Category: Gluten Free

Vegan and Gluten Free Peanut Crunch Brownies

A lot of people are pretty wary of vegan and gluten free baking. It seems like it would be difficult, but it’s surprisingly easy! Vegan baking can also be rich and decadent, like these oh so fudgy Peanut Crunch Brownies.

This recipe for Peanut Crunch Brownies is adapted from Heather Saffer’s well-named cookbook Crazy Easy Vegan Desserts. Heather Saffer, founder and CEO of Dollop Gourmet, has been featured on Shark Tank and Cupcake Wars for her delicious vegan desserts that can be enjoyed by anyone. I was sent a review copy and have loved paging through the recipes, they really are crazy easy!

The cookbook begins with a review of some dairy free and gluten free alternatives that can be used in baking.

 

So let’s dig into this recipe for Peanut Crunch Brownies, because, well, it’s delicious!

 

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup gluten free flour (I used almond flour)
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • 2/3 cups vegan chocolate chips
  • 2 ( ~3 oz) dark chocolate bars, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped roasted salted peanuts

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Sheet Pan Blackened Shrimp with Citrus and Roasted Fennel

I’m kind of on a Sheet Pan kick. I love how simple they are, and how easy cleanup is! And this recipe for Sheet Pan Blackened Shrimp with Citrus and Roasted Fennel is no different!

This recipe is adapted from a Cooking Light recipe to make it a pure sheet pan meal.

I know the combination of flavors may seem a bit odd, but it really comes together in the end. My husband even asked for this to be put in our normal dinner rotation!

Ingredients:

  • 2 small oranges (I used one navel, one blood orange)
  • 2 medium fennel bulbs with stalks
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 6 small shallots, halved
  • 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
  • Optional: 1 cup cooked rice, for serving

Continue reading Sheet Pan Blackened Shrimp with Citrus and Roasted Fennel

Colcannon

I realized this weekend as I was making some of my favorite St. Patrick’s Day foods that I have not written a post on Colcannon!

Colcannon is mashed potatoes with sautéed greens mixed in, typically either cabbage or kale.

 

It’s pretty awesome Irish comfort food in my opinion. It’s so engrained in Irish cooking that it even has it’s own song!

Did you ever eat Colcannon, made from lovely pickled cream?
With the greens and scallions mingled like a picture in a dream.
Did you ever make a hole on top to hold the melting flake
Of the creamy, flavoured butter that your mother used to make?

This version uses shallots, leeks, and kale, but this recipe can easily be adapted to incorporate any green you prefer.

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 lbs russet potatoes (4-5 potatoes)
  • 2 tablespoons salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter, divided
  • 1 leek, chopped
  • 2 shallots, chopped
  • 4 cups chopped lacinato kale
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • thinly sliced scallions, for garnish

Continue reading Colcannon

Frozen Mango Daiquiri

About this time every year, I start wishing for warmer weather. And yet, this time every year, we tend to get one more winter storm to prove that it’s not quite spring just yet.

So, given that it’s still freezing in Philadelphia, I decided to make a frozen cocktail, a Frozen Mango Daiquiri, that can help me pretend it’s nice and warm outside.

This is a fairly traditional frozen daiquiri, although I added in some cinnamon to complement the mango.

I used frozen mango chunks to make this, so it’s a super easy recipe.

Ingredients (makes 2 servings):

  • 2 cups ice
  • 1 (12 oz) bag frozen mango chunks
  • 4 oz white rum
  • the juice of 3 limes, plus more if needed
  • 1 tablespoon white sugar, plus more for rimming the glasses
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • lime wedge, for garnish

Continue reading Frozen Mango Daiquiri

Sheet Pan Parmesan Chicken with Cauliflower and Artichoke Hearts

I’ve made this recipe for Sheet Pan Parmesan Chicken a few times already, and it’s quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

This recipe for Sheet Pan Parmesan Chicken, adapted from Taste of Home, comes together pretty quickly, so it’s great for weeknight dinners.

Plus, everything you need for a meal is all made on this sheet pan, so the entire dinner is done at the same time!

I used purple cauliflower for this, mainly because I like how it looks, but white cauliflower works just as well. 

Ingredients:

  • 4 (6 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 (14 oz) cans artichoke heart quarters, drained
  • 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 3 shallots, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 2 large garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 lemon, cut into thin slices
  • 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Continue reading Sheet Pan Parmesan Chicken with Cauliflower and Artichoke Hearts

Chocolatey Buttercream Frosting

I make more frosting (and desserts!) than I probably should. Luckily, I have friends, family, and coworkers more than willing to help me out with my baking experiments, and this recipe for Chocolatey Buttercream Frosting is definitely a favorite!

I love making fun frosting flavors, like cinnamon cream cheese, vegan peanut butter, key lime, and bourbon-orange cream cheese. But, my absolute favorite frosting is, and always will be chocolate.

So it’s about time I shared my ultimate chocolatey buttercream frosting!

The secret to this frosting is a hint of coffee to really enhance the chocolatey flavor. I use Nielsen Massey’s Pure Coffee Extract to bring out the best chocolate flavor.

Ingredients (makes enough for 12 cupcakes):

  • 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 (16 oz box) confectioners sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1/2 tablespoon coffee extract
  • 1/4 cup milk, plus more as needed

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Spinach and Artichoke Breakfast Casserole

Last weekend, we were invited to a potluck brunch for a friend’s birthday. I wanted to bring a savory breakfast dish that would work well for a crowd.

With the big game this weekend, my mind went to making a breakfast version of spinach artichoke dip. I live in Philadelphia, so I clearly had to make a green dish too!

This Spinach and Artichoke Breakfast Casserole is packed with spinach, artichokes, bell peppers, onions and cheese. The result is a flavorful dish that can feed up to 12.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 1 (14 oz) can artichokes hearts, drained and chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 12 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1  teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, for garnish

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Pomegranate Mustard Roasted Brussels Sprouts

I absolutely love roasted vegetables, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts are a favorite of mine. Something magical happens in the oven!

I’ve had a hankering for Brussels sprouts for a while now, but was in the mood for a vegetarian version (a.k.a. not cooked in bacon).

This recipe for Pomegranate Mustard Roasted Brussels Sprouts balances the heat from stone ground mustard with tangy pomegranate molasses, a syrup made from cooked down pomegranate juice. Typically used in Middle Eastern recipes, pomegranate molasses can be found in most supermarkets today. Or, you can make your own at home; I have a recipe for it here. You could also substitute in honey, but use half as much; pomegranate molasses isn’t very sweet. To make a paleo-friendly version, look for unsweetened pomegranate molasses, or omit the sugar all together when making it at home.

The roasted Brussels sprouts are then topped with toasted walnuts and fresh pomegranate seeds to finish it off. Yum!

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds Brussels sprouts
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
  • 2 tablespoons stoneground mustard
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (or olive oil to make vegan/dairy free)
  • 1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

Continue reading Pomegranate Mustard Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Sheet Pan Chicken with Cauliflower and Carrots

It probably comes as no surprise that I go through a lot of dishes when I cook in my kitchen. But the last thing I want to do after making a delicious dinner is to do a bunch of dishes!

Which is why I love finding one pot or sheet pan meals, like this Sheet Pan Chicken with Cauliflower and Carrots.

This recipe for Sheet Pan Chicken with Cauliflower and Carrots, adapted from Cooking Light, uses one sheet pan, two bowls, a cutting board, a whisk, a spoon, and a knife. That’s it!

Ingredients:

  • 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 lemons, divided
  • 1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 1 (10 oz) package sliced rainbow carrots (or baby carrots, sliced
  • 2 bone-in chicken thighs
  • 2 drumsticks
  • 1 small red onion, cut into wedges
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Continue reading Sheet Pan Chicken with Cauliflower and Carrots

Sheet Pan Paella

Over the last few years, my husband and I have moved too many times. Since 2014, we have lived in five different apartments/houses. Somehow in one of those many moves, I lost (or threw out) my paella pan. Sigh.

Paella is a favorite of mine. I love the combination of crispy rice, seafood, and spice. So when I saw this Epicurious recipe for a sheet pan version, I knew I had to try it.

I didn’t exactly stick to the original recipe, given what I could find in my post-snow supermarket. But one of the best parts about paella is you can basically throw in whatever you may have on hand to make the recipe yours! So here’s my adapted version – Sheet Pan Paella!

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup rice
  • 1 3/4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/8 teaspoon saffron, crushed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons  salt, divided
  • 2 links of Spanish chorizo (about 6 oz)
  • 1 shallot, thinly sliced
  • 6 ounces medium shrimp, peeled, deviened, tails left intact
  • ~2 dozen clams, scrubbed
  • 1 (14 oz can) fire roasted diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup jarred roasted red peppers, sliced
  • 1/4 cup green olives, pitted
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced chives

Continue reading Sheet Pan Paella

Slow Cooker Lamb Tagine

This cold snap feels like it will never end. One good part about the cold weather is I definitely do more cooking!

One of my husband’s favorite recipes I make is one for Slow Cooker Chicken and Chickpea Tagine. I wanted to try a tagine with a different meat, so when I found this recipe for Slow Cooker Lamb Tagine on the cooking section of the New York Times, I used it as a base to make a slow cooker version.

Tagine or Tajine dishes are Moroccan slow cooked dishes named after the pot they are cooked in. The dishes are typically a stew with a protein, spices, and fruit. And, well, they are fantastic; they make for a perfect comfort food meal!

I braved the cold so I could pick up the ingredients for this yummy dish. I’m lucky enough to live close to Reading Terminal Market, and La Divisa Meats in the Terminal cubed some lamb leg meat for me for this recipe. If you do not have a local butcher, lamb stew meat works too.

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds cubed boneless lamb leg meat
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • large pinch saffron
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • pinch ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 large onions, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
  • 1 3/4 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup dried apricots
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (or margarine to make dairy free, or ghee to make paleo)
  • 1/2 cup slivered almonds
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 scallions, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • fresh lemon juice, to taste

Continue reading Slow Cooker Lamb Tagine

Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

I love how comforting a good bowl of soup can be in cold weather, plus soup recipes, including this recipe for Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup, are typically super easy to make!

I try to keep my freezer stocked with a bunch of different soups to enjoy on nights that I just don’t feel like cooking.

The use of curry in this Cooking Light recipe for Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup makes for a nice warm tasting soup.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (or margarine to make dairy free)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium leek, chopped
  • 1 granny smith apple, peeled and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon Madras curry powder
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 2 lbs pre peeled, pre cut butternut squash
  • 4 cups unsalted chicken stock (or vegetable stock to make vegetarian)
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • coconut milk, to taste
  • 1/2 cup julienne-cut granny smith apple

Continue reading Curried Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Chicken and Brisket Brunswick Stew

One of the perks of being a friend of, or related to, a food blogger, is random food deliveries. I try to keep my sister’s freezer stocked with comfort foods, but have been neglecting her a bit recently. So when I saw this recipe for Chicken and Brisket Brunswick Stew, it seemed right up her alley and I knew I had to make it for her.

I adapted the recipe for what I could find/what I had on hand, but the general gist is still there.

My sister doesn’t live in Philly, so I need to pack her goodies up in freezer-friendly containers to give her when I see her. Zyliss recently sent me a 10 piece fresh plastic food storage container set, which is perfect for freezable foods.

 

The containers are 100% leak proof and airtight, and are freezer, dishwasher, and microwave safe.

Zyliss was kind enough to send a second set my way to giveaway! More details at the end of the post.

Ingredients:

  • 3 onions, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 lb shredded barbecue beef brisket (I purchased this at my local supermarket)
  • 1 (28 oz) can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (14 oz) bag frozen corn kernels
  • 1 (15.5 oz) can cannellini beans
  • 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • the juice of one lemon
  • hot sauce (optional)

Continue reading Chicken and Brisket Brunswick Stew

Warm Salmon Salad

I’m not going to lie, the idea of a salad in the winter is not exactly appealing to me. I prefer warm food when it’s cold out, so hooray for this Warm Salmon Salad!

So when I saw this recipe for a Supercharged Salmon Salad, I was pretty pumped.

The original recipe used raw kale and shaved Brussels sprouts to make a cold salad, but it can easily be adapted to be a warm, comforting dish.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 2 (6-oz.) wild salmon fillet
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 cups roughly chopped lacinato kale
  • 3 ounces shredded Brussels sprouts (about 1 cup)
  • 1/3 cup steamed and peeled beets (you can buy precooked beets)
  • 1 tablespoon tahini (sesame seed paste), well stirred
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon warm water

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Turmeric Chicken and Chickpea Soup

As the weather turns cooler, it seems like everyone around me is fighting a cold. My husband is currently feeling a bit under the weather, so I wanted to make him a nice comforting soup. Cooking Light had this recipe for Turmeric Chicken and Chickpea Soup in their November magazine and their timing is impeccable!

This soup is packed with antioxidant-rich ingredients including turmeric, ginger, and garlic. It also substitutes in chickpeas for noodles for added texture and fiber.

The chicken broth in the recipe is further enhanced with the addition of coconut milk at the end.

Even better, this soup comes together really quickly, and has a bunch of ingredients that you may already have on hand in your fridge and pantry.

Ingredients: (serves 6)

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 teaspoon salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, divided
  • 1 large red bell pepper, seed and membranes removed, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 cups unsalted chicken stock
  • 1 (15 oz) can unsalted chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup canned light coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup torn fresh basil
  • the juice of one 1 lime

Continue reading Turmeric Chicken and Chickpea Soup

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