Saturday, November 28, 2015

Corn bread

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup cassava flour (can sub cornmeal, GF flour mix or regular flour)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
2 eggs
4 tbsp butter, melted
1 tbsp buttermilk powder
8 tbsp honey (can sub coconut sugar, maple syrup or white granulated sugar)
1 1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water

Combine dry ingredients and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and add sour cream, melted butter and water. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients bowl. Mix together, but do not over mix. It should be a batter consistency.

Pour batter into a greased 8x8 glass pan or a cast iron skillet. Bake in 400 degree oven for 20-30 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Focaccia Bread

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp white granulated sugar (honey, coconut sugar or agave)
1 tbsp active dry yeast
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
1 cup water
Olive oil to coat
Grated Parmesan cheese
Mozzarella (optional)

In a large bowl, stir together the flour, salt, sugar, yeast, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, basil and black pepper. Mix in the oil and water.

When dough has pulled together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Lightly oil a large bowl, place dough in bowl, and turn to cost with the oil. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Punch dough down, place on greased baking sheet. Pat dough into a 1/2 inch thick rectangle. Brush the top with olive oil. Sprinkle with cheese.

Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm. Goes great with dipping olive oil and herbs, or pesto.

Paleo/Gluten Free Alternative:
Swap flour with cassava flour or gluten free flour mix. Add more water if needed. Once dough pulls together, place in greased bowl to rise for 20 minutes. Do not have to knead the dough. Do not punch down the dough, and gently pat into desired shape.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Stroganoff

1 tsp oil
1 onion chopped
1/2 lb crimini mushrooms sliced
1-2 lbs. ground beef or steak sliced into strips
1/4 cup Brandy
Salt
Pepper
2 cups chicken or beef stock
1 tsp dried mustard
1 can coconut milk or 2 cups sour cream

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-low and saute onion and mushrooms until softened and onions are translucent, about 7-10 minutes.

Add beef or steak in the same skillet to cook. If using steak strips, fry for about 3-5 minutes. Once cooked, add the brandy and cook until alcohol burns off. Add broth, salt and pepper, mustard. Add milk and cook on medium high until sauce thickens. 

Serve warm over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, regular pasta, potatoes or rice.


For Vegetarian/Vegan

1 tsp oil
1 onion, chopped
1 lb crimini mushrooms, diced
1 cup lentils (or 1 can)
4 cups water
1/4 cup Brandy
3-5 garlic cloves, minced
Salt
Pepper
2 cups vegetable broth 
1 tsp dried mustard
1 can coconut milk or 2 cups sour cream
1 tbsp fresh rosemary diced

Boil 4 cups of water in a pot and add dried lentils. Reduce heat, cover and tilt the lid, then simmer until softened. 

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-low and saute onion and mushrooms until softened and onions are translucent, about 7-10 minutes. Add in garlic. Continue cooking for 1 more minute.

Add the brandy and cook until alcohol burns off. Add broth, salt and pepper, mustard and lentils. Stir in milk and cook on medium high until sauce thickens. Can add a starch to help thicken sauce faster if desired.

Serve warm over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, regular pasta, mashed potatoes or rice.

Chicken Avocado Burgers

1 lb. ground chicken
1 ripe avocado
1 chopped garlic clove
1 chopped jalapeƱo
1/3 cup almond meal or breadcrumbs
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Shape into patties and grill inside or out. Top with cheese, bacon, onion, ranch or other desired toppings.


Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Ham & Potato Soup

5 cups potato, diced
1 cup onion, diced
1 1/2 cups ham, chopped
2/3 cup celery
4 cups chicken broth
5 tbsp butter or coconut oil
5 tbsp potato starch
1 can coconut milk
Chicken broth powder to taste
Salt and pepper to taste

Chop up all vegetables and ham. Put chicken broth, potatoes, onion, celery and ham in a large stock pot and bring to a boil. Cook until potatoes are fork tender, about 15-20 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Remove 1 cup of liquid broth and set aside.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Whisk in potato starch until a thick paste forms. Slowly add coconut milk and reserved broth while whisking. Remove from heat once sauce has thickened, 1-2 minutes.

Pour sauce into potato broth pan and mix until incorporated. Add salt, pepper and broth powder to taste. Serve warm.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Paleo Foccacia bread

2 3/4 cups cassava flour
1 tsp honey
1 tsp salt
1 tsp active dry yeast
1 tsp garlic powder 
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp basil
Pinch of black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup warm water
Olive oil
Parmesan cheese (optional)

Mix flour, seasonings and yeast in a bowl. Add honey and olive oil, then mix in water until a dough forms. Knead until smooth. Add more water if needed.

Place dough in an oiled bowl and cover for 20 minutes. Pre-heat oven to 450 degrees.

Place dough on an oiled baking sheet. Press out to a flat shape and use fingers to press into the dough. Cover the top with oil and sprinkle some parmesan cheese. Bake in oven for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

Pesto

1/2 cup walnuts or pine nuts
3-4 garlic cloves
3 cups packed basil or spinach, or mix
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
Garlic, onion, paprika (optional)

Place nuts, garlic, herbs and cheese in the blender. Add oil to make a paste. Add additional seasonings to taste. Serve with bread, pasta, etc.

Can use any type of nuts, herbs or cheeses to change the flavor.