Category: Appetizers


Dec
2017

Curried Cauliflower Skillet Pizza with Apple, Cheddar, and Chicken

categories: Appetizers, Chicken, Gluten Free, Healthy

A unique, gluten-free pizza with a curried cauliflower crust.  This pizza has incredible flavor synergy!

Curried Cauliflower Skillet Pizza with Apple, Cheddar, and Chicken – A unique, gluten-free pizza recipe with a curried cauliflower crust. This pizza has incredible flavor synergy! | QueenofMyKitchen.com

It’s two days post-Christmas and most of us are stuffed to the gills, but the holidays aren’t over yet, so if you’re not quite ready to revert to your normal eating patterns, then try making this gluten-free Curried Cauliflower Skillet Pizza with Apple, Cheddar, and Chicken. It’s healthier than most of the food you’ve likely been indulging in over the past few weeks, but because it’s “pizza”, you’ll still feel like you’re splurging. (more…)


Dec
2017

Avocado Kefir Caesar Salad Dressing

categories: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads

A quick and easy egg-free Caesar salad dressing and a simple recipe for crispy chickpea croutons.

Avocado Kefir Caesar Salad Dressing - A quick and easy egg-free Caesar salad dressing made with probiotic rich kefir and avocado oil. | QueenofMyKitchen.com #saladrecipes #salad #kefir #caesarsalad

Everyone should have a good Caesar salad recipe in their cooking repertoire, but many people are leery of consuming raw eggs, one of the main ingredients in traditional Caesar salad dressing. Even though the risk of salmonella poisoning from consuming raw eggs is really quite small, I too, am one of those people who just doesn’t like the idea of raw eggs in my salad dressings. I’ve always gotten around this by using a Caesar dressing recipe that calls for mayonnaise instead of raw eggs. The mayonnaise lends creaminess to the dressing and is a great substitute for eggs.  I avoid using store brought mayonnaise because it’s usually made with highly refined oil like soybean oil or canola oil, so when I make this dressing I almost always use homemade mayonnaise.  This can get a little time-consuming though, because you’re actually making two recipes – the mayo and then the dressing.  That’s why I was psyched when I discovered this quick and easy way to make a egg-free, mayonnaise-free, Caesar salad dressing – it can literally be whipped up in under 5 minutes.  Avocado Kefir Caesar Salad Dressing is light, and tangy with classic Caesar salad flavor and, it’s better for gut health than your average Caesar dressing thanks to probiotic rich kefir.

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Oct
2017

Kefir Avocado Basil Dressing

categories: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Healthy, Sauces, Dressings, Condiments

The Recipe Redux is a group of like-minded food bloggers whose mission is to inspire the food lover in every healthy eater and inspire the healthy eater in every food lover. Each month members post recipes to their blogs following a theme set by the group moderators. This month’s theme is healthy, delicious recipes to bolster gut health. Click the Recipe Redux link at the bottom of this page to see links to all the posts for this month’s challenge.

Kefir Avocado Basil Dressing – A light, creamy, delicious dressing infused with fresh basil and chock-full of probiotics. Use it as a salad dressing, dipping sauce or sandwich spread. | QueenofMyKitchen.com #probiotics #kefir #healthyrecipe #healthyeating

Probiotics are a hot topic nowadays as more and more people learn about the growing body of research that points to a link between gut bacteria and overall health. Probiotics are the live bacteria and yeasts found in certain foods. They’re sometime referred to as “good bacteria”. Probiotics contribute to a healthy digestive tract and seem to reduce inflammation – a risk factor in a number of illness and diseases. Some researchers also believe that they help burn fat and stabilize blood sugar. Fortunately, it’s easy and tasty to incorporate probiotics into your diet and one of the ways you can do it is by making this Kefir Avocado Basil Dressing. (more…)


Sep
2017

Chickpea Cheddar Tots

categories: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Healthy, Snacks

There’s a new tot on the block!  Nuggets of cheddar cheese encased in a gluten-free chickpea crust and baked to golden perfection.

Chickpea Cheddar Tots – There’s a new tot on the block! Nuggets of cheddar cheese encased in a gluten-free chickpea crust and baked to golden perfection. Served with mustard, these tots make a great, healthy snack for kids and adults. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

Tater tots – those small, cylindrical pieces of grated, fried potatoes – they’re almost as American as apple pie. In fact, tater tots are so well-known that many people don’t realize the term is actually trademarked by the Ore-Ida potato company, which is owned by Kraft. As with any foods that have a cult-like following, there are copiers, and in the healthy food blogging space these knock-offs include broccoli tots, cauliflower tots, zucchini tots, and sweet potato tots. But there’s a new tot on the block now.  Allow me to introduce you to Chickpea Cheddar Tots! Nuggets of cheddar cheese are encased in chickpea flour dough, shaped into tots, and baked to golden perfection. Chickpea Cheddar Tots make a great, healthy, after-school snack for kids, and adults love them too, especially when served with cold beer! (more…)


Aug
2017

Vegan Flax Candied Nuts

categories: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Healthy, Snacks, Vegan

Vegan candied nuts have a multitude of delicious uses.  Gluten free and dairy free with no refined sugar.

Vegan Flax Candied Nuts – Deliciously addictive candied nuts. Gluten free and dairy free with no refined sugar. Eat them alone as a healthy snack, sprinkle some on salads or mixed them into yogurt. They make a great holiday or hostess gift too. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

WARNING – Vegan Flax Candied Nuts are dangerously addictive! Once you start popping them into your mouth you may not be able to stop!  The coating on these nuts, which produces a sweet glaze when baked, is made from a simple mixture of coconut sugar and cinnamon that binds to the nuts with the help of a flax egg replacer, which is nothing more than ground flax seeds (sometimes called ground flax meal) mixed with water. If you adhere to a plant-based diet you’re probably very familiar with flax egg replacers as they are an excellent vegan substitute for eggs. (more…)


Jun
2017

Fig Prosciutto Mascarpone Sweet Potato Crackers

categories: Appetizers

I received free samples of the Breton Artisanal Sweet Potato and Ancient Grains Crackers mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by Breton Crackers and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

Fig Prosciutto Mascarpone Sweet Potato Crackers – fig preserves, crispy prosciutto, and mascarpone cheese on sweet potato crackers. An easy and elegant appetizer recipe bursting with sweet, salty, and savory flavors. #AD | QueenofMyKitchen.com

Fig Prosciutto Mascarpone Sweet Potato Crackers are simple to make yet so elegant! The base for this beautiful appetizer is a new artisanal cracker from Breton made with sweet potatoes and ancient grains like quinoa and rye. These light, delicious crackers are spread with a thin layer of mascarpone cheese and dolloped with fig preserves. Crispy prosciutto pieces are then sprinkled on top with a finishing garnish of fresh rosemary leaves. This is an A+ appetizer for any occasion, casual or formal. (more…)


Jun
2017

White Bean Arugula Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Crispy Prosciutto

categories: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Salads

Cannellini beans are the star is this light and healthy salad that’s packed with protein and fiber.

White Bean Arugula Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Crispy Prosciutto – a light and healthy salad with Italian flair, packed with protein and fiber. Gluten-free. | QueenofMyKitchen.comWhite Bean Arugula Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Crispy Prosciutto – a light and healthy salad with Italian flair, packed with protein and fiber. Gluten-free. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

White Bean Arugula Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Crispy Prosciutto is a light and healthy salad packed with protein and fiber. One serving of this delicious salad delivers a whopping 34 grams of protein and 18 grams of fiber (68% and 72% of the recommended daily allowance). If you’re looking to add more beans to your diet, this is one delicious and nutritious way to do it. Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones Solution: Eating and Living Like the World’s Healthiest People, claims that adding one cup of beans per day to your diet will extend your life expectancy by 4 years! (more…)


May
2017

Coconut Crusted Sweet Potato Fries

categories: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Healthy, Side Dishes

Golden, crispy, and delicious sweet potato fries baked in a coconut crust.

Coconut Crusted Sweet Potato Fries - Golden, crispy, and delicious sweet potato fries baked in a coconut crust. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

The U.S. consumption of sweet potatoes has increased drastically over the past two decades as Americans have become more educated about the health benefits of this versatile root vegetable.  Sweet potatoes are chock-full of vitamins, especially vitamin A in the form of beta carotene.  They’re also rich in fiber and potassium and are low on the glycemic index despite their sweetness.  Low glycemic foods help keep our blood sugar levels stable, which in turn reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease.  As a kid, the only time I remember eating sweet potatoes was at Thanksgiving, but now I enjoy them year-round in a variety of delicious ways.   Coconut Crusted Sweet Potatoes Fries is the newest addition to my varied collection of sweet potato recipes. (See all the recipe links at the end of this post.) (more…)


May
2017

Honey Lemon Whipped Ricotta

categories: Appetizers, Gluten Free, Sauces, Dressings, Condiments

A simple but sophisticated appetizer with a multitude of delicious uses.

Honey Lemon Whipped Ricotta - A simple but sophisticated appetizer recipe with a multitude of delicious uses. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

Light and easy party appetizers are a must this time of year. Once the warm weather arrives, everybody’s mood and habits shift. People no longer want to consume heavy, filling appetizers and hosts, in turn, want to serve quick and simple food so that they have more time to socialize with their guests. If this sounds like your style of entertaining, then Honey Lemon Whipped Ricotta will be perfect for your next gathering. (more…)


May
2017

Blue Cheese Wild Rice Mini Meatballs

categories: Appetizers, Beef, Gluten Free

A unique, easy to eat, cocktail party appetizer bursting with savory flavor.

Blue Cheese Wild Rice Mini Meatballs are a unique, easy to eat, cocktail party appetizer bursting with savory flavor. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

The perfect cocktail party hors d’oeuvre should of course be delicious, but it should also be bite-size and require only one hand to eat. In other words, you should be able to pluck it off the serving tray and pop it into your mouth in one fell swoop. Blue Cheese Wild Rice Mini Meatballs make the perfect cocktail party appetizer for these very reasons. They’re easy to eat and are absolutely bursting with savory flavor. Pretzel sticks are used in lieu of toothpicks as a serving utensil. This makes for a clever presentation and provides a fun (and edible) way for you to grab, dip, and eat. (more…)

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