Category: Comfort Food

Vegan Pumpkin Oat Bars

sweetrawfree1 Comment

With autumn just around the corner, I am finding myself unearthing every excuse in the book for baking with pumpkin.  One of my favorite flavors and tacked tightly to the long list of reasons why autumn is my favorite season.

These pumpkin bars are just the ticket for an ideal fall snack or dessert.  Gluten free, easy to make (I threw the “batter” together in roughly 5 minutes, then popped it in the oven and viola, done), low in calories and much healthier than a usual pumpkin bar dessert item.

Lightly sweet, filling, oaty, with just a bit of chocolate thrown in (optional of course, as if you aren’t a chocolate lover, they would be just as great without chocolate chips)

IMG_1837 (2)

Continue reading “Vegan Pumpkin Oat Bars” →

Superfood Pesto Sauce

sweetrawfree4 Comments

Recipe #100!!  This ones a sauce, and a damn good one at that.  As long as you have a food processor (you can get a great quality one for just $40 on Amazon.com, and you’ll use it all the time once you have it.  Totally worthwhile purchase), this recipe is finished in mere minutes.

Made with just kale, basil, parmesan cheese, olive oil, cashews and garlic.  Man oh man, I could eat a jar of this weekly.  I basically already do (the store bought kind.  Pesto being close to my heart for years now).  This kind though?  Light-years better.  With a subtle bite from the garlic.  Earthy flavor from the basil and kale.  The parmesan offering the perfect pinch of zest.

Kale, by the way, is awesome for you.  Its high in fiber, great for aiding in digestion, its loaded with nutrients, vitamins, folate and magnesium.  For a short list of additional health benefits, click on this article.

IMG_1730

Continue reading “Superfood Pesto Sauce” →

Cheesy Cauliflower Pizza

sweetrawfree6 Comments

Holy crap.  If I had known pizza without crust/gluten/grains could be this amazing, I would have started making this stuff years ago and ditched the real thing.  I know.  Die hard pizza fans are probably slamming their laptops shut right now, giving me the hand.  I am telling you though, made this for my mom tonight who said upon tasting “whoa, absolutely delicious.  That was incredible, Brooke.”  Though she has liked my other recipes and remarked on them being tasty, her feedback hasn’t been this enthusiastic prior to tonight with this recipe.  I too was skeptical on biting the bullet and giving this one a go.  No longer.  I swear, try this.  You will be stunned, mouth watering as you consume the entire thing, and promptly hooked.

IMG_1711 (2)

This recipe is grain/gluten free.  Its low in calories.  Loaded with flavor.  Also, you don’t need to follow the measurements to a T.  I improvised a bit myself and it came out incredible.  Make your measurements roughly what I’ve listed below but don’t worry at all about being exact.

Continue reading “Cheesy Cauliflower Pizza” →

Pumpkin Turmeric Buckwheat Pancakes

sweetrawfree2 Comments

Can you smell it?  Yes, its still summer, but autumn is in the air.  Just around the corner.  Especially for us New Englanders 😉  (So cool that I can say that once again!).  Whether or not this excites or depresses you depends on who you are.  I think autumn is the ultimate season though.  The brisk air, vibrant colors on the trees, autumn nights, leaves rustling in the breeze, bonfires, walks in the woods, hot drinks in hand, bookstores, all things pumpkin flavored.  Just a few of the awesome aspects of autumn.

These Pumpkin Turmeric Pancakes are another 😉

Grain/gluten free, dairy free and sugar free.  Moist and totally delicious.  And taking less than 15 minutes to whip these babies up.  I had five for breakfast this morning.  No regrets there.

IMG_1618 (2)

Continue reading “Pumpkin Turmeric Buckwheat Pancakes” →

Coconut Turmeric Pancakes

sweetrawfree2 Comments

My first coconut flour pancakes!!  I have to say, these are far lighter and fluffier than buckwheat ones are.  Buckwheat pancakes are delectable, filling and bready.  Tasting totally like the real deal, grain and all (yet, without any ;-)).  However the coconut pancakes offer a different texture.  I am loving the lightness to them.

Loaded with majorly healthy ingredients.  To start, coconut flour.  For a short list of health benefits on this gluten free flour alternative, check out this link.

IMG_1305 (2)

Second, turmeric.  What’s being touted as a new superfood and for good reason.  To name just a few of the health benefits potentially earned by consuming this spice: can help prevent breast cancer and skin cancer, a natural painkiller, may aid in boosting metabolism, is used in Chinese medicine to treat depression, etc.  Whoa.  Who knew a single spice could be chock full of such power.  For a full list of way cool benefits, check out this link.

Now, how to make these tasty treats:

Continue reading “Coconut Turmeric Pancakes” →

Sweet Potato, Bacon and Egg Bowl

sweetrawfreeLeave a comment

Ready for the easiest and tastiest breakfast you’ve ever had?  Here goes.  Just five ingredients needed.  Super healthy, rich, filling, SO yum.  I eat this one several times a week.  And imagine that after sampling it, you might find yourself doing the same ;-)Delicious and keeps you full for hours afterward.

This recipe serves one person so for two people, just double everything.  This entrée is Paleo, Whole30, grain/gluten free, dairy free and sugar free.  Enjoy!!

Continue reading “Sweet Potato, Bacon and Egg Bowl” →

Carrot Cake Pancakes

sweetrawfree5 Comments

Happy weekend, all!

These carrot cake pancakes are the epitome of a perfect autumnal breakfast.  I know, I know, its way to early to be talking about fall just yet.  Still reveling within the midst of summer, the season of endless evenings, ice cream, the beach, sundresses and picnicking, and loving every minute.  However, while these do scream autumn, they would be equally as tasty during any season or occasion.  Breakfast in bed…or for dinner.  Sunday brunching.  A summer picnic entrée.  Holing up inside with some wintery comfort food when its snowing.  You name it, these are fabulous anytime.

Gluten/grain free, dairy free, sugar free and super easy to make.  Enjoy!

Continue reading “Carrot Cake Pancakes” →

Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies

sweetrawfree3 Comments

Ready for some of the best chocolate chip cookie you’ve ever had?  And now for the sweet shocking twist?  These guys are grain/gluten free, dairy free AND sugar free.  (And if it matters to you, also Paleo).  How awesome is that!?  And the coolest part?  Wait, you mean there’s even more icing on the cake?  Yup.  I was able to eat a (or two) huge spoonful(s) of the raw dough without worrying about raw eggs.  Tasted just like traditional chocolate chip cookie dough.  Absolutely delicious.  Except this one is actually good for you!  Too good to be true?  Nope.  Here’s the recipe.

IMG_0509 (2)

Continue reading “Almond Flour Chocolate Chip Cookies” →

Four Ingredient Sweet Potato Brownies

sweetrawfreeLeave a comment

Who loves brownies?  If I were able to hear an answer to this through my laptop, I would assume a resounding yes would be the response (save for the few who don’t like chocolate).  Now, how about brownies that are gluten free, dairy free, sugar free AND only require four ingredients?  Yet, are still fudgy, delicious, rich and decadent.  Impossible, many of you might be saying.  Not quite.  Get excited!  Have I got the most awesome treat for you 😉

IMG_0448 (2)

Continue reading “Four Ingredient Sweet Potato Brownies” →

Avocado Fudgy Chocolate Cookies

sweetrawfree1 Comment

Happy Sunday, all!  Have I got a sweet surprise in store for you.  Fudgy, chocolatey goodness.  Melt-in-your-mouth yumminess in the form of these chocolate avocado cookies.  And yet, with zero grains, dairy or sugar.  How is that possible, you ask?  With these avocado cookies.

I was skeptical prior to giving them a try.  Now, behold, a converted enthusiast.

Just 6 ingredients, mere minutes, and you have a plate full of chocolate cookies ready to enjoy!!  The best part?  Delicious eating, free of any health worries 😉

You know what else is super delish?  My avocado chocolate frosting, which can also double as a pudding.  Even easier to make than this recipe.  Creamy, satisfying, silky and fudgy, all the while made with good for you ingredients (just avocado, honey, vanilla, coconut oil and cocoa powder).

Continue reading “Avocado Fudgy Chocolate Cookies” →