Ketchup (Homemade)

Ketchup (Homemade) - Vinegar free!
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Yeast-Free, Corn-Free, Peanut-Free, Soy-Free, Vinegar-Free

So many recipes call for ketchup, yet the ones on the market contain vinegar and spices which are not on our diet. For this reason, I have adapted a homemade ketchup that works very well. This keeps at least 3 weeks in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed container and makes about 3 cups.

Ingredients

1 medium onion, chopped finely

2 tbsp olive oil

28 oz strained tomatoes (no spices)

1 tbsp tomato paste

1/2 cup brown sugar (dark is better)

1/3 cup lemon juice

1/2 tsp sea salt

Method

Put olive oil in the bottom of a 4 quart heavy saucepan over medium heat and add onion when the oil is hot. Stir until the onion is cooked through (about 5 minutes +). Blend in the strained tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, lemon juice and salt. Simmer, uncovered, about one hour stirring occasionally. As the sauce thickens, stir it more often so it does not scorch.

Cool the sauce until it is safe to puree in a blender, or use a hand blender to puree it in the pot. Chill it for two hours before use. This ketchup can be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly covered container for about three weeks.

Spicy Almond Chicken

Spicy Almond Chicken
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Yeast-Free, Corn-Free, Peanut-Free, Vinegar-Free
Warning - Does contain Soy

A great meal to put in a slow cooker (crock pot) before going to work, and dinner is ready when you are home! Alternatively, it can be cooked in a wok.

Ingredients
2 lbs boneless and skinless, cubed chicken

Sauce
1 cup of salsa (see a previous blog to make your own)
1/4 cup almond butter
3 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp gluten-free soy sauce
2 tsps ginger root

Garnish
1/2 cup slivered almonds

Method
Mix all sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Place the boneless chicken in a large plastic bag, or a medium sized bowl. Pour the sauce ingredients over the chicken and marinade at least 1 hour or overnight (in the refrigerator).

Cook in a slow cooker for 4-5 hours on high, or 6-8 hours on low. If you cook the chicken in a wok, cook for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken pieces are no longer pink in the middle.

Serve over rice or rice noodles with fresh cauliflower or broccoli. Just before serving, sprinkle the slivered almonds on top.

Chicken Mango Salad

Chicken Mango Salad
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Yeast-Free, Soy-Free, Corn-Free, Peanut-Free, Vinegar Free

Ingredients

Salad

2 grilled chicken breasts, cut up into bite sized pieces
3-4 celery sticks, chopped
1 medium apple, cored and chopped
1-2 ripe mangoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 a sweet onion, finely chopped (optional)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Dressing

1/4 cup lime juice

2 tbsp olive oil

Apple juice (approx 1/2 cup)

2 tsp sugar

Romain lettuce (about 6-8 leaves) washed and chopped, as a bed for the salad.

Method

Salad

Mix all the salad ingredients (except the romain lettuce) together in a large bowl.

Dressing

In an 8 oz measuring cup, add the lime juice and olive oil. Fill with enough apple juice to make 3/4 cup of dressing. Add 2 tsps of sugar and stir until the sugar is dissolved and all the ingredients are well mixed.

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well. Chill the salad for about an hour, and serve over a bed of romaine lettuce.

Serves 4

Options: Replace the mango fruit with well drained cans of mandarin oranges

Salsa!

Salsa!
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Yeast-Free, Soy-Free, Corn-Free, Peanut-Free, Vinegar-Free

A great (and healthy) snack with rice crackers or rice chips. Fresh cilantro makes a big difference!

Ingredients
2 fresh plum (Italian) tomatoes, diced, skins on
1/4 cup fresh coriander (cilantro), chopped
1 green onion, finely chopped
1 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp sunflower oil
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp pepper

OPTIONAL - for extra zip, add a finely chopped jalapeno pepper

Method In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients and enjoy. If you have time, let the mixture sit in the fridge for a few hours to allow all the amazing flavours to blend.

Hoisin "Like" Sauce

Hoisin "Like" Sauce
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Yeast-Free, Corn-Free, Peanut-Free, Vinegar-Free

Excellent as a condiment for Peking duck (recipe forthcoming), or any other meat/poultry that needs a lift from a heavier, hearty sauce.

** Warning** Does contain Soy!

Ingredients:
5 tbsp gluten-free soy sauce (Tamari brand recommended)
3 tbsp almond butter
3 tsp honey
2 tsp sesame oil
1/4 tsp gluten-free garlic powder
Dash of white pepper
(For additional spiciness, add a few drops of gluten free, chinese hot-sauce)

Method:
Simply mix all the ingredients by hand. No cooking required. Can be used cold or warm.

Store it in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to a month