cinnamon flax muffins

These tasty little treats look like bran muffins but are made with flax. The texture is perfect and they are fiber and nutrient rich (so drink plenty of water). They are great plain or for a more decadent treat top with plain greek yogurt, mascarpone, or butter plus some honey or jam. Adapted from Trim Healthy Mama.

makes 12 muffins (well it is supposed to but I always seem to get one less muffin out of a recipe :)

Ingredients:

wet:
3 eggs and 3 egg whites
3/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp. water
3 Tbsp. coconut oil (melted or olive oil)
1 tsp. vanilla
dry:
2 cups flax meal (I used mostly golden flax seeds - just grind it them in the blender) or you can mix 1 1/2 cups flax with with almond meal or ground dried coconut (what I chose) just as long as it adds up to 2 cups
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
4 Tbsp. cinnamon (yes, you read that right, tablespoon not teaspoon)
1/4 cup sweetener like honey or molasses or the equivalent in stevia (I used coconut sugar and stevia)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º

1. Put flax (or the mix you choose) in a large bowl.

2. Add baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and sweetener (if it is a dry form). Mix well.

3. Blend wet ingredients (including sweetener if it is wet) in blender for 20 seconds. Add to dry, mix well, then let sit for 5 minutes to thicken.

4. Place in greased muffin cups and bake for 20-25 minutes (check at 19 minutes)

roasted cumin spiced cauliflower

These tender golden gems are a great alternative to roasted potatoes

1-2 heads cauliflower
olive oil
cumin seeds or ground cumin
salt and pepper
garlic brown butter bread crumbs (optional)

Preheat oven to 400º

Separate cauliflower into florets. Place on roasting pan and drizzle generously with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and cumin. Roast until tender and crispy (about 20 minutes), shaking pan or stirring half way through. Top with garlic brown butter bread crumbs if desired during the last couple minutes of cooking time.

sautéed garlic parmesan green beans

inspired by a recipe from Trim Healthy Mama, these beans are so flavorful and nutritious (plus they are very easy to make) 

green beans
coconut oil
garlic powder
salt and pepper
Brag Liquid Amenos (super healthy soy sauce alternative)
freshly grated parmesan

Add a generous dollop of coconut oil to a large pan over medium high heat. Once the oil is melted and hot add beans, sprinkle with garlic powder salt and pepper and sauté until slightly tender and nicely browned in spots, stirring occasionally. Drizzle with Liquid Amenos to taste and continue to cook for another couple minutes. Sprinkle with parmesan then serve.

honey roasted carrots

delicious! honey and orange help bring out the natural sweetness of these beauties
adapted from delicious happens.com

1 lb carrots (I used a bunch of small carrots with the tops still on but baby carrots or large would work fine) , cleaned and trimmed

2 tablespoons olive oil (or melted butter)

2 tablespoons honey

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

freshly grated orange zest

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Lay the carrots in a single layer on a foil lined cookie sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil and mix until the carrots are evenly coated.  Drizzle with honey and season with salt and pepper.  Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the carrots are just tender.  If you’re using regular carrots in lieu of baby carrots – then slice them in about 1/4 inch slices.   Turn the carrots once or twice for even baking.  Transfer the carrots to a serving dish and sprinkle with freshly grated orange zest.

whipped sweet potatoes with coconut and ginger

Here is an easy way to change up a traditional fall or Thanksgiving dinner side dish. This version uses coconut cream and ginger to give delicious flavor.

Ingredients

6 lb yams or sweet potatoes (6 large)
1 stick unsalted butter, melted (if you are wanting to go lighter use less)
3/4 cup unsweetened coconut cream (I used the cream off the top of a can of coconut milk, you may need 2 cans)
1.5 Tbsp. finely grated peeled fresh ginger
unsweetened shredded coconut for garnish

1. Preheat the oven to 400º. Bake yams on a baking sheet for about 1 hour, until tender. Let cool slightly.
2. Peel the yams and transfer to a food processor or blender (may need to do in batches). Add butter, coconut cream, ginger and blend until smooth.
3. Reheat, sprinkle with coconut and serve.

maple glazed squash stuffed with quinoa and mushrooms

The maple thyme glaze is incredibly delicious and turns this squash into an exceptional side, or main dish if served with the quinoa. If you want even more substance serve with roasted root vegetables brushed with the same glaze. from food and wine

serves 6

ingredients

squash: 
salt and pepper
1 3.5 lb kabocha squash, halved lengthwise, seeded and cut into 6 wedges
olive oil for brushing

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. maple syrup

3 thyme sprigs

sauce:

1/2 cup heavy cream
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 thyme sprigs

filling:

3 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1 shallot, minced plus 2 shallots thinly sliced

1 bay leaf

4 thyme sprigs

2.5 cups water

salt and pepper

1.5 cups quinoa

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 lb mushroom, preferably oyster, chantrelle, or shiitake (or combination), sliced

1/3 cup chopped parsley

1. to prepare the squash, preheat the oven to 350º. Brush with oil and season with salt and pepper; arrange on a baking sheet cut side down and roast for about 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Flip wedges and roast for 20 minutes, until just tender.

2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt the butter with the sugar, maple syrup and thyme. Cook over medium-low heat until the sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes. Turn the squash skin side down and brush all over with the maple glaze. Roast for 10 minutes longer, until the squash is lightly browned and glazed.

3. For the sauce: In a saucepan, whisk the cream and maple syrup. Add garlic and thyme and simmer over med-high heat until reduced to 1/3 cup. Discard garlic and thyme and keep warm.

4. To make the filling: In a medium saucepan, melt the 2 Tbsp. of butter. Add minced shallot and cook over med. until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the bay leaf, thyme, and water and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper then add quinoa. Cover and cook over med-low heat until tender and the water has been absorbed, about 15 minutes.

5. In a large skillet, melt the remaining 1 Tbsp. butter in the oil. Add the sliced shallots and cook over med-high heat, stirring until lightly browned. Add the mushrooms and cook until browned on the bottom, 3 minutes. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are browned and tender, 5 minutes or so more. Stir in quinoa and parsley and season with salt and pepper.

6. Arrange the roasted squash on plates. Fill each wedge with quinoa stuffing, drizzle with the sauce.

autumn arugula salad

yum! caramelized squash, spiced pecans, avocado, pomegranate and pomegranate ginger vinaigrette. adapted from howsweeteats

serves 4-6

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 acorn squash, sliced in 1/2-inch thick rounds then in half, seeds removed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
6 cups baby arugula
1 avocado, sliced
1 pomegranate, arils removed (check out these easy instructions)
1 long english cucumber, sliced

pomegranate ginger vinaigrette
1/3 cup pomegranate juice
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. freshly grated ginger
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/3 cup olive oil

1. Heat coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add squash slices, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until golden, about 5 minutes per side. If desired, add the brown sugar to help the squash caramelize. Set aside
2. Heat a small saucepan over low heat and add the pecans. Toast until slightly golden and fragrant, stirring and shaking pan as they toast, about 5 minutes. Toss them with pumpkin pie spice.
3. For the dressing: combine pom juice, vinegar, ginger, garlic, salt and pepper in bowl and whisk together. slowly add olive oil while constantly whisking until the dressing comes together.
4. Add arugula to large bowl. Add in avocado, pomegranate, cucumber, pecans, and squash. Drizzle with dressing.

roasted pumpkin soup

How fun is this? Eating this pumpkin soup out of a pumpkin is a clever idea (and it saves doing dishes). You scoop out pumpkin with each spoonful of creamy vegetable soup.You can also try a kabocha squash.

serves 2-4
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 stalks celery
1 large ripe tomato, seeded, chopped
2 sprigs thyme
2 sprigs rosemary
3 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 sugar pumpkins
grated parmesan and chopped flat-leaf parsley for garnish

1. Heat oven to 375º
2. In a pot over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add onion, garlic, celery, tomato, and herbs. Saute 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add 2 tsp. of the salt, 1/2 tsp. of the pepper, and chicken stock. Bring mixture to a boil, remove from heat, stir in cream and set aside. (if you prefer a creamy vs. chunky soup then puree).
3. To prepare pumpkins, cut off tops and reserve and scoop out seeds. Season insides with remaining salt and pepper. Ladle soup into pumpkins discarding herb sprigs. Place tops on pumpkins.
4. Roast on a foil lined cookie sheet for 1-1.5 hours or until pumpkins are tender when pierced with a knife.
5. Serve soup out of pumpkins or ladle into bowls and divide pumpkin flesh. Garnish with parmesan and parsley.

gluten free multigrain bread

I was hopeful (but kind of skeptical) that gluten free bread could be tasty based on sampling products in the past.  I searched around until I found some promising recipes. This is my first attempt and I have to say I think it turned out great. It actually tastes like bread and has an excellent texture. Since it doesn't require kneading it is pretty simple to make. I am on a gluten free diet for at least a month until my allergy tests come back, so it possibly I will have to stay away from gluten for life (yikes!), hence the recent gluten-free recipes. After tasting this bread I know it won't be too horrendous if I am gluten intolerant :)

adapted from Allergy Free Alaska. She also has some other great-looking GF bread recipes

 Ingredients:

dry:
1 cup millet flour
1 cup tapioca starch/flour
1/2 cup blanched almond meal/flour
1/2 cup amaranth (or teff flour). I had to grind some amaranth in the blender to make it fine
1/4 cup sorghum flour
1/4 cup flax meal
2 3/4 tsp. xanthan gum
1 1/2 tsp. sea salt

wet:
3 eggs
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. molasses
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar

yeast ingredients:
1 1/4 cup hot water (110º-115ºF)
2 Tbsp. honey
2 1/2 tsp. dry active yeast (NOT instant)

Directions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine the honey and hot water. Sprinkle in the yeast and give it a quick stir to combine. Allow to proof for 7 minutes exactly (set a timer). Make sure you have all the other wet and dry ingredients mixed and ready to go when the time is up!

2. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients and whisk together (This and the next steps can also be done in a mixer if you happen to have one, which I don't).

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, molasses, and vinegar.

4. When the yeast is done proofing, add the wet ingredients to the dry. Stir until it's a little paste-like, then slowly add the yeast mixture. Mix for about 30 seconds. Scrape sides of bowl then mix on medium 2-3 minutes or until the dough is smooth.

5. Pour dough into parchment lined and well greased 9x5 metal bread pan. Cover with plastic wrap. Allow to rise for 45-60 minutes (check at 30 minutes). When dough is close to reaching the plastic wrap, remove it; allow dough to rise remaining time uncovered. When bread is finished rising, bake in preheated 375º oven for about 30 minutes. Remove loaf from pan and allow it to cool on a wire rack. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

homemade granola bars

These make a great nutrient packed snack or breakfast on the go. I am excited to play more around with flavors, maybe substituting honey for the molasses and raisins or chocolate chips in place of apricots.

ingredients:

1 cup pitted prunes
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 Tbsp molasses
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
pinch sea salt
2 1/2 cups rolled oats, divided
1/2 cup finely chopped dried apricots
2/3 cup chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds (or combination)
1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds

1. Preheat oven to 325º. Line an 8x8 or 9x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on 2 sides. Lightly grease or spray with nonstick spray.

2. Cover prunes with hot water and soak for 10 minutes. Drain and place in the bowl of a food processor or blender. Add syrup, molasses, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Process to form a thick paste, about 20 seconds, stopping to scrape down sides a couple times. Add 2 cups of the oats and pulse 8-10 times, until the oats are coarsely chopped. Transfer mixture to a large mixing bowl. Stir in remaining 1/2 cups oats, apricots, nuts, and sunflower seeds.

3. Using slightly dampened hands, press the mixture firmly and evenly into prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes.

4. Cool dish for 15 minutes at room temperature, then transfer to freezer and chill until completely cooled (about 30 minutes). Cut into 10-12 bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.