Author Archives: ebchr

Paleo Plum Pie with Crumb Topping

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This is a totally delicious breakfast, snack or dessert. Make it when plums are in season and top with ice-cream or Greek yogurt for some totally non-paleo deliciousness! 🙂

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Ingredients

For the crust

  • 2 cups almond meal
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • 1 egg
  • dash of salt (optional)

For the filling

  • 4 cups sliced plums
  • 1/3 cup coconut sugar
  • 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder (I used 1 Tbsp potato starch instead since I didn’t have arrowroot powder)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

For the topping

  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1/2 cup almond meal
  • 3 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • 3 tablespoons coconut sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 350° F.
  • Place almond meal and salt in a food processor and pulse briefly. Add coconut oil and egg and pulse until mixture forms a ball, adding a little water if necessary to make dough stick. Press dough into a 9-inch pie dish.
  • Toss together filling ingredients in a bowl; arrange in pie crust and pour remaining liquid over the top.
  • Stir together topping ingredients and crumble over filling.
  • Bake until the filling is tender and the top is golden, 35 to 45 minutes.

Thanks PCC Natural Markets for the inspiration!

dit-elle-Esther

Potato Egg Baskets

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Potatoes, eggs, prosciutto and some herbs all in one! These are a very pretty addition to a breakfast or brunch spread, or keep in the freezer for a great protein snack!

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and grated (super fast – run potatoes through your food processor with grater blade)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 12 eggs
  • 3 slices prosciutto, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped chives
  • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)

Preparation

  • Preheat oven to 425° F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
  • Combine potatoes, butter, 1/4 cup cheese, salt and pepper in a bowl. Divide potato mixture evenly among prepared muffin tin and gently press to form a thin layer on the bottom and sides of each cup.
  • Bake until just golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove from the oven and reduce the temperature to 350° F.
  • Gently crack 1 egg into each potato basket. Sprinkle with prosciutto, chives and parsley.
 Top each egg with remaining cheese.
  • Return to the oven and bake until eggs are set, 10 to 13 minutes. Sprinkle with cayenne pepper before serving.

Thanks PCC Natural Markets!

dit-elle-Esther

Mango Pineapple Smoothie

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Mango, pineapple and coconut give this smoothie a delicious tropical flavor. Not to sweet, not tart.. it’s the perfect summer snack! There was so much smoothie, I made popsicles for the kids as well! 🙂

Blog mango smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1 Cup Greek Yogurt
  • 1 1/2 Cup Pineapple (I used frozen, but can also use fresh)
  • 1 Cup Mango (approximately one whole mango, if not using frozen)
  • 3/4 Cup Coconut Milk
  • 1 TBSP Chia Seeds

Directions

  • Blend all ingredients together and enjoy! 🙂

Thanks Athleta for the inspiration!

dit-elle-Esther

Chia Seed Pudding Cups

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Chia Seed Pudding Cups are super easy to make and a tasty and healthy paleo snack! You mix chia seeds into a cup of coconut milk, add some flavor and toppings, refrigerate for a few hours and voila! 🙂 No baking, no cooking, no fuss!

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Ingredients (1 serving)

  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 Tbsp chia seeds
  • Flavor/topping of choice (pick one or make up your own combo!) 🙂
    • 1/2 tsp almond essence + chopped almonds
    • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom or cardamom seeds (open the pod)
    • 1/2 tsp vanilla essence + fresh berries (I used red currants)
    • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + cinnamon sticks

Directions

  • Mix the coconut milk, chia seeds and flavor well
  • Pour into serving cup
  • Cover and refrigerate for a few hours or up to a couple of days
  • Serve and enjoy

dit-elle-Esther

Coconut Rice Pudding with Mango

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This is great as a chilled summer dessert! Creamy rice pudding, sweetened naturally by milk and cinnamon, topped with chopped mango – a delicious balance of tart and sweet. The dish draws on Indian and Scandinavian flavors, where both cardamom, cinnamon and rice are staple ingredients in a variety of dishes.

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Ingredients

  • 6 cups whole milk (or coconut milk if you prefer)
  • 1/3 cup uncooked basmati rice
  • 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon + more for garnish
  • 2 cups chopped peeled mango (about 2 large mangos)

Directions

  • Combine whole milk and rice in large saucepan over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
  • Reduce heat and gently boil for 40 minutes or until mixture thickens
  • Stir in coconut milk, cardamom and cinnamon and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly
  • Spoon~1/2 cup servings into dessert bowls (makes 8 servings)
  • Top with chopped mango and a sprinkle of cinnamon

dit-elle-Esther

Mother of Dragons Summer Cocktail

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So.. yes, I read the first two books and am working my way through Game of Thrones season two. Am I part of the craze? Maybe. Let’s put it this way, when Vanity Fair motherofdragons_cocktail_blog (3)published a drink “fit for a Khaleesi” this weekend to celebrate the Thrones Finale, and Seattle was bathed in 80+ degree weather, I felt inspired.

So there I was in the liquor store asking the associate for help finding some very specific ingredients (including Bittermans Hellfire Habanero Shrub, a certain type of Sherry and Tequila Dragones) and he finally asked WHAT I was making. “Um… Mother of Dragons Cocktail” I said. Several store associates had gathered now, giving me some blank stares. “I’ll take anything close to these ingredients. Doesn’t need to be the Tequila Dragones!” Sound spicy? Yes, but not really. I added some slices of jalapeno pepper. But then I do like fire!

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Ingredients

  • raspberries, blackberries, lime wedges
  • .5 oz agave syrup
  • 1.5 oz tequila or white or spiced rum
  • .75 oz sherry
  • 10 drops Bittermans Hellfire Habanero Shrub
  • 2-3 slices of jalapeno pepper (optional for added heat)

Directions

  • Muddle one raspberry, one blackberry and one lime wedge with agave (+jalapeno if you are using that)
  • Add tequila, sherry and Bitterman’s shrub
  • Shake with ice and strain into glass of ice cubes
  • Garnish with tiny “dragon eggs”: one raspberry, one blackberry, and peel of lime to make 3rd dragon egg 😉
  • Enjoy!

Thanks Vanity Fair for this crazy fun concoction!

dit-elle-Esther

Cherry Garcia Smoothie

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I was inspired by Lauren’s recent Healthy Cherry Garcia recipe and decided to make a super easy smoothie version. You really can’t go wrong with frozen cherries, chocolate and coconut milk or other milk base.

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup frozen cherries
  • 1/2 oz or large chunk of chocolate
  • 1 Tbsp chocolate icecream or 1 tsp other sweetener like agave

Directions

  • Blend all ingredients together until smooth
  • Top with some chopped chocolate or chocolate covered almonds

dit-elle-Esther

Parsley Walnut Pesto

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A great summer pesto when parsley is in season – use to pair with salmon, poultry, or mix into pasta or rice!

Blog parsley walnut pesto

Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil (or more if desired for consistency)
  • 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • salt
  • ground black pepper
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped

Directions

  • Combine all ingredients in food processor – process until smooth.
  • Yields about 12 tablespoons

dit-elle-Esther

Insalata di Arance (Orange Salad)

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I would never have thought of these ingredients being perfectly complimentary and surprisingly delightful! Sweet tangy oranges, the subtle flavor of fennel, salty olives, a handful of parsley.. so good!

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Ingredients

  • 4 oranges, peeled, sliced in bite size pieces
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 lemon, juiced
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Dried red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 handful kalamata olives (or pitted black olives)
  • 1 handful fresh parsley, finely chopped

Directions

  • Mix together oil, lemon juice, cumin, paprika, red pepper flakes and salt.
  • Toss with oranges, fennel, onions.
  • Sprinkle with olives and chopped parsley.
  • Serve and enjoy or make ahead of time and let marinade overnight

Thanks PCC Natural Markets for the inspiration. I modified the recipe slightly from the original here.

dit-elle-Esther

Mixed Greens with Raspberries, Candied Pecans and Goat Cheese

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It’s the time of year when we start eating every meal outside on our deck – so lovely! Here’s an easy and delicious (and pretty!) salad. 🙂

Blog salad with berries nuts goat cheese

Ingredients

  • Mixed greens (spinach and arugula are great, but really any mixed greens work well)
  • Raspberries
  • Candied pecans
  • Goat Cheese
  • Olive Oil
  • Balsamic or White Champagne Vinegar

Directions

  • Toss greens with vinegar and olive oil
  • Add in raspberries and pecans and toss lightly
  • Top with goat cheese
  • Serve immediately and enjoy!

On the dinner menu: I served this with Herb and Parmesan Baked Salmon and chilled Sauvignon Blanc.

dit-elle-Esther