Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Homemade Barbecue Sauce

Ditch the bottled barbecue sauce which is loaded with sugar and sodium and throw together your own homemade barbecue sauce! The taste is so much better than a bottle and it can be ready in just 20 minutes! Make a big batch and store it in your freezer to have sauce ready all summer long. Try it in my Slow Cooker BBQ Baked Beans!Healthy Homemade Barbecue Sauce

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 Homemade BBQ Sauce
Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Servings
cups
Ingredients
Servings
cups
Ingredients
Homemade Barbecue Sauce
Instructions
  1. Heat oil or ghee in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Saute garlic and onions for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low add remaining ingredients. Simmer for 20 minutes. Puree in a food processor or blender, if desired.
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slow cooker BBQ baked beans

Slow Cooker Barbecue Baked Beans

Use my Homemade Barbecue Sauce for these savory Slow Cooker Barbecue Baked Beans.slow cooker barbecue baked beans

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 Barbecue Baked Beans
slow cooker BBQ baked beans
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Servings
servings
Ingredients
slow cooker BBQ baked beans
Instructions
  1. In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Add the onions and garlic and cook until softened. Transfer to your slow cooker and add the drained beans, and remaining ingredients. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
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Pumpkin Pie Seeds

Pumpkin Pie Seeds

Soaking Your Seeds

Pumpkin seeds contain over 60 nutrients and make for a great snack!They also are loaded with antioxidants so add them to smoothies, granola, or eat them alone as in this Pumpkin Pie Seed recipe!

The best way to prepare nuts or seeds is to soak them first to make them more digestible in order to absorb all of the protein and minerals. Pumpkin seeds contain phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors which make them difficult to digest. That is why some people will complain about what nuts do to their stomach. By soaking them, these acids are neutralized make the nutrients much more absorbable.

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 Pumpkin Pie Seeds
Pumpkin Pie Seeds
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Pumpkin Pie Seeds
Instructions
  1. Soak seeds 8 hours or overnight.
  2. Mix spices in a separate bowl.
  3. Drain seeds and toss with spice mix.
  4. Spread out on a parchment lined baking sheet and place in oven on lowest setting. Bake for 4 to 6 hours, until dry.
  5. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
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leftover bread pudding recipe

Leftover Muffin Bread Pudding

The first time I had bread pudding was as a newlywed on vacation in Door County, Wisconsin. We stayed at the most beautiful pink Victorian Bed and Breakfast I have ever been in. Maybe my eyes were clouded with love, but no other place has ever compared to this inn.

They had warm chocolate chip cookies coming out of the oven any time of the day and cool lemonade on the sideboard. They served the meals on this adorable handmade Hadley pottery. The place made a such an impression on me, I collected Hadley pottery myself and now have a complete set which reminds me of my time there.

The inn served an original breakfast fare such as fruit soup and blueberry cream cheese stuffed french toast. One morning they put bread pudding before us and then poured half and half over it. I was sold on bread pudding forever!

The innkeeper told me that they simply use the leftover muffins or bread from the day before. and happily gave me the recipe. Of course, I don’t eat wheat anymore, but my gluten- free muffins and breads work just as well.

Of course, with five children in the house, I very rarely have leftover muffins, but since I was testing my Gluten-free Strawberry Rhubarb Muffin recipe, I had several samples to work with. Bread pudding is also a great way to salvage any recipes that might not turn out as you expected them:)

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 Leftover Muffin Bread Pudding
leftover bread pudding recipe
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Servings
servings
Ingredients
leftover bread pudding recipe
Instructions
  1. Spray an 8X8 pan. Crumble up muffins or breads.
  2. Whisk milks and eggs together. Add melted ghee and mix completely.
  3. Pour liquid over muffins and let stand overnight.
  4. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutyes.
  5. Reduce temperature to 350 and bake for 15 more minutes. Serve warm.
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Gluten-Free Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

Gluten-Free Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins

I love rhubarb and May is the peak time to purchase it. Rhubarb looks like red celery, but it is actually a fruit.  Eaten raw it tastes bitter, but cooking or stewing it brings out rhubarb’s sweetness. It goes perfectly with strawberries as in these Gluten-free Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins!

Health Benefits of Rhubarb

Onerhubarb cup of rhubarb contains as much calcium as a glass of milk. Eating calcium rich foods will help keep your bones and teeth strong. Rhubarb also contains a lot of fiber which helps slow down your digestion and regulate your blood sugar.

It makes sense that rhubarb comes in season in the spring when our immune systems tend to be weaker. The high vitamin C content will boost your immune system. Vitamin C is also important for producing collagen in the body which keeps your skin looking young and healthy!

Rhubarb is also a good source of Vitamin K which also may help prevent diabetes and is good for brain health. Vitamin A, beta-carotene, and lutein are also found in this fruit which are all essential for eye health and can prevent macular degeneration.

Freeze and store

Here’s a tip: Buy rhubarb now when it is in season and freeze it. Simply cut the stalks into one-inch pieces and freeze on a tray until firm. Store in an airtight container.

Give this strawberry rhubarb muffin recipe a try and enjoy the benefits of rhubarb!

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 Strawberry Rhubarb Muffins
gluten free strawberry rhubarb
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
muffins
Ingredients
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
muffins
Ingredients
gluten free strawberry rhubarb
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin.
  2. In a medium bowl sift or whisk all dry ingredients together.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine all wet ingredients except strawberries and rhubarb.
  4. Combine dry ingredients with wet ingredients and then fold in strawberries and rhubarb. Fill muffin cups and then place one strawberry slice on top of each.
  5. Bake for 18-22 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
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Monkfish w/Artichokes and Capers

Monkfish with Artichokes and Capers

Monkfish is known as the poor man’s lobster. It has a mild, sweet flavor and a firm texture. It is available all year round and the great thing about monkfish is that it is nearly impossible to overcook! Try this simple monkfish dish with artichokes and capers for a quick and easy meal.

Monkfish w/Artichokes and Capers

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 Monkfish with Artichokes and Capers
Monkfish with artichokes and capers
Course Main Course
Servings
Ingredients
Course Main Course
Servings
Ingredients
Monkfish with artichokes and capers
Instructions
  1. Season fish with salt and pepper and dredge fish in flour.
  2. Heat oil or ghee in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  3. Add monkfish and cook, turning once for 4 minutes on each side.
  4. Add the artichokes. Then stir in white wine or stock and cook for a minute.. Add lemon juice and capers.
  5. Serve over brown rice.
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almond butter muffin

Cranberry Orange Almond Butter Muffins

Use your homemade almond butter for these gluten and dairy free, eggless muffins!

Cranberry orange muffin

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 Cranberry Orange Almond Butter Muffins
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 14-16 minutes
Servings
muffins
Ingredients
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 14-16 minutes
Servings
muffins
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tin with paper liners.
  2. Sift or whisk oat flour, baking powder, psyllium, cinnamon, sea salt, and orange zest in a medium bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine applesauce, almond butter, honey, and vanilla.
  4. Combine wet and dry ingredients and then fold in dried cranberries.
  5. Spoon batter into muffin pans and bake for 14-16 minutes.
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Slow Cooker chicken stew

Dump Dinner Chicken Stew

Ever heard of a dump dinner?  It is a quick meal prep tip, where you prepare everything ready to go in a crock pot for a meal and freeze it.  The night before you need it, just defrost in the fridge and “DUMP” into the slow cooker the next morning to have a hot complete meal waiting for you when you arrive home!

Always have a few “dump” dinners in the freezer to make meal planning easier.  It ensures you will have a nutritious meal waiting for your family on those busy days. Try this homey chicken stew recipe to get some practice!

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 Dump Dinner Chicken Stew
Slow Cooker chicken stew
Course Main Course, Main Dish
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4-6 hours
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Main Course, Main Dish
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4-6 hours
Servings
people
Ingredients
Slow Cooker chicken stew
Instructions
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in 12 inch skillet over medium high heat until shimmering. Add onions, garlic, tomato paste, thyme, and carrots and cook until onions are softened and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Whisk in lemon juice and 1 cup of broth to deglaze pan.
  2. *See note for DUMP DINNER instructions or continue with step 3.
  3. Season chicken with salt and pepper and add remaining chicken stock, 2 teaspoons arrowroot, sweet potatoes, and bay leaves to slow cooker. Stir.
  4. Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours.
  5. Transfer chicken to cutting board, let cool slightly, then shred into bite-sized pieces. Discard bay leaves.
  6. Stir shredded chicken and peas into the stew and let sit until heated through, about 5 minutes. Adjust stew consistency with additional arrowroot starch or additional broth as desired. Stir in parsley, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste and serve.
Recipe Notes

For a "dump dinner", at this point add remaining ingredients except peas and parsley to an airtight container.  Allow to cool and then freeze.  The night before use, defrost in the fridge.  Then place in slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.  Then continue with at step 3.

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acai bowl

Acai Bowl

acai bowl

I love acai bowls! These nutrient-packed berries make a beautiful breakfast in a bowl that everyone will enjoy! Loaded with anti-oxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids, acai berries make a super-healthy start to your day.

Trader Joes just started carrying frozen organic acai puree at a great price, so these are even easier to put together.  They are basically a thick smoothie in a bowl topped with your favorite toppings such as granola, fruit, coconut, or nuts. Rememeber, you want fat, fiber, and protein at every meal or snack, so simply follow this basic recipe and mix and match ingredients and toppings!

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 Acai Bowl
Mix and match ingredients. Try adding spinach or kale or different combinations of berries and fruit. Add a scoop of protein powder for a protein punch. You can make a chocolate acai bowl by adding a tablespoon of raw cacao.
acai bowl
Cuisine breakfast
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
serving
Ingredients
Toppings
Cuisine breakfast
Prep Time 5 minutes
Servings
serving
Ingredients
Toppings
acai bowl
Instructions
  1. Defrost acai puree slightly by running under water. Puree acai, banana, berries, and avocado with almond milk until smooth, scraping down sides of blender.
  2. Pour into a bowl and arrange toppings in stripes. Enjoy!
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Easy Coconut Curry Chicken

Easy Coconut Curry Chicken

I have never been a fan of curry until I started making my own curry powder. What a difference! There is just so much more flavor when you toast your own whole spices and grind them yourself in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.

The spices in curry powder are anti-inflammatory and help balance your blood sugar! Here is the simplest Coconut Curry Chicken Recipe you can make using your own curry powder!

By the way, that’s a flatbread in the photo made from Cassava flour that we’ll be making in the upcoming Gluten-free Baking Workshop!

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 Easy Coconut Curry Chicken
Easy Coconut Curry Chicken
Course Main Dish
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Course Main Dish
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Easy Coconut Curry Chicken
Instructions
  1. Heat ghee in a small saucepan over low heat. Swirl in curry powder and cook for about 2 minutes, being careful not to burn. Add coconut milk and keep warm.
  2. Heal olive oil or remaining ghee in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium high heat. Add onions and garlic. When onions are translucent, add chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook chicken until just starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add in coconut milk mixture. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes.
  4. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve over brown rice.
Recipe Notes

You can add 1 cup of sliced carrots in with the onion, if desired.

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Print Recipe
 Curry Powder
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
cup
Ingredients
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
cup
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
  2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and spread ingedients in pan.
  3. Bake for 20 minutes, checking often, so that it doesn't burn.
  4. Grind spices in a sipce grinder or mortar and pestle. Store in a glass jar in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
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