(Gluten-Free) Blender Chocolate Banana Bread

I love this recipe for so many reasons.
Let me count the ways!
1) So simple. Throw everything in the blender, pour it in a baking pan, and bake. It seriously doesn't get any simpler than this.
2) Flourless. There's no flour or flour substitute. No almond flour. No coconut flour. None of that. In fact, there's no “specialty” ingredients at all.
3) Only 6 ingredients. I can’t believe I haven’t started with this one. How good is that, though? Only 6 ingredients!
4) The flavor. Oh, how do I describe it? Before baking, the mixture is like a delicious thick banana chocolate smoothie. And though one is tempted to drink it all, I recommend you bake it.
Because after baking it becomes uh-mazing. A fudgy, thick, moist, delectable banana bread that tastes almost like a brownie.

Quinoa with Roasted Vegetables and Olive-Mint Pesto

As you are probably already aware, quinoa is one of my favorite ingredients to work because not only it has a great nutritional profile, it also is incredibly versatile.
You can use quinoa in a wide variety of dishes: casseroles, meatballs, salads, pizza crust or soups.
Quinoa is a superfood for many reasons. It’s gluten-free, easy to digest, packed with fiber, essential vitamins, and it’s also a complete protein (meaning that it contains all of the essential amino-acids).
Meaning that quinoa is a perfect option for anyone following a plant-based diet. Also for anyone that is trying to move from a meat centered diet, but is concerned about their protein intake.

Green Tea Lemonade

For reasons I can’t fully understand, if you show up at a 4th of July barbecue with pitchers of freshly-squeezed lemonade, you’ll be greeted and revered; but if you show up with the same pitchers of freshly-made green tea lemonade, people will actually flip out.
Why is green tea lemonade far more exciting than regular lemonade? It is a mystery to me as well.
But that’s what happened the day before yesterday at a friend’s Fourth of July party.
Along with other food items I was asked to bring lemonade.
I thought about bringing Cherry Lemonade, Peach Mint Lemonade, Blueberry Lemonade or just regular yellow pale lemonade. But then I thought about this Green Tea Lemonade — I make all the time — and how delicious and simple to make it is.
I gave it a shot.
And you know what?

People raved about it and many asked for the recipe. 

So here it is.

Happy 4th of July

Happy 4th of July people!

The Fourth is by far one of my favorite holidays of the year. Outdoor parties, food, family, friends, parades, fireworks. It all makes for a perfect day.

If you live in the U.S. enjoy this awesome day. Hopefully there will be plenty of sunshine, great food,  great people and, why not, a bit of booze too. If you’re living elsewhere, I hope you still have an awesome Tuesday.

Have a blast!

Mike

(Paleo & Vegan) Chocolate Pecan Bars

It is true.
We’re on the edge of something uh-mazing here.
I can tell.
Can you?
But I think I say that every time I share something with pecans. Something sweet with those crunchy little suckers that make the world seems a better place.
Admittedly my view is bias, yours will be too the moment you’ll taste these Chocolate Pecan Bars.

Simple Zucchini Chorizo Frittata

I went ahead and make you a perfect lunch for today.
Except I ate it. All. It was too good to resist.
So eventually if you could make your own lunch today, I think that it would definitely be best.
I’ll tell you what to use, how to cook it, and the reasons why you should cook it. I won’t go as far as cooking it though. Because I will eat it all.

Cherry Lemonade

It’s no secret that I share quite a few summer drink recipes around these parts, but every good host knows he needs several top notch refreshing lemonade recipes in his stash — a Blueberry Lemonade and a Peach Mint Lemonade are definitely not enough.
This family friendly Cherry Lemonade is one of my fave for the hot summer days and nights.
I love to keep a pitcher made up to enjoy. If family and friends are coming over, I pour it in tall glasses with a couple of lemon slices and lots of ice: Max results, minimum effort!

(Vegan) Buddha Bowl with Lemon Parsley Dressing

Like the spiritual guru it’s named after, Buddha bowls (sometimes referred to as glory or hippie bowls) are filling dishes that usually include raw or roasted veggies, legumes, healthy grains, sometimes they include toppings such as nuts or seeds, and are usually dressed with a vinaigrette style dressing for added texture and flavor.
Though Buddha bowls can contain a whole array of ingredients and can be seasoned in any number of ways, the basic formula remains the same.

Honey Glazed Chicken and Veggie Kabobs

Kabobs or skewers? I call them kabobs but I’ve noticed a lot of people say skewers.
It really doesn’t matter, but these Honey Glazed Chicken and Veggie Kabobs do matter.
Actually they’re the only thing that matters to me right now.
Chicken, zucchini, bell peppers, and onions marinated in zesty bath of oil, honey, soy sauce, and garlic.
Should I stop or do you want me to go on?

My Favorite Breakfast Sandwich

I love breakfast because it’s a way to sneak in a moment of quiet enjoyment before rushing off into your busy day. It’s an opportunity to take the time to eat something delicious and nutritious.
It’s also — without a shred of doubt — my favorite meal to cook, because there’s nothing fussy about it.
While most of the time I’m happy with a chia seed pudding or an energizing smoothie on some mornings I need something more, something more substantial, something like a breakfast sandwich.
Let me rephrase that, an AWESOME breakfast sandwich.