Ratatouille seems exotic, but it’s easy to make, especially with this stackable-ingredient recipe. Don’t overlook this simple skillet version of ratatouille for chilly nights. Organic veggies will be worth the flavor boosts they give, so spring for those – they’ll make this dish much tastier. Kids who like pizza and the flavors of Italian herbs can enjoy this over their favorite pasta. Add a side of authentic hot Italian sausage to make it a hefty meal. Go grain free by serving with Paleo rolls like these made from quick mixes by Chebe. This reheats well and is even more yummy with time.
Super Easy Ratatouille
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Warming and delicious, savory goodness. Use a big skillet and stack ingredients in the order listed below. If you have it, a cast iron skillet is a great choice for even-heat simmer, and it will add iron for kids needing that boost - the acidity of the tomato pulls iron into the food. Peeling the eggplant is optional.
Warming and delicious, savory goodness. Use a big skillet and stack ingredients in the order listed below. If you have it, a cast iron skillet is a great choice for even-heat simmer, and it will add iron for kids needing that boost - the acidity of the tomato pulls iron into the food. Peeling the eggplant is optional.
If you prefer, peel the eggplant before slicing it. This is optional.
Heat 3 Tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet. Add garlic and soften over medium heat for one minute.
Layer in the vegetables in the order listed, leaving them to lie flat. Between each layer, sprinkle salt, oregano, and black pepper. Drizzle remaining olive oil (1 Tablespoon) on the top. Don't stir it. Leave it stacked just as you laid it all in
Cover the pan and cook over low heat for 30 minutes.
Uncover the pan and let 10 minutes longer to reduce liquid.
Gently turn and tumble the veggies, and serve with crusty bread of your choice, over pasta, or on its own for a lighter meal.
Quiche is so yummy, and so off limits for so many kids in my practice – until this gluten and dairy free mushroom quiche option worked out perfectly! I combed many sites for a way to do this that met my criteria for no dairy or gluten, and, tasted really good. I ended up with this amalgam of my own that worked really well.
You will need a gluten free pie crust for starters. You can buy these in the frozen section of most supermarkets now, but I don’t love those, and I don’t mind making my own. I use Bellas’ Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Mix for this, and it’s a snap. I have made my own for years but like this product and recipe better for pie crusts. I’ve even cut the back of the box out and tucked it into my recipe binder in my kitchen so I can grab this recipe fast, any time…
So, either buy or make a GF crust, bake it for ten minutes while you assemble the quiche ingredients, and let it cool. When your filling is ready, the crust will be too.
Mushroom Quiche, Gluten AND Dairy Free
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No compromise here. Classic quiche taste and texture that will satisfy even the most hardened cheese lovers.
Prepare your pie crust per package instructions if you've bought a mix (See product and image above). Whether you'e made your own crust or purchased one, once it's ready, place it in a 400 degree oven and bake for ten minutes. Once it is done, set it aside, but keep your oven ready: Reduce heat to 375.
Whisk together the eggs, coconut milk, almond milk and spices until frothy and evenly blended.
Spread the cooked vegetables evenly in the pie crust. Pour the egg mixture over all. Lay tomato slices gently on top of the egg and vegetable filling in a ring pattern, around the outer edges of the mixture, working your way in toward center of the quiche. If desired, add cheese substitute shreds and sprinkle on top. You may also use any grated cheese your family tolerates here if desired, like Manchego (sheep cheese) or hard goat milk cheddar.
Place the quiche on a baking sheet to prevent spillage and drips in your oven. Bake at 375 for 45 - 50 minutes or until the top has puffed up and browned, and the quiche is set when given a gentle shake. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. The top will settle when cooled.
So simple. How did I overlook this combination my whole life? This is an easy dish that I love simmered on stove top in an iron skillet. I used this smoked paprika from Savory Spice Shop, but there are hotter varieties if you like heat! You can also find an organic smoked paprika here. I use boneless thighs because they are more tender and flavorful than breasts, but either can work. And if you are lucky enough to have some of your own chicken fat on hand rendered from broth that you made, that works well as a fat in your skillet instead of olive oil and ghee. To try this on the grill, blend the melted fats, liquid ingredients, cooked onion, and spices and marinate chicken pieces for two hours; grill on medium heat for 6-8 minutes per side.
Smoked Paprika Chicken
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Subtle smoke flavor makes this a really pleasing variation on chicken, even for picky little palates.
Combine the GF (or grain free, see below) flour blend and spices.
Dredge chicken pieces in the flour and spice mixture.
Melt ghee/butter with olive oil and/or chicken fat in the skillet on medium heat. Add the onion and cook for two minutes.
Turn heat to medium high and add the dredged thighs. Sear/brown them lightly on each side - about two minutes per side. Once browned lightly, remove them to a plate off to the side.
Deglaze the skillet with the chicken broth, GF Tamari, and GF Worcestershire sauce.
Add the thighs back in, reduce heat to low-medium, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Serve and enjoy! Delicious with roasted or mashed Jersey sweet potato and parsnip - plus a greens mixture of arugula, scallion, butter lettuce and sprouted pumpkin seeds.
Recipe Notes
This recipe makes four large servings or six smaller servings. For a grain free version, substitute the GF flour blend with cauliflower flower + potato starch, or cauliflower flower + almond flour, in one to one ratio.
