Guacamole

Looking for a healthy homemade game day snack? Try my guacamole recipe!  It taste so fresh & takes 10 mins to put together. Your guests will be so impressed!  

Time: 10 mins - serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 2 green chili peppers
• 2 slices of tomat
• 1 slice red onion
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 handful fresh cilantro

Recipe:

1. Cut the avocados in half & scoop the flesh into a bowl. Squeeze the lime juice over it. 
2. Mash the avocado with a fork until almost smooth. 
3. Dice the onion slice, the tomato slices, & the chili peppers, nd roughly chop the cilantro leaves. 
4. Mix all ingredients into the avocado mixture along with the salt.
5. Serve with multigrain tortilla chips & enjoy!

Eggball

Hard-boiled eggs covered in seasoned mashed potatoes & a homemade batter then fried to golden perfection! Try this delicious Guyanese recipe for breakfast, an easy snack, or appetizer.

Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:  

• 6 hard-boiled eggs  
• 2.5 cups vegetable oil for frying  

Potato mixture: 

• 3 potatoes, washed & scrubbed
• 3 cups boiling water
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons ground onion  
• Salt to taste  

Batter:

• 4 tablespoons ground split peas 
• 4 tablespoons all purpose flour  
• 1/2 cup water (or more, added slowly to create batter consistency) 
• Salt to taste

Recipe:

1. Boil potatoes for 15 mins.
2. Mash them in a bowl with all the potato spices above, set aside.
3. Peel the hard-boiled eggs.
4. Use your hands to cover the eggs one by one with the mashed potatoes, creating a large ball.
5. Dip the ball into the batter so it's evenly coated.
6. Place the ball into the hot oil & fry for about 1 minute (or until golden).
7. Place on a paper towel to drain off any excess oil.

Serve with some homemade mango chutney or sauce of your choice!

Homemade Pizza!

Tried an eggless crust! (FYI, it's fantastic). 

Eggless homemade pizza!

Time:  1.5 hours

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 packet fast acting yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons dried oregano 
• Toppings of your choice

Recipe:

1. Mix all dry ingredients together for dough (including garlic powder and 2 tablespoons of the oregano).
2. Slowly add warm water & 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, mix with a wooden spoon to incorporate then knead lightly with your hands (don't over-knead or it'll get hard)
3. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in a dark area for 30 mins to rise
4. Spread crust out onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, you will need to stretch the dough for a little bit with your hands until it stays flat. 
5. Poke holes in the crust with your finger tips. 
6. Sprinkle the top of the crust with the last tablespoon of olive oil and some additional Italian seasonings of your choice (I used the last tablespoon of oregano and another teaspoon of garlic powder because I love garlic!). 
7. If you have a pizza stone, put it in the oven & turn on the oven to 500 degrees. Then, carefully take it out, place the pizza (with toppings) on it & bake for ~8 mins or until done. 
8. If you don't have a pizza stone & are using a cookie sheet lined with foil, sprinkle a little dry flour on top of the foil (or use breadcrumbs). Bake crust alone for 15 mins on 350.
9. Take crust out of the oven, add desired toppings (I used 1/2 bottle of marinara sauce + slices of fresh mozzarella cheese + torn slices of fresh basil leaves.
10. Bake on 350 for ~30 mins or until cheese is melted & crust is cooked through.
11. Enjoy!

Green Curry Soup

Just what you need on a cold night!  Some Thai Green Curry Soup!

Time: 30 - 40 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 pack chicken tenders 
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon fish sauce (optional)
• 3 gloves of chopped garlic
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion (or yellow, I had red on hand)
• 1/4 cup chopped ginger
• 1 head bok choy
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon Thai green curry paste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 or 2 whole green chilies

Recipes:

1. Cut chicken tenders into cubes & tossed them in soy sauce
2. Sautée chicken pieces in olive oil with chopped garlic & chopped onion & chopped fresh ginger
3. When the chicken is browned, added salt, green curry paste, fish sauce & a can of coconut milk
4. Let it simmer 5 mins then add in the bok choy until it's wilted
5. Add chili powder & some fresh chili's to make it more spicy
6. Serve with some cooked basmati rice or add in some noodles and drink it as a soup!

Chicken Corn Dogs

I always try to find corn dogs in the grocery store frozen food section - and they all have beef in them somehow!  Even the ones with chicken have some beef!  Well, I don't eat beef so I decided to make my own corn dogs - with JUST chicken! 

Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 pack chicken hot dogs
• 1.5 cups corn meal
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 large egg
• 1.5 cups vegetable oil
• Skewer sticks for holding and frying corn dogs

Recipe:

1. Heat saucepan with vegetable oil on medium heat
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl (except the hot dogs and vegetable oil, of course)
3. Stick skewers into hot dogs until you have almost reached the top of the hot dog
4. Coat thoroughly in the mixture
5. Dip into hot oil until each corn dog is golden brown - about 2-3 mins
6. Enjoy!

Healthier Birthday Cake Bites

This is a variation of my raw cookie dough bites - but with some chocolate syrup and sprinkles!  Surprise your favorite birthday girl or boy with these delicious homemade Birthday Cake Bites!

Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup rice flour
• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 3 tablespoons agave nectar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup vegan dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup coconut oil + additional 1/4 cup vegan chocolate chips (for the chocolate syrup)
• Sprinkles

Recipe:

1. In a food processor, combine almond butter, rice flour, oats, honey, agave nectar, cinnamon & nutmeg
2. Remove from food processor and fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips
3. Form cookie dough balls
4. Mix coconut oil with additional chocolate chips and melt (using a double boiler or microwave on low heat for 20 seconds)
5. Drizzle the balls with the chocolate syrup mixture, add sprinkles & enjoy!

Serving suggestions:

1. Store in a refrigerator or freezer
2. Add lollipop sticks to create cake pops

Baked Cassava Fries

This recipe originated from me craving fish n chips!  I ended up having no potatoes to make fries, and I was on a "healthy" kick - in comes Baked Cassava Fries with Baked Flounder!

It's amazingly satisfying and very easy to create. 

Time: ~45 mins + time for water to boil

Ingredients:

• 1 cassava

• 1 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

• Salt & pepper to taste

Recipe:

1. Peel & cut cassava 
2. Boil until tender (~ 15 mins)
3. Spread cassava on cookie sheet
4. Drizzle with olive oil, salt & pepper 
5. Bake on 425 for 20 mins
6. Enjoy!

Serving suggestion: 

I made this with a Baked Flounder Fillet:

Time: 20 - 25 mins

Ingredients:

• Flounder fillet
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Salt/Pepper
• Fresh dill (optional)

Recipe:

1. Sprinkle flounder fillet pieces with lemon juice
2. Drizzle the top with olive oil
3. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper
4. Bake on 350 for about 15 mins (or until golden brown)
5. Optional: garnish with some fresh dill!
    

Lamb Burgers

Add these burgers to a sandwich or use them without bread for a simple scrumptious lunch salad!   

Time:  30 mins

Ingredients:

• 1 pack ground lamb (~2 lbs)
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or more if you like things garlicky)
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 1.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dark chili powder  
• Salt/pepper to taste

Recipe:

1. Mix all the above ingredients together in a medium bowl.
2. Form burger shapes with your hands - you will need to push a little dent in the middle of each patty with your thumb, so they cook evenly as a patty and don't have a mountain in the middle when they're on the grill.
3. Grill or pan-sear the burgers for about 3 mins on each side or until rare to your liking.
4. Enjoy!

Pear Pie

Put this on your holiday dessert list!  

Time: about 1.5 hours total

Ingredients:

• 2 Pears
• 2 sticks of unsalted butter or margarine (1 stick = 1/2 cup)
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons of salt
• 3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon of ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon of ground ginger

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 425° F
2. In a food processor, pulse 1 stick of cold butter (cut into cubes) with 1 cup all purpose flour & 1 teaspoon salt until dough forms (you will likely have to finish forming dough with your hands after you take it out of the food processor).
3. Roll dough out with a rolling pin so that it's wide enough to cover the bottom of your round pie pan, and have room to press up the sides of the pan (like a crust).
4. Press dough into the bottom of the pan and around the sides, ensure all around the pan is coated with the crust. 
5. This step is optional:  I sprinkled some ground cinnamon into the pie crust so that it's a little more flavorful.  I fully believe in cinnamon.... on everything.
6. Bake crust alone for about 20 mins or until slightly browned.  
7. Filling: Slice pears very thin (I used a mandoline slicer, but you can just do this with a utility/paring knife). Remove any seeds.
8. In a medium bowl, coat sliced pears with brown sugar, remaining ground cinnamon, gloves, and ginger.  Add a little salt if you'd like. 
9. Remove bottom crust from the oven and fill it with the above mixture.
10. Top crust:  Repeat steps 2-4.   Roll dough out over the pie filling with your hands (to cover the pie) and gently tuck in the corners using the excess dough (you may have to pinch a little to ensure that the top crust stays on!)
11. Cut two slits on the top so the filling has room to breathe
    TIP:  wiggle your knife so the slits are a little wide, since the dough will expand a little as it cooks.
12. Put pie into the oven first, then lower the degrees to 350° F and bake for about an hour or until the top crust is golden brown! 
13. Enjoy!

Bowtie Pasta Salad

Simple lunch recipe bursting with flavor!

Time: 30 mins + time for water to boil

Ingredients:

• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 cup farfalle (bowtie) pasta (from a box, dried)
• 1/4 cup sliced black olives
• 1/4 cup diced cucumbers (peeled)
• 1/4 cup asiago cheese cubes
• 1/4 cup grape/cherry tomatoes (or as many as you like)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Bunch of fresh or dried basil leaves (if fresh, break them apart to smaller, bite-sized pieces)
• Bunch of fresh cilantro leaves 
• Salt/Pepper to taste

Recipe:

1. Boil water with about 2 teaspoons of salt
2. Add pasta and cook until al dente (not mushy but cooked through)
3. While the pasta is cooking, mix all other ingredients together in a bowl (except the salt, pepper, and cilantro) - the olive oil will help incorporate everything. 
4. Strain pasta and it to the bowl of mixed ingredients
5. Sprinkle salt/pepper and fresh cilantro if desired.
6. Enjoy!

Truffle Oil Veggie Burger with Homemade Fries

Disclaimer: the burger is not homemade - it's Gardenburger brand (I'll post a homemade veggie burger recipe soon!) but this twist on your typical burger & fries is decadent and EASY!  Thanks to this recipe, I'm obsessed with truffle oil! 

Time:  ~30 mins to depending on if your toppings are pre-sliced.

Ingredients:

• 2 Gardenburger brand veggie burgers (original or flavored, I used original)
• 2 Sesame buns
• 1 tablespoon truffle oil
• 2 slices of pepper-jack cheese (or cheese of your choice)
• Toppings of your choice, I used:
• Baby argula
• Sliced grape tomatoes
• Sliced pepperoncinis
• Salt/pepper to taste

Recipe:

1. Grill burger patties (I used a stovetop grill, you can pan-sear them)
2. When the burgers are almost done, add sliced pepper-jack cheese and allow it to melt before removing from the grill. 
3. Brush truffle oil on all sides of the bread, and lightly toast them.
4. Place burgers on buns, layer with your toppings. 
5. Enjoy!

Homemade Fries

Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

• 2 potatoes, washed and patted dry
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• Salt/pepper to taste

Recipe:

1. Slice potatoes on a mandoline with the skinny blades (TIP: slice them long-ways so they look like fries!)  You can use a knife to cut the potatoes, just ensure that they are thin pieces so they cook fast and crispy.
2. Heat oil to medium ~350 and fry the potato slices until almost golden, but just cooked through
3. Strain potatoes out of the pot, let them sit to cool as you fry more.  
4. After about 10 mins, put the fries back in the fryer and raise the heat to medium-high.  The fries will be golden and crispy on the outside, but amazingly soft and delicious on the inside! 
5. Toss with salt and black pepper if desired - you can also add some grate Parmesan cheese if you're feeling adventurous!
6. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Scones

Time:  1.5 hours

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour (or more, as needed)
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 3/4 cup granulated white sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of the following:
  • salt
  • ground cinnamon
  • ground nutmeg
  • ground cloves
  • ground ginger
• 1 cup canned pure (unsweetened) pumpkin
• 1 tablespoon applesauce
• 6 tablespoons cold butter, cut into cubes

White Glaze:

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon milk (I used fat-free lactaid)

Spiced Icing:

• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons milk (I used fat-free lactaid) (any kind)
• 1/4 teaspoon of the following:
  • ground cinnamon
  • ground nutmeg
  • ground ginger
  • ground cloves 

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Lightly dust the top with flour.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients for the scones.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin and apple sauce.
4. Use a pastry cutter or two knives to cut butter into the dry ingredients. Continue cutting until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. (You can also use a food processor for this step).
5. Fold wet ingredients into dry ingredients, then form the dough into a ball. The dough will be wet, but if it seems super sticky, go ahead and sprinkle a little more flour into the dough until it's easier to handle (you'll be working in 1/4 to 1/2 cup additional flour to get the right consistency).
6. Pat out dough onto the lightly floured baking sheet and form it into a 1-inch thick circle. Use a large knife or a pizza cutter to slice the dough three times through, making 6 equal squares. Gently pull them apart.
7. Bake 14 to 16 minutes on prepared baking sheet. Scones should begin to turn light brown.
8. While scones are cooling, prepare plain glaze by whisking ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix until smooth.
9. When scones are cool, use a brush to paint a coating of the glaze over the top of each scone.  Let this glaze cool completely until firm.
10. Prepare spiced icing by whisking the ingredients in another medium bowl until smooth. Drizzle this thicker icing over each scone.
11. Enjoy!

Spicy Fried Chicken

Watch out Popeyes!  This recipe is amazingly easy and delicious!!

Time: ~ 1 hour total

Ingredients:

• Your choice of chicken pieces (I used thighs)
• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon of garlic salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon mrs dash seasoning (without salt)
• 2 tablespoons chilli powder
• 2 egg yolks  
• 1/4 cup beer or dark lager of your choice  
• Vegetable oil for frying 
• 2 tablespoons Crisco

1. In one medium bowl, mix together 2 cups of flour, a tablespoon of garlic salt, 1 tablespoon black pepper, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon mrs dash seasoning (without salt), about 2 tablespoons chilli powder (less if you don't want it as spicy).
2. In a separate bowl, stir together 1 cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 2 egg yolks and 1/4 cup of dark lager/beer of choice. You may need to thin with additional beer if the batter is too thick.
3. Heat enough oil to cover the chicken, depending on what parts of chicken you're using this will vary (I used chicken thighs, about 2 cups of vegetable oil & 2 tablespoons of crisco) - let heat until oil is at 350 degrees.
4. Moisten each piece of chicken with a little water, then dip in the dry mix. Shake off excess and dip in the wet mix, then dip in the dry mix again.
5. Carefully place the chicken pieces in the hot oil. Fry for 15 to 18 minutes, or until well browned. Smaller pieces will not take as long. Large pieces may take longer. Remove and drain oil before eating.
6. ENJOY!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Time: ~30- 45 mins

Ingredients:

• Pumpkin seeds- washed thoroughly
• salt/pepper
• other desired spices

Recipe:

1. If using a real pumpkin like I did, wash seeds & dry for 30 mins on a paper towel
2. Toss with desired seasoning (I used chili powder, salt, pepper)
3. Roast in a 275 degree oven for 1 hour (or until crispy and golden brown)

Zucchini Bread

Simply DELISH way to use leftover zucchini!

Time: 1.5 hours  

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons apple sauce

• 1 cup vegetable oil

• 1 cup white sugar

• 1 cup brown sugar

• 2 cups grated zucchini

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 cup whole wheat flour

• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. 
2. Grease your loaf pan with cooking spray and lightly dust with flour.
3. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light and frothy.
4. Mix in oil and sugar.
5. Stir in zucchini and vanilla.
6. Combine flour, cinnamon, soda, baking powder, salt and nuts; stir into the egg mixture.
7. Pour batter into pan, top with walnuts lining the middle for a design (optional).
8. Bake for 60 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean!

Roasted Eggplant Flatbread Pizza

Really quick, delicious, vegetarian dinner! 

Ingredients:

• 1 Eggplant
  
• Olive oil (about 4 tablespoons or more as needed)
  
• About 1/4 cup feta cheese
  
• About 6-8 fresh mint leaves
  
• Salt/Pepper
  

Recipe:

1. Cut the eggplant into cubes (peeled first) then roast until golden brown (low broil)
   
2. Bake the multigrain flatbread for 10 mins on 350 degrees
   
3. Grind half the eggplant chunks in the food processor with 2 tablespoons olive oil
   
4. Spread ground eggplant mixture on multigrain flatbread
   
5. Top with the remaining eggplant pieces, feta cheese & mint leaves
   
6. Sprinkle more olive oil, salt & black pepper & broil for 5 mins
   
7. Enjoy!
   

Soft-boiled eggs, Avocado, Pumpernickel Toast

Quick, hearty breakfast! 

Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• two slices of pumpernickel bread
• 1 avocado
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• salt/pepper as desired

Recipe:

1. Soft-boil the eggs (add them to boiling water for 5-7 mins)
2. Lightly toast the pumpernickel toast
3. Mix avocado in a bowl with lime juice, paprika, salt and pepper 
4. Spread avocado mixture on toast
5. Strain and peal shell off the eggs - cut in half and lay on the avocado mixture open-faced
6. Enjoy!