Recipes
I LOVE food and I LOVE to cook! For me, it is a science experiment in creativity! I almost NEVER follow a complete recipe. I am always tweaking something – adding spices, hidden vegetables, etc. I love the freedom, relaxation, and companionship cooking brings. When my kids were home, we cooked together nearly every meal. I challenged them to find a different fruit or vegetable once a month for us to try and they would be responsible for learning about that item and finding a meal to prepare. This made them a part of the entire process and gave them both the tools and love of cooking that I had. Let’s take that walk together here.
Conversions
Want to swap out a “bad” food for a good one? Need help with a substitution? Need help doubling or halving a recipe? Check out the conversions page for helpful tips and charts.
Recipes
Breakfast
Blueberry Scones
Blueberry and lemon together is one of my favorite combinations – add that to one of my favorite breakfast meals and I am in heaven. Slightly sweet and tart… mmm.
Cranberry Orange Scones
I don’t like heavy dense scones so I have modified a light and fluffy biscuit recipe to suit my tastes! You can mold them or dump them on the pan and let them form freestyle. Quick and easy. Prep time 15 minutes. Cook time 16 minutes. And if you aren’t a fan of cranberry orange try some other flavors like lemon blueberry. 🙂
Main Course
Steak Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
I’m not a huge Greek fan, but there are some meals that I just adore. This is one of them. I was introduced to Gyros in high school and whenever I have a chance to eat at a traditional Greek restaurant, it’s the first thing I want. Love the strong herb flavors, heat, and delicate flavor of the Tzatziki sauce to blend it all together.
Huli Huli Chicken
Oh my. Every time I make this, I am taken back to Hawai’i. Sweet, tangy, and messy. If you grill the chicken your eyes will roll back in your head. There is no better way to make chicken!
Roasted Vegetable and Kohlrabi Noodle Bowl with Peanut Sauce
Full of Asian flavors. If you haven’t tried kohlrabi yet, it is amazing. It has the texture and flavor of broccoli and cauliflower hearts but milder. You can eat it raw, mixed in a salad, or in a bowl like this.
Breads
Red Lentil Wraps
I used to use tortillas as a dipper for hummus and wanted to get away from the flour ones. I found this while searching for an alternative. What a great option!!
Banana Bread
This is a very versatile recipe. You can swap out the banana for zucchini, pumpkin, or apple. I hate dry bread and this one is moist and spongy. Delicately sweet and nutty.
Cranberry Orange Bread
Cranberry and Orange is one of my favorite pairings. Sweet, tart, tangy, all in one! This is a quick and easy gluten-free recipe and of course another family favorite. 15 minute prep time and an hour bake time.
Salads
Papaya Salad
Thai food is my favorite. Hands down. Their flavors are so bold and complicated, yet easy to make. Papaya salad has heat and nuts and herbs… just a perfect combination.
Three Bean Salad
This is an adjusted recipe from my childhood. My mom stuck to three beans, but I love the different textures and flavors of a variety of different beans. I have reduced the sugar as well to have a more savory salad.
Cranberry Relish / Salad
I hate the “cranberry relish” stuff you get out of a can or make that is gelatinous for Thanksgiving. This tastes NOTHING like it. Fresh. Tart. Slightly Sweet. I could eat a whole bowl. Mmmm.
Soups
Mexican Chicken Noodle Soup
A WONDERFULLY flavored soup. Spicy and tangy great for a cool fall night. Serve with avocado, cilantro, cheese, and tortilla chips.
Pasta E Fagoli
I love soups with LOTS of herbs and flavors. This one is AMAZING! I can’t tell you how rich this soup tastes and with meat and beans, it is filling too. 30 minute prep time and 30 minute cook time.
Classic French Onion Soup
French Onion Soup is savory and can be made more healthy than the original recipe. I do love it with cheese and croutons, but they are optional.
Vegetables
Roasted Fennel with Garlic Herbs
I’m not typically a licorice lover, but I love mixing new flavors in unexpected ways. Try this with your favorite pasta! Mmmmm…
Appetizers
Quesadillas
As I’ve said, I like to experiment. Quesadillas for me are about something quick that uses whatever I have in my house. What flavors do you like? What do you want to try? The image on the right is a Mediterranean quesadilla, there are Carne Asada, Beef and Bean, Cheese… SOOOOOO many options. Experiment away! This is my favorite version.
Lumpia
I’ve never liked Chinese Eggrolls. The wrapper is too thick and pasty… When I was introduced to Lumpia, I fell in love.. EVERYONE loves these. They are a bit time consuming to make, but worth the effort!
Gyoza
This is probably one of the more complex recipes you will find here but only because of how they are assembled. Take the challenge and I promise you will get better as you practice! Savory, salty, and totally Japan all in a little wrapper.
Desserts
Mango Sticky Rice
If you want a slightly sweet, filling, warm dessert, this might be something amazing to try. It takes a bit of time, but is well worth it!
Sourdough Apple Fritter Cake
My guilty pleasure is apple fritters. And as they are filled with sugar and gluten, I don’t get them very often. So, when I found a recipe I could tweak for an apple fritter cake… sourdough… I just had to work on it. 🙂
Healthy”er” Buckeyes
Being from the upper mid-west, buckeyes were always a staple during the holidays. Since the traditional delicacies are made with sugar, sugar, chocolate, and more SUGAR, I refrain… usually! These I’ll eat. mmmm…. what is better than chocolate and peanut butter anyway? 🙂
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Tyler, TX USA
natural joy healing
To become a driving force of change within this country. To teach a better way of living and healing. I hope to realign people’s vision of health and healthcare through individual and community alliances.