Category: Fruit

Caramelized Peach & Gouda Quesadillas

When I told you guys that I hate cooking in the summer, I meant it. I don’t know if it’s the heat or the long days, but I just can’t stand to be in the kitchen. Or, at the very least, turn on the oven.

Case in point: this was our menu this week:

Sunday: 4th of July BBQ at friends
Monday: pulled chicken sammies with leftover chicken
Tuesday: burgers and grilled veggies on the BBQ
Wednesday: grilled cheese sandwiches
Thursday (tonight):  I’m thinkin’ pesto zoodles with tomato feta salad

So – quick and easy stove-top dinners or no-mess outdoor grilling is where it’s at. And the oven? I’ll save that for holiday cooking in a couple of months!

Stove-top cooking can get repetitive. I mean I love grilled cheese and all, but how much of it can I eat? (I plead the fifth)! I definitely try to think outside the box for some satisfying seasonal dishes that make the most of summer bounty. There’s only one thing better than juicy summer peaches and that’s caramelizing them in butter and brown sugar. And when you add the spicy, crunchy jalapenos + the bitter arugula and cheesy gouda, it’s like a quesadilla made in heaven!

Gouda is actually one of my favorite cheeses. It’s so gooey (is that why they call it goo-da? ;) jk!) with great meltability (yeah, that’s now a word). I love it with fruit so it works wonders in this cheesy quesadilla.

Gouda is also great cut into chunks so if you’re going for no-carb meals this summer, try my salad variation! And if carbs are your thing year-round (why you looking at me?!), try this as a pizza, flatbread or grilled cheese with artisan bread!

OK this post has me seriously craving this combo, so I’m off to the store to pick up some more peaches and gouda! Have a “goud” day!!

Caramelized Peach & Gouda Quesadillas

2 flour tortillas
1 cup grated Natural & Kosher cheese gouda
1 large peach, sliced
1 tbsp butter + more for greasing the pan
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 jalapeno
handful of arugula

Method:

In a skillet, melt the butter and add peach slices. Sprinkle with brown sugar and saute until the peaches are soft and caramelized. Remove the peaches from the pan and wipe clean.

Add a bit more butter to the pan and place the tortilla in it. Sprinkle with gouda. When the cheese begins to melt, add the peach slices, jalapeno and arugula to half of the quesadilla and fold closed. Cut the quesadilla into quarters and serve immediately.

NO-CARB VARIATION: Make a salad with arugula, sliced peaches (caramelizing optional), chunks of gouda and thinly sliced jalapeno. Make a dressing with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt and pepper and drizzle over the salad.

YIELD: 2 quesadillas



This post was sponsored by Natural & Kosher Cheese. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube, Google+, or via their Blog

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quesadillas 5 ways
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Mixed Berry Frozen Yogurt Bark

The 4th of July holiday weekend is just around the corner and have I got the coolest (pun intended) recipe for you! Creamy, crunchy, sweet, tart, and incredibly refreshing frozen yogurt bark, and it’s red, white and blue too!

If you’ve missed out the frozen yogurt bark trend, it’s a new, fun way to enjoy your favorite yogurt. Forget banana ice cream, frozen Greek yogurt confections are what’s hot! I love that there are endless possibilities – from the yogurt base, to the assorted toppings, there is SO much you can do.

With my patriotic spirit in mind, I went with a mix of berries and added granola for crunch. You can use fresh or frozen, which makes this super easy, and store-bought or homemade granola – so basically, this bark practically makes itself. And with a full summer ahead, we all love those types of recipes! Especially when they’re healthy, refreshing, and cold (have you BEEN outside lately?!).

These recipes aren’t just fun for me, they’re actually a necessity. You see, I don’t tolerate the heat very well (which is why, while I love my family in Florida, I would NEVER move there) and from what I hear, NYC is in for a HOT summer. If I could haul around a freezer of ice chips on my back, I probably would, but I have to settle for light and cold foods instead. I HATE cooking in the summer and with a baby coming soon (aaahhh!!), I hate it even more. Any tips for surviving the heat this season? I’m all ears.

In the meantime, it’s going to be lots of yogurt and fruit for me, which is great, because that’s exactly what I’m craving. I love Norman’s line of thick, creamy Greek yogurts but my favorite of all time is their guava yogurt. I can literally eat it for breakfast, lunch and ice cream. Oh wait, is ice cream not a meal? It is for this overheated pregnant mama ok?!?!?!?!

So, if you’re like me and you like to indulge in yogurt and imagine it’s ice cream, give this no-guilt mixed berry yogurt bark a try! It’s guaranteed to cool you off, if only for a few minutes, until your next venture outdoors.

Good luck with the summer heat you guys, and remember to stay hydrated! Oh, and of course, Happy Independence Day! Enjoy the holiday weekend :)

Mixed Berry Yogurt Bark

2 cups Norman’s plain Greek yogurt
2-3 tbsp honey or maple syrup (or, to taste)
1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
1 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
1/3 cup granola (make your own)

Method:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Mix the yogurt, honey and vanilla in a small bowl and spread out on the baking sheet until it’s 1/4″ thick. Top with mixed berries and granola. Freeze for a few hours, until solid, and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container and enjoy straight from the freezer.

VARIATION: Use vanilla flavored yogurt instead of the plain and omit sweetener and vanilla.

This post was sponsored by Norman’s. All opinions are my own. 

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4th of July tartufo
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Strawberry Basil Popsicles

Even though my Shavuot spent in Upstate New York was kinda chilly, there are signs of summer at every turn. The fresh smell of grass in the air, the sun peaking out through the clouds, and the mosquitoes coming out of hiding (scratch, scratch). As a foodie though, I look for the signs of summer at the market. The fresh berries, in-season sweet-as-sugar melon and the beautiful fragrant leaves of basil that blossom to their fullest potential. Ahh, the sweet, sweet smell of summer!

In this quick and easy recipe, the best of summer comes together in a healthy, Paleo creamsicle that is as sweet as it is refreshing. It’s my go-to all summer long!

Strawberry Basil Popsicles

1 can full fat coconut milk
1 pint strawberries, hulled
8 large basil leaves
1/3 cup honey
1/2 tsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
Special Equipment: popsicle molds

Method:

Add all the ingredients to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Pour the mixture into popsicle molds and freeze until solid.

Yield: approximately 10 popsicles, depending on size.

TIP: to easily remove popsicles from their mold, run under warm water for 30 seconds.

A bucket of popsicles makes an amazing hostess gift for summer parties! Gift one at your next cookout!

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orange creamsicle pops
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Nutella Crepes with Sweet Plantain Tortillas

In continuation from yesterday’s post for savory plantain tortillas, I bring you some sweet ones! You can read the previous post on more about what plantains are, and to see more step by step pics of the tortilla making process!

These sweet tortilla crepes are made with plantains, and the addition of coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla. They’re great for breakfast or dessert, and best of all, they’re egg-free!

If you’re eating these over Passover, chances are, you’ve had eggs for breakfast, or you plan to have it for lunch or dinner. So having an egg-free meal option is a must-have! Of course you can make these a tad healthier by filling with nut butter and fresh fruit, but homemade nutella is nut butter too. It’s just chocolate hazelnut nut butter ;)

If you’re not into the tortilla crepe idea, use your own potato starch + egg variation, but you must try my homemade nutella and other fillings, especially the maple candied pecans. Happy Passover!

Nutella Crepes with Sweet Plantain Tortillas

Sweet Plantain Tortillas

2 plantains, peeled and cut into chunks (about 10oz.)
1/3 cup melted coconut oil (any lightly flavored oil may be substituted)
2-3 tbsp maple syrup (depending on the ripeness of your plantains)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp water

Place the plantains, oil, water, maple syrup, vanilla and salt in a food processor or blender and puree until it forms a smooth batter. If the batter is very thick, add a bit more water. Spread 1/4 cup of batter at a time on a parchment-lined baking sheet and smooth with a spoon into a round tortilla shape (you should be able to fit 3 on a sheet). Continue with remaining batter on additional baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until soft and pliable. Makes about 5 tortillas.

NOTE: tortillas are best when used fresh but they can be refrigerated and rewarmed in a microwave or oven until soft and pliable.

Homemade Nutella 
use this recipe or try my cinnamon honey walnut butter

Coconut Whipped Cream

1 14oz. can full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated for 24 hours
1-2 tablespoons sweetener, optional
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Carefully remove the can of coconut milk from the refrigerator without shaking it. Open the can and use a spoon to carefully remove the thick layer of coconut cream from the top of the can. Transfer it to your mixing bowl. (Do not use the layer of coconut water that has settled to the bottom of the can.) Beat the coconut cream on medium speed for 2-4 minutes, or until the cream becomes light and fluffy and small peaks form. Add in your sweetener and vanilla extract, and beat until incorporated.

Maple Candied Pecans

8 oz. raw pecans (about 2 cups)
2 tbsp coconut oil
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp salt
pinch of cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt the coconut oil and brown sugar in a small pot, whisking to combine. Add the maple syrup, salt and cayenne and bring to a gentle boil. Add the pecans and mix until they are well coated. Pour the pecans onto a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for approximately 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes. Cool completely before serving.


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Fish Tacos with Savory Plantain Tortillas

Last year was my first time venturing into the world of plantains. It’s definitely a lesser known fruit, so I’m here to tell you more about it!

Plantains are a tropical fruit, and are best known for their use in tostones – a twice fried chip. You’ll find them on the menu in many Latin restaurants, like 26 Sushi & Tapas, in Miami, Florida. I love them topped with ceviche and avocado!

A plantain looks like a banana, but it’s slightly larger with angular sides. It’s taste and texture are determined by it’s stage of ripeness – firm and starchy when it’s green, and softer and sweeter when it’s yellow to black. Plantains cannot be eaten raw, but they make great (baked or fried!) chips when firm, delicious mash when ripe and great egg-free tortillas at any stage. Plantains are a resistant starch, which means that they pass through the digestive system sort of like soluble fiber and don’t spike blood sugar, making them popular among Paleo enthusiasts.

My interest in plantain tortillas was purely a Passover thing, since most kosher for Passover crepes are made using potato starch and eggs. I’m not a big fan of potato starch, and since my son is allergic to eggs, I was looking for an egg-free alternative.

I created two versions of the tortilla – a savory one, made with avocado oil, lime juice and a bit of chili powder, and a sweet one, made with coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla (recipe coming tomorrow!). Plantains don’t have much flavor on their own, so adding these ingredients was essential. I was pleasantly surprised that the tortillas were soft and pliable and really make a great substitute for Passover crepes and wraps. It’s great to have a recipe that doesn’t call for potato starch and eggs for a change, am I right?!

Now for the fillings! I’m a big fan of fish tacos so I definitely went that route with coconut crusted fish fillets which you can bake or fry (if you’re not a fan of coconut, I would recommend frying). Mango salsa is the perfect accompaniment to this tropical dish and curried mayo, one of my favorite condiments, rounds it out. This makes a great lunch or light dinner after all the heavy meat and potato dishes that we’re used to!

Looking for other potato alternatives for Pesach? Check out this article that I put together for OU kosher. It’s got lots of amazing recipes, suggestions and ideas for replacing the spud. You can thank me later!

Fish Tacos with Savory Plantain Tortillas

Savory Plantain Tortillas

2 green plantains, peeled and cut into chunks (about 10oz.)
1/3 cup avocado oil (any lightly flavored oil may be substituted)
1/3 cup water
1 tsp lime juice
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Place the plantains, oil, water, lime juice, salt, chili powder and garlic powder in a food processor or blender and puree until it forms a smooth batter. If the batter is very thick, add a bit more water. Spread 1/4 cup of batter at a time on a parchment-lined baking sheet and smooth with a spoon into a round tortilla shape (you should be able to fit 3 on a sheet). Continue with remaining batter on additional baking sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, until soft and pliable. Makes about 5 tortillas.

NOTE: tortillas are best when used fresh but they can be refrigerated and rewarmed in a microwave or oven until soft and pliable.

Coconut Crusted Fish

2 white fish fillets, cut in half
¼ cup coconut flour (may use almond flour or potato starch)
1 egg, beaten
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
½ tsp curry powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp ginger powder
salt and pepper, to taste
coconut oil

In a bowl, combine the coconut flakes with curry powder, garlic powder, ginger, salt and pepper. In separate bowls, season the egg and coconut flour with salt and pepper. Dip the fish in coconut flour and shake off the excess. Dip in egg and shake off excess. Finish by  dipping in coconut flakes, pressing down so they adhere to the fish. Fry fish in coconut oil or place on a greased baking dish, spray with oil spray and bake at 400 degrees for about 12 minutes, until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a work.

Mango Salsa

1 ripe mango, peeled and diced
1/2 red pepper, diced small
1/2 jalapeno, seeds and veins removed, finely diced
1/4 small red onion, finely diced
juice of 1/2 lime
1 tbsp light olive oil
1 tbsp honey
kosher salt, to taste

Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine.

Curried Mayo

1/4 cup mayo
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp curry powder
kosher salt, to taste

Add all ingredients to a bowl and whisk until creamy.


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nutella crepes with sweet plantain tortillas

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