gluten-free

Raw Key Lime Pie

“You attract what you are.” – Dr. Wayne Dyer

And I’m happy to say many of my friends are like minded when it comes to food, lifestyle, interests and health. We spend A LOT of our time exchanging views, best practices, hidden gems and favourite recipes. With that being said, I would be remiss if I didn’t share their best ideas. 🙂

Which leads me to introduce, my friend Kieran Darcy, who I’m thrilled to say will guest blog with some of her favourite dish’s, along with some of her beautiful photography. You’ll quickly notice, her skills are much better than mine (she is a very talented photographer) and gets it right every time. Please check  out more of her amazing work here.

Kieran had my mouth watering when she first told me about her Raw Key Lime Pie recipe. And with each week she had a new variation to share and that’s when I knew I had to have her dish about it!

Without further ado, here’s Kieran’s Dish –

A few months ago I decided to make a key lime pie for my dad’s birthday. I don’t know why, but I’m glad I did. I started googling ‘raw key lime pie’ to find something that would suit his celiac & diabetic needs and came upon this. The amazing thing about this recipe is that it’s really just a launching pad for any dessert you want to make. For any of you who don’t like following instructions or baking, this is the dessert for you.Raw Key Lime Pie

Let’s take a moment and appreciate the fact that the main ingredient in this dessert is cashews. Maybe I’m just ignorant, but I had no idea what they were capable of. Sorry cashews, I underestimated you. Since mastering the key lime pie I have adapted the recipe to make pumpkin, chocolate-orange, chocolate-raspberry, and lemon pies. With the lemon pie I added some Astarte blueberry-lavender preserve to each slice when serving – Sooo good!Raw Pumpkin Pie

This dessert has become a staple for every family gathering and I get to pretend I’m a really great baker when all I’ve done is blended. Easy, healthy, and delicious. I will say that attaining all of the ingredients is a bit pricey but you won’t need to buy them every time.  So take this recipe and make whatever you want with it. Cover it in nuts, fruit, add peanut butter, make different flavour layers, increase the crust measurements…Do whatever you want.Raw Chocolate Orange Pie

Raw Key Lime Pie

Crust:
  • 1 cup dried dates
  • ½ cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped
  • ½ cup whole pecans, coarsely chopped
  • ¼ cup unsweetened shredded dried coconut
  • 1 Tbsp coconut oil
  • Pinch of sea salt
Filling (Key Lime):
  • 2 cups cashews
  • ¾ cup fresh lime juice
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • ⅓ cup melted coconut oil
  • 1 tsp matcha powder (optional for color only)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
  1. Put all the crust ingredients into a food processor, and process until the ingredients can just stick together. Pie Crust
  2. Press the crust mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9­inch pie dish
    Pie Crust
  3. Place all the filling ingredients in your high-speed blender or food processor and blend until the filling is completely smooth and creamy.
  4. Pour the filling evenly over the pie crust, smooth with a spatula.
  5. Place the pie in the freezer covered to set for at least 3 hours, or overnight if possible.
  6. Let the pie sit at room temperature for 10 minutes and garnish before serving. I used coconut and lime zest on the Key Lime variation.Raw Pumpkin Pie

Enjoy!

Sweet Potato Veg-Carbonara with Spinach & Mushrooms

This recipe went viral on Facebook last week and I just had to try! Wow – what a dish, it is incredibly delicious and so easy that I have already made it twice this week! The texture of the sweet potato noodles are perfect and I quote from my pasta loving man friend  “I feel like I actually just had pasta, that was so good!” That’s success in my books!

Lately, I have been on a sweet potato kick -roasted, grilled, mashed, thrown into a smoothie or juice – sweet potatoes every which way. They are super delicious, versatile and as most runners know they are a great source of fuel for runs and a great source of recovery post-run. Not to mention all the other fantastic benefits which I’ve shared with you before – see post here. Trust me, you will love this dish and if you’re not into the carbonara or you are vegan – season with olive oil, salt and pepper and I guarantee it’ll be just as good!

Sweet Potato Noodles

Sweet Potato Veg-Carbonara with Spinach & Mushrooms (yields 4 servings)

  • 2-3 large sweet potatoes, peeled
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 8-ounce package sliced cremini mushrooms
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups of baby spinach
  • Basil and chilli oil to top

Ingredients

  1. Spiralize sweet potatoes into “noodles.”
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until the mushrooms start to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add spinach and cook, stirring, until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Cook the sweet potato noodles in boiling water, gently stirring once or twice, until just starting to soften but not completely tender, approx. 1 minute. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water, then drain. Return the noodles to the pot, off the heat.
  4. Combine eggs, Parmesan, salt, pepper and the reserved water in a bowl and mix.
  5. Pour mixture over the noodles and gently toss with tongs until evenly coated.
  6. Add the vegetables to the noodles and toss to combine.
  7. Top with a generous grinding of pepper, Parm, and basil.

Sweet Potato Veg-Carbonara YUM! xx

 

Socca with Caramelized Onion, Asparagus & Micro Greens

This was my first time trying to make Socca and it was a success! A high protein gluten-free traditional Provencal flatbread topped off with some favourite ingredients. This recipe was seriously a hit and I’m thinking it may be a new at home pizza crust alternative! It is simple to cook, light and crisp with a delicious nutty flavour that will go with just about any topping. Made from chickpea flour, Socca ends up being a great source of protein, folate, iron and magnesium with all that yummy starchiness flavour.

This variation was inspired by Sarah Britton’s My New Roots recipe. Personally, I’m not a huge dill fan and opted to use what I had on hand to make this recipe come to life. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the best pictures because I was ravenous and dug into this beautiful dish too soon. Hope you enjoy!Socca with Carmelized Onion, Asparagus & Sprouts

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 medium sweet onions
  • 2 tbsp of coconut oil
  • himalayan sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar
  • 2 bunches of asparagus (all green, or add in white or purple to jazz things up)
  • 1 cup of radish, arugula, ruby mustard micro greens or your choice of sprouts
  • 2 oz. goat feta
  • cracked black peppers
  • olive oil to garnish

Socca Ingredients: (makes 4-6)

  • 1 cup chickpea flour
  • 3/4 tsp himalayan sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 1/4 cup warm water
  • 3 tbsp coconut oil, plus extra for cooking crepes
  1. To make the socca batter, sift the flour, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Whisk in warm water and oil, then let it sit, covered, for at least 30 minutes. Note- This can even sit all day.
  2. Over high heat, melt some of the oil in a large pan. Once it’s very hot, pour in one quarter of the batter and tilt the pan so it coats the base evenly. Cook for 5-8 minutes, until bubbles form on the surface and the batter turns from shiny to opaque, then flip over and cook for a few minutes, until browned. Remove from the pan and set aside under a tea towel to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining batter.Socca
  3. For the topping, heat coconut in a large pan, add the onions and salt, and stir to coat. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally. When the pan is dry, add the balsamic vinegar. Cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the onions are golden and caramelized, then transfer to a bowl.Carmelized Onion
  4. Preheat a grill pan over high heat. Rub the asparagus with the remaining oil, then add them to the pan and cook, for 5-10 minutes, turning once, until tender and slightly charred.
  5. To serve, cover each warm socca with the caramelized onions, asparagus, sprouts and feta. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.Soccer with Asparagus, Carmelized Onion & Sprouts

Dig in! xx

Oat Smoothies

Looking for a real treat? These breakfast smoothies will have you pleasantly satisfied for hours. Heavier than our favourite vegetable/fruit smoothies, but another perfect way to start the day, especially for when ravenous and on the go. Basically, it’s your oatmeal breakfast thrown in a blender.

Oats are a great way to start the morning, packing a great punch of nutrients and minerals. High in carbs, oats are a great source of energy and strength to kick start your morning. Check out these percent daily values for 1/4 cup!Oats Nutritional InfoFor their in-depth nutrition profile, check it out here.

Here are two variations for you to try out – you are in for a treat!Oat smoothiesNutty Banana Oat

Blend – 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk, 1 banana (ripe or frozen), 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats, 2 tbsp natural peanut butter or almond butter, 1/2 tsp agave, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, & 1/4 cup ice.Peanut Butter Banana Oat Smoothie

Blueberry Banana Oat

Blend – 1 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk, 1 banana (ripe or frozen), 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats, 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen blueberres & 1/4 cup ice.

Blueberry Banana Oat Smoothie

Also, don’t be afraid to add in some greens to the Nutty Banana Oat! Everything is better when you add kale. I added in 2 cups and I barely noticed a change in taste. Give them a whirl and let me know your thoughts!

xx.

Parsnip Noodles with Roasted Butternut Squash & Kale

Happy Monday Friends! Hope you all had a beautiful weekend. 🙂

With the New Year already off to a busy start, I am trying to be more prepared when it comes to meals. Sundays are all about planning and prepping, freeing up extra time during the week.

Tonight’s dish was all about combining simple ingredients that are robust in flavour. At first glance, it looks like it probably takes a lot more time than it does. I promise you, that if you are prepared and know the recipe ahead of time, it is smooth sailing!

I don’t cook with parsnips often but am trying to incorporate them more to keep things interesting. This juicy nutty root veg is rich in healthy properties. From phyto-nutrients, vitamins, minerals and fibre. Plus it’s low in calories, fat, sodium and naturally cholesterol-free. Not to mention, super versatile when it comes to consumption!

Need more convincing? Check out these percent daily values:

Parsnip Nutritional Information

Now on to the deliciousness of tonight’s dish. This Parsnip noodle recipe comes from one of my favourite places to be Inspiralized – the definitive resource for cooking with a spiralizer. A few minutes exploring around Ali’s site and you’ll instantly be inspired by her wonderful and beautiful creations. This spiralized parsnips with roasted butternut squash and kale had me dancing in my kitchen with excitement, I was so inspired to give it a try.Parsnip Noodles with Roasted Butternut Squash & Kale

Easy to make, this recipe is really 3 simple components + a couple dashes here and there. Basically you just have to roast the squash, spiralize and cook the parsnips and wilt down the kale. Pretty basic steps. From here all you have to do is dress it up! (more details below on that). 🙂

Parsnip Noodles with Roasted Butternut Squash & Kale (yields two servings)

  •  1 cup cubed butternut squash
  • 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons of extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • himalyan sea salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 4 parsnips, peeled and spiralized
  • 2 cups chopped kale (curly or laminate)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • crumbled feta to top (optional)
  • red pepper flakes, to topIngredient List
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In bowl, toss butternut squash with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and season with salt, pepper and paprika. Toss to combine and once oven is preheated, lay squash on baking sheet and roast for 30-35 minutes or until tender.
  2. Ten minutes before the squash is done, place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add in the rest of the olive oil. Add in the parsnip noodles and let cook for 5-7 minutes or until cooked through. Transfer the parsnip noodles to a plate.
  3. In same skillet, add in the garlic, sauté for a 2 minutes and add in kale. Let cook until wilted, about 5 minutes and then add in the parsnip noodles and toss.
  4. Divide onto two plates and top with butternut squash, feta (optional) and the red pepper flakes.

Dive in! xx