Are Chocolate and Avocado Really BFF's?

Chocolate and avocado are not a new combination in the blog world.  I'm sure you've all seen the pudding, cake, and cupcakes, but to be honest the thought of adding avocado to my yummy baked goods kind of freaked me out.  I was skeptical to say the least.  That was until I tried this recipe Marie posted on her blog over at Marie Tower Nutrition.  Marie hasn't steered me wrong yet so I had to give them a try.

I made three slight modifications to the recipe.  One I wanted to see how they would work using a gluten free flour mix, two I was running out of maple syrup so I didn't use as much and three I read if you add a little apple sauce, pumpkin or something with pectin in place of some of the fat it would help bind things together with the GF flours.

Chocolate Avocado Cupcakes (Gluten Free)

1 1/2  cups gluten free flour mix (or AP flour. Spelt would probably work good too)
3/4 cup coco or cacao powder
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp sea salt
1 large avocado pitted and peeled
3/4 cup pure maple syrup
3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/3 cup olive oil (I subbed approx 1/8 cup unsweetened apple sauce for some of the oil)
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven 350

Line 12 cup muffin pan with paper liners.  Whisk dry ingredients together in a large bowl.  Combine wet ingredients, including avocado in your blender and blend until creamy.  Add avocado mixture to dry ingredients and mix till well combined.  This batter is very thick a large ice cream scoop would be perfect to use to put the batter in the muffin cups.

Bake for 25 mins or until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few crumbs attached.  Let cool (if you can wait that long) and enjoy!

They were velvety smooth, yummy and held together really well. The next time I make them I'll be adding in some dark chocolate for a little extra chocolaty goodness.

If you would like to try the GF flour mix here it is. I've used it in muffins, and brownies too all with great results.

2 cups sorghum flour
2 cups potato starch (not flour)
1/2 cup coconut flour
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1 tbsp xantham gum (or guar gum)

Mix together and store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer for longer shelf life.

Enjoy your Labour day holiday!!

~~ Jackie

From Middle Eastern to Moroccan - Quinoa Take Two

Today we're continuing with the Quinoa theme but moving on over to Morocco!!!  Morocco has a little something for everyone.

Resorts

Beaches 

 

 Desert Adventures

Last but not least....Spice Markets!!     You won't see that at your local grocery store.

Today's recipe, Stuffed Butternut Squash Moroccan Style,  is another meatless meal, but because it is packed full of fiber from the veggies and protein from the quinoa you won't feel like you're missing out on anything.  Not only is this packed full of flavor you'll be getting in lots of the good stuff too ( * Antioxidants, B Vitamins, Potassium* ) It's the color that gives away it's most noteworthy health benefit.  The orange color of the butternut squash tells us it's a rich source of carotenoids.  Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants that protect our bodies from the damage done by free radicals.  This colorful squash also has high levels of beta-carotene, (converted to Vitamin A in the body) which has been identified as a deterrent against breast cancer and age related macular degeneration.  Butternut squash isn't alone here either -carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin and papaya all contain carotenoids.

Stuffed Butternut Squash Moroccan Style

** These are items I added that weren't in the original recipe**  

1 Whole butternut squash, halved lengthwise seeds removed

2 Tbsp EVOO

S & P

2 oz pine nuts (walnuts would work too)

1/2 large red onion**

1 red or yellow pepper, chopped

2 medium carrots chopped**

3 large cloves of garlic, minced

1 tsp grated fresh ginger

1 1/2 tsp ground cumin (I ran out of ground cumin so toasted some cumin seeds and used them)

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp ground turmeric ( I used more than a tsp)

1 tsp curry** 

1 tsp chili flakes

2 small - medium zucchini, cubed

10 (or to taste) cherry tomatoes, halved**

1 3/4 cup chicken broth (or water)

1 cup quinoa, rinsed and drains

2 - 3 Tbsp fresh cilantro chopped 

2 Tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Preheat oven to 350

Using a sturdy knife (or a spoon) scoop out enough flesh in the squash so you have a bowl with a border of about 3/4 inch.  Coat with EVOO, S & P and bake for about 20 - 25 mins or until tender.

While that is cooking dry roast your pine nuts in a small non-stick pan and set aside.

Heat oil in a pan.  Add onions, peppers, and carrots and saute till soft.  Add garlic and ginger.  Cook for another minute. Stir in the spices (cumin, paprika, turmeric, curry and chili flakes) let cook for a minute or so to bring out their yummy flavours. Add the zucchini and tomatoes and 1 cup of broth.  Cover and simmer for 10 mins.  Add the quinoa to the pan along with the remaining 3/4 cup of broth.  Cover and simmer for another 10 - 12 mins.  (Keep an eye on it.  I had to add some more broth).  Stir in the pine nuts and coriander.  Spoon the mixture into the squash halves.  Return to the oven for 10 - 15 mins until golden.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley.  I also added a little goat feta to mine just because feta make everything better in my mind.  Also, I love spices and I don't actually measure when I'm cooking.  I just know what I like so I probably used more than what is listed in the recipe.

Hope you like this one. 

~~ Jackie

Middle Eastern Quinoa Salad aka Fattoush

It seems my blogging trend continues.  Post every day for a week or so then take a hiatus for a couple months.  Oh, well whatever works right.

The summer here in Nova Scotia has been a hot and muggy one. You  know the kind of heat where you get out of  the shower and by the time you have your hair dried you need another shower. I love summer don't get me wrong but fall is my favorite time of year so I'll be happy to see it make an appearance very soon.  With it being so hot there hasn't been a whole lot of cooking going on around here but I've tried a few new things.  Some good some not so great.  You can't win them all right??  Of course you'll only be seeing the good... well what I consider good that is.

I'm sure by now you're all familiar with Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah).  There was a time not too long ago that I really disliked quinoa, I think I did a post on it actually.  Let me just say my opinion has changed.  I can't get enough of it.  Kind of like Frank's hot sauce.... I put that sh*t in everything.  I put it in salads, top it with chili, add it to soups for some added protein.  It's so versatile and is packed full of nutrition.  It is a complete protein and high in fiber.  Not only that it contains a number of vitamins and minerals.  Some of which are, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Iron and Vitamin E.

Fattoush Salad

A Middle Eastern salad that is usually served with crispy baked (or deep fried) pita bread.

Serves 6 - 8

3/4 cup red quinoa, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups water

2 English cucumbers, chopped

8 oz cherry tomatoes, halved

1 red onion, finely chopped

4 shallots or green onions, sliced

1/2 large red pepper, diced

4 radishes, thinly sliced

1/2 cup roughly chopped mint (I use less mint maybe 1/4 cup)

1/2 cup roughly chopped flat leaf parsley

1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro

3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

4 Tbsp EVOO

3 tsp sumac * (no not the poisonous kind)

1 tsp zatar *

1 - 2 cloves garlic minced 

s & p 

Bring quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan.  Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 mins.  Remove from heat and let cool completely.

Mix lemon juice, EVOO, garlic, sumac, zatar, salt and pepper together.  Let sit while quinoa is cooking and cooling.

Toss veggies in a bowl, add quinoa when completely cool and top with dressing.  Chill and enjoy

**You will most likely find Zatar and Sumac at a Middle Eastern grocery store, but check the ethnic food section of your local grocery store**

We also had a milestone birthday of sorts this month.  Our canine fur babies turned 16, so they got a treat from the Three Dog Bakery

                                                They loved them...  two paws up!!

That's all I have for you tonight.

~~ Jackie 

Anatomy and Chicken On The Barbie

Did I get your attention??

The Canada Day long weekend is quickly coming to a close, back to work tomorrow..booooo.  I still don't understand how the weekends (long or not) well, pretty much anytime away from work just zooms by yet the work days just drag on painfully.  I don't get it.  While I'm on the topic who's idea was it to create a 5 day work week and 2 day weekend. WHAT WERE THEY THINKING!!!

I was on a roll blogging a little while ago, but I slacked off again.  Posting every day just doesn't seem to be practical.  I was having issues with my camera and laptop and life just gets in the way sometimes.  

Besides struggling with my laptop and camera , I've been struggling with my RHN (Registered Holistic Nutritionist) course.  Not struggling in the sense that I can't do it, but just trying to find the time and organize myself so I can put the necessary time in.  I still work full time, there are still 765 loads of laundry to do, dishes, cooking, groceries etc. etc. I have a million things I want and need to do but I get so overwhelmed I end up going in circles and getting nothing accomplished.   I wish someone could teach me how to prioritize and clean the clutter out so I can focus on what needs to get done.  The funny thing is I can do it at work I just can't carry that over into my personal life.  

Some, well actually I think most people think the RHN course is, all about cauliflower and broccoli and lacks substance.  Well I'm here to tell you that's not the case.  Right now I'm working on Anatomy and Physiology, it's a little challenging to say the least.  Interesting but challenging.  I'm told this is the section where they lose a lot of students. I can see why. Erythrocytes, leukocytes, the bony labyrinth, olfactory receptors, parasympathetic nervous system.  You get the idea. Learning how to spell everything should be a course in itself.

I can't wait to get through this section and move on to Symptomatology II, so I can start working on case studies. I have to do 12 in total with 2 follow ups later.  I've recruited some people to participate (friend, family, co-workers) but I'm still looking for some more so if anyone is interested let me know.  I send out the paperwork for you to complete (questionnaire(s) about your health) and then use that to formulate my recommendations that would help you reach your goals just as I will for clients when I complete the course. This is for school so I would be using them as I continue through my studies.  If you wish to know my recommendations I can tell you, if not the information is just used for the course.  Oh, and names are not submitted on the case studies so everyone's information is confidential.

Moving on.

I tried a new recipe last night for supper.  I was a teeny bit skeptical about one of the ingredients but it turned out pretty good.  I'm still undecided about the results but hubby seemed to like it so that's a good thing.

On the Menu

Smoky and Sweet Grilled Chicken, roasted lemon, garlic rosemary potatoes and grilled asparagus. Grilled asparagus is the best, and to think I hated asparagus growing up.  That would be because mom served asparagus from a can, yup that's right in a can...blech!! Mushy tasteless asparagus.

A couple squeezes of fresh lemon juice, grated garlic, olive oil, chopped fresh rosemary, S & P  

Top with some rosemary sprigs and some sliced garlic. Roast at 400 till golden brown.

Smoky & Sweet Grilled Chicken

1 1/2 tbsp pure maple syrup

1 1/4 tsp ancho chile powder (I just used regular chili  powder)

1 tsp smoked paprika

3/4 tsp ground coffee (this was the odd ingredient)

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp allspice

1/4 tsp dried thyme

4 bone in skin on chicken breasts (3lbs) (I used chicken thighs)

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl.  It will make a thick paste.  Lift the skin of the chicken and rub some of the paste over the meat. Place any remaining marinade in a ziplock bag and refrigerate at least 4 hrs up to 24hrs.

Remove chicken from fridge 15 minutes before cooking and let it come to room temperature.  Place on BBQ and cook till juices run clear.

Time to hit the books.  

Have a great day everyone!!

~ Jackie