Almond Banana Muffins (Gluten Free)

So yes everyone is looking for gluten free recipes these days. I love almond meal, which is made from raw almonds. This recipe is delicious and gluten free, so give it a try!

ingredients:
2 cups almond meal
2 eggs
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup rolled oats
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp coconut oil (or vegetable oil)
2 bananas

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
2. Combine the eggs, maple, salt, vanilla, coconut oil and mashed bananas.
3. Add the almond meal, baking soda, nd oats and stir once more.
4. Divide into 10 muffins cups.
3. Bake for 22-25 minutes.

Pumpkin Ricotta Cheesecake

This is a liter version of pumpkin cheesecake. Instead of the classic cream cheese I am using ricotta cheese.

Ingredients

·         2 1/2 cups of ricotta chesses (try to get skim part)

·         1/3 cup of honey or agave

·         1 cup of pumpkin puree

·         3 eggs

·         1/3 cup sugar (optional)

·         1/3 cup of flour

·         1 heaping tablespoon of cinnamon

·         1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice

·         1 (9 inch) pie crust

 

Directions  

1.      Preheat the oven to 350.

2.      Bake the crust for 5 minutes or until slightly golden, remove from the oven and let it cool.

3.      While the crust is baking, beat together with a hand mixer or with a large spoon the ricotta, flour, pumpkin, honey, eggs, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice. Continue to beat until creamy.

4.      Pour the filling into the baked crust. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes. Let cool prior to serving.

 

Soba Tofu Stir Fry

Ingredients

·         8 ounces soba noodles

·         Coarse salt

·         2 tablespoons grapeseed oil

·         1 onion, chopped.

·         1 cup crimini mushroom, chopped.

·         2 garlic cloves, chopped

·         1 package (12 ounces) extra-firm tofu, drained, patted dry, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

·         2 teaspoon of cornstarch mix with 3 tablespoons of water.

·         1 cup frozen peas

·         ½ to 1 teaspoon five spice

·         2 tablespoons peanut butter

·         3 tablespoons rice vinegar or mirin

·         2 tablespoons soy sauce

·         1 orange, chopped (optional).

·         1 lime.

 

Directions

1. Cook soba noodles in a large pot of salted water until soft, about 4 minutes. Drain, and then rinse with cold water; set aside.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large wok over medium-high heat; add carrot, onion, and mushroom and season with salt. Cook, for 5 minutes, add the garlic, and stir fry for a couple more minutes.
3. Add the tofu with a splash of water or broth,  a splash of soy sauce and finally add cornstarch mix.  Cover and cook, tossing occasionally, until tofu is cooked, 10 to 12 minutes.
4. Drain the noodles. Reduce the heat of the wok and add soy sauce, frozen peas, rice vinegar, peanut butter, five spice powder and noodles. Cook, string 2 minutes, then return vegetables and toss together.
5. Heap the stir fry to serving bowl, garnish with orange pieces, and a squeeze of lime juice.

 

Peach Berry Smoothie

With the end of peach season, I decided to make one last summer peach smoothie. Be sure to use fresh peach or nectarine for this healthy smoothie.

2 fresh peaches or nectarines chopped 

1 1/2 cups of strawberries chopped and frozen

1 cup coconut milk

2 cups of ice

4 dates chopped

2 tbsp. hemp seed or flaxseed 

1 tbsp. honey

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Blend all the ingredients until creamy. If it’s not sweet enough for you, add more honey.

Kale Smoothie

Coconut milk and pineapple work really good together. If you don’t have mango, you can use 2 cups of frozen pineapple.

1 1/2 cups coconut milk

3 cups Kale

1 cup chopped pineapple frozen

1 cup chopped mango frozen

1 chopped banana frozen

1 tablespoon flax seeds

1 tablespoon honey to sweeten

 

Directions:

Blend kale and coconut milk together for 30 seconds. Next add remaining ingredients and blend until creamy. If it’s not sweet enough for you, add more honey.

 

Hummus

This basic Humus recipe is very easy to make. It will last you three days and can be used with pita, on a toast or serve as a tapas dish with a drizzle of olive oil.

Ingredients:

 1  (15-ounce) can chickpeas  

·         2 tablespoons lemon juice

·         2 tablespoons yogurt

·         1 1/2 tablespoons tahini

·         A small bunch parsley

·         2 cloves garlic (optional)

·         1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper

·         1/2 teaspoon cumin

·         1/2 teaspoon  sumac

·         1/2 teaspoon zatar

·         Paprika (as garnish)

·         2 tablespoons olive oil (optional)

Directions:

Drain chickpeas. In a food processor, combine tahini, yogurt and lemon juice and process for 30 seconds.

Combine remaining ingredients in the food processor. Blend until thoroughly mixed and smooth. Taste, for seasoning. If the hummus is too thick, pulse in 1-2 tablespoons of water or olive oil.

Serve, drizzled with the olive oil and sprinkled with a bit paprika and sumac.

Chicken Thighs, Vegetables and Farro

Ingredients

• 1 pound bone-in chicken thighs
• 2 yellow squash, chopped  
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon ginger, chopped
• 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
• 1 small bunch cilantro
• 1 cup farro 
• 2 1/2 cups of water or stock
• 1/4 cup trader joes soyaki sauce
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

 Direction:

1.  Put one cup of farro with 2 1/2 cups of water or stock, bring to a boil and simmer. Cook for around 30-35 minutes.

2. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper and paprika. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and add the chicken pieces, skinned-side down. Cook until browned on one side.

3. Once the chicken is brown add the yellow squash, mushrooms and cilantro stems. Cook for 4 minutes then add garlic, ginger, and soyaki. Cook for another 2 minutes and to finish add frozen peas and sprinkle some chopped cilantro.

Irish Soda Bread

You can make soda bread in a mixer or just by hand. It very fast and easy to make. If you don't have buttermilk, use regular milk instead and add a teaspoon of cream of tartar.

Ingredients

• 4 1/4 cups white whole wheat flour  
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 egg 
• 1 cup dried cranberries or raisins
• 1/4 cup walnuts (optional)
• 1/3 stick cold butter, cut into 1 inch dice (optional) or coconut oil 2 tablespoons 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, fennel seed, and salt in the bowl of the mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter (optional) or coconut oil and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.

Lightly mix the buttermilk and egg together in a small bowl. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk and egg mixture to the flour mixture. to finish add the raisins and walnuts (optional) and mix.

turn dough out onto floured surface. Knead until dough comes together. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread. Bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes.

Peanut Butter Granola

4 cups rolled oats
1 cup mixed nuts such as: sunflower seeds, chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds.
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup peanut butter
1 /2 cup honey or maple syrup

1 banana (optional)

1. Heat the oven to 300°F. In a bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, cinnamon, salt, and sweetener.

2. In a small food processor mix the peanut butter, honey or maple and the banana if using. Spread evenly on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes or a little longer, stirring occasionally. The mixture should brown evenly.

3. Cool on a rack. Transfer to a sealed container.

 

Green Pear Smoothie

2 cups coconut water or water

2 cups spinach

2 pear, peeled and cored

1 tablespoon flax seeds

small piece of ginger, peeled and minced

1 tablespoon honey to sweeten

Directions

Blend spinach and water together for 30 seconds. Next add remaining ingredients and blend until creamy. If it’s not sweet enough for you, add more honey.

Apple-Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients

1 lb ground dark turkey meat

1 green apple grated

1 carrot grated

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. worcestershire sauce

2-3 sprigs of fresh mint, chopped  

salt and pepper

1/3 cup breadcrumbs

1 egg

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 15 oz can of tomato sauce

Directions
In a large bowl add the ground turkey, apple, carrot, egg, mustard, worcestershire, oregano, thyme, mint, bread crumbs, salt and pepper.

Mix together and make into small meatballs (around 18-22). Drop into a large skillet over medium heat and cook for 8 minutes, then add tomato sauce and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with pasta, rice etc.

 

Orange Almond Muffins

Ingredients:

·         1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flower

·         1/2 cup almond meal

·         1/2 teaspoon baking soda

·         1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

·         1/2 cup caster sugar

·         1/2 cup raisins

·         1/2 rolled oats

·         1/4 cup shredded coconut

·         1 orange, zest of

·         1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

·         1/2 cup buttermilk or milk

·         1/3 cup vegetable oil

·         1 egg

 

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375.

2. Combine the flour, almond meal, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, raisins, oats, coconut, and orange zest in a large bowl.

3. In another bowl mix the oil, egg, orange juice, and milk in a bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the egg mixture. Stir until just combined. Divide the batter evenly into 12 muffin cups.

4. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 25 minutes