Why Avocado Belongs in Your Smoothies

June 14, 2014 By Becky 4 Comments

I have a new morning routine. It begins at 5:30, and goes like this. First, I stumble to the sink, get a glass of water, and drink it on the couch, usually while staring blankly at my Instagram feed. After a minute, I’ve built up the energy necessary to take steps to obtain coffee, which then fuels the rest of my activities. If there is coffee in the machine from the day before, I drop in three ice cubes and congratulate myself on making iced coffee. If the machine is empty, I grumble a lot, make a new pot, and settle for hot coffee.

When the coffee hits, it’s time to make a smoothie. The smoothie is the highlight of my morning, and it’s all because of the humble avocado.

A friend gave me an incredulous look recently when I mentioned putting avocado in my smoothies. I only started adding them in April, but they’ve already become such a smoothie essential for me that I was totally flabbergasted by her response. I am writing this blog post on the off chance that you, like my friend, have not tried putting avocado in your smoothies yet.

Here are five quick reasons you should do it:

Fried Banana Brownie Cake with Honey Whipped Cream

May 26, 2014 By Becky 50 Comments

It was my birthday on Saturday, and I had an amazing day. I started the morning by opening the present Ben got for me, which was a Kitchen Aid stand mixer! I’ve wanted one for years, and finally feel like I count as a real food blogger now that I own one. I haven’t used it yet because I have need to clear a special spot for it in the kitchen, but I’ve been peering into the box every few hours and just kind of smiling at it. After opening my mixer, I met up with a friend to go for a run, and then went home and moved a bunch of furniture and hung pictures with Ben. (Our landlords have been renovating our apartment, so we have a lot of rearranging to do. One secret about me is that I love organizing things around the house, even though I put it off like crazy and almost never do it. I am not at all sure why I dread it so much, because once I get started I really enjoy it. So, oddly enough, moving furniture and hanging pictures was one of my favorite parts of the day.)

My mom, Ben, and I went to dbar for dinner, which is within walking distance of our apartment and is one of my favorite restaurants ever. Pro tip: it starts gradually turning into a nightclub around 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. I’ve never been able to convince anyone to stay with me for that phase, but we got to witness the beginning of the transformation last night: one of the waiters walked by, casually pushed a button on his bracelet, and made a screen drop from the ceiling. No big deal.

Bacon, Arugula, and Avocado Salad with Sherry Vinaigrette

May 22, 2014 By Becky 2 Comments

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This quick and easy bacon, arugula, and avocado salad is packed with flavor and tossed with a sherry vinaigrette that’s amazing on almost anything.

My last post was about inspiration, and this one is about exhaustion. Not the discouraging kind of exhaustion that makes you feel like there’s no end in sight, but the kind of exhaustion that leaves you cheerfully spent at the end of the day–content, but without much left to offer.

I started my first external placement for graduate school last week, and I’m in schools working with kids and teachers four days a week for ten hours a day. (In case you haven’t heard me mention it, I’m working on a master’s in speech and language pathology with dual certification as a reading specialist). I am learning and doing so much that I do not know where to put all my thoughts and ideas. I have plenty of notebooks and folders, but there’s not enough space and time to capture everything I want to hold onto. Do you ever feel that way? Please tell me about your own exhaustion in the comments so I can feel a little less alone!

Braised Chicken with Leeks & Scallions

May 8, 2014 By Becky 5 Comments

Coq au vin is one of my favorite classic French dishes. Chicken braised slowly in wine of any kind is almost guaranteed to be delicious, and I’ve made this coq au riesling recipe several times over the past year. It’s become my go-to dish for whenever company is coming. However, wine is not truly part of a paleo diet, and many people try to avoid all alcohol, even in cooked dishes. The question on my mind was this: can you make coq au vin without the vin? Without any wine, is braised chicken still something exceptional?

You may have guessed that my answer is a resounding yes. This recipe is proof: wine is not necessary for making delicious braised chicken. In fact, I liked this dish even more than the coq au riesling I’ve been making, and to me, the chicken and sauce still had all the flavor benefits of dishes made with copious amounts of wine. I’m eager to see if you agree, so if you try this recipe, please let me know what you think!

Want to know why this recipe is so good, even though there’s no wine in it? My theory is that it’s because of the following three reasons. First, this recipe uses Pure Indian Foods’ organic, grassfed ghee. Ghee is by far my favorite cooking fat, because it has all the delicious flavor of butter paired with the higher smoke point of oil. In fact, I think ghee tastes even better than butter, and it’s also a much healthier choice than canola or vegetable oil. If you haven’t heard me talk about the wonders of ghee, you can read more about what it is and how it’s made here.

Pico de gallo de frutas

May 2, 2014 By Becky 4 Comments

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This pico de gallo de frutas is a spicy take on fruit salad that is paleo, gluten free, and vegan. It’s perfect for Cinco de mayo or anytime!

After I graduated from college, I moved to Houston and became a bilingual teacher. I had the most amazing group of students, and was lucky enough to be their teacher for three years in a row: kindergarten, first grade, and second grade. We spoke Spanish almost all day, except for an hour or so of ESL. Their kindergarten year was my first year of teaching, as well as my first year living far away from home. While those things made it a difficult year for me, my kids and their families were absolutely fabulous. A lot of people may say this, but I truly think I could not have asked for a better group of students. They worked as a team almost from the beginning–embracing me, each other, and all the new students that trickled in (and sometimes out, and sometimes back again) over the course of our three years together. They were unbelievably kind, patient, tolerant, bright, and hilarious.

At the end of three years, I had learned a huge amount of Spanish (I had thought I was fluent before taking the job, but the Spanish spoken in Texas is so different from what I’d practiced while studying abroad in Argentina that I had to learn new words for much of what I wanted to say). Most of them had learned a huge amount of English, and had learned to read in both languages. I had also learned so much about teaching, about children and families, and about life. I know that sounds very expansive, but it was a foundational experience for me, and I think of those kids and their families almost everyday. Shockingly (to me, because it makes me feel so old), they’re in middle school now, and I’m happy to still be in touch with several of them.

Roasted Beet & Carrot Salad with Goat Cheese Vinaigrette

April 28, 2014 By Becky 32 Comments

What’s your favorite color? Mine is pink (shocking, right?).

When I was scrolling through the recipes on K & K Test Kitchen to choose something to make for this month’s Secret Recipe Club, the gorgeous hue of this healthy salad caught my eye. By the time I read the words “goat cheese” near the end of the post title, I was totally sold. When I see a food that’s naturally bright pink and has my favorite kind of cheese in it, I sign myself right up.

Sweet Potato & Crispy Kale Breakfast Skillet

April 21, 2014 By Becky 14 Comments

It took me a really long time to jump on the kale bandwagon, but now I’m hooked. I see it at the grocery store and it’s so affordable, so curly, and so healthy looking that I have to buy it. The flavor of kale takes a little getting used to, but I’ve found that when it’s crispy and/or cooked with garlic, even haters will happily chomp on it. This recipe delivers on both counts, and also offsets the leafy kale with sweet potatoes and perfectly-cooked eggs. You start the breakfast skillet on the stove, pan-roasting the sweet potatoes with chopped red onion until they’re tender. The garlic and kale are tossed in and stir-fried just for a minute. Next, you make four little wells amongst the veggies, crack an egg into each one, and then pop the skillet into the broiler. In just a few minutes, the eggs cook and the kale crisps up just like kale chips. You are going to love it!

Lemon Olive Oil Cake

April 14, 2014 By Becky 53 Comments

This grain-free lemon olive oil cake is easy to whip up and is perfect for feeding a crowd. It’s my go-to paleo cake recipe!

Passover starts tonight, and if you have your big seder this evening, I realize I may be getting this dessert idea out too late. However, it never hurts to have a delicious kosher for Passover snack cake on hand for days 2-8, right?

This grain-free lemon olive oil cake would also be perfect for Easter–since I celebrate both holidays, I’m planning on making this again next weekend and dressing it up with some eggs and/or bunnies.

This cake is delicious: moist, tender, and perfectly lemony. I couldn’t taste the olive oil, but I think it adds some hard-to-pinpoint depth to the overall flavor of the cake, and it’s nice to know you’re baking with a healthy, dairy-free cooking fat.

The glaze is cashew-based, but I worked hard to make honey and lemon the prominent flavors, so I think people who don’t know cashews are the main ingredient won’t be able to figure it out.

I’ve made this lemon olive oil cake countless times for dinner parties, birthdays, and all manner of holidays, and it never fails to please. No one can tell that it’s gluten free, grain free, dairy free, and paleo friendly, and everyone is surprised to hear it’s made from extra virgin olive oil. I hope you’ll give it a try!

Chag sameach and happy Easter, if you’re celebrating one of those holidays, and happy (finally) spring if you’re not.

Lemon Olive Oil Cake

Name: Lemon Olive Oil Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons lemon juice*; 1/4 cup honey; 1/2 cup cashews, soaked in water for 1-2 hours and drained; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla; Pinch of salt; 1 tablespoon lemon zest*; 2-3 tablespoons water (or more as needed); 2 1/2 cups lightly packed almond flour; 3/4 cup tapioca starch; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 3/4 cup honey; 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup lemon juice*; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 3 eggs; 1 tablespoon lemon zest*

Yield: 10-12 servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

This grain-free lemon olive oil cake is easy to whip up and is perfect for feeding a crowd. It's my go-to paleo cake recipe!

Ingredients

For the cake:

2 1/2 cups lightly packed almond flour
3/4 cup tapioca starch
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup honey
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice*
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 eggs
1 tablespoon lemon zest*

For the glaze:

3 tablespoons lemon juice*
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup cashews, soaked in water for 1-2 hours and drained
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon lemon zest*
2-3 tablespoons water (or more as needed)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F, and thoroughly grease a large (12-cup capacity) bundt pan with olive oil. Place the pan on a baking sheet.
To make the cake, whisk together the almond flour, tapioca starch, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together all the wet ingredients and the lemon zest in a medium bowl or two-cup measuring cup. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, and stir until well-combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, and put the pan (along with the baking sheet that's underneath it--this is just for ease of transport) in the oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the middle is set and a toothpick comes out almost clean (a few small crumbs are okay, but no goo). Cool for about 30 minutes in the pan, then carefully run a thin knife around the inner and outer edges of the cake to loosen it. You can try to invert it onto a plate at this point if it seems loose, but it might need a little bit more cajoling. If it does, place it in the freezer for 30-40 minutes, then dip the bottom of the pan into a bowl of very hot water for about 30 seconds. Invert the cake onto a plate, and it should slide right out.
To make the glaze, combine all ingredients in your blender, or in a large bowl if you plan to use an immersion blender. Process until smooth, adding water as necessary to achieve a pourable consistency. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake (I transferred my glaze to a ziptop bag, snipped off a corner, and drizzled it on from the bag). Slice and serve!

Notes

*I got enough juice and zest for both the cake and the glaze from two lemons, but I'd recommend having a third lemon on hand just in case.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 pieces Serving Size: 1 piece
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 355Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 47mgSodium: 167mgCarbohydrates: 38gFiber: 3gSugar: 25gProtein: 8g

The nutrition label provided is an estimate for informational purposes only and may not be accurate. I am not a nutritionist or medical professional.

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Cashew Chicken with Asparagus & Shiitake Mushrooms

April 12, 2014 By Becky 12 Comments

It’s finally spring, which means it’s asparagus time. I love asparagus, and usually just roast it or dip it raw into some hummus. This time I decided to change things up and add it to a paleo version of one of my favorite Chinese stir-fries, cashew chicken. I love the taste of roasted cashews coated in a savory sauce, and crisp asparagus spears add another level of freshness and flavor. The shiitake mushrooms and a tiny bit of fish sauce give this recipe plenty of umami, which really takes things over the top. (Are you as obsessed with shiitake mushrooms as I am? You could use any mushroom in a recipe like this, but I find the meaty flavor and tender texture of shiitakes totally irresistible.)

Blackberry Smash

April 10, 2014 By Becky 11 Comments

Blackberries are my favorite fruit, and they are so delicious this time of year. In addition to eating blackberries & dark chocolate for breakfast, I’ve been using them to make this amazing mocktail/cocktail, the blackberry smash. I was going to call it a blackberry fauxjito, but blackberry smash is just so much more fun to say. In addition to being fun to say, it’s really fun to make and drink.

When I have a party, I like to offer one special, seasonally-inspired cocktail that I can make for my friends all night long. I’m not a very proficient bartender, so I don’t want to offer a bunch of different things, but I’ve found that having one unique drink makes a gathering way more glamorous and fun. At Thanksgiving this past year, I had ten people over, and was prepared with several different kinds of wine and beer, as well as the ingredients for cranberry margaritas. The margaritas were such a hit that I don’t think we opened a single bottle of wine–no one could say no to a creative libation based on fall’s quintessential berry.

Slow-Cooker Carnitas Lettuce Wraps with Pineapple & Avocado Salsa

April 3, 2014 By Becky 9 Comments

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Crisp and tender slow-cooker carnitas are wrapped in butter lettuce and topped with pineapple and avocado salsa for a paleo dinner or appetizer with an ideal balance of sweet and savory flavors.

Ben is out of town this week, so I have been left to my own devices. Last night I got home and decided to read the first chapter or two of the kids’ novel Because of Winn-Dixie, which I needed to preview before using it in a lesson. Turns out the book is really good, and also a bit sad. A girl named India Opal, whose mother left when she was little, moves to Naomi, Florida with her dad and ends up adopting a stray dog who helps her make all kinds of interesting friends. Each friend has their own poignant story. I may have ended up crying several times (just enough to need a tissue, not straight-up bawling), and finishing the whole book in less than two hours. Now, that’s what I call a fun evening! Tonight I might watch the film version.

Easy Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting {Secret Recipe Club}

March 31, 2014 By Becky 45 Comments

Easy Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting (Gluten-free, Grain-free) | acalculatedwhisk.com

Sometimes you just need a cupcake. Or a few cupcakes. I feel that I need cupcakes often, but it’s rare that I actually need a dozen, full-size cupcakes. Unless I have a party to take them to, making a whole batch of cupcakes can often end in disaster, with me deciding that a cupcake with coffee is a great breakfast, a cupcake with a side of fruit is a perfect lunch, and dinner is best concluded by eating another two cupcakes, and so on for the next few days.

That’s why I love small-batch baking.

This delicious recipe for a small batch of easy vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting comes from Asiya at Chocolate and Chillies. I was assigned her blog for my first month participating in the Secret Recipe Club, and had so much fun perusing her recipe index and deciding what to cook (if you haven’t heard of the SRC, it’s basically a club where each month you’re assigned a blog to cook from, and someone else is assigned your blog, and it’s a fun surprise on the reveal day to see who had your blog and what they decided to make).