Tag Archives: easy dinner

Surprising Strawberry Sauce

I love ice cream. I can eat simple vanilla ice cream all day. To kick it up a notch and make ice cream a bit more special I have come up with a great sauce to top your next bowl with. Using balsamic vinegar with dessert leaves everyone curious what they are tasting. Something about the sweet, sour acidic flavor matches very well with sweet cream desserts.

Ingredients

1/2 Pound Fresh Strawberry Sliced

2 Tbs Sugar

1 oz Red Wine

2 tsp Good Balsamic

Add strawberries to pot along with sugar. Turn the heat on low and stir. Add wine and balsamic. Cook on low continuing to stir. Your looking for the berries to get soft and the liquid to reduce and thicken. Remove from heat and cool. Top ice cream or cheese cake with sauce. Enjoy!

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Crab cake

Spring is finally here and time for good seafood! Crab cakes are easy to make and fun to eat. Normally crab cakes are filled with filler that is not gluten free. My gluten free recipe is sure to be a winner! Plus its even paleo friendly.

Ingredients-

1 Can Fresh Crab Meat

1/2 Cup Almond Flour plus 2 TBS for Dusting

2 TBS Tapioca

1/4 Lemon

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Pepper

2 tsp Old Bay

2 tsp Parsley

2 Tbs Mustard

1 Egg

1 Onion

1 TBS Honey

Start by putting crab and egg in bowl mixing together by hand. Add all remaining ingredients except for the extra  almond flour. Add more tapioca if mixture seems to wet. Then, form the meat into about five patties and place on a place. Dust each side with almond flour and place in fridge for twenty minutes. When your ready to eat, heat and oil pan and place each crab cake inside. Cook on medium high until each side is golden brown. About 4 min each side. Enjoy!

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DineWise

I try to make really easy and quick recipes for people to follow but I am constantly asked for grab-n-go meal options. Being gluten free is almost impossible to find a quick bite or even a frozen meal to turn to in a rush. I was asked to review a new line of frozen products and I am happy to report that they are good!

The line is called DineWise and they offer a wide range of meal options from weight loss, low sodium, diabetic and a few more options. They recently added a gluten free option to the menu with breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Each meal in one complete package that is microwaves and over safe. No need for dishes or anything else which is something very new in the gluten free world. Portions are all good and every meal was satisfying. The option range from ethnic dishes to comfort foods. Here is the list of GF options:

  1. Mac & Cheese
  2. Penne with Tomato Cream Sauce
  3. Cornmeal Crusted Talapia
  4. Meat Loaf with Gravy and Potatoes
  5. French Toast
  6. Chicken Tikka w/Rice
  7. Oatmeal with Peach Compote

I listed them in order starting with what I liked the best. I have to admit I was very surprised by the Mac & Cheese and Penne. Did not think it was possible to have a gluten free frozen pasta that can be re-heated and tun out really good! My boyfriend was a huge fan of the mac &cheese and he never likes any gluten free pasta options. It really came out like creamy souther mac.  The talapia also stood out for its huge portion, very crispy coating and zesty great flavor all around. I added some fruit to the french toast for a quick breakfast and was really happy with that.

The meals are easy to prepare either in the microwave or oven. I found that for the best result I would microwave for a minute or so and then placed it in the oven for 15 minutes. This took a bit longer but made a huge difference although the microwave worked fine. I love to cook so I do not keep frozen food around much but I must admit I was really nice to have a quick and easy option when I was in a rush or got home late.

You can order DineWise meals online at http://www.dinewise.com . Good prices and a bunch of bundle packages. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

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Baba Ghanoush

This is a recipe that has been passed down in my family for a long time. My dad use to tell me story’s of my grandma making it for him as a child in Isreal. I have never been able to get it just right but at least it’s close.

Ingredients:

2 Eggplant

6 Garlic Cloves

2 Tbs Tahini Paste

1 tsp Salt

1 Tbs Oil or Spay

Start by cutting each garlic cloves into about 3 large slices. Then using a pairing knife make a bunch off deep gashes in each. Shove a chuck of garlic in each slit. Spread oil or spray the eggplant all over. Place the eggplant on a grill or under a broiler turning every few minutes until each side is blackened and soft. Once the eggplants are fully cooked and soft peel off the skin. Place the inside of the eggplant in a food processor and mix it up well. Add the tahini and salt and pure. Serve cold or warm.

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Salsa Chicken and Rice

I am always looking for recipes that take little prep and are a good use of anything extra laying around. I always have rice and salsa sitting around so this recipe created its self.

Ingredients:
3 Cups Rice Cooker
2 Chicken Breast Cut Into Large Chunks
1 Cup Salsa
1/2 Tbs Pepper
1 tsp Salt
1/2 Cup Chopped Cilantro
1/2 Cup Grated Cheese Optional

Start by seasoning chicken with salt and pepper. Next pour in salsa, rice and cilantro. Mix all together making sure separate any clumps if rice. Pour mixture into a sprayed casserole dish. Sprinkle cheese on too and bake at 350 degrees. Cover for the first thirty minutes and uncover or the final 15. Total cooking time should be 45 minutes. Enjoy!

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60 Second Fancy Red Sauce

Pasta and sauce is a staple in my house at least once a week. I must admit that I often buy a jar a week but I really am not a fan of any of the store bought stuff. A good red sauce does not need to take hours to make. My version is quick and super tasty.

Ingredients:
2 Cup Crushed Tomatoes or Puréed Tomatoes
1 Tbs Capers
1 Cup Canned Pitted Olives
1 Tbs Tomato Paste
1/4 Cup Red Wine or 1 Tbs Balsamic
1 Tbs Raisins
2 tbs Parsley
2 tbs Oregano

Start by placing tomatoes and paste in pan with wine heating and sautéing together over medium heat. While cooking chop olives and capers a pour into sauce. Add herbs and continue to cook until it comes together. If it becomes to think just add a little water and it will smooth out no problem.

When your ready to serve throw in some squash or pasta and top with Parm cheese.

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