Odds n' Ends (Recipe Tips)

 I don’t know about you but I feel like every day I’m writing down new gluten-free recipes on a Post-it note or typing a handful of food ideas onto the to-do list of my phone. I started accumulating way too many Post-it notes and my phone was inundated with ideas so I thought it would be fun to condense all my recipe snippets and odds n’ ends into one easy-to-access place.

I’ll keep adding to this list so check back in every few weeks to see new ideas sprouting up!

  • I always have plastic baggies of nuts, seeds and homemade trail mix on hand for grab ‘n’ go snacks.
  • The easiest way to ensure your pantry is stocked with healthy foods is to order online! You can order everything from gluten-free oats to gluten-free crackers and vitamins delivered to my door without searching 10 food stores and health food stores. It’s changed my life and allowed me to use that saved time on taking care of myself.
  • Make a batch of quinoa, black rice or oats on Sunday night to use throughout the entire week
  • Try homemade breadcrumbs using nuts; use Barlean’s chia seeds and flax seeds, etc. for added nutrients instead of store-bought breadcrumbs.
  • Use lemon, lime, grapefruit and orange zest to add flavor to desserts or roasted veggies.
  • A little sea salt and freshly ground white pepper adds flavor; use a pepper mill- it’s stronger in both aroma and flavor.
  • Revive tired leafy greens in an ice bath to give a cold shock to their system.
  • Use salted water when blanching veggies to unmask their full flavor and enhance their color.
  • Add fresh woody herbs such as rosemary and thyme to infuse a dish at the beginning of the cooking process.
  • Add fresh leafy herbs at the end of the cooking process such as cilantro and parsley they’re brightest when raw.
  • Fresh herbs such as basil, cilantro, sage, rosemary and chives, scallions, onions and garlic do wonders for adding natural flavor to savory dishes.
  • Poach fish, chicken, tofu in green tea with herbs and chopped root veggies for flavor.
  • Enrich your food with simple flavors like sea salt, vinegar, fresh herbs, citrus juices, oils and honey. Make a seasoning for roasted or grilled vegetables; combine fresh herbs such as sage, rosemary, thyme and marjoram with fresh lemon, orange and grapefruit zest.
  • A food processor will save you time; chop, cut, grate, mix, sift or blend wet and dry ingredients to save time.
  • Use a mini coffee grinder to grind spices.
  • Try using parchment paper instead of using butter or baking spray for a baking pan, a lid for a saucepan or the lining for a cake pan.
  • If you buy any one tool for your kitchen, make it a microplane to zest fruits and shave salt and spices.
  • Hemp seeds, chia seeds and ground flax seeds work well when added to hummus and guacamole recipes- they’re not just for oatmeal and smoothies.
  • Don’t be shy when cutting sugar- unsweetened cocoa powder and unsweetened coconut flakes do wonders for your taste buds in baked goods.
  • Make your own apple crisp by combining walnuts, pecans, dried cherries, orange zest, coconut flakes, raw cacao nibs and hemp seeds into a food processor; pulse until smooth then toss on top of apples and bake!
  • Add a crunchy gluten-free granola such as KIND Snacks Clusters; they can easily be added to fresh fruit in less than a minute and baked to perfection without added butter and sugar for a hearty crisp or cobbler.
  • Sauce-free veggies can be roasted, steamed or sautéed in a mixture of balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard.
  • Serve sliced fruit as a fondue with vegan chocolate with dried fruits such as apricots and figs; sprinkle with toasted coconut.
  • Use whole grains such as quinoa and wild rice instead of white rice or bread in stuffed peppers with mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes.

 What are your favorite Odds n’ Ends Tips?

Amie's
#1 Best-Selling Cookbook

Over 200 vegetarian recipes free of gluten, dairy, soy, sugar, eggs, peanuts, corn and other inflammatory foods.

Order Your Copy
Previous Post Meditation...
Next Post Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Superbowl Recip...
  • Share