Welcome to my crazy world of real food cooking ...

Eat Food. Not too much. Mostly Plants. -- Michael Pollan

I wish I could take credit for that because I think it sums up how we should eat. Simply -- eat stuff that really is food, instead of stuff that is food like substance. The supermarket is almost entirely food-like-substances, and, my friends, you should probably never ever eat them.

Fortunately, there is a world of deliciousness out there, and it can all be had in a way that not only doesn't harm your health, but in a way that benefits you hugely.

I think it's important to eat stuff that satisfies you, that keeps your blood sugar stable, and that gives you stuff your body really needs to run optimally.

But baby, it's gotta taste good.

I really like getting experimental in the kitchen. I love cooking, I love layering flavours, and I love coming up with really super yummy food. I have very strong opinions about what constitutes food, and there are a lot of things I won't touch in the kitchen. Bottom line? Pretty much everything I make is ridiculously good for you even if it tastes decadent. Although there are occasional big fat cheats ... but even those stick to real food, my friends.

For food that is usual gluten free, usually free of cane sugar, usually super low on the glycemic index, full of protein, fiber, flavour, and excellent energy, join me and Alice down the rabbit hole.

Every recipe on this blog is my own original effort and idea, so please pass 'em on, giving credit where credit is due.

Many thanks, and come back often. I'm really glad you are here!

:)

Showing posts with label sauteed onion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sauteed onion. Show all posts

Saturday, 28 December 2013

Gluten Free Pizza Roll-up -- vegan, grain free, gluten free, dairy free, delicious!!! Fancy!


Our friends are coming for dinner!! One of our friends cannot eat any gluten at all. Nor can she eat cheese. So, while the others enjoy a more traditional pizza, some of us will enjoy this vegan, gluten free, grain free, pizza-esque roll up.




This dish is wildly successful, and super delicious. It was devoured by everyone. My 5 year old prefers it to regular pizza, and every guest that ate some came back for more. Need I say more?



















ingredients:

dough:

1 1/2 cups tomato sauce puree

1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp oregano

black pepper 

1/4 cup ground flax seeds
1/4 cup ground chia seeds


2 cups almond flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

4 tbsp coconut flour



filling:

cashew vegan ricotta and spinach dip

1 1/2 cups cashews, soaked for 2 hours, drained.
300 g package frozen chopped spinach
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1/4 tsp nutmeg
black pepper
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

directions:
puree in the food processor until homogeneous and creamy


sauteed onion:

2 onions sauteed in coconut oil with a pinch of sea salt


directions:
1. roll the dough flat
2. spread with spinach dip
3. sprinkle with well sauteed onion
4. roll up
5. bake for 60 minutes at 345 degrees
6. let cool for a few minutes then cut and serve


and it's fabulous the next day.


A few things:
1. The spinach ricotta mixture can be made a day or two ahead then stored in an airtight container
2. The dough can be made a day or two ahead, then wrapped in parchment and sealed in a ziplock bag.
3. When you roll the dough out, cover it with parchment to keep the dough from sticking to the rolling pin. I roll it out on a silicone baking mat. Do your best to roll it out to the whole dimension of the mat.
4. The trickiest part was rolling up the layers together. Use the mat to help you, because it will move everything in one go and keep it smooth and even. So, use the mat to turn over that first edge and then to keep on easing the roll.
5. Do your best to coax the whole rollup into the middle of a mat for baking, and slide a baking sheet under it before putting it in the oven.
6. The whole thing can be made ahead, then frozen. I froze mine unwrapped on a parchment lined baking sheet, then wrapped it very well once frozen. I then baked it for frozen at 345 for 2 hours. Let cool and set for a while before serving.

Sunday, 13 May 2012

Savoury sauteed onion Cake -- instead of apple cake, try sauteed onion




Imagine a light and fluffy cake, but instead of sweet, it's savoury. The texture of this cake is delicate, and the taste is sumptuous. Perfect for an elegant brunch or lunch.








ingredients:

2 cups warm water
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar



1/4 cup chia seeds
1/2 cup flax meal
1/4 cup hemp hearts
1 cup shredded coconut

1 tsp sea salt
2 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp marjoram

2 cups almond flour
1/2 tsp baking soda

4 eggs


1 medium onion, chopped and sauteed in coconut oil  (allow to cool before adding if possible)



directions:

1. preheat oven to 345
2. combine the ingredients in the order listed
3. scoop batter into 24 muffin cups
4. bake at 345 for 30 minutes

Sunday, 16 October 2011

Lentils again -- a polenta topper?







ingredients:

2 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
1 small onion finely diced
1 tbps ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
2 tsp sea salt

2 cups small green lentils, uncooked
4 cups water
500 g green peas
2 tbsp marjoram

300 g chopped spinach


directions:

1. saute onion with spices, sea salt, and coconut oil until translucent
2. add the lentils and peas with water and marjoram
3. simmer until water absorbed and lentils are soft
4. add the chopped spinach and cook for 5 minutes

Serve on a bed of polenta with a nice tomato sauce garnish ...

Polenta Variation -- gluten free and delicious






ingredients:

2 tbsp coconut oil
1 clove of garlic, finely minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 large carrots, shredded (2 cups)
2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin powder

2 cups cornmeal
1/2 cup flax meal
1 cup almond meal
6 cups boiling water


directions:

1. saute the garlic, carrot, and onion with coconut oil, sea salt, and spices
2. when the vegetables are fully cooked, add the boiling water, cornmeal, flaxmeal, and almond meal
3. stir to combine, and continue cooking until fully cooked
4. when all the water is absorbed, scoop the polenta into a greased rectangular pan and bake at 345 for 60 minutes

Serve in polenta fingers after set, or as a base for lentils or vegetables.

We ate ours topped with delicious lentils, garnished with a splash of tomato sauce, and sided by roasted cauliflower. Two thumbs up, my friends.

Thursday, 17 March 2011

Polenta My Way (or the highway) -- gluten free, dairy free, vegan and all that jazz



We don't eat a lot of corn or corn products, but every now and then we really enjoy some polenta. I often will add sauteed tomato, garlic, and onion, but this time I wanted a very simple and basic tasting polenta as a side for our rather zesty chili con broccoli. I did use a tiny bit of sauteed onion, and some herbs, but the taste is simple and homey, instead of a zesty party in your mouth. If you prefer a zesty party, I recommend adding said sauteed tomato and garlic, and perhaps a little chili powder, too. I personally loved it like this, and I think it makes a very nice basis for other dishes. Think slices of polenta topped with chili, slices of polenta topped with chevre, slices of polenta topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions ... 

I have veered from a traditional polenta by adding both flax meal and almond meal, but I believe neither the taste nor the texture are compromised by this compromise ;)

And like with all soy products, I would strongly urge you to choose organic corn and corn products if at all possible. You can find organic corn meal in the organic section at Loblaws, and it is widely available.

ingredients:


1 onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
2 tbsp coconut oil

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
6 cups boiling water


2 or 3 tsp sea salt
black pepper
1 tsp herbe de provence


2 cups organic corn meal
1/2 cup flax meal
1 cup almond meal


directions:

preheat oven to 345

1. cook the onions into submission in the coconut oil with the salt
2. add the boiling water, then stir in the flax meal, almond meal, and corn meal
3. add the herbs and pepper
4. stir until thickens
5. scoop into a greased baking dish (square) and bake for 60 minutes on 345.
6. allow to sit for 1 hour before serving in order to remove from the pan without mushing, but can be reheated in slices lightly basted with coconut oil on a baking sheet.

YUM