Category: Sauces, Dressings, Condiments


Mar
2021

Healthy Sour Cream and Onion Mix

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

An easy to make homemade onion dip mix that’s much healthier than store-bought packets.

Healthy Sour Cream and Onion Mix - Homemade onion dip mix. Easy to make and so much healthier than store-bought packets. | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #potatochipsanddip #oniondip #healthyoniondip #healthyappetizer #healthyappetizers

One of the most addictive snacks on the planet just got more nutritious!

If you consider yourself a healthy eater you probably don’t eat things like potato chips with sour cream and onion dip too often, but if you miss those indulgences, I have some good news. There’s a way to make this no-so-healthy snack into one that’s free of the harmful oils, chemicals, and preservatives that health-conscious people strive to avoid. Here’s how:

1. Buy potato chips that are fried in unrefined oil. Check the label on almost any package of potato chips and you’ll likely see that they’re made with sunflower oil, corn oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and cottonseed oil. These refined, highly processed oils are thought to cause widespread inflammation in the body and have been linked to diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Fortunately, because of the growing awareness of the harmful effects of these oils a few food manufacturers now use unrefined oils (i.e. olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil) to process potato chips.  I buy olive oil potato chips at Trader Joe’s and stores like Whole Foods stock a wider variety of chips that may also include avocado oil potato chips, and coconut oil potato chips.   

2. Make onion dip using Healthy Sour Cream and Onion Mix instead of those nasty store-bought packets that are full of all sorts of unhealthy ingredients like monosodium glutamate, hydrolyzed corn protein, partially hydrogenated soybean and cottonseed oils, and silicon dioxide just to name few. In contrast, this mix is a combination of dried herbs and seasonings in a base of buttermilk powder and nutritional yeast – simple savory ingredients that, rather than harming our health, might actually improve it! (more…)


Feb
2021

Roasted Honey Balsamic Onions

categories: Gluten Free, Sauces, Dressings, Condiments, Side Dishes

An easier, more flavorful alternative to classic caramelized onions.

Roasted Honey Balsamic Onions

AN EASY ALTERNATIVE TO CARAMELIZED ONIONS

If you love caramelized onions but think they’re too much trouble to prepare then this recipe is for you! Roasted Honey Balsamic Onions aren’t exactly like caramelized onions but they’re a good proxy and are so much easier to make. This recipe doesn’t cut down on cooking time – both caramelized onions and Roasted Honey Balsamic Onions take about an hour to cook, but the big difference is that most of the cooking in this recipe is “hands-off” cooking. Once the onions are in the oven, you need only to stir them twice while they’re cooking after which time all the liquid will be evaporated and they’ll be golden brown and slightly caramelized. In contrast, classic caramelized onions are cooked on the stovetop and require constant stirring (“hands-on” cooking) so you’ll need to be tethered to that stovetop for the duration, dealing with sizzling and splattering cooking juices and getting an onion steam facial! I much prefer a recipe like this one where I can prep the onions, stick them in the oven, and move onto other tasks.

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Nov
2020

Easy Gluten-Free Turkey Gravy

categories: Holidays, Sauces, Dressings, Condiments

Finally, an unintimidating recipe for turkey gravy and it’s gluten-free too!

Easy Gluten-Free Turkey Gravy – This foolproof recipe makes gravy that’s every bit as silky, smooth, and delicious as traditional gravy made with flour. Can be made with or without pan drippings | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #thanksgiving #glutenfree #gravy #turkeygravy #turkey #sauce

GRAVY IS ESSENTIAL
There are lots of dishes you can do without on Thanksgiving. I can do without the marshmallow topped sweet potatoes and the mushy green bean casserole made with a can of soup, but there’s one thing most people would agree that you definitely cannot do without on Thanksgiving (aside from Turkey of course) and that’s gravy. Roast turkey is somewhat bland even when it’s cooked to perfection (see my tip at the end of this post for perfectly cooked turkey meat) and thus needs to be topped with gravy to achieve its full glory. So, when you’re the cook, the pressure is on because even if your turkey and all the Thanksgiving sides are perfect, a lackluster gravy will detract from the entire meal. Most gravy recipes are needlessly overcomplicated, which increases the likelihood you’ll mess it up, but this recipe for Easy Gluten-Free Turkey Gravy is pretty much foolproof. It can be made with any amount of turkey drippings – even drippings from a small turkey breast or chicken will produce excellent gravy. You can even make this gravy without turkey drippings and can vary the richness by using either milk, half and half, or heavy cream. (more…)


Jan
2020

Apricot Orange Marinade

categories: Chicken, Pork, Sauces, Dressings, Condiments

Ingredients sweet, tart, savory, and salty comprise this easy marinade that turns bland poultry and pork into succulent, flavorful meat.  JUMP TO RECIPE

Apricot Orange Marinade - Ingredients sweet, tart, savory, and salty comprise this easy marinade that turns bland poultry and pork into succulent, flavorful meat. | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #marinade #marinades #chickenmarinade #poultrymarinade #porkmarinade #chickenmarinades #poultrymarinades #porkmarinades #apricot #apricots

Apricot Orange Marinade is my go-to marinade for chicken and pork. This recipe makes enough for about 2 pounds of meat and you can even reserve a little bit of the marinade to use as a sauce for extra flavor. However, it’s very important to set aside any sauce you plan to serve with the cooked meat BEFORE you place the raw meat in the marinade, otherwise you risk contracting a foodborne illness, as raw meat can contain harmful bacteria that will contaminate the marinade. No worries consuming the meat after it’s properly cooked though, as any germs will be killed off. Just be sure to discard the marinade that the raw meat sat in.
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Apr
2019

Roasted Maple Balsamic Onions

categories: Gluten Free, Sauces, Dressings, Condiments

A fantastic topping for grilled meat, but you’ll find a multitude of other great uses for these easy-to-make, sweet, sticky, delicious onions.  JUMP TO RECIPE 

Roasted Maple Balsamic Onions - A fantastic topping for grilled meat, but there are a multitude of other great uses for these easy-to-make, sweet, sticky, delicious onions. | Queen of My Kitchen.com |#condiment #grilledmeat #onions #caramelizedonions #redonions

Whenever I make Roasted Maple Balsamic Onions it’s almost always as an accompaniment to grilled beef or pork, but I invariably end up using them “in” and “on” so many other foods. That is to say, the leftovers never go to waste. You can throw them on salads and sandwiches, or into omelets, quiches and frittatas. They’re fantastic on pizzas, flatbreads, and focaccia, and are equally as tasty mixed into cooked pasta dishes. You’ll find a multitude of uses for these easy-to-make, sweet, sticky, delicious onions. (more…)


Jan
2019

Blue Cheese Greek Yogurt Avocado Dressing

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

Pungent blue cheese and tangy Greek Yogurt flavor this oil-free avocado based dressing that can also be used as a sauce.  JUMP TO RECIPE

Blue Cheese Greek Yogurt Avocado Dressing - Pungent blue cheese and tangy Greek Yogurt flavor this oil-free avocado based dressing that can also be used as a sauce. So rich and creamy! | QueenofMyKitchen.com | #dressing #saladdressing #avocado #oilfreedressing #greekyogurtdressing #glutenfreerecipe #glutenfreerecipes

Blue Cheese Greek Yogurt Avocado Dressing is a rich and creamy oil-free dressing that will turn the most mundane of greens into a stellar salad. If you like blue cheese but are sometimes put off by how strong it is, this dressing is for you! Not only do the Greek Yogurt and avocado lend a luxurious texture to this dressing, but they mellow out the pungency of the blue cheese so the taste is smoother, without the sharp notes that are sometimes characteristic of classic blue cheese dressing. I love serving this dressing on wedges salads, as pictured, but it also makes a fabulous sauce for vegetables, meat, and seafood. (more…)


Sep
2018

Sun Dried Tomato Red Lentil Hummus

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

A healthy appetizer made from red lentils and infused with savory sun dried tomatoes. Vegan, gluten-free, and dairy free.  JUMP TO RECIPE

Sun Dried Tomato Red Lentil Hummus – An easy, healthy appetizer with savory flavor and vibrant color. Great for parties. |QueenofMyKitchen.com|#dip #appetizer #appetizers #easyappetizer #easyappetizers #veganappetizer #glutenfreeappetizer #dairyfreeappetizer #vegan #glutenfree #dairyfree

When it comes to nutritious, plant-based appetizers, hummus reigns supreme, and thankfully, for health-minded people who love to snack, there’s no shortage of tasty and creative ways to make it. Most recipes call for chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) as the main ingredient,  but you can also make hummus with another pulse, red lentils, and it’s every bit as delicious as traditional hummus with the same smooth and creamy texture. This recipe for Sun Dried Tomato Red Lentil Hummus is proof! Make sure you have plenty of crackers and cut up vegetables on hand before you make this dip because you might not be able to stop eating it. I ran out of things to dip the first time I made it and resorted to using my fingers! It’s that good! (more…)


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

Grilled Pork Chops with Rosemary Pumpkin Butter

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

Pork loin chops are brined, grilled, and topped with a delicious sauce infused with classic fall flavors.  

Grilled Pork Chops with Rosemary Pumpkin Butter – Pork loin chops are brined, grilled, and topped with a delicious sauce infused with classic fall flavors. No more boring pork! | QueenofMyKitchen.com

Even though fall has officially arrived, we’ve had temps in the 90’s this week here in New England. Mother nature somehow isn’t seeing all the advertisements for pumpkin spiced lattes and apple cider donuts, and has ignored the fact that the leaves are starting to change. So, until she catches up I plan to keep my outdoor grill going. What do you make for dinner when the calendar says autumn but the thermometer says summer? How about these delicious Grilled Pork Chops with Rosemary Pumpkin Butter! (more…)


Sep
2017

Pumpkin Sweet Potato Alfredo Sauce

categories: Gluten Free, Pasta, Sauces, Dressings, Condiments, Vegetarian

A rich, creamy, healthier Alfredo sauce infused with warm fall spices. 

Pumpkin Sweet Potato Alfredo Sauce – A rich, creamy, and healthier Alfredo sauce infused with warm fall spices. Perfect for pasta casseroles or served atop fettuccine. | QueenofMyKitchen.com

‘Tis the season for pumpkin recipes so I wouldn’t be doing my job as a food blogger unless I created a pumpkin themed recipe for fall. In the past I’ve posted appetizer and dessert recipes but this year I decided to develop a pumpkin sauce that can be used in seasonal pasta entrees. Pumpkin Sweet Potato Alfredo Sauce is not as heavy as a traditional Alfredo sauce, which is typically made with Parmesan cheese, butter and heavy cream. Parmesan cheese is still a mainstay ingredient here, but this sauce gets much of its luxurious taste and texture from a combination of pumpkin and sweet potatoes mixed with milk and vegetable stock.  (more…)

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