Braised White Beans for Zoe’s Fans

We are always on the lookout for restaurants that are suitable for dietary restrictions. While eating out is not our norm, it is a treat. Those of you with food restrictions understand the joy of eating something you did not have to create and knowing it is safe. Continue reading “Braised White Beans for Zoe’s Fans”

Perfect Pickles the Easy Way

It’s been a long while since I’ve taken the time to sit down and blog. Life in the Hershberger household is still much the same as where I left off this time last year. A few more recent happenings include: building a new house, (I hope to post some pictures soon.) and learning to eat the THM way (Trim Healthy Mamma). I know I was supposed to list three things but I couldn’t think of a third option that you’d find interesting and this isn’t English 112. Continue reading “Perfect Pickles the Easy Way”

Delectable Coffee Cake Dairy and Egg Free

Often scrumptious baked items call for eggs and dairy. I recently found this recipe and glanced over the list of ingredients. I thought with some tweaking it might be suitable! I gave it a try and both hubby and I were pleased with the results.

This cake is best complimented with a steaming cup of coffee. I’d highly recommend Archer Farms Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee. 🙂  Continue reading “Delectable Coffee Cake Dairy and Egg Free”

Refreshing Nondairy Peanut Butter Ice Cream

If you’re learning to adapt to a nondairy lifestyle, you’ll appreciate this recipe. If you’re dealing with a nut allergy, I’m sorry. This recipe would need some tweaking to make it suitable but it could be done. 🙂 Continue reading “Refreshing Nondairy Peanut Butter Ice Cream”

Healthy Homemade Ketchup

My mom is the canning queen. She has an exorbitant amount of patience and tried and true methods for canning. I still have much to learn and have been very grateful for her willingness to help me.  (I was the one who always said canning isn’t an absolute to be a Mennonite!) Though it certainly isn’t, I’m realizing it is handy to have canned items on hand. The best part is that I know what ingredients were put into the jar! My mom and I tried our hand at homemade ketchup the other day. I was pleased considering I haven’t had ketchup for a long time. (I haven’t been able to find ketchup that is corn free.)

Continue reading “Healthy Homemade Ketchup”

Gluten Free, Dairy Free Banana Muffins

I recently tried these muffins and was pleased with the results. They actually looked like a normal muffin and have a wonderful flavor!

Banana Muffins

  • 2 C. brown rice blend (1 1/3 C. brown rice flour & 2/3 C. tapioca starch/flour)
  • 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder (Featherweight is corn free.)
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • *2 eggs, beaten (I used egg substitute- 1 tsp. baking powder & 1/4 C. water)
  • 1 C. sugar
  • 1/2 C.  oil
  • 2 1/2 C. mashed, ripe bananas
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix dry ingredients together.  In a separate bowl mash bananas; add beaten eggs, oil and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to the dry ones and stir just till combined.

*If you are using egg substitute mentioned, mix the water and baking powder together last and simply fold in your batter. This will help the muffins be lighter.

Bake at 350 in lined muffin pans. Bake for 15-20 min or till toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Enjoy! The texture is a bit different from regular banana bread; however, the taste is much the same and delicious. These are best fresh from the oven. If you make a batch to freeze, simply warm them before serving.

Allergen Friendly Brownies that are Worth Eating!

I was pleased to find this brownie recipe to fix my chocolate cravings.

Peanut Butter & Oatmeal Brownies (Gluten & Dairy free)

  • 1/2 C creamy peanut butter
  • 1/4 C. oil
  • 1/3 C. milk (dairy free)
  • 1/2 C. maple syrup
  • 1/4 C. sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
  • 1/2 C. oat flour
  • 1/3 C. oats
  • 1/4 C. cocoa powder

Cream Peanut butter with oil, maple syrup, sugar and egg. Add vanilla. Mix dry ingredients together and add to wet ingredients. Mix till combined. Bake in a greased 8×8 pan for 20 min. (Don’t under-bake these or they’ll be rather gooey!)

*This recipe has options! You could easily substitute the peanut butter and use another nut butter. Use an oil that is safe for you. I used  1/2 tsp. baking powder with 2 Tbsp. of water for my egg. A sugar substitute would be fine to use instead of the regular sugar or just increase the maple syrup. Additionally, if oats are a problem don’t be afraid to try an alternate flour that you can have. It may take some tweaking but after all that’s often how allergy cooking goes! Enjoy.

Hearty Bone Broth Soup

I’m hopeful that the title, “Bone Broth” doesn’t disinterest you from trying this fabulous, versatile broth base.  Not only is it the secret to delicious soups; it’s also nutritious and helpful for building your immunity! (Not a bad idea during these cold wintry days.)

Bone Broth 

  • A cooked chicken carcass, or any assortment of cooked chicken, or turkey bones (I use the skin as well.)
  • Water
  • 1/2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • Onion, chopped
  • 3 stalks of celery cut into sticks
  • 3 Carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
  • Several bay leaves
  • Salt
  • Desired spices: garlic, oregano, parsley, etc.

Place the bones in the bottom of a large crock-pot. Top with your veggies, bay leaves and spices. Fill crock-pot with water. Cook on low for at least 20 hours. (I like to cook it a few hours longer to give it a richer flavor.) Strain broth and store in Mason jars in the coldest part of your fridge. Use the broth as a base for soups.

Chicken Veggie Soup is one of my favorites:

  • 1 quart of bone broth
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 2 potatoes, diced
  • 2 stalks of celery, chopped
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. parsley

Bring broth and veggies to a boil. Cook till tender. Add cooked chicken and parsley. Return soup to a gentle boil. Serve.

*Feel free to add other veggies to this soup, or omit the potatoes and make chicken noodle soup with your favorite pasta. I love how versatile soups are. You can simply use what you have on hand and also make it suitable for your dietary needs.

*If you are blessed with beef and are able to eat it, you could do the same with roast/steak bones to create your own tasty beef broth.

Country Turkey Sausage

This recipe has become a favorite for breakfast since eggs are currently not an option.

Country Turkey Sausage

  • 1/4 onion, chopped, optional
  • 1/2 C. chopped fresh apples, (This makes it a winner!)
  • 3 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped, or 1/2 Tbsp. dried parsley
  • 3 Tbsp. oats
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. sage
  • 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1/2 Ib. ground turkey or chicken

Mix all ingredients together well. Shape into patties and fry. Stewed apples on the side are the perfect accompaniment to this hearty breakfast.