#craving some kind of… crispy flaky texture….?

[appleslices]

what do i want for Dinner….

[birdshirt1-blog]

Cacao Hemp Crispy Treats

So the big move-in happened, but we are far from moved in. I am writing this from my dirty dining room table, watching and listening to a collection of relative strangers drill, saw, spackle, sand, stain, and paint around me, like a tornado of humans in tool belts. Drywall dust dances in the shafts of light pouring into our new space, as I try to ignore the deafening screech from a floor sander behind a paper-thin plastic partition a few feet away from my head. Ahhh…home renovation. I could go on about the frustrations of living in a construction site, how my filth-tolerance has reached unthinkable heights, and how if I hear someone tell me that it should all be complete in “two more weeks” I may collapse, but I know that whenever it is done, it will all be worth it. Really and truly.

I made these Cacao Hemp Crispy Treats a few days before we relocated from our rental to our home, knowing that I would need to have a stockpile of snacks that didn’t require refrigeration, or even cutting, since we would be living without electricity, and I had no idea where to locate a knife in the unpacked boxes stacked high in the basement. Since then, I’ve thanked myself every time I’ve sunken my teeth into each chewy-crunchy-sticky bite, the cacao releasing its relaxation-inducing alkaloids and minerals into my frazzled bloodstream, the hemp seeds delivering their much-needed anti-inflammatory omega-3s, and the nut butter grounding my nerves with all its protein and healthy fat. In these uncertain times, I’ve been certain that a delicious snack was ready to satisfy me at the drop of a hammer.

My original inspiration for these bars came from my fellow Canadian health-food blogger and vegan recipe guru Angela Liddon, of Oh She Glows fame. Her Almond Butter Crisp Rice Treats were a fun Sunday afternoon snack project for my four-year old son and I, and since then I’ve been making many variations of them. My goal was to add more protein, healthy fats and filling fiber to the bars, so I tossed in heaps of hemp and chia seeds until I found the right balance. Losing their chewy-crisp goodness would have been a real shame, since it’s the texture of these treats that is so very crave-able! So I tinkered a few times, and found the exact right amount that maintained the satisfying chew. I also wanted to add chocolate. Because chocolate.

After nailing the additions, I knew that top needed some flair: not just visually, but something to cut the richness a tad. I had some freeze-dried raspberries kicking around my pantry that I had bought on a whim in the US some months back, and immediately knew that they would be the perfect supplement with their vibrant pink hue and bright acidity. Bingo! Freeze-dried fruit (and vegetables) have been popping up all over the place lately, since they taste incredible, have a long shelf life, and are a nutritiously convenient way of getting another serving of produce a day, especially for kids. However, if you can’t find freeze-dried raspberries, or any substitute for that matter, you can easily replace them in this recipe with more traditional dried fruit like goji berries, roughly chopped figs, apricots, or even raisins. You could also top the bars with toasted nuts or seeds, coconut or cacao nibs. Think of these as a blank canvas for your favourite add-on flavours and textures, or keep it as simple as you like. The bars are also delicious as is, and if you’re into a dark and rich flavour above all else, simply leave the toppings off. But do not under any circumstance skip the flaky salt – it is key. 

Hemp hemp, hooray! Since being back in the homeland and trying to buy as much locally-produced food as possible, I’ve been loving on hemp seeds lately – even more than usual! Because of their mild, nutty flavor, they blend so effortlessly with just about any food, sweet or savory. And what they lack in flavor, they make up for in protein and healthy fats, specifically those essential Omegas. We’ve all heard about Omega-3s and how important they are for the health of our entire body, helping to prevent cancer asthma, depression, obesity, diabetes and so on. But! There is another star on the block, Omega-6, which seems to be less talked about due to the fact that many of us get enough (or in some cases, too much) of this essential fatty acid.

Omega-3 and Omega-6 fasts are essential, meaning that our bodies don’t produce them and we need to obtain them from the foods we eat. Sources of Omega-3 fats include flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, chia, dark leafy greens, some sea vegetables and cold-water fish. Omega-6 sources include soybean, canola, corn, peanut, sunflower, and sesame oils. You can see from this list that most people in the Western world at least, are getting their fair share of Omega-6 fats, and lacking in Omega-3s. In fact, in North America it is estimated that the population consumes 10 to 20 times more Omega-6 than Omega-3, due to the popularity of processed foods. Although the correct ratio of these fats is still a matter of debate, researchers in this field agree that this ratio is far too high. We should be aiming for an Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio between 2:1 and 4:1.

So why is the balance so important? Because the ratio of Omega-6s to Omega-3s helps determine the flexibility of our cell membranes, meaning that ALL communication throughout the body depends on at least in part on this balance being correct. Coronary heart disease, chronic inflammation, obesity, and healthy genetic processes have all been linked to the delicate equilibrium of essential fatty acids.

How can we improve the situation then? Just making simple, small changes to our diets will greatly improve the balance of fats in our bodies. Instead of relying solely on foods high in Omega-6s like peanut butter and foods made with vegetable oils (like corn, sunflower and soybean oil) swap them with foods high in Omega-3s like walnut butter and flaxseed oil, and sprinkle chia seeds on your breakfast bowl or a salad. For omnivores replacing chicken, beef and pork with wild-caught, cold water fish will make a big difference too.

But the most ideal food to choose when trying to achieve that perfect balance of these fats then, is hemp! Hemp’s Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio is a healthy 3.75:1. You can find hemp in many forms these days: un-hulled and hulled seeds (also known as hemp hearts), hemp oil, hemp flour, hemp protein powder, hemp milk, and hemp seed butter. Remember that choosing hemp in its most natural form (the un-hulled or hulled hemp seeds) is your best bet to ensure a high-quality, whole food product.

I like to sprinkle hemp seeds on just about everything, from my breakfast porridge to my salads and sandwiches. They add an amazing creaminess to smoothies, raw custards and cheesecakes. You can even make your own milk from hemp and you don’t even need to soak the seeds first! Simply blend 1 part hulled hemp seeds to just under four parts water, with an optional sweetener like maple syrup, dates, or honey, and enjoy. Simple and delicious. You can get the full hemp milk recipe here.

The last thing I want to mention is the crisp brown rice. There are a few types of it on the market, and one reason I’m happy to be back in Canada, is because they have the right kind. By that I mean really crispy rice crisps. For whatever reason, the ones I found in Europe would always get soggy very quickly, whereas the ones here maintain their crunch even after combining them with wet ingredients like maple syrup and brown rice syrup. I’ve also found high-vibe sprouted brown rice crisps over here from a company called One Degree (not sponsored). They work really well too, but cost a fortune. I alternate between those, and the ones I’ve found at my local bulk food store that aren’t sprouted or even organic, but they get the job done when I’m renovating a house and feeling strapped for cash. You may need to experiment with a couple kinds before finding “the one”. In the end, the bars should be relatively crunchy-crisp – not mushy at all (even though they will still be delicious).

If you like Rice Crispy Treats, you’re going to love these bars. They’re the grown-up version of your favourite childhood treat, with a mega boost of nourishing superfoods. It’s an indulgence you can feel good about feeding both you and your family…but I won’t tell anyone if you hide them and eat them all yourself. I’ve definitely never done that before. Nope. Never.

    Print recipe    

Cacao Hemp Crispy Treats Makes about 16 bars

Ingredients: 2 Tbsp. virgin coconut oil, plus a little more for greasing 2/3 cup / 160ml unsalted nut or seed butter of your choice 2/3 cup / 160ml brown rice syrup 2 Tbsp. pure maple syrup 1 tsp. vanilla extract heaping ¼ tsp. fine sea salt 1/3 cup / 40g raw cacao powder (or cocoa powder) 4 cups / 200g puffed brown rice crisps 1 cup / 150g hulled hemp seeds 3 Tbsp. chia seeds a few pinches flaky sea salt (Maldon works perfectly) 3-4 Tbsp. freeze-dried raspberries

Directions: 1. Rub a little coconut oil in an 7″x11″ (20x30cm) baking pan.

2. Melt the coconut oil in a large saucepan over low heat. Add the nut butter, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, vanilla and fine salt, and stir to combine. Remove from heat. Stir in the cacao powder until thoroughly incorporated.

3. Add the puffed brown rice, hemp seeds, chia, and stir quickly to combine, then pour the mixture into your baking pan and press firmly (using the back of a large spoon or spatula rubbed with a little coconut oil really helps). Once smooth and even, generously sprinkle the top with the freeze-dried raspberries and flaky salt. Place in the fridge or freezer to firm up, then slice into bars or squares and enjoy. Store the bars in a tightly sealed container in the fridge or freezer.

Show my your bars on Instagram: #cacaohempcrispytreats

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Hey Toronto! I’ve just launched my first collaborative project since moving back to Canada, with my friends at ELXR Juice Lab: the Activated Power Bowl! This delicious breakfast (or snack!) is made lovingly with activated grains, superfood stir-ins, and tasty toppings. There are three mouthwatering varieties to choose from, or you can build your own bowl. I am so thrilled to offer my fellow Torontonians a vegan, gluten-free, whole food breakfast with activated grains – this is truly the first of its kind! The Activated Power Bowl is available at all four ELXR locations across the city, so if you’re in town go pick one up and enjoy. We had a very successful launch over the weekend – huge thanks to everyone who came out to taste and support!

Source: https://www.mynewroots.org/site/2018/03/cacao-hemp-crispy-treats/

[consulting-celiac-in-the-tardis]

A College Celiac's Favorite Gluten Free Frozen Meals

New blog post! Sometimes, I love cooking a delicious gluten free meal from scratch. But during especially busy times of the year, having a gluten free frozen meal waiting for me in my kitchen makes life with celiac disease a whole lot easier. And since my life has been extra crazy the past few years due to working two jobs while also being a full-time grad student, I’ve tried my fair share of gluten free frozen meals recently.

So considering that the holidays is certainly one of the busy seasons of the year, I thought I would round up eight of my favorite gluten free frozen meal brands that I often rely on for busy days. And whether you’re looking for the best gluten free frozen pizza, easy gluten free and vegetarian pre-made meals or paleo freezer meals, I have a yummy option for you on this round up!

1. Real Good Foods

We’ll begin with a grain free and gluten free brand that consistently blows my mind: Real Good Foods. I first learned about them through a sponsored partnership opportunity, but can honestly say that I love their food. Their products range from gluten free frozen pizza made with cauliflower to grain free Italian-like entrees to stuffed chicken breasts. All of their products are gluten free and grain free (they do contain dairy, FYI!) and I’ve loved every version that I’ve tried.

My personal favorites are the Pepperoni Grain Free pizza, which are single-serve size, and the Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Chicken Breasts. Most of their products are completely pre-cooked so you can whip them up super fast in the microwave or oven. If you’re looking for delicious gluten free and low carb freezer meal options, Real Good Foods is a tasty brand to start with.

2. Saffron Road

Saffron Road is another gluten free company that was kind enough to reach out to me on Instagram and even surprised me with a few samples during an especially crazzzzy week at grad school. I’m often a bit cautious with trying pre-made curries since I’m a baby when it comes to spice, but even their medium spicy Madras Curry with Chicken Meatballs was mild enough for my taste buds to handle. But there was still tons of flavor.

Besides all of their gluten free frozen foods being certified gluten free, Saffron Road’s entrees also include a few vegan options like (one of my favorites) the Vegetable Biryani and a Vegetable Pad Thai. I haven’t ever tried any of their enchiladas or lamb dishes, but all of the Saffron Roads frozen foods I have eaten have impressed me with how tender the meat tasted (if it was included), how well everything was spiced and the soft, pillowy texture the basmati rice. I also love that these gluten free meals are suuuuper convenient since you can just pop them into the microwave for a few minutes and dig in.

3. Scott and Jon's Shrimp Bowls

I’ve never considered myself a huge shrimp lover but Scott and Jon's Shrimp Bowls have definitely put me on the path to conversion! They do sell some pasta bowls that are not gluten free, so be sure to grab their rice bowls if you’re interested. And note that these gluten free freezer meals are indicated gluten free, but are not certified gluten free if that is a trait you look for in all your meals. However, their gluten free shrimp and rice bowls are very delicious. Again, I was a bit worried that their Shrimp Jambalaya bowl would be too spicy for me, but the fluffy white rice was the perfect mild accompaniment to the spiced shrimp and crunchy bell pepper, celery and onion. I liked their Cilantro Lime Shrimp Rice Bowl even more since it basically tasted like a burrito bowl with a seafood twist.

I’ve seen these meals on sale pretty often at local grocery stores like Hy-Vee and if you are interested in lower-calorie options, these gluten free freezer meals are 300 calories or less each. I think the meals could definitely do with some more shrimp and toppings, as sometimes I ended up with a bowl of rice near the end of eating, but when I’m craving seafood and don’t have time to cook, I greatly appreciate Scott and Jon’s for providing a gluten free option.

4. Path of Life

Whether you’re looking for a full gluten free frozen meal or just easy sides to make cooking a lot quicker, Path of Life’s frozen quinoa mixes are one of my favorite products to keep in my freezer. Path of Life also offers frozen cauliflower rice and roasted cauliflower blends, and all their products are certified gluten free.

My personal favorite are their Southwest Mango Quinoa Blend, which has black beans, fire-roasted corn and cilantro and lime, and their Deep Roots Quinoa Blend with root veggies (yay for sweet potato!) and kale. You can eat these frozen quinoa meals on their own, but I find them even tastier when paired with other odds and ends I already have in my kitchen, like avocado, leftover salmon or hummus, added to a wrap, etc.

5. Beetnik Foods

If you’re looking for certified gluten free freezer meals or paleo frozen meals, Beetnik Foods is one brand that should be on the top of your list. All their foods are also certified USDA organic and they’ve recently added even more meal options to their line-up. Beetnik Foods offers frozen meals ranging from Fire Roasted Pepper Steak with Whipped Potato to Grassfed Beef Meatballs to Sesame Ginger Chicken. My personal favorites include their Lemongrass Chicken (I could smother the thick lemongrass sauce in this meal on basically any savory dish and live happily!) and their Chicken Meatballs in marinara sauce.

Again, these meals are super convenient to make since they come out delicious just from the microwave. I also love that they include more vegetables than most freezer meals and that all the meat is always super moist and tender. All of Beetnik Foods’ meals do contain meat, so they aren’t a good option for everyone. However, if you eat paleo or just want an easy certified gluten free meal, Beetnik Foods is definitely a quality buy.

6. Feel Good Foods

Finally, a gluten free freezer meal that can help satisfy your take out cravings! I again discovered Feel Good Foods via Instagram, and was sold at first bite. All of their products are certified gluten free, non-GMO and they also use antibiotic-free proteins. My favorite part, though, is that Feel Good Foods offer gluten free alternatives that are often in limited supply: in particular, egg rolls, taquitos, potstickers, empanadas and snack bites.

So far, one of my surprise favorites has been their Chicken and Chipotle Taquitos. I wasn’t expecting too much from a stuffed corn tortilla, but the chicken was super tender and flavorful and the tortilla got deliciously crispy in the oven. The taquitos were on the edge of being too spicy for me (I am team mild), but the flavor was worth it and I appreciated that the onions mixed in with the chicken were very subtle. I’ve actually never had an empanada, potsticker or egg roll since my celiac diagnosis, so I’m hoping to try some of those soon!

7. Mikey's 

Whether you're gluten free, grain free or just want a healthy freezer meal to keep for busy days, Mikey's is a brand you need to know about. I'm an ambassador of theirs and was immediately blown away by how all their products are gluten free, grain free, soy free and dairy free. Then I taste tested a bunch of products and soon found myself addicted to Mikey's fluffy, grain free English muffins, soft and chewy cassava tortillas and dairy free pizza pockets that take me back to bagel bites and after-school snacks.

I also love that all of Mikey's products can be defrosted quickly, and Mikey's also offers goodies like paleo muffin tops, a grain-free pizza crust and egg pockets, all made of simple ingredients.

8. Blake’s Chicken Pot Pie 

If you’re craving gluten free comfort food and don’t have the time or energy to make it yourself, you might love my mom’s go-to Walmart treat: Blake’s Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie! This gluten free freezer meal is also milk free, and Blake's offers a cornbread crust version too. Since Blake's regular chicken pot pie is nearly identical to the gluten free version, make sure you look for the gluten free symbol on the front of the box.

As for how it tastes, I actually haven’t given it a try yet. However, my mom is a huge fan of the flaky crust and tender chicken, and appreciates that it’s still light enough to not upset her sensitive stomach. My mom usually bulks it up with some extra rice and chicken, but you can eat it on its own for a lower calorie meal as well.

The Bottom Line of Gluten Free Freezer Meals

When you have celiac disease or a medically restricted diet, it can be hard to find safe, easy and quick meals. I know that in college, I definitely felt jealous about how easy it was for my friends to grab a frozen pizza or ramen cup while my gluten free food typically took more work and time. Luckily, even just since my celiac diagnosis six years ago, there are a lot more delicious gluten free freezer foods out in the world - and whether you’re craving Asian, Italian, Indian or classic comfort food, there is a gluten free freezer meal out there for you. And hopefully this round up gave you some solid places to start your yummy, convenient gluten free eating! Which of these freezer meals sounds yummiest to you? Tell me in the comments!

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[bharatiyamedia-blog]

15 wholesome Prompt Pot recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner

http://tinyurl.com/y5gcwdcf Know anybody whose day would not enhance if that they had extra time and fewer dishes to clean? Me, both. Well-known for hands-off meals and cook dinner occasions which might be nearly too good to be true — to not point out the power to perform a number of cooking strategies in a single pot — the helpful Instant Pot might be simply what you have to make wholesome, home-cooked meals a daily prevalence. Now taking part in: Watch this: eight important Prompt Pot ideas 2:11 On high of faster cook dinner occasions, the pressure-cooking methodology that the Prompt Pot makes use of is claimed to retain more micronutrients in meals. Whether or not you eat paleo, vegan, vegetarian or keto or comply with another pointers, the Prompt Pot provides sufficient features to make meals your method. Oh, and should you’ve heard rumors that pressure cooking destroys nutrients whereas cooking, read about why that’s and is not true. Breakfast Prompt Pot recipes Breakfast is the best method to begin your day on a excessive notice, but it is in all probability the toughest meal to decide to for some individuals. I imply, would you somewhat have 15 additional minutes of wonderful sleep, or sloppy scrambled eggs? With an Prompt Pot, your weekday breakfast prospects develop into rather more interesting. No scarfing down a granola bar since you selected the additional sleep, and no regretting the selection to get up early and cook dinner breakfast, solely to be left with a sink filled with dishes to scrub upon arriving again residence. Breakfast burritos Easy Completely happy Foodie Easy Instant Pot Breakfast Burritos  A mix of eggs, cream, diced greens, cheese and your selection of protein simmers right into a thick scramble within the Prompt Pot. This recipe makes greater than you may want for one sitting, so it is excellent for scooping into make-ahead parts and storing them within the freezer for later use. The extent of handbook work required for these simple burritos is wrapping the egg combination into tortillas. Easiest Instant Pot Steel-Cut Oats Metal-cut oats are the least refined kind of oats and have a chewier texture than rolled oats. They’re chock-full of fiber, B nutritional vitamins, magnesium, potassium and antioxidants. The draw back is that they take a very long time to cook dinner on a stovetop, and so they have to be babysat or else they might burn. Cook dinner time in an Prompt Pot? A whopping four minutes, plus a while to let the stress launch from the Prompt Pot. Frittata breakfast casserole Peas and Crayons Instant Pot Frittata Breakfast Casserole  To start out your day with an enormous dietary wallop, do this veggie-loaded frittata-type casserole. Filled with bell peppers, onions, spinach and cheese, this frittata is well-rounded so far as vitamins go. Better of all, with simply 10 to 15 minutes of prep time for chopping and sauteing veggies, you can also make a number of parts and have simple reheatable breakfasts prepared for the next days. Instant Pot Crispy Breakfast Japanese Sweet Potatoes Potatoes are my morning carb of selection, however they’re both undercooked if I try to make them morning-of, or soggy if I prep forward of time and warmth them within the microwave. This recipe guarantees crispy candy potatoes with lemon zest — a morning facet dish I would spend money on an Prompt Pot for. Instant Pot Crustless Quiche Lorraine “Crustless quiche” would be the largest oxymoron ever created within the culinary world, as a result of historically, a quiche is all concerning the flaky crust. However I am going to run with it, as a result of this crustless model seems to be simply as scrumptious. It is easy, too: Simply place bacon, onions and cheese in your Prompt Pot pan insert, pour whisked eggs excessive and let the Prompt Pot do its factor for a couple of minutes. Lunch Prompt Pot recipes Like breakfast, lunchtime tends to conjure a self-debate: Ought to I go away for takeout? Eat a protein bar at my desk? Skip it altogether? With just a little premeditation and, in fact, an Prompt Pot, lunchtime woes begone. Lettuce wraps Pam Greer/Sidewalk Sneakers Instant Pot Pork Lettuce Wraps  This lunch recipe is a two-step — first you have to cook dinner whole-grain wheat berries in your Prompt Pot, then the pork — but it surely’s value it. Toss two of those in a reusable plastic container and you will be full for hours after lunch, with out the dreaded afternoon crash. Maintain the leftover combination refrigerated and scoop into lettuce leaves while you’re able to eat them once more. Instant Pot Chili Chili is one in every of my favourite meal prep lunches. It is hearty and simple to eat, and never so filling that I really feel sluggish after downing a bowl. Downside is, it takes literal hours to organize, and I do not like sacrificing my whole Sunday to whip up a pot of chili, regardless of how delicious it makes my residence odor. With an Prompt Pot, chili cook dinner time drops from hours to a mere 30 minutes. French onion soup Effectively Plated Instant Pot French Onion Soup  Like chili, soup is a favourite lunch choice of mine as a result of it is easy and nourishing for each the stomach and the soul. French onion soup is one thing I would usually solely order at a restaurant as a result of it appears fancy and intimidating to make at residence. Nevertheless, this recipe requires simply 10 minutes of prep time earlier than popping all of it into an Prompt Pot for an hour and 20, which sounds completely doable. Cool Ranch Chicken Lettuce Wraps Do not be fooled by the title of this recipe. The shredded rooster concocted right here can be utilized for tacos, sandwiches or anything you possibly can assume to place cool-ranch-seasoned rooster on. That stated, a scoop of this Prompt Pot rooster on a crispy lettuce leaf topped with avocado and ranch appears like precisely the lunchtime pick-me-up I at all times crave. Hen and rice Effectively Plated Instant Pot Chicken and Rice  A pure basic. Hen and rice is a meal of many flavors: Tweak this recipe together with your favourite seasonings. For 15 minutes of prep time and 45 minutes to simmer, you can also make sufficient rooster and rice for a number of workday lunches. Dinner Prompt Pot recipes So breakfast is a battle and lunch is a private battle (pre-Prompt Pot). That brings us to dinner, which, should you’re something like me, is commonly preceded with the inner “We’ve meals at residence” speak as you sulk previous your favourite takeout joint. Once more, with an Prompt Pot, delectable dinners are simply an hour away, or only a few moments should you ready your meals forward of time.   Instant Pot Spaghetti Whereas spaghetti is not actually thought of a troublesome meal to make, it does result in a major quantity of cleanup. On a stovetop, you want a separate pot or pan for pasta, meat and sauce. In an Prompt Pot, the whole lot cooks collectively on the identical time. Who knew spaghetti may get even simpler? Greek rooster Noshtastic Instant Pot Greek Chicken  In case you’re keen to (and bear in mind to) marinate this rooster for four hours earlier than popping it in your Prompt Pot, it makes a severely satisfying and piquant dinner. The cook dinner time is barely 18 minutes, so I would suggest marinating your rooster in a single day so it is able to toss in while you get residence from work.   Kung Pao Chicken As an alternative of longingly casting glances at takeout indicators and meals billboards in your homebound commute, you possibly can zip alongside excitedly eager about the Prompt Pot kung pao rooster ready for you at residence. This one will be made in a sluggish cooker or an Prompt Pot, however each variations look equally as scrumptious and more healthy than what you’d get from Panda Specific. Pressure Cooker Pork Loin with Bourbon Apple Sauce Sure, you possibly can eat gourmand meals on weeknights. Apple and pork are a basic combo, however add within the bourbon for a brand new twist and flavors you won’t get to take pleasure in regularly. This recipe additionally employs the flavors of garlic, thyme, rosemary and Dijon mustard for a taste straight out of a dimly lit restaurant eating room. Pot roast and potatoes Parker Feierbach/Delish Instant Pot Pot Roast & Potatoes  Roast and potatoes was a staple meal throughout my childhood, and it is nonetheless a meal laden with nostalgia for me. I am keen to guess lots of people really feel the identical method about this basic savory dish. Relying on the scale of your roast, an Prompt Pot will tenderize it in simply 45 minutes to an hour, after which you possibly can dig right into a plate filled with fall-apart roast beef, carrots and potatoes.  Source link

[realsimplegood]

Whether you are hosting some friends, having a dinner party, going to bunco night or just want a tasty snack in the fridge, this Paleo and Whole30 healthy buffalo chicken dip is always a good idea! Everywhere we take it, it quickly becomes a crowd pleaser and topic of conversation. This healthy buffalo chicken dip is Paleo and Whole30, so it’s dairy-free, grain-free and there are no added sugars. You’re seriously going to be craving this dip!

Soak Your Cashews

We like to soak our cashews overnight so they get extra tender and then real creamy once blended up. The recipe still turns out great though even if you just soak your cashews for 2-3 hours. Give yourself at least enough time for those 2-3 hours and overnight if it works for your schedule.

The Chicken

We make our chicken in our Instant Pot. We just throw some chicken thighs and a jar of salsa from Trader Joe’s into our Instant Pot. Cook on high pressure/manual for 20 minutes and release the pressure once the cooking is done. You can also make your chicken in a slow cooker as well. Or you could even use leftover chicken if you have some on hand. Whatever you do, shred up your chicken, and then add the cashew mixture to it. Bake and serve!

What Is Nutritional Yeast?

Nutritional yeast is this golden colored, flaky textured seasoning. It is often used in sauces to add a cheesy flavor, without the actual cheese. Don’t be scared by it’s name though because nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast, meaning it does not contribute to any sort of candida or yeast overgrowth. It does, however, boast some great health benefits. This post by Dr. Axe shares some of those benefits including it’s content of b-complex vitamins and protein.

Get All The Dippers Ready

Play with the veggies and crackers you dip into this tasty and healthy buffalo chicken dip! Some of our favorites are Simple Mills Sprouted Seed Crackers, Jilz Crackers, plantain chips and fresh cut veggies – like carrots, celery and bell pepper. And…I’ve been known to use this dip to make a lunch bowl a time or two. Just add some greens, whatever veggies you have on hand and a couple of crackers! So good!

Some Other Appetizer Ideas

GARLIC BASIL NUT HUMMUS

SPICY NUTS

MINI BACON WRAPPED MEATLOAF

PEAR + BACON BITES

SMASHED PLANTAIN PULLED PORK SLIDERS

ELK MEATBALLS

Your Turn To Try Our Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Go ahead and get this healthy buffalo chicken dip on your agenda. Maybe even invite some friends over to enjoy it with – or not…I kind of like to hog it all for myself! Let us know how it goes by leaving a comment below. Also, take a photo and tag us on Instagram @realsimplegood, so we can check it out! Give us a follow on Instagram if you don’t already too!

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Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip (Instant Pot – Paleo + Whole30)

Whether you are hosting some friends, having a dinner party, going to bunco night or just want a tasty snack in the fridge, this Paleo and Whole30 healthy buffalo chicken dip is always a good idea! This healthy buffalo chicken dip is Paleo and Whole30, so it’s dairy-free, grain-free and there are no added sugars.

2 cups cashews, soaked in water overnight to soften

2 lbs chicken thighs

1 jar salsa

4 cloves garlic, peeled ((can sub 2 tsp garlic powder))

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

1 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/4 cup hot sauce, adjust as necessary to taste

1 tbsp spicy brown mustard

Start by placing your cashews in a bowl or container and covering them with water. Set aside to soak overnight. Note: you can soak your cashews overnight to make a creamier texture, but the recipe turns out great just soaking them for the 2-3 hours.

Place your chicken in the instant pot and pour salsa over the top. Close the lid and make sure the pressure valve is closed. Press the “manual” button (or “pressure cook” button) and set the time to cook for 20 minutes at high pressure. Allow the cooking cycle to complete and then quick release the pressure.

 NOTE: Alternatively, you can cook the chicken in your slow cooker on high for 3 hours.

While the chicken is cooking, drain the cashews and place them in a food processor with the chopping blade. Add garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, hot sauce, mustard and nutritional yeast. Process until everything has reached a smooth consistency.

Once the chicken has finished cooking, remove it with a slotted spoon and place it on a cutting board. Shred with two forks until all of the chicken is in small shreds.

Preheat your oven to 400° Fahrenheit.

Add the cashew mixture to the shredded chicken. Mix well until the cashew mixture and chicken is evenly combined. Taste and add in more hot sauce if desired.

Place in a shallow baking dish (we used an 8×8 dish) and spread out evenly. 

NOTE: You can prep the dip in advance up to this step and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake it. 

Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes. Remove from the oven once the dip is warm in the middle and crispy edges develop. Cool at least 5 minutes before serving.

Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip (Instant Pot – Paleo + Whole30) Whether you are hosting some friends, having a dinner party, going to bunco night or just want a tasty snack in the fridge, this Paleo and Whole30 healthy buffalo chicken dip is always a good idea!

[quenchmagazine]

Farming, flat, potash and prosperity — according to a survey completed in 2015 by Insightrix Research Inc, these are just a few of the terms that come to mind when Canadians think about Saskatchewan. There were other less positive terms, like “boring” — gasp — but if Saskatoon is any indication, this flat, farming province is anything but boring.

Saskatoon is the next stop in our Food City series. This small-town, big-city stop on the Trans-Canada Highway is the largest city in Saskatchewan. It boasts a rich culinary scene that is growing in leaps and bounds as locals take a look at what their farming neighbours are producing and realize that these local ingredients make for great fare. Next time you find yourself in this prairie town, take a tour of these must-visit locales that are helping to put Saskatoon on Canada’s culinary map.

Read the food city installment for St John’s, Newfoundland here. 

Must Visit

Bakeries & Cafés

The Night Oven Bakery 629-b 1st Avenue North

Owner Bryn Rawlyk serves handmade artisan bread pulled out of his hand-built brick oven each morning. His approach is simple — start with organic, local ingredients and create breads and pastries that highlight the flavours of Saskatoon. “The main focus of what we do is to utilize local ingredients to create breads, pastries and foods for our customers,” says Rawlyk. “Our style is rustic French with some eastern European specialties at times. Customers have grown to know our standard for quality and appreciate our creative seasonal items.”

His creative menu includes different cultural breads during the holidays; Red Fife sourdough bread, which has just the right amount of chewiness, moistness and sourness to please any bread critic; whole-wheat brioche hamburger buns; and a wide (and changing) selection of French pastries difficult to find anywhere else in Saskatoon, including flaky, crisp croissants and savoury or sweet tarts (try the lemon, if you can get there in time — all of their pastries sell out quickly). You can place an order to take home and share with your family, or sit in the café, sip an exquisite coffee made with organic milk and enjoy with a good book (or a close friend).

If you’re visiting Saskatoon over the weekend, stop in for their Friday Pizza Night. Rawlyk and his team make every style of pizza — meat, veggie, cheese — and they change up the selection each week. Their fresh, local ingredients are framed by a soft, crunchy crust that has a slight sourdough flavour, all baked fresh that night in the brick oven.

The Night Oven also mills its own flour right there in the store. “Using local, organic grain is a big part of what we do,” says Rawlyk. “In starting the bakery, I really wanted to connect customers with the grain that is grown all around our town. I think starting with quality ingredients is very important to creating a great product.” You can bring home their stone-ground flour, Two Stones Mills, to try to recreate some organic pastries of your own, though you can’t beat the experience — and the mouth-watering smells — of visiting The Night Oven Bakery. You’ll never want to buy store-bought bread again.

Citizen Café and Bakery 18 – 23rd Street East

House-made treats, excellent coffee and lounge-worthy couches for an afternoon pick-me-up, this little coffee shop and bakery is a great place to rest your feet as your tour Saskatoon.

The Karma Conscious Café & Eatery 2-157 – 2nd Avenue North

A flavourful fusion of vegan and vegetarian food accompanied by espresso made from hand-picked fair trade coffee. Three percent of all revenues go towards helping charities in the community.

Last Mile Coffee Truck Saskatoon Farmers’ Market

If you’re spending the day at the Farmers’ Market, stop by this truck for some independent roadster coffee.

Dinner & Drinks

The Hollows 334 Avenue C South

Chef Christie Peters was a 2016 Mav Chef and she’s still working hard to craft seasonal dishes in the heart of Saskatoon. “After cooking in larger cities, Saskatoon feels like the Wild West,” says Peters. “Being my own boss allows me to focus on any areas I feel passionate about at the time. At this time, I am able to practise charcuterie in conjunction with whole-animal butchery.”

Peters and her husband, Kyle Michael, own The Hollows and Primal Pasta (see below). Both restaurants work around Saskatoon’s climate to ensure all dishes are made with local ingredients, all year round. “The challenges of the harsh climate and short growing season here keep us on our toes,” explains Peters. “We are always finding new ways to preserve items from our gardens so that they carry us through the long, cold winters.”

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Gardening is a major passion for Peters. She planted her gardens in order to grow her own ingredients. “The gardens guide the menus at both restaurants,” she says. “Every year we are learning new things. Right now [in July], we are harvesting rose petals, raspberry leaf, rhubarb, wood sorrel, lamb’s quarters and dandelions. And next week, it could be entirely different!”

Her menu at The Hollows is as eclectic and creative as you could want. Dishes crafted with local ingredients, focusing on texture and unique flavour combinations, mean you’ll get to enjoy buttery-salty roasted bone marrow; or dandelion tempura with spicy mayo, one of the daily specials, seasoned just right and not too spicy. Main dishes — served in reasonable portions rather than piled on the plate — include creations like pork sausage with kimchi and olive oil potatoes, where the pork sausage has the perfect ratio of meat to fat and the kimchi gives it all a nice kick. Finish your meal with the dessert flight, a sampling of all of their desserts in just-the-right-size portions so you can have a taste of everything.

“Our motto is high quality, seasonal and sustainable,” says Peters. “It happens to be that the most high-quality and fresh products available are usually locally grown, or foraged, or locally pastured animals. This philosophy guides our menus in such a way that the slightest micro-changes in the season are reflected.”

Primal Pasta 423 – 20th Street West

Here, you’ll find a menu replete with fresh, homemade pastas and sauces crafted with local ingredients (including those from Chef Peters’ garden). A nice Saskatoon-twist on traditional Italian cuisine.

Ayden Kitchen & Bar 265 – 3rd Avenue

If you’re looking for high-end pub food, heavy on the meats, Ayden Kitchen & Bar is the place to be. The relaxed, inviting atmosphere, replete with rich dark woods and antiques, is the perfect setting for an evening of dining, after-work cocktails or a night cap. The menu includes special selections that showcase all that Saskatoon has to offer, made with local vegetables, seasonings and meats.

“We work with a lot of local farmers and producers. We’ve built great relationships with them and there’s that sense of satisfaction knowing that we can take their locally crafted products and create something extraordinary for our guests to enjoy,” says general manager and mixologist Christopher Cho. “We learn so much when working with local suppliers, about how their product has been handled and the amount of love and care they put into it. We want to give the products justice by giving the same love the suppliers have and that is why I think it changes the taste of our menu.”

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Their drinks list is a big draw as well and includes signature cocktails created by Cho. These are created to pair with the menu, though Ayden also has all the classics and the bartenders can recreate whatever cocktail you crave. “The moment you walk through our doors to the moment you walk out, we want our guests to feel as if we took them on a journey,” says Cho. “We strive to exceed our guests’ expectations when it comes to the food, the service, the drinks and the ambiance.”

Judging from the reviews and the number of awards they’ve received, they have succeeded in achieving that goal. “Ayden Kitchen & Bar was the first restaurant in Saskatchewan to be acclaimed in the Top 10 Best Restaurants through Vacay.ca, Top 10 Best New Restaurants in Canada through enRoute Magazine, and Top 100 Best Restaurants in Canada through Macleans. We couldn’t have achieved that without the support of this city,” explains Cho. “Throughout my travels, I find Saskatoon to be one of the friendliest cities across Canada. There’s a huge support culture in Saskatoon. People who are from here or live here have a big amount of pride to be in Saskatoon.”

Prairie Harvest Café 2917 Early Drive

Prairie Harvest isn’t actually a café — it’s a small, quirky lunch-brunch-supper spot found in the middle of a charming neighbourhood. Owner/chef Michael McKeown, and his co-chefs Bret Eldstrom and Adam Carrier, serve up interesting seasonal dishes, all surrounding their three staples: lasagna, pierogis and doughnuts. “We change the menu weekly [or] bi-weekly, depending on what ingredients are available,” says McKeown. “Maple bacon doughnuts, PH lasagna and pierogis have been there in one form or another since Day One; the rest of the menu kind of fits around that.”

Local, seasonal ingredients are the cornerstone of Prairie Harvest’s menu. McKeown and his team transform these ingredients into handmade dishes. “We don’t bring anything in store-bought at all. Everything that goes on the plate, we make,” explains McKeown. “We make all our own doughs, all our own breads, all our own pastas.” They also make sauces, mayo, ketchup, mustard — literally everything. This means that the dining experience is truly home-style and one-of-a-kind.

Take the maple bacon doughnut, for example. The strong, smoky bacon flavour combines so well with the hints of maple — an interesting fusion of savoury and sweet. Their breads are dense and hearty. Sausages perfectly juicy. The actual bacon crispy and thick. The combination of local ingredients with the out-of-the-box approach to flavour makes it worth hunting down this small, out-of-the-way space.

To help prolong the availability of seasonal ingredients, Prairie Harvest preserves its sauces, pickles ingredients and does its best to store enough to get the restaurant through the winter. “Right now, we’re pickling asparagus,” mentions McKeown. “With tomatoes, we roast them off, make sauce and freeze that and use it as long into the winter as we can. But we’re a little, tiny place, so it can last as long as it can last.” If they do run out, all they have to do is change the menu up a little bit — tweak it so that if they run out of something, you won’t even notice. Even if it is in the dead of winter.

Saskatoon Station Place 221 Idylwyld Drive North

When Saskatoon Station Place opened, it was the first Greek-Canadian fusion restaurant in the city. A visit here is like a journey to the past, when trains featured classic food cars, bar cars and even smoking cars. This is the full fine-dining experience at its best.

More to See

Shopping

Last Shoes 318 Avenue C South

Cordwainer (aka, shoemaker) Adam Finn opened up Last Shoes to provide Saskatoon with custom shoes. “Last Shoes is all about craftsmanship and self-expression,” explains Finn. “When a customer buys a pair of handmade shoes, it’s an investment in their aesthetic sensibilities as well as a unique story and experience.”

Finn opened up Last Shoes because he’s “always had an interest in craft, creating objects that people interact with and build a relationship with.” Given how important shoes are not only to the comfort of our feet but also our posture, back and overall balance, having a good pair of shoes is key — especially if you’re a chef, like Christie Peters, who pointed me to Last Shoes, the creators of her kitchen clogs and apron with sturdy leather accents.

Finn has had a lot of success marketing his custom shoes and other leather products — and he hasn’t looked back. “I love working in a city that is growing and changing. There’s a mentality of collaboration rather than competition,” he explains. “The response has been great.”

The Cure Artisanal Charcuterie 110-209 Avenue D South

Artisanal meats are the only thing sold at this carnivore’s grocer. Treat yourself to an epic meat and cheese platter for your next gathering or for a snack while you relax at your hotel before dinner.

Saskatoon Farmers’ Market 414 Avenue B South

Every vendor at the market sells only what they produce, so this is the place to be if you want a true representation of all that Saskatoon has to offer.

Hazlewood Clothing Co. 120 – 20th Street West

Antiquing in style. A curated vintage shop with clothing, home furnishings and handmade apothecary.

Drinks & Nightlife

The Rook & Raven Pub 154 – 2nd Avenue South

When The Rook opened in 2011, it started the locally owned and operated pub revolution of downtown Saskatoon. A comfortable, casual spot to unplug from the outside world and enjoy a pint.

Melody Lounge Bar 255 – 3rd Avenue South

This brilliant, off-the-beaten-path bar has live music, great cocktails and a selection of nibbles to keep you satisfied all night long.

Bartari Videogame Restaurant & Bar 511 – 20th Street West

Retro games and adult beverages with some food thrown into the mix. Not sure about you, but to me, that’s a recipe for a great evening.

Mana Bar 523 – 20th Street West

New to the Saskatoon bar scene, this is a prime spot for gamers, nerds and trivia lovers who refuse to give up on those pastimes they enjoyed as kids. Every day is a new theme — Magic Mondays, Tabletop Tuesdays, Waffle Wednesdays and Trivia Thursdays, plus they host events throughout the year.

Festivals

Sasktel Saskatchewan Jazz Festival June 2018

For 10 days every summer, Saskatoon is home to the biggest names in jazz, with over 85,000 music fans grooving to jazz, blues, funk, pup and world music.

A Taste of Saskatchewan July 2018

Foodies rejoice! This five-day event features more than 30 of Saskatoon’s finest restaurants, plus a selection of local music, all celebrating the flavour of the prairies.

Ness Creek Music Festival July 2018

For more than 26 years, music fans have made their way to Prince Albert National Park for the “Woodstock of Saskatchewan.” With big-name musicians, intimate local bands, tents and drums, this festival is a must for any music fan.

Nuit Blanche Saskatoon September 2018

Free, all-ages night-time arts festival showcasing art and culture in Saskatchewan.

Microbreweries & Distilleries

9 Mile Legacy Brewing Company 229 – 20th Street West

This brewery represents the close-knit community of Saskatoon like no other: the two families that own 9 Mile Legacy (the Moens and the Pedersons) have lived roughly nine miles apart for over a century. Their collaboration creates a selection of smooth beers, each with its own unique flavour.

Prairie Sun Brewery 2020 Quebec Avenue

The vision of Prairie Sun Brewery was the result of a road trip to the beer-capital of the US: Denver, Colorado. Cameron Ewen, a Humboldt, Saskatchewan native, and Heather Williams, originally from Boulder, Colorado, transform Saskatoon’s local grains into beers that wow the palate. Try their Toffee 5 or their 306 Urban Wheat Beer.

Paddock Wood Brewing Co. 116 – 103rd Street East

Buy some beer, pick up a kit to make your own or reserve a keg, Paddock Wood is a must-visit. The friendly staff will help you find the perfect ale to quench whatever thirst hits you.

Lucky Bastard Distillers 814 – 47th Street East

The cold winters and short, hot summers in Saskatoon make for some of the finest growing conditions in the country, which is probably why the whole province is synonymous with wheat fields. These quality grains are transformed into some of the best micro-distilled liquor in Canada via owner Michael Goldney’s hand-hammered copper pot still named Ginger.

Black Fox Farm & Distillery 245 Valley Road

Black Fox makes gins for non-gin drinkers. Their assortment of juniper-based spirits (four recipes in total) are a good way to introduce your palate to gin. They also have some delicious fruit liqueurs made from apples, haskap berries, raspberries, blackcurrants and sour cherries — all grown on their farm.

food city – Saskatoon: innovative food in the prairies Farming, flat, potash and prosperity — according to a survey completed in 2015 by Insightrix Research Inc, these are just a few of the terms that come to mind when Canadians think about Saskatchewan.