Paleo Rhubarb Coconut Cookies

One of our favourite spring baking combinations is rhubarb and coconut. Since we can't eat my other cookie recipe here due to dietary restrictions, I have created a new awesome grain, sugar and dairy free cookie! This recipe is based on this one here but I changed it since we can't have chocolate chips.

1/2 cup coconut oil (butter if you can have dairy), room temp
1/2 cup xylitol, powdered
2 free range eggs
3 cups almond flour
1 tsp pure vanilla extract or 1/2 tsp ground vanilla beans
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
3/4 cup diced rhubarb

Cream xylitol and coconut oil, beat in eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Add rhubarb and coconut, stir to combine. Spoon about a tbsp of dough onto the cookie pan (I use a small scoop to get uniform cookies), slightly flatten with your fingers. Bake at 350F for about 15 minutes.

Hawaiian Pulled Pork (Sugar Free)

I was in search of a pulled pork recipe that could fit my restricted diet. The original recipe was found here. I of course had to do some tweaking to make it sugar free and all whole foods, no processed ingredients. We all enjoyed this one, and it was so easy to make.

2.5 lbs pork butt, cut into 2 inch pieces
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 cup sugar free ketchup
1/6 cup cider vinegar
1/6 cup water
15 drops liquid stevia
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 tbsp sweet paprika
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbsp coconut aminos
1 15oz can Pineapple, including juice
3 tsp salt
2 tsp black pepper

Cut the pork butt into 2 inch pieces. Transfer to a slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients on top of the pork butt and cover with the lid. This can be done the night before like I did or the morning you want to cook it. Set on low heat and cook for 8 hours until the pork is falling apart. Using 2 forks, shred the pork while still in the slow cooker and then let it soak up the remaining juice. Serve the Hawaiian Pulled Pork on a bun for a sandwich or on leafy greens if you can't have gluten and yeast like me.

Paleo Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole

I found this yummy casserole recipe here. Of course I changed a few minor details to suit our needs.

5 cups broccoli florets
3 cups cauliflower florets
1 shallot minced
5 cloves of garlic minced
1 can coconut milk
4 eggs
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine vegetables in a 9x13 casserole dish. In a small bowl whisk together milk, eggs, salt and pepper. Pour milk mixture over the veggies. Sprinkle sunflower seeds on top if you want some added crunch. I'm sure slivered almonds would be yummy too. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. It kind of tastes like a quiche without cheese. A great way to serve creamy veggies without the dairy!

Dairy Free Cashew Alfredo Sauce

I can't remember where I found this original recipe on the Internet, but it is an amazing dairy free replacement for Alfredo sauce!

1 cup coconut milk canned or homemade
1/4 cup raw cashews
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp. dried basil
salt and pepper to taste

Blend all ingredients in a blender. I use my Vitamix and I don't know how smooth a less powerful blender will make it. To keep the sauce raw, just pour over noodles and meat and serve. I like to heat mine up a little with some cooked chicken and serve over pasta or zucchini noodles.

Chocolate and sugar free "Hot Chocolate"

I am currently on some heavy diet restrictions due to medications that I am on. Last night I had a craving for hot chocolate and I managed to create a yummy substitute!

1 1/2 cups milk of your choice (I used homemade coconut milk)
1 tbsp. carob powder
1 scant tbsp. xylitol
1/2 tsp vanilla extract or 1/4 tsp ground vanilla beans
Put all ingredients in a small pot and heat on stove with medium heat. Serve warm. It's not quite the same as chocolate but still really yummy!

Paleo Chunky Monkey Cake

I originally found this recipe here although the recipe was for cookies, not cake. I decided to tweak the recipe and turn the batter into a cake instead. My husband couldn't believe that it didn't contain any grains, it had the texture of cake made with wheat, and was moist and fluffy!

1 cup sunflower butter or other nut or seed butter (I used my homemade sunflower-coconut butter)
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 egg
3 tbsp my homemade Nutella or any chocolate nut spread
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp tapioca starch
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together all ingredients except pecans, until well mixed. Stir in nuts. Pour batter into a greased 9x9 pan. Bake about 25-30 minutes, until done.

*Note* The Nutella recipe does use coconut sugar and maple syrup but could be adapted to use honey if desired to stay away from all sugar.
*Note* The banana can be changed to any fruit or veggie that is good in baked goods. I have made this recipe with shredded zucchini (1/2 cup or more if desired). I think pumpkin, apple sauce or grated carrots would also work nicely. I have also made this nut free by replacing the Nutella with extra sunflower butter and 1 tbsp cocoa powder! I love this very versatile recipe!

Canned Tomato Sauce

3 ice cream pails of tomatoes
2 1/2 lbs onions
2 green peppers
1 or 2 red peppers
2 medium zucchini (optional)
1/2 cup pickling salt
1 cup sugar
3 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp oregano
2 tbsp parsley flakes
2 tbsp basil
4 bay leaves
36 oz tomato paste

Blend tomatoes in a blender (saves you from peeling all the tomatoes). Add diced or blended onions, zucchini and peppers (depending if you want chunks in your sauce). Add rest of the ingredients. Simmer for one hour. To sterilise jars, place in a cold oven. Turn oven on to 225 F, heat jars for 20 minutes once oven is at correct temperature. Put sauce in hot jars and place in water bath canner. Can the pint jars for 35 minutes and quarts for 40 minutes. Times may change depending on altitude. Take out of canner and let cool. Lids will make a popping sound when they seal and will be concave in the middle. Makes 9 quart jars.