Pear Donuts (or fritters)

Here’s a quick and easy recipe for either a fried fritter or baked donut with fruit. I used pears but apples, peaches, plums, or any berry would work just as well. Simply substitute the other fruit in place of the diced pear and use a coulee of the same fruit in place of the pear sauce. For most people that would be apple since applesauce is readily available although it’s fairly simple to make fruit sauces, or coulees, from other fruits. Simply wash, core, and slice the stone fruits (no need to peel), place in a pot with a couple of tablespoons of water and cook until the fruit is soft, then puree. With the berries, it’s even easier because all you have to do is wash the fruit like blackberries or strawberries, and then cook them down (with a little water) before pureeing. Brown food again!

In a medium-size bowl add:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose, gluten-free flour

1 teaspoon guar gum

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 cup date sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground ginger (or grated fresh ginger)*

Stir to combine. Add:

1/2 cup non-dairy milk, such as oat or soy

1 tablespoon vinegar

1/2 cup pear sauce (or other fruit coulee)

Stir just until the dry ingredients are combined with the wet. Don’t overmix. In a 4-quart sauce pan or heavy, high-sided fry-pan, add:

2″ of oil (I used a combination of olive and avocado)

Heat to 375 degrees (use a cooking thermometer). For fritters, scoop out about 1/3 cup of the dough, form into a ball and flatten (use wet hands for this) before dropping into the hot fat. Cook 3-4 minutes per side (for a dough circle about 1/2″ thick). Should be golden brown. Only cook one or two circles at a time in the pot, more in the frypan.

For baked donuts, grease two 6-donut baking pans and spoon in dough. Bake at 425 degrees about 12-15 minutes or until the donut bounces back when touched. Cool slightly before unmolding.

Serve plain or with a glaze.

Sweet and Sour Cole Slaw

Quick and easy, especially with pre-mixed cole slaw mix, this is a delicious, fat-free side dish that won’t spoil if left out because it has no mayonnaise.

I find it hard to believe that this is my 300th blog! How time flies and how the recipes just keep adding up. Hope you’re enjoying this adventure in cooking as much as I.

In a medium size bowl, whisk:

1/4 cup date sugar

1 teaspoon mustard powder

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

1/4 cup white vinegar

Whisk until the date sugar dissolves. Stir into the dressing:

1 1/2 cups pre-mixed cole slaw mix (green and red cabbage and carrot)

1/4 cup sliced scallion greens

Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes before serving. Serves 2-3.

Turkey Sloppy Joes

This was a hit at my house last night so I thought I’d pass on the recipe. Another very easy, quick recipe for a delicious dinner. I recommend serving it with a small side salad! Serves 4.

In a high-sided 10″ skillet, heat over medium high heat:

1 tablespoon olive oil

When shimmering add:

1 small onion, diced

1 small sweet pepper, diced

2 teaspoons minced garlic (roughly 2 cloves)

Cook until the onions soften, about 4-5 minutes. Push the onions and peppers to the side and add:

1 pound ground turkey (94% preferably)*

Salt and pepper to taste (1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper)

Cook, breaking up the turkey and stirring frequently until the turkey is cooked (no longer pink), about 5 minutes. In a small bowl combine:

1/2 cup sugar-free ketchup (I use Organicville made with agave nectar)

1/4 cup sugar-free barbecue sauce (again, I use Organicville made with agave nectar)

1/2 tablespoon sriracha sauce (sugar-free preferable, I use Yellowbird Blue Agave Sriracha)

1/2 tablespoon vinegar

2 teaspoons mustard (I used stone ground)

1/2 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (Optional)

1/2 teaspoon fish sauce (Optional)**

When turkey is cooked, pour the sauce into the pan and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 10 minutes. Serve on gluten-free buns, dairy-free cheese optional.

*This recipe could easily be made vegan by substituting a large can of any type of beans, such as Great Northern, kidney, etc. or some diced firm tofu.

**The recipe I used as a template called for Worcestershire Sauce which has soy in it so for flavor and spice I substituted the sriracha, chili garlic and fish sauces. If your family has no problems with Worcestershire Sauce, go ahead and use that instead.

Sweet and Sour Cabbage

Want a quick and easy side dish? Here’s one that even those who don’t care much for cabbage may enjoy. Use either red or green cabbage, or be lazy and buy a bag of cole slaw mix, doesn’t matter if there’s a few shredded carrots in there as well. Goes very well with any meat but for some reason cabbage especially likes pork or beef – steaks, chops, or roasts doesn’t matter. And feel free to change out the ground cloves for whatever spice your family prefers – cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, coriander, etc.

Heat a 10-12″ high-sided skillet over medium high heat and add:

2 tablespoons olive oil

Heat until shimmering and add:

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 large onion, sliced

Cook over medium heat until beginning to soften, 2-3 minutes. Add to the skillet:

2 cups shredded cabbage

Salt and ground pepper to taste

2 tablespoons water

Cover, reduce heat to medium low and cook until the cabbage is softened, about 5 minutes. While it cooks, in a small bowl combine:

2 tablespoons vinegar (whatever kind your family prefers, I used white)

1 tablespoon date syrup (agave or maple would also work)

1/4 teaspoon celery seed or caraway

Whisk to combine and set aside. When cabbage is ready, pour the vinegar mixture into the skillet, stir to combine and let heat for about 30 seconds. Serve. Makes 2-4 servings.

TIP: Like braised cabbage, adding a diced apple or pear when the cabbage is added to the skillet and topping with some bacon bits would be great in this dish.