Category Archives: Dairy and Soy Free

Ruby Root Slaw

Raw carrots and beets are grated and tossed in an olive oil & vinegar dressing. A crispy delicate salad, delicious and full of freshness! 🙂

Blog beetsalad

Ingredients

  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • salt/pepper to taste
  • 3 red beets, peeled and grated (use the grater setting on your food processor!)
  • 2 large carrots, peeled and grated
  • 1 apple, peeled and grated
  • 1/4 c toasted chopped walnuts (optional)
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Directions

  • In large bowl, whisk oil, vinegar, honey, salt and pepper.
  • Toss the dressing with beets, carrots, and apple.
  • Refrigerate for an hour or more to let flavors meld.
  • Fold in walnuts and parsley before serving

dit-elle-Esther

Egglets with spinach & bacon

Good morning! These egg muffins are gluten-free and dairy free! They make a great protein snack as well.

Blog egglets2

Ingredients

  • 6 eggs
  • 1 package of bacon – or 6 strips each cut in half to make 12 short strips (optional)
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 10 oz spinach, from frozen or freshly steamed
  • 1 large Roma tomato, diced (or a handful of sundried tomatoes, diced)
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (I used dried parsley as a substitute)
  • 2 Tbsp chia seeds, soaked for a few minutes in water
  • sea salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  • Oven to 350*
  • Beat eggs with some water and add remaining ingredients, mixing well to combine
  • Prepare muffin tin with nonstick baking spray or line each muffin tin w/bacon strip
  • Pour egg mixture evenly into cups
  • Bake 30 minutes or until set
  • Serve warm!
Blog egglets1

Add some cheese for extra deliciousness!

dit-elle-Esther

 

Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus

Bacon & Asparagus Spears! This is a wonderful paleo appetizer/snack! 🙂

Blog baconasparagus

Ingredients

  • 1 lb fresh asparagus (16-20 spears)
  • 8-10 strips bacon

Directions

  • Wash & trim asparagus spears
  • Cut bacon strips in half crosswise
  • Wrap one half strip bacon around 1 or 2 asparagus spears (depending on how fat/skinny they are), leaving tip and end exposed
  • Lay on cookie sheet or large baking dish and bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until bacon is cooked
  • Serve warm or at room temperature

dit-elle-Esther

Spiced Honey Almonds

A great snack for the holidays – or anytime really! 🙂Blog honeyalmonds

Ingredients

  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • 1/2 Tbsp butter
  • 3/4 tsp garam masala (find in bulk section)
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup raw almonds

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 325* and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  • Melt honey, butter, garam masala, sesame seeds and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat
  • Add almonds and stir to coat
  • Spread mixture on the baking sheet in a single layer
  • Bake for 10 mins, cool and serve or store in an airtight container for ~4 days

These store well in an air tight container for up to 4 days.

dit-elle-Esther

Pumpkin Bread Bars

Perfect fall treats! Serve warm or cold, eat them as dessert or breakfast or a snack on the go. Inspired by Elana’s Pantry, these are delicious pumpkin ‘bread bars’! I call these pumpkin bread bars, because they are a sort of cross between bread and bars. I used raisins, but you could use chocolate chips (and or chopped nuts) as an other yummy variation! 🙂Blog pumpkinpaleobread3 blog pumpkinpaleobread2 Blog pumpkinpaleobread1

Ingredients

  • â…“ cup coconut flour (1/3 cup is NOT a typo 🙂 – coconut flour is very different than wheat)
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup fresh roasted pumpkin or winter squash (I used acorn squash – excellent)
  • â…“ cup honey or agave syrup
  • ÂĽ cup coconut oil
  • ½ cup raisins or chocolate chunks

Directions

  1. In a food processor, combine dry ingredients
  2. Pulse in eggs, pumpkin, honey and oil until well combined
  3. Stir in raisins or chocolate chips by hand
  4. Transfer batter to an 8 x 8 inch baking dish or a pie dish
  5. Bake at 350° for 20-30 minutes
  6. Cool and serve

dit-elle-Esther

Chipotle Butternut Squash Stew

I clipped this original recipe out of Fitness Magazine back in 2011, and I love it!  I’ve made some alterations to it, but feel free to check out the pure vegetarian version here.  It makes a HUGE amount!  You could freeze some, but I think the leftovers are almost better the 2nd day!blog Chipotle Butternut Squash Chili-2Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons  Olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 2 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped (I cheat and use 1 tsp out of the jar :))
  • 1 large sweet potato, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1 medium butternut squash, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons  chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons  ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon  unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon  cinnamon
  • 1 26 ounce can diced tomatoes with juice
  • 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, diced, plus 1 tablespoon adobo sauce (if you have small kids that are eating this, I suggest putting this as an add on for adults.  It’s DELICIOUS, but spicy!)
  • 2 cups  low-sodium chicken stock (use vegetable if keeping it vegetarian)
  • 4 cups  chopped kale
  • 1 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 15 ounce can canellini beans, rinsed and drained (I have also used kidney beans)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Meat source (not needed, but I have hungry boys that really aren’t vegetable fans :)).  I’ve used chicken sausage, ground turkey (seasoned with salt/pepper/garlic), or really any kind of meat you want 🙂

Directions

1. In a medium stock pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook 3 minutes. Add the sweet potato and squash; cook, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, cocoa powder and cinnamon; cook 1 minute.

2. Add the tomatoes, chipotle peppers and adobo sauce, and vegetable/chicken stock. Partially cover and simmer 20 minutes.  Mix in the kale and stir until wilted. Add the beans and meat; stir to combine. Season with salt and black pepper to taste; serve.  Can serve with crusty bread, crackers, or eat as is!dit-elle-Lauren

Paleo Warm Butternut Squash Salad with Apple Cider Dressing

I got this recipe off of the Food Network (scribbled the recipe onto a notebook while watching the actual show not online!).  I’ve made a few changes, but feel free to refer back to the original!  It’s SO yummy, and relatively easy (especially if you cheat and get the pre-cut butternut squash ha!)

blog Butternut Squash SaladIngredients

  • 1 (1 1/2-pound) butternut squash, peeled and 3/4-inch) diced.  If I’m in a hurry, I grab 2 bags from Trader Joe’s, but I still cut those pieces in half because they are pretty big.
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (I usually just drizzle over the top of the butternut squash and don’t measure :))
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup.
  • Kosher Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 1/3 C Dried Cranberries
  • 3/4 C Apple Cider
  • 2 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar
  • 2 Diced Shallots or I’ve also used 1/3 C diced red onion
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 4-5 cups (or really, you choose depending on how many mouths you have to feed!) of spinach or arugula.  I personally LOVE arugula, but our boys don’t.  When I make this for friends, it’s arugula.  When I make it for the family-spinach.

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  • Place butternut squash on a large cookie sheet.  Drizzle maple syrup and olive oil over the squash, grind a little salt and pepper over and toss around until coated.
  • Bake squash for a total of 15, but take it out and toss every 5 minutes, and add cranberries on the last 5 minutes (at the 10 minute mark)
  • While squash is baking combine cider, vinegar, onions/or shallots, and a little salt and pepper in a small sauce pan.  Bring that to a boil and stir for about 6-7 minutes so that it reduces.  Take off heat and whisk in mustard.  (original recipe calls for adding a 1/2 a cup of olive oil now, but I forgot to do that once.  It tasted fine, so I’ve left it out ever since :))  You choose!
  • Place salad greens in a large bowl.  Toss in butternut squash mixture and dressing.  Pepper to taste.
  • Online recipe also calls for walnuts and freshly grated Parmesan.  I’m fairly certain the tv show didn’t/or I just forgot to write it down.  In either case, I’ve never added either, but feel free (and let me know what you think!)  I have sprinkled pumpkin seeds on the top for crunch and it was yummy too!

Super Mom Tip

I’ve turned this into a meal (not vegetarian), by adding some sliced aidells smoked chicken and apple sausages into the butternut squash mix at the same time as the dried cranberries.  The flavors all go so well together!

  • dit-elle-Lauren

Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes with Coconut Cream Pumpkin Spice Frosting

These are amazing!blog pumpkinchococupcake1

Ingredients
For the Paleo Pumpkin Spice Frosting
  • 1 cup canned coconut cream/milk, full fat, refrigerated overnight (I used 1 can)
  • ÂĽ heaping cup canned pumpkin or pulp from roasted pumpkin
  • 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsps vanilla
  • ½ tsps apple cider vinegar
  • pinch sea salt
  • a few dashes of cinnamon to taste and some to sprinkle on the cupcakes
  • a few dashes of pumpkin pie spice to taste
  • a few dashes of cloves to taste
  • Coconut palm sugar to sprinkle on the cupcakes
For the Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes
  • 1 cup of blanched almond flour, sifted
  • 1 tablespoon of coconut palm sugar
  • ½ teaspoon of baking soda
  • pinch sea salt
  • a few dashes of cinnamon
  • 1 cup of enjoy life mini chocolate chips
  • ½ cup of full fat canned coconut milk, room temperature
  • ÂĽ cup of organic palm shortening or coconut oil, melted
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • 2 eggs, whisked
Instructions
  1. To make the frosting: In a tall cup or bowl, put the hardened layer of coconut cream/milk from the refrigerated cans, equaling about a cup, along with the rest of the ingredients.
  2. Use an immersion blender or hand mixer to combine and whip the ingredients together. Add more spices if needed to preferred taste. Put in the refrigerator uncovered to thicken for 30 minutes or longer while you make your cupcakes.
  3. To make the cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a cupcake pan with liners
  4. In a medium sized bowl combine your dry ingredients, almond flour, coconut palm sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, stir together with a fork and set aside.
  5. In another medium sized bowl combine chocolate chips and coconut milk and melt using the double boiler method. Stir consistently until completely melted. Remove from heat.
  6. Stir in the melted organic palm shortening or coconut oil, vanilla and eggs into the melted chocolate and coconut milk mixture.
  7. Now fold your dry ingredients into the melted chocolate mixture until completely combined.
  8. Pour batter into the cupcake liners or pan and fill about â…” full, they will rise slightly when baking.
  9. Bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  10. Let completely cool before frosting. To frost, transfer the frosting to a decorating bag and use desired tip. Garnish with a sprinkling of cinnamon and coconut palm sugar and enjoy!

Source and inspired by PaleOMG.com

dit-elle-Esther

Paleo Pumpkin Pancakes

Pancakes for breakfast, lunch or dinner! These high protein cakes will fill you up AND leave you energized!

Blog Coconut Flower Pancakes

Makes about 6 pancakes

Ingredients

  • 3 Eggs
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree (canned pumpkin)
  • 2-3 Tbsp butter or coconut oil + extra for cooking
  • 1 1/2 tsp honey or agave nectar (I tried each of these in a batch and both were equally good – honey is a little sweeter)
  • 3 Tbsp coconut flour
  • 2 tsps cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • Dash of sea salt
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk and water as needed to adjust batter consistency

Instructions

  1. Whisk together eggs, melted butter, milk, honey or agave, and sea salt
  2. Mix baking powder and coconut flour and add to the wet ingredients while whisking
  3. Heat butter or coconut oil in a skillet on a medium heat
  4. Spoon batter into pan and a note of caution, coconut flour and coconut oil both brown quickly, so watch these careful and cook on low heat, with a lid helps! Carefully flip to cook on each side.
  5. Serve with fresh fruit or berries

dit-elle-Esther

Paleo Pumpkin Bread

Can’t get enough pumpkin recipes this fall? I know! October is pumpkin month around here.

This bread is a special paleo version. And for those new to paleo, this may not taste very sweet or like the classic pumpkin bread you are used to! But it is delicious served hot with butter or with a bowl of soup, such as Chicken Chili! 🙂Blog Paleo Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

  • 1 cup blanched almond flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • dash of sea salt
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ginger
  • ½ cup pumpkin (roasted or canned)
  • 2-3 Tbsps honey or agave syrup
  • 3 large eggs
  • Handful of raisins and/or chopped nuts (optional)

Directions

  • In a food processor combine almond flour, salt, baking soda and spices
  • Add pumpkin, honey or agave and eggs and blend for 2 minutes
  • Scoop batter into a mini loaf pan
  • Bake at 350° for 35-45 minutes
  • Cool and serve

Super mom tip: Slice and freeze individual portions for easy retrieval and reheating

Paleo what? What’s up with the whole Paleo thingy? Read more about my journey and some great resources on my food blog, Les Petits Pois!

Inspired (and slightly modified) from one of my favorite gluten free masters Elana’s Pantry

dit-elle-Esther