Paleo Burger, but mostly Ketchup. HAHA

First some Paleo for you, then some Ketchup.  Err, I mean catch up. 

Paleo Mushroom Burgers 

by JennyMac's Lipsmack

4 portabello mushroom caps

1 pound organic ground beef

1/2 onion, finely minced

1 clove of garlic, minced

1 Tbsp finely chopped fresh herb of choice (I used oregano)

salt and pepper

cheese

raw or precooked bacon

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Pop off mushroom stems and use a spoon to remove the mushroom 'gills' underneath the cap (this will make the mushroom render a lot of water and make it 'weepy').

• Mix ground beef with onion, garlic, herbs and S/P.
• Divide beef with hands into fourths.
• Pack each mushroom cap with one fourth of the ground beef mixture.
• If bacon is raw, criss cross top with two bacon.  If bacon is leftover and already cooked save it for later to garnish.
• Bake in oven for 20-30 minutes (until it is rare, medium or well done as you like)
• Cover with cheese and or bacon or both.

After my vacation post, life got crazy....

1.  When we returned from Va Beach, my friend told us that a neighbor had kittens that she was fostering that could be adopted.  It was about a year now that we put our 20 y.o beloved Tricksy to sleep.  We felt it was time and this was our sign...
There was only one left to adopt, the other two were spoken for.  We wanted two, for them to be companions, playmates.  They didn't necessarily have to be from the same litter.

 Here is a sample of her "Bikini" spots hence her now namesake.  So Gina our Foster Kitty Mom and neighbor found us another. 

He was two weeks older was black with ghost stripes like "Bikini" and he had a white spot underneath his belly between his hind legs...OMG.  His name has to be "Speedo"  So it was...

Bikini and Speedo.  Our lives were now changed.  Um....we had no idea....

I am now a week out of Hernia surgery and Speedo started to get sick.  Long story, short.  He had a kitty condition we never heard of- FIP.  Feline Infectious Peritonitis.  Rare. yet fatal.  He had him for only 3 weeks and now faced with decisions about putting him down.  Talk about devastation.  Now, Bikini was alone.  BUT our plan was to have TWO kitties.  We needed to do something fast.  We didn't want Bikini to get un-used to having another kitty in her life or cats in general.

We could have gone back to DC for another adoption (easier I am sure, having already adopted 2 but a pain to drive to) so we went online hunting...when the place heard 'Kini was not tested for Feline Leukemia (which was DC's protocol - kittens often get false negative from Mommy cat's immunities).  We got "Kini tested and went to Petsmart while we waited for the results.  Almost didn't get approved went they heard about Speedo's passing from FIP....thank god that the director was smart on FIP it's exposure it not necessarily passed especially since he and Bikini weren't siblings.  So we found....

Scooter.  They said he was about 4 months.  No way, to be only 3 weeks older than 'Kini, he def was older.  Shortly grew his canine teeth.  Kini still has her baby canines.  It's fine his age is 'off' but more sad to not know his actual Birthday like we know Bikini's...but Wow he is such a Lovebug.  Medium Short Hair.  Tuxedo markings.  Highly playful like Bikini is....Great match.

Tending to two little kittens or trying not to whilst recuperation from Hernia Surgery...not fun.  That was a long month.  Here it is almost the end of October and we are still trying to get them to stop sharing the same kitty cold.  We had a scare with Scooter's eye that got scratched and discovered his eye rimming with pus one day.   We've been to the emergency vet at least once a month (3 times) and 4 mobile vet home visits.  

Bikini has something going on with her eyes being 'weepy'....can't seem to shake that and her sneezing.  One of my school friends compared this to being a parent with a 'special needs' child...I said NO KIDDING.  Although I can handle a special needs kitty/kitties.  My fear is anything becoming fatal.  The calici virus Scooter showed up in his gums after I thought it was strange for him to have bad breath at a young age.

So our life is waiting for our two kitties to be healthy at once.  However since they seem to have NO MANNERS (lol) to NOT sneeze in the face of one another....it seems it will be awhile.  Bikini will be 6 months on Nov 22 and some of these viruses won't shed until they are no longer are kittens.  We just have to keep them happy, fed and stress-free.  Will keep you posted.

2.  As for me and my 'recup' from surgery.  It's so hard being independent and have to ask for help for something stupid like picking something off the floor or  looking if there is salsa on the bottom shelf in the fridge.  Going back to work was hard for I felt dumb asking for help pushing my classroom tables around the room.  Although I am past my 8 week- no activity lockdown...I am still sore internally...a severe tightness.  A lot was done inside and was told I may be sore for 6 months.  If I am busy and sitting, I feel normal...however when I move, bend over, lift things, close a window, anything using my abdominal muscles....coughing- sneezing.  I feel 'things'.  Weird.  It's nice to have a flatter stomach (my incisional hernia jutting out got me accused of 'pregnancy' TWICE) however don't hold your breath for any bikini wearing. HA!  Will keep you posted.

3.  To Trinda- you asked me about why legumes were not allowed on the Paleo way of eating.  Simply put by Living Paleo blog:

"Legumes have a similar story to grains; they weren’t consumed by the paleo hunter-gatherer because they needed to be cooked in order to be edible."

A more complicated explanation is:  "Legumes also have similar traits to grains in their make-up; they contain phytates which inhibit nutrient absorption and cause inflammation. They also contain lectins and play with healthy hormonal functions."

As for you thinking about missing legumes.  That is possible.  It depends what your 'thing' is.  The 'cheat' for me that I miss eating is breads.  The crunchy crusty outside and the chewy moist inside.  You can't get those two things together with Paleo breads.  I've tried.  So I make do....save eating the yummy crusty stuff on special occasions if available...it's a treat.  Not deprivation.  Remember not diet....lifestyle.

4.  We got a new stove.  I bought this house 6 years ago (in December).  It was a 'flipped' home with newly renovated kitchen.  However the stove was a bottom of the barrel GE stainless steel gas stove.  It did not self clean and no bells or whistles.  Worst, it heated up the upstairs so badly we could only use the grill and microwave in the summer.  Last year, the oven went 'cuckoo' before T-day so we had no oven for me to make a turkey.  We got a repairman who replaced the thermostat.  A few weeks ago the thermostat conked out again.  Didn't even make it a year.  I told K-man...that's it!!! We aren't fixing this crappy stove again.  This is what we got:

Yes,  the double oven!!! I was so excited!!!  I was a good girl and did my research to see WHICH I wanted.  This is a Whirlpool (hope she doesn't feel weird amongst all the other GE appliances) flat grate on the burners...no open space for a spoon rest (I don't miss it).  K-man was trying to talk me into the 5 burners and I told him MAYBE on a big cooking day I may use 3....I can't see needing 5 now.  And those griddles are a joke.  My electric griddle is much bigger and the reviews all said that pancakes took forever.  I like how the knobs are not vertical on the front nor horizontal on the surface of the burner.  They are at an angle so I won't get 'caught' on them.  I decided against spending the extra 1,000 for a convection oven.  It wasn't going to really make me a better or faster cook.  The good news is that the oven does not heat up the kitchen...therefore there is no heat to rise up to the upstairs.  Love it....stay tuned for our next appliance....Fridge on top and freezer on the bottom model.

Last Catch up...

5.  K-man and started dating 6 years ago in December.  We got engaged last December and so much harassment for a date....sheesh!....Since we are older we have no desire for the pricey pomp and circumstance of a formal wedding and reception.  We want it just us and special.  So finally we set a date: 12-12-12.  Just a formality downtown to make the date permanent- our more fun, emotional and spiritual part will occur this summer.  Will be nice to NOT have a last name that people ALWAYS mispronounce!  And my name Googled will cross reference with a celebrity.....HAHA!  

Consider yourself all Ketched up!

Vomit Piles

HHAHAHAHA!  Why not?  Halloween is coming!!!  What I absolutely ADORE about Halloween is that it is my opportunity to take a simple no bake treat with chocolate and oatmeal and rename it and it totally works!

I have this recipe elsewhere called a Raggedy Robin or Cow Patties.  I made this on Friday for my students, they loved it.  It worked nicely for our abbreviated periods (we had early release) for I was able to make it, chill it and they ATE.  Please tune in for more recipes to come or go to my link to ALL my Halloween recipes on my school web page.

Vomit Piles
by JennyMac Lipsmack

 1/2-cup milk
1 stick margarine
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 c. sugar
1/2-cup peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla

3 c. oatmeal

 

Combine first four ingredients.  Cook on medium heat until boiling.  Rolling boil for 1 - 1 & 1/2 min.  Remove from heat and mix vanilla and peanut butter.  Mix well.  Pour over oatmeal in a large bowl.  Mix quickly in a large bowl.   Spoon out onto wax paper*.  Let cool for 10 minutes.

 

*Grosser addition: add some 'chunks' like raisins, dried apricots bits, nuts for more gross out value!!

My recipes to come that I am making at school are:

• Spider Web Breadsticks
• Hairy armpits
• Spider Cake (made with a Zebra Cake base)
• Used Tampons (don't worry, it's for a ALL girl class- only they could appreciate)
• Ghost Cake 
• Maybe a picture of my classroom kitchen decorated for Halloween (a FIRST!)

Enjoy!

Gearing up for Halloween

Let's start out healthy on our treats for Halloween and slowly get evil?  Nah, Halloween food is all about deception and FUN.
I was just telling some colleagues about how I used to do the food for my school's Halloween dances.  My funny observance?  When it comes to FREE food and teenagers....watch out, you may lose a hand.  Chips, cookies, candies for free.....WHOOSH!  It's gone in a few minutes.  When I did the food and gave it gross names and formed it to resemble things like POOP....SCREECH!  For some reason taking raisins stirred melted chocolate forming it into little logs and calling them "Fruit Poops"....I had to talk them INTO coming BACK to the table and eating it.  That was hilarious!  Anyhow, more of those recipes to come. 

Today I'd like to share with you what I made for my fellow FACS teachers at our meeting.
My little Veggie Skeleton.  Isn't he CUTE?  It was just us Middle School teachers the high school teachers were a no show so they missed out.  The four of us 'killed' him easily.  Hahaha.

So if you are planning a Halloween party with a lot of junk....make this little guy and you'll be surprised that he may disappear before the high calorie stuff.  Make sure you hit my cook's notes at the end for the SHORTCUTS!!!

Veggie Skeleton

2 cups of ranch dip
2 celery stalks cut into 3 parts
1 red pepper cut into strips (see picture)
6-8 mushrooms, sliced
2 cauliflower flowerets, halved
8 baby carrots
1 black olive, pitted and cut in half
10 spinach leaves
10 cucumber slices

This really has no directions other than save the picture and arrange it on your platter as shown.  However...

Cook's Notes:
1.  Most of these items I took from the salad bar at my grocery.
2.  Grabbed a tub of ranch dip and placed in white bowl, stuck in spinach leaf hair and two eyes.  Didn't feel the need for a mouth.
3.  I only bought a whole red pepper because the salad bar was LOW on the red ones.
4.  I purchased a container of the celery stalks because the salad bar always chops up their celery for salads.  Same goes for baby carrots.  And you are going to need extras to use up all the dip. 
5.  Very easy to put together and cute as a button!

Fried Rice Fake Out

 Oh my little friend cauliflower who fakes mashed potatoes, you about to become 'fried rice'.  Thankfully K-man loves cauliflower so this offering was pretty easy for him to accept...PLUS he can't stand plain rice.  "Come here my pretty..." (rubbing hands)

This does NOT need to be a labor-intensive recipe.  You can use leftover chicken, the packaged chicken strips (near the deli sliced meats) or you can take your raw chicken marinate it Asian style and cook it yourself.  WHATEVER works for YOU! 

As for the veggies that goes into my little fried rice fake out...that depend on what I have on hand or what I like.  Who SAYS I have to follow some recipe or commonly do what the Chinese take out does???  Who's the boss here?  Me.  When you make this at home....YOU are the boss for veggie choice.  This recipe is for two, feel free to double it or use it more like a side dish for four if you like.

Chicken Faked Fried Rice
by JennyMacsLipsmack

2 cooked chicken breasts, cubed (suggested marinade below)
half head of cauliflower, grated (directions below)
1/2 cup chopped onion (red onion pictured)
2 jalapenos, seeded and deveined, minced (we likey spicy)
salt and pepper to taste
1 egg, beaten
1 green onion, sliced (set aside for garnish)
oil of choice (sesame- if you REALLY want an Asian fla-vah)

Whenever you do stir fry....get everything ready to go first.  Everything chopped, beaten and ready to go?  Proceed.

Heat skillet to medium high.  Add oil.  When a drop of water sizzles in the oil you are ready to stir fry, baby.

Add your onions and pepper and season with S/P to taste.  STIR....When the pepper and onion start to soften add the cauliflower.  SIZZLE. 

Add your meat now if it needs to heat through.  Stir constantly....that is why it's called STIR fry!!!  The next step will be fast one....It is critical to taste your cauliflower for you don't want it raw but you don't want it mushy either.  Just when it is over the raw stage (about 2 min) push all the stir fry to the edges and pour your beaten egg in the middle of the skillet.  Let set for a minute and push it around as though you would scrambled eggs.

Dish onto plates, top with green onion garnish.  OH YUM.  K-man told me this beats any fried rice he's eaten out.....YAY!

Cook's Notes:

1.  Chicken Marinade:  In a  ziploc bag put 2 chicken breasts, (butterflied if they are full sized), 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tsp grated ginger,  1 Tbsp sesame oil,  1/4 cup soy or tamari sauce and 2 Tbsp vinegar.  Red pepper flakes for heat if you'd like.  Marinate in fridge for 2 hours or more.

2.  Do not use a box grater for the cauliflower!  So old school.  Get out that food processor, put in the grating blade.  Break the cauliflower into chunks that will fit into feeding tube and push away!  A whole head of cauliflower makes ALOT.  Enough for two meals.   I used half of the grated cauli and put the other half in the freezer.  Got me about 1/3 of a gallon ziploc bag.  Press out air, ZIP!  So easy and I saved your knuckle skin too!

3.  The veggies in your fried rice can be fresh or frozen (ack- not canned!).  If you want EASY, just toss in two handfuls of frozen mixed veg....It's summer and we have a plethora of fresh veg.  Use them!

4.  Don't think it's redundant or overkill to have chopped onion AND green onion in this.  AU contraire, mon FRERE!  The chopped onion whether white or red is essential to flavor the cauliflower and will soften in the process.  The green onion for garnish renders the typical 'oniony' zing plus with crunch.  Don't go thinking you will need a breath mint after this dish.

5.  I am all about herbs and cilantro would be FAB here.  We've had unfortunate heat wave of 11 days 90-103 degrees and most of my herbs became toast.  The sun just killed them.  Fill free to go 'herby' on this if you'd like.


BONG! Dinner's served,

What? Is vacation over?

Well, the TRIP is over....but since I am a teacher....I have all summer off (you did NOT just roll your eyes?) so I am still vacaying...however we are having such intense heat it's hard to really enjoy the outdoors.  It's gonna be a LULU of a summer I think.
So not much foodie stuff today just a few pictures but the main goal is I want to feature a fellow blogger I used to follow.  Her name is Cassie and she did a food blog called How to Eat a Cupcake. Her videos were a HOOT.  (Un?)fortunately all great blogs can turn into something MORE wonderful and Cassie opened her own bakery (with alot of friends and family support).  She went from How to eat a Cupcake....to Flour Child Bakery. I've been dying to visit her since we have a time share in Virginia Beach.
I know many my followers don't live in this area or state or even continent but you just never know where your travels may take you.  If you are EVER in Virginia visiting our HUGE Navy ships in Norfolk, Va or watching an airshow in Oceana NAS in....google Cassie to her bakery for a sweet treat.  It's worth the trip!!!  Here are a few pics:

 Cathy (Cassie's mom) on the left, hot mess in the middle and Cassie.  How appropriate their last name is BAKER?  Well it works.  I was so entertained with all our conversation and stories that I NEGLECTED to take pix of their TREATS in the cases (head slap).  But I did take a lil pic of what we got when we drove back.

 From the left, Key lime shortbread cookies, Death by Chocolate Cupcake, macaroons and under.....YAY- a T-shirt....now I am walking advertising!!!

I wanted to buy one of everything!!!  She had cake pops, cookies (the ginormous ones) cupcakes, bar cookies....It was really hard picking out what I wanted for we kept talking and talking....and I was getting distracted and HUNGRY.  I got the Key Lime for K-man for he loves lemon/lime....unfortunately, he never tasted them (frown)....for I got there first, lol.  We both loved the macaroons...so light and fluffy.  Not at all dense and overly chewy light most macaroons.  LOVE!  Not pictured was a chocolate covered strawberry cake pop.  K-man inhaled that in the car.  After his yummy noises I think I heard him say...'should have gotten more'  Lastly, I save for last, the DEATH BY CHOCOLATE cupcake.  OMG.  I am not kidding you.  One of the best I've ever eaten and I've eaten plenty of chocolate cupcakes in my life.  Here's why it's the best.   Most bakeries do the overly stiff, HEAVY, shortening based frostings.  This frosting was so light and cake so moist.  I tried to stop eating it halfway to save it for the next day.  But I started thinking "what if it's not as good tomorrow?  what a waste.."  SNARFFFFF.....gone.  CASSIE and CATHY....we will be seeing you again next year FOR SURE!!!

Here are a few of our vacay pix to entice you to stay at Virginia Beach....

• View from our balcony....there is benefits to staying at the end...beaches aren't as crowded....

•  Parallel to the boardwalk is a bike path...perfect flat 3 miles to get some exercise!  Here's my cool bike...Betty. 

 

Lots of cool things for the kids to do....a big blow up slide for the kids in the middle of the beach.  I think it was 4 bucks a slide.  YIKES.  Also a permanent amusement park with rides and games to get a stuffed animal.

•  Neptune statue (taken at night) for everyone to marvel at...I bow to King of the Seas....

• Everywhere there are places for a refreshing drinks....K-man surprised me by getting a 'fruity' drink instead of his usual Corona.  Mine had swedish fish as a bonus.  Um, NOT Paleo....but hey I was on vacation...

•  Um....the result of adults being 'funny' after a few of those drinks....who's worse?  Teens or adults....not sayin'.

•  The said "adults" after....at one of the many bands who play on the streets every night. K-man had a coworker Pink Lloyd and his lovely bride Christine join us for the evening.

 Poor K-man after his 'fruity' drinks the next day.  Isn't that what the beach is for?  Recovery.  lol

•  Surf lessons anyone?  Well, only for kids....right outside our balcony every morning.

•  6th street turtles.  Between each hotel/resort each street has 'stuff' to view or climb on....fish, turtles, seahorses....etc.  Fun.

•  Beautiful skies at the end of a wonderful day.

 I hope you have a wonderful, safe, fun vacation where ever it is....

Boardwalk on Dwellable

Chebe GLUTEN FREE Bread Mixes

A few months ago I trolling around the blogs looking for gluten free and came upon Chebe Bread. These bread ingredients are identical to frozen product I found in my grocery (another post one day). 
When I realized the versatility of the mixes I ordered some from Amazon.com (who orders it directly from Chebe).  It is made from mannioc root or known as tapioca flour.  Other than some baking soda and seasonings (depending on the mix you buy) its really Paleo friendly.  However, the recipe on the box does call for cheese (1 cup) but the nice thing is....the mixes can be made with or without cheese.  SCORE!  I use cheese depending on my splurging mood.
What you see on the left is a few of their mixes.  What is missing is their cheese bread mix, Garlic and Onion breadstick mix.  They also send frozen dough if you want more convenience. They also provide many recipes for you to tickle your creativity bone.

Now, when I want to splurge on some bread (like a hamburger or hotdog) this is what I did...

 

PIGS in a Blanket....

• Make the dough (oil, eggs, milk and cheese)
• Cut my nitrate free organic hot hogs in half
• Divide dough in the number of 'dog halfs'
• Flatten dough and pinch/form around them.
• Bake @ 375 for 20-25 minutes until golden.

Aren't these just so CUTE?  With a little dish of ketchup, mustard, relish or onion....these were FAB!  K-man was thrilled and I didn't even both to mention that they were my gluten free stuff....

When I have a hamburger....too much bun kills me.  I'd rather be full from the protein and fillings of the burger than a huge bun.  Sure I can go bunless but sometime you want a soft, chewy package to PICK up your burger.  So I made a basic mix and instead their suggestion of 4 buns I made 6.  I didn't mind them being thinner.  If you want soft and thick.  Go for it.  I wanted thin and crusty.  When you have tomato and mayo, sometimes the bun falls apart and gets mushy.  NOT CHEBE buns!

 The topping is from King Arthur Flour.  Their Artisan Bread Topping.  It is sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, black caraway, flax and poppy seeds.  Very tasty!








Here's a view how thin they are....(kinda like those sandwich bun makers THIN version)






All in all, the CHEBE company is very accommodating.  I had a little issue that I posted on their FB site and a rep called me and replaced them.  Also in doing so he suggested to mix and match some of their other products.  Now, I've tried all except for the cinnamon rolls.  These will def be my Go-TO mix in the cabinet.  THANKS Chebe!!

My next recipe adventure will be using just straight tapioca flour and making my own rolls to see how they compare.  But it sure is nice to have these mixes around for whenever you need pizza crust, rolls, or buns.  Non-Paleo or gluten sensitive family members won't know what they are missing.  PROMISE!


 Enjoy!

Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes!!!

 I've made a few treats from some Paleo recipes.  Two different brownie recipes and although they were OK....they were too dense, not fudgy and way too greasy.  I never bothered to post them.  Last night, when I was craving some chocolate I found a cake recipe wonder if these too would be too dense and greasy as well....SCORE.  They were NOT!
I've made enough Paleo stuff now that I realize that I can go lighter on the oils to change the grease factor.  Knowing that egg proteins expand in the heat...perhaps an extra egg would give it some umph!!! So, in JennyMac fashion, I found some a cake and frosting recipe, tweaked them baked trumphantly!

Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes
created by JennyMac's Lipsmack

1 cup almond flour
1 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. sea salt
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted (this would be fine with grapeseed as well I am sure)
5 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup honey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin tin with 12 papers.  Combine dry ingredients in medium bowl and set aside.  Whisk eggs, oil, vanilla and honey then pour into dry ingredients.  Use a electric hand mixer to combine, breaking up lumps and will help emulsify the eggs.  Use a ice cream scooper to put into muffin cups.  Cook for about 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Cool on cooking rack.  Makes 12.  See frosting recipe below.

Vegan Chocolate Frosting

1/2 cup dairy-free dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
1 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. vanilla
pinch sea salt

Melt the chips with the oil in the microwave for 1 minute.  Stir until smooth.  Stir in honey, vanilla and salt.  Frosting will be very loose.  Dip each cupcake top into the glaze.  I noticed as I was dipping the frosting was getting thicker as I could double-dip some of the cupcakes again makes a thicker fudgy top.

These were light, fluffy and decadently scrumptious!


Mummmffftttt,

Paleo Bread- Basic White

One thing I inherited from my Grandmom is the love of bread.  I sure does ruin me at restaurants for it comes first and fills me up too fast before I SHOULD be eating my protein and veggies.  Why can't they serve me the hot and crusty bread after dinner? OR, how about during????  Anyhow....the traditional, crusty, chewy yeast breads are for big splurges for me these days BUT a basic gluten free bread to have with dinner or smeared with almond butter at breakfast will fill the bill!!!
I have waited for a bit to post this recipe for I have been trying many recipes and playing around with different combos that work well for me.... The beauty of this gluten free baby is that there aren't those other GF substitutes that won't work in the Paleo lifestyle like rice flour, potato starch, etc.  Give this a try!

Basic Gluten Free Paleo Bread
adapted by JennyMacLipsmack

3 cups almond flour (not meal, this is a pale yellow bread not brown)
1 tsp. baking soda
4 eggs
2 egg whites
1 Tbsp. honey, agave or maple syrup (whichever you prefer)
1 tsp. vinegar
sesame seeds (optional for taste and look)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Put almond flour in a large bowl and whisk out the lumps and add the baking soda.

In a small bowl, beat the egg and whites together.  Add honey and vinegar.

Mix the liquid in the dry.  Spray loaf pan with organic olive oil non-stick spray and LINE PARCHMENT PAPER in the loaf pan.  I cannot STRESS how important this is or your loaf will be IMPOSSIBLE to remove.  A slicone loaf pan will not require parchment, this is what I do for I was tired of forgetting about the parchment and the loaf sticking....grrrr.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds...(I love the toasty taste of them when I toast the bread!)

Bake @ 300 for 45 minutes

Remove from pan and cool completely.  Slice thinly and put in a bag and store in the fridge for convenient use later!

VARIATION:

Raisin Walnut Paleo Bread
by JennyMac's Lipsmack

3 cups almond flour or meal
1/2 cup flaxseed meal
1 tsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. cinnamon
5 eggs
2 Tbsp honey, agave or maple syrup
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 cup raisins
1 cup walnuts

Follow the directions for the heat and time from the recipe above....


Great dessert, breakfast or french toast bread!

Enjoy!
  

Gluten Free Morning Glory Muffins

Moist- full of fiber from carrots, apples and raisins!  Perfect for breakfast, snacks or dessert.  Make sure to check out my notes at the end for suggestions.

Morning Glory Muffins
adapted from Paleo Comfort Foods

2-1/2 cups blanched almond flour
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups shredded carrots (about one bag of carrots depending on thickness), grated
1 large apple, peeled, cored and grated
1 cup toasted coconut (adds nutty-ness)
3 large eggs (organic-omega-3)
1/2 cup organic liquid egg whites
2 Tbsp. honey
1/3 cup coconut oil (....see notes)
1 tsp. vanilla

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line standard size muffin tin.  I needed to line 20...depending on your 'scoop size'.
2.  Combine almond flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.  Add carrot, apple coconut and raisins and combine well.
3.  In a separate bowl whisk eggs, egg whites, honey, oil and vanilla  together.
4.  Pour the wet over the dry and mix well.  Batter will be thick.
5.  Using an ice cream scoop place batter into lined muffin tin(s).
6.  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the top comes out clean.
7.  Cool muffins for 8-10 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack.

Baker's Notes:

1.  I use Honeyville Almond flour from Amazon.com.  It is $36 for a 5 lb. bag.  Best bargain and works best than others I have used.
2.  I am not too fond of coconut oil that tastes like coconut.  It's too much or may be disconcerting to eat sauteed mushrooms that taste like coconut....ugh.  I prefer Spectrum.
3.  In using the organic coconut, I like the flakes over the finely grated.  This adds to the muffins giving it more chewiness as you would get from oatmeal (not used here).  Toasting will tone down the coconut flavor....giving it a subtle undertone.
4.  Go honey, don't substitute stevia for I find it will give a funny after taste.  Think about it....2 Tbsp of honey divided amongst 20 or so muffins?  That is about 1/2 tsp per muffin...not bad for sugar.  I love how these are lightly sweet not like I am eating cake.
5.  Although fat is not the enemy in the Paleo lifestyle, the recipe originally called for 1/2 cup coconut oil.  When peeling off the muffin papers, they absorbed alot of the oil.  What is the point for so much oil if it's only going to leech into the papers, right? I suggest 1/3 cup over using 1/2 cup.  For the muffins still stuck a bit to the papers.

Enjoy!

Cinnamon Raisin Bread

YUM!
Great for breakfast, tasty snack and who says you can't eat a slice with dinner?
I was looking for something different from using my basic paleo bread recipe, so I tweaked it to make cinnamon raisin bread.  Yes, I know I haven't posted the basic bread first...but I like to live on the edge!  lol

Cinnamon Raisin Bread
adapted from Paleo Comfort Foods

3-1/2 cups almond flour or meal
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
5 large organic eggs
2 Tbsp. honey
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1 cup organic raisins

1.  Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2.  Combine all dry ingredients.
3.  In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, honey and vinegar.  Add raisins.
4.  Combine wet with the dry.
5.  Grease the loaf pan and line with parchment paper.  This is VERY important!!!  I find that this bread as well as the basic loaf likes to STICK despite it being greased.  Consider yourself warned if you don't!!!!
6.  Pour the batter in lined loaf pan.
7.  Bake for 45-55 minutes until golden brown or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted.

LOVE it...hope you will too!


Enjoy!

Gluten Free Biscuits

Along with my love for chocolate, I admit I also love breads.  Biscuits, rolls...hot and buttery....YUM!  So when I was told that going Paleo meant breads made with almond flour or coconut flour could be made, I felt I wouldn't die.  Of course when we go out to nice dinners I may splurge on the hot crusty yeast breads on occasion but at home I still can have some breads.  I am still find it difficult to render a tall rising bread for a sandwich but when I do....you'll be the first to know.  For know these little biscuits are nice and light and remind be of popovers.  Not too difficult to make either.

Basic Biscuits
from Paleo Comfort Foods

6 large egg whites (I use the carton of egg white sometimes as well)
3/4 cup blanched almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp organic butter or coconut oil

1.  In a bowl, beat the egg whites until they are very frothy.
2.  In a separate bowl, mix the flours and baking powder.  Cut in the cold butter with a two knives or a pastry blender.  You will be making a crumbly mixture.  Let sit in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.
3.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
4.  Remove flour mixture from fridge and gently fold in the egg whites, stirring to combine.
5.  Spoon the biscuit batter in a greased muffin cups.
6.  Bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.
Makes 12.

Cook's Notes:
1.  These are very soft and fluffy.  They are not going to fall apart since they have egg in the them.
2.  These taste very much like popovers despite them not rising as tall.
3.  I have tried other biscuit recipes and there will be other versions to come.
4.  This batter will be 'soupy' at first.  Give it a moment for the coconut flour to absorb the liquid and it will be more manageable.
5.  Use a standard ice cream scoop to keep the biscuits consistently the same size.
6.  I don't know how these biscuits would work on a cookie sheet really....I think they would spread and be thinner.  The muffin cups hold the 'biscuit' shape nicely.
7.  Bits of Cheese and bacon was also suggested to mix in if you were splurging or allowing dairy in your Paleo life.  We use a little cheese now and then and since I had a Tbsp of some leftover organic shredded cheese, I used it up here.  It can be seen in the picture below.

Enjoy!