Tarte au citron (classic lemon tart)

Ingredients

Tart crust
1 cup flour
1 stick butter
1 Tbsp icing sugar
1 free range egg yolk
1 Tbsp cold water

Filling
5 free range eggs
3/4 c heavy cream
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 lemons, juice
zest of 1 lemon
icing sugar, for dusting

Directions
1. For pastry: place flour, butter, icing sugar into a food processor or work by had until the mix resembles breadcrumbs. Then add egg yolk and water
2. Continue working (or pulse food processor) until the mixture sticks together in clumps, then tip onto a work surface and gather it into a ball with your hands. Knead the pastry just two or three times to make smooth. Wrap in saran wrap, place in fridge, chill about 15 minutes to re-cool the butter.
3. Grease tart pan, and dust with flour. Roll out the pastry thin and larger than tart tin size. Place onto tart tin and gently fold the pastry surrounding the tin base in towards the center. It should slightly overhang the rim. Lightly prick with fork, but not all the way through.
4. Place the apstry and tin on a baking tray, cover loosely with foil if desired. Cover with parchment paper and add beans or cooking weights. Blind bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes until the pastry is set. Remove from oven, remove parchment paper and beans, and return to oven for an additional 10-12 minutes. It should be pale golden and completely dry. Reduce oven temp to 325. Carefully trim the excess pastry from the sides using a sharp knife.
5. For the filling, break the eggs into a large bowl and whisk. Add the rest of filling and whisk again until well- combined. Pour into cooled pastry crust. To prevent spilling, pour in the oven. Bake 30-40 minutes until set with just a slight wobble in the center.
6. Leave to cool, and when pastry is firm enough, remove from the tin.Transfer to serving plate and served, dusted with sifted icing sugar.

Grapefruit Salad

Yet another favorite of mine from the Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook and Action Plan. My husband would like to eat this every night!!

Ingredients

FOR THE DRESSING:

1/2 c EVOO

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp local organic honey

1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon

Pinch sea salt

FOR THE SALAD:

3 cups spinach

2 red grapefruits, peeled, sectioned, and chopped

1/4 c dried cranberries

Directions

1. Whisk all dressing ingredients together until well combined and set aside.

2. Mix salad ingredients in large bowl.

3 Add dressing and toss. Eat it up!!

Beef, Bacon Wrapped

Ingredients

4 round steaks (or something similar)

salt to taste

8 slices organic bacon

2 Tbsp EVOO

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 450 deg. Season steak with salt. Wrap each with 2 slices of bacon and secure with toothpicks

2. Place a large skillet over medium high heat and add olive oil. Sear each side of the steaks, about 4 min per side.

3. Transfer steaks to a parchment paper lined baking tray and roast about 6 minutes for medium doneness. 

4. Remove toothpicks and serve.

Granny's Banana Nut Bread (Made Vegan!)

Ingredients
1/2 c non-dairy butter and/or coconut oil unrefined
1 tsp baking soda
1 c organic sugar (I like to mix brown, raw, stevia, etc)
1 c non-bleached organic flour (makes well with gluten free flour)
2 flax eggs
3 ripe bananas (mashed)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla
3/4 c pecans (chopped- optional)

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Grease and flour loaf pan.
3. Mix all ingredients and pour into loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour or until center is done.

Granny's tip: *place a pan of water on the shelf below the loaf pan to prevent over-browning)

Southern Potato Salad

From my Grandmother's kitchen to yours :)

Ingredients
7 Russet potatoes
5 organic, free range eggs
1 1/2 c healthy mayonnaise
2 Tbsp mustard
1 Tbsp dry paprika
1/2 Tbsp dill, chopped fine
salt and pepper to taste
Cajun season to taste (optional)

Directions
1. Place russet potatoes in water and boil for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, boil eggs for 8 minutes and peel.
2. Once potatoes are boiled, peel. Place in bowl with peeled, boiled eggs. Chop and blend coarsely with fork. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. Some prefer it chilled in fridge before serving, others eat it warm.

Tastes great with gumbo and / or bbq. That's how we do it Louisiana style...

Pumpkin Fudge

Ingredients
2/3 c coconut butter
1/4 c + 2 Tbsp pumpkin puree
1/2 c brown, coconut, or raw sugar (or equivalent maple syrup)
1 Tbsp creamy almond butter
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
approx 2 Tbsp non-dairy milk
tiny pinch of fine grain sea salt

Directions
1. Add all ingredients to a medium sauce pan over low heat. Whisk constantly for about 5 minutes or until all ingredients have melted together
2. Grease a small 3x5 or 4x6 container (or line with parchment paper). Pour in mixture and smooth out surface.
3. Freeze for about 1 hour to set. Slice and serve. Keep refrigerated.

Chicken "Tortilla" Soup the Paleo Way

Ingredients
4 organic boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 Tbsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste for chicken seasoning
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1 yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 orange bell pepper, diced
1/2 jalepeno, seeded and finely dashed
1 can diced green chiles
2 cans fire roasted tomatoes (or equivalent of home roasted tomatoes)
2 Tbsp chili powder
1/2 Tbsp paprika
1 tsp cilantro
40 or so oz chicken stock/broth
crushed plantain chips, or organic corn tortilla chips if not paleo

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375. Place chicken on parchment lined baking sheet and sprinkle with cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
2. Bake 20 minutes or so (depending on thickness of breasts). Once cook, cut or shred.
3. While chicken is baking, heat oil in large stock pot over med-high and add garlic to sauté.
4. Add onions, bell pepper, jalepeno, mix to coat in oil. Once onions translucent, add green chiles and tomatoes, plus remaining spices. Mix well.
5. Add chicken and stock. Simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
6. To serve, garnish with avocado, chips, etc

Lemon Steamed Salmon

Ingredients
1/2 filet salmon
1/4 c white wine
3 garlic cloves
1 lemon, zested then sliced
water
salt and pepper to taste


Directions
1. Season salmon with salt and pepper to taste.
Mix wine, garlic, lemon zest together. Rub over salmon. You can let this sit about 30 min if you have the time.
2. Line basket (if using bamboo steamer) with parchment paper or cabbage, etc. Add salmon and lay sliced lemons on top.
3. With water in the bottom of a pot, place steamer basket with food into pot. Heat to boil. Steam about 15 minutes.

Garlic and Dill Salmon

Ingredients
1 filet salmon
4 cloves garlic
3-4 Tbsp fresh dill
2 Tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste


Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350.  Grease pan large enough for your filet or cut filet in half to fit into standard pan.
2. Pulse garlic cloves in food processor until minced well. Add olive oil until mixed. Remove from food processor and stir in dill.
3. Spread mix over salmon. Place in pan, skin down, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
4. Bake in oven 15 to 20 minutes until it flakes easily with fork.

Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients
12 oz bag of fresh cranberries
1 cup sugar (or to taste)
1 lemon, zested
water

Directions
1. Place cranberries in saucepan, removing 1/2 c and setting aside. Add sugar, lemon zest, 2 Tbsp water and cook over low, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves and cranberries are soft, about 10 min.
2. Increase heat to medium and cook until cranberries burst, about 12 min.
3. Reduce heat to low and stir in reserved cranberries. Cook 1-2 additional minutes. Add additional sugar to taste if necessary.
4. Let cook to room temperature before serving

Vegan Waffles

Ingredients
3 C flour
2 Tbsp baking powder
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3 c non-dairy milk
1/3 c orange juice
1/3 c coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla

Directions
1. Preheat waffle maker
2. Mix all ingredients until smooth. Oil or spray waffle iron.
3. Pour batter and cook until golden brown. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve plain or garnish with pure maple syrup, fruit, etc.

*can make without sugar or use stevia in place of

Steamed Salmon with Fennel and Lemon

Ingredients
4 6oz salmon filtes
1 fennel bulb, halved, cored, thinly sliced
2 lemons, 1 thinly sliced, 1 in wedges
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. Season salmon with salt and pepper to taste. Prepare a pot or wok with at least 3/4" water. In a steamer basket or bamboo steamer, layer fennel, salmon (skin down) and lemon. If using a bamboo steamer, be sure to line it with lettuce or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
2. Place steamer in pot, and carefully bring water to a boil. Steam, covered, for 8-10 minutes. Keep an eye on the water level!!
3. Serve with lemon wedge and garnish with fennel fronds

Baked Cedar Plank Salmon with Honey Lime Dressing

Ingredients
Dressing
2 Tbsp lime
2 Tbsp rice vinegar
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp minced chives
1 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp garlic
1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1/4 c olive oil

Salmon
1 large salmon filet (2 1/2 to 3 lbs)
1 untreated cedar plank

Directions
1. Make sure to soak plank in water for about 2 hours.
2. Preheat oven to 325. Make dressing by combining all ingredients.
3. Place salmon on cedar plank, skin down, in baking pan. Pour about half of the dressing on salmon and brush evenly over flesh side.
3. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until it flakes with a fork. Serve with remaining dressing.

Vegetable Baked Ziti

Ingredients

8 oz ziti pasta, cooked
1 Tbsp oil
3 cloves garlic minced
1 onion, chopped
1 package fresh mushrooms
1 zucchini, chopped
28 oz crushed tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1/2 c water
salt, pepper to taste
1 Tbsp oregano
1 Tbsp basil
18 oz or so of ricotta cheese
2 cups grated fontina cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 deg. Grease 2 9x13 pans.
2. Heat oil in skillet over med, add onion, garlic and cook until soft. Add zucchini, mushrooms and cook until softened and liquid has boiled off. Remove from heat.
3. Add pasta, tomatoes, water, ricotta, salt, pepper, seasonings. Stir until combined.
4. Pour into baking dish. Top with cheese. Bake x 30 min. Sprinkle with parsley if desired. Enjoy :)

Green Grilled Cheese

Ingredients
2 Avocadoes, sliced
1-2 cups spinach leaves
12 slices cheese (I used Vermont Cheddar slices for those eating dairy and Daiya Mozzarella for those without)
Crumbled goat cheese (dairy free if available or another vegan version)
12 slices of bread
olive oil or other substitute for cooking

Directions
1. On one slice of bread, add 1 piece of cheese, sliced avocado, crumbled goat cheese, spinach and a second slice of cheese, then top it with the bread. Press together gently
2. Heat oil in frying pan over medium. Add sandwich to oil and cook until bread is golden brown. Press down and flip over to cook the other side.

*tastes spectacular with dill pickles if you are so inclined ;)

Creamy Mashed Cauliflower

Ingredients
1 head of cauliflower
2 cloves garlic
1/3 c non-dairy buttermilk
2 tsp EVOO
1 tsp non-dairy butter
salt and pepper to taste
chives for garnish (optional)

Directions
1. Place cauliflower florets and garlic in steamer basket over boiling water.  Steam until tender, about 12-15 min.
2. Place cauliflower and remaining ingredients in food processor. Pulse twice, and then puree to desired consistency, best if smooth and creamy. Serve warm with chives.

Vegan Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

FALL is here!!!

Ingredients

2 1/2 c unbleached flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 c. dark brown sugar
1 c of sugar or stevia
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ginger
1 tsp salt
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
dash of cloves
1 c unrefined coconut oil
15 oz pumpkin puree
4 Tbsp maple syrup
8 Tbsp water
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c vegan chocolate chips

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease bread pans.
2. Mix all dry ingredients. Mix wet in separate bowl. Fold together without over-stirring.
3. Pour into baking pan/ pans and bake at 350 for 1 hour and 15 min.

*can easily be adapted into muffins!

Every year, our fall tradition on the first available "cold snap," we serve up some form of pumpkin bread with yummy, hot apple cider!! That's our FALL tradition...incidentally, fall is my favorite time of year ;) Boy, I do miss living in a place where I can watch the seasons change!

Lasagna (also includes dairy-free alternatives)

Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb Italian sausage
7 cloves garlic
1/2 onion
2-3 Tbsp EVOO
1 jar/can organic tomato paste
1 box/can diced tomatoes
1 box lasagna noodles, cooked
1 can tomato sauce
fresh oregano and basil to taste or Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste
1 container fresh mushrooms

WITH DAIRY OPTION

1 16 oz ricotta cheese
mozarella cheese, shredded
parmesan cheese, shredded

WITHOUT DAIRY OPTION
silken tofu, drained
Non-dairy cheese mozzarella-like shreds (for ex daiya)



Directions
1. Heat EVOO over medium. Add garlic and sauté until golden and fragrant.  Add onion and saute a bit more. Add beef and sausage. Season with Italian herbs  and salt and pepper to taste. Cook until browned.
2. Add all tomatoes, and mushrooms. Cook until mushrooms soften and flavors merge (30 minutes or so...) Meanwhile, cook and dry noodles according to package directions.
3. For dairy-free option: mix 1lb package of tofu with half an 8 oz bag of mozzarella style shreds. Mix in Italian seasoning. This will replace the ricotta and cheese layers in the layering process.
4. Preheat oven to 400. Mix Italian seasoning with ricotta cheese. Using a 9x13 baking dish, layer beginning with sauce, noodles, ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, noodles, sauce, etc (about 3 layers).  Vegan or dairy free- you may want to add extra non-dairy shredded cheese to some or all layers. End with small layer of cheese on top of noodles.
5. Bake at 400 until cheese slightly brown, about 30 min.

*Vegan alernatives often use eggplant in place of meat

Eat Clean Chili

Ingredients
1 lb red kidney beans dried
1 lb organic grassfed beef
1 onion, diced
1/2 bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
coconut oil
3 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
salt and red pepper to taste
2 boxes diced tomatoes (like Pomi)
water

Directions
1. To prepare beans: Soak beans overnight. Remove from pot and rinse. Cover again with water, bring to boil. Simmer on med-low for about 1 1/2 to 2  hours to nearly cooked
2. In a separate pot, brown beef in oil. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic and saute until soft. Add beans, seasonings, tomatoes. Top with water as needed.
3. Simmer on medium low for about 1 hour. Add more water or broth if it gets dry!

Serve over rice,  cornbread, with chips and cheese, etc!

Thai Beef Red Curry

Confession time : This is my husband's recipe :) Kudos to you honey!! And an even bigger confession: before we got married, I could cook nada. He taught me so much, and gradually fueled the fire which turned into a love for cooking. Thanks, babe, I love you!

Ingredients
Marinade:
2 lbs organic grassfed beef
salt
1/2 tsp coriander
lime- juice of 1
1/2 tsp curry powder
1 tsp cilantro
1/2 tsp red curry paste
1 tsp ginger
1 Tbsp fish sauce

coconut oil
1 green pepper, julienned
1 red pepper, julienned
1 onion, julienned
1 Tbsp ginger, diced fine
1 can of coconut milk (not lite)
1-2 tsp red curry paste to taste
2 tsp fish sauce
1 Tbsp ginger, diced fine
1 Tbsp brown sugar
palmful of basil
1/4 cup scallions/ green peppers

Directions
1. Combine marinade ingredients in large container. Let set in fridge for up to 1 hour.
2. Brown meat in oil, then remove from pot and set aside. Saute peppers, onion, ginger until soft.
3. Dissolve red curry paste into coconut cream, fish sauce, and juices from meat and vegetables. Add brown sugar and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer briefly- 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in basil and green onions. Serve over jasmine rice (brown or white)