THE BEST PUMPKIN PIE - NO BAKING REQUIRED!

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups (preferably organic) pure pumpkin puree
1 cup coconut cream from 1 can
1/3 cup coconut oil
1 tablespoon 100% pure maple syrup (strictly optional - if sugar of any kind is a problem for you, delete this ingredient.)
1/4 teaspoon liquid vanilla stevia
1/8 teaspoon kosher or Himalayan salt

2 teaspoons (preferrably organic) Pumpkin Pie S[ice

1 Pre-baked and cooled Almond Flour Pie Crust

METHOD:

In a medium pot, melt coconut cream and coconut oil until liquefied.

Stir in the pureed pumpkin until mixture is very warm.

Transfer the mixture to a high speed blender like a Blendtec or Vitamix on high seed and blend until
very smooth.

Blend in vanilla stevia, pumpkin pie spice and salt.

Transfer mixture into a pre-baked, cooled Almond Flour Pie Crust.

Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

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Sardine Pasta

Serves 2 (large helpings) or 4 (small helpings)

1 - 8 oz container Red Lentil Pasta

1/2 to 1 whole can wild-caught sardines
3 tablespoons grass-fed butter
1 -2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2-4 fresh pressed garlic cloves (to taste)
6 fresh basil leaves chiffonade
salt and pepper to taste

Cook lentil pasta per package directions.  When done, heat butter and olive oil lightly (do NOT let smoke).  Add sardines, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper.  Toss in pasta and make sure it is all covered well.  Serve warm.

Fabulous Flax Crackers

We love this recipe from The Healthy Maven. Her recipe uses the "Everything Bagel" spice mix but the options are endless.  Enjoy.

INGREDIENTS

·         1/2 cup ground flaxseed
·         1/2 cup golden whole flaxseeds
·         1/2 cup sesame seeds
·         1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
·         1/4 tsp sea salt
·         1 1/4 cups water

               Aprox. 1 T “everything bagel spice ” (Carefully store-bought or recipe below)

 Everything Bagel Spice:

·         1 tsp poppy seeds
·         1 tsp sesame seeds
·         1 tsp dried onion
·         1 tsp dried garlic

Note: Feel free to use whatever spice blend you desire. (garlic and rosemary?) The options are endless!

INSTRUCTIONS

1.     In a blender or food processor, pulse sunflower seeds until broken up into smaller bits.
2.     In a large bowl combine all seeds, spices, salt and water. Stir to combine.
3.     Set aside for 1 hour to absorb liquid. Mixture will thicken.
4.     Preheat oven to 350.
5.     Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
6.     Spread out mixture on parchment, ensuring the mixture covers every inch of the baking sheet.
7.     Bake for 30 minutes.
8.     Turn oven off and let crackers sit in oven for 1 hour.
9.     Remove from oven and let sit until completely cool.
10.   Break up into desired cracker size.
11.   Store in an airtight bag for up to one week.
 

Lemon Cupcakes

Spring! Baking! Lemons!

Very basic recipe that takes minutes to put together!

Enjoy.

Ingredients:

2 cups almond flour

2 teaspoons aluminum free baking powder

1/3 to 1/2 cup Erythritol/Stevia blend (available at Bulk Barn) or equivalent sweetener, i.e., Swerve

1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

the zest of 1 lemon

1/2 cup (1 stick) organic butter, melted

4 organic, free range, antibiotic-free eggs

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 F

1. Line a muffin tin with silicone baking cups or paper liners.
2. Mix all dry ingredients together by pulsing them in a food processor.
3. Add the wet ingredients and combine thoroughly.
4. Separate into muffin tins (about 1/2 to 2/3 full) and bake for 15 to 20 minutes

A nice topping is a "sweetened without sugar" meringue (shown here).

You can vary this recipe by using water instead of the lemon juice (omit the lemon zest) and adding 1 teaspoon vanilla.  This can be frosted with a "sweetened without sugar" buttercream recipe.

Wild Orange Pound Cake

My niece gave me a tiny bottle of dōterra Wild Orange Essential Oils the other night.  I used it in the following recipe, and I LOVED the results.  Thanks, Patty! This is a VERY moist cake, despite the coconut flour, so be sure it is completely baked before you take it out of the oven.  (See Method)

Another  note: You can't use all brands of essential oils internally. This is what makes dōterra stand out in terms of purity and quality. However it can be unsafe to use just any oil that way.  Read labels and do some research before you do anything  crazy.  By the way, this recipe would be delicious if all you added was some orange zest.

Also, for those who have had unhappy results with my Maximized Lemon Pound Cake recipe, I apologize. I did not have trouble with the "falling apart" issue the first time I made it, although I heard from those who did. Believe it or not, I have been trying to find the solution to that problem ever since!  I have deleted that recipe from this Blog, and I think you will find this a much improved final outcome. We were extremely pleased.



Frankly, I think this beats Starbucks Lemon Loaf by a mile!

Enjoy.

Ingredients:

2 ½ cups Blanched Almond Flour

1/3 cup Coconut Flour
8 Extra Large Organic Eggs
7 oz Organic Cream Cheese
8 T Organic Butter (1 stick)
1T Vanilla Extract 

5-9 drops Wild Orange Essential Oils
2 t Baking Powder
½  t Salt
1/3 cup Stevia/Erythritol blend (Available at Bulk Barn)

Method:

In a stand mixer, or a mixing bowl mix with an electric mixer on high, beat the butter with the stevia/erythritol blend until well mixed.  Add the cream cheese; then add the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla, then the essential oils.  Next add all the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.  

Get the mixture right into a well-greased loaf pan.

Bake @350 for 50 to 60 minutes until golden brown on top. 

Using a cake tester ENSURE THAT CAKE IS COMPLETELY DONE THROUGHOUT.  You may want to lightly cover the top with a tent-piece of aluminum foil for the last few minutes.

Cool Completely before removing from the loaf pan.

Serving Size: 10

Hail Caesar Salad Dressing

INGREDIENTS:

2 extra-large egg yolks, at room temperature

2 tsp dijon mustard, at room temperature

1 Tbsp chopped garlic, (3 cloves)

2 anchovy fillets, drained

½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 to 3 lemons)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

¾ cup organic olive oil

¼ cup avocado oil

½ cup freshly grated Italian Parmesan cheese

METHOD:

Place the egg yolks, mustard, garlic, anchovies, lemon juice, 1 ½  teaspoons kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process for 15 seconds. Combine the olive and avocado oils in a glass measuring cup. With the food processor running, slowly pour the oils in a thin stream down the feed tube, as you would to make mayonnaise. Add the grated Parmesan and pulse to combine. This recipe yields two cups salad dressing.  Store in the refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BREAD

It's that time of year.  Zucchini is over-running your garden beyond your wildest expectations.  Here's a recipe to utilize that gorgeous ingredient that I think you'll really enjoy.

Ingredients
2 1/4 cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/2  cup cacao powder
1/2 teaspoon celtic sea salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
5 large eggs
4  tablespoons (1/4 cup) coconut oil, room temperature
1 cup monk fruit/erythritol blend sweetener
1 1/2 cups zucchini, grated and drained/squeezed to dry out
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions
In a food processor combine almond flour and cacao powder.
Pulse in salt and baking soda.
Pulse in eggs, coconut oil, and sweetener.
Briefly pulse in zucchini. (Add 1/2 cup walnuts now if you prefer.)
Transfer batter to a coconut-oil-greased 6.5 x 4 inch medium (preferably glass) loaf pan.
Bake at 350° for 60-65 minutes. Loaf is done when cake tester comes out clean.
Cool for 2 hours.
Serve

Herb Butter Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packs

I used parchment paper between the Salmon and the aluminum foil, because BJH was watching me as I prepared this dinner at the lake. Probably always a good idea, though.  I did add extra time, however, because the extra layer kept the salmon and vegetables from cooking very quickly.

I also used broccoli florets instead of asparagus because that is what I had in the fridge.  Now we make the broccoli this way all the time, with or without the salmon! 

"Best broccoli I ever tasted." - CMH

Enjoy

Ingredients

·      4 boneless skinless salmon fillets, preferably wild caught

·      salt and pepper to taste

·      1 pound organic asparagus, ends trimmed

·      1 lemon, thinly sliced, (plus additional wedges for garnish)

·      ½ cup organic butter, at room temperature

·      3 teaspoons Italian seasoning

·      3 teaspoons minced garlic

·      fresh thyme or parsley, for garnish (optional) 

Method

1.  Season salmon generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Arrange one salmon fillet and ¼ of the asparagus in the center of one 12 x 12 inch piece of foil. Repeat with remaining salmon and asparagus on 3 other pieces of foil. Slide lemon slices under the salmon and asparagus.

2.  In a small bowl mix butter, Italian seasoning, and garlic. Drop large dollops of the herb butter on top of the salmon and asparagus.

3.  Fold the foil tightly around the salmon and asparagus, being sure to seal the ends together tightly so the juices and butter doesn't run out while cooking. 

4. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, until asparagus is tender and salmon is flaky.

5.  Drizzle fresh lemon juice over the top and serve immediately.

KEY LIME INDIVIDUAL CHEESECAKE DESSERTS

This recipe is simple, elegant, and so easy to prepare. Make the crust (2 ingredients), blend all other ingredients in a high speed blender or food processor, and done!
Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1 cup raw almonds

4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) melted coconut oil

1 cup raw cashews soaked in very hot water; then drained.

1 can full fat coconut milk (well shaken)

1/2 cup melted coconut oil

2 droppers-full of liquid stevia

4 limes, juiced and zested. This should yield approximately ⅓  to ½ cup of juice.

Method:

Line a JUMBO muffin tin with 6 jumbo cupcake liners and set aside. NOTE: It is best to DOUBLE the cupcake liners as this is a wet batter before it chills.

Place the almonds and melted coconut in a food processor and blend until the mixture is crumbly and sticks together when pinched between your fingers.

Place 2-3 tablespoons of this almond mixture in each lined muffin cup and press down to form a mini “crust.”

Place the muffin tin in the freezer for 15-20 minutes while you prepare the filling.

In a high speed blender or in a food processor add the drained cashews, coconut milk, stevia, lime juice, melted coconut oil and most of the lime zest.  Reserve some lime zest for garnishing the top of the mini cheesecakes.

Puree the mixture until smooth. Taste the mixture for tartness and adjust stevia if necessary. (Limes can be tricky.)  Pour the mixture into a measuring cup to make the next step easier.

Remove the muffin tin from the freezer when the crusts have hardened a bit and pour the filling mixture over the crusts.  Top with lime zest and chill in the refrigerator for approximately  4 to 6 hours to harden.  

Keep chilled until ready to serve.

Enjoy.

CINNAMON SPICE PECANS

iNGREDIENTS:

• 1 egg white
• 1 half to three quarters full dropper of liquid vanilla (or original) stevia
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch of chipotle powder
• 2 cups pecans

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together egg white, stevia, salt, chipotle and cinnamon
2. Toss nuts in the egg white mixture to coat
3. Pour nut mixture onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet
4. Bake at 300° for 15-20 minutes, until nuts are browned
5. Allow nuts to cool for 5 minutes, then break apart and serve

Enjoy

GINGER COOKIES

Ginger Cookies have a power over me at this time of year. I will be living my best life, minding my own business, and pow!  Out of nowhere a Ginger Cookie appears in front of me, calling my name so loudly that it deafens me to all my healthy intentions and practices. The last time I ate one (two weeks ago), I vowed to write a GOOD FOOD recipe for a sugar free, grain free version, and here it is.  

I have used a Stevia-Erythritol blend for the sweetening of this cookie.  According to B.J., Erythritol is the best of all the sugar alcohols.  I have sampled it in other recipes and I find it does not upset my stomach, as does Xylitol.  Furthermore, I wanted a snappier Ginger cookie than I could achieve with Stevia alone, so I was willing to take a chance on this blend, which, by the way, is available at the Bulk Barn.
Enjoy.

Ingredients:

2 1/4  cups blanched almond flour

1/4 cup Pumpkin Spice Blend

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

1/4teaspoon aluminum free baking soda

1 cup chopped raw pecans

1/2 cup organic butter, roon temperature

1/2 cup Stevia-Erythritol Blend, plus a tiny bit extra for sprinkling

1 tablespoon pure vanilla (no sugar – check the label)

Preparation:

1. In a stand mixer, or using an electric hand held beater, combine the butter and stevia-erythritol blend. 
2. Add the remaining ingredients and mix again until all the ingredients are incorporated.
3. Using a piece of parchment paper, form the dough into a log, approximately 2 ½ inches in diameter. 
4. Freeze the log for approximately 1 hour; then unwrap and cut into 1/8 inch slices.
5. Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with a clean piece of parchment paper.
6. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly golden, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. 
7. Sprinkle with additional Stevia-Erythritol blend while the cookies are just out of the oven.
8. Cool and serve. 

Makes 24 cookies
Note:  Image credit Martha Stewart

Pumpkin Spice Blend

Pumpkin Spice is always so popular this time of year. Pumpkin spice latte, pumpkin spice ice cream, pumpkin spice breakfast smoothies, next there will be pumpkin spice kale salad! Here's a simple recipe for your own blend.  I like to make a batch in the early fall and hope it lasts throughout the holiday season, so I can add it to all sorts of recipes.  To do that, I would recommend doubling the recipe below.

Enjoy.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 tablespoon nutmeg
1 teaspoons ground allspice
1 teaspoons ground cloves

Store in a glass jar with a tight lid.  I like to use Mason Jars.

Home made Chipotle Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise, if bought at the regular grocery store, is not fit for human consumption.  Here is an easy, delicious recipe for a spicy mayonnaise that will keep in the refrigerator for at least three weeks. . .if it lasts that long. (The beautiful photo which I use here is not my own.  My mayonnaise never lasts long enough to take a great picture like this.  Props to the original photographer.)

Ingredients:
1 large egg, at room temperature
1 large egg yolk, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon Chipotle powder
1 - 1 1/4 cups olive oil

Method:
Add all ingredients except the olive oil to a food processor or high speed blender such as a Blendtec or VitaMix. Blend or process, while very slowly streaming in the olive oil until the mixture becomes mayonnaise.  It really is that simple.
Enjoy.

Teryaki Chicken Wings

Here's a wonderful recipe that we literally lived on during the summer months.  This recipe is based on (translation: stolen from) my friend Kimberly Roberto's amazing recipe which can be found at her SMART MEALS blog on WordPress.  I have never tried one of Kim's recipes without it becoming a staple in our family meal plans.  She is amazing. And I know her recipes will never contribute to ill health or weight gain because they all conform to the Maximized Living Nutrition Plan. She is, after all, the co-author of the book!
The beautiful thing about this recipe is that it can be incorporated into a busy family life so easily. For instance, because there are only two of us (although Cliff eats enough of these wings to feed a gaggle of teenagers) I make the sauce, and then use half for one meal and refrigerate the other half for the next time we want to prepare the dish. The other benefit is the ease of the preparation.  Once the wings are in the oven, as you will see by the method below, you have all the time you need to organize all the other things you have to organize in an afternoon.
I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup organic unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons spoonable stevia (or equivalent)
• 1/2 cup red wine (optional, but highly recommended)
• 1/2 cup liquid aminos or organic tamari
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/8 to 1/4 cup hot sauce (adjust to your taste)
• 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt (Do not use table salt.  Unbelievably, it contains sugar!)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 4 to 5 pounds of organic chicken wings (Adjust the amount of wings based on family size.)

METHOD

• Melt all the ingredients (except the chicken) in a small sauce pan over medium heat.
• Pour sauce over chicken wings in a large plastic bag to marinate for up to 6 hours.  If making a smaller batch of chicken wings, use half the sauce and refrigerate the other half for up to twenty-one days. 
• Arrange chicken wings on a large rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake wings at 350 degrees for 35 - 40 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 275 degrees.  Remove the parchment paper and replace wings onto an oven rack over the rimmed baking sheet and continue to cook for up to 2 hours.  Lifting the wings onto the rack gives them room to groove, and we find the end product is more tender and extremely tasty.

COCONUT BACON

This recipe is so good for use on any salad,  but particularly good on Caesar Salad.  

BTW, this stuff is like popcorn.  You will find yourself snacking on it long after the salad has been eaten.

Enjoy.

INGREDIENTS

3 to 4 cups large, unsweetened coconut flakes (not regular shredded coconut!)

3 tablespoons Bragg's Aminos, aka: Bragg All Purpose Liquid Soy Seasoning.

2½ tablespoons liquid smoke (any flavor, choose your favorite)

10 drops liquid stevia (I sometimes use 12 - 15 drops. Taste it!)

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a half-sheet pan or large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix the liquid ingredients in a small measuring cup or bowl.
• In a large bowl, drizzle the coconut flakes with tamari, liquid smoke and liquid stevia mixture.  Mix well. I find it easiest to toss with my hands. Spread the flakes into an even layer on the parchment lined baking sheet. 
• Bake on the middle rack for 12 to 14 minutes, until flakes are mostly dry and turning golden on the edges. 
• (Keep an eye on the coconut as it can go from golden brown to deep burnt brown fairly quickly. For softer bacon, you'll probably only need to bake for 12 minutes, for crispy bacon, aim for 14.) 
• The coconut flakes will further crisp up as they cool.
• Let the "bacon" cool. Then use it immediately, or freeze for up to three months (It will never last that long).

.

Grainless Turkey Stuffing

Finding an organic turkey in your regular grocery store is getting easier all the time.  Stuffing the turkey seems to be the problem for most Advanced Plan eaters. I hope this recipe helps you, whether you've prepared multiple turkeys over the years, or if you've never been the chef for a festive holiday dinner before.

I know this looks like a lot of ingredients and a ton of preparation,  but it really is a matter of chop,  sauté,  season,  and stuff!  When you've done it once,  you'll be amazed at how easy it is.  Read the recipe through,  chop everything,  and have it all at your fingertips before you begin,  and you'll find it a breeze.
Enjoy.


INGREDIENTS

1 to 2 cups each (depending on the size of your turkey) :
Chopped organic celery
Chopped (preferably organic) cooking onions
2 cloves minced garlic (optional)

3 to 5 cups (again depending on the size of your turkey) bite sized cubed pieces of Grainless Rolls.  (I usually cut up 5 or 6 rolls.)

2 - 3 tablespoons grass fed butter
2 - 3 tablespoons olive oil

2 to 3 organic free run large or extra large eggs
1/2 cup grass fed butter

Seasonings to taste
Salt
Pepper
Sage
Parsley

(If you love thyme, add thyme.
If you love rosemary, add rosemary.)

PREPARATION

First, gently melt and then cool the 1/2 cup of butter and set it aside.

Gently melt the  2 - 3 tablespoons of butter and olive oil in your largest sauté pan.  Add the celery, onion and garlic, and lightly sauté over medium heat until they just begin to sweat.  (The celery will become a brighter green.)  Understand that the stuffing ingredients will fully cook when you roast your turkey,  so don't worry. . . Enjoy!

Add the cubed grainless rolls to the vegetable mixture and stir in to combine.

In a small bowl,  slightly whisk the eggs.  Add the eggs to the melted and cooled butter and whisk until combined. 

Pour the butter and egg mixture over the cubed bread and vegetable mixture.  Toss over low heat until everything is combined and the egg mixture is heated through.

Add your spices.  I use salt and pepper to taste, a healthy tablespoon full of dried sage,  and about the same amount of fresh,  finely chopped parsley.  (You could use dried. . . If you do,  use less.)  Again,  the amount you use is largely dependant on the size of your turkey and the amount of your stuffing. Stir to distribute the spices and TASTE.  Adjust seasoning to suit your taste.

At this point your stuffing is ready to go into the turkey.  If you are not roasting the turkey immediately,  DO NOT put it into the bird.  You can,  however,  make this stuffing the day or night before and refrigerate it until you stuff and roast the turkey on the big day.  Stuff both the neck cavity and the large inner cavity of a rinsed,  patted dry  organic turkey.

Happy Holidays!