Almond Plum Bread

Hi friends!

It’s been a hot minute, and for that I apologize. Life gets busy, as you know, and ideally I would like to post more often than I do. My latest goal is to share one new recipe a week that incorporates a seasonal farmer’s market ingredient. I want to highlight farmer’s markets before winter arrives because I think it’s important to shop locally and support your local farmers. In return, you usually are offered fresh, organic produce at a lower cost.

So without further ado, this week’s seasonal ingredient is PLUMS! They are actually in season from late May through October, so I’m a little late to the game with these, but the lady at the farmer’s market gave me a sample and I just couldn’t resist! I asked her for some cooking and baking ideas on how to use this yummy fruit, and she said the most common way was in bread. I decided right then and there to make my very own gluten-free plum bread.

A little health overview of plums is that they are packed with dietary fiber, aiding in digestion and digestive health. Their dried form of prunes serves as an even greater relief from constipation and GI distress. Plums also contain high amounts of potassium, a mineral most Americans don’t receive enough of. Proper intake of potassium is found to help prevent high blood pressure and stroke. Since plums are low on the glycemic index, they are a good option for those with or prone to diabetes. The antioxidants in this fruit has also been known to protect against cancer cell growth, improve bone health, and improve memory.

When I read about all of the health benefits this little fruit carries, I could hardly believe it! For those of you who haven’t tried a plum before, let me tell you what to expect. They range in size from that of a cherry to the size of a small apple. They have skin similar to a nectarine, but their flesh is almost like a grape since they are so water dense. They are slightly sweet in flavor, but when you bake them, they turn slightly sour (in a good way). I think I covered most of the goodness a plum contains, so here is my original gluten-free Almond Plum Bread recipe that I nailed on the very first try! I hope you enjoy it as much as me and the hubs did 🙂

Prep time: 5 minutes

Baking time: 40-45 minutes

Ingredients:

DRY

• 1 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1 cup tapioca flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/8 cup monk fruit sweetener

WET

• 3/4 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 melted coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp agave
• 2 eggs

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a loaf pan (I used coconut oil spray).
2. Sift both the almond and tapioca flour. Add the remaining dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl and mix until even.
3. Add all wet ingredients to a small bowl and whisk for 30 seconds.
4. Pour the wet ingredients on top of the dry and mix on medium speed with a mixer. Unlike baked goods that contain gluten, gluten free recipes actually benefit from mixing a bit longer to create better structure. Once the flour is fully part of the dough, transfer to the loaf pan.
5. Bake for 40-45, watching for when the outer edges turn a light golden brown.

*DO NOT worry if the dough doesn’t rise high. This is a result of a gluten-free recipe. I recently learned that more condense bakes are better for gluten-free consistencies and overall binding which prevents the bread from crumbling. Expect the dough to fill half the height of the loaf pan. Despite being height challenged, the flavor is SOOOO on par and even competes with other fruit breads. The Almond Plum Bread ends up having a texture similar to that of a pound cake. I recommend enjoying it with tea, coffee, or even topping it with yogurt or vanilla ice cream.

 

 

Super Veggie Burgers

Veggie burgers are easier to find than they used to be- at the store, local restaurants, and even at pubs and burger joints. The trick is finding the veggie burger that resonates with your taste buds, aka one that is drool worthy!

Last week I was craving a sweet potato black bean burger, so I decided to brave the task of creating my own recipe. With Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Gnocchi hot on the food scene, I thought to incorporate a cup of that bad boy in my recipe, along with the binder of molasses instead of your standard eggs. Both of these additives bump the nutritional value. Cauliflower adds to your dose of vitamin C and B, and molasses contains a significant amount of iron (not to mention the unique flavor it creates!).

So with sweet potato, cauliflower, green onions, and spinach (as a topping), you end up with a whopping 4 veggies in this addictive burg. I topped mine with avocado (fruit serving), and with brown rice (grain) and black beans (legume-protein) in the mix, you end up with a balanced and nutritious meal for you and your guests! I really can’t talk the addition of molasses up enough. It’s what makes this veggie burger stand out from the rest. Try it out and let me know what you think! Enjoy lovelies!

Prep time: 10-45 minutes (depends if the rice and sweet potato are pre-cooked)

Bake time: 40 minutes

Yields: 5-6 burger patties

Ingredients

Burger

• 1 cup black beans
• 1 cup cauliflower gnocchi (from Trader Joe’s)
• 1 1/2 cups sweet potato puree (fresh or canned)
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions (optional)
• 1 cup cooked brown rice
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup toasted crushed walnuts OR 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (I used chickpea crumbs)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• whole wheat bread/bun/British muffin (what I used)

Toppings (all optional)

• Spinach or Kale (I wanted to try the Miso Greens from the new Run Fast cookbook, but I couldn’t find miso anywhere! Ordering it on Amazon right now 😉 )
• Avocado
• Sauce of choice
• Grilled onions

Directions

• Cook rice according to package instructions if it is not already cooked. In addition to this prep, boil 1 large sweet potato for 30 minutes if you are not using canned sweet potato puree.
• Preheat oven to 375F. While heating, prep your burger patties.
• Drain 1 can of unsalted black beans. Measure 1 cup and place in large mixing bowl. Mash the beans with a fork until 75% of them are mashed, leaving 25% of the beans whole or somewhat intact.
• Add 1/4 molasses to the beans, along with all of the spices. Mix.
• When the rice is done, drain and allow to cool. When the sweet potato is ready, drain and place skinless in a blender.
• Microwave the Cauliflower Gnocchi for 5-6 minutes, as listed on package instructions. When cooked, add 1 cup to the blender. Blend on high until mixed.
• Add the sweet potato and cauliflower mixture to the bowl, along with the walnuts or breadcrumbs and chopped green onions. Mix until evenly distributed.
• Form patties using 1/2 or 3/4 cup to measure. I like mine thick, so I used the 3/4 cup. This formed 5 patties.
• Bake for 40 minutes. Flip burger patties half way through. Keep in mind that they may be mushy still, so be careful when flipping. I recommend using a spatula and an oven mitt.
• Remove from oven after 40 minutes and allow to cool and set for 10-15 minutes. Toast your bread/bun if desired, add sauce, a burger patty and toppings to dress it up! Chow down!

 

 

 

 

Pesto Egg Cups

Eggs have been an all-American breakfast staple for decades now, but the styles of scrambled and omelettes can get old. Plus, Americans are busier than ever. Some get up at 5am to get a workout in, some head to the office early, and some are scrambling (pun intended) to dress and feed the kids before shuttling them to school. Whatever the case, breakfast is easier on the go.

These Pesto Egg Cups serve as just that, a delicious and nutrient packed on-the-go breakfast that fuels your morning! I recommend meal prepping these over the weekend and freezing them in an airtight container to keep them fresh and ready to grab throughout the week.

Prep: 15 minutes

Bake time: 12 minutes

Yields: 12 cups

Pesto ingredients: (You can use store bought too)

• 3 packed cups of fresh basil
• 1/2 cup parmesean (and/or nutritional yeast)
• 1 heaping Tbsp of minced garlic
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• 1/2 cup olive oil

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until a paste consistency forms. Usually I like my pesto slightly on the oily side to dip bread in, but don’t overdo it or else your egg cups will be oily too.

Egg Cup ingredients:

• 8 eggs
• 3/4 cup spinach (chiffonade)
• 8 cherry tomatoes quartered
• 1/4 cup milk of choice (I used almond)
• Store bought or homemade pesto
• Salt (Pink Himalayan is recommended)
• Ground pepper (I love the Lemon Pepper from TJs!)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375F. Grease muffin tin or line with muffin cups.
2. Whisk 8 eggs until a fluffy consistency is achieved.
3. Add 1/4 cup milk of your choice and whisk to mix.
4. Chiffonade (cutting technique where you roll and slice greens) spinach until you fill 3/4 cup. Add to the egg mixture. Quarter 8 cherry tomatoes and add, along with a pinch of salt and ground pepper. Mix evenly.
5. Add 1/4 cup of the egg mixture to each muffin holder. Once evenly distributed, add 1 tsp – 1 Tbsp of pesto to each spot. You may mix or leave the pesto in the middle for a burst of flavor. Both ways are amazing, but I think I prefer the middle filled. 🙂
6. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Keep an eye on how and when the eggs set to determine this.
7. Keep fresh by freezing for up to one month. Reheat in microwave for a delicious treat or on the go breakfy!

    

 

 

Chocolate Walnut Zucchini Bread

Hello my supportive readers! It has been a hot minute, and for that, I apologize. I won’t get into the details, but I am currently juggling two part-time jobs, 8 accelerated summer credit courses, and an internship. I haven’t had much time for myself and to take care of my family, let alone maintain Feed Me Happy. My absence has made me realize how much I adore the art of recipe development, and with my first full day off in 34 days, I am here to share my latest creation- Chocolate Walnut Zucchini Bread!

As always, my goal was to make this baked good as yummy and nutritious as possible. I played around with spelt flour, an ancient grain that houses ample fiber, protein, and vitamins and minerals. The walnuts and olive oil provide healthy fats, and the zucchini gives you that veggie fix! Plus, zucchini is currently in season, and I’m trying to cook and bake with all the seasonal crops while they’re here. I hope you enjoy this baked bread loaf as much as I do! ❤

Prep time: 15 minutes

Baking time: 45-50 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups spelt flour
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (may use GF, but be aware that this could alter the texture and baking time of your loaf)
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon
• 4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup walnuts
• 1 bar dark chocolate (I used Theo 85%)
• 3/4 cup EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)
• 3 eggs
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 cup organic applesauce
• 2 medium size zucchini

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Oil loaf pan with either olive oil or coconut oil. I used coconut oil spray. When heated, toast 1/2 cup of the walnuts for 10 minutes. Let cool.
2. While toasting, grate both zucchini with a coarse grater. Soak up the excess moisture with paper towels.
3. Add all of the dry ingredients into a large bowl. Mix thoroughly.
4. Whisk the eggs in a separate medium sized bowl. Add the EVOO, molasses, honey, and applesauce. Mix until even.
5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry, along with the zucchini and 3/4 cup of the chopped dark chocolate. Mix until just combined, avoiding overworking the gluten and creating tunnels in your bread loaf.
6. Pour the batter into the oiled loaf pan. Top with the remaining walnuts and dark chocolate and bake for 45-50 minutes. I baked the bread on the bottom rack for 20 minutes, then transfer to the top for the next 25 minutes to ensure an even bake.

Took me 3 rounds of recipe testing to get this right, so enjoy this treat that may be eaten day or night! 😉

Peach Cobbler Oat Bars

Hay peaches! Some of you have been asking for this original recipe, and I apologize for my tardiness in posting the details. I had a packed day of mandatory volunteer work and a 4 hour lecture class. I made it through and did not forget about you!

I created this recipe for a few reasons: 1) I wanted to make a summer go-to dessert recipe that was simple, fresh, and delicious (obviously). 2) I wanted to deliver what YOU requested on my Instagram stories- a dessert made with natural sugars as opposed to added granular sugars. I figured peaches would serve as the perfect seasonal muse, and boy did they!

I only had to recipe test this twice, but I do want to disclose that I will be conducting a third test sometime this week with another variable ingredient I think could put it OTT (Over The Top)! I will update this post when I get to that. For now, and without further ado, here is THE Feed Me Happy Peach Cobbler Oat Bar Recipe!!!

Peach Cobbler Oat Bars With Coconut Whip

Prep time: 5 minutes

Baking time: 30-35 minutes

Cooling time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

Dry Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 cup oats
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ginger
• 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• Pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients

• 2 beaten eggs (sub flax eggs if vegan)
•  ¾ cup cashew butter
• 3 Tbsp cup honey (sub maple syrup or agave if vegan)
• 1 mashed banana

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grease an 8×8 baking pan or dish with coconut oil.
2. Mix dry ingredients in a medium size bowl.
3. Mash banana and transfer to large mixing bowl. Beat eggs and combine with banana. Add the cashew butter+room temperature honey. Whisk until even and most of the clumps dissipate.
4. Combine wet+dry ingredients in large bowl. Fold with baking spatula until just mixed and no dry ingredients exist separately.
5. Pour this mixture into your greased 8×8 baking pan or ceramic baking dish.
6. Add sliced peaches on top and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown. You may test if it’s done by inserting a toothpick or knife in the middle. If no “dough” sticks, then you’re good! Let cool for at least 30 minutes.
7. To make the coconut whipped cream, I let full fat coconut milk sit in the fridge overnight. I whipped the coconut solids with my Kitchen Aid for 8 minutes and I got a loose coconut whip! I wanted mine to remain sugar- free, but you may add 2 Tbsp of sugar to your whip for better and resilient structure and fluff.

I hope you enjoy this as much as me and the hubs did! I will definitely be making more batches over the summer, so I’ll let you know what variations I try out. Please clue me in if you use any substitutes or additions. I’m always curious about ingredient combos. Just to get your imagination going, I thought some toasted walnuts, vanilla almond milk, a little orange zest, and plums would be complimentary additions. What do you think?

Coconut Matcha Doughnuts

It is no secret that I have an obsession and border line addiction to matcha. I’m sure most of you are familiar with this green tea Japanese powder by now, as it has grown in popularity world wide in recent years. I usually make my Super Strength Matcha every morning, but since I am always stocked with Do Matcha in my pantry and in celebration of National Doughnut Day last week, I decided to create my own matcha doughnuts.

Coconut and matcha pair together brilliantly, so I kept it simple by elevating both of these flavors (or so I thought I was keeping it easy). What I mean by that side comment is that coconut flour is difficult to work with. I found out during this recipe testing cycle that coconut flour is extremely absorbent and can easily result in a dry finished product. The trick is to have a 1:1 1/4 dry to wet ingredient ratio. Don’t worry, I did the math and experimenting for you. It took me 5 rounds to perfect these delectable treats, but it was so worth the time and cost.

These Coconut Matcha Doughnuts are flavorful, moist, and pair well with chocolate, coconut butter or flakes, edible flowers, nut butters, honey, etc. The choices are pretty abundant, so have fun and be creative with your glaze, toppings and/or dips! Pictured below is the doughnut plain (aka naked!), dipped in Theo’s dark chocolate, and with a coconut butter glaze and rose petals and buds. What one would you choose if you could dig in at this moment?

Prep time: 5 mintues

Baking time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

Dry

• ¾ cups sifted coconut flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• 1 Tbsp matcha
• Pinch of salt

Wet

• 3 eggs
• ½ cup full fat coco milk
• ¼ cup coco oil
• 2 Tbsp honey
• ½ tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Sift 3/4 cup of coconut flour into a medium size bowl. Add 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 Tbsp matcha powder, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until evenly mixed.
3. Set aside and add eggs to a large bowl. Whisk until fluffy. Add 2 Tbsp honey and whisk another minute. Add 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk, 1/2 tsp vanilla+1/4 cup melted coconut oil. Whisk until thoroughly mixed.
4. Add your dry ingredients to the wet with a hand held beater or Kitchen Aid mixer. don’t worry about over mixing because there is no gluten in coconut flour!
5. When you dough is clump free, check for a slightly wet consistency. Spray doughnut tin with coconut oil and form the dough in each mold.
6. Bake for 15 minutes at 350F and let cool for at least 15 minutes. Choose your glaze and toppings and enjoy!

Vegan BBQ Sauce

Prep time: 0

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Serving Size: 6-8, depending on how much sauce you and your guests like! (I like to douse my food!)

Ingredients: 

• 1 medium yellow onion
• 1 6 oz. can of tomato paste
• 3 Tbsp coconut aminos
• 1.5 Tbsp spicy mustard (you may use plain)
• 2 Tbsp molasses
• 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 Tbsp chili powder (may use more if desired)
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp coconut sugar OR 1 Tbsp honey
• dash of salt and fresh pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425F. When ready, roast halved yellow onion with a drizzle of olive oil for 20 minutes.
2. In the meantime, add the remaining ingredients to a blender.
3. Add the yellow onion after it slightly cools and blend!

1, 2, 3 and you have yourself a delicious Vegan BBQ Sauce, ladies and gents!

I first used this homemade sauce to marinate tempeh I got from nowhere other than Trader Joe’s, of course. I broke apart the tempeh to small bits and used about 1/2 of the sauce to mix it with. Let this sit overnight and sauté with a light oil spray when ready to eat. Mu husband says it taste healthy, but all I taste is a bbq sauce made from fresh ingredients and not ridden with a large amount of sugar. 🙂 Let me know what you think, and enjoy!