Jenna's Macaroon Bites

A few months ago, I was sent a link to some yummy raw macaroons on youtube. The problem was, there wasn't a written out recipe. The awesome blogger that is known for her youtube videos just has links back to youtube. I need my recipes written down.  Original recipe found on youtube. I stick pretty close to her recipe, I add salt and I WRITE it down.

I have made these delicious bites many times and I am really happy with how they consistently turn out.

Jenna's macaroon bites with chocolate drizzle

Here is my version:

Jenna's Macaroon Bites

1 c. unsweetened finely shredded coconut
3/4 c. raw almond flour (I used blanched, which makes my bites not raw)
1/4 c. coconut oil (solid)
2 T. maple syrup (I like grade B, it has more flavor)
1 t. Vanilla extract
1/16th t. sea salt

1 - Start with coconut oil in the food processor, whip until fluffy and most of the chunks are gone.

2 - Add vanilla extract, maple syrup and pulse until they are combined with the oil.

3 - Scrape down sides and add shredded coconut, almond flour and sea salt. Pulse until combined, scraping down the sides as needed.

4 - After all the ingredients are well blended, scoop with small cookie scoop and place on cookie sheet with parchment paper and place in freezer for at least 20 minutes.

5 - My favorite option is to drizzle chocolate over half the batch. In a double boiler melt 1 cup chocolate chips, I use Enjoy life brand semi sweet, and 1 t. coco oil. Let melt until the chocolate is drizzle ready - not too hot. Then spoon the warm chocolate into a small plastic baggie. Cut a tiny slit in the corner and drizzle over half or all the macaroons.

6 - Once the chocolate drizzle is complete, the macaroons can go back in the freezer until serving or party transport time.

Notes:

Almond flour can easily be replaced with walnut, pecan or cashew meal

I always make a double batch = 49 #70 scoop size macaroon bites.

My scoop is labeled #70 - it is about 1 tablespoon

I know it may seem hard to believe but yes, there are people that like the plain macaroons without chocolate drizzle added to the top. Crazy, right?

En guete!

Green Orange Julius Smoothie

Green Orange Julius Smoothie - Or Shrek's Orange Juice - whatever you need to call it to get your kids to drink it :)

Few handfuls of rinsed Organic spinach (up to 3 cup line?)
Rice milk or Coconut milk up to 3 cup line
OJ Concentrate 1/3 of a can + water up to the 4 cup line
1 T. Vanilla Extract
2 navel oranges (just the guts, no pith or peels)
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 scoop protein powder (plain)
1T. Flax meal
1 small carrot or 1/2 large carrot cut into 1 inch chunks

Blend on smoothie button

Then add:

2 ripe bananas
2 cups of ice

Blender should be almost scary full :) Blend on smoothie button again until totally smooth

Pour into glasses for kiddos to drink along with their breakfast and pint jars for after school snack. Pour me a big glass for breakfast and mid morning snack.

THEN:

I usually have about 3 cups leftover after this, SO, I add half a bag of frozen blueberries from
Trader Joe's - My favorite are the organic ones in the white bag. They are little, turn the smoothie completely purple and most importantly take the "green" taste out of smoothies.

Blend on Smoothie button and then pour into more pint jars for after school.

If you want to have a sorbet like consistency to eat right away - add lots of frozen blueberries and ice. Blend on ice cream button. My girls love it.

Mom, "would you like a green orange Julius smoothie or a blueberry orange Julius to drink with
your snack?"

These stay good in the fridge for a few days. Our usually do not last that long.

Tuesday night dinners are what's cooking!

Well, yesterday was Tuesday and you know what that means?

Let me tell you. For the entire two years we were in Switzerland. Oh, ya, we moved to the Seattle area back in the good old U S of A, in case you did not get my email stating this fact. Where was I? Tuesdays! My husband, commonly called "the Engineer" had video conference meetings with the rest of his group in Cali EVERY Tuesday night. Where is this little story going?

The Engineer HATES sweet potatoes. I L.O.V.E. love them. So, we started having sweet potatoes every Tuesday night for dinner, as well as other yummy food too.

That is my next reason why I love Tuesday dinners. Every Monday night I would clean out all the leftover food and sad veggies from our fridge because Tuesday morning can only mean one thing - Farmer's Market with Tanya. So Tuesday in Switzerland meant sweet potatoes and yummy, often new vegetables to try.

Last night the Engineer was in Oregon and it was Tuesday. I have 6 lovely organic sweet potatoes in my kitchen but I was not feeling the love. So, this is what I came up with.

Sauteed green beans with onions, garlic and sun dried tomatoes.
Acorn squash roasted with EVOO, S&P
Black beans and rice medley with lime and cilantro.

Yes, it was good. I gave it all thumbs up. The girls on the other hand did not appreciate the ease of this quick dinner and the freshness. m m m . . . just thinking about it makes me hungry.

En Guete!

* I know it is May and this blog did not even have one post in April. Moving will do that to you. You know what else will do that? Not having your shipment from Switzerland. Or receiving it 3 weeks late. I think it will make you plain grouchy - at least it has for me - it is arriving tomorrow. Glory Glory Hallelujah ! ! !

* * The Farmer's Market opens TODAY and it is Cinco de Mayo - what a fun day!

Arizona eating is what we are loving!

Well, it has been a while since I posted on my food blog. Moving across the ocean will do that to you!

We are in Arizona gathering the rest of our belongings, giving My Mother in Law her living room back by clearing out some of my furniture, loving on family and friends and of course eating food we can ONLY get in AZ.

Here is our list of where we have been or plan on this trip:

In-n-out
Someburros
Joe's BBQ
Matta's
Tia Rosa's
Cafe Rio
Oregano's
Joe's Farm Grill

But of course there are not enough hours in the day or meals in the day to make it everywhere, so next trip:

CARRABBA'S

Of course I wish you were all here to eat with me so we could say
En Guete!

Green Smoothie Girls are what we have at this house!

It is no secret that I love green smoothies and I LOVE my blendtec.

I am most inspired to eat green smoothies and get tons of ideas, recipes and support from Robyn aka Green Smoothie Girl.

I sent Robyn a picture of Miss M and Miss L with their green smoothies and she posted a little something on her blog. This is what she said:

Check out GSG reader Jenna’s daughters, with their green smoothie mustaches! They’re beautiful! (The girls more than the green on their faces!)

Jenna is a beautiful redhead living in Switzerland (an expat, I think), and this is part of her email to me:

“Thank you for inspiring me to eat healthier. I have recently made the change in our home to a plant based diet. We were already eating pretty healthy before but have now completely eliminated dairy and animal meats. Not easy to do in a country that is filled with cheese and meat. I am finding my way. My husband is completely supportive of this lifestyle change and I could not be more pleased.”

Jenna here again, hello!

No one is ever perfect in eating. I try my best to make the foods I feel will nourish my family. I ordered the most awesome Green Smoothie Recipe Collection last year. The best part for me was that it was a downloadable purchase - so nice when I want to try a new smoothie right away. Robyn also has awesome you tube videos that the girls love to watch. I think I feel another post in the works with my favorite raw ice cream and smoothie recipes . . . mmm . . . I am craving a smoothie.

En Guete!

Onion goggles are what we are Lovin'

I love onions.

I slice a lot of onions in my kitchen.


I have heard many tips to help me not cry while cutting them.

* light a candle and put it between you and the cutting board where the onion is being cut?

* put a fan blowing the air in between you and the onion?

* cut dairy from your diet and you will not cry when cutting onions?

* use a sharp knife?

* refrigerate the onion before cutting?

* slice the onion correctly and you would not have a problem with tearing?

* slice faster and you wouldn't cry?

I am not a professional chef. I am a Mother who has a lot to do on my list when I am cooking for my family. So, last year I decided to make my life a little easier.

In my Christmas stocking I received a pair of these hot things.
Yes, these are official "onion goggles."
I saw a bubble gum pink pair at my cousin's house but did not get a chance to try them.

I know, they are so hot!

Who cares?

Because, you know what?

THEY WORK!

I put my goggles on, start slicing the onion, smell the onion, but no tears.
Guess what, by the fourth onion I am still not crying.
It was a Christmas miracle.
It makes me happy every time I chop onions.
So, basically every night!

One of the engineer's favorite geek websites ThinkGeek now sells them.

I believe Mrs. Claus ordered them from Amazon.

Cindy's Salsa is what we are loving ! ! !

My friend Cindy and I got this recipe from a friend, Stephanie. One of the reasons why people call it "Cindy's Salsa" is because she makes it every Christmas and gives it to friends. She is so awesome.

We all love the salsa and we all LOVE Cindy.

Bren, Cindy and Heidi - 2009 Race for the Cure

Cindy's Salsa

2 cans Mexican stewed tomatoes

1/2 of an onion chopped

1 whole green pepper chopped

1/2 of a lime squeezed

1 bunch of cilantro (leaves only)

2 T. Vinegar

salt to taste

Add one can of tomatoes in a blender with all the other ingredients. Blend for a few seconds. Add 2nd can of tomatoes and blend to make as chunky or smooth as you want.

Note: I use regular cans of diced tomatoes because the Mexican ones here are hard to find and really expensive. I am a wimp, so instead of a green pepper I open and plunk in a can of mild green chilies. I use balsamic vinegar because I like the flavor. I add sliced green onions to the last blend if I have them.

ENJOY!