Mixed Ceviche (without Onions)

05/13/2013 5 Comments

We love ceviche just about every way. This past spring we enjoyed some variations with juices and coconut milk  in Bogotá, Colombia. In my opinion, Colombia has some of the tastiest ceviche.

Ours today has three different seafood in it, for taste and texture. We chose to leave the onions out of this dish this time, and we did not miss them, actually.

It is very important to get enough lime juice and the proper balance of spices. I am not a big fan of adding spices in which the dish is marinating, rather we prefer to sprinkle cayenne and some turmeric over it. Mix it well and cover it and place it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours, stirring it every 20 minutes. We always make a little extra for a snack or lunch the next day.

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Today’s ingredients:

  • 4 large diver scallops (cut into very small chunks)
  •  2 cups of tiny bay shrimp
  • 1.5 pounds of Tilapia filet (cut into strips and then chunk into small squares
  • 1/2 – 1 cup of freshly pressed lime juice
  • 1 great bell pepper, diced
  • 2 vine ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 4 – 6 cilantro peppers, diced seeds in
  • a little sea salt to taste
  • some fresh ground black pepper
  • sprinkle of cayenne and turmeric – for finishing
  • drizzle of olive oil, also for finishing

Note:  if your seafood is frozen, please allow to thaw naturally, not in the microwave.

Take a large serving bowl and add diced veggies and seafood. Mix well, add some salt and pepper and continue to fold in well. Add lime juice and once again mix well. Let your food sit for a minute or two and stir again, repeat this a few more times before it’s covered and chilled. The extra mixing allows for the lime juice to cook the seafood evenly, and tt will make all the difference in taste.

As you can see we served ours with some Yucca. Enjoy this dish this summer, it’s easy and it’s refreshing.

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Almond Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

12/17/2012 Leave a comment

Have you ever wanted to bring something homemade to your friend’s house or a function, but decided not to because you thought it would take too long to make? Well now you’ll have a very easy, quick and super delicious recipe to whip up into a batch.

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Ingredients:

  • 2 cups of almond meal
  • 2 1/2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
  • 1/8 cup of coconut butter (mana) – melted
  • pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt
  • few drops of almond extract
  • 4 cage free eggs
  • 1/2 cup of dark semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • generous 1/2 cup of coarsely chopped walnuts
  • 1 tbsp palm sugar (you can adjust depending on how sweet you like it; we always stay on the less sweet side)

Mix everything well together in a large bowl with a hand mixer. Scoop each cookie to be with a small ice cream scooper or spoon and place on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10 – 13 minutes at 350 degrees convection and cool for a few minutes – Enjoy warm or cool. My fellow yogi teachers loved these – what’s your feedback?

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Zwetschkenknoedel Nutty Kitchen Style

09/18/2012 7 Comments

YUMMM! That’s all we can say. I grew up eating these all the time, but they were made with flour. The end of summer is perfect for these as the European plums are in season and they have just the perfect ripeness and flavor. The original dumplings are made with dough from flour and are boiled and then rolled in buttered bread crumbs, which believe me were amazing. But for those of us who can’t have gluten or simply chose not to, these are a terrific alternative.

We made ours with Yuca root aka Cassava and they are just out of this world and rank up there in our most loved desserts. Even though we don’t post many recipes about Yuca, we eat it often and use it for versatile dishes.

This time around we thought we would teach you how to make an amazing dessert with it. It’s simple, delicious and it’s power food for those who love to gear up for some good sweating in the morning. Every time we eat it for dinner, we sleep like babies and wake up with a ton of power. For those of you who just love an amazing dessert, just go for it and give this a try.

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Here is what you’ll need:

  • 1 – 2 medium or 1 large Yuca root
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 to 1 cup coconut oil
  • tiny pinch of sea salt
  • European plums (1 for each dumpling)
  • 1 – 2 tbps homemade jam (low sugar – we use honey with ours and real fruit chunks) Apricot is best

First heat a large pot with slightly salted water and bring to boil. Peel and Yuca, cut into 2 – 3 inch chunks – quarter those and remove the woody stem from the middle and boil until they get opaque in color. They should be fairly soft for this. 20 – 30 minutes on medium cooking.

Remove and strain well – place into a food processor while hot add butter and a tiny pinch of salt and pulse on dough. You can absolutely use coconut oil instead of the butter. It will be really sticky so prepare yourself for that! Remove it all and put  into a dish covered tightly and place in the refrigerator over night. Don’t wait more than two days before making this or it will get dry and it will not work.

It will be best if you make it the next evening.  Take out your cast iron pan or your favorite equivalent and heat coconut oil. The reason for the cast iron pan is that it heats evenly and you’ll get the best results.

Sprinkle your counter or favorite surface with coconut flour and dust your hands, so that the dough will not stick.

With a small serving spoon scoop out a golf size ball of dough. Roll it between your hands and then press it into a patty. Then roll it out with a dough roller, I use a small wooden one. Once you have a nice flat round dough patty fill it with a pitted European plum that has been filled with the apricot jam and close the dumpling up. Be gentle so not to rip it.

Whip the egg with a fork until frothy and then bathe the dumpling before placing it in the hot oil. Once you start baking/frying the dumplings reduce the heat to medium so not to burn them and keep rotating them with a fork until all sides are golden. Serve warm and sprinkle with coconut flakes and serve with your favorite side. Coconut whipping cream, Greek yogurt, or heavy cream, whatever floats your boat. :-) These will make you smile; they are worth the effort – let us know what you think.

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Pad Thai

08/21/2012 7 Comments

 

We love Thai food, it’s fresh and so delicious as it satisfying. We wanted to share a healthy version of Pad Thai with you and is quick and tastes authentic. We are going to show you our with shrimp, but you can use your favorite protein.

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This serves 4 – 6 people

  • 2 – 3 lbs of shrimp
  • 1 – 1/2 packages of rice noodles, chose your preferred thickness (one of our packages contain 14 oz of dry noodles)
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1/2 cup of Tamarind sauce, make it fresh it will be better
  • 6 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp ground dried chili pepper (we use the seeds from the dried red Thai chilis)
  • 1 pinch of fresh ground pepper, to taste (black pepper is fine)
  • 1 lime
  • 4 large shallots, minced
  • 1 tbsp palm sugar
  • 8 tablespoons tamarind pulp (or 2 – 3 tbsp paste) we prefer the fresh version – well worth it!
  • 4 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1-1/3 cup bean sprouts
  • 1/2 cup chives (coarsely chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons macadamia nuts, crushed (we substitute these for peanuts, as peanuts can carry dangerous fungus)

Easy Preparation:

This will be best in a large Wok. Add coconut oil heat on high, add macadamia nuts and roast them until they get light brown and remove to cool and set aside.  Now add garlic, shallots, fish sauce, tamarind, palm sugar and cook until nice and glossy.

In the meantime boil noodles in salted water for about 3 minutes and drain. Set aside.

Now add eggs to garlic and shallots and cook on medium-high breaking the eggs up with your cooking spoon. Quickly add shrimp, pepper and any additional Thai chilis that you would like for spice; we eat Thai spicy. Stir shrimp in until they are about half way cooked and then add noodles, which should still be warm. Mix very well and serve with a lime on the side.

Guaranteed you will love this! Jo & Henry

 

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Sauteed Beef Kidneys

07/30/2012 2 Comments

We haven’t posted any offal lately, but could not resist sharing this with you. We got our whole steer not to long ago from our favorite local ranch, Date Creek Ranch. Always make sure that you eat grass-fed, and know where your meat is coming from.

Why should you eat kidney? Kidney is a good source of Protein, Vitamin C and Zinc, and a great source of Vitamin A, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Iron, Phosphorus, Copper and Selenium.

Here is what you will need and how to go about making it. Serves 4, unless you are Jo and Henry then it’s for two. :-)

Ingredients:

  • 2 whole beef kidneys
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 2 large yellow or white onions, sliced
  • 3 – 6 red dried Thai chilis, whole
  • 2 – 3 Anaheim pepper, sliced
  • 1 – 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp garam masala
  • pinch of sea salt, to taste
  • fresh cracked rainbow pepper, to taste
  • pinch of caraway seeds
  • pinch of marjoram, rub between palms to activate herb

The beef kidney has a very thick white cord connecting the various nodes of the organ. Ensure that you use a very well sharpened knife, I like a boning knife. Try to get all the white cording out, this is a time-consuming task, so know that going in and take your time with it, it’s actually really interesting.

Whole kidney with cord in tact

Kidney with carefully removed cord

Next it is very important to soak the kidney in a bath of 1/3 vinegar (we use coconut vinegar) and 2/3 parts water. Soaking is important to ensure that there is no smell or taste of urine. If the kidney is not cleaned properly there is a chance that your dish might be ruined – IF you don’t soak for about 20 minutes. Rinse very well and set aside.

Kidney soaking in vinegar/water bath

In a large wok or saute pan, brown onions in 1/4 cup of coconut oil, once they are glossy add peppers and all other ingredients, except for the kidney – this goes in last, as kidney cooks as quickly as liver does.

While your onions and veggies are sautéing on medium heat, begin to slice your kidney into thin slices.

Sliced kidney

Once your veggies are caramel in color and beautifully glossy, add kidney and stir well, up your heat to almost high and cook for 2 – 4 minutes, only.

Cooking kidney – almost done

Cook until you see almost no pink; it will continue to cook in the pan even after you turn off the stove. It’s crucial not to overcook your kidney.

Serve and enjoy!

Beef Kidney! We served it with sweet potato hash.

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Lemon Squares

06/17/2012 3 Comments

We love these lemon squares from Elana’s Pantry, bu we did modify them quite a bit to suit our much less sweet palate and overall palate. Thank you Elana!

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This recipe yields about 48 squares

For the crust you will need:

  • 3 cups almond meal
  • pinch of sea salt
  • 4 tbsps coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp coconut nectar
  • 1 tsp cardamom seeds and one clove pulverized (makes a heaping tsp)
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Ingredients of lemon top:

  • 1/4 cup coconut nectar
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 6 cage free organic eggs
  • 1 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

Whip all crust ingredients together and push evenly into a large pyrex lasagna pan and bake on 350 for about 15 minutes, blend all topping ingredients together either in a hand held mixer or blender and pour on top of hot crust and continue to bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, watch to ensure that it doesn’t get burnt. Remove from oven, allow to cool for 30 minutes, place in refrigerator for 2 hours and cut into squares.

Enjoy!

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Coconut Flour Dusted Calamari

05/21/2012 3 Comments

It’s almost summer her in Arizona, and we are looking for lighter, but satisfying lunches like this great tasting coconut flour dusted calamari.

Server this with some of your favorite light white wine, we prefer Arizona Stronghold Tazi as a pairing.

This is so easy to make and will make you and everyone happy!

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The best part of this dish is that you can improvise as you see fit to make it work.

  • we made about 15 tentacles, but you can make tentacles and body if you like
  • in a mixing bowl, add:
    • 1/2 cup of coconut flour
    • sea salt to taste
    • fresh cracked pepper to taste
    • 1/8 cup of fresh finely chopped cilantro
    • pinch of cayenne (0nly for the brave)
  • get 1 cup of coconut oil and heat to medium in a wok type pan, heat to high, but be careful when emerging the calamari, they will spit oil, cover with a spatter catcher
  • 1/2 lemon juice for the end to sprinkle

Add all ingredients together in a bowl and stir well, fold calamari in and shake off well before frying it – be careful not to get too much coconut flour into oil, as it will make then soggy NOT crispy.  Slow fry better, always!!!

Enjoy and live well! Jo n Henry

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Cabbage Roulades with Sauerkraut

04/30/2012 3 Comments

This is a dish the I grew up with in Austria that my mom used to make for me all the time.  She learned this dish from my Croatian grandmother, and it is a fantastically balanced and the acid is perfect.  This is a childhood favorite for me that has remained in the top dishes for me. Cook this dish ahead for dinner guests and amaze them.

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Mom, Vielen Dank und ich Liebe und Vermisse Dich!

Ingredients for the Roulades:

  • 1 large head of fresh green cabbage
  • 3 lbs grass-fed ground beef
  • 1/4 cup of organic sweet rice (we used Haitai) *** Precook the rice
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped
  • Sea salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 tsp of caraway seed
  • 1/2 tsp of marjoram (activate by rubbing the herb between your palms)
  • 1 pinch of cardamom seeds

Ingredients for Sauerkraut:

  • 2 lbs of sauerkraut, wash very well otherwise it will be too sour
  • 1 large yellow onion, sliced
  • 3 thick slices of bacon, chopped
  • 1 tbsp of coconut oil

Preparation for Roulades:

Heat salted water in a large pot to boil. Cut the stem of the cabbage head out, keep the leaves; so carefully cut out the stem…. place head of cabbage into boiling water and boil until you see the leave becoming softer and a little translucent. Now carefully peel one leaf after the other off and place to the side.

While your water is boiling, mix all ingredients above (not the cabbage head) well, and let it rest.

Use the same large pot for the sauerkraut: On medium-high heat coconut oil and chopped bacon until slightly roasted and sliced onion. Sautee until nicely wilted and glossy. Now add the washed and well-drained sauerkraut and stir well, reduce heat to low.

Take one cabbage leaf at a time and fill it with an egg size meat mixture. Here is how to roll it: Start with the thicker side of the leaf and fold over once, then fold in the left and right sides and roll it to the end of the leaf and secure with a toothpick. Place one after the other into the sauerkraut. Cover each Roulade with sauerkraut and alternate. Bring to a boil one more time, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 hours.

…and now, just enjoy!

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Phukett Green Chicken Curry

04/16/2012 2 Comments

This dish is very authentic, it’s so lovely and quite easy to make, that you have to give this a try and let us know what you think.

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Ingredients

  • 2 lbs of chicken thigh meat, cubed into 1 – 2 inch thick pieces
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 cups of coconut cream (we use Aroy-D)
  • 4 tbsp of Green curry paste, we use Thai Kitchen
  • 2 tsp of palm sugar
  • 2 – 3 tbsp of Fish sauce, (use an authentic Thai brand)
  • 1 large eggplant, peeled and cubed into 2 inch pieces
  • 1 cup of Thai  basil, do not use any stems, use only the the leaves
  • 5 – 10 fresh red Thai chili peppers, sliced slightly diagonally (we like it spicy)
  • 5 – 6 Kaffir leaves, if you can find them, otherwise curry leaves will do fine

Here’s How:

Heat a large pot to medium heat and heat up the oil. Add the green curry paste and stir constantly, add a little of coconut cream; this will ensure that it doesn’t burn or clump. Cook over medium-low heat until the curry opens up and the color turns very green; usually will take a minute or two.

Now turn up the heat just a bit more, and add the chicken. The chicken does not have to be cooked through. Add the rest of the coconut cream and add a little water if you’d like it a little more soupy. Allow it to come to a boil, tear the kaffir lime leaves over the curry. If you are using  curry leaves, please add them to the chicken first. After it comes to a boil, add the palm sugar. Make sure to taste your dish; it should taste slightly sweet, but not overpoweringly so. Add the fish sauce for balance and taste. You should be able to taste the sweetness of the curry and all other ingredients coming together in beautiful marriage.

Now add the eggplant and allow them cook for about two minutes on high. Check the seasoning again before adding the chili peppers. Stir to mix. Finally bring to a boil very quickly and stir in the sweet basil leaves.

Serve with your favorite rendition of cauliflower rice.

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Liver Filet Potato Flour Crusted

01/17/2012 7 Comments

Hey, we are finally back from our vacation and there will be a few great Colombian rites and recipes shared in short order…  Henry and I do thank you for all of your allegiance and support in 2011.

You know how much we love liver and how important it is to have at least once per week.

Before we share our new Colombian recipes,  we will share our new amazing way to cook liver,

Remember how incredibly healthy it is.  

  • 1/4 – 1/3 inch slices of raw organic liver filets (2 lbs for 4 people)
  • 1/4 cup of sweet potato flour
  • 2 lbs of calf liver
  • little sea salt
  • little black pepper
  • 2 tps coconut oil

Place all liver filets on a board, on paper towels, dry all liver filets on paper towels; Salt and pepper on one side.  Prepare new sheet with sweet potato flour lightly sprinkled with sea salt.

Heat pan non stick pan with coconut oil, on medium – 3/4 high.

Place liver into sweet potato flour and coat perfectly …. shake off extra…

Heat pan with coconut oil and place into pan on medium -3/4 high. (important and according  to our stove..please pay close attention..only needs to cook 1 -2 minutes a side…TOPS!!!

Your liver after its dried and salted and peppered on one side, dab into sweet potato flour, dab on each side t; o remove excess.

Place into medium-hot coconut oil 1 – 2 mins on one side, 30 seconds on the second since and serve.

This is a great dish, try it and tell us about it.  Jo n Henry

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