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Buffalo Style Avocado Toast {gluten-free}
I have said it before and I will say it again, you can take the girl out of Buffalo, but you can’t take the Buffalo out of the girl. The feelings of being homesick and missing my family back home in Buffalo, NY have hit new levels after over a year of being separated. Southern California is quite a far distance. This Buffalo Style Avocado Toast is quite possibly my favorite new way to blend together the flavors of my two homes and celebrate the heritages of these two great places.
We just had our 8 year anniversary of living in Southern California and there is so much to love about our home. The weather, the ocean, the people, the fresh, local produce year ‘round, just to name a few. But being so far away from family is definitely the trade-off. So of course, I am always looking for ways to bring the flavors of back home in Buffalo out here to California.
I learned pretty early on that Californians take their love of the avocado quite seriously and even more, a classic avocado toast seems to be a menu staple at restaurants everywhere out here. To ensure you’re enjoying locally grown avocados, be sure to check for California on the label from spring through summer! So let’s give it an update, shall we?
This recipe blends my two homes together in a delicious open-face sandwich that makes my heart so happy. There is a comfort with all of these flavors independently so together it just works for me. I know you will agree.
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Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Chicken Wings {gluten-free}
This post is sponsored by the National Peanut Board. I received compensation, but all opinions and content are my own.
These delicious, grilled chicken wings take the classic flavors of peanut butter and jelly and elevate it to another level. This recipe is the perfect way to make your summer BBQ a legend.
Peanut butter and jelly is a classic combination that I think we can all agree reminds us of childhood. From picnic lunches to after school snacks – it was a staple for so many of us. Budget-friendly eats at their finest, there is something so comforting about peanut butter.
Why leave that PB&J deliciousness in our past? I am bringing you a fun, new, delicious summertime recipe that brings this classic, tasty goodness into adulthood. These Grilled Peanut Butter and Jelly Wings are the perfect summer food. They will wow the pants off of your BBQ guests, and they are so simple to make.
I would LOVE to take credit for these wings, but the original idea comes from my cousin Dave, back home in Buffalo, NY. He is always coming up with unique flavor ideas for his pizzeria, from unique pizzas to fun and funky chicken wings. How very Buffalo of him, I know. His rendition is quite different than mine, without the grilling and only getting sauced after they’ve been deep fried, they are sticky and saucy and far more sweet than mine. For my chicken wing preferences, I want a little char on my wings, and I want less saucy, more savory and definitely more crispy.
Using our famous indirect method for grilled chicken wings, these wings get grilled till they are golden brown and crispy, they take a bath in sauce made from the creamy peanut butter and the sweet grape jelly, with a little garlic in there to keep in on the savory side and back onto the grill they go! This is KEY for getting a little crispy and some crunch and for making these wings the stars that they are!
You can use your favorite peanut butter in this recipe. I opt for creamy, but crunchy would absolutely work here, too! I personally find the flavor of a classic, high quality concord grape jelly to work best here. I offer a range of 1/3 – 1/2 cup, because everyone is different with their preferred levels of sweet. Use your best judgement, taste and adjust as you go. You can use homemade sugar-free or lightly honey-sweetened jelly, if you prefer.
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Paleo Buffalo Ranch Dressing {dairy-free, whole30, keto}
Like my classic dairy-free ranch dressing, this Paleo Buffalo Ranch Dressing has turned into a bit of a staple around here. It’s creamy, rich and loaded with the flavors of classic Buffalo Chicken Wings, without the dairy or sketchy ingredients of most store-bought salad dressings.
At this point, we all know how I feel about Buffalo-style foods. After 30+ years in that city, it certainly left a mark on my heart, well, I suppose in this case, my palate. I’ve been in Southern California over 5 years now and I will ALWAYS have a large bottle of Frank’s Red Hot sauce in the fridge. Because when in doubt, make it Buffalo-style. I love a few dashes of that stuff on my scrambled eggs, on simple grilled meats and of course, on my Big F-in Salads.
This Paleo Buffalo Ranch Dressing adds the spicy flavor of classic Buffalo wings to classic ranch and it will add a kick to any boring salad, it’s a great dip for raw veggies, it’s perfect for roast potatoes or homemade french fries (your standard potato AND sweet potato) and I even love drizzling it over a big huge bowl of roasted veggies, like Brussel sprouts or broccoli.
Of course, if you are making some crispy Buffalo wings, (might I suggest Mark’s crispy grilled chicken wings) this Paleo Buffalo Ranch Dressing is the perfect compliment for even more flavor. I am not trying to tell you what to do, but definitely if you are making my Crispy Paleo Chicken Tenders, this Paleo Buffalo Ranch Dressing is an absolute must there, too.
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Beef on Weck Salad with Horseradish Caraway Dressing {Paleo, Keto, Whole30}
Beef on Weck Salad with Horseradish Caraway Dressing {Paleo, Keto, Whole30}. Classic fare from Buffalo, New York the Beef on Weck sandwich might be a regional food, but I think we need to change that. Taking the flavors of this Western New York favorite, I grew up with, I created a version I could eat, with greens and a delicious dressing – it brings all the flavors without the bread!
If you’re from Buffalo, New York, than you will get this, right away!! Fully. The Beef on Weck Sandwich. If you aren’t from the City of Buffalo or have never visited Western New York, then let me tell you a little bit about this iconic almost totally unknown (outside of Buffalo) sandwich.
It’s not like your usual French dip or really any other roast beef sandwich for that matter. Beef on Weck is slow roasted beef, hand-sliced thin, piled high on a Kimmelweck or a Kaiser roll – a hard roll that comes crowned with flakey sea salt and caraway seeds. To that the sandwich gets just a bit of jus (or it’s served on the side for dipping) and a little spicy horseradish, too. It’s the roll that sets this sandwich apart from the crowd.
I realized on the most recent trip back home to see my family in Buffalo, so much of the local fare are foods I haven’t been able to eat for over 13 years now, being gluten-free. Buffalo isn’t exactly known for it’s health food fare. I actually come back home and I crave the home cooked Greek food I grew up on, while all the other former Buffalonians are loading up all the local eats like chicken wing and pizza, chicken finger subs, Mighty Taco and the like. But I always feel like I’m missing out a little, too, if I am being totally honest.
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Paleo Buffalo Chicken Salad {Gluten-free, Keto, Dairy-free, Whole30}
All the flavors of classic Buffalo Chicken Wings that I grew up on get packed into this more healthful Paleo Buffalo Chicken Salad. This can easily be made ahead, it’s great for meal prepping for the week and it’s a perfect use for leftover chicken. Served in lettuce cups over a big salad, it’s a simple recipe bursting with flavor.
After a week back home in Buffalo, New York with my family, it felt appropriate to share this recipe with you as I return home to California. My Paleo Buffalo Chicken Salad has become a bit of a staple food around our house. With making a big batch of shredded chicken each week for meal prep, I always save a bunch of the chicken specifically for this flavor-packed chicken salad.
Making a batch of this salad fits into out meal prep plan, because we make a bunch at once to be eaten throughout the week. It’s a great make-ahead recipe, great for batch cooking and the perfect use for leftover chicken.
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Paleo Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Soup {Keto, Whole30} w/ Stovetop and Slow Cooker Options
Whether it’s for game day or just a random Thursday, this Paleo Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Soup brings the classic flavors of Buffalo Chicken wings, in a cozy, comforting soup. Ready in no time in the Instant Pot, it can also be made in the slow cooker or on the stove top. It’s also Whole30 and Keto compliant.
You guys know that my Buffalo roots run deep! I don’t mess around when it comes to Buffalo-inspired food, especially not Buffalo Chicken Food. See also: Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potato Sliders, Buffalo Style Loaded Sweet Potato Fries, Grilled Buffalo Wings, Buffalo Chicken Fingers! I told you, this love affair runs deep and I have no plans of ending things! Clearly, even after 5 years in Southern California – you can take the girl out of Buffalo, but you can’t take the Buffalo out of the girl.
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Crispy Paleo Chicken Fingers {Buffalo-Style and Original}
These Crispy Paleo Chicken Fingers are a grain-free peek into my childhood. Buffalo-Style and Original with option for stove-top or baked. Growing up in Buffalo chicken fingers were a staple, but going gluten-free and consequently paleo, I have forever been on the hunt for the perfect, crispy tenders. I have perfected my recipe over the years and I am finally sharing with you.
We all had those foods we heavily mourned over, then forever lusted after when we first went gluten-free. Being a true Buffalo girl, growing up in the land of pizza, chicken wings and epic bar food, that food for me was chicken fingers. I have no shame in admitting that. I can fully remember the day I discovered my gluten intolerance, being so sad that I would never have chicken fingers again. A loss of great proportions. That said, I literally feel like I have spent the last nearly 13 years of being gluten-free, testing, making and perfecting my chicken finger game. I take my chicken fingers very seriously.
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Crispy Grilled Chicken Wings – Three Ways
These Crispy Grilled Chicken Wings are a summertime entertaining staple at our house. A recipe developed and perfected by my husband Mark, I am so excited to now share it with all of you.
I have to say, in the over 7 years that Tasty Yummies has existed, I cannot believe we’ve never had my husband Mark as a guest contributor here. While I do most of the cooking around here, the grilling duties land nearly exclusively on his shoulders and this man has truly mastered his craft.
These are a low and slow method, so they aren’t a quick throw them on the grill recipe, but this actually makes for a great recipe when entertaining. Our grill is front and center on our large deck, we all gather round with drinks and snacks while Mark tends to his duties. He likes having a job and I love relinquishing some of the cooking control. Don’t rush these, the crispiness and lack of dryness is all thanks to the indirect method Mark developed.
What Beth Says: Mark takes his grilling very seriously and he is always tweaking and adjusting his methods, creating new ways to use old tricks. This grilled chicken wing recipe of his is by far the most popular. Based on the concept of his long-perfected beer can chicken these wings are now legendary and the reputation of these wings might just precede Mark, at this point.
I love this particular recipe for so many reasons. 1) it’s created by the human I love most in this world. DUH! 2) this recipe has afforded me a little more opportunity to actually enjoy dinner guests, especially in the summer months. With most of the cooking generally being my responsibility, with good reason, I usually host dinner and feel like I spend more time preparing and cooking, than I do being able to visit. Now I can craft a few sides, a salad and a dessert and leave the main up to my man! 3) being from Buffalo, I feel like it’s in my DNA to love chicken wings. However I am usually underwhelmed and left feeling crazy gross with almost all restaurant chicken wings, so I just never eat them. I can assume that likely the feeling of hot gut death is because they are submerged in hot, rancid, oxidized garbage vegetable oil. With these grilled wings cooking low and slow, they are crispy, without being dried out and there is not of those horrible, ‘what did I just do?’ feelings in your tummy. 4) We get invited to a lot more BBQs, with the request that we show up and make these. Fair enough!
Thanks for the photo Gustavo Jaimes
What Mark Says: Marky love wingy. They say everything in art is inspired by something else, well at least that’s what I hope they say – because I say it all of the time. The idea for my backyard Crispy Grilled Chicken Wings came from two other works of art. Years ago before Tasty Yummies was the powerhouse it is today, we experimented with the infamous Beer Can Chicken and the Butterflied Chicken (link below), these types of meals gave me a chance to give back to the woman that feeds me everyday and, if we’re being totally honest, looks after my nutrition like hawks fly around roadkill. The grill became my thing, I got good at it and for a food dummy, Tasty Yummies was proud of me.
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Looking to Incorporate Yoga Into Your Life? Tips and Inspiration from Some of My Favorite Teachers.
In this month-long total immersion in my yoga practice, as I get my certification to teach yoga – there really isn’t much else on my brain besides just that. Yoga! I find whenever I mention yoga, either here or on my Facebook page, I tend to get a lot of the same questions from people about yoga, the practice, where to start and all that comes along with it. I know this is a nice long post, likely intimidating as a reader – but, I can promise you if you have been wanting to incorporate a regular yoga practice into your life and you just don’t know where to start, maybe you are a tad nervous to just jump right in, there are some amazing thoughts and tips here for you. If you have lost touch with your practice and you need some lovely inspiring reminders of what your yoga practice can do for you, read this. If you just want to know what some people see in it or why so many people are drawn to yoga, take this all in. Regardless of why you read this post, I can assure you, it will inspire you to get onto your mat, whether for the first time or after some time away.
I asked seven of my favorite yoga teachers, some from my past, some from my present, the following two questions:
– What advice can you give someone looking to start a regular yoga practice?
– How has a regular yoga practice changed your life?
James Brown – American Yoga School, Venice Beach, CA
What advice can you give someone looking to start a regular yoga practice?
First, I would say, “Congratulations!”
Start with a beginner class. You might stay at that level for two weeks or ten months or a few years or forever. But you will know, if you start there, if, when and why to move on. I’d also recommend that you look for a class that does not bill itself as “flow” for your first few classes. Start with classes that teach you the basics before flowing. Flow classes tend to be light on instruction.
Try different teachers and classes until you find one that works for you. If you don’t feel good about yourself at the end of the class, move on to another teacher or class. Know that there are many formats and styles of physical practice, and within any style, every teacher will be a bit different from every other one. No matter your physical ability, the teacher should be able to instruct you in a way that you feel that you are already successful. While fancy poses may take a long time to master, a good teacher makes it clear from the start that the level of the pose has nothing to do with the quality of the practice. I have met many beginners who were more advanced, because of their attitudes, than more seasoned practitioners who could do more impressive things with their bodies. Find a teacher who teaches the poses without making the poses themselves the focus.
Set achievable goals. You don’t have to start by going every day. I started with a once-a-week course and that was easy to manage, so I stuck to it and 20 years later I am still at it. And if you fall off the wagon, just get back on. The yoga will always wait for you. Give yourself plenty of time for it to really stick and to become part of your life.
How has a regular yoga practice changed your life?
I can’t really think of any ways that it has not improved my life. The most profound difference is that I am happy. I feel more connected to others and I am content with the imperfections in my life.
Less profoundly, I am aging differently from the generation that I watched age before me. I am almost 50 and my body is still getting more functional each year than it was the year before. I know that things have to turn around at some point, but the age when that happens still seems to be quite distant.
An interesting affect of yoga practice is that it gets me to make better decisions in the rest of my life, particularly with issues of health and diet. The physical practice I do has made it more clear to me how those things affect my body, so I make better choices.
Ramona Tamulinas – Yoga World Studio, Long Beach, CA
What advice can you give someone looking to start a regular yoga practice?
Beginning a yoga practice is a unique, personal experience. Some people decide to practice because of health reasons, physical reasons, emotional reasons, wanting to look like a hot yoga girl, it’s a good way to meet girls (yes, I have been told more than once that is why someone started), improving flexibility, your boyfriend/girlfriend says it’s a must if you want to keep dating… the list goes on and on.
I would recommmend exploring the studios in your area and try different teachers until a place and a teacher resonates with what you are seeking. Once you find that teacher, study with them in a class setting and if your bank account allows – book some private sessions. Private sessions allow you to feel secure and comfortable and they help your teacher know you better. It is most important that you found a place, a teacher who allows you to feel comfortable and at ease. I believe deeply in a practice that builds from the foundation of comfort and ease. Yoga, if you jive with it – leads you down a magnificent path of self transformation. Loving where you begin is therefore vital.
How has having a regular yoga practice changed your life?
To me yoga is more than asana. It is service and compassion to my community. Therefore my yoga practice has taught me to embrace my strengths which are being of service and compassionate.
Before yoga, and sometimes even since finding it, I felt I didn’t have a place. I felt out of place in so many social settings, in so many realms of popular culture I searced for a place to belong and I couldn’t find it. I have always been an introverted person and one who lead internally with my heart. In this crazy world that encourages the worldly and external – I often felt lost. When I found yoga, I was full of self-doubt and wanted to be anyone else but me. I remember telling my friend who took me, “I am already flexible and calm. I need to become tough and strong.” Well yoga did that. I can say practicing has allowed me to stay sweet, calm, and flexible but allowed me to embrace the strength and toughness inside me. In a way, yoga helped me find my inner rebel.
At times I stray from practice and I notice myself questioning this inner strength, but my inner strength would realize how important this wild practice supports me and encourage me back to wards it path, back to my mat, back to teaching, back to learning. It is vital toward my life as anything inside my physical being.
It is as important as my heart, my brain, my blood, everything within me is supported by yoga. For me yoga lead me to the path of embracing my true self, my connection with the universe and my purpose. When I was a young girl the father of my church told me, “I want you to remember five words. I am beautiful, thank God.” He said “every time I see you I am going to wave with five finger to remind you”. He is gone now, but yoga has reminded me of that lesson everyday.
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Finding a Home Yoga Practice plus a Video How-to: Ardha Visvamitrasana
Today I am super excited to have my good friend and one of my favorite yoga teachers, Kathleen Engelhardt, joining us here on Tasty Yummies with a wonderful guest post. I met Kathleen at East Meets West Yoga in Buffalo, I was lucky enough to practice with her regularly and her classes were always a bright spot in my week. Not only were Kathleen’s classes filled with amazing fun and challenging flows with some of my most favorite focused and well thought out sequences ever, but I always left her classes feeling even more excited about my practice, the work that I had done and all the work that lied ahead for me. I also always left feeling so much more connected to and grateful for the body I was given and the entire world outside of me. Kathleen has an energy as a teacher and an excitement for the practice that I can only hope I will one day embody myself and be lucky enough to share with my own future students. Kathleen was gracious enough to put together some great tips for starting and maintaining a home yoga practice plus she put together a wonderful video where breaks down a modification of one of my favorite poses, Visvamitrasana.
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Hi, my name is Kathleen. I am a mom, a vinyasa yoga instructor and I am also a physical therapy student. I’m currently on a leave from school to be home with my 2 year old daughter and 5 month old son and I am so incredibly grateful for yoga and everything that it has brought into my life! We all encounter daily obstacles. For me, being home with my kids requires tremendous patience and attention (as well as a strong stomach, as there are copious amounts of spit up, poop and weird crusties pretty much all the time) and my yoga practice equips me with the armor that I need to be a compassionate and loving mother, wife and person. My daily yoga practice can range from 45 minutes to a whopping 90 minutes (if the stars align and my kids nap well). Whether short and sweet or long in duration, my practice offers me the time and space to simply observe the state of my mind and body on a given day. My post today on the fabulous Tasty Yummies blog is going to be about self- practice. As opposed to taking class at a studio, gym or online, a self-practice is, as the name implies, practicing alone and relying on your inner teacher (aka intuition) as your guide. I want to talk about my personal experience with self- practice and its value in my life. I will give some tips for how to get started and a few cautions to consider. I have also included a short video breaking down an intermediate posture that might be familiar to you if you have practiced in the past or might be a thing to aspire to if you are just getting started.
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