Simple trick for dicing onions

Posted on 11/30/2011 by Christy

Beef Enchiladas Recipe

Posted on 11/27/2011 by Christy

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This recipe is quite a bit of work, but it’s well worth it!!! I hope you all give it a try, as I’ve never met anyone who didn’t fall in love with these enchiladas, adults and kids alike!! 🙂

NOTE: You can save time and effort by making a larger batch of the sauce – e.g., doubling the recipe – and freezing the extra for next time!

(Psst….If you enjoy this recipe, be sure to get yourself a copy of our additive-free cookbook & grocery shopping guide, “Eating Additive-Free“! It’s stuffed with 150+ more tasty recipes!! Your satisfaction is guaranteed…or your money back!)

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound ground beef (we use lean, grass-fed)
1 medium onion, diced (optional)
8 to 12 oz. shredded cheese (we use Pepper Jack)
6 tortillas (we use 1 package of Ezekiel Sprouted Grain tortillas)
Enchilada sauce (recipe below)
Taco seasoning (recipe below)

ENCHILADA SAUCE INGREDIENTS:
1 tsp olive oil
½ cup diced onion
1 tsp freshly minced garlic
1/2 cup water
1 TBSP chili powder
1 TBSP honey
1 tsp cumin
½ tsp salt
2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
3 (6oz) cans of water

TACO SEASONING INGREDIENTS:
2 tsp chili powder
1½ tsp cumin
1 tsp onion granules
3 ¼ tsp garlic granules
½ tsp sea salt

*Check out our Grocery Shopping Guide for our tips on selecting the most additive-free versions of these ingredients.

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare enchilada sauce: Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; sauté 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.

While sauce is simmering, brown beef and diced onion (if using). Drain if needed. Stir taco seasoning ingredients and 3/4 cup water into cooked meat; bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer about 10 minutes.

Place tortillas on a flat surface (I use a clean countertop) and coat each with a thin layer of sauce.

Divide meat mixture evenly between the tortillas.

Sprinkle on desired amount of shredded cheese and fold to close. (Save about 1/3 of the cheese to sprinkle on top!)

Grease a 9 x 12 baking dish (although I never bother greasing my glass dish!).

Cover the bottom of the pan with a thin layer of sauce, so the tortillas don’t dry out on the bottom.

Place all folded enchiladas into the pan and cover evenly with remaining sauce, making sure to coat the outer edges.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 25 min., until bubbly & warm.

Sprinkle remaining cheese on top, and return to oven until cheese melts (about 5 minutes).

We enjoy these just like this, but you could top with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, etc.

We enjoy these served with homemade baked corn chips.

CHECK OUT OUR RECIPES PAGE FOR MORE GREAT RECIPES!!!

“CHOCOLATE CHIP” CHEWY GRANOLA BARS (gluten/dairy-free)

Posted on 11/21/2011 by Christy

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These bars are chewy and delicious, but not too sweet. They can easily be made gluten-free and/or dairy-free to suit your needs.

INGREDIENTS:
4 cups Old Fashioned Oats (we use a gluten-free variety)
1/3 cup coconut oil (or butter)
1 cup raw honey
4 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups almonds, chopped (we throw them in food processor)
1/2 cup cocoa nibs (optional), available at health food stores

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place oats on an ungreased 11″ x 17″ baking sheet and toast in oven for 10 minutes, stirring every 3-4 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt honey and oil or butter together in a medium saucepan over medium heat, being careful not to burn it. Remove pan from heat; and add vanilla, salt and cinnamon. Stir until dissolved.

Add toasted oats to the saucepan mixture and toss to coat. Add chopped almonds and stir. Add cocoa nibs (optional) and stir to combine.

Line a smaller baking sheet (10″ x 15″ works best) with parchment paper. (Tip: Sprinkle the sheet with a few drops of water, first, to help keep the paper in place.)

Transfer batter to this cookie sheet and gently spread to all edges. Once entire sheet is covered, press batter firmly into pan – I use a Ziplock sandwich bag on my hand for this step, but a sheet of parchment or wax paper should work well, too.

Bake 8-10 minutes at 350 degrees. The bars are done when they just begin to turn brown at the edges. Don’t wait too long or they may burn! Bars will be moist and crumbly when removed from oven, but they come together as they cool! It may take a few attempts for you to figure out the best amount of time in your own oven.

Let cool completely (about 90 minutes on a cooling rack; longer if you don’t have a cooling rack). Cut into 24 bars and remove from pan. Enjoy!

We like our bars a little firmer and sweeter, so we store them in the fridge. They also freeze well for later use…and can be eaten frozen, as well!

(For more great recipes and all of the grocery shopping tips you need to ensure that you select the most additive-free versions of every ingredient you need to make over 150 natural recipes, check out my e-book “Eating Additive-Free“!)

Secret to a long, healthy life???

Posted on 11/13/2011 by Christy

A woman walked up to a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch. “I couldn’t help noticing how happy you look,” she said. “What’s your secret for a long happy life?”