Recipe (Re)creation: Apple Oat Muffins

After trying out a few apple muffin recipes, I think I have found myself a winner! I based my recipe off this one from Bon Appétit, but made a few tweaks. The crunchy oats on top and the perfect cake-like texture make them feel super indulgent, but they are gluten free and dairy free and full of protein and fiber so don't feel bad about reaching for a second one...

Makes: 12 muffins

Ingredients:

For muffins-

• 4 eggs
• 1/2 tsp. lemon zest
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice
• 2/3 cup maple syrup
• 2/3 cup coconut oil
• 2 1/2 cup paleo flour
• 2 tbsp. flaxseed meal
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 large apple, grated
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

For Topping-

• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup gluten free oats
• 1 1/2 tsp. maple syrup
• 1 1/2 tsp. coconut oil

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a muffin tin with paper liners. 

-Whisk together the eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, maple syrup and coconut oil in a bowl.
-Meanwhile, combine the flour, flaxseed meal, baking powder, salt, apple and cinnamon in another bowl.
-Pour the egg mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix.
-Divide the batter into the muffins tins.
-In a small bowl, combine the almonds, oats, maple syrup and coconut oil.
-Top each muffins with a sprinkling of oat mixture.
-Bake for 25-30 minutes or until cooked through.

Recipe Creation: Cherry Tomato + Avocado Quinoa + Fried Egg

I often struggle to get a nice dinner on the table when I am just cooking for myself. Now that I have a little one crawling around, I usually alternate between throwing avocado or almond butter on toast and calling it a day.  However, this dish is just as perfect for one as it would be for many and it only takes minutes to prepare.  Just adjust the quantities based on how many mouths you are feeding.  I make the quinoa in advance and then throw in whatever I happen to be in the mood for.  Tonight I had fresh cherry tomatoes and avocado on hand so I sliced them up and threw on a handful of thyme along with the sautéed onions. Depending on your mood and appetite, you can top it all with a fried egg and crumbled goat cheese.   Enjoy!

Serves 1 (or many more)

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cups cooked quinoa
• 1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
• 6 cherry tomatoes, sliced
• 1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 avocado, diced
• crumbled goat cheese
• 1 egg
• olive oil
• sea salt

Directions:

-Heat olive oil in a medium sized skillet and add the onions.

-Cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and barely brown (about 15 minutes).

-Then add the cooked quinoa, tomatoes and thyme to the pan.

-Add a splash of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt and stir.

-Remove from heat once the quinoa is warm and transfer to a plate.

-Add a splash more olive oil and fry an egg.

-Top the quinoa with a fried egg and some crumbled goat cheese. 

Recipe Creation: Sweet Corn + Cherry Tomato + Basil Frittata

Summer produce is my favorite: peaches, tomatoes, corn.... corn.... corn. Did I say corn?  If you don't already know by now, I have a complete corn obsession.  I would happily eat an ear a day, and often do.  As much as I love it straight off the cob, I also enjoy experimenting with corn and tossing it into different dishes.  This frittata is one such example and I'm thrilled with how it turned out.  Each forkful tastes like a bite of summer.  I also love this dish because it can be served for any meal and it's very baby + toddler friendly.  It's a one dish delight.  Enjoy!

Serves: 2-4

Ingredients:

• 6 large eggs
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 3-4 basil leaves, torn
• 1 ear corn, cut off cob
• Parmesan, freshly grated
• salt & pepper, to taste
• olive oil (for greasing)

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and grease a 9-inch pie dish with olive oil.
-In a medium bowl, beat the eggs and add the water.
-Add the corn, tomatoes and basil to the pie dish and pour in the eggs.
-Season with salt and pepper and bake in the oven for 45 minutes.
-Remove from heat and sprinkle with parmesan while still warm.
-Let cool, slice + serve.

Recipe Creation: Honeyed Grapefruit Brûlée

I recently got a dozen grapefruits gifted to me and have been racking my brain for creative ways to use all of this gorgeous fruit.  I came across this blog and was thrilled by the idea of caramelizing the top of the grapefruit.  This is hardly a recipe since it's so straightforward, but I wanted to make sure I cataloged it so I would remember this easy way to turn a grapefruit into a tasty little work of art.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 1 grapefruit, halved
• honey
• groung cinnamon

Directions:

-Preheat the broiler and cut your grapefruit in half.

-Slather each grapefruit half with honey and sprinkle with ground cinnamon.

-Place under the broiler for 5-6 minutes, or until caramelized and beginning to brown.

-Enjoy for breakfast, a snack, or for a nice light dessert.

Recipe Creation: Rainbow Chard + Goat Cheese Frittata

On Sunday morning we were grappling between going out to brunch and making something at home.  What swayed the decision was a quickly wilting bunch of rainbow chard that was sitting in my fridge and feeling neglected.  So, I decided to chop it up, sauté it with some sweet onions, add eggs and goat cheese and voila- you have yourself a gorgeous frittata.  Its uber healthy, beautiful to look at, and very tasty.  Plus, you can stay in your PJs all morning long.

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 8 eggs, beaten
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1 bunch rainbow chard
• 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese
• Salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:

-Preheat the broiler.
-Heat the oil in a heavy ovenproof 10-12 inch skillet over medium-high heat.
-Stir in the onions, cover and cook for about 5 minutes.
-Add the chard and cook for another 3 minutes, or until wilted.
-Pour in the eggs and a pinch of salt and cook over medium-low until the eggs are set.
-Sprinkle with goat cheese and place under the broiler for a few minutes, or until puffed up and set.
-Season with salt and pepper and serve with a drizzle of olive oil.

Recipe (Re)creation: Cauliflower "Fried Rice"

 

This delicious dish was inspired by two variations I came across this month here and here.  I love the idea of using January to clean up your act and your diet.  This mock fried rice dish allows you to cleanse your system while eating something totally satisfying and hearty.  My favorite part of fried rice is always the little bits of fluffy egg, so that was a must and I also wanted to incorporate lots of veggies so I added rainbow carrots, zucchini, and kale.  I cannot tell you how excited I am to have discovered this winning combination.  The cauliflower is the perfect substitute for rice and makes the dish oh-so-healthy.  Your body and soul will thank you for this one.

Serves 2

• 1 head of cauliflower, florets separated
• 3 tsp. toasted sesame oil
• 1 cup carrots, chopped
• 1 cup zucchini, diced
• 2 tsp. ginger, peeled and chopped
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. sliced scallions
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup kale, shredded
• 1-2 tbsp. tamari
• Sea salt, to taste

Directions:

-Pulse the cauliflower in a food processor until it resembles couscous.
-Meanwhile, heat the sesame oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
-Add the carrots and cook for 3 minutes, adding a splash of water to prevent sticking.
-Add the zucchini and a pinch of salt and cook for another 2 minutes.
-Next, add the eggs and stir frequently until almost set.
-Add the garlic, ginger, scallions, kale and cauliflower and cook another 2-3 minutes.
-Remove from heat, drizzle with tamari and season with sea salt.
-Enjoy immediately.

Recipe (Re)creation: Crispy Brown Sugar Salmon

If you are anything like me, this salmon will quickly become a bi-weekly staple (at the least).  My dear friend and food blogger for Pink Brandywine introduced me to this preparation and I haven't looked back.  Honestly, even the salmon skeptical (like my husband) love this dish!  The key to this recipe is you have to plan ahead a bit.  Ideally, you want to get your salmon the day before, so you can marinate it overnight.  If that isn't in the cards for you, then at least try to marinate it for 2-4 hours before you start cooking it.  The best part about this dish is it tastes buttery, sinful, and delicious, but it is INCREDIBLY healthy.  I would call that a win.

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 3/4 lb- 1 lb salmon fillet
• 3-4 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp mirin rice cooking wine
• 2 tsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• freshly ground pepper

Directions

-Preheat oven to 400 F. 

-Place salmon in a zip-lock bag or tupperware container.

-Pour in the soy sauce and mirin and mix around so the salmon is evenly coated.

-Marinate in the fridge overnight (or 2 hours at the minimum)

-Remove salmon from the fridge & brush off some of the marinade with a paper towel.

-Place salmon on a foil lined baking tray or dish.

-Pour the vegetable oil on the salmon and sprinkle with brown sugar.

-Top with a few twists of ground pepper.

-Place salmon in the preheated oven.

-Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the salmon is crispy and tender.

-Serve immediately!

~Enjoy~