Smokey Roasted Beets & Spicy Whipped Feta Recipes from Tulum

The food in Tulum was next level…. You may have read by blog post “40 and Fierce in Tulum,” when my fiancé Gavin surprised me for my big birthday, and I mentioned how amazingly magical Tulum is in every way. Including the food! Everything we had there was outstanding. When we got back home to LA I set out to recreate some of my most fav dishes we had at the hottest Tulum restaurants.

Roasted Beets & Spicy Whipped Feta

The first night in Tulum Gavin and I went to Meze. This spot is a Mediterranean dream! Dripping with candles and outdoor romantic garden decor, I felt like I was in the garden of Eden. The smokey aromas wafting from the open fire clay oven made my tummy rumble with pangs of hunger. 

I had a lovely glass of crisp cold rose, and G got a spicy marg (his go-to vacay cocktail of choice). We always ask the staff their fav’s to get the inside scoop. Our waiter recommended the spicy feta dip topped with figs, and also the salt encrusted fish. Holy sh*t was this food good. We ate everything in front of us until there was not a morsel left on plate, napkin, table, or fork!

Back at home with some ingredients to rectorate the spicy feta dip and I came out with something pretty darn close, if I do say so myself! Scroll down to get the recipe and try it out for yourself!

Roasted Beets & Spicy Whipped Feta

The other shining star, and the most sought after res in all of Tulum in the famous Hartwood. This sustainable farm-to-table experience is not to be missed, but book your table wayyyyy far in advance because it fills up quick. At Hartwood we ordered a bit of everything- a salad, a fish special, steak, which all were mouth-watering-ly divine, but the stand-out star was the fire-roasted BEETS with avocado-creama! It took me a bit to get the avo-crema down, but I figured it out and I am happy to share this deliciousness with you all.

Happy Noshing! xxk

Roasted Beets

For the beets:

  • 4-5 large beets
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 8 basil leaves
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the avo-crema

  • 1 ripe Hass avocado, halved, pitted, and peeled
  • 1/2 jalapeno, seeded (leave the seeds in if you want a hotter sauce)
  • 3/4 cup light sour cream
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1/2 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tbsp chile lime salt (I used the Trader Joes one)
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

  2. Fill a baking dish 2" with water and add basil, honey, and scrubbed beets. Cover with foil and place in the oven for 45 min or until beets are fork tender.

  3. While beets are cooking in the oven make the avo-crema. Combine the avocado, sour cream, olive oil, and jalapeno in the blender. Blend on high, turning off to the scrape down the sides as needed, and blending until smooth and creamy. 

  4. Once the beets are tender, remove from the oven and pat dry. Once they are cool enough to handle, remove the beet skin with your fingers or peeler. Cut beets into wedges.

  5. On a serving platter spoon avo-crema on the plate. Place the beets on the crema, drizzle with olive oil and dust with salt, pepper, and lime chili salt, and serve.

Spicy Whipped Feta

For the Fig Marsala Sauce

  • 1 cup dried Mission figs (Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice Mission Figlets or Sun-Maid California Mission Figs)
  • 2 tbsp fig spread
  • 1/2 cup red cooking wine
  • 1 tbsp balsamic glaze (optional)

For the Feta Dip

  • 8 oz crumbled feta cheese
  • 4 oz light cream cheese
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 2 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1/2 jalapeno (chopped and de-seeded, for extra kick add a few seeds to the blender when mixing)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/3 cup chopped dried golden figs
  • 2 tbsp pine nuts (optional)
  • Fresh mint leaves for garnish
  • Pita bread, toast points, or crackers
  1. In a heavy saucepan, combine the chopped figs, red cooking wine, balsamic glaze and fig spread. Bring to a boil while stirring, then reduce heat and simmer until the mixture becomes thick and syrup-like. Remove from the heat and let cool.

  2. Next, place the feta and cream cheese into the bowl of a food processor or high powered blender. Mix thoroughly, stopping to scrape down sides as needed, then add the honey, lemon zest, jalapeno, and olive oil. Blend until smooth and whipped.

  3. Place feta dip in a shallow bowl, spoon fig sauce on top, and sprinkle with chopped mint, pine nuts, and cracked black pepper. Serve with crackers, pita, or crisps of your choice.

Appetizer
Mediterranean
spicy whipped feta

Read Next: 40 & Fierce in Tulum

Veggie Christmas Tree (How To VIDEO)

This adorable Veggie Christmas Tree makes the perfect centerpiece, and doubles as a healthy appetizer for your holiday meal! It’s super easy to make, and the kids will love to help create this festive veggie-art. It will surely impress your guests!

This adorable Veggie Christmas Tree makes the perfect centerpiece, and doubles as a healthy appetizer for your holiday meal! It's super easy to make, and the kids will love to help create this festive veggie-art. It will surely impress your guests!

Can you believe Christmas is almost here!? It’s just a few short weeks away and there is always so much to be done. Have you gotten your Christmas shopping done this year? I haven’t even begun. Ugh, it makes me anxious just thinking about it.

This adorable Veggie Christmas Tree makes the perfect centerpiece, and doubles as a healthy appetizer for your holiday meal! It's super easy to make, and the kids will love to help create this festive veggie-art. It will surely impress your guests!I recently moved, and the first thing I did when I unpacked was get out my Christmas decorations. There is something about dressing up the house for Christmas that makes me so joyful. Do you guys feel the same way? Today while I was making this Veggie Christmas Tree I put a pot of potpourri on the stove top and had the Holiday Log Music Special playing nonstop to get that Christmas Spirit up and running.

If you want a few easy peasy Holiday Decor Hacks (with stuff you already have around the house) check out this post I did last year: EASY HOLIDAY DIY DECOR!

My love for all things Christmas goes way back to when I was a little girl. My mom was the ultimate Christmas elf. She decorated Every. Square. Inch. of our home. It was pure awesomeness!

This adorable Veggie Christmas Tree makes the perfect centerpiece, and doubles as a healthy appetizer for your holiday meal! It's super easy to make, and the kids will love to help create this festive veggie-art. It will surely impress your guests!We had multiple Christmas trees, the banisters where dripping with garland and lights, the chandeliers held beautiful springs of spruce and holly, and even the toilet was adorned with Christmas decor! It was a Christmas wonderland, second only to the North Pole.

By the time Christmas arrives and you’ve (hopefully) finished your decorating, and shopping, and wrapping, and shipping, AND cookie making (and eating ;)), and so on, you’re exhausted, right? But if your hosting the holiday festivities this year you’re going to have to rally after pulling that all night gift wrapping extravaganza, and cook an elaborate holiday fest, right?

This adorable Veggie Christmas Tree makes the perfect centerpiece, and doubles as a healthy appetizer for your holiday meal! It's super easy to make, and the kids will love to help create this festive veggie-art. It will surely impress your guests!Well, don’t worry, I have got you covered! The super cute Veggie Christmas Tree only takes a few minutes to make (the kids can have fun putting it together), and it looks amazing. Added bonus, it’s a tasty and healthy alternative to other popular holiday appetizers.

Enjoy! Happy Holidays!

Veggie Christmas Tree

This adorable Veggie Christmas Tree makes the perfect centerpiece, and doubles as a healthy appetizer for your holiday meal! It’s super easy to make, and the kids will love to help create this festive veggie-art. It will surely impress your guests!

  • 1 styrofoam cone ((I got mine from Michaels))
  • 2 packages toothpicks
  • 2 green peppers
  • 1 bag snap peas
  • 1 head broccoli
  • 1 yellow pepper ((star))
  • 1 red pepper ((garland))
  • 1 package cherry tomatoes ((ornaments))
  1. Cut your green pepper in long triangles to form the lower branches of the tree.

  2. Cut the broccoli into individual pieces.

  3. Use a cookie cutter to make a star from the yellow pepper.

  4. Carefully use a pairing knife to make garland from the red pepper, cutting a spiral.

  5. Next, use the toothpicks to make your tree. Place the green pepper branches on the bottom, then the snap peas, and then the broccoli.
  6. Insert the cherry tomatoes, top with the yellow pepper star and wrap with red pepper garland.

  7. Serve with your favorite dip! Enjoy!

This adorable Veggie Christmas Tree makes the perfect centerpiece, and doubles as a healthy appetizer for your holiday meal! It's super easy to make, and the kids will love to help create this festive veggie-art. It will surely impress your guests!

Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Bites

These cute and super tasty Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Bites are the ultimate appetizer for your next party! The amazing flavor combination of sweet, salty, and savory will tantalize your tastebuds and leave you wanting more! They will surely be the hit of the party and don't plan on any leftovers. :)These cute and super tasty Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Bites are the ultimate appetizer for your next party! The amazing flavor combination of sweet, salty, and savory will tantalize your tastebuds and leave you wanting more! They will surely be the hit of the party and don’t plan on any leftovers. 🙂

These cute and super tasty Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Bites are the ultimate appetizer for your next party! The amazing flavor combination of sweet, salty, and savory will tantalize your tastebuds and leave you wanting more! They will surely be the hit of the party and don't plan on any leftovers. :)I love things in small packages. I love tiny homes. I love tiny terrariums. I love tiny animals. And I love tiny, bite-sized foods!

If you have frequented my blog you may have noticed I have an obsession with my mini cupcake pan. I use it for EVERYTHING, well almost everything. Mini bite-sized brownies, mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Energy Bites, mini cupcakes, mini muffins, mini popovers, mini egg breakfast bites, and mini meatballs! You can make almost anything mini.

And when I say I like my food mini, that just means I can eat more, right!? You just feel better eating something mini-fied! haha.

These cute and super tasty Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Bites are the ultimate appetizer for your next party! The amazing flavor combination of sweet, salty, and savory will tantalize your tastebuds and leave you wanting more! They will surely be the hit of the party and don't plan on any leftovers. :)So these succulent and savory cheeseburger bites are the new favorite around my home. Cricket adores these little meatballs, and my hubby is always asking for more. Between him and Cricket, there often aren’t any left over for me!

In true Kelley and Cricket fashion, I make sure these indulgent bites are heathly! I use grass-fed beef from Trader Joes, grass-fed cheddar (which you can omit if your dairy-free/paleo), and grass-fed bacon. For more information on WHY I am so obsessed with grass-fed produce click HERE.

These cute and super tasty Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Bites are the ultimate appetizer for your next party! The amazing flavor combination of sweet, salty, and savory will tantalize your tastebuds and leave you wanting more! They will surely be the hit of the party and don't plan on any leftovers. :)The candied bacon is literally the bomb. Be sure to make extra to snack on otherwise you may not end up with enough to top you Cheeseburger Bites! It truly is that addictive.

I like to stuff my meatballs with a cube of cheddar. This takes a bit of extra time, and often time some of the cheese oozes out while these babies are in the oven, but that actually is a good thing! You get a lovely crispy cheese crust on the outside, and melty  cheese on the inside for the ultimate texture experience!

If you prefer you can just top the meatballs with grated cheese once they come out of the oven, and the heat from the recently baked balls with melt it just right! Are your mouths watering yet!?

Finally top each cutie with a generously-sized slab of candied bacon, stick a tooth pick in it and you are good to go! Enjoy 🙂

These cute and super tasty Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Bites are the ultimate appetizer for your next party! The amazing flavor combination of sweet, salty, and savory will tantalize your tastebuds and leave you wanting more! They will surely be the hit of the party and don't plan on any leftovers. :)

Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Bites

These cute and super tasty Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Bites are the ultimate appetizer for your next party! The amazing flavor combination of sweet, salty, and savory will tantalize your tastebuds and leave you wanting more! They will surely be the hit of the party and don’t plan on any leftovers. 🙂

  • 1 lb grass-fed ground beef
  • 1 pasture-raised egg
  • 2 teaspoon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons ketchup (or tomato paste)
  • 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce (or coconut aminos)
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 block of grass-fed cheddar cut into 1/2″ cubes (omit if dairy-free/paleo)
  • 5 strip of grass-fed bacon (or more if you want extra for snacking!)
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Prepare the candied bacon following this recipe: Crackling’ Bacon and make extra for snacking if you want!
  3. Mix the ground beef, egg, mustard, ketchup, worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a bowl.
  4. Form a 1-1.5″meatball and make an impression with your finger and insert a cheese cube, then roll the ball in your hand to over the cheese, forming a nice round ball. Repeat with remaining meat mixture.
  5. Place each meatball into a mini cupcake tin compartment. You should make about 18 meatballs.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
  7. Remove and let cool.
  8. Meanwhile, after your bacon has cooled cut each strip into 1″ pieces.
  9. Place your meatballs on a serving platter, top each one with a piece of bacon and secure with toothpicks.

These cute and super tasty Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Bites are the ultimate appetizer for your next party! The amazing flavor combination of sweet, salty, and savory will tantalize your tastebuds and leave you wanting more! They will surely be the hit of the party and don't plan on any leftovers. :)

Zucchini & Kale Fritters

These tasty little fritters are packed full of nutrients and make the perfect healthy snack or meal! They are easy-peasy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. They also happen to be grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo!These tasty little fritters are packed full of nutrients and make the perfect healthy snack or meal! They are easy-peasy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. They also happen to be grain-free,  gluten-free, and paleo!

So I have been trying to figure out ways to get more veggies into my family’s diet. We usually chomp on broccoli and salad, but after a while the same-old-stuff gets, well, boring. My husband is a picky eater and my 1 year old takes after my husband. Which means I have my work cut out for me! lol. They both will like something one day, and then I’ll make it again, and suddenly it’s rejected. And I thought I was a good cook?!

These tasty little fritters are packed full of nutrients and make the perfect healthy snack or meal! They are easy-peasy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. They also happen to be grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo!I don’t actually think it has much to do with my cooking, but just the fact that they get sick of the same old stuff. They say a toddler’s taste buds are always changing, so its pretty much like trying to hit a whac-a-mole. lol.

In addition to trying new veggie-ful recipes I always am looking for new and exciting ways to eat zucchini. It seems I am always left with too much zucchini at some point in the summer. Has this ever happened to you? Last year my CSA gave me so much zucchini I thought they should be paying ME to take it off their hands. I mean, geez, how much zucchini can one gal eat!?

I even have tried to sneak zucchini into Cricket’s homemade dog chow. I really have to chop it up small and sneak it in there. If my game face is good, she’ll eat some, but once she senses I’m up to something she steps away from her bowl and pouts! Then I have to manually pick it out (every single little piece!) for her to even CONSIDER eating her meal. Oh, Cricket!

These tasty little fritters are packed full of nutrients and make the perfect healthy snack or meal! They are easy-peasy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. They also happen to be grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo!So, if you have left over zucchini, you should make these fritters instead of trying to feed it to your pup!  These fritters are super simple to make and are very very tasty. I make mine HEAVY on the veggies, so you need to make sure you ring out your shredded zucchini to remove the excess moisture.

These tasty little fritters are packed full of nutrients and make the perfect healthy snack or meal! They are easy-peasy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. They also happen to be grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo!My lo has been eating these fritters for 2 weeks straight, making it a world record in our household. In fact, his other favorite, mango, only lasted a few days… Now what to do with all those mango pouches I stocked up on…?

Well, I know what I’ll be cooking up tonight- Zucchini & Kale Fritters! You should do the same 🙂

Zucchini & Kale Fritters

These tasty little fritters are packed full of nutrients and make the perfect healthy snack or meal! They are easy-peasy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. They also happen to be grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo!

  • 1 1/2 cup zucchini (2-3 medium zucchinis, grated)
  • 1 cup of kale (finely chopped)
  • 2 eggs (pasture-rasied preferably)
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons almond flour (I suggest Wellbee’s)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1-2 tablespoons of avocado oil for pan (or oil of choice, ghee, etc)

Sriracha Sour Cream:

  • 1/2 cup raw cashews
  • 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha (or more to taste)
  • optional: 2-3 tablespoons green onion (chopped)
  1. To make the cashew sour cream soak your cashews in hot water for 15 minutes, then drain.
  2. Add the soaked cashews, along with the apple cider vinegar, salt and sriracha into a high speed blender. Blend on high for 1 minute. If it’s too thick add 1 tablespoon of water at a time, only adding enough to get the mixture to blend until smooth.
  3. Scrape the sour cream out into a bowl and set in the fridge until serving.
  4. Grate your zucchinis and place the shreds in a colander. If you wish you can sprinkle the shreds with a bit of salt to get them to release more water.
  5. Let the zucchini shreds sit more a few minutes, then place them into a clean dish cloth and squeeze out all the excess water.
  6. Place the dry zucchini in a bowl, and add the chopped kale, eggs, almond flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
  7. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
  8. Place about 2 tablespoons of batter (it will be thick with all the veggies so you can form the fritters with your hands) into the hot pan.
  9. Cook each side for about 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown. Place the cooked fritters on drying rack or paper towel while you cook the additional fritters.
  10. Serve with sriracha sour cream and chopped green onion, enjoy!

These tasty little fritters are packed full of nutrients and make the perfect healthy snack or meal! They are easy-peasy to make and only require a few simple ingredients. They also happen to be grain-free, gluten-free, and paleo!

 

Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad

This super easy, fresh, zesty and crunchy salad makes the perfect addition to any meal! The fancy-shmancy smashed cucumbers are dressed up in a tangy and subtlety sweet dressing and sprinkled with generous amounts of nutty sesame seeds. Yummy! Bring this easy salad to your next party/picnic/BBQ and you'll be the star!

This super easy, fresh, zesty and crunchy salad makes the perfect addition to any meal! The fancy-shmancy smashed cucumbers are dressed up in a tangy and subtlety sweet dressing and sprinkled with generous amounts of nutty sesame seeds. Yummy! Bring this easy salad to your next party/picnic/BBQ and you’ll be the star!

This super easy, fresh, zesty and crunchy salad makes the perfect addition to any meal! The fancy-shmancy smashed cucumbers are dressed up in a tangy and subtlety sweet dressing and sprinkled with generous amounts of nutty sesame seeds. Yummy! Bring this easy salad to your next party/picnic/BBQ and you'll be the star!

I love a fresh and flavorful salad, but sometimes I get stuck in the salad green rut. I mean, I know I SHOULD eat my veggies, and get my GREENs on. Normally I pile a plate high with fancy greens, or baby kale and drizzle a bit of EVOO, a dash of s&p, and viola- salad! This is good and all but I find my self urning for something different… More texture, more flavor, something really delicious.

I came across a salad like this one I am sharing here today at a restaurant. I was so obsessed with the interesting appearance of the “smashed” cucumbers that I googled it asap so I could make my very own. And it’s a fun process too? Ever want to bash veggie with a skillet? Heck ya! Well here’s your chance!

This super easy, fresh, zesty and crunchy salad makes the perfect addition to any meal! The fancy-shmancy smashed cucumbers are dressed up in a tangy and subtlety sweet dressing and sprinkled with generous amounts of nutty sesame seeds. Yummy! Bring this easy salad to your next party/picnic/BBQ and you'll be the star!

If you are familiar with my blog you know there is no shortage of Asian-inspired dishes! To say I am a hug fan of Thai, Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese cuisine would be an understatement. I take inspiration from these dishes and put on my own spin.

This super easy, fresh, zesty and crunchy salad makes the perfect addition to any meal! The fancy-shmancy smashed cucumbers are dressed up in a tangy and subtlety sweet dressing and sprinkled with generous amounts of nutty sesame seeds. Yummy! Bring this easy salad to your next party/picnic/BBQ and you'll be the star!

This salad has a wonderful dressing that is bursting with tang along with a hint of spice and a dash of sweet. It will really get this taste buds going. And better yet- it looks fancy, but is ridiculous easy and quick to make. So with out further ado….

Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad

This fresh and tangy salad looks great and tastes amazing!

  • 6 mini english cucumbers (makes about 3 ½ cups of smashed cukes)
  • ÂĽ cup red pepper (diced)
  • ÂĽ cup red onion (diced)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons maple syrup
  • ÂĽ teaspoon + Himalayan or sea salt
  • ÂĽ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • better flavor if it marinates
  1. Place your cucumbers on a cutting board.
  2. Place a cast iron skillet (or any heavy flat object) on top of each cucumber and apply pressure with your hand until it cracks and flattens.
  3. Next use a knife to cut the smashed cucumbers into 1″ segments and throw them into a bowl.
  4. Add the red pepper and red onion into the bowl and mix.
  5. Blend the sesame oil, vinegar and maple syrup in a small blender (like the magic bullet).
  6. our the dressing over the salad, then add the salt, pepper and sesame seeds and give it all a good stir.
  7. The salad tastes best if you let the cakes marinate for an hour, but also can be eaten straight away.

This super easy, fresh, zesty and crunchy salad makes the perfect addition to any meal! The fancy-shmancy smashed cucumbers are dressed up in a tangy and subtlety sweet dressing and sprinkled with generous amounts of nutty sesame seeds. Yummy! Bring this easy salad to your next party/picnic/BBQ and you'll be the star!

5 Super Simple Tuna & Salmon Recipes

These tasty, healthy, and super simple canned tuna and salmon recipes pack in big time flavor! I had the pleasure of working with my favorite brand, Wild Selections, to bring you all of these 5 easy and delicious recipes using their sustainable sourced tuna and salmon. Packed with protein, these simple dishes make the perfect meal or snack!

Wild Selections Curried Tuna Lettuce Wraps

Curried Tuna Lettuce Wraps

We are big time tuna and salmon lovers in this house. There is no better easy and healthy lunchtime meal, seriously! Even Cricket gets weekly meals featuring canned salmon, as it’s a super healthy, no-prep required option. You can see Cricket’s Super Salmon & Sardine Chow recipe HERE.

Wild Selections Nicoise Stuffed Avocado

Nicoise Stuffed Avocado Halves

You may know I am big advocate for grass-fed and pasture-raised meats, eggs, and even some dairy. What you may not know is why….. There are two very important reasons. The first reason is that meat and other animal products are much healthier for you when they are raised naturally (on pasture, eating grasses). The second reason is that I am an avid animal lover and believe that animals should be treated with compassion and care. I used to be a vegetarian in fact! When I made the choice to eat meat, I decided it had to come from local sources and that the livestock be allowed to graze, forage, et cetera, in a manner that is natural to its species.

Wild Selectins Bacon Tuna Melts

Bacon Cup Tuna Melts

And the same rules and values apply to fish. Wild-caught fish are better for you. They have higher levels of omega-3’s and are leaner, as compared to farm-raised fish. In addition, I feel better about consuming fish that have had a great fish-full life in the wild, and not from some fish farm;)! But, with all these benefits for consuming wild fish, we must be responsible and choose to fish sustainably. Employing sustainable fishing practices will keep fish populations from dwindling and help prevents overfishing. To learn more about sustainable fishing and how it effects you visit WWF.

Wild Selection Chipotle Salmon Sliders

Chipotle Salmon Sliders

This is the reason why I use Wild Selections Tuna and Salmon. They are truly dedicated to ensuring a fish-full future…..Wild Selections donates 13 cents from every can sold to the World Wildlife Fund marine conservation and fishery improvement projects. By 2018 they will have donated over 1 million dollars! That’s incredible!

Natural Selections Lemony Salmon Bites

Lemon Salmon and Avocado Bites

In addition, Wild Selections is the only full line of Marine Stewardship Council certified sustainable seafood, and the blue MSC eco-label tells you that the fish in your can comes from well managed fisheries and healthy fish stocks. You can even visit the website WildSelections.com to learn where the fish in your can was caught! How cool is that? They provide premium quality, sustainably sourced fish, that is also 100% traceable. It tastes simply delicious, and is of course, all natural and non-GMO Project verified. If you want to learn more, visit the brand website HERE, and the store locator (where to buy it) HERE.

Wild Selections Tuna

Curried Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps

  • 1 can Wild Selections Tuna in water (drained)
  • 1/4 cup apple (peeled and diced)
  • 1/2 teaspoon curry powder (or more to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon lime juice plus 1/4 teaspoon lime zest
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon of mayo (or mashed avocado)
  • 4 lettuce leaves
  1. In a small bowl mix the tuna, diced apple, lime juice, lime zest, curry powder, and mayo. Mix well.
  2. Spoon an even amount of mixture into each of the lettuce leaves.

Nicoise Stuffed Avocado Halves

  • 1 can Wild Selections Tuna in water (drained)
  • 1 avocado
  • 1/4 cup french green beans (about 8 beans, chopped into 1/4″ pieces)
  • 1/4 cup tomato (diced)
  • 5 olives (diced)
  • Optional: dash of black pepper and 2 teaspoons capers
  1. Cut the avocado in half. Scoop out half of the avocado in one half, and do the same for the other half.
  2. In a small bowl combine the tuna, avocado that has been removed from the halves, green beans, tomatoes and olives. Mix well.
  3. Scoop half of the mixture into each avocado half.
  4. Optional: sprinkle with black pepper and capers.

Bacon Cup Tuna Melts

  • 6 strips of all-natural bacon
  • 1 can Wild Selections Tuna in Water
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon mayonaise (or mashed avocado works well for paleo)
  • 1/4 cup cheddar cheese (I recommend grass-fed, shredded)
  • dash of salt and pepper
  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Cut each bacon strip in half, then lay the two bacon halves into each muffin tin compartment, creating a cross. You can trim the ends if they are too long.
  3. Bake the bacon cups for 20-28 minutes, or until crispy. Let them cool, then remove from the muffin tin and place on a paper towel to absorb excess grease.They will have shrunken in size somewhat, creating a shallow cup shape.
  4. Drain any remaining grease from the muffin tin.
  5. In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise, Wild Selections Tuna, and a dash of salt and pepper, and mix well.
  6. Spoon a heaping tablespoon into each cup, top each cup with cheese, then place the cups into the muffin tin.
  7. Place back in the oven on the top rack for 2-3 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
  8. Carefully remove the Bacon Cup Tuna Melts from the muffin tin with a fork and serve.

Chipotle Salmon Sliders

  • 2 cans Wild Selections Salmon (drained)
  • 1 pasture-rasied egg
  • 1/2 cup almond meal (make your own by grinding almonds in a high speed blender until they resemble flour)
  • 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
  • 8 lettuce leaves
  • 1 tablespoon oil for pan frying (avocado, ghee, etc)
  • Optional: lime wedges (sliced tomato, and avocado slices)
  1. In a bowl mix the salmon, egg, almond meal, and chipotle powder. Mix well.
  2. Heat the oil in a skillet (medium-high).
  3. Form small salmon patties with the mixture that fit in the palm of your hand. Be sure to compress them so they stay intact.
  4. Pan fry each salmon patty for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden in color.
  5. Make the sliders by layering the lettuce leaves (to serve as healthy ‘buns’), salmon patty, avocado, tomato and a lime wedge for garnish. Dust with more chipotle chili powder if you like extra kick.

Lemony Salmon Bites

  • 1 can Wild Selections Salmon (drained)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons mayonaise (or 2-3 tablespoons mashed avocado)
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon red onion (finely diced)
  • 8-10 small gluten-free or grain-free crackers (or crackers of choice, or use my Yuca Crisp recipe to make your own)
  • Optional: dash of salt and pepper
  1. In a bowl mix the salmon, mayonnaise (or avocado), salt and pepper. Mix well.
  2. Scoop a tablespoon of mixture onto each cracker.
  3. Sprinkle each salmon-topped cracker with red onion and lemon zest.

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Curried Butternut Squash Soup {Pressure Cooker or Slow Cooker}

This Curry Butternut Squash Soup is hearty and creamy with a touch of sweetness. It's complex and intriguing flavors will surely delight you! It's super healthy, easy to make, and can be made in your slow cooker! This soup makes an excellent, super healthy meal that everyone will love!

This Curry Butternut Squash Soup is hearty and creamy with a touch of sweetness. It’s complex and intriguing flavors will surely delight you! It’s super healthy, easy to make, and can be made in your slow cooker! This soup makes an excellent, super healthy meal that everyone will love!

My mom started a veggie garden a few years ago that has slowly grown to take over most of her backyard. I love getting the “extras;” it’s like being a part of a CSA that I don’t have to pay for 🙂 So this year do you wanna take a guess how many butternut squashes this little backyard garden produced? 5? 10? No , try like 30! My mom had butternut squash coming out of her ears this year! So what to do with a SUPER ABUNDANCE of butternut squash- we make a heck-of-alot of Curried Butternut Squash Soup! It’s so good I actually never get tired or bored of it, really!

This Curry Butternut Squash Soup is hearty and creamy with a touch of sweetness. It's complex and intriguing flavors will surely delight you! It's super healthy, easy to make, and can be made in your slow cooker! This soup makes an excellent, super healthy meal that everyone will love!If you want to get fancy and impress some dinner guests you can top the soup with some creme fraise and cilantro! Fancy!

You know what else you can do with excess butternut squash? Throw some in your pup’s chow! I often make Cricket’s beef stew with butternut squash. Butternut Squash is absolutely loaded with 4x the daily recommended Vitamin A, tons of potassium (more than a banana!) and it has a healthy dose of vitamin C to boot, so go ahead you and your pup can eat your heart’s out on butternut squash!

Curry Butternut Squash Soup {Slow Cooker}

This Curry Butternut Squash Soup is hearty and creamy with a touch of sweetness. It’s complex and intriguing flavors will surely delight you! It’s super healthy, easy to make, and can be made in your slow cooker! This soup makes an excellent, super healthy meal that everyone will love!

  • 8 cups peeled butternut squash (1 medium squash, cut in 1 inch cubes)
  • 1 cup onion (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 cup apple (peeled and cored and chopped)
  • 8 cups broth (chicken or veggie)
  • 1/4 cup coconut sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Himalayan or sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • Optional: 1/4 cup chopped cilantro for garnish and 1/4 cup creme fraise (cashew creme: blend 1/4 cup of soaked cashews with 1 teaspoon lemon juice and a dash of salt until creamy and smooth)
  1. In a skillet over medium high heat sauté onion, cumin, and curry powder in olive oil until soft and fragrant.
  2. In the pressure cooker or slower cooker add the sautéed onion spice mixture, broth, coconut sugar, salt, pepper, cubed squash, and chopped apple.
  3. If using the pressure cooker, select the soup button, which should be high pressure setting for 15 minutes.
  4. If using the slower cooker, set it to high for 2 hours, then reduce to low for 2 additional hours, or set to low and let it cook all day (6+ hours).
  5. Once the soup is finished cooking you can use a hand blender to puree the soup until desired constancy is reached.
  6. Top with cilantro, or other another herb, and drops of creme fraise.

This Curry Butternut Squash Soup is hearty and creamy with a touch of sweetness. It's complex and intriguing flavors will surely delight you! It's super healthy, easy to make, and can be made in your slow cooker! This soup makes an excellent, super healthy meal that everyone will love!

Yuca Crisps

These Yuca Crisps have the perfect combination of crunchy and salty goodness. They make an excellent stand-in for potato or corn chips (in fact they are BETTER and good for you!) and you can make them easily in your own oven!

These Yuca Crisps have the perfect combination of crunchy and salty goodness. They make an excellent stand-in for potato or corn chips and you can make them easily in your own oven!

Have you not tried yuca yet? It’s becoming more and more popular and I see it now at most grocery stores in the produce section. Yes, it’s ugly! It’s a large tuberous root with a hard dark brown bark on the exterior, but inside the ugly exterior is a beautiful white slightly sweet and potato-like flesh.

A few week ago I stumbled upon a fellow food blogger’s post on Yuca Fries….Did she say FRIES!? OMG, just that word F.R.I.E.S. makes me want to run to the closest McDonalds and order up some of those salty and greasy sticks of awesomeness! So that was it. With one word she won me over and I was on a mission to find the YUCA.

I must admit I was overwhelmed when I found it in the grocery store! Yuca is also known as Cassava. This is what this thing looks like when you buy it:

Yuca

Yikes! What am I suppose to do with that? Well, I am here to calm your fears. It’s not as bad as it looks, and it is so very worth it. Crisps, fries, mashed, whatever you want to make with it you will not be let down. And it’s gluten-free and an acceptable starch for paleo-ians.

So when you get your wonderful large and overwhelmingly tough-looking root home, break out your best pairing knife. Unless you have an industrial strength potato peeler you are not going to make much progress un-barking the exterior! They usually have a protective wax coating, so don’t freak out if you see that….. It’s ok!

Use you pairing knife to trim off the ends, then trim off the bark, leaving only the white interior. Please be careful with your knife wielding!

Next you want to cut it into “chips.” This is best accomplished with a mandolin, but you can use a knife as well. Just try to get them as thin as possible. Now you’re ready to cook!!

These Yuca Crisps have the perfect combination of crunchy and salty goodness. They make an excellent stand-in for potato or corn chips (in fact they are BETTER and good for you!) and you can make them easily in your own oven!

I have two recipes where I utilize this awesome root….The ULTIMATE Nachos….

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And Smoked Salmon Bites that are on of crispy “smashed” yuca:

Smoked Salmon on Yuca Crisp2

And Cricket wanted me to remind you not to forget your furry family members! One of her favorite crunchy snacks are these Chicken Jerky Treats. They are very easy to make. So when you make your Yuca Crisps, be sure to bake up some jerky for your pup! Hey, dogs like to snack too ya know!

Crickets Jerky4

Yuca Chips

These Yuca Crisps have the perfect combination of crunchy and salty goodness. They make an excellent stand-in for potato or corn chips and you can make them easily in your own oven!

  • 1 yuca/ cassava root
  • 2 tablespoons of oil of your choice (olive oil, ghee etc.)
  • 1 + teaspoon Himalayan or sea salt (s)
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Peel and cut the yuca according to the directions above in the post.
  3. Place the yuca rounds in a bowl and coat evenly with oil or use a oil spray to coat both sides of the rounds and place them on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with salt.
  4. Bake at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes, then flip the rounds and bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown on the edges. If they are browning too quickly, or not browning at all, adjust the temperature of your oven. I did end up turning my oven up the last 5 minutes to 425 degrees F to get the golden edges.

These Yuca Crisps have the perfect combination of crunchy and salty goodness. They make an excellent stand-in for potato or corn chips (in fact they are BETTER and good for you!) and you can make them easily in your own oven!

Super Bowl Round-Up: 24 Grain-Free Recipes!

Superbowl Square CollageThe Super Bowl is almost here! Who are you rooting for? Since the Patriots didn’t make it I need to choose a surrogate team for the big game. I think I’m going to go with the Broncos simply because Manning is 39, and is still kicking butt. I think that’s pretty impressive, don’t you? It makes me feel young to know that there are still professional athletes that are older than me! Haha.

You know what helps keep you looking youthful and feeling youthful inside and out? A healthy diet! I used to use special occasions and holidays as excuses to go wild and eat what ever the heck I wanted. Sometimes I would eat super light all day just so I could indulge at the Super Bowl party, birthday celebration, or holiday feast. I know some of you out there can relate to that story, am I right?! Now that I have discovered a healthy recipe alternative for all my “dirty” favorite foods I can “have my paleo cake, and eat it too!” There is no missing out on any of my game-day favorites, and I feel great post-game because these recipes are clean, grain-free, and good for you.

For the Super Bowl parties, we usually have a large spread of savory junk foods like nachos, wings, and chips & dip. Here is some of my favorite grain-free and/or paleo recipes that will MAKE your Super Bowl! You’ll be able to indulge and feel good about what you’re putting in your body- now that’s a true WIN!

MEXICAN STUFFED AVOCADO from Emilie Eats

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MANGO AVOCADO SALAD by Strawmary Smith

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SPICY SPIRALIZED SWEET POTATO FRIES from Strength and Sunshine

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PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED ASPARAGUS by Culinary Hill

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THE ULTIMATE NACHOS by Kelley and Cricket

Nachos1

AVOCADO CORN SALSA from Served from Scratch

Super Bowl Avocado Salsa

CRISPY CASSAVA FRIES by That Girl Cooks Healthy

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SPICY MANGO CHICKEN WINGS from Two Purple Figs

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CRACKLIN’ BACON by Kelley and Cricket

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CAULIFLOWER TOTS from Sweet as Honey

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BAKED “BACON” SHITAKE MUSHROOMS from Brazilian Flair in the US

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SPICY SRIRACHA MEATBALLS by Kelley and Cricket

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SPICED SWEET POTATO FRIES from Natural Girl Modern World

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BEEF POTATO BITES by Goodie Godmother

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TURKISH MEZE PLATTER by Compass and Fork

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BACON WRAPPED APRICOTS from Delicious Meets Healthy

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SWEET AND SPICY PINEAPPLE SALSA by Culinary Hill

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7 LAYER SWEET POTATO BEAN DIP by Luci’s Morsels

Superbowl Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy Free Cinco de Mayo Recipe - 7 Layer Sweet Potato Bean Dip - Luci's Morsels -- Healthy Food Blog-4

CRIPSY LEMON CHICKEN WINGS by Dinner at the Zoo

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BLACK BEAN SALSA WRAPS by Gluten-Fee Foodsmith

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CARAMELIZED ONION SAGE DIP by She Eats

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RAW ZUCCHINI BACON from Healthy Helper

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KICKED UP GUACAMOLE from Everyday Sarah Jane

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SWEET & SALTY WINGS by Kelley and Cricket

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MANGO SALSA with AVOCADO, CILANTRO and LIME from The Rising Spoon

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SPICY 5 MINUTE ALMONDS by Cook. Craft. Love.

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Oops that’s actually 26 recipes!

Superbowl Collage

 

 

 

 

The Ultimate Nachos {Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Paleo}

Nachos1These Ultimate Nachos are loaded with spicy nacho cheese, flavorful and fresh tomatillo-avocado salsa, and tangy sour cream, on top of yuca crips. Sinfully delicious, these nachos are secretly healthy, paleo, grain free and dairy free!

I’ve always had a deep love for “junk” food. Crispy fried wings, fudgey brownies, salty french fries, rich and creamy ice cream, anything with chocolate, creamy dips, and nachos!  What are some of your favorite junk foods??

These are some of my favorite things to indulge on, and if you frequent my blog, you know that most of my recipes are “junk” food that’s had a makeover. A healthy makeover! They don’t lack in taste and indulgence- they deliver! Most importantly of all they are made with clean healthy whole food ingredient, are gluten and grain-free, and most are dairy-free as well.

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These nachos are everything you are looking for…. crispy salty chips that are piled high with nacho cheese, sour cream, and fresh tangy salsa. You can even add on some chili too if you are looking for  a meal- see my Chipotle Bison Chili, it would make an awesome addition to these nachos.

And this nacho cheese is amazing (and happens to be dairy-free- No way?… YES WAY!) I experimented with so many dairy-free cheeses, and I actually do eat some pasture-raised dairy products- like butter and some cheese. (You can read more about the benefits of pasture-raised dairy HERE.)

I wanted to create a dairy-free alternative that is good for you, easy to make, and tastes like the REAL DEAL nacho cheese. This nacho cheese has a secret ingredient that makes it extra creamy- butternut squash! I didn’t want the cheese to be made of solely cashew cream so I lightened it up and added body, flavor and color with the butternut squash. I also added some chipotle chilis for a nice smokey spiciness.

Nachos SalsaThe salsa provides a wonderful fresh tangy flavor, and it’s a bit different from the norm. Its made with tomatillos, avocado, lime juice and cilantro, and its simply amazing. You’ll want to put it on everything!

Nachos2

Is your mouth watering yet? You guys are going to love these I promise!

The Ultimate Nachos {Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Paleo}

These Ultimate Nachos are loaded with spicy nacho cheese, flavorful and fresh tomatillo avocado salsa, and tangy sour cream, on top of yuca crips. Deliciously sinful, these nachos are secretly healthy, paleo, grain free and dairy free!

YUCA CRISPS:

  • I yuca (cassava root)
  • 2 tablespoons oil of choice (olive oil, ghee, coconut, etc)

NACHO CHEESE SAUCE:

  • Âľ cup soaked raw cashews (soak for at least 4 hours and drain)
  • Âľ cup cooked and mashed butternut squash
  • Âľ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ onion (about ½ cup, chopped)
  • 2 garlic cloves (diced)
  • ½ teaspoon Himalayan salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
  • 4 tablespoons of nutritional yeast

SALSA:

  • 1 small red onion (or 1/2 of a large one, finely chopped)
  • 1 habanero pepper (finely diced)
  • 1 garlic clove (finely diced)
  • 1 avocado (chopped into 1/2″ cubes)
  • 6 tomatillos (peel off papery skin and wash coating off, leaving you will something that resembles a small green tomato., chopped)
  • 1 red or orange sweet pepper (chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon Himalayan or sea salt
  • 1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon extra vigin olive oil

SOUR CREAM:

  • 1/2 cup cashews (soaked for at least 4 hours and drained)
  • 1/4-1/2 cup water
  • dash salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
  1. To make the yuca crisps preheat oven to 325 degrees F

  2. Peel the yuca, removing all the brown coating on the exterior.
  3. Cut the yuca into 1/8″ rounds.
  4. Coat the yuca rounds with oil/ghee and sprinkle with salt.
  5. Place on a cookie sheet and roast for about 20 minutes or until slightly golden.
  6. Remove, flip the rounds, and roast again until the other side is golden brown as well and crisps are crunchy.
  7. The crisps are best when served immediately or shortly after they are prepared.
  8. To make the nacho cheese soak the cashews in water for at least 2 hours and then drain.

  9. In a sauce pan saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until slightly golden.
  10. Place the soaked cashews, pureed butternut squash and water into a high speed blender, and blend on high until creamy.
  11. Add the sauteed onion, garlic, salt, paprika, chili powder and nutritional yeast and blend until smooth.
  12. To make the saslsa combine all the ingredients- red onion, habanero pepper, garlic, avocado, tomatillo, sweet pepper, salt, lime juice, orange juice and olive oil and mix.

  13. Faxlor is best of you let it sit for a 1/2 hour.
  14. To make the sour cream in a high speed blender combine the soaked cashews, 1/4 cup water, salt, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice and blend on high.

  15. Slowly add remaining water, and stop to scrape down the sides, until desired consistency is reached.

Nachos Collage