SNACKS
Homemade Fig Newtons – Have you ever looked at all of the ingredients in a package of store bought fig newtons? It’ll blow your mind! (#junkgalore) Stop buying, make your own. Trust me, homemade takes the cake every.single.time. Check out the original recipe link for a picture. I forgot to snap a picture of my own.
DINNERS
Eggs, Avocados & Olive Oil Biscuits with Easy Oven Bacon – When my little one is asked about dinner, this is often her first request. She (and I) love eggs and avocados. Normally we put it on toast. This past week, we shook things up and went with Olive Oil Drop Biscuits. These biscuits ridiculously easy, fast, and delicious!
Corn and Tomato Pizza With Cilantro and Goat Cheese – Yes, you’ve seen this recipe here before…and you’ll see it again and again and again. It’s a family requested fave, and I’m happy to oblige.
Ricotta, Basil, and Tomato Salad, Potatoes Gremolata, and Pan Seared Chicken – An impromptu dinner with old friends happened this weekend. Rather than go out, we opted to have them over and stay in. Sometimes, there’s nothing better than sitting around a table with great friends, reminiscing over great food and enjoying a great bottle of wine (or two). What I had in the fridge and pantry was a hodgepodge of veggies and some leftover herbs. However, when good quality cheese and olive oil are household stables, great things happen. Ricotta replaced mozzarella for a caprese-like salad that was ever so creamy. Basil gremolata with a hint of sea salt on roasted fingerling potatoes were a perfect combo of chewy with a slightly crunchy edge. All of this with pan seared chicken was definitely an easy and entertaining worthy meal.
Hope something makes your belly smile…
Smartphone users, scroll to the bottom of the screen to sign up for weekly recipe emails from We Eat For Real.
Homemade Fig Newtons
Adapted from My Whole Food Life
2 c. white whole wheat flour OR (1 c. white whole wheat flour + 1 c. almond meal)
2 organic eggs OR 2 flax eggs (stir together 2 T. ground flax seed + 6 T. water in a small dish and allow to set 5 min.)
1/3 c. coconut oil, softened
1/3 c. maple syrup
1 t. baking powder
2 t. organic vanilla extract
1/2 t. cinnamon
2 T. organic milk (alternative: almond milk)
2 T. organic applesauce unsweetened
Directions: In a small bowl, stir together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, cinnamon). In a larger bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (eggs, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, milk, applesauce). Add the dry ingredients to the wet. Stir until a dough form. Form the sticky, wet dough into a ball and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1/2 hour (or freeze for 15 minutes if time is limited). While the dough is resting/cooling, prepare the fig filling (see recipe below).
Tip: If using almond meal, the dough will be exceptionally wet and somewhat tricky when working with it. The almond meal substitution came out of desperation when I had once run out of flour. We found the outcome less visually pleasing because the sticky dough was a bit unforgiving. However, it was still absolutely yummy with a bit of a grainier texture. In our house, we don’t judge food based on looks. This is where the “two bite rule” comes in handy. We often discover that ugly food can be quite delicious 😉
Fig Filling
15-20 figs rough chopped w/ tough stems removed (Turkish Figs or Black Mission Figs)
1 T. maple syrup
2-3 T. water
Directions: To a food processor, layer ingredients in this order: maple syrup, water, and then the figs. Pulse until a peanut butter consistency is achieved. Stop and redistribute ingredients in the food processor, if needed while pulsing.
Preheat the dough to 350 degrees.
Once the dough is cooled and ready to be rolled out, with flour dusted hands, turn the dough out onto a generously floured surface. Using a flour dusted rolling pin, roll out the dough (checking often that it is not sticking) into a rectangular shape between 1/4 and 1/8 inch thick. Spread the fig filling over 1/2 of the dough. Fold the uncovered portion of the dough on top of the fig filling covered portion. Use a pizza cutter to cut the dough into 2′ squares. Bake the squares on a silicone lined baking sheet or baking stone for 12 to 15 minutes, or until slightly golden. Enjoy!
Eggs, Avocados, & Olive Oil Drop Biscuits with Easy Oven Bacon
Adapted from A La Graham
This meal requires a bit of commentary to help ensure the steps are timed right. The bacon is prepared for baking (line baking sheet with foil & lay out the individual bacon slices). Similarly, the biscuits are prepared and ready to pop in the oven, when it’s time. Once these both are in the oven (which does not happen simultaneously – keep reading below), the avocados and eggs are prepared.
This meal starts with a cold oven. The bacon goes in the cold oven, and then it’s turned on and begins to heat. When the oven reaches full temperature, the biscuits go in the oven. When the biscuits are done, your bacon will most likely be done too. (An exception would be for those who desire exceptionally crispy bacon. In that case, the bacon may need to remain in the oven a few minutes longer than the biscuits).
Easy Oven Bacon
6 slices, preservative free bacon
Directions: Line a baking sheet with foil. Arrange the bacon on the baking sheet in a single layer. Place the bacon in a cold oven (note: the oven is NOT preheated). Heat the 450 degrees. Bake for 15 to 25 minutes, depending on your preferred doneness. It’s soooo easy this way, and there is no mess!
Biscuits (this recipe can be doubled)
1 c. whole white wheat flour
1.5 t. baking powder
.5 t. sea salt
1 T. local honey (alternative: 6 drops of organic stevia), optional
¼ c. olive oil
½ c. milk
Directions: In a small bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. In another small bowl, whisk together the milk and olive oil (add the sweetener now, if using it). Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir just until combined. Use large serving spoons or a large scooper to “drop” the biscuits on a baking sheet. Once the oven reaches 450 degrees, bake for for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until slightly golden.
While the biscuits are baking, prepare the avocados and eggs.
Avocado Mixture
2 avocados, mashed
Lemon juice
Sea salt/pepper, not optional
6 slices whole wheat bread, toasted
Dash of hot sauce (optional)
Organic tomato, sliced (optional)
Eggs – prepped to your preference (I whisk eggs with a splash of milk and sea salt/pepper)
Directions: Half the avocados, remove the seeds, and scoop the goodness into a small bowl. With a fork, mash the avocado. Season with salt/pepper and add a squeeze of lemon (note: lemon keeps the avocado from browning). Stir once more.
Cook the eggs as desired. I typically scramble the eggs for a week night meal. However, sunny side up (AKA “dippy eggs” in my house) is also popular. The warm, but still liquid yolk, adds richness to each bite!
Assembly
Start with an upside down biscuit (the flat surface is key). Next, comes a healthy slathering of avocado mixture. Finally, top with eggs, pressing the eggs into the avocado to help them “stick” to the biscuit. Finish with a dash or two of Tobasco style hot sauce, if you’re feeling daring. It really adds a great additional layer of flavor.
Corn and Tomato Pizza With Cilantro and Goat Cheese
Adapted from Bev Cooks
Dough
Trader Joe’s premade whole wheat dough, prepared per package directions
Pizza Toppings
2 T. extra-virgin olive oil)
1/2 red onion, chopped
2-3 NON GMO sweet corn ears, shucked and kernels removed (alternative: 2 c. frozen NON GMO sweet corn)
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1 small pkg. organic cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 c. fresh cilantro, chopped
1 lime, juiced
1 c. organic mozzarella, shredded
2 oz. goat cheese
Sea salt/black pepper, freshly ground
Tabasco style hot sauce, optional topping (recommended if you omit the jalapeno)
Directions: Preheat the oven to required pizza dough temperature. In a medium/large skillet warmed to medium heat, add the olive oil and onion and jalapeno (if using). Sauté until onions are translucent (about 5-7 minutes). Add the corn and sauté another 5 minutes. The next step happens quickly because you do not want to burn the garlic! Add the garlic, stirring constantly, allow it to cook until for about a minute or until you can really smell it. Immediately squeeze the lemon over the skillet and add the cilantro. Stir in the cherry tomatoes and allow the heat to release their juices (about 5 minutes). Remove from the heat. With the dough on the pizza stone or baking sheet, add a thin layer of mozzarella cheese, followed by the corn mixture. Crumble the goat cheese atop the pizza and add the remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake according to your pizza crust directions. This is amazing – especially with a few drops of hot sauce on each slice!!!
Ricotta, Basil, and Tomato Salad, Potatoes Gremolata, and Pan Seared Chicken
Adapted from Farm Flavor
Ricotta Basil and Tomato Salad
4 organic ripe tomatoes, sliced
1 ½ c. organic whole milk ricotta
⅓ c. organic basil, thinly sliced (check out this how-to chiffonade video)
1 t. orange zest (optional)
½ c. extra virgin olive oil
⅓ c. white wine vinegar (alternative: red wine vinegar)
Sea salt and pepper, to taste
Directions: In a glass jar with a lid, add the dressing ingredients (olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper) and shake vigorously. Set aside. Arrange the tomatoes in a circular platter on a serving dish. Dollop (is that a verb?) the ricotta evenly on the tomatoes. Next, sprinkle the basil and orange zest on the top. Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Refrigerate any dressing leftovers. Enjoy!
Potatoes Gremolata
Basil Gremolata
1/2 t. sea salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c. fresh basil, finely chopped
Zest from 1 lemon
1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 pint organic fingerling potatoes (AKA la ratte)
Directions: In a food processor, combine salt, garlic, basil, lemon zest, and olive oil. Pulse until combined. Add mixture to a medium bowl and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
Boil potatoes in salted water until soft. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a single layer of the potatoes.
Gently smash the potatoes with a meat tenderizer or bottom of a glass. Don’t be too rough. The desired outcome is an intact, but smashed potato. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt.
Place potatoes in the oven. [Begin pan searing chicken now]. Bake the potatoes for 15 minutes before carefully flipping them over with a spatula. Roast another 10-15 minutes. Remove the potatoes from the oven, and immediately spoon the gremolata mixture on the tops of the potatoes.
Serve with pan seared organic chicken breasts.
weeatforreal.com 