Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote (Paleo, Vegan)

April 27, 2017April 27, 2017 - Emma 1 Comment

I first published this recipe on my old blog this time last year but somehow forgot to post it here after I made Real Food Renegades! It’s funny because this is one of my all-time favourite recipes that I make every week in the spring and summer. I was reminded by my lovely reader Janel, who’s a very avid fan of my Strawberry-Rhubarb Compote, to share it here! This is one of the simplest batch cooking recipes you can make throughout this warmer weather with fresh rhubarb from your own backyard (it grows like a weed!) and your family can use it all week – it’s the perfect spread for waffles and pancakes, or fill the gluten-free pie shells from this recipe for something new. With the tantalizing sweet and sour flavours of strawberry and rhubarb, you can’t go wrong!

Mango-Cardamon Mini Pies (Gluten-Free, Vegan, No Added Sugar)

April 22, 2017 - Emma 2 Comments

These little pies are the perfect tropical treat. Filled with a deliciously sweet filling made of only fresh mango and flavourings – no sugar added! -, the mini crusts are flaky and coconutty while being gluten-free. YUM! Toasting the coconut before mixing it into the crust dough really brings out that sweet & nutty flavour. And who knew that mango & cardamon were a match made in heaven?! The rich spiciness contrasts against the natural sugariness of the mango, and it makes these pies taste so much more complex than they are to make! So if you happen to be going on an impromptu picnic now that the lovely weather of spring is here, make a batch of these Mango-Cardamon Mini Pies. They’re easy to make and your friends will love ’em!

Green Goddess Falafel Bowl (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

March 25, 2017March 25, 2017 - Emma 2 Comments

I’ve always loved the idea of falafel, but only had them a few times in my life and never made ’em. That all changed when I got a craving for them a couple weeks ago. I’m sure you know what I mean by this kind of craving… you simply must make and devour whatever new delicious food idea is nagging at the back of your mind. Thankfully, my best friend, a vegetarian, was coming over so I had an excuse to whip up this concoction that I’d never even attempted before. The falafel turned out so well with all those amazing veggies and Tahini-Lemon Cream that I had to share the recipe here!

Cheesy Barbecue Kale Chips (Vegan, GF, Paleo)

March 3, 2017March 10, 2017 - Emma 2 Comments

Kale is such a cliche, honestly: 20-year-old hipsters drinking a stringy kale smoothie, etc, etc. Though I have a strong dislike for cliches I can’t help but be one when it comes to kale. I love it so much! I’m not a huge fan of it in smoothies (probably because my blender has issues) but give me a big bowl of kale salad dressed with guacamole or balsamic vinegar and I’ll dive in headfirst. And I have no sense of control around freshly-baked kale chips. For example, when I made these Cheesy Barbecue Kale Chips last night, I ate the whole head of kale (minus three chips, which my mom ate) in a hour.

Mango Micro-Green Salad with Spicy Sesame Vinaigrette (vegan, Paleo)

November 19, 2016 - Emma Leave a comment

I have a passion for creating beautiful, nourishing foods. I love spending a gray Saturday in the kitchen, not keeping track of time, allowing my hands and palate to transform whole ingredients into a flavourful dish. Unfortunately, with homework, chores, and to-do lists, I don’t always have the time anymore for such relaxed cooking, but when I do get the chance, I savour it as much as I do the finished plate.

Today, after yoga class, my dad and I went to the grocery store and picked up some staples for the week. I saw a package of four Ataulfos mangoes on the reduced rack and had to scoop them up – how could someone let those little golden gems go to waste?! We also got some tiny, locally-grown sunflower micro-greens. I wasn’t planning on combining the two until I got home and sliced the buttery mangoes. They seemed destined to be together with the micro-greens in a spicy salad! Hence, this recipe was born as I added macadamia nuts to give some crunch and drizzled on a homemade sesame vinaigrette for a flavour-packed, whole food salad. Yum!

Raw Peach & Fig Tarts

September 13, 2016September 13, 2016 - Emma 6 Comments

Raw Peach and Fig Tarts!!! Can I get a cheer or at least a double-thumbs-up?! Guess what, friends: I’m featured on my lovely friend Sadie’s blog… and that’s where you can find the recipe for these tarts! I’m sure you’ve heard on GoodiesAgainstTheGrain.com, the Paleo recipe site created by Sadie, a fellow teenage blogger. I’m honoured to be posting this recipe on her amazing website!

When I think of Sadie, I think fun and cheery, just like these tarts. I also wanted to make a treat for her site (hence its name!). Here are some sneak-peak photos, but for the recipe, head on over to GoodiesAgainstTheGrain.com and check it out!

Heirloom Tomato & Pork Roast (Whole30, Paleo)

August 28, 2016September 13, 2016 - Emma Leave a comment

Pork tenderloin > chicken breast.

People seem to love chicken breast as a perfect blank canvas protein; however, I’d beg to differ and say pork tenderloin is the best! It lends beautifully from Greek flavours to Asian flavours to Italian flavours. When cooked properly, it’s tender and delicious, but it is easy to overcook. Roasting the tenderloin with heirloom tomatoes allows the juices of the tomatoes to penetrate the pork, keeping it juicy and moist. All the flavours in this dish blend together, creating a super flavourful, seasonal one-pan meal.

Cookie Dough Nice Cream (Paleo, vegan, fruit-sweetened, dairy + gluten-free)

August 26, 2016August 28, 2016 - Emma 5 Comments

Yum. Yum. YUM!

I’m still in a banana-induced state of yum after making this Cookie Dough Nice Cream. Wow. I think the pictures speak for themselves – look at that creamy banana goodness laced with gluten-free cookie dough made with almond flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill)! My little sister (who is very anti-real food) and I couldn’t stop eating it. This is definitely a sweet treat. Though bananas are fruits and considered quite healthy, they can still raise your blood sugar and contain a lot of fructose. Therefore, this is best enjoyed for special occasions or when you need to treat yo self. 😉