When I do treat myself to something sweet, I like make it myself. That way, I know exactly what’s in my cookies or muffins, and that all the ingredients I use are actually healthy ingredients! Continue reading
My “diet” {I hate that word} is going great. I’m eating lots of protein, vegetables, small amounts of fruit, and only drinking water. I’m not paying attention to how much I eat, I’m just eating really good food and only when I’m hungry. However, one of the hardest parts is omitting the salt. Oh how I loooove my salt. I have 5 different kinds of specialty salts that I use on a regular basis right beside my stove as we speak. Each one with slightly different textures, grain sizes, and flavors. Fleur de Sel made in France as being my go-to favorite. But Table Salt is NOT one of them!! I would probably throw it at you if you offered it to me – just a forewarning! I think the stuff ruins any meal. Sometimes I even take a little with me in my purse when I’m going out to eat. Why spend all that money on a great meal for it to be ruined by Table Salt??
So since I’m watching what I eat until my sister’s wedding, I have to be creative in my cooking so I don’t miss my glorious salt. And flavor, flavor, flavor is key. Whether it be with spices, or herbs, or flavored olive oils, you have to up your flavor factor!
Can’t you tell I’m just itching to go to some island and soak up the sun??? Yes, the sun is out today, but I still had to wear my jacket. I made some tasty crab cakes for lunch today filled with Champagne Mangoes that I found at Whole Foods, Coconut Flakes, and Cilantro instead of buying a plane ticket to Turks & Caicos…it’s a little cheaper. Continue reading
Coconut Flour Banana Muffins
I have dabbled in the Gluten-Free world now for a couple of weeks. First, it was to help me lose weight. So no bread, pastas, anything that would contain gluten. And then I started to notice some things. My energy level was through the roof, my spirits were up again, and I know this sounds weird, but my skin wasn’t itching anymore (that’s a sign of a gluten allergy) and I didn’t feel bloated anymore either. So I went to Wholefoods Market to try and find some really good gluten-free snacks, because I’m not going to stop eating cookies and muffins! I’m by birth a southern and sugar runs through my veins! I was bummed to find that everything I bought was, well, tasteless and boring. The cookies were hard, and I couldn’t even find muffins. So I decided to venture on my own and create some tasty treats for myself. First try, I used Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free All Purpose Baking Flour and was not impressed, a little disappointed actually since it’s a highly popular product. I just did not like it for cookies or muffins.(Although it is great for making pie dough!)
Long and behold I went to Wholefoods the next day to find another product and there was a cooking class going on about… what else?? Gluten-Free baking with….Coconut Flour! Who knew? So I sat in and watched the wonderful Holly Shelowitz (Nutritionist and Life Coach) bake up some scrumptious brownies and muffins. I was amazed!! I ran to the isle’s and grabbed all necessary items to go and start baking! I felt like I was on some Top Chef competition mission! So, these muffins are the first Gluten-Free thing I have made with Coconut Flour. When I was done, I sat quietly by myself with my Banana Muffin that had a wonderful slab of butter on it in one hand and a hot tea in the other. I took a bite…..and felt like I had just found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. YAY!! I can eat muffins again!!
*Hint* Don’t worry, if you use Coconut Flour in baking, it will not come out tasting like coconuts:) It gives whatever you’re making a strikingly similar taste to All Purpose White Flour.(I use Coconut Secret Raw Coconut Flour).
1 Cup Organic Coconut Flour
1 tsp. aluminum-free Baking Powder
6 Eggs
2 Ripe Banana’s (mashed)—*If you bananas aren’t ripe enough, peel and stick in the microwave for 45 seconds to soften them*
2 Tbsp. Melted Butter
2 Tbsp. Melted Coconut Oil
1/2 Cup Shredded Coconut (unsweetened)
2 Tbsp. Coconut Milk
3 Tbsp. Honey or Agave Nectar
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/8 tsp. Salt (celtic sea salt)
1 tsp. Cardamom
**IF YOU CAN’T FIND COCONUT OIL JUST SUBSTITUTE WITH BUTTER.
PRE-HEAT OVEN AT 350 F
Mix 1 C coconut Flour and 1 tsp. baking powder (put in separate bowl).
Beat 6 Eggs
…then add 2 Tbsp. of Coconut Milk to the eggs.
Add the vanilla, salt, and cardamom…(if you don’t have cardamom use *Allspice*)
Melt your Butter and Coconut Oil together next.
Add to egg mixture…mix well.
Mash the Bananas!!!
Add the banana’s to the egg mixture.
Gently fold in the Coconut Flour mixture from the other bowl into the Egg and Banana mixture.
*hint hint* DON’T over-mix the two together or the result will be a very dense muffin. So fold in just enough so the flour is incorporated.
Grease a 12 muffin pan with butter or coconut oil.
Fill muffin pan with batter and sprinkle with Raw Coconut Sugar
Bake for 25-30 min. at 350 F.
Enjoy right out of the oven with a big slab of butter! YUM