stir in the peanuts; serve hot with steamed rice.

posted on Friday, November 4th, 2011 by altawrites Posted in Budget-Friendly,Chicken, Turkey, and other Poultry,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Healthy Meals,Kid-Friendly,Main Dishes,Quick and Easy 59 Comments

Is it Monday again already? The weekend flew by, as they usually do. I actually am together enough this Monday morning to share a menu plan with you!

A little caveat – while I do create a menu every weekend and plan my grocery shopping around it, that doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m married to that plan. Things come up (both good and bad) that prevent me from preparing dinner on a certain night. Sometimes, I’m just plain too tired to attack a complicated meal. (This is why I often incorporate easy meals into the menu, so I can rely on those meals when I know I’m not going to have the energy to tackle a new recipe or a dish that takes a lot of steps.) I’m fine with not sticking to my plan 100%. What my menu plan does accomplish for me, however, is peace of mind. Peace of mind knowing that I don’t have to wonder what to make for dinner, peace of mind knowing I’ve (usually) purchased the required grocery items to make said dinner, and peace of mind knowing we are getting a healthy, balanced meal most of the time. I suppose it’s my way of establishing some sense of control over what can otherwise become an overwhelming, chaotic event that for a lot of people, results in grabbing take-out or processed foods.

Monday

Breakfast: salmon and baby carrots

Lunch: leftover cabbage from dinner last night, a Tanka bar, almond butter (As I was writing this, I realized that the leftover chicken I’d packed for today is really too old to be safe to eat – it’s from last Tuesday. Whoops. Major fail on my part. Good thing I have some snacks in my desk for emergencies, or I’d be only eating cabbage for lunch!)

Dinner: lamb chops, acorn squash, garden salad

Tuesday

Breakfast: hard-boiled eggs, apple

Lunch: salmon and steamed kale

Dinner: out or leftovers – I have two soccer games

Wednesday

Breakfast: green smoothie with kabocha, spinach, protein powder, and pumpkin pie spices

Lunch: chili (there is some stashed in the freezer!)

Dinner: crustless chicken “pot pie”, sauteed okra

Thursday

Breakfast: hard-boiled eggs, possibly cauliflower rice pudding, if I get time to make it

Lunch: leftover chicken “pot pie” and okra

Dinner: steak, sweet potato puree (see below!), broccoli

Friday

Breakfast: hard-boiled eggs, apple with almond butter

Lunch: sardines with celery, leftover broccoli

Dinner: meatballs with spaghetti squash (GF pasta for the kids and hubby)

 And now, on to the maple sweet potato puree.

Sweet potato puree is one of my favorite “go-to” side dishes. It’s easy, and my husband and I love it. We’re both huge sweet potato fans, and this is a great way to enjoy them. With a little drizzle of maple syrup, they are sure to make a meal seem special. The best part? I cook them in the microwave!

I’m honestly not much of a microwave “cooker”. I use the microwave to reheat foods and to heat water for herbal tea. During the fall, I also use it to easily “roast” pumpkins and spaghetti squash (that’s a topic for another post!), but honestly, that’s about it. Except when it comes to sweet potato puree. Microwaving the sweet potatoes speeds up the whole process, and since I am pureeing the flesh anyway, it doesn’t deter from the flavor one bit. (In fact, it results in a creamier puree than if I was to boil cubes of sweet potato, since there isn’t additional water in it.) Now that I’ve started making this using the microwave, I don’t think I’ll go back to the slower, more dirty-dish-making method.

Maple Sweet Potato Puree

5 medium-sized sweet potatoes

2 T maple syrup

Salt and pepper to taste

Using a fork, poke holes in each of the sweet potatoes 4-5 times. Place the sweet potatoes in the microwave on top of a plate or paper towels. Microwave for about 12 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are soft when squeezed. (Squeeze carefully – don’t burn yourself!) Remove and set aside for a few minutes, until they are cool enough to handle.

Get your food processor ready with the metal “S” blade. As soon as you can handle the sweet potatoes, cut open the skin and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Place the flesh in the food processor. Drizzle syrup over, and turn on the food processor. Process until smooth, stopping to scrape down the sides if necessary. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. The sweet potato puree should still be hot enough to serve, but if it’s not, you can place it in a small saucepan and heat it over low heat on the stovetop.

If desired, drizzle additional maple syrup over each serving. We don’t usually do this, but it sure makes the photo look more drool-worthy! Serves 4.

This post is linked to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays at Simply Sugar and Gluten-Free.

posted on Monday, October 17th, 2011 by altawrites Posted in Budget-Friendly,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Healthy Meals,Kid-Friendly,Side Dishes,Vegetables,Vegetarian 10 Comments

It was almost a year ago when I was first in touch with Hallie Klecker, the author of the beautiful blog Daily Bites and The Pure Kitchen to start testing recipes for her book. I was excited to test them – Hallie’s blog was full of delicious, easy-to-make, wholesome recipes. Long ago I’d fallen in love with her carrot cake bites, and I knew only tasty things could come from this book!

But it’s most exciting to see the final product. This is Hallie’s first book, and it couldn’t be more wonderful. In addition to 100 gluten-free, dairy-free recipes, she guides the reader on how to transition to a more wholesome, pure way of living that can result in relief of a lot of nagging health issues and pave the way for a healthier life – without a lot of clutter, confusion, and junk. She suggests planning, and gives ideas of healthy pantry staples and kitchen utensils to use. While it might sound like a lot, the entire process is extremely approachable. Hallie has a wonderful way of making everything seem simpler and easier.

That approachability doesn’t stop with her recipes. Many gluten-free and dairy-free recipes list tons of ingredients. I’ve been guilty of this – I have a very well-stocked pantry and so for me, it’s nothing to grab just one more spice or ingredient to make my dish “perfect”. This sometimes results in a really long list of ingredients! In The Pure Kitchen, however, Hallie has a perfect balance of flavor and restraint. She carefully selects her ingredients, never including more than necessary, and the end result is a delicious, clean, pure dish.

Case in point: Dark Chocolate Brownie Balls. These are simple, and require no cooking. They only require a handful of ingredients, and in much less time than it would take you to make brownies (even those old brownies from a box!), you could have healthier, delicious brownie balls like these. They aren’t overly sweet, are full of dark chocolate goodness, and really satisfy that brownie craving in a small bite.

 If chocolate’s not your thing, then she has another no-bake treat that is just as simple to make: Peanut Butter Freezer Treats. These little balls include peanut butter, applesauce, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips (which you can exclude if you’d like), and raisins, rolled and frozen. She describes them as a cross between peanut butter ice cream, chocolate fudge, caramel candies, and date balls. After trying them, I can totally agree. You can keep these babies out of sight, and grab one out of the freezer for a sweet treat that satisfies without a ton of sugar or empty calories.

Hallie does more than just dessert, however. She has a lovely slow cooker recipe, perfect for a weeknight. I made her Slow Cooker Indian Chicken, throwing everything into the crock for my slow cooker the night before, sticking it in the refrigerator, so I would only have to pull it out and turn it on before I left for work that morning. It smelled delicious when I walked in the door that evening, and within 15-20 minutes, dinner was ready. I call that a success. I did opt to make mine with a cauliflower “rice” instead of quinoa, but I can imagine quinoa would do an excellent job of soaking up the sauce, which was a definite highlight of this dish.

Regardless of whether you are new to gluten and dairy-free eating or have been cooking this way for years, The Pure Kitchen is definitely a resource to have at your disposal. I know I’ll return to this book time and time again.

Slow Cooker Indian Chicken with Quinoa, reprinted with permission from Hallie Klecker, The Pure Kitchen

1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 1/2 cups cremini mushrooms, quartered (I left mine whole so I could fish them out more easily – I’m the only mushroom-lover in the house)

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (About 1 1/4 pounds)

2 teaspoons curry powder

1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup canned coconut milk (full fat)

2 teaspoons arrowroot starch

1/3 cup raisins or dried currants (I used raisins)

1 1/4 cups quinoa

2 1/2 cups water

Chopped cilantro, for garnish

Place the bell pepper, carrots, onion, and mushrooms in the bottom of a large slow cooker. Rub the chicken thighs with the curry powder, garlic powder, and salt. Arrange on top of the vegetables. Pour the broth over the chicken. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.

In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut milk and arrowroot starch to combine. Stir the mixture into the chicken and vegetables along with the currants. Use 2 forks to shred up the chicken thighs in the bottom of the slow cooker. Cover and continue to cook on low for 30 minutes or on high for 15 minutes.

While the chicken finishes cooking, make the quinoa: bring the quinoa and water to boil in a medium pot over high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook untilthe water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy, about 15 minutes.

Serve the chicken and vegetables over the quinoa. Garnish with the cilantro.

posted on Sunday, October 16th, 2011 by altawrites Posted in Budget-Friendly,Chicken, Turkey, and other Poultry,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Healthy Meals,Main Dishes,Quick and Easy 4 Comments

Wow, it’s been a week since I’ve posted anything on this lil’ ol’ blog. It’s not because I don’t love you. I do. I think life just got in the way a bit. And that’s not always a bad thing.

This past weekend was busy, as always, and I spent a good deal of time in the kitchen…as always. When I wasn’t in the kitchen, I was spending time with the kids, and enjoying some time with my husband, celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary. However, when I was in the kitchen, the kitchen adventures were not blog-worthy. I made a chicken and sausage stew that was just mediocre. I scrambled eggs, sauteed zucchini, and fried some bacon for Sunday breakfast. I attempted a grain-free carrot cake, but wanted to make it in layers. I should have lined the pans (even though I greased them) with parchment, because they stuck, and came out in quite a few pieces. It was a promising start, however, because those crumbled bits did taste pretty good. Hopefully I’ll have a successful version soon, but until then…

Here are some green beans.

While that sounds like the consolation prize of the year, let me assure you – these are anything but consolation-prize green beans. They are definitely more than the sum of their parts. Something magical happens when smoked paprika enters the picture. It’s one of my favorite spices – a little bit adds a wonderful depth and interest to a dish without overwhelming. Paired with the fresh green beans, nutty pecans, and just a touch of oil, smoked paprika welcomes the cooler temperatures and heartier flavors of fall. It’s becoming a mainstream spice, and I’ve found it at just about any well-stocked grocery.

What I love most about this, however, is its simplicity. During the week, my days are pretty full. The alarm goes off before 5:00 AM, and I’m up. I squeeze in a quick workout, and I’m out the door to work by 6:30-6:45, so I can try to beat some of the traffic and get to the office in under an hour (my commute is over 30 miles each way). I get home around 5:45 PM, and by then, I’m beat. Most of the time, the creative juices just aren’t flowing, and I am ready to figure out the quickest way to get dinner on the table. This is where simplicity is king. Unfortunately, that often means my side dishes and vegetables are nearly afterthoughts – I simply steam fresh vegetables and season with salt and pepper. While I love steamed fresh veggies, especially broccoli and asparagus, adding an ingredient or two makes a big difference without actually adding a lot of effort. Such was the case with these green beans – opting to toss with coconut oil and these spiced pecans made the green beans seem special.

In fact, they seemed special enough to serve company, or even at a holiday dinner. In fact, I would love to serve these at Thanksgiving, come to think of it. I’ll have to keep that in mind as time draws nearer.

Until then, I urge you to make these green beans.

Green Beans with Smoky Pecans

¼ c chopped pecans

1/8 t smoked paprika

1 lb fresh green beans, ends trimmed

1 t coconut oil

Salt to taste

Heat a small skillet to medium heat. Add pecans and toast, tossing/stirring regularly, for a few minutes. (Make sure you don’t walk away – the nuts can burn quickly!) Remove and toss with the smoked paprika and set aside.

Set up a medium saucepan with a steamer insert. Steam green beans until crisp-tender, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from steamer. Toss hot green beans with coconut oil. Season to taste with salt and toss in pecans.

Serves 4.

posted on Thursday, October 13th, 2011 by altawrites Posted in Budget-Friendly,Dairy-Free,Gluten-Free,Healthy Meals,Quick and Easy,Side Dishes,Vegetables,Vegetarian 2 Comments