Thursday, April 28, 2016

Cheesy Cauliflower Garlic Bread

Cheesy Cauliflower Garlic Bread



I have successfully added cauliflower back into my SCD way of eating. This is happy news! As soon as I was sure that I tolerated the cauliflower well, I decided to make some cauliflower cheese garlic bread. I took my basic recipe for Chicken and Artichoke Cauliflower Crust Pizza and modified it for SCD. I didn't take any pictures, but I will eventually. The picture is for the pizza crust linked above. These recipes both give clear NON-microwaved instructions for riced cauliflower.

I inadvertently used 2x the allotted cheese from my original recipe, and it turned out great!

Cheesy Cauliflower Garlic Bread
Makes 12 pieces



In a food processor, finely chop one-half head cauliflower, including the peeled stem -- about 2 cups.  I find it easiest to use the chopping blade and feed the florets through the chute one at a time.  There's much less stopping and having to scrape the sides of the food processor bowl.

Bring a pot of water to a boil, and add the riced cauliflower.  Boil it for about 4 minutes, then drain it through a cloth-lined strainer.  Watch out for boil-overs!  Set the strainer aside to drain, and let the cauliflower cool down enough to work with.  If there's a hook available the cloth can be tied up and hung like cheese to drain.  Once it's cool enough to handle, squeeze out as much water as possible.  There will be only about 1/2 cup of cauliflower left once it is cooked and drained.

Line medium sized baking sheet with parchment paper, and spray it with an oil-only cooking oil spray. Set this aside.  Pre-heat the oven to 425F.

In a mixing bowl combine well:

The cooked, drained, riced cauliflower (above)
3 eggs
8 ounces, (2 cups), shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or other white SCD legal cheese that is tolerated well)
3 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced 1/2 teaspoon each dried marjoram, parsley and basil (or other herbs, like oregano, thyme and sage that are well tolerated and SCD legal)
1/2 teaspoon Real Sea Salt

Using a large spatula or the back of a spoon, smooth the batter over the parchment lined baking sheet to about 1/2" thick.  Bake it until it is becoming lightly browned, about 12-18 minutes at 425F.  Cut into 12 pieces and serve warm with butter.  Yum!

This could easily be made into a pizza crust.  Simply follow the above instructions and top with favorite SCD legal toppings and cheese.  Bake it until the added cheese is melted.


Cheesy Cauliflower Garlic Bread Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Another alternative is to use the "bread" squares as a foundation for a grilled cheese sandwich.  Simply take two pieces of the Cheesy Cauliflower Garlic Bread and place a slice of SCD legal cheese, like white cheddar, between the slices.

Spray a frying pan with coconut oil only cooking spray, put the assembled sandwich on the pan, cover and cook it over medium low for about 3 minutes, or until the bread is becoming golden. Spray or spread the top slice with coconut oil, and turn it over with a spatula. Cover and cook it for an additional 3 minutes or so, until the cheese is melted. Serve hot.

Enjoy!

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Apple Almond Bars

Apple Almond Bars



Apple Almond Bars

I'm still fairly early on my SCD* adventure hoping to heal my stomach.  I was wanting something that was yummy, easy and SCD friendly.  This is what I came up with.  They would be amazing with a variety of other flavorings like cinnamon and cloves or other SCD legal extracts like almond or maple.  They are SCD legal, as well as being low carb, gluten free and dairy free if the yogurt topping is omitted.

Apple Almond Bars
Makes 9 cookies

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Prepare an 8" square cake pan with an olive or coconut oil cooking spray with no added ingredients or butter the pan.  Set it aside.

Place the following ingredients in a mixing bowl:

1 cup blanched almond flour
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/3 cup raw honey
2 tablespoons coconut oil, liquid state (above 70F)
2 teaspoons Homemade Vanilla Extract
1/4 teaspoon salt ("Real Salt" or Himalayan)

Combine them well and spread the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top.  Bake the bars for about 20 minutes or until they are just becoming golden.  Cool and cut into bars.  

I served mine with honey sweetened SCD yogurt and blueberries.  Heavenly!

Enjoy!

*SCD = The Specific Carbohydrate Diet by Elaine Gottschall 


Saturday, April 9, 2016

Baked Dilly Yogurt Fish

Baked Dilly Yogurt Fish



Baked Dilly Yogurt Fish

Here's another delicious, simple dish.  I actually made it with cod, salmon and talapia.  (The cod is pictured.)  I preferred the talapia, and my daughter liked the salmon best.

Baked Dilly Yogurt Fish
Makes 4 servings

Pre-heat the oven 325F.

Prepare a rectangular glass baking pan approximately 10"x8"x2" with either parchment or cooking oil spray.  Place 4 serving sized pieces of fish into the pan.  Sprinkle them lightly with Homemade Adobo Seasoning.  Set them aside.  

Make a batch of  Dilly Yogurt Dip.  Spread the dip over the fish with a spoon or spatula.  I had a couple of tablespoons of the dip leftover for dipping the fish once it was baked.  Bake the fish for 12-20 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the fish.  It should flake easily with a fork at the center when it is done.

I served the fish with spiralized zucchini "noodles," sauteed in coconut oil, served with some of the baked Dilly Yogurt Dip.  Yummy!

Enjoy!

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Chicken Adobo with Dilly Yogurt Dip

Chicken Adobo with Dilly Yogurt Dip



Chicken Adobo with Dilly Yogurt Dip

This is so easy and so delicious!  It reminds me of Tazaki Sauce.  I hope you like it!

Chicken Adobo
Serves 4

Season 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs well with Homemade Adobo Seasoning.  Heat a frying pan over medium heat and spray with an all oil (nothing added) cooking oil spray, olive or coconut oil preferred.  Cook the chicken over medium heat until it tests at 180F or is firm to the touch.

Meanwhile, prepare the

 Dilly Yogurt Dip
Makes 4 servings (unless your a mega dipper!)

Combine:

1/2 cup plain yogurt (SCD yogurt)
1/4 teaspoon Homemade Adobo Seasoning
1/4 teaspoon dill weed

Serve with Chicken Adobo or as a dip for other meat or vegetables.  Refrigerate any leftovers.

Enjoy!




Friday, April 1, 2016

Protocol for a Flare

Protocol for a Flare



Protocol for a Flare

"One of the things I learned while I was at the hospital and subsequently is that pain control is really a lot more important than I ever gave it credit.  When my pain is out of control, so many other things go out of control as well.  Is the the pain that is causing my problem or the problem causing the pain?  It seems like it is a vicious circle to me..."

Continue reading on my other blog here.