Gourmet for Days

As a new mom, it has become nearly impossible to spend the time that I used to put into creating elaborate gourmet meals for my husband and myself. Luckily, things have started to settle down so I have been able to regain a bit of my creativity in the kitchen while the little one supervises from her bouncer chair.

I'm working on losing the baby weight and typically operating on a pretty sleep deprived , so breakfast is a very important part of my day.

Today, baby girl was in a particularly cooperative mood, so I had some extra time to make myself a delicious meal!

So all of this was prepared and ready to eat within 10 minutes! Not too shabby, eh?

For starters, I sauteed some sliced potatoes in coconut oil with a bit of salt and pepper. I used canned, pre-sliced potatoes so they would cook quicker, and just tossed them in a saute pan with some hot coconut oil.

At the same time, I cooked 2 eggs with 6 cherry tomatoes sliced in half. When the potatoes were done, I pulled them out of the pan and put some fresh spinach right into the hot pan. The eggs and spinach finished around the same time.

I put everything on a plate and topped my eggs with some goat cheese crumbles. Typically, I would have used feta but since I've eliminated cow's milk from my diet, I have a new found appreciation for goat cheese!

Truth be told, it was absolutely DELICIOUS! And goes to show that fancy breakfasts don't have to be super time consuming.

Dairy Free Ice Cream Dream

Ok, so you may know I have recently gone dairy and soy free to attempt to make my breast milk compatible with my little one's tummy.

With the exclusion of dairy unfortunately comes the exclusion of delicious creamy treats like coffee creamer, cheese and, most importantly, ice cream.

I tried the options that are available in our local grocery store, almond ice cream and "Rice Dream"... let me tell you they were no where near the ice cream I was so desparately craving.

Luckily, I came across some amazing recipes for non dairy ice cream and decided to give it a try. Turns out it was DELICIOUS!!! And so much healthier than ice cream. I may stick with this as my "ice cream" for good from now on! It would certainly not bother me at all for my kiddo to grow up liking my "look alike" ice cream better than the sugar loaded, fattening products available in stores!

Here's what I used:

1 banana, peeled and frozen
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup vanilla almond milk

That's it!

I put all ingredients in my ninja blender system together and blended them for about 60 seconds, until a creamy texture formed.

It was absolutely the perfect substitute for ice cream in my non-dairy diet. Next up I'm going to start trying some flavor combinations- I'm thinking peanut butter, strawberry and wild berry! Yummy!

Green Tomato Jelly

Tomatoes Galore? Search no more!

My grandmother is one of those women that can make just about anything taste delicious!

This is her recipe for Green Tomato Jelly.

5 cups chopped green tomatoes

4 cups sugar

2 3oz. packs Jell-O (I usually stick to grape, raspberry and strawberry.. but feel free to be adventurous!)

1. Chop  your tomatoes. I usually just cut around the core and cut them into 1/2 inch squares. (You don't have to chop them super fine or evenly.. you're going to cook them down and then puree them).

2. Combine tomatoes and sugar in a sauce pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir frequently. (The tomatoes will break down with the heat and sugar and make a syrup-y like liquid)

3. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.

4. Use either a blender or emulsion blender to puree your mixture. (I used the ninja food system and it worked awesome!)

5. Return to sauce pan, add Jell-O mix and let simmer for 20 minutes.  

While your mixture is simmering, start prepping your jars. I have a bottle sterilizer that I put mine in and then fill them while they're still hot, many canning experts boil theirs... do some research, choose your method and get your jars ready to fill.

Once your mix has cooked, pour into your prepped jars and process them according to your favorite method! I put my jars in boiling water for 5 minutes, then let them sit wrapped in towels for 36 hours.

Enjoy!!