Blueberry Banana Smoothie

3 cups frozen blueberries

2 bananas

1 cup (gluten free) old fashioned oats

1 cup milk

1 tsp honey (optional)

Blend all ingredients together in blender. 

Makes 4 servings. 

Optional: Can add toppings such as chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, granola, chopped walnuts, sliced almonds, goji berries, honey drizzle, sliced fruit, etc.

Green Beans with Cherry Tomato Marinara

 What a yummy recipe from With Food and Love !  Definitely a keeper.

Ingredients:

- 1 quart cherry tomatoes, chopped or halved

- 2 cups of green beans

- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

- 2-3 closed of garlic, chopped

- 1/2 large white onion, chopped

- 1 Tbsp oregano 

- 1 giant handful of fresh basil leaves, rinsed and chopped

- 1/2 cup filtered water

- a few pinches of sea salt

- coarse ground pepper, to taste

Directions:

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on low.  Add in the garlic and onions.  Cook for about 3 minutes.  Add in cherry tomatoes and oregano with a pinch of sea salt and pepper. Cover and simmer on low for 15 minutes.  Check in on the tomatoes and give them an occasional stir.

While the tomatoes are simmering, prep your green beans.  Snip the ends off and them cut the bean in half, lengthwise.  The beans have a natural seam, it's easiest to run your knife along that.

After the tomatoes have simmered for a bit, add in the water, fresh basil, and green beans.  Turn heat up to medium, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring once about half-way through.  Your bean "pasta" will be al dente. 

Creamy Spinach Spaghetti

Ya'll this is an incredibly delicious recipe!  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

 1 box of gluten free noodles

2 Tbsp olive oil

2-3 cloves of garlic (can omit if your sauce has garlic already)

1-2 handfuls of spinach, washed, dried

Jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce (I used Mids Three Cheese)

2 oz of cream cheese

Directions:

1. In pot, boil water and cook your choice of noodles for the amount of time on the box.

2. In a skillet heat olive oil and garlic for 2-3 minutes. 

3. Add spinach.  Cook until it looks wilted.  Optional: scoop onto cutting board and cut into smaller pieces.

4. Add sauce and cream cheese.  Stir over heat until well mixed.

5. Add noodles and enjoy!!!

Homemade Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Brownies

 Super yummy brownie from scratch!  I found this recipe on Pinterest from Texanerin and it makes delicious brownies.  Here's my version of what I used from her recipe to make them.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

*1 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour

*3/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted

*1/4 tsp salt

*3/4 cup + 2 Tbsp olive oil

*1 1/2 cups raw sugar

*1 Tbsp vanilla extract

*3 large eggs, room temperature

*3/4 cup Enjoy Life Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and oil the bottom (or line with parchment paper) 8x8 pan.

2. In small mixing bowl, stir flour, cocoa powder, and salt together. Set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oil, sugar, and vanilla extract.  Add the eggs one at a time and stir until well combined.

4. Add the dry mixture slowly and stir together.  Be sure not to over mix the batter!  Fold in the chocolate chips.

5. Pour batter into the prepared pan.  Baking depends on your flour used, so I started at 25 minutes and added minutes as needed until center came out done.

Enjoy!

Blueberry Muffins (Bob Red Mill Recipe)

 I'm going to share a delicious recipe that my family loves for homemade blueberry muffins.  I got it off a bag of Bob Red Mill's Gluten Free 1:1 Flour and have attached the link here.  I do recommend using fresh blueberries, if possible, for a melt in your mouth taste, but I have used frozen and it still tastes good.

Ingredients:

2 cups Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1:1 Baking Flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

1 1/4 cups plus 1 Tbsp sugar, divided

2 large eggs

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (NOTE: you will need to reduce heat to 375 degrees F once muffins are placed in oven - mentioned later after recipe is prepared).  Grease a muffin pan with nonstick spray or line with baking cups.  

Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar until light and fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl often.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Add half the flour mixture and beat until just blended. Beat in buttermilk, then addd remaining flour mixture and beat until blended.  Gently fold the blueberries into the batter.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan.  Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.  Place pan in oven and IMMEDIATELY REDUCE HEAT TO 375 DEGREES F. Bake for 30 minutes or until muffins are golden brown.  Cool in pan for 5 minutes.  Move to wire rack to cool completely.  

Makes 12 muffins. Enjoy!

P.S. This is an easy recipe to double and make 24 muffins to share some with others!

Homemade Chicken Soup

All Ingredients:

*whole chicken

*3-4 - 32 oz. low sodium chicken broth

*1 Tbsp minced garlic

*3 medium sweet onions, chopped

*1 bag of carrots, peeled and diced

*1 bag of celery, chopped

*1 tsp thyme

*3 bay leaves

*zucchini, for zoodles -- or gf soup noodles of your choice

Step 1:

*whole chicken

*3 or 4 - 32 oz. low sodium chicken broth

*1 Tbsp minced garlic

*1 tsp thyme

*3 bay leaves

Take whole chicken and rinse well.  Soak in mixing bowl using 1/4 c white vinegar and fill the rest of bowl with water to cover chicken for 30 minutes. 

After soaking rinse well and place in medium stockpot with chicken broth.  Make sure chicken is covered by broth, if not, add water until it's covered.  Add minced garlic.  Bring to low rolling boil.  Cover stockpot and cook for 45 min- 1 hour.  While soup is cooking begin chopping onions, carrots, and celery. 

When soup is done, check meat to see if white on inside, should pull apart easy.  Once chicken is cooked, remove and place in separate bowl.  

Step 2:

*2 Tbsp olive oil

*3 medium onions, chopped

*1 bag of carrots, diced

*1 bag of celery, chopped

*1 medium zucchini

*salt

*white pepper

In a different stockpot heat 2 Tbsp olive oil and sauté onions on low heat until transparent (about 10 minutes).  Add diced carrots and celery to stockpot. Continue to cook for another 5 or so minutes to release the flavor.  

Strain broth from initial stockpot into vegetables. Cook for 30 minutes on rolling boil.  

Step 3:

While vegetables are cooking, debone and shred chicken.  Take zucchini and spiral to create zoodles, keep separate from soup so it won't be soggy.

Step 4:

When soup is done, in a bowl place handful of shredded chicken, some zoodles, topped with soup.  Enjoy!

Note: One reason we keep the chicken separate is our leftovers become chicken tacos the following night so the kids love when I cook chicken soup now because it always means tacos soon to follow! 

Cinnamon Raisin Apple Bread

This is a yummy recipe I found on the back of Woodstock Organic Pure Cane Sugar bag and I substituted the flour it called for for gluten free flour.  Worked perfectly!  Enjoy! 

Ingredients:

2 cups gf Bob Red Mill 1:1 flour

1 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup applesauce

2 beaten eggs

1/2 cup cooking oil

1/4 cup milk

1 cup raisins (can substitute dried cherries or dried cranberries)

Directions:

Grease 9"x5"x3" loaf pan*; set aside.  In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  In another mixing bowl, combine applesauce, eggs, oil, and milk.  Add egg mixture to flour mixture; stir just until combined.  Stir in raisins.  Pour batter into prepared pan.

Bake 325 degrees F for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted neat the center comes out clean.  Cool in pan for about 10 minutes.  Remove bread from pan completely and cool on a rack.  Wrap and store overnight before slicing.

*Note: I used 5.75"x3"x2.12" pan found here and baked on 325 degrees F for 35-45 minutes.

Grandma Alexander's Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

-box of gf noodles or zoodles or spaghetti squash

-5 Tbsp butter

-1/3 cup gf flour, sifted

-4 cups milk

-1/2 tsp paprika 

-1/2 tsp ground mustard

-1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

-1/2 tsp salt

-1/2 tsp pepper

-2 1/2 cups shredded cheese (mild, sharp, Colby, 3 cheese, Colby Jack, whatever combination you'd like), divided

Instructions:

1. Set out 9x13 in baking pan.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Cook gf noodles according to box.  

    For zoodles, don't cook just spiral and add to 9x13 pan.

    For spaghetti squash instructions, click HERE for cooking instructions.

3. Place large saucepan over medium low heat.  Melt butter. Slowly whisk in sifted flour.  Slowly add milk and whisk continuously, making sure no lumps form.

4. Whisk in paprika, ground mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.  Bring to boil while stirring.

5. When hot, remove from heat and add 2 cups of cheese.  Mix well until melted.  Pour over noodles in 9x13 pan and mix well.  Cover with remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.

6. Bake 10-15 minutes until melted.  Enjoy!

Zucchini Pizza Boats

Ingredients:

-4 zucchinis (or one per person in family), washed and halved

-spaghetti sauce (try out this Homemade Tomato Sauce )

-mozzarella cheese

- any toppings, i.e. pepperoni, sausage, pineapple, etc

-watermelon scoop or spoon

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Wash, cut zucchini in half, and using watermelon scoop or spoon, scoop out the middle making sure NOT to go all the way to the end of each side of the zucchini half (see pic above).  

3. Place on baking pan lined with parchment paper.

4. Fill each with sauce, cheese, and toppings.

5. Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Enjoy!

Mine devoured happily! 

Homemade Chocolate Syrup

Ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup maple syrup

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup water

1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Whisk cocoa powder, maple syrup, and salt together in small bowl.  In medium saucepan add water and vanilla on medium heat.  Slowly whisk in cocoa mixture until smooth.

2. Bring mixture to low boil.  Stir continuously for 5 minutes or until thickened.  Syrup will thicken further once cooled. 

3. Pour into storage container and cool completely before refrigerating.  Keep for up to 3 months.

Homemade Tomato Sauce

I found this recipe on Pinterest (here's the link: https://spaceshipsandlaserbeams.com/how-to-make-homemade-tomato-sauce/ ) and it's soooooooo yummy that I added it to my recipe collection here.

Here's a link if you need to know how to blanch tomatoes that I used:

Blanching Tomatoes

Ingredients:

-12-15 fresh tomatoes, blanched and blended or chopped  (can use 3-4 cans of crushed tomatoes)

-4 cloves of garlic, chopped or pressed

-1 onion, chopped

-4-6 Tbsp fresh basil OR 1-2 Tbsp dried basil

-1 1/2 tsp black pepper

-1 Tbsp sugar (optional)

-2 Tbsp olive oil

-1/3 cup Parmesan or Romano cheese, grated

Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a 5+ quart pot over medium heat; add garlic and onion.

2. Sauté for a few minutes until onion is translucent, making sure not to burn the garlic.

3. Add tomatoes (I blended them first), black pepper, basil, and sugar.  Stirring often, bring to a low boil.

4. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 2-3 hours, stirring often.

5. For first half of simmer time leave pot uncovered; cover for last half.

6. Stir in cheese and simmer for an additional 5 minutes or so. 

7.  Let the sauce cool before you fill in containers to store if not eating immediately.  See the top link to to see tips on this recipe for canning and freezing. Enjoy!

Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

My son LOVES this smoothie, can you tell?!?! Haha!

2 frozen bananas

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup milk

2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbsp maple syrup

Ice (as needed)

Add bananas, peanut butter, milk, cocoa powder, and maple syrup in blender or food processor.  Blend on high adding more milk as needed to mix.  If too much liquid was added, simply add ice as needed.  Enjoy!

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

As you can see my daughter adores this smoothie, she has ever since she was a little girl.  

Ingredients:

1-2 frozen bananas

2 cups of frozen whole strawberries

1/2 cup milk (or water; milk makes it creamier-- we have made both ways) 

1 handful of spinach (optional)

Add ingredients to blender or food processor.  Mix on high.  Adding more milk/water as needed to help blend.  Enjoy! 

Whipped Iced Coffee

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp Instant Coffee

2 Tbsp Sugar

2 Tbsp Hot Water, boiling

Stir together instant coffee and sugar in small bowl. Add hot water and using hand mixer (can use whisk however will take longer), mix until coffee comes to a peak when you lift.  Add to the top of milk and stir together. Add ice. Enjoy!

Homemade Strawberry Jam

Ingredients:

2 lbs (about 4 cups) fresh strawberries, hulled or (16 oz frozen)

1 cup sugar

1 medium lemon (about 3 Tbsp), squeezed and drained

potato masher

Combine ingredients in saucepan over medium heat.  Bring to a rolling boil.  Continue for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Using a potato masher, mash the strawberries well. Pour into mason jars and cool before putting into refrigerator.  Keep refrigerated for 4 weeks or freeze to use later.  Enjoy!

Homemade Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

5 pounds of Russet or Gold potatoes, peeled and diced

1/2 cup butter, divided

8 oz cream cheese

8 oz sour cream

1/2 cup milk

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions:

1. Add peeled and diced potatoes to a pot and cover with water.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and allow to simmer for 20-25 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.  Drain potatoes and return to pot.

2. On low heat, add 5 tbsp. butter and the cream cheese to the pot. Begin to mash potatoes with potato masher or mixer.

3. Stir in sour cream.  Slowly add milk until you get the consistency you want.

4. Add salt and pepper.  Keep mashing.  Stir and place in casserole dish to enjoy!

Spinach Dip

Ingredients:

10 oz fresh spinach leaves, rinsed

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup sour cream

1 tsp minced fresh garlic

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 smally diced jalapeno

1 1/2 cups fresh shredded Italian cheese,

chips, crackers, bread, or vegetables or serving

olive oil or cooking spray for pan

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven 375 degrees F.  Coat a casserole dish with oil or cooking spray.

2. Steam or saute the spinach until wilted.  Let it cool and wring out all the excess water. Coarsely chop the spinach.

3.  Stir the softened cream cheese, sour cream, minced garlic, salt, pepper, jalapeno, Italian cheese in a bowl.  Add the chopped spinach and mix well.

4. Spread the mixture into the casserole dish.

5. Bake for 20 minutes or until the dip is bubbly and the cheese is melted.  Turn the oven to broil and cook for 2-3 more minutes or until the cheese starts to brown.  Enjoy!

Homemade Blueberry Compote

This is a topping that's great for breakfast (pancakes or waffles), desserts (ice cream, cheesecakes), or even peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (according to my kids).

Ingredients:

2 cups blueberries (we used frozen)
1/4 cup water (may need to double if using fresh blueberries)
4 tablespoons sugar
1 medium lemon, squeezed and strained
1-2 tsp cornstarch










Instructions:


1. In a medium saucepan, combine blueberries, water, sugar.  Bring to a boil over medium heat.

2. Add the cornstarch to lemon juice and mix well.  Pour into the saucepan and stir well.  Gently boil to reduce liquid for another 5-10 minutes while stirring periodically.  Sauce will thicken more as it cools.

3. Remove from heat.  Pour into a jar to cool.  Enjoy it hot or cooled (it's delicious both ways)!

If you want to enjoy it with Gluten Free Homemade Pancakes, click Here

Gluten Free Homemade Banana Pancakes

Ingredients:


2 cups gluten free flour (I use Bob Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking flour)

2 Tbsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

3 Tbsp sugar

2 large eggs

2 cups milk

1/3 cup olive oil

1 tsp vanilla

2 bananas, mashed

Whisk ingredients together well.  Let it set for 10 minutes.  Cook pancakes on hot griddle or hot frying pan.


NOTE: You can double the recipe and freeze some pancakes for later which has been a lifesaver  for us some weeks.

Toppings: mini chocolate chips, cut up strawberries, bananas, or blueberries, or try my Homemade Blueberry Compote

Homemade GF Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups gf flour (I use Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free 1 to 1 Baking Flour)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, softened (~30 minutes)

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. 

MIX flour, baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt in a small bowl.  Set aside.  In separate bowl, BEAT butter.  Then add sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract to the butter until creamy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.  Slowly add flour mixture and beat until well blended. STIR in chocolate chips, oats, and nuts (if desired).

Scooping with tablespoon, place 2 inches apart onto baking sheets.  Bake for 11-13 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes.  

Makes about 30 cookies.  Enjoy!