Category: Healthy


Sep
2016

Cauliflower Roulade

categories: Gluten Free, Healthy, Vegetarian

Tomatoes, goat cheese, and fresh basil encased in a savory cauliflower blanket.

Cauliflower Roulade - Tomatoes, goat cheese, and fresh basil encased in a savory cauliflower blanket. If you love cauliflower but were never sold on the idea of using it in a pizza crust then this recipe is for you! | www.QueenofMyKitchen.com

Cauliflower pizza crust has been a “thing” for a while now and if you haven’t tried it chances are you’ve at least heard of it.  I only recently got around to making a cauliflower pizza crust for the first time and though the results were delicious there were two things that bothered me.  First, despite the fact that it LOOKS very much like pizza crust, it doesn’t have nearly the stiffness or structure, so if you try to hold it like a traditional piece of pizza, it just flops over.  Second, it was incredibly messy to make.  Most recipes for cauliflower crust pizza, including the one I was using, call for a head of fresh cauliflower that you chop into florets and then run through the food processor to make “cauliflower rice”.  Not only do I hate using my food processor unless I absolutely have to – because it is big, bulky, and a pain in the neck to wash – but the cauliflower, when processed, turned into white sticky crumbs that clung to everything.  I try to be as neat as possible when I cook so this drove me crazy! However, the final result was so tasty I decided to rework the recipe to create a new dish using the same ingredients.  Cauliflower Roulade is nothing more than a cauliflower pizza crust, pressed into a rectangle instead of a circle, and formed into a “roulade”, which is a French culinary term meaning “roll”.   It looks a lot fancier than pizza and boy is it scrumptious! (more…)


Sep
2016

Chia Juice

categories: Beverages, Gluten Free, Healthy

Reap the health benefits of chia seeds in your morning breakfast juice with this simple recipe that packs a powerful nutritional punch! 

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Chia Juice - Reap the health benefits of chia seeds in your morning breakfast juice with this simple recipe that packs a powerful nutritional punch! Vegan and gluten-free. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

MAKE YOUR OWN CHIA JUICE

If you’re looking for a way to make your breakfast more interesting look no further!  Chia Juice is a healthy alternative to the typical fruit juice you’re probably used to drinking at breakfast.  Consuming a glass of this delicious beverage is the perfect way to start your day.  You’ll be adding some protein and lots of fiber to a drink that would otherwise have very little. One of the unique properties of chia seeds is their ability to absorb many times their weight in water, producing a gel-like substance that can be combined with foods to change their texture and enhance their nutritive value.  It sounds strange to be drinking seeds, but once the chia seeds are hydrated they become tender, and, when mixed with juice they have a pleasant mouthfeel.  There are several brands of chia juice on the market but most have added sugar and are quite pricey.  If you make your own Chia Juice you can control the sugar content by using juice with no added sweeteners, and you’ll be saving money too.

To make your own Chia Juice simply:

  1. Fill a quart size mason jar with 2 cups of warm filtered water.
  2. Add 6 tablespoons of chia seeds and stir well. Cover the jar and place it in the refrigerator overnight.
  3. The next day combine the chia seed mixture with 2 cups of juice and stir well.

You can use any color or flavor of juice but darker colored juices, such as the Cranberry Chia Juice pictured in this post, are more visually appealing.

(more…)


Aug
2016

Baked Sun Dried Tomato Zucchini

categories: Gluten Free, Healthy, Side Dishes

A beautiful, colorful zucchini casserole with just 4 ingredients that you can have on your table in under 30 minutes, start to finish!

Baked Sun Dried Tomato Zucchini is a delicious oven-to-table casserole with just 4 ingredients. Quick, easy, and requires only 20 minutes in the oven. Baked Sun Dried Tomato Zucchini is a delicious oven-to-table casserole with just 4 ingredients. Quick, easy, and requires only 20 minutes in the oven. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

Baked Sun Dried Tomato Zucchini is a fantastic oven-to-table casserole that requires just 4 ingredients and only 20 minutes in the oven. It’s a great summer side dish that goes well with just about anything. So, if you have a glut of zucchini on your hands (and who doesn’t this time of year) you’ll want to give Baked Sun Dried Tomato Zucchini a try.  I promise, the results will not disappoint! (more…)


Aug
2016

Spicy Cinnamon Sweet Potato Brownies

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

Twice as much protein, 1/3 less sugar, and four times as much fiber as a regular brownie! A fantastic, healthy dessert!

Spicy Cinnamon Sweet Potato Brownies - Twice as much protein, 1/3 less sugar, and four times as much fiber as a regular brownie! A fantastic, healthy dessert! | QueenofMyKitchen.com

If you’re a fan of hot and spicy food you’ll LOVE Spicy Cinnamon Sweet Potato Brownies! These gluten-free, vegan brownies contain no refined sugar; instead they’re sweetened with dates, sweet potatoes, and maple syrup.  The first bite of Spicy Cinnamon Sweet Potato Brownies is fudgy with sweet, subtle chocolate flavor that is quickly followed by a powerful punch of cinnamon and cayenne.  It’s a great combination of flavors that will cause you to completely forget you’re eating a healthy brownie! (more…)


Aug
2016

Sweet Potato Flax Crackers

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

Gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and vegan with a whopping 7 grams of fiber per serving!

Sweet Potato Flax Crackers are gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and vegan with a whopping 7 grams of fiber per serving. Made with just 5 ingredients! | QueenofMyKitchen.com

I have a weakness for crackers and so does my husband. Every night when he comes home from work he makes a beeline to the cabinet with the crackers and grabs a handful and I am right behind him snagging a few for myself. There is something so satisfying about crackers. They’re not too indulgent yet they quell that hunger craving that often hits right before dinner. There are some nice brands of crackers available at upscale grocery stores nowadays but even the best ones sometimes contain things like maltodextrin, potato starch, and added sugar. If you’re munching on crackers daily (like my husband and I do) you might want to avoid such ingredients. When I have time I like to make my own crackers for just this reason and Sweet Potato Flax Crackers is the recipe I turn to most often. These crackers contain just 5 ingredients and are gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, vegan, and absolutely delicious. (more…)


Aug
2016

Sweet Potato Stuffed Peaches

categories: Gluten Free, Healthy, Side Dishes, Vegan

Sweet Potato Stuffed Peaches - Great served with grilled chicken or pork. Gluten-free and vegan. Only 4 ingredients! | QueenofMyKitchen.com

The popularity of sweet potatoes in the U.S. continues to rise as more and more people discover the variety of delicious ways to use this versatile vegetable.  Once thought of as a Thanksgiving or winter side dish, sweet potatoes are now served all year-long. My family loves sweet potatoes and I serve them often – roasted with coconut oil, in salads, and in appetizers too as in my recent Sweet Potato Black Bean Avocado Salsa post.  And now that peach season has arrived I’ve combined sweet potatoes and peaches to create a delicious, nutritious side dish that is fantastic served alongside grilled chicken or pork.  Sweet Potato Stuffed Peaches are tender, creamy, and full of sweet, savory, peachy flavor. (more…)


Jul
2016

Sweet Potato Black Bean Avocado Salsa

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

Sweet Potato Black Bean Avocado Salsa – sweet and spicy, healthy and delicious. Great with tortilla chips or on top of grilled fish, chicken, or pork. Makes a nice, simple side dish too. This is not your average salsa! | QueenofMyKitchen.com

In my recent quest to create a simple summer salsa I relied on three of my favorite foods  – sweet potatoes, black beans, and avocados.  These foods never disappoint me, no matter what recipe I put them in, so I knew they’d make a fantastic salsa.   Sweet Potato Black Bean Avocado Salsa is a sweet and spicy salsa with vibrant colors and a wonderfully zingy taste.  It’s great as an appetizer when served with tortilla chips and crackers, but it’s just as good as a topping for grilled fish, chicken, or pork.  The cool, refreshing ingredients scream “summer” but you can easily make this salsa all year-long. (more…)


Jun
2016

Berry Patriotic Yogurt Parfait

categories: Breakfast, Gluten Free, Healthy, Holidays, Snacks

Berry Patriotic Yogurt Parfait with a recipe for 90 second Raspberry Chia Jam. Less than half the sugar of traditional fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt. Tastes like a treat instead of a healthy breakfast. Perfect for any patriotic holiday! | QueenofMyKitchen.com

Here’s a fun and festive breakfast you can serve to your loved ones on July Fourth or any other patriotic holiday – Berry Patriotic Yogurt Parfait. These parfaits are super healthy and so easy to make. They’re similar to fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt but without all the added sugar and with a hefty helping of fresh berries on top. You might be tempted to use store-bought jam to make these parfaits but I urge you not to, as it takes less than two minutes to prep the raspberry chia jam and you will be rewarded with the most delicious, sweet, tart, jam you’ve ever tasted!  (The method for making this jam works with frozen blueberries too.) (more…)


Jun
2016

Roasted Garlic Avocado White Bean Dip

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

Roasted Garlic Avocado White Bean Dip - Vegan, gluten-free and infused with fresh basil. Packed with protein, fiber and only 111 calories per 1/4 cup serving. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

Recipes for white bean dip abound in cookbooks, magazines, and the food blogosphere, and it’s easy to see why.  White bean dips have huge appeal because they are healthier and lower in calories compared to appetizers made with cheese, cream cheese, pastry, bread, and nuts.  Still, I have found most white bean dips rather bland, consisting only of pureed white beans, garlic, olive oil, and lemon. However, with a few simple recipe tweaks it’s easy to turn a basic, unexciting dip into a sensational, savory one.   Roasted Garlic White Bean Avocado Dip contains fresh basil, avocado, and roasted garlic – ingredients not commonly found in white bean dip, but ones that make this dip truly exceptional.   (more…)


Jun
2016

Strawberry Chicken Pecan Salad

categories: Chicken, Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads

Strawberry Chicken Pecan Salad with Feta Cheese and Maple Balsamic Vinaigrette - a salad with a magical combination of flavors and textures, and the ultimate salad for strawberry season! | QueenofMyKitchen.com

The strawberry season is in full swing here in Massachusetts and my family and I have been enjoying its bounty.  We are blessed to live within a mile of two “pick you own” strawberry fields and have several other farm stands nearby that are bursting with fresh strawberries this time of year. I always make a point of trying at least one new recipe each year using fresh strawberries, and normally this includes some type of dessert, but strawberries are delicious in salads too, as I discovered when I made Strawberry Chicken Pecan Salad.  What makes this salad so exceptional is that it pairs fresh strawberries with other ingredients that highlight its flavor perfectly.  Maple syrup intensifies the berry flavor, balsamic vinegar adds a pleasant tartness, and salty feta helps to balance some of the sweetness.  The result is a salad where the essence of fresh strawberries really shines through. (more…)

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