This recipe is a little gem. It is so decadent and delicious yet lacks gluten, dairy and excessive sugar. The ingredients come together quickly. Using a blender is a cheater’s way to make sure your custard is smooth and silky rather than lumpy.
House Smoked Salmon with Tarragon Aioli, pickled red onion and sweet lemon Rind
This recipe is inspired by an appetizer from a favorite restaurant. I had the dish three times!!! while on holiday because I was so obsessed with the delicious flavors. I’ve managed to recreate this favorite dish to share with you.
The recipe is easy, but it does require multiple steps. I assure you; this dip is worth the effort. Eating healthy doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or fun. This gluten and dairy free, low carb friendly recipe makes an elegant and nourishing appetizer to offer your guests. Best of all, this smoked salmon recipe does not require any special equipment.
S'more Cupcakes
This week is a birthday week at my house. I strongly believe that life is meant to be celebrated, but not at the expense of feeling unwell. In our household, three out of four of us eat gluten and dairy free to ensure we feel our best. Over the years, I've become adept at creating gluten-free, dairy-free, and (mostly) refined sugar-free treats that are both indulgent and perfect for celebrations. These cupcakes have a delightful graham cracker-like flavor, thanks to the cinnamon and honey, which pairs beautifully with the rich chocolate frosting and toasted marshmallow. The recipe is too good not to share!
Grain-Free Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
The squash plants in my garden have yielded an incredible amount of fruit this year. I've been creative in utilizing this bounty: crafting sautéed zucchini with caramelized onions and oregano, preparing zucchini fritters, incorporating zucchini into turkey meatballs and burgers, concocting zucchini fried rice, sharing the surplus with my neighbors, and even relishing zucchini muffins! While I've managed to gather most zucchinis when they're small and tender, inevitably there are a few that escape notice and grow larger below the garden foliage. This recipe proves excellent for utilizing such oversized produce; just remember to remove any seeds.
The Hearty, Semi-homemade, Summer Chop Salad
I might be revealing my age here, but I have fond memories of tuning into the show "Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee" during my younger years. Does anyone else here recall her ingenious transformations of ordinary grocery items into fancy meals? Drawing inspiration from that very concept, I've put together a salad that encapsulates those creative culinary endeavors.
If you're looking for a dish that's not only a treat for your taste buds but also a testament to the art of culinary resourcefulness, give this chopped salad a try.
Banana Pecan Breakfast Bread
I'm a huge fan of banana bread. In my opinion, it represents the epitome of comfort food. During my childhood, we had a rotation of various quick breads, including zucchini bread, carrot lemon bread, banana bread, and strawberry bread. I even had the honor of winning a blue ribbon for my carrot lemon bread at the state fair. However, when I went gluten-free ten years ago, it meant that I had to make some changes to my relationship with these beloved treats. Fortunately, there are still delightful ways to make quick breads without using traditional wheat-based flour.
Asparagus Soup
Omega-3 Rich Paleo Breakfast Porridge
For many people, porridges like oatmeal, cream of wheat or congee are quintessential breakfast foods. For people looking for lower net carb or paleo options, this recipe is for you. Chia, hemp and flax seeds are all rich in fiber and short-chain omega-3’s. This porridge thickens quickly and is a beautiful canvas for sweet and savory flavors.
This recipe is a great breakfast option when completing an elimination diet.
Mediterranean Diet For Everyone
There are so many different specialty diets these days: Keto, Paleo, Vegan, FODMAP, and the list goes on. I've prescribed all of these diets to patients for different reasons over the years, as everyone has individual needs at times. After 20+ years of medical practice, including 7 years focused on food and nutrition, I have come to the conclusion that there is no one perfect diet. That being said, I love to teach and preach about the Mediterranean diet because it is as close to a "one size fits-all" plan that works.
Gluten & Dairy Free Gingerbread Biscotti
Gingerbread is the scent of Christmas for me. I love a spicy cookie to dip in my coffee. This recipes is adapted from the NYT cooking website. The list of spices is lengthy, but worth the effort to assemble. There is no oil in this recipe making the cookies even more crisp and coffee perfect.
The Universal Breakfast Hash Recipe
To me, hash is a nearly perfect breakfast dish. Traditionally it is a dish of cooked meat cut into small pieces that is then cooked again, usually with potatoes. In my version, it is rich in veggies, protein and good fats to provide sustained energy for the morning.
While this recipe is no nonsense, it is amazingly versatile and delicious. You can use raw or cooked potatoes, any veggie that suits your fancy, and add egg, sausage or leave meat free. The possibilities are endless.
Smoked Salmon Dip
Fish is among the healthiest foods on the planet. It is loaded with important nutrients, such as protein, vitamin B12, trace minerals, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Research suggest that at least two servings of fatty fish per week is associated with improved cardiovascular and mental health.
Smoked salmon is readily available in most supermarkets. It is an easy way to incorporate fish into your week. This dip is easy to make and keeps for several days in the refrigerator. It makes a lovely appetizer to bring to a gathering, but is also an easy breakfast or lunch option for your busy work week.
Lemony Herbed Sardine Salad
Sardines are unsung heroes for good mood. Not only are they affordable and sustainable, but they are rich in omega-3s and vitamin D which tend to be in short supply in most people’s diet. This lemony, herby prep is fierce competition for even the best tuna salad. Enjoy it on whole grain or gluten free crackers, lettuce wraps or a large salad.
How to Upgrade Your Breakfast
Breakfast is a challenging meal for many people and often gets less priority in busy mornings while rushing out the door for work or school. Luckily, a nutritious breakfast can be easy, and help us get in the habit of including nutrient-dense foods at every meal. Listed below are a few tips to help set you up for a delicious day.
Lemon Ginger Salsa with Blackened Fish
Blackened grouper or snapper is a favorite meal at my house. For the blackening seasoning, I like to make my own spice blends so I can tailor the flavors to the palate of my family. The spice blend listed below is versatile and can be used on multiple types of seafood or proteins.
Lately I have been pairing the savory blackening flavor with the bight, acid punch of a lemon salsa. The ginger, lemons and peppers come together for a sweet, spicy complement to the blackened fish.
Peach Melon Gazpacho
Local, tree ripened peaches are one of my favorite foods. In the late mid-western summer, they happen to be bountiful along with sweet melons and mellow cucumbers. These beauties are easy to pick up at your local farmer’s market or grocery. One benefit of deliberately eating locally and seasonally is that you are more likely to eat a wide variety of foods resulting in a greater diversity of phytonutrients vital for health and chronic disease prevention. The shorter the distance food needs to travel to reach you, the fresher and more flavorful it will be.
I hope you enjoy this recipe that combines the best of late summer fruits.
Garam Masala Roasted Salmon with Spice Grapes
Garam Masala is a popular spice blend used in Indian cooking. It usually includes cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, cumin, coriander, nutmeg, and peppercorns, but the ratio and spices used will vary from region to region and household to household. The combination of spices delivers the warm flavors found in most seasonal baked goods, with just a touch of intrigue from citrusy, earthy cumin and coriander.
Rainbow Pad Thai Salad with Chicken Satay
Simple Arugula Citrus Breakfast Salad
The perfect breakfast is low in sugar and contains protein, healthy fats and plenty of fiber. The combination of these macronutrients ensures that our blood sugars are stable helping to keep us appropriately fueled for our day. Give this simple salad a try. The citrus provides sweetness and acidity to balance the bitter greens. I like to serve this salad with a piece protein to round out the meal.