Tag: gluten free

Sweet Potato Soufflé

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This healthier version of the original version of sweet potato pie. No crust and no sugar. And it tastes wonderful! Friends and family still say,

..“this is the best sweet potato soufflè I have ever had!“

Long ago, I was invited to classmates dinner during a crisp autumn weekend. I decided to bring a sweet potato cassarole with marshmallows. This was the first time I made this thanksgiving classic. I watched mom make lanttulaatikko at Christmas and substituted sweet potatoes for the rutabaga. She did not use a recipe and we didn’t have internet in those days. As I arrived, the host did not know what I brought. Too much studying. However, it was all gone. I kept my wheelhouse of spices when I made the sweet potato soufflè . I have never added sugar or syrup to this dish because mom never did. Subsequently I did not add any sweetener. Frankly, I never understand the addition of extra sugar to this delicious soufflè . I knew from basic chemistry that oven baking turns the sweet potato even sweeter.

Recipe ❤️

Sweet Potato Soufflè - Mildly Spicy

  • Servings: 4-6
  • Difficulty: medium
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INGREDIENTS
5 tablespoon salted butter, plus more for soufflé dish(es)
Fine ground rye bread crumbs -enough to coat the baking dish(es)
3 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole milk
1 1/2 cup mashed sweet potatoes
3-4 large eggs, separated, and at room temperature
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp. chili pepper
1 tbsp. lemon zest (one lemon)
3-5 cardamon pods – ground (optional)
A pinch of turmeric (optional)
A pinch of cumin (optional)
1/4 tsp cream of tartar (for egg whites- stabilizer)
A pinch of salt (for egg whites)

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.(Prep dish as oven is heating) Butter a 1-quart soufflé dish -or ramekins- and coat inside with butter, followed by fine bread crumbs, tilting and turning dish to coat sides completely.
Prepare Sweet Potato
2. Microwave sweet potatoes by puncturing with a fork in several places & wrapping in a moist paper towel set at high for 5 minutes. Check if done by poking with a fork. Flip the potatoes over and continue to microwave for another 2-3 minutes. minutes. The moist paper towel allows for fast peeling.
Purée Sweet Potatoes
3. Cool potatoes to room temperature, then transfer to a food processor or blender. First, purée fresh chilli peppers. Then add sweet potatoes. Purée until smooth, to yield 1 1/2 up to 2 cups.
4. In the microwave, heat milk (about 20-30 seconds) until hot, but not boiling. Place hot milk in the bowl of an electric mixer and slowly add sweet potato, butter and spices. Blend well. Taste to determine if you need more spice. Then, whisk 4 egg yolks and add to sweet potatoes. Blend well.
Egg Whites
5. Beat 4 egg whites with a pinch of salt + 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar in a very clean chilled bowl (copper bowl -if you have one) until stiff peaks start to form.
6. Fold egg whites into sweet potato mixture; pour into prepared soufflé dish(es). Flatten the top of the dish with a knife and use your finger to follow around the inside rim to create a rounded, high, even puff. Turn oven down to 375F. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until well puffed and browned on top. Serve immediately.

Egg Whites: Fix

The most crucial step in all soufflès are the egg whites. Whisk egg whites until foamy and just turning to a peak. Some chefs add cream of tartar ( in lieu of sugar or plus sugar) to prevent the egg whites from collapsing. Over whisking egg whites will result in dryness and breaking of the soufflè. If your souffle does not rise a lot do not worry. It will taste great. If you like this dish, you can achieve great heights the next time you make it! 🙂

Vegan Version

  • Olive oil instead of butter
  • Unsweetened vanilla almond milk instead of regular milk
  • Leave the skin on because it’s full of nutrients
  • Add a little bit of turmeric to balance blood sugar. [ you can not taste it in the pie]

Healthy Nutrition

Sweet Potatoes are known to be beneficial to individuals with type 2 diabetes due to the high levels of magnesium and fiber, which helps in reducing insulin resistance and stabilizes blood sugar.

Sweet potatoes have a large level of carbohydrates. But, they generally have a low glycemic index: of 61.

VARIATIONS

To the base: add grated ginger, garlic, apples, pineapple, cranberries, currents, cheese or white potato. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Add au juice: hot cinnamon/apple/cranberry juice to the table.

<– This souffle is broken. As the famous Julia Child would say, “No one will know.“

Orange Sweet Potato (most common), Red Jamaican (white inside) and Japanese Sweet Potato (All red)

Coffee Soufflé ☕ by Julia Child

You may guess I am a big fan of Julia Child. Julia Child’s coffee soufflé directions are standard and apply to the sweet potato soufflé . Good Baking Tips!

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Pumpkin Soup (Easy Keto & Vegan Recipe)

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The first time I ordered pumpkin soup was at a Thai Restaurant in Toronto, Canada. A slight smile grew on my face from the first spoonful! My first thoughts were, ” amazingly delicious!” It was the coconut milk that embraced the pumpkin flavour so beautifully. I encourage you make pumpkin soup this FALL
KETO recipe of 270 Calories per serving.

Pumpkin Soup Recipe

  • Servings: 10-12
  • Difficulty: easy
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INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic grated /pressed
3 pounds cooking {pie} pumpkin -peeled and chopped
1 lemongrass stalk finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh ginger grated
2 tbsp. RED CURRY PASTE (recipe below)
4 cups vegetable stock (or water + 1 tablespoon of Maggi chicken powder or cubes – to taste)
13.5 oz coconut milk

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat Add the onions. Cook until the onion becomes translucent. Chop Garlic and let it sit for 7 minutes before adding to the saucepan.
2. Add ginger, curry paste and lemongrass. Cook until the stalk becomes soft before adding the pumpkin.
3. Toss the pumpkin in the oil and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add the vegetable stock, garlic and bring to a boil before reducing the heat to low. Cook for 30 minutes or until the pumpkin is tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
5. Use an immersion stick to blend the soup until smooth, while adding the coconut milk.
Calories: 272 kcal Cuisine: vegetarian

5 Ingredient Recipe (Not counting Spices)

RED CURRY PASTE ~ Home Made

Thai Red curry paste is a classic twist to the regular Pumpkin Soup. A perfect dish to welcome winter with open arms:- See recipe below

Thai Red Curry Paste Recipe

  • 3/4 Onion, chopped
  • 1 Lemongrass
  • 10 Fresh Red chillies , soaked in warm water for 10 minutes
  • 4 cloves Garlic , roughly chopped
  • 1 inch Ginger , or galangal, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon Cumin seeds (Jeera)
  • 1/2 teaspoon White pepper powder
  • 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
  • Salt , to taste

Blend all ingredients together and refrigerate for up to 3 months

COMING IN OCTOBER!

October NEWS: An ITALIAN pasta dish from Tuscany, you probably never had before! Find out this October.

Plus secrets from the PATAK Family!

HAPPY EASTER .. Deviled Egg Chicks 🐣

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Classic Deviled Eggs Plus+ Baby Yoda and Dragon Eggs !

We are bringing back the Classics: Deviled Eggs. Here is the 2022 version. Trending avocado and veganaise deviled eggs brings us right into the 21st century. Kids and adults embrace these healthy sides!

In this video, substitute dried black currents for the pepper corn to make the eyes.

Classic Deviled Eggs

  • Servings: 6
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

INGREDIENTS
6 large eggs
2 tablespoons mayonnaise (or veganaise)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (or Keens mustard powder)
1 Teaspoon of butter
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salt, to taste
Optional: 1 to 2 dashes Tabasco sauce, to taste (cayenne pepper/ chili powder)
Garnish: Paprika & Chives
Whole fresh chives, for garnish
DIRECTIONS:

  1. Gently place room temperature eggs in boiling water and boil for 10 minutes. Remove and place in ice cold water.
  2. Prep the eggs:

    Peel the cooled eggs. Slice each egg in half, lengthwise. Gently remove the yolk halves and place in a small mixing bowl. Arrange the egg white halves on a serving platter. Slice a small amount of white from the bottom of the egg to steady the egg half -if you need it.

  3. Make the filling:

    Using a fork, mash up the yolks and add mustard, mayonnaise, soft butter, salt, pepper OPTIONAL: Add heat – tobasco, cayenne pepper, etc.. Add more mayonnaise, yogurt or sour cream as necessary to get to the creamy consistency you want.

  4. Pipe or spoon mixture into egg white halves:

    Pipe through a piping bag (star tip) or simply use a spoon to put the egg yolk mixture into the egg white halves. Sprinkle with paprika.

FAMILY FUN in the kitchen!

Suggestion: Poppy Seeds, Black Sesame Seeds, Dried Currents ( in place of pepper corns), Celery, Red, Yellow, Green Peppers And Black Olives For Decoration.

Recipe start 1/3 into the video -One version of Yoda Deviled eggs ..and a good one!

You can make these Deviled Egg “Chicks” with your kids.
Add dill, wheat grass, chives or curly parsley for CRAZY looking hair.

Use your imagination with veggies and herbs to dress up your egg-y chicks!

EGGS are a great food to include in family meals. They are an inexpensive form of protein and they contain fat, which is essential for brain development in little ones. Try Greek yogurt [ or half mayo and half yogurt or sour cream] instead of 100% mayonnaise. Other healthy additions are spinach purée, mashed sweet potatoes, beets and avocado!

What are Organic Eggs? These eggs use chickens that are fed no animal byproducts and do not live in cages.

VARIATIONS

PICKLED TURMERIC -DEVILED EGGS

To get the yellow eggs, PICKLE cooked and peeled eggs in a jar with of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water and 1/2 tsp of turmeric powder for 1 hour or overnight. Add 1/4 tsp of turmeric and a dash of cumin ( 1/8 tsp) to the recipe when you mix the yolks. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Pickled BEET JUICE – Deviled Eggs

Peel The cooked eggs and marinated in beet juice & vinegar (half and half) for all 6 eggs for 3 hours or overnight. I have made these eggs and they have a very small hint of vinegar. If I make pickled beets, I always save the juice for my pickled eggs.

Dragon Eggs….GOLD MEDAL WINNER! 🥇

DRAGON (Deviled) Eggs – No Mayo!

My favourite way to make deviled eggs is to substitute the mayo with 1/2 large or one small avocado plus about one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to prevent the avocado from turning brown too quickly. Avocado will start to brown (oxidize) after it is exposed to air. Serve immediately. The result is a gorgeous colour, and it tastes delicious. I call them Green Dragon Eggs instead of Deviled Eggs.

At Hogwarts School of Witchcraft, dragon eggs are a hit! Get your kids involved to help make Harry Potter’s Dragon Eggs! You can read “Philosopher’s Stone” together ~when Hagrid won a dragon’s egg from a stranger he met down at the Hog’s Head pub in Hogsmeade. Great fun!

For adults: Sriracha and cayenne pepper will put fire 🔥 in your mouth! ♥️ Red gel adds a flaming colour! 🔥
FOOD TIP: Mayo-less deviled eggs are perfect for guests with raw egg allergies. VEGANAISE or AVOCADOS cream up the yolks. Boil or steam eggs with a tablespoon of vinegar or baking soda for best results. Peas and mint adds another dimension to the eggs. Natural dragon dyes: beet juice & blueberry juice. Add 1 tsp. of juice to the yolk mixture. For lighter shades, adding water to the beet juice gives a lighter pinkish color; same for blueberries.

How do you like My Easter Baskets (Stabilize the eggs by cutting a small slit at the bottom of the cooked egg before placing on the platter)

Easter Sunday ⛪ April 17, 2022

PASS The BUCK-EYE Candy

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BUCKEYE CANDY ~ Healthy treat

Healthy ~ Gluten Free and Vegan
My friend surprised me with some great chocolate the other day and I decided to make a favorite confectionery of mine – buckeye candy. With only cashews in the pantry,  I thought about cashews instead of the traditional peanuts.  Although about 2% of the population will have an allergic reaction to peanuts, they may or may not be allergic to other nuts. Remember, a cashew is a tree nut not a ground nut –  like the peanut.
BUCKEYE STORY
Why “BUCKEYE”?  Buckeye candy  is named after the shiny, dark nuts from the Buckeye Tree – the official state tree for Ohio. The Ohio General Assembly made its declaration in 1952 that “BUCKEYE BALLS” were officially the state’s candy since they  resembled the nut of the state tree of OHIO. Not to be confused with chestnuts. Although they look similar.  You can not eat a buckeye nut because it’s poisonous. But,  you can eat the confectionery version.  You’ll find  buckeye balls at Ohio’s college football games : Ohio State Buckeyes.   The other good news is that chocolate is known to release endorphins, so that may help reduce heart rates during a football game.
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CHOCOLATE COCONUT CASHEW BALLS (aka BUCKEYE’S)
~ Gluten Free ~

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 1/2 cups raw cashews
  • 1/2 cup (8 pieces) Medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla protein powder
  • 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 2 tsp. sweetener
  • 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp. turmeric powder
  • 1/4 cup dark chocolate for topping

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Place cashews in a food processor and run on high until smooth, like peanut butter. This can take about 5 minutes.
  2. Add all of the other ingredients and process on high until well combined.
  3. Roll batter into small balls and dip into melted chocolate until almost but not completely covered. To do this, pierce the ball with a tooth pick and dip in the chocolate. Place on parchment and allow to set hard.





DID YOU KNOW? This recipe is free of: Milk, Peanut, Egg, Soy, Gluten, Wheat, Fish, Shellfish and Sesame. Let’s not forget the   six healthy benefits of chocolate. Dark chocolate is also free of the eight most common allergens. FOOD TIP:  You can use sunflower seeds as a substitute for the cashews. Sunflower seeds are very tasty.  Grated fresh ginger is a good substitute for turmeric for adults. Children are sensitive to strong spices.  You can leave out the turmeric for your kids.  Instead of turmeric substitute different flavours or spices. Take a tablespoon of the mixture ( without the turmeric ) and add some flavours ( e.g. coconut, butter extract) or spices (e.g. cinnamon, coriander ) ~  to see if you like it.  Experiment with it.
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VARIATIONS
Since EASTER is upon us, shape your cashew balls like an egg. Dip the egg shape in the chocolate. After cooling,  wrap the egg with coloured foil. METHOD: The egg shape is punctured with a toothpick on one end ~ dipped ~ then –>stick into a piece of potato or styrofoam on the other end to hold up the egg while hardening.   You can always sparsely sprinkle coarse salt on the dipped chocolate for added zip. Another final dip -> into chia seeds (optional). The eyes on the candy “faces” (pictured below) are made by  dipping  3 toothpicks (held together) into white chocolate and applying the drops on the ball. (or use sugar free white tic tacs). Do the same with one tooth pick dipped in dark chocolate for the brown dot inside the eye.  Test on a paper towel to get the right amount.   HALLOWEEN: Pretzel bits make great spider legs for added Halloween fun. You can make your buckeyes fit any season.

Photo courtesy of the purple almond.

Forbidden Black Rice Salad

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Black Rice was once “only” enjoyed by the Emperor and his royal court. It was forbidden for the commoners to eat this exquisite black rice. The tender, nutty flavoured rice is presumed to enrich one’s life and promote longevity.rice3 After I brought my chilled rice salad to the office,  I noticed that all the staff made it the following week!  It travels well and is a great picnic salad.  A refreshing change from your typical summer salads.
I researched and tried out several versions but this recipe from the Bon Appétit June 2012 needs no improvement. black rice salad photo provided by Jason Lowe, Bon Appétit

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BLACK RICE SALAD – WITH MANGO AND NUTS
INGREDIENTS
2 oranges
1/4 cup or more fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
2 cups black rice
Kosher salt
2 just-ripe mangoes, peeled, pitted, cut into 1/2″dice
1 cup finely fresh cilantro leaves
1 cup finely chopped red onion (about 1/2 large onion)
1/2 cup unsalted dry-roasted peanuts or unsalted cashews or other nuts
6 scallions, thinly sliced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded, minced
black-rice-ingredients
INSTRUCTIONS
1 ) Remove peel and white pith from oranges.
2 ) Working over a medium bowl to catch juices and using a small sharp knife, cut between membranes to release orange segments into bowl. Squeeze membranes over bow to release any juices. Strain juices through a fine-mesh sieve into a small bowl; reserve orange segments.
3 ) Add 1/4 cup lime juice, oil, and fish sauce (if using) to bowl with orange juice; whisk to blend.
4 ) Set dressing aside.
5 ) Bring rice and 2 and 3/4 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Season lightly with salt. Cover, Reduce heat to low and simmer until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 25 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered for 15 minutes.
6 ) Spread out rice on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with dressing and season lightly with salt; let cool.
7 ) Place mangoes and remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Add rice and toss gently to combine.
8 ) Season lightly with salt and more lime juice if desired.
Serves: 6–8

didyouknowDID YOU KNOW?
While whole grain brown rice and red rice also contain beneficial antioxidants; only black rice contains special variety of antioxidants known as anthocyanin antioxidants. (Thus the dark purple colour -like blueberries)  Additionally, black rice also contains an important antioxidant – Vitamin E, which is useful in maintaining eye, skin, and immune health in addition to other important functions. Forbidden Black Rice contains 18 amino acids (same as Aloe Vera), iron, zinc, copper, carotene, and fiber. Mangos are #1 ~ the most popular fruit in the world.

black-rice

Emperor’s Dining Room

In ancient times, Emperors reserved this wonderful black rice for their own consumption because it was thought that it would extend their lives. Black rice does provide many health benefits that the western world is now embracing with gusto.  It helps fight against heart disease, cancer, and diabetes with high amount of flavanoid phytonutrients and protects heart health (plaque formation). Herbalists use black rice as a prevention and treatment for ailments and as a blood tonifier. 

Black Rice was also considered to be somewhat of an aphrodisiac at one time.  I suspect the Emperors down throughout the ages shared their black rice stock with their consorts or concubines.

Heirloom Forbidden Black rice is a strain from Indonesian Rice.

Heirloom Forbidden Black rice is a strain from Indonesian Black Rice. photo provided by Spikenard and Myrrh

Black Rice is surely ‘one of the’… if not ‘the most’ special variety of rice that is cultivated today. Its special, near medicinal values is truly stunning, even today with all of our medical knowledge and tools. Every time you sit down to enjoy a few servings of this awesome super food, you can remind yourself that you are eating something that was once reserved for royalty. If a commoner was caught eating this rice it was “off with their heads”.

VARIATIONS
If you are trying to find something else to do with your avocados, my friend Monique from Ambitious Kitchen added avocado to her black rice salad. It is a nice touch and goes well. Instead of unsalted peanuts (Bon Appétit version), I used cashews while Monique added almonds to her salad. If you have the time and patience, roasted pecans would be wonderful too.
avocado-mango-blackrice-salad

Another gluten-free recipe that is filled with flavour , colour and the YUM-Factor!

kids32BACK TO SCHOOL LUNCH!
A light touch: For milder flavour, use leeks instead of red onion and yellow or red bell peppers instead of jalapeno peppers. Forget the nuts (allergies)  if you like.  Substitute other herbs for the cilantro. e.g. parsley, basil, fresh mint, fresh-soft rosemary (my favorite) or even peppery rocket lettuce. Know what your kids like to eat. I would even test out fresh oregano in this ‘forbidden’ black rice salad.  COLLEGE KIDS: Add a smidgen of fresh pressed garlic ~ to boost the immune system.  If it is not fresh I would not use the herbs. The dried herbs taste different. They have flavour, but are better suited in baking and cooking.

Y-U-M-M      Y-U-M-M-M!