Honey Coconut Granola

This granola is so simple and so delicious!  It's completely grain-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and free of refined sugar, and is safe for the GAPS diet.  

The only tricky thing about this recipe is remembering to keep a close eye on it while it's baking because honey burns very easily.  Do not let it overbake at all.  It will be moist when it comes out of the oven, but will harden as it cools.

Enjoy!

2 cups organic unsweetened coconut flakes (we used the fine flakes from Wilderness Family Naturals)
2 cups raw organic pumpkin seeds
2 cups raw organic sunflower seeds
1 cup local raw honey  (we used our own TPN Local Raw Honey)
2 Tbsp organic Vietnamese ground cinnamon (we used Frontier brand)
1 Tbsp natural vanilla extract (we used our own TPN Vanilla Extract, available at local markets and shows)
1/4 tsp sea salt (we used RealSalt)



Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Oil two baking sheets with sides with TPN Coconut Oil.  We used Pampered Chef Stoneware Large Bar Pans.

In a large bowl, mix together coconut, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.

In a small saucepan, mix together and gently warm the honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and sea salt.

Pour the honey mixture over the coconut and seeds, mixing well until seeds are completely moistened.

Divide mixture between the two prepared pans.

Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

Honey burns very easily, so you may want to stir it every five minutes at the end, and be sure to keep a close eye on the granola so that it doesn't get too dark.

Remove from oven promptly, and stir frequently while it's cooling to prevent it from sticking to the pan.

Store in an airtight glass container.

Eat as a snack or serve as a cereal with freshly made Coconut Milk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Coconut Milk

This coconut milk is so simple to make.  We don't add any flavorings or sweeteners to it.  We use it solely for baking, and it works well and adds a nice subtle coconut flavor to recipes.

2 cups fine flaked coconut
4 cups warm water

Place coconut and water in Vitamix.  Stir and let sit for 30 minutes.

Blend for 3 minutes.

Strain through a fine sieve or a nut bag into a large mason jar.

Cool, cover, and refrigerate.  Shake well before using. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GFCFEF Rice Pudding

5 cups cooked white rice

4 cups rice milk

1 cup Wholesome Sweetners evaporated cane sugar

2 Tbsp Vanilla Extract

3 Tbsp Earth Balance Spread (we used soy-free)

1/2 cup raisins

1 Tbsp cinnamon

Add all ingredients to heavy saucepan, place over medium heat and mix well.

Continue mixing every minute or so as mixture begins to heat and ingredients meld together.

Continue to cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes or until the mixture takes on a thick, pudding like consistency. I think this is best when warm, you will need to allow it to cool for about 20 minutes after cooking before serving. It can also be stored in a sealed container in the fridge and enjoyed cold or reheated.

Adapted from Looks Good in Polka Dots

Vegan Cheese

14 oz coconut milk (not reduced fat)
1 tsp coconut vinegar
1 Tbsp tapioca starch
2 tsp agar powder (I used agar flakes, ground in spice grinder)*
1 tsp sea salt
2 Tbsp nutritional yeast 



Combine coconut milk, coconut vinegar, tapioca, agar, and sea salt in a small saucepan. Whisk briskly continuously until the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from the heat, stir in nutritional yeast, and transfer it to a small Pyrex dish. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

*If using agar flakes instead of powder, 1 Tbsp  flakes = 1 tsp powder

Chocolate Brownie in a Mug

I get a lot of good recipes on Pinterest, most of which are very healthy.  Tonight, I printed one for a chickpea and kale dish.  Nick was going to make it, but he got a little bit distracted.  He was preheating the oven, when Jay yelled that the oven was on fire!  The element was actually arcing, sending this crazy bright light throughout the oven.  Nick immediately turned it off, but the arcing continued, so he ran downstairs and turned off the breaker.

Now ovenless, we opted for Plan B, which was chips, salsa, guacamole, and other Mexican fixings.

Later, I got a pretty serious chocolate craving.  I was thinking about these decadent chocolate coconut bars I'd spotted on Pinterest, but remembered that the oven was history.  I then recalled the following recipe, which I'd pinned for a chocolate emergency such as this.  I know that we have some so-called different foods in our house, but we actually had all of the ingredients on hand.  I'm not crazy about microwaved foods, but this served its purpose.  It was quick, quite tasty, fit my allergy/dietary restrictions, was relatively healthy as junk food goes, and it cured my chocolate craving!


Chocolate Brownie in a Mug

Serves 1

5 Tbsp unsweetened coconut milk
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
15 drops liquid chocolate stevia
2 Tbsp coconut sugar
2 Tbsp sweet rice flour
1 1/2 Tbsp raw cacao powder
1 Tbsp coconut flour
1/8 tsp gluten-free, aluminum-free baking powder
Pinch sea salt
Enjoy Life Chocolate Chunks




In a microwave-safe bowl, warm coconut milk and coconut oil, just until the oil melts.

Add vanilla, stevia, coconut sugar, sweet rice flour, cacao powder, coconut flour, baking powder, and sea salt.

Whisk until smooth.

Pour batter into a mug; top with chocolate chunks.

Microwave on high for 2 minutes and 15 seconds.

Cool for a few minutes.




Allergy/Special Diet Info:
Casein-Free ~ Citrus-Free ~ Corn-Free ~ Dairy-Free ~ Egg-Free ~ Fish-Free ~ Gluten-Free ~ Nightshade-Free ~ Peanut-Free ~ Potato-Free ~ Shellfish-Free ~ Soy-Free ~ Tree Nut-Free ~ Wheat-Free ~ Sesame-Free ~ Yeast-free ~ GFCF ~ Vegetarian ~ Vegan

Adapted from Lexie's Kitchen

Crispy French Fries

Hands down, these are the easiest, most delicious fries ever!


Because of how starch interacts with the frying oil, this method
will only work well with a less starchy potato, like the Yukon Gold. 
(Red potatoes worked well.)



Super Simple French Fries
2 1/2 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes (about 4-5 large potatoes)
6 cups coconut oil (I used less)
Sea salt

Line a sheet pan or large plate with a few layers of paper towels.
Set it aside.


Cut the long sides in three or four sticks.

Then cut the potato into fries.



You want them to be about a quarter-inch thick, which looks
about like this (balanced on a 10-inch butcher’s knife).



Set a large, heavy-bottomed pot on the stove. Pour in the oil.

Put the cut potatoes into the cold oil. Don’t turn the heat on yet.

When all the potatoes are in the oil, wiggle them around so that
they’re all submerged.

Now turn the heat on high.  After about 5 minutes or so,
the oil should come to a rolling boil.

Fry the potatoes like this for 15 minutes, untouched.
Don’t stir them at all. Just keep an eye on the pot.

After about 15 minutes, give the fries a gentle stir to loosen them up.
If any are stuck to the bottom, give them a nudge to unwedge them.

Fry like this, stirring occasionally, for another 5-10 minutes,
until crisp, golden, and done to your liking.


Fish them out of the oil with a spider or large slotted spoon. Let
them drip for a sec over the pot to lose any excess oil.

Transfer to your paper-towel lined pan.

Sprinkle with sea salt when they’re hot out of the oil.


Serve and enjoy (and gobble and inhale)!



*****

 

Adapted from The Hungry Mouse

Barbecue Sauce

1 bottle Nature’s Promise catsup

¼ cup expeller-pressed coconut oil

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

¼ cup raw honey

1-2 Tbsp water

1 ½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp xanthan gum

 

Mix all ingredients together well.  Refrigerate to meld flavors.

Baked Oven Fries

3 8-oz russet potatoes, peeled, cut lengthwise into even-sized wedges

5 Tbsp expeller-pressed coconut oil, divided

3/4 tsp sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

 

Preheat oven to 475˚ F.

 

Place potato wedges in a large mixing bowl. Cover with hot water; soak for 10-30 minutes.

 

Put 4 Tbsp of the oil onto a heavy, rimmed baking sheet. Tilt the sheet side to side to evenly coat the pan with oil (a pastry brush can also help with this). Sprinkle the pan evenly with the salt and pepper. Set aside.

 

Drain the potatoes. Spread the wedges out on clean kitchen towels. Pat dry with additional towels.

 

Wipe out the now empty bowl so it is dry. Return the potatoes to the bowl and toss with the remaining 1 Tbsp of oil.

 

Arrange potato wedges on prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 5 minutes.

 

Remove foil and continue baking until bottoms of the potatoes are spotty golden brown, 15-20 minutes, rotating the baking sheet after 10 minutes.

 

Using a metal spatula and tongs, flip each potato wedge keeping them in a single layer. Continue baking until fries are golden and crisp, 5 -15 minutes. Rotate pan as needed to ensure even browning.

 

When fries are finished baking, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain some of the grease. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm.

 

From Annie's Eats

 

Roasted Potato Stacks

 

3-4 regular-sized potatoes, peeled, thinly sliced with mandoline

1/3 c. organic extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp dried parlsey

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Fresh parsley

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Coat a muffin tin lightly with olive oil.

 

In a small bowl, mix olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, sea salt, and black pepper.

Stack 4-5 potato slices in a muffin tin, and then pour a little olive oil mixture over the stack. Top with 4-5 more slices and a little more oil.
Repeat in the remaining muffin tins.

 

Bake 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are crispy on the edges.

Top with fresh parsley.

 

 

Adapted from Little Mommy, Big Appetite

Granola for the Whole Family

I make up this recipe and then bake about 4 cups, divided between 2 stoneware jelly roll pans, at a time.  That way, I can add whatever extras, such as coconut, seeds, and dried fruit, that different people like, and of course leave a plain batch for the picky kids!

12 cups GF rolled oats  
2 Tbsp ground cinnamon  
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 cups local raw honey 
1 cup coconut oil, melted 
2 Tbsp vanilla extract  

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In a large bowl, stir together rolled oats, cinnamon, and ginger.

In a small bowl, whisk together honey, coconut oil, and vanilla extract.

Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients, mixing well.

Add any optional extras:

GF oat bran
Unsweetened flaked coconut
Sunflower, pumpkin, chia, hemp, or flax seeds

Divide about 4 cups of granola between two stoneware jelly roll pans.

Bake for 10 minutes.  Stir.  Bake for 10 more minutes.

Remove from oven.  Stir in any optional dried fruit:

Organic raisins
Dried apples, bananas, berries, dates, mango, pineapple, cranberries

Continue cooking a total of about 4 cups at a time, divided between the two stoneware pans, adding any optional ingredients that you'd like.

Granola will crisp up as it cools.  Store an airtight container.

Crash Hot Potatoes

 

• 12 whole New Potatoes (or Other Small Round Potatoes)
• 3 Tablespoons Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Sea Salt To Taste
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper To Taste
• Rosemary (or Other Herbs Of Choice) To Taste

 

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add in as many potatoes as you wish to make and cook them until they are fork-tender.

On a sheet pan, generously drizzle olive oil. Place tender potatoes on the cookie sheet leaving plenty of room between each potato.

With a potato masher, gently press down each potato until it slightly mashes, rotate the potato masher 90 degrees and mash again. Brush the tops of each crushed potato generously with more olive oil.

Sprinkle potatoes with kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper and fresh chopped rosemary (or chives or thyme or whatever herb you have available.).

Bake in a 450 degree oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.


From Pioneer Woman Cooks

Kari’s GFCF Bread Machine Recipe

1¼ c coconut milk or other milk alternative, at room temp

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

3 eggs, at room temp

¼ c coconut oil

¼ c raw honey

1 Tbsp yeast

3 1/3 c Silvana’s GF Flour Blend*

2 tsp xanthan gum

1 tsp sea salt

 

Add liquid ingredients to bread machine.  Then add dry ingredients. 

Bake in a regular bread machine (you don't need the fancy one with a GF bread cycle) and about 3 hours later you have a delicious loaf of gluten / casein free bread!

Note: Always scrape the sides of the bread machine pan with a spatula a few minutes after starting the mix cycle. Gluten free bread doesn't pull itself together in a ball like regular bread dough so some of it tends to stick to the sides and it needs a little help to mix in.

*Silvana's GF Flour Blend  

6 cups white rice flour
3 cups tapioca starch
1 1/2 cups potato starch
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons xanthan gum

In a large bowl, mix together and store in airtight container.

Lindsay’s GFCF Bread

1 Tbsp ground flax seeds

3 Tbsp warm water

1 1/2 c tapioca starch

1 c sorghum flour
1/2 c potato starch
3 tsp xanthan gum
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp creme of tartar

3 Tbsp sucanat

2 1/4 tsp yeast
1 1/3 c warm water

3 Tbsp expeller-pressed coconut oil

2 eggs, lightly beaten

Mix the ground flax with warm water. Beat with a fork. Let sit for at least 5 minutes until it thickens.

Mix all other dry ingredients, including yeast, in mixer bowl.

Pour 1 1/3 cups warm water into a 2-cup glass measuring cup.  Stir in the coconut oil, stirring until it melts.  Add the eggs and the flax mixture; mix well.

Pour wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix in mixer until blended. Scrape sides to get it all mixed in.

Grease a bread loaf pan with Spectrum organic shortening. Pour dough in; cover with plastic wrap and let sit until it doubles in size -- about 40-50 minutes.

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 55-60 mins until toothpick comes out clean. Let it sit 5 mins. Then place onto wire rack to cool. Cool completely before slicing.

Crockpot Stew

3 med onions, peeled & quartered

4 lge carrots, peeled, cut into 1” thick slices

2 potatoes, peeled, cut into 1” cubes

32 oz GF vegetable broth

1 tsp celery seed

1 tsp thyme

2 tsp sea salt

½ tsp black pepper

1 c frozen corn

1 c frozen peas

GF Flour

Combine onions, carrots, potatoes, and broth in crockpot.  Add celery seed, thyme, salt, pepper, and corn.

Cook on low for 4-6 hrs.  Stir in peas and cook 15-30 minutes more.

Thicken gravy with flour and serve over mashed potatoes.

Serves 8

Homemade Hardening Chocolate Sauce for Ice Cream

This was quick, easy, and delicious.  Doesn't get better than that!

Hardening Chocolate Sauce

8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips (we used Enjoy Life)
2 Tbsp organic expeller-pressed coconut oil

Heat chocolate chips and coconut oil in the top of a double boiler over medium heat, stirring until completely melted and smooth.  Remove from heat and let stand for five minutes.

Spoon or drizzle over your favorite nondairy (we love Coconut Bliss and So Delicious) or dairy ice cream and wait for a couple of minutes until it hardens. 

If you have any leftovers, keep in the fridge and then gently reheat before using.  There were no leftovers in this house, so I will probably double the recipe next time!

Banana Bread Oatmeal

1 c coconut milk
1/2 c mashed very ripe banana
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 c GF rolled oats

Garnish:
Banana slices
1/2 tsp coconut sap sugar
1/8 tsp cinnamon

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together coconut milk, mashed banana, 1 tsp cinnamon, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. When the mixture comes to a boil, stir in rolled oats.

Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-6 minutes until moisture is absorbed and oats are tender.

Mix together coconut sap sugar and cinnamon.

Serve oatmeal garnished with banana slices and coconut sap sugar/cinnamon mixture.



Adapted from Grubography

Gluten-Free, Fish-Free Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 c apple cider vinegar
2 Tbsp wheat-free tamari
2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp molasses
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp black pepper

Place all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Mix well.

Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

Reduce heat and simmer for 1 minute.

Cool; pour into bottle and store in refrigerator.

Shake well before using.

Taco Seasoning Mix

I usually use tablespoons for this recipe and sometimes double or triple it, if I have enough of the different spices on hand. I just store it in a small mason jar and use 2 tablespoons per pound of ground beef or turkey, or for recipes calling for a packet of taco seasoning.


4 parts chili powder (1/4 c)
2½ parts cumin (2 1/2 Tbsp)
2 parts garlic powder (2 Tbsp)
2 parts onion powder (2 Tbsp)
1 part paprika (1 Tbsp)
1 part oregano (1 Tbsp)
1 part sea salt (1 Tbsp)
½ part red pepper flakes (1/2 Tbsp)
Black pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container.

Individual Baked Oatmeal (Muffins)

I got this amazing recipe from Sugar-Free Mom. I made a few small changes, and it was a hit with everyone. These are a cross between baked oatmeal (without the texture that some people don't like) and very moist, delicious muffins. I love that I could add different fruits or toppings to different muffins, so I didn't have to listen to complaints from the kids who can't stand raisins or don't like coconut! Everyone got what they liked!

I made some plain, and some with frozen blueberries, frozen raspberries, raisins, chocolate chips, and coconut/chocolate chips. I just placed the toppings on top of the batter before the muffins went in the oven, or, in the case of the frozen blueberries, I pushed a few down into the batter and then placed several on top.

I read that some people had problems with these sticking, so I did a few different things. I melted a little bit of coconut oil, and, using a pastry brush, lightly coated the insides of our silicone muffin liners. In another pan, I brushed the muffin tins with coconut oil, and didn't use any liners. There was a little bit of leftover batter, so I took a mini-muffin tin and coated a few of them with organic shortening.

The result was that the oatmeal slid effortlessly out of the silicone liners. With the other two pans, the muffins stuck while they were still warm. So, I cooled them almost completely, gently ran a knife around the edges of each muffin, and then they came right out.

I made 24 regular-sized muffins, and six mini-muffins. The regular muffins baked for 30 minutes, and the mini-muffins for about 15 minutes. I will freeze some of these on a baking sheet and then pop them into zip-lock bags once they're frozen. Sugar-Free Mom suggests taking them out the night before so that they'll be thawed by breakfast time.

This recipe is definitely a keeper!


2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1 ripe banana, mashed
1/2 cup raw honey
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp stevia powder
5 cups GF rolled oats
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
1 Tbsp GF baking powder
1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp sea salt
2 3/4 cups unsweetened coconut milk
Toppings: raisins, chopped apples, blueberries, shredded coconut, chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, whisk together applesauce, banana, raw honey, eggs, vanilla, and stevia.

In a larger bowl, mix rolled oats, flaxseed meal, baking powder, cinnamon, and sea salt.

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir well.

Add coconut milk, stirring until mixed evenly. Batter will be runny.

Prepare muffin pans. (See above.)

Add ¼ cup batter to each tin.

Sprinkle muffins with desired toppings: shredded coconut, chocolate chips, blueberries, apples, raisins, or other frozen fruit.

Bake 30 minutes until a toothpick in center comes out clean. Enjoy!

GF or GFCF Spaghetti Pie

All four kids loved this!

1 lb. Gluten-Free spaghetti

1/2 cup milk or milk substitute
2 eggs
Sea salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Garlic powder to taste
2 cups grated mild cheddar cheese, divided (or Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds)
1 26-oz jar GFCF pasta sauce




 
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cook spaghetti according to package instructions.

When spaghetti is done, drain well, rinse, and return to pan. Add milk, stirring to combine.

In a medium-sized bowl, crack 2 eggs, and add sea salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Add 1 1/2 cups of the cheese.

In a 13x9" baking pan, place half of the cooked spaghetti. Pour half of the egg/cheese mixture over the eggs.

Pour half of the jar of pasta sauce over top.

Repeat the layers.

Top with remaining half-cup of cheese.

Adapted from Kait's recipe.