Category: Healthy


Apr
2019

Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Cranberries, Walnuts, and Goat Cheese

categories: Gluten Free, Healthy, Salads

Healthy, colorful, and delicious – this salad has it all!  JUMP TO RECIPE

Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Cranberries, Walnuts, and Goat Cheese – Healthy, colorful, and delicious, this salad has it all! #salad #kale #kalesalad #sweetpotatoes #sweetpotatosalad #salads

Sweet potatoes are the star in this healthy, colorful, delicious salad, which is why I named it Sweet Potato Kale Salad instead of Kale Sweet Potato Salad. If you’re not accustomed to eating sweet potatoes cold or at room temperature, you’re missing out because they’re fantastic in salads and add a gorgeous pop of color, particularly when set against salad greens. They’re super nutritious too, rich in beta-carotene, potassium, manganese, and lots of other vitamins and minerals. To read more about the health benefits of sweet potatoes check out this short article. I promise you though, none of this will matter much after you try Sweet Potato Kale Salad with Cranberries, Walnuts, and Goat Cheese, because all you’ll be thinking about is how delicious it tastes! (more…)


Mar
2019

Dark Chocolate Lentil Brownies

categories: Desserts, Gluten Free, Healthy, Snacks

Rich chocolate flavor in a healthy brownie made with lentils. Lower in sugar and higher in protein and fiber than regular brownies.  JUMP TO RECIPE

Dark Chocolate Lentil Brownies - Rich chocolate flavor in a healthy brownie made with lentils. Lower in sugar and higher in protein and fiber than regular brownies. Gluten-free. | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #brownies #brownie #healthydessert #healthydesserts #glutenfree #healthytreat #darkchocolate

If I hadn’t already known that one could make delicious tasting brownies with foods like black beans, sweet potatoes, and avocados, I might have been skeptical when I first heard about lentil brownies. After all, lentils are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. Who would ever think you could use them to make rich and decadent desserts?  But now that I’ve been a food blogger for a few years, I’m quite familiar with how healthy foods can be disguised in baked goods and the magic that happens when, in combination with other nutritious ingredients, they’re transformed into delicious treats – ones far better for us than their classic counterparts. If you don’t believe me, try this little experiment. Whip up a batch of Dark Chocolate Lentil Brownies and serve them to your friends, family, or guests, without disclosing that they’re made with lentils. Once you’ve watched everyone gobble them up, ask if anyone can guess what the secret ingredient is. Get ready to see some very surprised looking faces when you tell them the answer! (more…)


Mar
2019

Za’atar Cashew Hummus

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

Aromatic za’atar and smoky roasted red peppers flavor this ultra-creamy cashew hummus.  A delicious alternative to chickpea-based hummus.  JUMP TO RECIPE

Za’atar Cashew Hummus - Aromatic za'atar and smoky roasted red peppers flavor this ultra-creamy cashew hummus. A delicious alternative to chickpea-based hummus. Vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. #vegan #glutenfree #dairyfree #zaatar #appetizer

I feel the same way about hummus that I do about pizza and chicken salad. That is, one can never have too many recipes for these dishes because no matter what variation you make, the end result is almost always delicious with near universal appeal. I guess that’s why there are countless recipes for hummus floating around the internet and no matter how many new ones appear in the blogosphere, people seem to love them. So here’s another, but this one’s a little different. Za’atar Cashew Hummus is every bit as delicious as traditional hummus but it’s made with raw cashews and roasted red peppers instead of chickpeas, and it’s flavored with za’atar – an aromatic Middle Eastern spice with amazing savory flavor. (more…)


Feb
2019

Garlic Parmesan Carrot Fries with Za’atar Mayonnaise

categories: Gluten Free, Healthy, Side Dishes

Carrots are cut into the shape of fries and roasted with garlic and Parmesan cheese then served with a delicious middle eastern spiced mayonnaise.   JUMP TO RECIPE

Do you eat enough vegetables? Even if you’re a relatively healthy eater the answer might be “no”.  In 2010 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that only 27% of adults were eating the recommended daily amount of vegetables. The problem is, vegetables can get a little boring.  Raw veggies are great but many of us fall back on plain steamed or roasted vegetables at dinnertime – not very exciting. I readily admit there’ve been plenty of nights I’ve skipped making a vegetable because I was too tired and even a simple roasted or sautéed veggie just didn’t seem worth the effort. One thing that might help all of us get the nutrients we need from vegetables every day is to prepare them in interesting and delicious ways as often as possible, like, for example, making fries out of carrots and serving them with a middle eastern spiced dipping sauce as I’ve done here with this recipe for Garlic Parmesan Carrot Fries with Za’atar Mayonnaise. These fries will turn even the most die-hard carrot haters into fans. Believe me, nobody will be skipping their daily veggies when these are on the menu! (more…)


Feb
2019

Dairy Free Crispy Chocolate Cups

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

“Candy is dandy” as in these easy to make dairy free chocolate treats sweetened with maple syrup.  JUMP TO RECIPE

Dairy Free Crispy Chocolate Cups - Candy is dandy as in these easy to make dairy-free chocolate treats sweetened with maple syrup. | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #candy #chocolate #dairyfree #dairyfreechocolate #valentinesday #norefinedsugar #cleaneating #healthycandy

Valentine’s Day is coming up and if you love classic holiday traditions then maybe you’re planning to give your loved ones some chocolates. If so, why not earn extra bonus points and “make” instead of “buy” them. These Dairy Free Crispy Chocolate Cups are a great homemade Valentine’s gift and you can whip them up quickly without any special equipment. All you need is a handful of simple ingredients and some cupcake liners. (more…)


Jan
2019

Peanut Butter Cookie Flax Bars

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

Vegan, gluten-free, dairy free snack bars that taste like caramel. Similar to Larabars, they’re made with healthy, unprocessed ingredients, and sweetened naturally.  JUMP TO RECIPE

Peanut Butter Cookie Flax Bars - Vegan, gluten-free, dairy free snack bars that taste like caramel. Made with 5 healthy ingredients and sweetened naturally. | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #snack #snackbars #energybars #larabar #larabars #bar #bars #healthysnack #vegansnack #glutenfreesnack #dairyfree #glutenfree #vegan

It might seem counterintuitive, but one of the best way to maintain good eating habits is to enjoy a healthy treat each day. Following this rule has really worked for me because like a lot of people, I have a bit of a sweet tooth, and if I don’t satisfy my craving, I just end up feeling deprived, which makes me much less likely to eat healthfully over the long term. So I allow myself a little something sweet after lunch or dinner, as long as it’s made with healthy, wholesome ingredients and minimally processed. One of my favorite healthy treats are these Peanut Butter Cookie Flax Bars. I have one almost every day. In fact, my whole family is addicted to these bars. They taste like candy, but unlike candy, they keep you feeling full for a long time because they have a decent amount of protein, and are high in healthy fats. (more…)


Jan
2019

Chocolate Red Wine Black Bean Fudge Cake with Greek Yogurt Cabernet Glaze

categories: Desserts, Gluten Free, Healthy

This rich, decadent, chocolate cake makes the perfect clean eating dessert for the New year!  JUMP TO RECIPE

Chocolate Red Wine Black Bean Fudge Cake with Greek Yogurt Cabernet Glaze - A rich and decadent fudge cake free of gluten and refined sugar. Healthy desserts don't get better than this! | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #glutenfree #dessert #chocolatedessert #glutenfreedessert #fudgecake #healthydessert #cleaneating

Even if you’ve vowed to improve your diet in 2019, you don’t have to give up desserts, just choose healthier ones, like this rich and decadent Chocolate Red Wine Black Bean Fudge Cake with Greek Yogurt Cabernet Glaze. It’s gluten-free, made with healthy ingredients like black beans, chickpea flour, and almond butter, and contains no refined sugar. If you love chocolate, this cake is for you! (more…)


Dec
2018

Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon and Pecans

categories: Healthy, Holidays, Side Dishes

This super simple recipe makes the ultimate smooth and creamy sweet potatoes. Great any time of year but perfect for the holidays.  JUMP TO RECIPE 

Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon and Pecans - A super simple recipe that makes the ultimate smooth and creamy sweet potatoes. Perfect any time of year but especially for the holidays. | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #side #sidedish #Thanksgiving #potatoes #bourbon #sweetpotatoes

This recipe for Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon and Pecans is a Thanksgiving classic, but if you love sweet potatoes, you’ll be making this comforting dish all year long! It’s a staple in our house because it’s delicious and so simple to prepare.

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Dec
2018

Cranberry Orange Quinoa Zucchini Muffins

categories: Breakfast, Gluten Free, Healthy, Snacks

Gluten-free, light and tender muffins made from the ancient grain quinoa and flavored with winter fruit and spice.  

Cranberry Orange Zucchini Muffins - Gluten-free, light and tender muffins made from the ancient grain quinoa and flavored with winter fruit and spice. | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #healthybaking #quinoa #quinoaflour #muffin #muffins #healthymuffins #zucchini #glutenfree #glutenfreebaking

One of the easiest ways to improve our diets is to replace recipes that call for all-purpose flour with ones that call for whole grain flours. Many people need to make this switch because of food allergies, and others simply want to eat more healthfully. Fortunately, food companies large and small have answered the demand and are now producing whole grain flours that were once considered esoteric. Quinoa flour is one such flour and my grocery store just started carrying it so I couldn’t resist grabbing a bag and with it, I made gluten-free Cranberry Orange Quinoa Zucchini Muffins. These seasonal muffins are flavored with winter fruit and spice and are really delicious!

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Dec
2018

Dump and Bake Parmesan Shrimp and Vegetable Casserole

categories: Gluten Free, Healthy, Seafood

Dump and Bake Parmesan Shrimp and Vegetable Casserole is the easiest, tastiest, seafood casserole ever!  You can have this impressive dish on the dinner table in under 30 minutes.  JUMP TO RECIPE

Dump and Bake Parmesan Shrimp and Vegetable Casserole -The easiest recipe ever! You can have this impressive dish on the dinner table in under 30 minutes. Gluten-free. | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #dinner #easydinner #shrimp #shrimpdinner #glutenfree #glutenfreerecipe #glutenfreerecipes #dumpandbake

Many Italian Americans celebrate Christmas Eve with a gigantic meal featuring seven different kinds of seafood. This is known as the Feast of Seven Fishes. It’s a Roman Catholic tradition connected to the custom of abstaining from meat on Christmas Eve and was likely started right here in the United States by Italian immigrants back in the early 1900’s as a way to honor their heritage. Even though both my husband and I have some Italian blood, we don’t celebrate with the wide variety of seafood that is typical of many of these feasts. Instead, our family’s simple way to keep this tradition alive is by having shrimp for dinner on Christmas Eve. In the past I’ve always made classic shrimp scampi, but this year I’m serving Dump and Bake Parmesan Shrimp and Vegetable Casserole. Despite its name, this is an elegant dish that can be scaled up to feed a crowd and is so easy to make that the recipe instructions can be summed up in one sentence: dump all ingredients into a casserole dish, stir, and bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Now if that’s not simple, I don’t know what is! (more…)

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