Category Archives: Lunch

Ricotta Cheese Apples Canapés

This is a great an fancy dessert that served cold is a great ending to any meal and is low carb. With apple season in full swing its time to get creative!

Ingredients:

1 Cup Ricotta

2 Tbs Rose Water or 2 tsp Vanilla

3 Tbs Powder Sugar

1 Lemon

2 Green Apples

1/3 Cub Crushed Nuts

Start by mixing cheese, rose water, sugar, nuts and zest of lemon. Slice apples in to round removing any seeds. Cover each piece of apple with lemon juice. Chill everything and serve with apple being the base and placing a large spoon of cheese on top. Garnish with extra nuts.

20130911-070843.jpg

Guilt Free Blue Cheese

I have recently learned that blue cheese is something that not everyone likes but I grew up loving it from a young age. I can’t think of anything better then blue cheese dressing when enjoy a big plate of chicken wings. But unfortunately blue cheese dressing is always hit in fat, calories and sometimes not gluten free. My version is just as good, if not better, but slimmed down.

Ingredients:

3 oz Crumbled Good Blue Cheese

2/3 Cup Greek Yogurt

1 Tbs Wine Wine Vinegar

Salt and Pepper to Taste

Mix everything together well. Consistency depends on presence. If you want it smooth mix and mash well. I prefer lumpy so I just combine everything and leave it alone. Allow flavor to come together in the fridge for at least an hour. Serve with veggies, on salad or with wings.

20130906-143420.jpg

20130906-143443.jpg

Canapés

I am always looking for fun ideas for simple entertaining. I always say that finger foods are the hardest to find gf. But with a gluten free baguette on hand it’s easy. I like Sweet Christine Baguette the best. They ship frozen and can keep for 9 months. Crispy outside and soft inside. My recipe below is just one of many easy ideas but you can great creative with this.

Ingredients:
3 oz Lox or any smoked salmon
8 oz whipped cream cheese
20 Chives cut into 1/2 inch strips
1 baguette

Start by cutting baguette into small rounds an laying out on plate. Then place about 1 Tbs of cream cheese on one half on each slice. Top the cream cheese with and small piece of lox gently placed on top. Finally slide two pieces of the chives between lox and cream cheese. Enjoy!

Another great alternative is goat cheese and orange marmalade.

20130901-164718.jpg

Tropical Kabob

I came up with this recipe by accident. A friends of mine just got a grill and is trying to learn some easy recipes. I wanted to come up with something that she would love and was as easy as grilling a burger. This is super healthy and a whole meal in its self.

Ingredients:

1 Red Bell Pepper (Cut into bit side pieces)

2 Cups Cut Pineapple Pieces (Fresh or Canned)

2-3 Chicken Breast (Cut into Pieces)

1/3 Cup Gluten Free Asian BBQ Sauce

Salt and Pepper

Place cut chicken in bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add BBQ sauce and mix well. Now using wood skewers gently place alternating pieces of chicken, then pepper and then pineapple on each until almost the whole stick is covered. Once you have used up all the ingredients place each skewer on grill and turn every few minutes to cook evenly on each side. Remove from grill and serve.

Hint: Make sure to soak skewers in water first to help prevent burning. Also spray grill top well to avoid sticking.

20130723-080601.jpg

Deep Dish Pizza

I am always looking for new GF pizza recipes that are easy to follow, this one is a winner and inspired by a great local restaurant.

Ingredients –

1 Pound Sliced Mozzarella

2 Cups Pizza Sauce

2 Cups Arrowroot Flour

1 Cup Parm Cheese Grated

1/2 Cup Almond Flour

2 Eggs

1/4 Cup Water

1/4 Oil

1/2 Tbs Italian Seasoning

1 tsp Salt

1 tsp Pepper

2 tsp Sugar

2 tsp Baking Powder

Start by combining the dry ingredients first in a large bowl including salt, pepper, seasoning, almond flour, arrowroot, parm cheese and sugar. Mix well. In another bowl mix eggs, water and oil. Pour the wet slowly into dry and mix for a minute with spoon. Then continue to kneed by hand. Press crust into a well oil backing-sheet and then sprinkle with oil. Next, place slices of cheese in one layer on crust and then top with tomato sauce. Cook at 450 degrees for about 15 minutes of until golden brown.

20130821-211451.jpg

Vietnamese Tomato Soup

Vietnamese food is something I have always had a blast recreating and tomato soup something I ate daily as a child. The combination of the two is perfect.

Ingredients:

1 Can Condensed Tomato Soup (Make sure its gluten free)

3/4 Cup Water

1 Large Carrot Grated

1/4 Vietnamese Fish Sauce

1 Tbs Gluten Free Soy Sauce

1/2 tsp Pepper

1/2 tsp Garlic

1/2 Pound Shrimp

1/4 Cup Chopped Thai Basil

1/4 Cup Chopped Mint

1/4 Cup Chopped Cilantro

1/2 Lime

1/2 White Wine

1/4 Cup Rice Vinegar

Start by cooking grated carrot in a sprayed pot with pepper and garlic. Add lime juice, vinegar and wine. Stir well and then at can of condensed soup and 3/4 can of water. Mix again and add soy sauce and fish sauce. Bring to a simmer and add shrimp. Cook for about 5 minutes until shrimp is cooked and pink. Serve hot with rice on the side.

20130817-144313.jpg

Take-Out Shrimp

Everyone is always looking for new flavors to bring home. Getting take out is never the best option. Making a simple dish at home to change the same boring week night menu is always a great idea. Whether you like a little Asian spice or you prefer a spicy Jamaican twist, this recipe is for you.

Ingredients –

1/2 Pound Medium Shrimp (peeled and cleaned)

1 tsp Onion Powder

1 Lemon

1 Tsp Olive Oil

1 1/2 Tbs either Chinese Five Spice or Jerk Seasoning

Start by place shrimp in bowl and mixing gently with onion powder, seasoning of juice and juice of half the lemon. Place oil in pot and heat. Once hot add shrimp and cook for about 4-5 minutes until shrimp become pink. Serve with veggies and rice.

 

20130810-224301.jpg

Shakes

As many readers know, I am a big fan of Herballife Shakes. When I am on the road I am normally around a great deal of high calorie and not gluten free food. In order to be able to eat something that is healthy and safe when I am to busy to cook I normally turn to a good Herballife Shake. Herballife its self is a protein powder that is packed with healthy nutrition and tastes great. They also have a gluten free line that I love. I recommend giving it a try if your looking for something to help keep you fuller longer maybe trying to lose weight or get in shape. You can give Herballife a try at home and learn more by clicking HERE. If you live locally and want to give it a try let me know.

Below are some of my recipes:

Elvis –

1 Tbs PB2 Powder

8oz Milk

1 Banana

2 Scoops HLV Mix (Herbal Life Formula One Vanilla Mix Gluten Free)

Blend it all together and Enjoy

Green Monster-

1 Banana or Apple

8oz Milk

1 Cup Baby Spinach

2 Scoops HLV

Blend it all together and Enjoy

Peanut Butter Cups On The Run – Great to bring on a long day

Jar:

8oz Milk

Bag:

2 Scoops HLV

2 Tbs PB2 Powder

1 Tbs Coco Powder

1 Tbs Splenda

When your ready to eat, mix together in jar and enjoy!

Strawberry Shortcake

8oz Milk

1 Cup Frozen Strawberry

2 Scoops HLV

1 Tbs Honey

1/2 tsp Vanilla Optional*

Blend it all together and Enjoy
Pumpkin Pie Shake

2 Scoops HLV

1 Cup Milk

1 Cup Canned or Frozen Mashed Pumpkin (More uses for my pumpkin breakdown 🙂 )

1/2 Tps Pumpkin Spice

Splash Vanilla

1/2 Tbs Honey or Agava

Blend it all together and Enjoy
Chocolate Covered Banana

2 Scoops HLV

1 Cup Milk

1 Bananna

1 Tbs Coco Powder

Blend it all together and Enjoy
Many More to come!!!

20130807-051416.jpg

Power Snack

I am always looking for small meal that I can easily put together on the go. Since I have been on an avocado kick I have been playing around with them. Avocados are filled with tons of good stuff and even Omega 3. Plus they are super creamy that I always feel like I am eating ice cream.

Ingredients:

1/2 Avocado

1/3 Cup Greek Yogurt

1/2 tsp Paprika

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

Place the yogurt in the empty pit part of the avocado half. Sprinkle with all the seasonings and enjoy.

20130804-175624.jpg

Guilt Free Chocolate Mousse

I am always in the hunt for a desert that is yummy and also healthy. Anything with chocolate that you can feel good about is a win for me 🙂 this can come in at under 200 calories, NO fat and full of protein. It is packed with so much good stuff you can enjoy it for breakfast too.

Ingredients:

1 Cup Berries ( I did a mix of blue berries, black berries, strawberries)
1/2 Cup Greek Yogurt Non-Fat Plain
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Tbs Honey or Splenda
1 Tbs Coco Powder unsweetened
2 Tbs Coconut Flakes topping (optional)

In a bowl mix yogurt, coco powder, honey and vanilla and put aside. Now, find a nice clear serving glass like a wine glass or small glass bowl. Layer the bottom with most of the berries leaving a few to top. Then, nicely spoon in the yogurt mix. Top with extra berries and coconut if you wish. Enjoy!!!!

20130915-180627.jpg

20130915-180649.jpg