Category Archives: Food

Baked Parmesan Zucchini

Crisp, tender zucchini sticks are brushed with oil, topped with parmesan and herbs, and roasted to perfection. Totally yummy! I had to make a second batch just for the photos as the first batch disappeared pretty fast. 🙂

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Ingredients

  • 4 zucchini, quartered lengthwise
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a cooling rack with nonstick spray and place on a baking sheet; set aside.
  • In a small bowl, combine Parmesan, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Place zucchini onto prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Parmesan mixture. Place into oven and bake until tender, about 15 minutes. Then broil for 2-3 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown.
  • Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Thanks http://damndelicious.net/2014/06/21/baked-parmesan-zucchini/

dit-elle-Esther

Paleo(ish) Strawberry Cupcakes

Gluten free, grain free, high protein strawberry cupcakes? Yes! Yum! The kids had fun eating these. Whipped cream and fresh strawberries on top optional, but highly recommended! 🙂

Blog paleo strawberry cupcake

Ingredients

  • ½ cup coconut flour
  • 1 tablespoon arrowroot powder (I used tapioca powder since I did not have this ingredient.. arrowroot powder is used as a thickening agent)
  • <¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 4 large eggs
  • ½ cup agave nectar or honey (I used 1/4 cup, and these were plenty sweet)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
  • Whipped cream and more strawberries for topping

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 8 muffin cups with paper liners (or 12 mini muffin cups).
  • In a large bowl, combine the coconut flour, arrowroot powder, salt, and baking soda. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, agave nectar, and vanilla extract. Blend the wet ingredients into the coconut flour mixture with a handheld mixer until thoroughly combined, then fold in the strawberries.
  • Scoop cup of batter into each prepared muffin cup.
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 1 hour.

Thanks once again –  ElanasPantry!

dit-elle-Esther

Savory Mushroom Quiche

I can’t believe it’s September already, but it’s been a beautiful summer! There’s a late summer chill in the air here in Seattle and the days are getting noticeably shorter. We had our first big wind/rain storm of the season last weekend.. there were uprooted trees and felled branches all over and many people lost power for a day or more. It sure makes you appreciate having light and heat at the flip of a switch! It was a little hard to explain to my two year old why we couldn’t make toast or pancakes but my almost five year old thought it was very fun to eat frozen bread with butter and jam! Anyway, here’s a great fall dish – mushroom quiche! I took my classic Quick Quiche recipe added a step (I promise it’s worth it!) and voila – lovely seasonal fall quiche!

Blog mushroom quiche

Ingredients

I buy gluten free crusts in packages of two, so usually make two quiches at a time. One for now and one to freeze! So this recipe is for two quiches.

  • 2 pie crusts (wheat or there are many gluten free options out there)
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 3/4 cups milk (2%, whole, or half & half.. your choice)
  • dash of salt and white pepper
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg

Filling

  • 2 cups shredded swiss cheese (divided)
  • 1 Tbsp. butter
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
  • 1 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp thyme (dried) or 1 tsp fresh chopped thyme
  • 1 Tbsp dry sherry

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees
  • In a large pan, saute onion in butter over medium heat for 5 minutes
  • Add mushrooms and seasonings and saute for another 5 minutes (when done, onions should be transparent and golden brown, mushrooms tender and shrunken and liquid should be evaporated)
  • Stir in sherry and remove from heat
  • Make your quiche custard now by beating eggs until frothy, then adding seasoning and milk
  • Now you are ready to assemble and bake: first put 1/2 cup cheese in bottom of each crust, then add the mushroom/onion filling evenly, top this with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese, and then divide and pour the custard mixture into each filled crust
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes (crust should be golden brown, filling browned and firm to touch)
  • Cool a bit and serve!

dit-elle-Esther

Grated Apple for Little Tummies

Remember the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” My daughter was recently complaining about a stomach ache. I remembered my mom grating an apple, letting it turn a little brown and then giving it to us for stomach upset, so I tried this first. Grated apple, by the way, is super yummy – juice is released and so it’s a nice mix of crunchy and juicy, but different than just eating an apple. Anyway, there were no more complaints (that day) about stomach ache. I’ve heard this can help against acid reflux as well! Enjoy and take care and be well!

Blog shredded apple

What kind of apple? Any kind will do. Gala Apples are my favorite.

I founds some other great natural remedy tips here! Natural is always a great place to start.

http://www.purplesage.org.uk/treatments/KitchenPharm.htm

dit-elle-Esther

Kale, Broccoli, Brussel Sprout Salad with Blueberries and Avocado topped with a Fried Egg

If it sounds like I just threw a bunch of random stuff that was in my refridgerator, it sounds correct haha.  When the Huz is out of town, and we don’t have the boys I like to keep dinners pretty simple for Maya and me.  I love tossing a fried egg on salads.  The runny yolk acts as a dressing, and it’s a super easy quick healthy protein-WIN!Blog Paleo Kale Broccoli Brussel Sprout Salad with Blueberries Avocado topped with a Fried Egg-1 Blog Paleo Kale Broccoli Brussel Sprout Salad with Blueberries Avocado topped with a Fried Egg-2 Ingredients (for 2)

  • Large handful of Kale, broccoli, brussel sprout salad per person.  They carry it at Costco and Trader Joe’s.
  • 1/2 Medium avocado diced
  • Handful of blueberries per person
  • Drizzle olive oil over the top
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Top with fried eggs!

Dinner all done in under 15 minutes!  YESSSSS!  I’ll be posting another rendition of this soon!

Enjoy 🙂dit-elle-Lauren

Guacamole Deviled Eggs

A great variety of deviled eggs that adds yummy avocado to a protein rich appetizer!

Blog Guacamole deviled eggs-1

Ingredients

  • 6 large hard boiled eggs, cooled and peeled
  • 2 ripe avocados
  • ¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chives, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • chili powder, for garnish

Instructions

  • Cut eggs in half and remove yolks
  • In a bowl, mash yolks and avocados
  • Stir in cilantro, chives, lime juice, salt, and red pepper flakes
  • Scoop filling into egg whites with a 1 tablespoon ice cream scoop
  • Refrigerate until serving
  • Sprinkle with chili powder and serve!

Thanks ElanasPantry!

dit-elle-Esther

Classic Deviled Eggs

Do you love deviled eggs? This is a classic recipe – a bit art and a bit science – but with the promise of a super delicious appetizer!

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Ingredients

  • Eggs
  • Mayonnaise
  • Chives, chopped
  • Parsley, for garnish
  • Paprika, for garnish

Directions

  • Bring pot with eggs and water to a boil and then simmer eggs for about 15 minutes
  • Peel under cool water
  • Cut each egg in half and remove the yolks into a separate bowl
  • Stir in mayonnaise until desired color and consistency is reached (this is the art part.. you’ll need to try your way forward)
  • Stir in chopped chives
  • Scoop yolks back into egg-whites and top with chopped parsley and a dusting of paprika
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve
  • Enjoy!

dit-elle-Esther

Paleo Spiralized Peppers with Tomatos, Mango, and Avocado Salad over Grilled Chicken

My parents bought me a spiralizer for my birthday, and I’m in LOVE!  I can’t wait to make “pasta” out of various veggies, but first, I tried it on some peppers.  It literally took me less than a few minutes to spiralize 3 peppers!  At first, I was just doing it to get them all pre-cut for the week, but then they looked so pretty, I decided to make a little salad out of them for dinner!  Eat as is or add chicken or fish for a delicious meal!Blog Paleo Spiralized Peppers with Tomatos, Mango, and Avocado Salad over Grilled Chicken-1 Blog Paleo Spiralized Peppers with Tomatos, Mango, and Avocado Salad over Grilled Chicken-2 Blog Paleo Spiralized Peppers with Tomatos, Mango, and Avocado Salad over Grilled Chicken-3 Blog Paleo Spiralized Peppers with Tomatos, Mango, and Avocado Salad over Grilled Chicken-4 Blog Paleo Spiralized Peppers with Tomatos, Mango, and Avocado Salad over Grilled Chicken-5 Blog Paleo Spiralized Peppers with Tomatos, Mango, and Avocado Salad over Grilled Chicken-6 Blog Paleo Spiralized Peppers with Tomatos, Mango, and Avocado Salad over Grilled Chicken-7

Ingredients

  • 1 Each of a red, yellow, and Orange Pepper Spiralized (or diced if you don’t have one)
  • 1 Mango cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1 medium avocado cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • A handful Cherry tomatoes diced
  • 1 shallot diced
  • 4 chicken breasts marinated in the same ingredients used for the dressing. (omit for a delicious vegetarian salad!)

Dressing

  • Juice from 1/2 a lime
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1/4 Teaspoon Ginger
  • 1 Tablespoon Rice Wine Vinegar
  • Sea Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

  • After you spiralize the peppers they will be in one continuous cut.  I loaded them all onto a cutting board and just cut the pile into 4ths.
  • Cut everything else up and toss in a bowl!
  • Put all ingredients for the dressing in a bowl and whisk til blended.  Pour over salad and toss to coat.
  • Serve over grilled chicken (or fish would be yummy too!)  Grilling on medium heat 8-10 minutes per size depending on the size of the breast.

ENJOY!

dit-elle-Lauren

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

Rich almond meal, butter, maple syrup, chocolate chips.. a delicious combination of ingredients that make a wonderful gluten free, grain free, paleo(ish) cookie! 🙂

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups blanched almond flour
  • ½ teaspoon celtic sea salt (I omitted this and the cookies were great!)
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ cup butter, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • ½ cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  • In a food processor , combine almond flour, salt, and baking soda
  • Pulse in butter, vanilla, and maple syrup until dough forms
  • Remove blade from processor and stir in chocolate chunks by hand
  • Scoop dough one level tablespoon at a time onto a parchment lined baking sheet
  • Press balls of dough down gently
  • Bake at 350° for 7-10 minutes
  • Cool for 15 minutes (do not handle prior or cookies will break)
  • Serve

Thanks ElanasPantry!

dit-elle-Esther

Heirloom Tomato, Nectarine, Goat Cheese, and Arugula Salad with Avocado Toast + Fried Egg (!!)

I mean, need I say more???  I was inspired to make this salad by the amazing Danielle Kartes from Rustic Joyful Food.  She posted a similar salad on Intagram about 45 minutes before I was supposed to make dinner.  I had everything on hand, but substituted arugula where she used spinach, and then accidentally forgot to put balsamic vinegar on-didn’t need it!!

I paired it with my total stand by when the Huz is traveling (fried egg on avocado toast), and…YUM!!

So easy and refreshing-healthy too!!Blog Heirloom Tomato Nectarine Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad with Avocado Toast and Fried Egg-1Ingredients

Salad

  • Handful of arugula or spinach for however many people you have
  • Nectarine sliced
  • Heirloom tomato sliced
  • Drizzle of olive oil
  • Goat cheese
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Toast

  • Slice of artisan bread (can use gluten free option if needed)
  • Avocado
  • Eggs
  • Chili Flakes, and Salt and Pepper to taste

What to do…

Layer everything on the salad greens and enjoy-how easy is that?!!

For the toast.  I lightly toast my bread, mash the avocado on with a fork, and then fry up your egg.  I tend to only cook mine for 5-6 minutes (with a lid on), so the yolk is still runny.  There’s something so decadent about a runny yolk…

Blog Heirloom Tomato Nectarine Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad with Avocado Toast and Fried Egg-2 Blog Heirloom Tomato Nectarine Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad with Avocado Toast and Fried Egg-3 Blog Heirloom Tomato Nectarine Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad with Avocado Toast and Fried Egg-4 Blog Heirloom Tomato Nectarine Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad with Avocado Toast and Fried Egg-5 Blog Heirloom Tomato Nectarine Goat Cheese and Arugula Salad with Avocado Toast and Fried Egg-6Enjoy!dit-elle-Lauren