Tag Archives: clean eating

Healthy and Easy White Bean and Kale Dip

31 Jan

Super Bowl is tomorrow, and you don’t have to give into temptation and eat processed, artificial, greasy and unhealthy junk. Better yet, nobody will even notice that this is a healthy and nutritious dip. It is so creamy and delicious, people keep coming back for more.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked white beans (or 1 15.5 oz can)
  • 1 can artichoke heart
  • 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 sprig of sage (or about 7 leaves)
  • 1 organic Roma tomato, cut into 4 parts
  • 2 cups kale, rinsed and chiffonade
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1 tbsp unfiltered cold pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • Himalayan Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper to taste
  • Fontina and Gruyere Cheese, shredded (Optional, if you are not Vegetarian or Lactose intolerant)

Method

1) In a small bowl, place the artichokes,tomatoes, garlic cloves, sage leaves, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix it together with your hands and lay them flat n a sheet pan covered in parchment paper. Place it in a pre heated oven to 350F for about 30 minutes, or until artichoke and garlic are golden in color. Remove and let it cool.

2) In a food processor, add the beans, kale, paprika, tomato, lemon juice, and artichoke mixture, removing the sage leaves. Pulse it in the processor until becomes a paste.

3) If you like, place it in a oven safe bowl and sprinkle some cheese on top. Place it in a sheet pan in broil for 4 minutes or until golden brown and crusty on top.

BeanDip Cheese

Sprinkle your favorite salt on top (I like Merlot Salt) and serve it with Crudites, Pita Chips, Crackers, Tortilla Chips, or Crusty Bread.

I choose Quinoa and Flax Seeds Chips and a sprinkle of Merlot Salt on top

I choose Quinoa and Flax Seeds Chips and a sprinkle of Merlot Salt on top

Bom Apetite!

 

 

 

 

Gluten Free Healthy Meatballs in San Marzano Tomatoes + Carrot Sauce

14 Jan

 

It doesn’t matter where you are from, every country and culture has their version of meatballs. Meatballs are easy to make, and a great way to get kids involved in cooking.

Purists believe the perfect meatball must have a combination of beef and pork. Some use lamb, and I have eaten some mighty tasty chicken and turkey meatballs. The key is to add some type of starch and eggs to the mixture, so it will all stick together and not crumble. Breadcrumbs are a family favorite, and so is old bread soaked in milk. For these recipe I used Brown Rice Flour because I did not have any bread at hand.

 Ingredients

1 lb Organic Grass Fed ground beef

1 small sweet onion, grated or shredded in food processor

¼ cup chives or green onions, chopped

¼ cup Italian parsley, chopped

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp kosher salt

ground black pepper to taste

1 pasture raised egg

1 tbsp brown rice flour

Method

  1. Mix all ingredients together with your hands. Make 1 tbsp size balls and pace them in a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake at 375 F for 20 minutes.
  2. Remove the sheet pan from the oven, and remove the fat that accumulates around each meatball with a butter knife. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 F. Discard the parchment paper. In the same sheet pan, place a cookie baking rack and place the meatballs. Bake for another 10 minutes.
  3. After the tomato sauce is ready, place the meatballs in the sauce pan with the lid on and let the flavors meld for 15 minutes on low.

San Marzano Tomatoes and Carrot Sauce

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp ghee, or unsalted butter

1 can of San Marzano Tomatoes (1Lb 12 oz)

¼ cup organic tomato paste

1 small sweet onion, grated or shredded in food processor

2 medium organic carrots, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

½ cup red wine

1 tbsp demerara sugar (raw sugar)

1 tsp red chilli flakes

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

1 bay leaf

kosher salt and pepper to taste

Method

  1. In a medium heated pan, add the olive oil and butter. Add the onions and let them sweat until translucent, for about 7 minutes. Add the garlic, oregano, basil, red chili flakes, and carrots and let them cook for about 5 minutes. Add the red wine and let it cook until the alcohol evaporates.
  2. Add the tomato paste, demerara sugar(raw sugar), and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  3. Let it come to a boil, and turn the heat down to low. Place a lid in the pan, and let it simmer on low for about 2 hours.
  4. Remove the bay leaf. Using an emulsion blender, blend the sauce until it is smooth.

GFMeatballs2

Bom Apetite!

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