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How to Make a Sweet and Salty Charcuterie Snack Board
How to Make a Sweet and Salty Charcuterie Snack Board: Whether a date night at home, a party, get together or just a simple, fun meal a sweet and savory snack board is a great way to keep it simple, keep it fun and keep it tasty.
Who else loves a great snack board or charcuterie board filled with meats, cheese, chocolates, nuts, granola, fruit, olives, veggies… the possibilities are endless. Suffice it to say, place a charcuterie board in front of me and I’m one happy camper!
Today we are sharing some simple ideas for you to build an easy, colorful, and delicious board filled with foods that you love and to elevate your charcuterie and snack board creations to the next level. As always, mix and match with items that fit YOUR needs and preferences. Happy building and let’s get started!
Our first tip is that boards are not just for a group of people. A single serve board is rarely highlighted to we want to make sure that anyone who is looking to build a board for themselves, there are plenty of options and the best part….you only add things that you like, which is kind of awesome.
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Bacon and Chive Spaghetti Squash Fritters with California Avocado Lime Dipping Sauce {gluten-free, paleo, Whole30, keto}
I try very hard to not play favorites with foods, but that’s a lot easier than it sounds. I will always have favorites, not just from a a flavor standpoint, of course there are foods that hold emotional attachments, memories and traditions and as a Holistic Nutritionist, there is a great long list foods I also really love from a functional perspective.
Avocados are one of my favorites that cross all three. There is not a week that goes by that we don’t have avocados available in our home. Besides being totally obsessed with how they taste and how versatile they are, they can go from savory to sweet, with ease, I also love what a functional and healthful food avocados are.
With nearly 20 essential vitamins and nutrients avocado are also a good source of fiber and folate, potassium, vitamin E and B vitamins. As well, as a source of healthy fats, avocados they play a vital role in a balanced, nutrient-dense diet and health fats essentially work as a nutrient-booster enabling fat soluble nutrients in foods eaten alongside the avocado, to become more assimilated and absorbed, nutrients like vitamins A, D, E and K.
I had the pleasure, a couple years back, of visiting a California Avocado grove not too far from my own home and I was so honored to see these beautiful fruits growing in their natural habitat, being cared for and tended to by a family of growers right here in my own state. The lab of love for this fruit, picked by hand by families who have been growing to and tending these trees for years, gave me a new appreciation for one of my favorite foods. Walking the groves I got to, first hand, see the patience, the love, care and craftsmanship and taste the difference and my love grew deeper.
I have a long list of ways that I love to enjoy avocados, but I especially love a delicious sauce like this one, to highlight the flavor of this delicious fruit. These crispy, flavor packed bacon and chive spaghetti squash fritters are taken up a notch thanks to this flavorful, creamy sauce that you are absolutely going to want to put on anything and everything.
With the addition of the lime and a tangy yogurt, besides flavor and a little punch, the acidity also works to prevent the avocado from browning, keeping this delicious dipping sauce, vibrant and fresh.
This California Avocado Lime Dipping sauce is also great as a creamy salad dressing, it’s amazing drizzled over roasted veggies. Use it as a marinade for chicken or as a sauce a top your favorite fish or other protein. It also makes a great veggie dip or a dip for your favorite crackers or chips.
These simple Bacon and Chive Spaghetti Squash Fritters with California Avocado Lime Dipping Sauce is a quick recipe to make and a great option for leftover spaghetti squash. They make a delicious side dish or a super fun starter / appetizer. I think you are really gonna love these.
I like to make the dipping sauce first and place into the fridge to chill while making the fritters.
California Avocado Lime Dipping Sauce {gluten-free, paleo, Whole30, keto}
gluten-free, keto, paleo, whole30, nut-freePrint Pin RateIngredients
- 2 California avocados
- 4 tablespoons lime juice, from 2 limes
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- ¼ cup yogurt, non-dairy yogurt works just fine here
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt, more to taste, as needed
- black pepper or red pepper flakes, to taste
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a high powered blender or food processor and blend until well combined. An immersion blender will also work.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste (just a little at a time), then blend again and taste. Add more salt and pepper, if necessary. Store the sauce in the fridge in an airtight container and give it a good stir before serving. It will keep and stay fresh for upwards of 3 to 4 days.
Bacon and Chive Spaghetti Squash Fritters with California Avocado Lime Dipping Sauce {gluten-free, paleo, Whole30, keto}
gluten-free, paleo, Whole30, keto, grain-free, dairy-free, nut-freePrint Pin RateServings: 12 frittersIngredients
- 4 cups cooked spaghetti squash threads
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup coconut flour
- 2 large eggs, whisked
- 4-5 slices bacon, cooked, drained of fat, and finely chopped (1/4 cup)
- 2 tablespoon chives, finely minced
- 1-3 tbsp ghee, refined organic coconut oil or preferred cooking fat for frying
Options to add:
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
- ¼ teaspoon chipotle powder
- Cook in bacon fat for extra flavor
Instructions
- Remove the "spaghetti" from your spaghetti squash with a fork and place in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the mound of squash to a clean kitchen towel (or a few paper towels) and squeeze out any excess moisture. Really give it some good squeezes. Don’t skip this step, it’s worth it for finished product - you will be surprised how much excess liquid comes out. Add the garlic and onion, power salt, pepper, and coconut flour. Add in the whisked eggs, the bacon and the chives.
- Mix really well with fork until all ingredients are fully combined.
- Using your hands, form into 12 equally sized patties, made with approximately 1/4 cup of the mixture each.
- Flatten and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Continue forming until all are ready to be cooked.
- Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add your ghee or coconut oil. Once the pan is hot, please the fritters in.
- Once they'e browned on one side, flip and brown on the second side.
- Drain on paper towels and continue to fry in batches, as necessary, adding more cooking oil as needed.
- Serve right away with the avocado lime dipping sauce and enjoy!
Notes
Leave out the bacon to make these vegetarian.This post is sponsored by the California Avocado Commission but all opinions are my own.
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Tahini Chocolate Keto Mug Cake w/ Oven Option {Paleo, Gluten-free}
This delicious Tahini Chocolate Keto Mug Cake is not only low carb, paleo, gluten-free, dairy-free and low FODMAP, but it’s legit ready and in your face in under 5 minutes. Delicious, keto-friendly cake that’s ready in 5 minutes? Let’s do this. PS, I have had readers adapt to be nut-free, along with egg-free, scroll down for options.
Let me start by being very clear, this Tahini Chocolate Keto Mug Cake is dangerous. No, it’s not that it’s “bad” for you, on the contrary, but what is dangerous is just how simple it is to make this keto mug cake. Cake in about 5 minutes? Yeh, that’s information I am not sure I am ready to have.
Seriously though, this simple keto mug cake is quick to toss together and into the microwave. YES, you heard me right, the microwave! The 1990s hottest kitchen gadget. No, I generally don’t cook with my microwave. No, I don’t think it’s the best option. Yes, I have heard about the potential dangers for exposure to microwaves, but ya’ll relax, we aren’t having mug cakes daily, in fact I am not even implying you should have them weekly. It’s a treat. It’s special and the once or twice a month you use your microwave, it’ll be fine. Promise. UPDATE: I have now included oven options for those of you that don’t have a microwave, don’t want to use one or don’t mind waiting more like 20 minutes for cake.
Sweeteners:
I would like to be clear, I really don’t love all the non-caloric sweeteners prevalent in most keto recipes. Keto or not, I don’t really feel that non-nutritive sweeteners have a place in a real food diet, especially in abundance. They are highly processed, many can still impact on insulin and wreak havoc on the gut microbiome. Once in a while, a little bit of stevia in a coffee instead of sugar, a little monkfruit in a treat, probably OK, sure. But cups and cups of this stuff, day in and day out, I just don’t think this is a good idea.
For me, sugar alcohols (polyols) like Xylitol and Erythritol, along inulin-based sweeteners are absolute murder on my gut (I am working on a post as we speak about the potential harms of non-caloric sweeteners to explain why this is). I will use a little stevia now and again, a little monkfruit here and there. But, considering I am not consuming sweet stuff on the daily, when I have a sweet, it’s an occasional treat, so I generally opt for a small amount of real food sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, dates, coconut sugar, in amounts that I know will work for me, that won’t spike my blood sugar or cause cravings.
I would suggest if you are very new to keto or transitioning to a low carb or fat fueled lifestyle, especially if you are coming from a more standard American diet, eating lots of sugar and carbs, or possibly being diagnosed with a metabolic condition such as diabetes – some, natural non-caloric sweeteners may be a good option during the transitioning stages. If it’s a tool to reset your palate and taper you down and work to fight an addiction or strong cravings, then I think it can work for a temporary option or for use in small amounts. But even better yet, would be to avoid the sugar alternatives altogether and give your palate the opportunity to reset entirely and find a new way. But no one really wants to hear that kind of crazy talk on a post about cake that you can make in about 5 minutes.
If you are deeper into keto or living that fat-fueled life for sometime now, I will share that little maple syrup or coconut sugar will for the most part, not make or break you, it won’t cause sugar cravings or a blood sugar explosion and it will likely not kick your body out of a fat burning or ketogenic state. These are the benefits of metabolic flexibility. More on that below.
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Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Dip aka “Htipiti” (Gluten-free)
I can say that in more ways than one – I truly am my father’s daughter. My love for food, eating and talking about both (or in general) – most definitely all come from my dad! Though I may not always like to admit it, I can be his clone in many ways!
As a Greek girl, (also from my dad) who has been gluten-free for nearly 10 years, one of the saddest things I have had to endure is saying good-bye to sooo many of my favorite classic Greek dishes – spanokopita, taramasalata, baklava, pita, gyro wraps, moussaka, pastitsio, melomakarono, loukamathes – oh my gosh I could go on and on and on (and now I am super hungry). Thankfully, a couple of these dishes can be made gluten-free, so I haven’t had to let go completely.
This dip isn’t something I grew up, like many of those aforementioned dishes, but rather it was a dish my dad had somewhere along the line at a restaurant and became obsessed with recreating. Since he perfected his recipe a few years ago, he has pretty much brought this dip to nearly every get-together and everyone that has ever tasted it – soon becomes obsessed, too! I myself am one of those people and I’ve taken to altering his recipe slightly and making it for my own dinner parties and other get-togethers. Since we moved out west from New York to California in 2013, this dip has been a nice way to savor some of those flavors of home.
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Spring Salad with Lemony Turmeric Yogurt Dressing {Paleo, Dairy-free, Whole30, Vegan}
This Spring Salad features a vibrant Lemony Turmeric Yogurt Dressing that is creamy, tangy, fragrant and bright! It’s aromatic and complimentary to so many dishes, from grilled or roasted veggies, potatoes, crudite, or even chicken or fish – but it’s especially perfect with a seasonal salad with bright, spring veggies.
This gorgeous Spring Salad with Lemony Turmeric Yogurt Dressing features Silk Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative. A great option for those that have to eat dairy-free. In addition to being dairy-free and plant-based, Silk’s Almondmilk Yogurts are free from high-fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives are verified by the Non-GMO Project, they are responsibly produced and are free of gluten, casein, peanuts, egg and MSG. Now available in NEW Almondmilk 24oz tubs (Plain & Vanilla), if you wanna give it a try, grab a coupon for Silk’s Almondmilk Yogurt Alternative here.
This beautiful, golden Lemony Turmeric Yogurt Dressing comes together in minutes using the blender. It’s rich, creamy, thick, tangy and vibrant and it can be used in so many other recipes, beyond your standard green salad. Try drizzling over roasted veggies like cauliflower, Brussels sprouts or bok choy or grilled eggplant or asparagus. It would also be lovely over chicken or fish or overtop your cauliflower rice.
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Dark Chocolate Matcha Coconut Butter Keto Cups {paleo, low-carb, gluten-free, vegan}
These super simple Dark Chocolate Matcha Coconut Butter Keto Cups are a tasty snack or the perfect bite-sized dessert. The addition of antioxidant-rich matcha and the healthy fats practically make this treat a health food! My favorite part, for as fancy as they appear, they are ready in little to no time at all. Besides being low carb and keto, they are also paleo, gluten-free and vegan, too!
After the excitement of the Dark Chocolate Raspberry Coconut Butter Keto Cups and so many of you made them and fell in love, too so my mind has been totally swirling with other variations. So here we are, this weekend is St Patrick’s Day. A holiday I could literally give two solid poops about. Butttt, in a sea of artificially colored green foods, green beer, green bagels, soda breads, beer soaked meats and the like, I offer to you a simple, fun, natural and tasty way to get in some green. And hiiiii matcha is a superfood, friends!! (Are we sick of that word, yet?)
Antioxidant rich matcha tea, can help fight free radicals in the body and promote long-term health. Matcha being the whole leaf, ground, also contains 137 times the amount of free radical-fighting antioxidants as any other green teas. WOOT WOOT! So basically you can have your chocolate, get in some healthy fats and become a cancer-fighting super hero all in a couple of bites. (OK, that may not be super accurate marketing, but I like the generalization)
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Dark Chocolate Raspberry Coconut Butter Keto Cups {paleo, low-carb, gluten-free, vegan}
These 5-ingredient Dark Chocolate Raspberry Coconut Butter Keto Cups are a tasty snack or the perfect bite-sized dessert. My favorite part, for as fancy as they appear, they are ready in no time at all. Besides being low carb and keto are also paleo, gluten-free and vegan, too!
You guys know I am not much of a sweets person. It’s just not really my thing. It’s rare I am dreaming up new and clever ways to recreate treats to be more healthful, because for me, as long as I have a bar of super dark chocolate in the fridge, freezer and/or pantry (what can I say, I like my chocolate at different temps for different reasons) – I am a happy lady.
I’ve especially found since I’ve been eating keto for the last year +, my taste for sweets has basically diminished completely. But my love for chocolate will never waiver. Read the rest of this entry »
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Dark Chocolate Peppermint Vegan Cheesecake {Gluten-Free & Paleo}
This Dark Chocolate Peppermint Vegan Cheesecake is a holiday dream! Beside being naturally vegan, it’s gluten-free and grain-free, paleo-friendly, yet still epic enough to please the masses. Coated with a layer of peppermint-infused dark chocolate to bring the holiday vibes, this creamy, rich, decadent treat will be a show stopper at any holiday gathering.
Right, so I am not vegan and nor is this website, but as I prefer to limit / avoid cow’s milk dairy as much as I can, over these many years I have developed a plethora of naturally (read also: inadvertently) vegan recipes, in the process. Beyond that, I know that so many of you struggle with dairy allergies, lactose or casein intolerances or maybe like me, just prefer to avoid most dairy so as not to send your autoimmune disease or digestion into a massive tailspin.
One of my most favorite dairy alternative dessert recipes my No-Bake Vegan Cheesecake was created nearly 5 years ago now and there have been many, many varying iterations of it here on Tasty Yummies, since. From Pumpkin to a Mint Chocolate Chip to these little cereal crusted cuties, among others.
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Chocolate Coffee Keto Granola {grain-free, gluten-free, paleo}
This wholesome, crunchy, nutty Chocolate Coffee Keto Granola is low carb, made from nutrient-rich nuts and seeds, it’s loaded with flavor. Great for topping your favorite yogurt, as a topping to your smoothie, in a bowl with a little coconut milk – or a small handful on-the-go for a quick bite.
Cravings are a strange phenomenon. Many times cravings are driven by a nutritional deficiency of some sort, for example, often when people are craving super dark chocolate it can indicate a magnesium deficiency. For some, craving a soda can indicate a calcium deficiency, craving sweets (beyond blood sugar disregulation) can be a sign of deficiencies in chromium, carbon, phosphorus, sulphur and beyond. And the cravings to deficiency list goes on and on. But, if you can really listen to your body and the many cues it send, often times these cravings also come from a highly emotional place. Food memories can certainly impart their own cultivation of cravings, foods that remind us of our childhood, things that bring back a flood of times gone by.
Weirdly one of those cravings for me, that happens a few times a year – I get a highly emotional craving for a bowl of cereal. The comfort of a crunchy bowl of cereal, drowned in milk, eaten on the couch. It reminds me of being a kid. Of mornings before school. That time before the day got busy and hectic, to look forward to what lied ahead, to go over the flashcards for that day’s tests.
I didn’t grow up eating sugary cereals. My mom had it all pretty dialed in. The extent of our cereal selection was generally things like Kix, Corn Flakes, Honey Nut Cheerios, there weren’t marshmallows and colorful characters. In fact my mom was so mindful that we never drank milk and while milk was allowed on cereal, since I spent a great deal of my childhood not well, my mom went through a period of not allowing us any milk on our cereal an rather apple juice was the liquid of choice (surprisingly quite delicious on Honey Nut Cheerios I might add).
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How-to Build an Epic Grain-free Cheese and Charcuterie Board
When it comes to entertaining, boards are the ultimate in wow factor without a ton of fuss. More specifically I am a HUGE fan of cheese and meat boards. Selfishly when entertaining, since I prefer to avoid grains and greasy chips and snacks, cheese and charcuterie boards offer a great, pretty low maintenance way for me to have everything that I want, while still making all of my guests happy.
My cheese and charcuterie boards are generally focused around being totally grain-free and then depending on my guests, I will often have a generous pile of toasted crostini, that I serve to the side, separately for the non gluten-free or grain-free folks. I simple arrange sliced crostini in a single layer on a cookie sheet, brush both sides with olive oil and toss under the broiler for a few minutes on each side. Add a sprinkle of sea salt. It’s the fastest way to lots of toast.
Follow along for all of my tips on How-to Build an Epic Grain-free Cheese and Charcuterie Board.
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Roasted Beet Cauliflower Hummus {Paleo-friendly}
A bean-free hummus that’s pretty enough to be a work of art? Say what? No seriously, this cauliflower hummus features roasted beets and garlic and it’s about to take your snack game to a whole new level!
After years of working on healing my gut, dealing with a parasite and unhappy gut bacteria, among other things, I am proud to say that my gut and my digestion has never ever been better, I don’t date say that I am cured and everything is perfect, but I feel incredible and that is absolutely something to celebrate.
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Smoky Shoestring Sweet Potato Fries
You may have noticed that it’s been a bit quiet over here. I have been working on a few bigger projects that are taking up most of my time, but given the current state of the world, I have also needed to just take a big step back, where I can.
It’s strange to feel that I simultaneously have so very much to say, so so much, yet I am constantly finding myself at a loss for words. Dumbfounded. Instead of being glued to my computer and my phone, rather than refreshing my social media feeds minute after minute, I have instead chosen self care and comfort. I’ve chosen to march and to focus on action. I have surrounded myself with others feeling equally as devastated and at a loss, but also very fueled to do something about it. I have been volunteering my time and donating my dollars. I have been cooking for comfort and love rather than just for work. Serving others and nourishing myself. These are the things I can control and while the world is feeling increasingly more out of control, I find myself wanting to focus inward first, to take care of myself, then find ways I can use my voice, my power and my passion in my local community to help how there I can, as well.
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How-to Make Chia Seed Pudding {Paleo, Keto, Vegan}
I have been a long time fan of chia seed pudding and it’s become a simple dish that I recommend often as an egg-free, dairy-free snack, breakfast or dessert option to my nutritional clients, especially those I recommend blood sugar control diets or sugar detoxes to. Without sweetener (or sweetened very lightly) chia pudding can be a great, nutrient-dense alternative to the more standard grain and carb-forward breakfasts. It’s loaded with omega-3 essential fatty acids, fiber, protein, and various micronutrients and chia seeds are also high in calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
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Winter Spiced Dark Chocolate Bark with Smoked Sea Salt
For those of you that follow me on social media, you likely see that I spend a fair amount of time at the Terranea Resort here in the LA area. (Full disclosure, I was selected as one of 5 influencers to be a 2016 Terranea Resort Social Media Ambassador, but my love for this place runs deep and far beyond that title.) I truly feel that Terranea is one of Southern California’s best kept secrets, yet it really shouldn’t be. Terranea sits on the coast in Rancho Palos Verdes, about 15 miles from our front door in Long Beach. The 102-acre private peninsula paradise, is like stepping into a whole new world – minutes from the bustle of Los Angeles. Surrounded by the tranquil waves of the Pacific, the coastal setting of Terranea embraces the California lifestyle and it’s Mediterranean heritage. Regardless if you are a guest at the resort the sprawling land is all open to the public, so you are free to walk the ocean-side trails, dine at the many restaurants, plan a spa day or just enjoy the views.
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Grain-free Everything Bagel Crackers
It only seems fair after the rash of sweets recipes that has filled this website over the last week, to give you a solid savory recipe. Seeing as savory, salty and crunchy are definitely my personal, crave-worthy foods. These 4-ingredient Grain-free Everything Bagel Crackers are my everything, this is my kind of snacking!
The amount of options for gluten-free crackers in the snack aisle at the grocery store is kind of mind-blowing to me. I still remember what it was like 12 years ago when I first shifted to a gluten-free diet. There was absolutely nothing. Nothing at all. Now there are far too many options, but the problem still exists, as it does with most processed and packaged foods, vetting the ingredients. Trying to find an option that isn’t highly processed and loaded with strange ingredients, it’s just damn near impossible.
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Apple Bites with Pumpkin Spice Coconut Butter {Paleo-friendly}
Sometimes it’s the un-recipes, the simple, uncomplicated eats that are the most coveted around here. With fall being a hustling and bustling time, I know we all struggle to slow down, to hit pause even and enjoy the best of the season, but it’s so important. Fall will be over before we know it and we will be in the thick of the holidays. I don’t want to rush it. I want to enjoy every bit(e) of it.
While I have no issues with embracing pumpkin-everything this time of year, I also find that apples don’t get nearly enough of the autumnal love! Probably my most favorite of all the fruits, apples are impeccable this time of year and a source of so many great nutrients, including vitamins A & C and various minerals including lots of potassium, and a solid showing of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous. They are high in fiber and apple pectin has detoxifying qualities, making it used often in cleansing formulas. Apples are a sweet mini-multivitamin of sorts, bringing a little bit of everything. I always recommend apples that are organic and unsprayed, as most conventional apples are heavily sprayed with pesticides.
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Maple Glazed Pumpkin Spice Almonds
With the start of fall and now as we enter October, I say this means it’s officially, official that we can go all-in on the pumpkin spice everything. Sure it’s considered Basic B*tch to some, but I don’t care, call me “Basic Beth” if you wish – I want to pumpkin spice ALL the things, like these Maple Glazed Pumpkin Spice Almonds.
These lightly sweetened with just a hint of salt, crunchy, crispy, coated almonds are flavored with my homemade Pumpkin Spice Blend (but of course any store bought pumpkin spice blend will work) – they get coated with maple syrup and then if you allow them time to dry slowly, they harden, up, get crispy and will wow you! Otherwise you end up with sticky, stuck together, not-so-crispy nuts.
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How-to Make Quick Pickled Veggies
With the end of summer not too far off, it’s time we start planning our graceful exit strategy, for me this usually includes preserving as much of the summer flavors as possible. Besides preserving fresh herbs in olive oil, I find quick pickled veggies to be an excellent way to hang on to the tasty abundance of summer, just a little bit longer.
Sure, canning, fermentation and other more long-term storage options are always available, but this is a super quick method, that you can throw together in a mere 15 or 20 minutes. No mess and no fuss.
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Gluten-free Mediterranean Flatbread
Did you know that May is Celiac Awareness Month? I shared the following over on my Instagram account but I thought it was worth mentioning here, as well.
While I discovered my own severe gluten intolerance over 11 years ago, I was actually never properly tested for Celiac (until it was too late) and now as many years later, as additional health issues have shown up to the party, many of which you guys have read about right here on the website – I now certainly suspect Celiac to be the underlying cause. (Though I denied this truth for many years)
That said, frankly speaking, my 11 year journey of eating 100% gluten-free and guiding others on their path, no matter the need, it has always been about celebrating food, exploring ingredients and hopefully encouraging others to get excited to be in the kitchen and create. Fresh, seasonal, nutrient-dense whole foods – to me it’s all about the amazing things that are naturally gluten-free, rather than supplementing with overly processed substitutes.
That said, given the nature of my work and the fact that not everyone has the ability to work from home, cook all three meals a day completely from scratch and that many of you have a whole family to feed – I am also always on the look out for gluten-free products that will make life easier, while not being loaded with terrifying ingredients. Read the rest of this entry »
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Grain-free No Bake Chocolate Chip Protein Bars
As I go deeper into learning about nutrition and food, while in school to become a Nutritional Therapist, at times feeding my husband reminds me a lot of what my friends who are mothers, go through with their children. Don’t get me wrong, my husband is no man-child, he can take care of himself, he’ll cook when I am not around, he eats his veggies and he can grill like it’s no one’s business – clearly my hubby is > a toddler. But, the man loves his sweets. If he had it his way he would eat a doughnut or a slice of cake for breakfast every single day, he will however on the average day simply settle for toast with jelly or a bowl of cereal. Of course, no matter what is selected this would all be accompanied by the largest cup of coffee. Ever. Sigh.
Recently I have been working with him not to change his diet in some drastic way, I don’t need him resenting me and my schooling, but more to understand how starting his day in this manner definitely contributes to, if not exclusively causes, those mid-day crashes he was constantly struggling with and not only that, how it also leads to additional cravings and the need and urge for more sugar and carbs to be satiated. The vicious, never-ending, sugar-burning cycle.
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Grain-free Salmon Cakes with Old Bay Aioli
Truth me told, the loaded fries and the chicken wings, those are more my husband’s football food. He begs and pleads for junk food on football Sundays, so I have always caved by simply recreating the classics for him, but in a healthier way. It’s a good deal for both of us. Me, I am a bit more uppity when it comes to what I want in a party spread. Give me an epic charcuterie or crudités platter, a little homemade roasted red pepper and feta dip, some tasty, fresh homemade salsa and chips (I reach for the plantain chips these days), a simple, but flavorful chili, the best darn gluten-free soft pretzel bites or these…tasty, crispy salmon cakes!
These Grain-free Salmon Cakes with Old Bay Aioli may seem a more fancy option at your Super Bowl spread, compared to the chips, fries or wings, but don’t let these fool you. They are whipped up in a mere minutes and they are the perfect small bite, party food. A little crispy on the outside with a soft, fluffy, perfect interior. Do not, I repeat do not skip out on the Old Bay Aioli. It’s a must here.
Though salmon cakes aren’t a food I grew up eating, these are comfort food to me. They are totally fuss-free, so they actually make for a very simple weeknight meal or a quick lunch or brunch, even. We almost always have canned salmon on hand, but this recipe is also great for leftover cooked salmon, as well. I love these served over a mixed baby greens salad, but they make an amazing appetizer, as well. Make the patties even bigger and go for more of a burger vibe, if you’d like.
