Fall Into The Kitchen: A Week of Recipes (Gluten Free and Body Ecology)

This week I've been making my happy time in the kitchen. My schedule has been a little busy so I haven't been coming up with too many recipes lately but this week I did get a chance to make some yummy treats. Something has changed for me about cooking; its become therapeutic where as it used to intimidate me. I used to joke that my fiance always did all the cooking but now when people ask he shocks them by saying I cook a lot more now than I did before. Changing my lifestyle has opened up my mind to all the creative things you can do in the kitchen. It's a lot of fun trying out new ideas and perfecting them so they taste just right. Even after a long day, spending some time making a delicious meal in the kitchen relaxes me. I never thought I would say that. Nor would I ever think I would say cooking is fun. I guess what's changed is that the food in the kitchen isn't making me sick anymore.

Here are a few recipes I've tried out this week.

Smashed Potatoes

(This is a modified recipe I found on Pinterest)

Ingredients:

9 medium red potatoes

2 tablespoons organic coconut oil

2 tablespoons organic ghee

Sea Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, and Parsley to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Boil Potatoes in water till fork tender. Drain and let cool for 15 minutes.

2. Grease lined baking sheet with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Place potatoes on baking sheet. Using a potato smasher, gently press the potatoes till somewhat smashed (they should not be destroyed, but still in a patty-like shape). 

3. Spread the ghee over the smashed potatoes. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and parsley to taste (feel free to experiment with other herbs/spices). Bake at 375 till golden brown (about 45 minutes).

Roasted Green Beans with Red Onion and Garlic

Ingredients:

1 bag of frozen organic green beans

1 organic red onion

6 cloves organic garlic

3 tablespoons organic coconut oil

Salt, Pepper, Garlic powder to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with tin foil and place coconut oil on baking sheet.

2. Defrost green beans in microwave (or if you have time, let them defrost for a few hours on your kitchen counter). Slice red onions into thin slices. Remove garlic skins and cut cloves in half.

3. Place all ingredients on baking sheet and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Toss with oil on baking sheet and spread mixture out in a single layer. Bake in the oven for 1 hour, turning vegetables once.

Sweet Delicata Squash

Ingredients:

3 Delicata Squash, seeded and sliced

6 tablespoons organic coconut oil

2 teaspoons organic vanilla extract (alcohol free)

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon organic stevia powder

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients. Mix well and place in a heavy baking dish. Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes mixing several times.

I hope you enjoy these recipes. What are your favorite ingredients to experiment with?