Showing posts with label recipes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recipes. Show all posts
Monday, September 12, 2016
Lemon Parmesan Tuna and Black Bean Pasta

Lemon Parmesan Tuna and Black Bean Pasta

Monday, September 12, 2016
Lemon-Parmesan-Tuna-Black-Bean-Pasta-recipe

Hello hello! I promised this gluten free black bean pasta recipe last week, but, had a terrible time editing the images. I hadn't planned on shooting this recipe originally, and I have not had time to reshoot it [ yet ]. I grabbed my camera and snapped some quick images in my kitchen.. at night. There wasn't a single ray of natural light anywhere.

Mistakes. Mistakes everywhere!

Every single vertical image was unusable. Somewhere between panic and resolution, I thought: "This blog is about being real. So just be real about this." I messed up.. And I'm telling y'all about it. I have been practicing shooting in manual and I missed the mark on more than one image. Mistakes make us better right! So here are a tiny handful of horizontal images to stir your hunger!

Lemon-Parmesan-Tuna-Black-Bean-Pasta-recipe
Lemon-Parmesan-Tuna-Black-Bean-Pasta-recipe

Pasta dishes are right up there with pizza in my book. Pizza ultimately reigns supreme, but, every now and then a hearty plate of spaghetti really knocks those carb cravings out. Being a pasta lover with a gluten intolerance is.. intolerable [ Ha! I couldn't help myself! ]. Bad humor aside, it really is tough to find gluten free pasta recipes that taste good and haven't had all of the nutrients stripped from them.

One of the best alternatives to grain pastas is bean pasta. I started cooking with black bean pasta when even quinoa super grain pastas was making me sick. Tolerant and Explore Cuisine are the two best brands of bean and lentil pastas. They taste fresh and have a great texture! You can substitute either brand in any pasta dish without the fear of eating heavy, cardboard-esque spaghetti.

Monday, August 1, 2016
Dark Raspberry Chocolate Ice Cream Bread

Dark Raspberry Chocolate Ice Cream Bread

Monday, August 1, 2016
dark-raspberry-gluten-free-chocolate-quick-bread
dark-raspberry-gluten-free-chocolate-quick-bread
dark-raspberry-gluten-free-chocolate-quick-bread

Raspberries and chocolate go together like peanut butter and jelly, eggs and bacon, thelma and louise.. [ not my best analogy ]. This quick bread has an ooey gooey decadent chocolate center, crispy coconut-sugar edges AND it's gluten free - Sounds too good to be true, right? Trust me. It is not. Top this quick bread with frosty plump raspberries and your tastebuds won't know what hit them! 
This chocolate quick bread can be thrown together in a snap - just two ingredients needed. You won't believe what the decadent base of this quick bread is made of!
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Triscuit "pearsciuttorellascuit" Appetizer

Triscuit "pearsciuttorellascuit" Appetizer

Tuesday, July 5, 2016
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MadeForMore #Walmart #CollectiveBias
triscuit-crostini-appetizer

Let's be completely real for a sec. It's summer and we want have our food and and eat it too! You know, like cake. A healthy, filling snack that doesn't compromise on flavor is one heavenly bite. The thing that I love most about this appetizer is how utterly guilt free it is, but, oh my, is it satisfying!
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Penne

Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Penne

Wednesday, June 22, 2016
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PickedAtPeak #CollectiveBias

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Penne Pasta is jam-packed full of fresh flavor! And it is impossible to stop eating. Truly. I stood over the pan with a fork and just kept digging in. Don't tell my family. Pasta has always been my kryptonite. There is something irresistible about al-dente pasta combined with flavor rich sauces and a bite of protein. It is filling and comforting. Am I the only one who thinks Italian dishes are comfort food? I put this dish together in 30 minutes [ thank goodness for time saving recipes, am i right!? ]. It is a classic dish with artisan flavor; enrobing warm buttery penne in savory sauce with hearty chunks of chicken and veggies. Using local produce from the farmer's market builds flavor in this dish that you just can't get otherwise. 

Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Elevated S'mores Inspired Ice Cream Sundaes

Elevated S'mores Inspired Ice Cream Sundaes

Tuesday, June 14, 2016
This shop had been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SoHoppinGood #TopYourSummer #CollectiveBias



I had a lightbulb moment the other day while buying stacks on stacks on stacks of Blue Bunny® ice cream - Sweet and creamy S'mores Inspired Ice Cream Sundaes! Graham cracker crumbles, mini chocolate chips, pecans [ I took creative liberties ;) ], marshmallowy Blue Bunny® Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream, crunchy fudge ribbons!! It's all in there. Now all we need is a campfire and some toasted mallows!

Tuesday, June 7, 2016
White Chocolate Cookies 'n' Cream Ice Cream

White Chocolate Cookies 'n' Cream Ice Cream

Tuesday, June 7, 2016
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BiteSizedBitsOfJoy #CollectiveBias


white-chocolate-cookies-and-cream-no-churn-ice-cream
white-chocolate-cookies-and-cream-no-churn-ice-cream

Your sweet tooth is going to be extremely happy today. I made this no-churn White Chocolate Ice Cream and it was delicious.. I folded in some classic Keebler Fudge Stripes cookie pieces, that I got at Kroger, and it changed my tastebud's life! If you haven't joined the no-churn ice cream craze this recipe is where you need to start! Creamy, sweet white chocolate ice cream is getting cozy with fudge drizzled dark chocolate cookies. It's almost sinful.

Monday, May 9, 2016
Dairy Free No-Churn Dark Chocolate Ice Cream With Salted Pretzel Topping

Dairy Free No-Churn Dark Chocolate Ice Cream With Salted Pretzel Topping

Monday, May 9, 2016
no-churn-dark-chocolate-ice-cream
no-churn-dark-chocolate-ice-cream
no-churn-dark-chocolate-ice-cream
no-churn-dark-chocolate-ice-cream

There are few things as satisfying as sitting down with a pint of ice cream and not getting up till you hear the spoon hit the bottom of the pint. Let me just say, I have seen my share of empty pints. I feel like discovering how to make no-churn dark chocolate coconut milk ice cream is going to my doom and glory! Coconut milk ice cream doesn't bloat ( eat all the pints! ), and dark chocolate is proven to be good for the metabolism. . so that makes this weight loss ice cream, right?

I know what you're thinking, "holy calories that sounds amazing". Yes, yes it is. Is this too good to be true? NEVER. This frozen treat has all of the bold, rich flavor of artisan dark chocolate, and crispy, salty pretzels! Honestly, coconut milk ice cream is leaps and bounds better than dairy ice creams. As a longtime consumer of dairy ice cream I feel that I am an authority on the matter ;)

This coconut milk dark chocolate ice cream has the same creamy texture as dairy ice cream, perhaps even a little creamier and richer, and the luscious flavor is out of this world!


No-Churn Dark Chocolate Ice Cream With Salted Pretzel Topping
- Dairy Free -
Prep Time: 15 min  |  Freeze Time: 30-40 min  |  Serves: 4 ( or one very greedy person ) 
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no-churn-dark-chocolate-ice-cream
no-churn-dark-chocolate-coconut-milk-ice-cream
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no-churn-dark-chocolate-coconut-milk-ice-cream
no-churn-dark-chocolate-coconut-milk-ice-cream


Ingredients:

For the ice cream
- 1 cup of coconut cream
- 8 ounces of Ghirardelli dark chocolate
- ½ a teaspoon of vanilla extract ( optional )
- 1 cup of thinned coconut milk

| You will need only one can of coconut milk. This recipe utilizes the coconut cream, and the thinned coconut milk from one can. Coconut cream is simply the fat in coconut milk. The fat will separate and rise to the top of the can. |

For the topping
- ½ cup of fudge covered pretzels chopped
- ½ cup of white chocolate yogurt covered pretzels
- large pinch of sea salt or flaking salt ( optional )


Equipment:
- hand mixer + whisk attachment
- chilled medium size bowl
- chilled loaf pan
- small mixing bowl
- small pot for double boiler
- spatula


Instructions.

The night before you make the ice cream, place the can of coconut milk in the fridge to chill, and allow the coconut cream to separate. Before you begin the ice cream base roughly chop or hand break the pretzels and set them aside ( or leave them whole if you prefer! ) The "toppings" for this recipe are fantastic fold-ins. You can top your dark chocolate ice cream with pretzels or fold them right into the ice cream. You get a crispy pretzel in every bite!


1. Take can of coconut milk out of fridge and pop the top off. Scoop the coconut cream out into the chilled mixing bowl. Pour out excess water/milk into a bowl and set aside. Beat coconut cream on high for 5-8 minutes, or just until soft peaks form. A trail in the cream from the whisk is a good sign it's whipped enough. Place whipped coconut cream in fridge.

2. Place the chocolate chips with the remaining coconut water/milk in the bowl and place bowl on top of a small pot with half an inch of water in it. This is your double boiler. Melt the dark chocolate into the coconut water/milk on low-medium heat. Stir the mixture as it melts so the dark chocolate melts evenly. The chocolate ganache should be thick enough to coat the back of a spatula. Remove from heat and pop in the freezer for five minutes to cool.

TIP: If the chocolate ganache is too runny, add 1/4 teaspoon of cornstarch and stir in evenly.

3. Gently fold the whipped coconut cream into the dark chocolate ganache until evenly combined. Pour mixture into chilled loaf pan and place in freezer to set. About 30-40 minutes. Stir the mixture once or twice during this time.

| This ice cream works beautifully with an ice cream maker. If you are more comfortable with that method, and do not want to hand-stir the ice cream to help it set, go ahead and break out your ice cream maker! |

4. EAT THE ICE CREAM! Dish out a couple of hearty scoops of this luscious ice cream and top with the fudge and yogurt covered pretzels. Add a pinch of sea salt or flake salt on top.

This ice cream is super easy to make and absolutely decadent! Does this ice cream really deliver better flavor than regular dairy ice cream, Jen? You bet your bottom dollar it does!

no-churn-dark-chocolate-coconut-milk-ice-cream
no-churn-dark-chocolate-coconut-milk-ice-cream
no-churn-dark-chocolate-coconut-milk-ice-cream
no-churn-dark-chocolate-coconut-milk-ice-cream
no-churn-dark-chocolate-coconut-milk-ice-cream

Recipe Substitutions/Additions:

- Macadamia nuts are an incredible fold-in or topping for this ice cream!
- Cocoa roasted almonds make a fantastic fold-in.
- A teaspoon of instant espresso adds a hint of sophisticated dark mocha flavor.
- Glutino pretzels are a delicious gluten free pretzel topping option. I used them in this recipe.

Play with this recipe! Make it into anything your sweet-tooth desires. Add all of the crunchy toppings that you can imagine. Chocolate is an amazing canvas!


What is your favorite guilty pleasure ice cream flavor? Have you tried homemade coconut milk ice cream like this!? Let me know in the comments. Have a beautiful day!








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Monday, April 25, 2016
Loaded Pepperoni Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Loaded Pepperoni Cauliflower Crust Pizza

Monday, April 25, 2016
the-best-pepperoni-cauliflower-crust-pizza
the-best-pepperoni-cauliflower-crust-pizza
the-best-pepperoni-cauliflower-crust-pizza
the-best-pepperoni-cauliflower-crust-pizza

Beauty comes in all sizes and shapes, small, large, square, circle, thin crust, thick crust, stuffed crust, four cheese, extra toppings. . .  See what I did there? We all know that pizza is one of the best foods out there. This recipe just made it even better. Pizza is incredible, right out of the oven, or right out of the fridge the next day ( cold leftover pizza is amazing! ). There is truly no wrong time to devour pizza.  There are a myriad of scrumptious pizza combinations from veggie lovers, to bbq chicken, hawaiian, and dare I say it. . bacon pizza! ( Yes, it exists ). Whatever your hungry heart may be craving, pizza delivers.

I love classic pepperoni pizza, or a stringy four cheese round. You can never go wrong with cheese. I decided to take a shot at classic pepperoni with this recipe and jazz it up a little. I loaded it up with red peppers, baby bella mushrooms, sweet basil, and fresh mozzarella! This topping combination elevates classic pepperoni to a whole new level. This pizza is.. chic. Is that even possible? Each bite is beautifully balanced; equally spicy and savory. There is a hint of red pepper flakes to add warm heat, and sweet basil adds a gentle herby flavor. Fresh mozzarella seals the flavors together with a hint of salt, and adds a divine creamy texture that dances with the pepperoni. Okay, i'm making myself incredibly hungry right now! All of these sumptuous flavors are carried by an amazing cauliflower pizza crust. This cauliflower crust is better than classic crust. I am making that claim you guys! It. is. outstanding. 

Marrying together creamy melted cheese and savory sauce with your favorites toppings on a crispy warm crust is the epitome of deliciousness. Without that delectable crust to carry those yummy toppings we would just be chowing down on veggies, and stacks of pepperoni. Which is fine, I love me a veggie bowl. There is a certain satisfaction, though, in gently lifting a slice of heaven up and knowing that you are about to partake in a cripsy, salty culinary love affair ( Wow, Jen, that got intense ). You'll understand when you take that first bite of this cauliflower crust. 

This life changing pizza serves two or one intensely hungry person. Bless the clever culinary soul who thought up cauliflower based crust. You can eat the entire pizza without a shred of guilt, or extra bulge. Now we can have our pizza crust and eat it too!


 Pepperoni, Mushroom, and Red Pepper Pizza
- With Cauliflower Crust -
Prep Time: 20 min  |  Cook Time: 25 min  | Servings: 2 - 4
the-best-pepperoni-cauliflower-crust-pizza
the-best-pepperoni-cauliflower-crust-pizza
the-best-pepperoni-cauliflower-crust-pizza


Ingredients:

For the crust 
- 1 medium size head of cauliflower
- 1 egg 
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon sweet basil
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Small palm full of red pepper flakes ( optional )
- pinch of sea salt

For the toppings
- ¼ cup pre-cut baby bella mushrooms (you can find small pre-cut portabella's in the produce section)
- half of a red bell pepper cut into strips ( about 10 bell pepper strips )
- ¼ cup turkey pepperoni slices ( about 15 slices )
- 3 slices of fresh mozzarella 
- ½ cup pizza sauce



Instructions.
First things first, preheat the oven to 425˚, and line a pizza pan, or baking sheet, with parchment paper. Then begin with the cauliflower crust! Rinse the head of cauliflower, pat dry, and remove florets from stalk. If you're feeling a little lost because you've never worked with cauliflower before, think of it this way: You are basically dealing with albino broccoli here. So treat it as such. Just cut the florets off of the stalk and pop them into a bowl. Easy as pie! ( get it.. because pizza.. pizza pie! )


1. Begin by making cauliflower “rice”. Place cauliflower florets in a food processor and pulse in until a rice or grit like texture is achieved. If you do not have a food processor you can use a fine cheese grater!
the-best-pepperoni-cauliflower-crust-pizza

2. Fill a medium pot with an inch of water and bring to a boil. Add in the cauliflower rice, cover, and boil for 4 -5 minutes. Drain into fine mesh strainer, and transfer onto a cheesecloth or a clean thin dish towel.  Wrap up the steamed cauliflower rice into the dishtowel, twist it up, and squeeze all of the excess moisture out. This is the most important step! If there is too much moisture, the crust will be soggy. So squeeze like heck!

The rice will be very hot so please be careful not to burn your hands. 

In a pinch you can microwave the riced cauliflower instead of boiling it. Microwave for 4-5 minutes on high, then squeeze all of the moisture out in the same manner as above.


3. In a medium size bowl, mix together the strained ( and squeezed ) cauliflower rice, egg, parmesan cheese, and spices. Use a fork or your hands to work the ingredients together. Place dough on lined pizza pan and pat out into desired shape. Dough should be about a ¼ of an inch thick. Bake for 20 minutes. When the crust is a warm golden brown on the edges and top it's ready!

4. Now it is time to add all of the delicious toppings! Start with pizza sauce then add the mushrooms, peppers, pepperoni, and mozzarella to top it off! You can add as much of the toppings as you desire. Go light or go heavy! Whatever your hunger inspires you to do ;) 


5. Return pizza to oven and bake for 10 minutes or until toppings are bubbly and especially delicious to the eyes! 

Remove from oven, slice, and enjoy! I suggest sprinkling more parmesan cheese and red pepper flakes for an extra kick of flavor. You can customize this pizza in anyway that you like. The cauliflower crust is SO GOOD. You can make a hawain, supreme, classic pepperoni, bbq chicken. . the possibilities are endless!


the-best-pepperoni-cauliflower-crust-pizza
the-best-pepperoni-cauliflower-crust-pizza
the-best-pepperoni-cauliflower-crust-pizza

What are your favorite pizza toppings? Will you try them with this cauliflower crust? Share your cravings with me in the comments! Have a beautiful day!
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