Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Avocado Fries

Baked Avocado Fries 
(GF substitutions below)

Many restaurants make these deep fried but why have all that fat on such a healthy fruit. 
Try this baked and more healthier version...delicious!

2 to 3 ripe avocados
1/2 cup of all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups of Panko breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon melted butter, canola oil or coconut oil
2 eggs or egg substitute
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, (can use more or less to taste)
1/2 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.
Slice your avocados lengthwise.
Take three bowls. In the first bowl, place the 1/2 cup of flour and add a pinch of salt and black pepper.
Crack the eggs into the middle bowl and beat lightly.
In the last bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and mix well.
In an assembly line form take you avocado slices and start your process. First coat the slices in the flour, then the beaten egg, and lastly through the panko mixture.
Place coated slices on your lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, until panko is lightly browned.

Dipping sauce:
Mix 1/2 cup ranch dressing with the juice from 1 freshly squeezed lime. Add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped cilantro or celery leaves.

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Gluten-Free Substitutions:

GF Flour Blend:
1/4 cup sorghum flour (or brown rice flour, if avoiding sorghum)
1/4 cup tapioca starch, corn starch or potato starch (not potato flour!)
1/8 cup almond flour, GF millet, or GF buckwheat flour
1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
Mix all ingredients together. Use as flour in above recipe.

GF Panko Style Crumbs recipe
Put 3 cups gluten-free Rice Chex Cereal in a plastic ziploc bag.
Use a rolling pin to crush the cereal to coarse flakes. Use in recipe as panko crumbs.

Use one of the following gluten free butters:
Smart Balance, Earth Balance Natural Spreads, Organic Valley.
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Sunday, January 13, 2013

Cheesy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, finely diced
3 stalks celery, finely diced
3 carrots, peeled and diced
2 Tablespoons fresh minced garlic
2 Cups shredded, cooked chicken breast
2 Cups steamed white rice
16 oz prepared wild rice
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
______
Cheese Sauce
4 Tablespoons butter
1/4 Cup all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 Cups chicken broth
2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese
Top with 1 1/2 Cups shredded cheddar cheese

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Heat oil into a medium dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Saute onion, celery and carrots until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in chicken, both rices, salt, pepper and garlic salt. Reduce heat to low.
2. To prepare cheese sauce melt butter into a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Whisk in flour, salt and pepper then slowly pour in chicken broth whisking continuously. Whisk until thick and nearly boiling then stir in cheese until melted. Pour cheese sauce into rice mixture then transfer to a 9×13 inch baking dish. Top with additional cheddar cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes or until cheese is melted through. Serve.

The Verdict:

This was tasty.  I'm not a huge casserole fan, but this wasn't bad.  Word of advice:  COOK YOUR RICE!!!  I didn't the first time and it was a fail.  I throw my rice in my handy dandy rice cooker and let it do its thing while I boil the chicken in chicken broth before shredding.  

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Ole's Honey Buttered Sriracha Popcorn

Ingredients:

3-4 T butter (or butter substitute)
3-4 T honey
Sriracha to taste
Salt to taste

Directions:

Melt butter and honey together. Stir in sriracha
Cook popcorn as instructed (I have a crank stove top popper and I use 1/3 C kernels and maybe 1 T of coconut oil)
Pour popcorn into bag or bowl that's covered and drizzle melted topping evenly. 
Sprinkle with salt.
Shake popcorn to coat.

Make a double or triple batch, I ate an entire bowl all on my own and wanted more.

I used a butter substitute since I'm cutting down (and hopefully eliminating) dairy.


Keep your eyes on Target's $1 bins.  I've found these from time to time and always pick up a few because you never know when you'll have company over for a movie.

Not A Resolution, But Funsies

I'm going to try to start taking pictures of food that I make.  I've been doing it a lot in the past six months and I'm enjoying taking pictures and arranging food in a somewhat visually appealing manner.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

I'm In Love

http://weelicious.com/