It's been a crazy week and half here. I've tried a ton of recipes out and even milled my own flour. A whole week off will really give you some time to work on some new ideas. Valentine's day also encouraged a treat making session. I will have some really cool stuff next week for you to try. I will try to use several ingredients in new ways. I hope that piques your appetite.
Meal 1 - Whole Wheat Waffles with Strawberries
2 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups buttermilk
3 eggs
1 tablespoon honey or leave it out if you are making these for a savory dish.
¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter or coconut oil (plus more for greasing waffle iron)
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Plug in waffle iron. Mix dry ingredients in one bowl and wet in another. Combine bowls and mix until combined. Grease waffle iron and put in batter and shut lid. Cook until brown and crispy. Repeat until all batter is cooked. Top with strawberries and maple syrup.
Meal 2 - Panang Curry Chicken with Brown Rice
I really love Thai food. This is my favorite dish made at home. It is super easy and there is only one weird ingredient that can be found at your local grocery store.
3 T. coconut oil
4 cups coconut milk
1 lb. chicken, cut into cubes (I used thighs since they were on sale.)
2 bell peppers, sliced
2 T. honey
2 T. fish sauce, this is in your ethnic or asian food section
1 red chili or jalapeño, seeded and thinly sliced
1/2 cup basil, thinly sliced
3 cups prepared brown rice (there's a foolproof recipe on this blog.)
In a large saute pan, heat oil and place curry in it to fry until you can smell it. Add peppers and cook until they begin to soften. Stir in milk and let come to a gentle boil. Add chicken and cook for 15 minutes at a slight bubble. Add all other ingredients except the rice and cook for 5 minutes. Serve over rice.
Meal 3 - Falafel with Pitas
I really like this dish. I will warn you that you will need a large food processor. I tried it in my blender and it would've been a lot better if I had a large food processor. The original recipe calls for a tahini paste but my family agreed that my homemade ranch was much better with it. The recipe is a couple of weeks back.
2 small chopped white onions
6 garlic cloves
2 cans chickpeas, drained
1 cup lightly packed parsley leaves
1 cup lightly packed cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ cup whole wheat flour
extra virgin olive oil, for sautéing
One recipe of whole wheat pitas
Shredded red cabbage
Lemon, for garnish
In a large food processor, blend onions and garlic into small pieces. Add peas, herbs, spices, and flour and baking powder until combined. Remove blade and place in fridge for an hour to set. (This is when you can make you're pitas.) In a large nonstick skillet, heat a couple of tablespoons of oil. Scoop half cup patties into pan and flatten with a spatula. Cook until brown and flip over. Cook on the other side. Place on paper towel like plate and sprinkle with salt. Continue cooking until all falafel are cooked. Serve in a pita with cabbage and a squeeze of lemon. (My kids really liked it with ranch dressing.)
Meal 4 - Eggplant Lasagna (without noodles)
I love lasagna but it is high in carbs and not supper healthy for you. This recipe will hit all the bells and whistles but with none of the guilt. I also take some help from jarred marinara sauce. Just make sure it is all real food.
2 jars marinara sauce
16 oz. ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup parmesan cheese
2 T. italian seasoning
2 cups shredded mozzarella
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix ricotta, eggs, parmesan, and italian seasoning in a bowl. In a 13x10 baking dish, begin layering sauce, eggplant, and ricotta mixture. Top with shredded cheese. Add 2 more layers. Finish with more sauce and cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue to bake for 15 more minutes. Top with parmesan cheese if desired.
Meal 5 - Biscuits and Gravy
This is not what you call a healthy breakfast but it is a comfort food. We save this for special occasions. It is whole grains and all real foods. Plus, it's amazing!!!
2 cups whole wheat flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons coconut oil
1 cup buttermilk
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Combine dry ingredients to a bowl. Add coconut oil and mix with your fingers until well combined. Add milk and mix until dough forms. Turn dough onto a floured counter. Knead 8-10 times by folding it over on itself. Roll out or pat out with your hand until it's 3/4 inch thick. Cut out biscuits with a floured glass or cutter. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes until slightly golden brown.
3/4 lb bacon, no nitrates
3 T. whole wheat flour
3 cups milk
salt and pepper
Cook 3/4 lb of bacon in a skillet until browned. Remove to a plate. Add 3 tablespoons of whole wheat flour and cook until brown. Add 3 cups of milk and whisk until well combined. Season with salt and pepper. Serve over biscuits with bacon on the side.
Treat for a Special Occasion - Red Wine Dark Chocolate Truffles
I made these for the honey and myself for Valentine's day. Since I am only eating real foods now, I thought it would take the pressure off the hubs. These are as good or better than the fancy place in the mall. Even my kids begged for some.
1/4 cup coconut oil
10 ounces high-quality dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa), chopped fine
1/4 cup full-bodied red wine
dash of salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup cocoa powder, for rolling
In a double bowler, heat milk, oil, and chocolate with whisk. Remove from heat and add red wine, salt, and vanilla until smooth. Refrigerate for an hour. Using a one inch scoop, roll to make smooth and roll into cocoa powder. Refrigerate after making.
I so enjoy sharing my food journey with you. Please let me know your successes and what I can improve on.
With red wine and chocolate (both full of antioxidants),
Brooke
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