So much time has passed since my last post and I shamefully admit to cooking some new and yummy foods without adding them to the site. Now that my Little One has grown some and I’ve gotten the hang of Motherhood (for now) I thought I’d finally return to the blogging world and share some of my more recent culinary escapades with you.

I begin with my recipe for hummus, which I’ve made countless times without ever taking a proper photo of the finished product. It’s okay, you’ve all seen hummus before. The recipe I created was a hummus hail mary of sorts – I had one shot to convince my husband that chick pea dip can in fact be delicious. Somehow I came up with a recipe for my very favorite hummus ever. Give it a try and see what you think.

Traditional Hummus

Depending on where you live, tahini (sesame seed paste) can be tricky to find.  Here in Yuma, AZ, I finally located it in the Asian food section of a local grocery store chain (Fry’s).  I almost always double the recipe below, as any leftovers will last in the fridge and will make for a healthy go-to snack or sandwich spread.

Organic Peanut Butter Pie with ‘Oreo’ Cookie Crust

If you really could care less about eating organically, by all means go ahead and make The Pioneer Woman’s delicious version of this pie.  But if you’re interested in avoiding unnecessary fillers, high fructose corn syrup, and hydrogenated oils then try my version –  I promise that it is just as tasty and you can trick yourself into thinking you’re eating something healthy!

• 25 ‘Newman O’s’ cookies, plus a few extra for crumbling on top of the finished pie (I’ve found these in both Food Lion and Harris Teeter)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup all natural creamy peanut butter (Skippy and JIF both make all natural versions that don’t require stirring or refrigeration)
• 1 8 ounce block cream cheese (organic if you can find it)
• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 8 ounce carton heavy whipping cream (organic if you can find it)

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Place the Newman O’s cookies into a food processor and blend until the cookies are completely and finely crushed.  Transfer to a small mixing bowl.  Melt your butter in a small dish in the microwave (I cook it for about 15 seconds at a time until it’s all melted) then add the butter to the cookies crumbs.  Stir to combine evenly.  Pour your cookie mixture into a pie pan and carefully press and form it into an even crust using your hands, a spatula, or the back of a heavy measuring cup like I did.  Bake for 6 minutes, remove from the oven, and let cool completely.

Whip your whipping cream in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment or in a large mixing bowl with your hand mixer until it is thick with stiff peaks (you won’t want runny whipped cream).  Transfer to another bowl and refrigerate.  As an aside, because I don’t sweeten the fresh whipped cream I add 1/4 cup more powdered sugar to the filling than The Pioneer Woman does, to account for the sweetness in the Cool Whip that she uses.

In the same mixer or mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter and cream cheese and mix on high until well combined.  (Tip: spray the inside of your measuring cup with non-stick cooking spray before measuring the peanut butter to avoid any sticky mess.)  Add the powdered sugar and whip again on high until smooth. Fold in the chilled whipped cream with a spatula until evenly combined and smooth and creamy.  Pour the filling into your cooled crust, smooth out the top, and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, or overnight.  Remove the pie from the fridge about 10 minutes before serving if your fridge is pretty cold like mine is and sprinkle with more crumbled cookies if desired.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll see this recipe and know you have to make it immediately (ok, I’ve already made it three times).  But with my swapped out, all-organic ingredients you can at least have the peace of mind that while you may be indulging on a sinfully rich dessert you can rest assured that it’s all natural.  Enjoy…

Red Chili with Ground Turkey and Zucchini

I love serving soups, stews, and chilis for a crowd since you can keep them warm on the stove all night and it’s easy to make large quantities at once.  Don’t be discouraged by the seemingly long list of ingredients – with just a bit of time at the cutting board, this chili came together very quickly and easily.  This recipe filled my largest pot and made enough chili for about 8-10 hungry people.  NB: Ounces in each canned product size can vary depending on the brand.

• 2 packages lean ground turkey (about 1 pound each)
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 packet taco seasoning (I used low sodium)
• 1/2 package original chili seasoning packet (I used 1/2 packet because that’s what I had leftover in my cupboard, but I’m sure you you throw an entire packet in and it would work just fine!)
• 2 teaspoons dried and oregano
• Ground red pepper to taste (I used plenty of this)
• 1 6 ounce can tomato paste
• 2 14 ounce cans beef broth (I used low sodium)
• 1 16 ounce jar Herdez salsa (I used ‘medium’ heat)
• 2 4 ounce cans chopped green chiles
• 2 16 ounce cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed (1 more can of beans wouldn’t hurt)
• 1 15 ounce can corn kernels, drained and rinsed (I used low sodium)
• 1 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
• 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes (I used the ‘no salt added’ kind)
• 2 green bell peppers, diced
• 1 large/extra large yellow onion, diced
• 3-4 large cloves garlic
• 3 fresh zucchini, quartered and sliced
• Shredded cheddar cheese for garnish (optional)
• Chopped green onion for garnish (optional)
• Sour cream for garnish (optional)

Place the ground turkey in a large pot with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cook over medium high heat until the meat begins to brown, crumbling into small pieces as it cooks.  Add the oregano, taco seasoning, chili seasoning, and red pepper and stir to combine (start out with just a bit of red pepper, you can always add more later!).  Finish cooking the meat completely.  Add the tomato paste and stir to evenly coat the turkey.  Pour in the beef broth and reduce the heat to low, simmering for about 5 minutes.

Add the salsa, chopped green chilis, beans, corn, crushed tomatoes, and diced tomatoes to the pot with the turkey and stir to combine, keeping the heat at low.

In a large skillet or saute pan, cook the diced onion, diced bell pepper, and garlic with 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium high heat until everything is soft, stirring as they cook.  Add the contents of your skillet to the pot with the turkey.  In the same large skillet, add the last tablespoon of olive oil and cook your zucchini slices until softened (but not mushy).  Add your cooked zucchini to the chili pot and mix well, seasoning with more ground red pepper to taste.

I served this chili to a bunch of guys and not only were they fooled by the ground turkey, they actually commented on how they liked the zucchini in the mix!  This may be my new go-to chili recipe, since it’s healthier than most but lacks absolutely no flavor.  Enjoy…

Shredded Brussels Sprouts with Prosciutto and Parmesan

I used my food processor to shred my sprouts but you could do it the old fashioned way with a knife and cutting board without too much effort.  If you can’t find prosciutto you can easily substitute with pancetta or simple bacon.  Also, since the meat is fairly salty there is no need to season this dish with more salt.  This recipe makes about 3 cups.

• 1 pound whole Brussels sprouts
• 2-3 ounces prosciutto (I used 3 ounces for the sake of my husband, but I thought it was a bit too much), chopped into small pieces
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• Freshly ground pepper to taste
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  Trim your Brussels Sprouts by cutting the stem off each sprout and removing any wayward or discolored outer leaves.  Coarsely shred the sprouts in your food processor in batches, or chop them by hand with a large, sharp knife.

Place the shredded sprouts and chopped prosciutto on a baking sheet (lined with tin foil if you prefer), drizzle with the olive oil, and season to taste with black pepper.  Toss to evenly coat, then spread evenly on the baking sheet.  Bake for 10 minutes, remove to stir, and bake again for another 5 minutes.  Stir again, add the green onions and parmesan cheese, and place back in the oven for a final 3 minutes.  Serve hot.

My husband dug right in to these Brussels Sprouts before realizing which vegetable he was eating.  And the verdict?  Success!  They are crunchy and salty with a hint of cheese and make a an easy, healthy side dish for any meal.  Note to self: adding pork products to just about anything will make my husband happy.  Enjoy…

Warm Breakfast Quinoa

I used what I had in the fridge for my toppings, but below are a few other variations you could make to enhance your sweet quinoa experience.  This recipe made one huge helping, or two small-medium helpings of cereal.

• 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup milk (milk alternatives will work just fine)
• Generous sprinkling of ground cinnamon to taste, plus more for garnishing
• Drizzle of honey to taste, plus more for garnishing
• Handful of fresh blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries
• Sprinkle of toasted chopped walnuts

Pour the quinoa, water, and milk in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is soft and all of the liquid has been absorbed.  Stir in the cinnamon and honey.  Gently fold in or top with your berries and walnuts, garnish, and serve.

As promised, here are some other topping ideas to get you started:

• dried apricots with toasted almonds
• chopped pears or apples with raisins (cook the fruit with the quinoa to soften it)
• sliced bananas with peanut or almond butter
• sliced peaches or nectarines with toasted pecans

This was a fairly easy hot breakfast to make in the morning while I got myself ready for the day, and it was filling and nutritious to boot.  If your an oatmeal fanatic or health food nut, or just enjoy a hearty and warm breakfast in the morning, give this breakfast quinoa a try and I think you’ll be fully satisfied.  Enjoy…

Ginger Chews

I especially like this recipe because I almost always have the necessary ingredients in my cupboard and because it’s easy to put together.  Rolling the balls of dough is slightly time consuming but is not at all difficult or messy.  Also, if you like thicker, chewier cookies remember to refrigerate your dough before rolling and baking the cookies; alternately, if you prefer thinner cookies with crispy edges roll the ball of dough and bake immediately after mixing.  This recipe make about 3 dozen cookies.

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 cup plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided
• 1/4 cup molasses
• non-stick cooking spray (optional)
• 1 egg
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  Combine your sugar, butter, and molasses in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with a hand mixer until smooth.  (Tip: spray the inside of your measuring cup with the non-stick cooking spray before measuring your molasses to ensure that it easily slides out of the cup without any sticking.)  Add the egg and blend again until smooth.  Add the rest of the ingredients (using only the 1 cup of sugar at this point) and mix until just combined.

Pour the 1/4 cup of sugar into a shallow bowl.  Using your hands, roll the dough into even balls about the size of a chestnut or buckeye (or whatever size you prefer).  Place each ball of dough in the bowl of sugar and roll it around to coat the outside.  Evenly space your balls of dough on at least two cookie sheets and bake for about 8 minutes, or until the tops crack.  Since I like to under bake my cookies, I let them sit on the cookie sheet just until they can be moved to a wire rack for cooling without breaking.

Usually I make the thicker kind of ginger chew but this last batch came out thin with crispy edges and they were just as delicious.  These are tasty any time of year, but the heavily spiced flavor is just right during the winter months.  Forget those crunchy gingersnaps, I really think that ginger cookies were meant to be soft!  Enjoy…

It has been quite some time since my last post, and I must admit that I miss the blogging world.  Since then, a LOT has changed in our lives – and all for the better!  We made the move to North Carolina and are loving the new house and being back on the east coast.  The dog now has a yard in which to play, the husband has a new jet on which to train, and I’m happy being able to drive back to Maryland again!

The other big news is that I am currently 24 weeks pregnant.  This has affected my blogging in two ways:  I decided that a strict Paleo diet wasn’t for me during the pregnancy, and I simply haven’t felt like cooking as often!  The basics of the Paleo diet is still something we strive for (more fresh foods in their true forms), but I have incorporated dairy and whole grains back into my meals for a more balanced diet for the babe.  I still try to avoid ‘white carbs’ when I can and I tell that my body is happier without them.

As far as the cooking goes, I honestly haven’t felt as motivated or creative in the past few months.  I have made plenty of old recipes but the fatigue of pregnancy has taken its toll (and my husband has been very patient with me)!  Even though we aren’t eating a new meal every night anymore, we do still watch what we eat – if not more so now than before.  We buy more organics (everything from milk to soup to frozen pizza) and consume more lean meats and fresh fruits and veggies than ever before.  Luckily I dodged most of the early pregnancy symptoms and I feel healthy and am staying active.

So!  Now that you all know why I’ve been absent from the blog for so long, I’m ready to come back and post some new recipes.  They might not all be Paleo friendly but I hope you will find them all to be tasty!

Enjoy…

Strawberry and Banana Almond Milk Smoothie

You absolutely do not have to follow this recipe exactly but for those who like direction I am supplying you with my list of ingredients.  I particularly like to use bananas in smoothies as I think they give a creamy consistency, but you can use whichever fruits you have or like the best.

• 1 banana, frozen (if using a banana at room temperature, increase the amount of ice)
• About 6 whole medium-large strawberries, stems and leaves removed
• 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
• About 4 ice cubes (or more, if you aren’t using a frozen banana)
• 1/4 teaspoon raw honey (optional)

Peel your banana by either microwaving it for a few seconds or by running it under hot water.  I then use a knife that I’ve warmed under hot water to slice it, and then I remove the peel with my hands.  Place all ingredients in a blender and run the blender until all the ice has been broken down.  Serve/eat immediately.  

Smoothies are a great way to get in some extra fruits during the day, and you can even add in ground flax seed if you want to boost the omega-3′s and fiber in your diet.  This is an easy breakfast to take on the go, or a quick way to replenish after a good workout.  Enjoy…

Apple and Celery Salad

I used a Gala apple for this salad because it’s what I already had in the fridge, but you could go with your own favorite variety.  I would suggest steering clear of Granny Smith, however, since it might be too tart for this dish.  The recipe below is for one:

• 1 stalk celery, leaves included
• 1 apple, skin on
• Finely chopped nuts (I used a combination of raw almonds and walnuts)
• Juice of 1/2-1 fresh lemon

Wash and thinly slice the celery stalk and chop the leaves at the top of the stalk.  Add everything to your bowl.  Core your apple and cut it into bite-sized pieces.  Add the apple to your bowl.  Add the chopped nuts to the bowl, squeeze your lemon over everything and toss to combine.  

This salad was very refreshing!  I was concerned it might be too bitter, but I really enjoyed the combination of the celery with the sweet apples and buttery nuts.  If you have a craving for crunch or an urge to eat light and bright, this salad is a great option.  Enjoy…

In the weeks following his ceremony I have been busy packing, traveling to weddings, house-hunting, and working on some graphic design side projects, not to mention working from home!  Needless to say, blogging has been relegated to the back burner.  

Food is never far from my thoughts, however.  Recently I have been toying with the idea of significantly changing my diet, and I finally decided to take the plunge and try out something new.  I am taking on a loose version of the Paleo Diet (short for Paleolithic Diet), in which you eat only foods that our stone age ancestors would recognize.  Strictly speaking, it means no dairy, nothing in the grain/pasta/rice/flour/potato family, no legumes (meaning beans, peanuts, and soy products), no salty foods or fatty meats, and no refined sugars or sweets.  Like I said, I will be aiming for a LOOSE interpretation of this!

In essence, this diet plan is meant to get people to eat food in its most basic form, without subjecting it to any ‘modern’ processing (we’re talking pre-agricultural revolution here) or pasteurizing.  The idea is to incorporate more fruits, vegetables, lean protein, eggs, and nuts into your diet, and minimizing everything else; this plan will aid in digestion and will allow your body to absorb more vitamins and nutrients per caloric intake.  As a fruit and veggie lover this sounds feasible, but as an oat and yogurt lover it is also a challenge.  

Now, I love going out to eat and indulging on cheesy pasta as much as the next gal, and I will still continue to ‘cheat’ along the way.  But as a general rule, and especially at home, I am going to try to implement and abide by these guidelines as often as I can.  Even my husband is on board!

I stopped by the health food store today and made some initial purchases:

• Raw whole almonds, from the bulk food section
• Unsweetened toasted coconut flakes or ‘chips’, from the bulk food section
• Unsweetened vanilla almond milk (Almond Breeze Brand)
• A stock of fruit and nut bars made by:
•                    -LaraBars
•                    -Raw Revolution
•                    -Pure 
• Raw honey
• Raw almond butter
• Unsweetened banana chips, from the bulk food section
• Organic dark chocolate, with 87% cacao (for my sweet tooth)
• Unsweetened apple rings
• Pre-packaged ‘Date nut rolls’, containing dates, unsweetened coconut, and almond pieces
• Dark leafy greens (I got spinach and mustard greens)
• Fresh vegetables (Anything that can be eaten raw.  I got baby carrots, broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms.)
• Fresh fruits (I like apples, strawberries, blueberries, melon, and bananas)
• Dried fruits (I bought cranberries and apricots)
• Lean meats and seafood (I got tilapia, shrimp, chicken, and turkey cutlets.)

I’m still figuring out this food plan (ok, so maybe I went to Chili’s last night for margaritas and appetizers), but I will be posting more recipes and ideas that follow this diet here on the blog.  So far I have made the following steps:

-Avoid all store-bought bottled salad dressings and marinades.  I still use vinegar (even though the diet recommends eliminating it), but fresh citrus juice and olive oil are a great subsitute.

-Substitute raw, organic snack bars for oat-based, granola bars

-Snack on raw veggies (e.g carrots, cucumber) and fresh fruit

-Incorporate more dried fruits and nuts (up to 2 ounces dried fruit and up to 4 ounces nuts per day, or more to maintain or gain weight)

-Limit fatty meats such as bacon, pork sausage, beef or pork ribs, fatty cuts of beef or high fat ground beef, and lamb  (I did this before anyway, due to naturally high cholesterol)

-Add lean protein to each meal when possible, to help me feel full

-Make smart choices when eating out (using salsa as a salad dressing is one choice that I make often)

-Season foods with spices like black pepper, garlic, ginger, and ground cayenne to add flavor without salt

-Remove fruit juices from my diet altogether (I love drinking La Croix sparkling waters instead)

-Plan dinners with one meat and two vegetables, instead of the classic ‘meat-vegetable-starch’ meals

Anyone who knows me (or has read this blog!) knows that I could never be a Paleo Diet purist.  Instead I hope to incorporate some of the basic ideas into my everyday meal plans and snacking habits.  If you have adopted these rules into your own diet, I’d love to hear from you – and for those who are curious about the plan, I will post my feedback as I go along!  Enjoy…