Garlic powder

Roasted Cauliflower Mash {Paleo, Keto, Whole30}

November 20, 2018
Course

Let me preface this by saying, there is NOTHING wrong with mashed potatoes. My mashed potatoes are the reason that my husband and I are married. HAHA! But seriously, ask him why he married me and chances are the response that you’ll get will be related to my mashed potatoes. They are near and dear to his heart! Mine too!

However, my husband and I have found that we feel best sticking to a fairly low-carb paleo lifestyle. Every now and then, we still drive into a big bowl of buttery mashed potatoes. We just don’t do it TOO often as they are definitely a “food with no bounds” for us…and we can’t stop eating them.

We still always want something similar to mashed potatoes to serve with beef tips and gravy, or to put on top of shepherd’s pie. Mashed potatoes are life and we just needed a good substitute!

I tried multiple variations on this recipe and so many were just too soupy for us. They were not bad by ANY means, just a little too soft and sloppy – not exactly what you want to pour gravy over.

…Then I made these! They took extra time to roast, but they were so worth it! The flavor and consistency – even with tons of butter added – WAS PHENOMENAL. I don’t think I can make any other cauliflower mash ever again!

So, if you’re looking to impress some friends with a healthy, low-carb take on a comfort food favorite, make this Roasted Cauliflower Mash. You won’t regret it!

Personally, I like to double up this recipe so I have plenty of leftovers for the next couple days…or if I find cauliflower on sale that I have to use up – I can’t help myself, I buy it all! This recipe helps to use it up and NEVER goes to waste!

Print Recipe
Roasted Cauliflower Mash {Paleo, Keto, Whole30}
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Passive Time 5 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Passive Time 5 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Rinse and clean the head of cauliflower.
  3. Remove leaves and lower portion of the stalk from the head of cauliflower. You can keep a portion of the stalk to roast. You're going to puree it up anyways! I like to trim only 1-1 1/2" off the bottom, at most.
  4. Chop cauliflower into florets. Try to keep them all the same size so that they roast equally. I chop them a little larger than bite-sized. If you want them to roast quicker, cut them smaller.
  5. With a paper towel, pat the cauliflower pieces to make sure they are fairly dry. This helps them to roast instead of steam in the oven.
  6. Toss the cauliflower pieces in a large mixing bowl with oil to coat.
  7. Spread cauliflower onto a large baking pan lined with parchment paper. (easy clean up!) Make sure they are spread out and not touching much.
  8. Bake for 40-50 minutes or until the cauliflower is very tender. It's ok if some pieces are a little overdone. That will give the mash flavor!
  9. To a food processor or high-powdered blender, add the cauliflower pieces, butter, milk, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Blend until smooth. I start with 2 tbsp of milk and 1 tsp of salt and adjust the taste and consistency after that.
  10. Transfer the mash to a bowl and mix in fresh chives or finely chopped green onions, if desired!

Tex-Mex Breakfast Skillet

September 18, 2018

Skillets like this one are my favorites to meal prep for the week. They are so simple to cook up, you can use just about whatever ingredients that you have on hand, you can have them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, AND they’re delicious!

I’m a big fan of spices and flavor! There is no skimping in that department in my kitchen. This Tex-Mex Breakfast Skillet is packed with flavors of cumin, chili peppers, and charred veggies. You just can’t go wrong!

It’s the best when you have this meal prepped and all you have to do in the morning is reheat it. It’s so much better than other convenient, quick breakfasts out there. Plus, this one is good for you and will fuel you throughout your day!

If you want to take it to the next level, top this skillet with a fried egg! YUM!

Balanced Health

 

Print Recipe
Tex-Mex Breakfast Skillet
Course anytime, Breakfast
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Course anytime, Breakfast
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a large pan over medium heat, saute onions in avocado oil for 2-3 minutes until they've started to soften.
  2. This step is totally optional! While the onion cooks, char the bell pepper under the broiler for extra flavor. Slice the pepper in half, longways, remove the seeds and place on a sheet pan under the broiler for a few minutes or until desired charred amount of skin.
  3. Chop the bell pepper (charred or not) and add to the softened onions.
  4. Add in sweet potatoes and butternut squash. Stir together and cook for 5 minutes.
  5. Add in the breakfast sausage and break it up as it begins to brown.
  6. Add in all of the seasonings, as well as the nutritional yeast, if desired.
  7. Continue to stir the veggies and break up the sausage until it's almost completely browned.
  8. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the squash and sweet potatoes are soft.
  9. If desired, stir in a handful of chopped cilantro and 5-6 green onions.
  10. Enjoy immediately, as is, or top with a fried egg!
  11. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for quick breakfasts throughout the week!
Recipe Notes

* If you're sticking to keto and want to eliminate extra carbs, you can substitute 10 more oz of butternut squash for the sweet potatoes.

Fried Green Tomatoes {Grain & Gluten Free}

July 12, 2018

If you are reading this title and don’t have a clue as to what these are… pay attention and make these!

Green tomatoes are simply unripened tomatoes. They’re much firmer and not as juicy as the red ones, which make them perfect for frying. Any variety will work for this recipe, I had Early Girl on hand, thanks to my mom’s garden this year.

Personally, I’m not even the biggest fan of fresh tomatoes, but the green ones, when battered and fried, I am DEFINITELY a fan! The taste of these Fried Green Tomatoes are fresh and slightly acidic… and the crunch on the outside is so, so good!

With a father, being born and raised in North Carolina, and a mother being able to cook just about anything, regardless of where she was from, these were a staple for dinnertime during the summer months. However, they never made it to the actual dinner table. My poor mom couldn’t fry them fast enough, as we all stood around the stove and ate them as soon as they finished frying…only allowing a few seconds to let them cool. Those seconds seemed like forever!

Do yourself a favor, and go pick some of those green tomatoes off your plants and fry them up!

Sometimes, I add a bit of parmesan cheese to the breading, but it’s not necessary. If you tolerate dairy, it adds a bit more flavor and crunch, but you can definitely do without it and they still turn out delicious!

Next time you’re looking for a new side dish for those summer dinners, make a batch (or 3!) of these Fried Green Tomatoes, you won’t be disappointed, and you’ll also be addicted. Whip up a batch of Southwest Ranch Dressing to dip them in for even more flavor – it’s a personal favorite of mine!

Print Recipe
Fried Green Tomatoes {Grain & Gluten Free}
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Slice tomatoes thin - 1/8" inch or less, depending on preference. The thinner they are, the quicker they will cook.
  2. In a small bowl, beat the egg.
  3. In a large bowl or shallow plate, combine almond flour, Italian seasoning, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. If you're choosing to add the cheese, add the parmesan now, otherwise, simply omit it from the recipe.
  4. In a separate bowl or shallow plate, add the arrowroot flour.
  5. Add oil to a skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Allow it to heat for 5 minutes or so.
  6. While the oil is heating up, dredge the tomato slices in the arrowroot, being sure to cover both sides and edges.
  7. After the arrowroot flour, dip the slices in the egg - coating both sides.
  8. After the egg, dip the slices in the almond flour mixture - being sure to evenly coat both sides and the edges.
  9. Place slices in the hot oil. You don't want to overcrowd the pan. I usually cook 7-8 slices at a time, depending on the size of pan. They should sizzle and start to fry immediately. If not, wait, and heat the oil further.
  10. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute and 45 seconds on the first side or until golden brown and crispy.
  11. Flip and cook for another 60-75 seconds or until the second side is golden brown, as well.
  12. Transfer slices to a cooking rack or plate lined with a paper towel to drain the excess oil off.
  13. Repeat steps 6-12 until all of the slices are cooked.
  14. If you want to keep the slices warm (meaning there are not people around to eat them immediately out of the pan!), place them in a 250 degree oven on a baking sheet lined with a rack to keep them warm and crispy until served.

Veggie Enchilada Soup

June 21, 2018

It’s the first day of summer and I’m in total soup mode over here! …what’s new though?

I’m always down for a bowl of soup and some avocado. I’m pretty sure I could live off of just that and be totally ok with it!

Besides a bunch of seasonings that you most likely have in your spice cabinet, this soup only has FOUR ingredients and only takes a little bit of chopping and stirring to bring it all together. It’s so easy and tastes oh-so-cozy.

All of the seasonings make it taste like it’s been simmering away all day long, but in reality, it’s done in less than 20 minutes on the stove.


Print Recipe
Veggie Enchilada Soup
Cuisine keto, low carb, paleo, Whole30
Cook Time 18-20 minutes
Servings
small servings
Ingredients
Cuisine keto, low carb, paleo, Whole30
Cook Time 18-20 minutes
Servings
small servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a soup pot over medium heat, saute onions, squash, and salt in oil for 8-10 minutes until translucent.
  2. Add broth, tomato sauce, and remaining seasonings and bay leaves to the pot.
  3. Bring the soup to a simmer.
  4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
  5. Serve with your favorite toppings!

Instant Pot Cream of Potato Soup

June 21, 2018
Cuisine

Cream of Potato soup…it can’t get any more simple and delicious than that! …except when you make it in the Instant Pot!

This soup cooks in 5 minutes, with the exception of the 5-10 minutes that the pot takes to come to pressure. Either way, IT COOKS QUICK!

You could definitely make this all on your stovetop – the cooking time would just be a bit longer. See the recipe notes below for details.

These are all ingredients that you most likely have on hand, and they all make for a simple, great soup or even a base for a fancier soup! Use your imagination. Throw in some veggies, bacon or chicken, or even some jalapeños for a spicy twist – the possibilities are endless!

I usually keep it simple and top it with some of my Crispy Ranch Potatoes for some extra potato flair!


Print Recipe
Instant Pot Cream of Potato Soup
Cuisine Whole30
Cook Time 5 minutes
Passive Time 5-10 for pot to come to pressure
Servings
small servings
Ingredients
Cuisine Whole30
Cook Time 5 minutes
Passive Time 5-10 for pot to come to pressure
Servings
small servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Add potatoes, broth, onion, and seasonings to the instant pot.
  2. Set to 5 min at HP (high pressure).
  3. Once the soup has cooked and the timer goes off, do a QR (quick release) and remove the lid.
  4. Using an immersion blender, blend the soup for 10 seconds or so, just until most of the potatoes are broken up and you're left with very small chunks. You can blend it as little or as much as you like.
  5. Combine arrowroot and water to make a thickening slurry.
  6. Add slurry to the soup and stir until it has thickened. If you do this immediately after doing the QR (it should still be on the "keep warm" setting), your soup will be hot enough for it to thicken. If it isn't, just turn it to the saute mode and allow it to heat up that way.
  7. Finally mix in butter and sour cream to the final mixture and stir to combine.
  8. Simple comfort food is my favorite! Enjoy!
Recipe Notes

For the stovetop version:

  • In a large pot, saute onions in 1 tbsp of oil over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until softened.
  • Add potatoes and cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Add broth and seasonings and bring to a boil.
  • Cover, reduce heat, and cook until the potatoes are soft and fork tender.
  • Add arrowroot slurry to soup and stir until thickened.
  • Stir in butter and sour cream.

Chipotle Lime Coleslaw

June 8, 2018

If you’re looking for a new summer side dish for dinner, look no further!

This Chipotle Lime Coleslaw is a fun and spicy spin on the classic!

The combination of chipotle, honey, and acidic lime is perfect for the summer!

Print Recipe
Chipotle Lime Coleslaw
Servings
Ingredients
Servings
Ingredients

Creamy Basil Dip

May 30, 2018

I don’t know about you, but one thing that screams summertime to me is…FRESH HERBS!

Thyme, oregano, dill, mint, and BASIL! I love my dried herbs, but when I remember to pick up some fresh ones, every dish that I make with them is just so much better!

This dip is super refreshing and so versatile!

Dip some french fries in it, spread it on a turkey & bacon wrap, use it as a dressing, or go make my Green Goddess Chicken Salad!

It’s the perfect addition to so many foods!

Print Recipe
Creamy Basil Dip
Servings
cup
Ingredients
Servings
cup
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients to food processor.
  2. Blend until smooth - you want the basil to be broken down considerably. This should take about 1-2 minutes in the food processor.
  3. Store in the refrigerator.

Smokey Bacon Meatballs

April 25, 2018

Is there anything that bacon doesn’t make better? That’s a big “NO” in my book.

REAL TALK: the only reason I don’t put bacon in more recipes is because I’m too lazy to cook it.

Anyone else have this problem?

Do yourself a favor and just go make some bacon. You’re going to want it for these Smokey Bacon Meatballs! They are easy to make and offer up a subtle change from the typical meatball flavor. They are tender and moist, along with being seasoned just right!

They’re pretty addicting, so you may want to double the batch!

I use good quality grass fed and grass finished ground beef from Strauss Brands meat. If you have never heard of them, check them out! They offer meat BORN & RAISED in the USA! They’re having a promotion through the end of this month (April 30, 2018). It’s goal is to educate consumers on their role in restoring our ecosystem and committing to environmental stewardship. All you have to do is pledge your support of America’s farmers who manage their land sustainably and produce grass fed and grass finished beef – in return, you’ll receive a special offer for 5 pounds of ground beef for $25 + FREE SHIPPING through Strauss. This is an AMAZING deal! Check out the 1 LB Challenge for more information! (NOT SPONSORED: I just love this meat and want to spread the goodness and it’s a great cause to support!)

So, do yourself another favor, and grab some of their ground beef! It has phenomenal flavor and there’s never any fat to drain off of the meat. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, count your blessings that you’ve never had to experience cooking with terrible quality, fatty (not the good kind) meats. Quality is so important with the meat that you eat!


Print Recipe
Smokey Bacon Meatballs
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings
meatballs
Ingredients
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings
meatballs
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, caramelize the onions in oil for about 8-10 minutes or until browned slightly. Remove from heat to cool.
  2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  3. In a bowl, gently combine ground beef, almond flour, seasonings, liquid smoke, egg, and nut pods/cream.
  4. Stir in cooked bacon pieces and onions.
  5. With a tablespoon or a melon ball scooper, portion out meatballs onto a baking sheet (I line mine with parchment paper for easy clean up!) in heaping tablespoons.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes or until browned and cooked through the center.

Low-Carb Mashed Potatoes {with dairy free option}

April 25, 2018

For me, one of the first foods that come to mind when I hear comfort food is mashed potatoes. Maybe because they’re usually (or should be!) filled with butter or maybe it’s because it’s an excuse for me to pour gravy over something (not that I need an excuse)…honestly, it’s probably both of those things.

Mashed potatoes are rich and cozy. They just make you feel good! Except when you eat too much and just feel heavy and gross – you know what can help eliminate that? This recipe!

These low-carb mashed potatoes are actually half red potatoes and half cauliflower! You still get all of the delicious flavor of classic mashed potatoes, but half of the carbs and some actual nutrition from the cauliflower! That’s a win-win in my book!

You cook them both in the same pot at the same time – doesn’t get any easier! You can choose the dairy free route, but trust me, real butter, or at least ghee, makes all of the difference!

Print Recipe
Low-Carb Mashed Potatoes {with dairy free option}
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a large pot, bring to a boil 8 cups of water.
  2. Add chopped potatoes and cauliflower florets.
  3. Cover and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender.
  4. Drain water from potatoes and cauliflower.
  5. Add butter, sour cream/yogurt, salt, and garlic powder to the pot.
  6. Mash or whip with a mixer until desired consistency is reached.

Southwest Hamburger Helper

April 24, 2018

The name says it all: Hamburger Helper. I don’t know about you, but HH will always have a special place in my heart! Who’s with me?

This southwest take on the classic is total comfort food – the best kind of food, in my opinion. Give me some pasta, a creamy sauce, some ground beef and I am one happy girl!

This Southwest Hamburger Helper uses my Pepperjack Cheese Sauce, pasta, ground beef, and a few seasonings. It’s almost as simple as the original!

You can use any pasta you like – I like to use Banza Chickpea Rotini for this recipe. It’s high in protein and fiber with super-clean ingredients. Chickpeas aren’t paleo, but we do well with them – to each his own! Life’s all about balance. I also love Bellabondanza’s Green Bean fettuccine – it’s DELICIOUS, low carb, and packed with protein too. Do what works for you!


Print Recipe
Southwest Hamburger Helper
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. In a large pot, cook the pasta according to the directions.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, brown the meat over medium heat. This should take about 5-8 minutes.
  3. Once the pasta is cooked to your liking, drain it and add it to your ground meat. (If you used good quality beef, you shouldn't have any fat to drain!)
  4. Add the cheese sauce and seasonings to the pasta.
  5. Combine ingredients and cook for another 3-5 minutes until the sauce is heated through and thickened slightly.
Recipe Notes

* Pepperjack Cheese Sauce recipe - follow the directions to make it into a pasta sauce. You'll need 2 1/2 cups of broth. You can use the entire recipe or only half, depending on how saucy you like it. The pasta may absorb a decent amount of it, as well.