Applesauce -- so easy, why do we buy it?

4 granny smith apples
3/4 cup of water
1/4 cup of sugar
1/2-1 tsp cinnamon

Peel, core, and slice or chop 4 granny smith apples

Smashed Plantains, Engine No 3 inspired

Sometimes called fired plantains or tostones, Engine No 3 in Milwaukee serves these with cilantro rice and beans (see other blog post) along with eggs.  They make for the most awesome breakfast.  It is great for vegetarians, or I love mine with a side of chorizo.

Smart balance cooking oil
1 or more plantains
Garlic power


1 plantain, peel

Chop it in 1 inch pieces
Turn oil on high (till a drop of water makes it sizzle)
Add plantains for 5 minutes
Remove and place on wax paper
Cover with wax paper and smash with a mallet into 1/4 inch mini pancakes
Place back into the oil for a few more minutes
Remove and place on paper towel to absorb excess oil



Adapted from:

http://allrecipes.com/search/default.aspx?qt=k&wt=tostones&rt=r&origin=Recipe

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Puerto-Rican-Tostones-Fried-Plantains/

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Tostones-Fried-Plantains/

(Chicken) noodle soup, Gluten free and quick!

1 cup of chopped celery
1/2 cup of onion
1 cup of chopped carrots
1 tsp basil
1 tablespoon of parsley (or oregano or cilantro depending)
1 can chicken broth
1 can of veggie broth
1 box of Thai Kitchen thin noodles
1 chicken breast

Put olive oil in a soup pan
Add veggies, cook until onions are translucent
Optional: Add chopped chicken breast meat
Add broths and seasoning
Bring to a boil
Add 1/2 box of Thai Kitchen noodles
Cover, remove from heat, and let simmer for 5 minutes
Serve



Adapted from:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/quick-and-easy-chicken-noodle-soup/

Note, not all broths are equal.  Look for something that is organic with no preservatives or natural preservatives.  Also, watch the sodium.

Cilantro rice, Costa Rican inspired

Olive oil
1 cup or more of fresh cilantro
1 cup of diced onions
1 teaspoon of chopped garlic
1/2 cup of diced peppers (or yellow peppers)
1 16 oz can of chicken broth (or veggies broth)
1 teaspoon of cilantro
1 teaspoon of coriander
2 cups of uncooked brown (or white) minute rice.

Directions:

In a large frying pan, turn heat on medium and add olive oil.

Put cilantro, onions, garlic, and peppers into the pan and cook until onions are clear (add a little chicken broth to prevent any burning or turn down heat).

Add a can of chicken broth.

Add uncooked rice.  Stir it in completely.

Bring to a boil (turn on higher heat) then turn to low.

Cover and let stand 10 minutes or so until rice is edible.

Adapted from:

http://www.food.com/recipe/gallo-pinto-costa-rican-rice-and-beans-78747

http://www.food.com/recipe/gallo-pinto-costa-rican-rice-and-beans-292846

Sweet potato casserole - gluten free, lactose free

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Bake sweet potatoes 35 minutes in the preheated oven, or until they begin to soften. Cool slightly, peel, and mash.

Peeling is not fun

In a large bowl, mix the mashed sweet potatoes, salt, 1/4 cup butter, eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, sugar, and almond mile (or heavy cream). Transfer to the prepared baking dish.

In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup butter, brown rice flour, organic brown sugar, and chopped pecans. Mix with your fingers to the consistency of course meal.

Sprinkle over the sweet potato mixture.

Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until topping is crisp and lightly browned.

<picture coming>

5-8 sweet potatoes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup organic cane sugar (white)
2 tablespoons of almond milk (or heavy cream)
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons brown rice flour
3/4 cup packed organic light brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Adapted from:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Gourmet-Sweet-Potato-Classic/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=sweet%20potatoes&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe&soid=sr_results_p1i3

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Yummy-Sweet-Potato-Casserole/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=sweet%20potatoes&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe&soid=sr_results_p1i1

Gluten free apple pie

I don't bake.  This is probably my first baking success.  However, I bought the gluten free crust at Whole Foods, Wholly wholesome GF crust.  Sorry, I wasn't able to take better picts.  However, apple pie is THAT easy. The hardest part is peeling the apples.

Apple pie stuffing

 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie (gluten free crusts are available)

 5 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1/2 cup white sugar (organic cane sugar)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

? 1/4 cup water or remove

Topping:

1/4 cup of unsalted buttter

3 tablespoons brown rice or gabanzo bean  flour

1 cup chopped walnutes

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).

Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded.

Mix 1/2 cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup of white sugar, and cinnamon.  Pour over apples.

Mix 1/4 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of brown rice flour or gabanzo bean flour, and 1 cup of chopped walnuts.  Crumble on top of pie.

Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven.

Then, reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.


Adapted from:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/apple-streusel-pie/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=apple%20pie&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe%20Hub&soid=sr_results_p3i12

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Apple-Pie-by-Grandma-Ople/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=apple%20pie&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe%20Hub&soid=sr_results_p1i1

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Gourmet-Sweet-Potato-Classic/Detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Thumb&e11=sweet%20potatoes&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe&soid=sr_results_p1i3