Paleo - Dairy Free Olive Oil Honey Cakes

My eldest daughter was at a playdate and my middle daughter was feeling a little blue.  When I mentioned baking we me.. she jumped at the chance.

I've been eyeing this recipe for weeks now and was looking forward to using my new silicone molds from casa.com - They turned out great and with a side of fresh berries - it was the perfect summer dessert!

To adapt for Paleo - sub sugar with a sweetener of your choice!

Paleo (Sub Sugar) Olive Oil Honey Cake 
*Makes One 9" Cake or 12 mini cakes


1/2 cups almond flour

3 teaspoons baking powder


1/8 teaspoon salt


3 large eggs, room temperature


1/3 cup 


1/3 cup sugar


1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil


1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
 


Confectioners’ sugar for dusting


Generously butter a 9-inch round cake pan or silicone mold as I did.

Preheat to 350 degrees.

Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Repeat the sifting two more times. In a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer, beat the eggs on high speed until light in color, about 2 minutes. Gradually drizzle in 1/3 cup honey. Gradually add sugar. Beat until mixture is pale and thick, about 4 minutes longer. Reduce the speed to low and mix in the olive oil and vanilla. Remove the bowl from the stand.

Using a rubber spatula, lightly fold the flour mixture into the egg mixture in 3 batches. Fold the chopped walnuts into the batter. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Smooth the surface.

Bake the cake just until the top springs back when lightly touched and a wooden pick inserted in the middle of the cake comes out clean. It will take about 25 minutes. Be careful not to leave the cake in the oven too long. It will become dry. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Turn the cake out onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely.

Surprise "Happy 1st Day of Summer" Coconut Paleo Pancakes

I made these for my 3 girls on their official first day of summer.  They turned out perfectly .. coconut, raspberry and almond .. yum!

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons coconut flour


3 egg whites (about 3/4 cup)


1/8 – 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk


1 tablespoon of non-fat Greek yogurt


3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon almond

3 tbsp almond paste (chopped into tiny cubes)

pinch of salt

                   1 pint raspberries

Place the almond paste in a food processor and pulse 2-3 times to break it up.  Combine all ingredients except the almond milk and whisk together. Once combined, slowly add the almond milk until you get  the right consistency (should be more on the thick side, not soupy).  Pour about 1/3 of the batter onto a greased skillet on medium heat and cook on one side until small bubbles start to form on top; then flip.

I topped mine with raspberries and a little maple syrup.  You could also omit almond paste and extract and replace with chocolate chips and vanilla extract.  Simple and delicious!

Grain Free - Paleo Cauliflower Crust Pizza!

This recipe has been all over the internet and pinterest so I had to try it!  Hubby LOVED it and 2/3 kids gobbled it up and asked for seconds.  Plus it gives me a chance to use my new anthropologie tart pan!

Here's the recipe I used:

INGREDIENTS

Nonstick spray


2 1/2 cups grated cauliflower (about 1/2 a large head)


1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 1/4 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese


2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese


Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper


1/4 cup tomato sauce


1 cup grape tomatoes, sliced in half

2 cloves garlic, sliced

4-5 slices prosciutto thinly sliced

2 handfuls of wild rocket/arugula

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes


Fresh basil leaves, optional

1/2 slice lemon

DIRECTIONS

1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, and preheat oven to 425ºF.
2. Grate the cauliflower using a box grater until you have two cups of cauliflower crumbles. Place in a large bowl and microwave for seven to eight minutes, or until soft. Remove from the microwave and let cool.
3. Mix in the egg, one cup mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper. Once combined, pat into a 10-inch round on the prepared pizza pan. Spray lightly with nonstick spray and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden.
4. Top the pizza with the sauce, 1/4 cup mozzarella, grape tomatoes, garlic, prosciutto and red pepper flakes. Bake in the oven until melted and bubbly, another 10 minutes. Top with basil and arugula and squeeze of lemon before serving.

Paleo .. What's that?

When I first stumbled upon the Paleo way of life I was intrigued.  I had just had my 3rd little girl and the weight just wasn't falling off like it did with the last 2 girls.  Yes, I was a little older and perhaps my metabolism was a little slower - but it seemed to be taking forever to lose just 5 lbs.  Paleo, although it sounded safe, was pretty new back then and I couldn't find much information on this lifestyle and the possible pluses/minuses while nursing so it went by the wayside.   I continued nursing my daughter until 22 months (eek!) until we both mutually decided it was time to move on.

It was about a week after and I picked up Paleo For Beginners.  I read it in one night.  It sounded so easy...  Could it be this easy?  The answer.. NO its not that easy, and I have slipped up but I do feel better than I did before daughter #3, my pants are looser, I have more energy and my skin is clearer.

I will be documenting my progress and tasty recipes I discover to share with people who might need a little extra help or something new in their repertoire.

My food philosophy is this; you only live once - if you are at a wedding or your daughters 5th birthday party and want a piece of cake ... Do it! You'll be happier, your kids will see you happy (and that you have a healthy relationship with food) and you will be able to continue on your Paleo journey.

As for the kids, I don't think its right for parents to take things like bread, eggs, cake, ice-cream and the fun bits of childhood away from them, unless there is an allergy.  Unless you are celiac, or have an awful allergic reaction, let them be kids!  Obviously moderation is the key - We don't have sweets unless it's a birthday party or celebration.  Teaching them balance is what will lead them to make the right choices later, not limiting them.

Kids will find a way to get what they want - I don't know about you but I don't want my child to have an unhealthy relationship with food.  I want them to know the good the bad and the ugly and make their own positive choice, not hide out in the bathroom devouring sugar laden sweets because they feel guilty and missed out on these treats when they were younger.

My husband I try to follow the Paleo lifestyle and incorporate high protein/low carb in most of what we make for the kids.  But if they are dying for pasta, they'll have pasta, they are of course, kids.