OhYaGood

Whole Food Lover + Recipe Hacker

Roasted Acorn Squash

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Roasted Acorn SquashFall fare can be so lovely but I think I over due it every year and by Thanksgiving, I’m over it. I watched this Whine About It about Fall—ROFL “Pumpkin is like putting cinnamon on a sandcastle.” Matt Bellassai is pretty hilarious and his points are valid but I still embrace it. I won’t be drinking rum and cider—–yet, but I’m using a lot of this autumnal vegetable, acorn squash. It’s so warming on my belly. I love it and so do my girls.

If I could eat cheese, I’d top this with some pungent blue cheese or gorgonzola. If only..

Here’s a quick tip. Partially cook the squash in the microwave before roasting it in the oven to save some time. With this recipe, it saves about a half hour of cook time.

Roasted Acorn Squash
 
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Recipe type: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2-4
Ingredients
  • 1 acorn squash, cut length-wise and seeds removed
  • 1 T of pecans, chopped
  • 1 T of pomegranate seeds
  • coconut oil
  • maple syrup
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F
  2. Rub each half of the squash with coconut oil
  3. Place the squash on a microwave safe plate, face up and cook for 10 minutes
  4. Transfer the hot squash to an aluminum pan, face up
  5. Add more coconut oil and the pecans to each half
  6. Roast in the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes
  7. Dress with pomegranate seeds
  8. Drizzle with maple syrup

 

Chicken Sausage Salad

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chicken_sausage_saladI’m usually the person that brings a salad to pot luck functions because so many salads have cheese on them which means I’m S.O.L. There’s a basic equation when thinking about a salad I heard years ago that I try to follow.

1) Start with your base green or filler

2) Add some protein

3) Add something salty or crunchy

4) Finish with something sweet or tangy

This delicious tangy salad follows that equation and it’s super easy to put together. Aidell’s Chicken Sausage makes it extra easy because it’s already cooked. All you have to do is heat it up.

Chicken Sausage Salad
 
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Recipe type: Salad
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 2 chicken apple sausages
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 2 granny smith apples, diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, diced
  • ½ cup walnut pieces
  • 1 T hemp seeds
  • 1 T olive oil
  • ½ T apple cider vinegar
Instructions
  1. Cook sausages per package instructions, I prefer to pan fry or grill.
  2. Slice the sausages.
  3. Toss with the spinach, apples, onion and walnuts.
  4. Dress with olive oil and vinegar.
  5. Garnish with hemp seeds.

 

Beanless Chili

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Beanless_Chili

The minute the weather cools, I make a batch of chili. My recipe for years, that has even won me a chili cook-off or two (oh ya!) was in need of an upgrade. I wanted to incorporate more veggies into it, omit the beer, minimize the sugar and try it without beans. Sounds like I would be ruining it however, the results were outstanding! I didn’t even miss the beans but I could see adding them in again when I can tolerate them. What I did miss were leftovers. Hermpf.

Beanless Chili
 
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Recipe type: Soup
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 1 lb of sirloin steak, cubed
  • 1 lb of ground beef
  • 1 med onion, diced
  • 1 large carrot, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 red, yellow or orange pepper, seeded and diced
  • 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes with garlic (or you can add garlic separately)
  • 1 c dark roast coffee
  • 1½ c broth (beef, chicken, veg or bone)
  • ⅛ c maple syrup
  • 1 T molasses
  • 3½ T chili powder
  • 1 T cumin seeds
  • 1 T unsweetened cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • (optional) 1 t cayenne pepper
  • (optional) 1 fresh hot chili, such as serano, padron, etc. seeded and minced
Instructions
  1. Heat oil in a dutch oven or large pan over medium heat.
  2. Add sirloin to the pan, spaced out and carefully not to overcook.
  3. Remove from pan into a separate bowl.
  4. Add a sprinkle of cumin to toast for a minute.
  5. Add onion, carrots, celery, sweet pepper and hot pepper if using to the pan.
  6. Once softened, add the ground beef.
  7. Brown the beef and add the tomato paste and cook for a minute.
  8. Add ½ c broth to deglaze the pan.
  9. Add the sirloin back, canned tomatoes, coffee, remainder of the broth, maple syrup, molasses, chili powder, cumin, cocoa, oregano, coriander and salt.
  10. Let simmer on low for at least an hour. Stir occasionally.
  11. Garnish with avocado, cilantro, tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, whatever sounds good.

 

Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf

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Chocolate_Pumpkin_LoafIn honor of National Kale Day, I’m not posting anything kale. Heck, it was our 8th anniversary yesterday so there was cause for chocolate and celebration in our house. I read a great quote recently by Oprah “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate” Wouldn’t it be fun if we celebrated even small victories everyday? I like that idea. I think that’s why I like making birthdays such a big deal. Why not?! We are here. We are living. Let’s celebrate. Just not with Kale.

This recipe is derived from Post Punk Kitchen’s Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf. I just tweaked a few ingredients to make it not so sweet and gluten free.

Chocolate Pumpkin Loaf
 
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Recipe type: Bread
Cuisine: America
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil (or canola oil)
  • ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons boiling water, divided
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1½ cups gluten free, all purpose flour (I used King Arthur's)
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ¾ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup chocolate chips
  • sea salt
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease an 8 inch loaf pan.
  2. Put applesauce, coconut oil and cocoa powder in a mixing bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, spices, baking soda and salt.
  4. Measure out ⅓ cup boiling water and pour into the bowl with the chocolate mixture, mixing quickly to make a smooth chocolate sauce.
  5. Add pumpkin, sugar and vanilla and mix well.
  6. Dump about half of the flour mixture into the chocolate mixture and gently stir just to incorporate, then measure out 1 tablespoon of boiling water and stir again.
  7. Now add the rest of the flour mixture and another tablespoon of boiling water and stir just until smooth. Do not to overmix.
  8. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  9. Spoon the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
  10. Bake for 55 minutes to an hour.
  11. Let cool for 10 minutes, then invert pan and place loaf on a cooling rack to cool most of the way.

 

Beet Smoothie Bowl

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Beet_Smoothie_BowlThis was my most popular post while doing the Whole30. I guess it’s been a bit of a craze on IG and I think it’s also quite pretty. When I began Whole30 I had just quite coffee cold turkey. My stomach always felt unsettled after I drank it and I had an occasional arrhythmia from it. Obviously my body was trying to tell me something. So if I wanted my guts and my nervous system to be back to normal, I’d need to go back to drinking coffee as a treat. Sure I missed the warm drink and substituted with green tea but what I really missed was that little teaspoon of sugar I would add to it. Morning smoothies have helped that craving. Smoothie bowls, well they are like eating cereal without the grains and surprisingly filling too.

Beet Smoothie Bowl
 
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Recipe type: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Serves: 1
Ingredients
  • SMOOTHIE
  • 1 large beet (frozen or fresh, Trader Joes has packaged versions in their produce section)
  • ½ frozen berry mix (I like Trader Joes)
  • 1 celery stick
  • 2 kale leaves, stems removed
  • ½ c. carrot orange juice (no sugar added)
  • ¼ c. water
  • TOPPINGS
  • Pecan pieces
  • Pistachios
  • 2-4 Mint leaves
  • 1 T chia seeds
Instructions
  1. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend
  2. Sprinkle with toppings

 

Cauliflower “Rice”

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Cauliflower Rice

Did you know if you plug your left nostril and breathe in through the right and exhale through the left for about 10 long breathes you will instantly feel energized? I’m not even joking. Try it and tell me it doesn’t work. I just did it myself because I was feeling very unmotivated to do anything after a long morning.

Now back to the food part. This is my new favorite side dish. It’s what I would consider pretty quick to prepare and even quicker to cook. Plus, I love that I can make different variations like coconut rice, lime cilantro rice, or fried rice. (recipes to come) For now, try this one out and enjoy it with whatever main dish you’re hearts desire. Bonus, my kids haven’t even noticed it’s not really rice.

Cauliflower "Rice"
 
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Recipe type: Side Dish
Cuisine: Paleo
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • medium head of Cauliflower, cut into small florets
  • 2 Tablespoons of coconut oil or your fat of choice
  • 1 small onion or shallot, diced
  • 1 wedge of lemon
  • salt and pepper
Instructions
  1. Place the cauliflower in the food processor or blender and pulse till it's in rice like pieces.
  2. Heat oil in a sauté pan to medium heat and add the onion.
  3. Cook until translucent, about 5 minutes
  4. Add cauliflower pieces and sauté for about 5 minutes on medium heat.
  5. Cover with a lid and allow to cook for 5-7 minutes or desired doneness.
  6. Squeeze lemon over rice, salt and pepper.

 

 

Green Chicken Salad

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Green_Chicken_Salad

Some people hate leftovers. I am not one of those people. I LOVE leftovers. Mostly because clean up is minimal and I’m lazy. The ultimate leftover in our house has always been rotisserie chicken. There’s so much you can do with already cooked chicken but my favorite is chicken salad. I’ve made it numerous ways but this is one is super easy and delicious with ingredients I usually have stocked. I used cucumbers as a vehicle but you can use bread, lettuce, whatever your hearts desire (or stomachs can handle.)

If you’re doing whole30 or eating paleo, you can omit the mayo for just oil and vinegar or make your own paleo mayo. It took me a few attempts to make it but I did get it to work. Not as satisfying as I’d hoped.

Green Chicken Salad
 
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Recipe type: Salad
Cuisine: American
Serves: 2-3
Ingredients
  • ¼ leftover rotisserie chicken, picked apart
  • ⅛ cup mayo
  • ½ avocado, diced
  • ¼ cup slivered almonds
  • ½ cup green grapes, sliced
  • 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
  1. Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix.

 

Coconut Bars

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coconutbars

I am most certainly a human with very human needs. Chocolate is one of those very human needs. After finding out I was lactose intolerant many moons ago, I was forced to get creative with baked goods and sweets. And while I may have gone over board from time to time (I have Isa Chandra’s Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar to thank for that), I think I’ve finally maintained a healthy amount of indulgences.

I’ve been following pretendhealthfreak’s drool-worthy Instagram for a few months and came upon her recipe for Bountylicious Slice. This coconut bar recipe derives from hers. Mine is VERY similar because her’s is that good, but I did make some alterations.

 

Coconut Bars
 
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Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Serves: 16 squares
Ingredients
  • BASE
  • 2 Medjool dates, soaked in water for 30 minutes
  • ½ cup pecan meal
  • ½ cup coconut flour
  • 2 T coconut oil
  • 1 T cocoa
  • 1 T coconut cream
  • COCONUT LAYER
  • 1½ c shredded coconut
  • 1½ T coconut milk
  • 1 T coconut oil
  • 1 T brown rice syrup
  • TOPPING
  • 3 T coconut oil
  • 2 T brown rice syrup
  • 1 T cocoa powder
  • ½ T coconut butter
  • Sea Salt
Instructions
  1. Line square pan with parchment
  2. Combine base ingredients and press into pan
  3. Refridgerate for 30+ minutes
  4. Mix coconut layer together and spread on top of layer
  5. Freeze for 30+ minutes
  6. Combine topping ingedients and pour over coconut layer
  7. Sprinkle with sea salt
  8. Freeze for 30+ minutes
  9. Cut into squares

 

Sweet Potato Hash

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SweetPotHashBreakfast for dinner is a big hit in our house. I love it because I usually have everything I need to make it so it’s a quick go-to when I don’t have a plan. Like tonight, for instance.

I’ve made this for a few crowds even before eating paleo and it’s always been a hit. A few things I will note about this recipe, it’s way easier if you have a food processor or a Ninja Prep (which is like a a combination of a blender and processor), otherwise you’ll be grating potatoes for days.  Did every cook back in the day have carpal tunnel? Oh, it’s also fairly rich dish so I’d recommend pairing it with a salad, some fruit or a cold breakfast beer to balance out the heaviness.

Sweet Potato Hash
 
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Recipe type: Brunch, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 5 sweet potatoes, peeled and halved to fit in processor
  • 4-6 slices of bacon
  • 1 clove of garlic or shallot, minced
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
  1. Preheat over to 350°F
  2. Process the sweet potatoes into small rice like size.
  3. Spread contents onto a baking sheet with a lip, lightly salt and place in the oven for 15-20 minutes
  4. While they are baking, render your bacon in a large pan big enough to hold the sweet potatoes too.
  5. Once the bacon is almost to your liking approximately 10-15 minuets, remove from the pan and set aside the bacon.
  6. Add the garlic to the bacon grease pan and cook for 2 minutes.
  7. Remove the baked sweet potatoes from the oven and add to the garlic and bacon grease.
  8. Cook the potatoes till they get lightly browned and crispy. More fat might be needed.
  9. Cut up the bacon and mix in with the potatoes.
  10. Serve the potatoes with a poached or fried egg on top, sliced avocado and green onion.

 

Carribean Cabbage Salad

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CarribeanCabbageSalad

Sometimes you just want to eat like you’re on an island somewhere. At least us Minnesotans do. As much as I don’t like to admit it, food gives me so much comfort. Probably something I need to deal with down the road but for now, I’m going to just enjoy these delicious flavors and pretend it’s not going to be cold soon. Denial? Maybe but I like to think of it as manifestation?

The key to this salad is fresh ingredients. Except for the Trader Joes frozen mango. That is purely for convenience and because I’m terrible at peeling and cutting up slippery mangos. I’ve also used pineapple in place of mango in the past.

Carribean Cabbage Salad
 
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Recipe type: Salad
Cuisine: Caribean
Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • Cooked Shrimp (6-12)
  • ¼ medium red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • Juice one lime and grated zest
  • One avocado, diced
  • ¼ cup diced mango (I love Trader Joes frozen mango)
  • half a yellow pepper, julienned
  • a handful of fresh cilantro
  • ¼ cup macadamia nuts, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons red onion, finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon full fat coconut milk
Instructions
  1. Cook shrimp in a sauté pan with oil of your choice or grill it.
  2. Add cabbage and onion to bowl and dress with lime juice. While that's marinating, cut up remaining vegetables, fruit and nuts.
  3. Add to the bowl.
  4. Whisk white wine vinegar, coconut milk and zest. Dress the salad.
  5. Salt and pepper and extra lime juice to your liking.