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Chinese Chicken and Noodles with Bok Choy

I have a new Chinese chicken makeover that will fulfill all your cravings for Chinese takeout and not leave you feeling bloated and thirsty the next day.

Chinese Chicken and Noodles with Bok Choy - Perfect for Chinese New Year - Paleo, AIP

The chicken is skillet to oven, and we are going to make some butternut squash noodles and oven roast the bok choy! It’s a really, really good dinner.

Chinese Chicken and Noodles with Bok Choy - AIP Paleo - Nightshade Free

I am making this for Chinese New Year this year and am still working on some other recipes to add as well. It is a very special time for my family. Two of my daughter’s were adopted from China when they were babies, and I have always honored their heritage. One of the ways we do that is having a party on Chinese New Year and also the Autumn Moon Festival. Visiting China was magical each time, and authentic Chinese food is amazing, with lots of healthy vegetables included.

Chinese Chicken and Noodles with Bok Choy - Gluten Free - AIP Paleo

Chinese Chicken and Noodles with Bok Choy

Preheat your oven to 375º degrees F.

To begin, prep your butternut noodles and bok choy (see below). Then, mix together the ginger, tarragon, cinnamon, sea salt and cloves, and season your chicken cubes evenly with it.

Ingredients for the Chicken:

8 Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs, cut into fourths

1 Tablespoon of Ground Ginger

2 Teaspoons of Tarragon

1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon

1 1/4 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

1/2 Teaspoon of Cloves

1 Tablespoon of Garlic Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil (you may substitute 3 minced garlic cloves if you like and use regular olive oil in place of the garlic infused olive oil.)

Directions for the Chicken: In a large oven safe skillet, add the olive oils over medium high heat, swirling to coat the pan. Then add the seasoned chicken when the olive oil is hot enough to sizzle. Cook the chicken four minutes on one side or until golden brown, then flip the cubes and brown the other side. When the chicken is brown but not cooked through, pour the reduced chicken sauce over the chicken in the skillet, and toss to coat evenly. Place the skillet into the oven and cook the chicken an additional five minutes, or until the chicken is done. Spoon the chicken into a bowl and pour the sauce from the pan and all the brown bits over the chicken.

Chicken Sauce:

1/4 Cup of Coconut Amminos

1/4 Cup of Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice

3 Tablespoons of Honey

1/2 Teaspoon of Salt

Directions for Chicken Sauce:

Whisk together the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Then, lower the temperature and simmer until the sauce is reduced by half. Set aside to prepare the chicken.

Ingredients for the Butternut Noodles:

1 Butternut Squash (Spiralized)

3 Cloves of Garlic (Omit for Low FodMap and Substitute Garlic Olive Oil for the Olive Oil)

3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons of Coconut Aminos

1 Tablespoon of Honey

1 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

Directions: Spiralize the solid end of the peeled butternut squash. (I use this one and love it.) In a large skillet, add the olive oil, salt and garlic and cook over medium high until fragrant, this happens very quickly. Add the spiralized butternut squash noodles. Toss and cook until al dente. Then, whisk together the coconut aminos and honey, and toss with the squash noodles to coat. Cook a few more minutes, then set aside until ready to serve.

Bok Choy on Sheet Pan

Ingredients for the Bok Choy

6 Baby Bok Choy (Mine were pretty large, so you be the judge of how much you want.)

1/4 Cup of Olive Oil

1 Teaspoon of Garlic Powder (Omit for Low FodMap and substitute 1 Tablespoon of Garlic Olive Oil in place of 1 of the tablespoons of Olive Oil above)

1 Teaspoon of Ground Ginger

1 Tablespoon of Coconut Aminos

1/2 Teaspoon of Fish Sauce

1/2 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

Directions: Preheat the oven to 375º degrees F. Wash and half the bok choy lengthwise (see photo). Lay on a rimmed sheet pan. Whisk together the rest of the ingredients, and brush evenly over the bok choy. Bake in your oven for 20 minutes.

To Serve:

Place a mound of noodles on your plate. Spoon Chinese chicken and sauce over the noodles add some bok choy on the side. Dig in!

Delicious Chinese Chicken Dinner that is Grain Free, Paleo and AIP. It is the perfect dinner when you have a Chinese Takeout Craving!

 

 

 

How I Bounce Back from the Holidays and What I’m Eating to Start the New Year and do a Reset!

New Year's Reset - What I'm Doing

The New Year is here, and I’m resetting my taste buds after enjoying the holiday and extra treats.

The number one rule I have when doing a food reset is Don’t Starve Yourself. That just messes up your metabolism and hormones, so don’t be tempted by that. It never works long term.

I am taking out extra sugars, which for me would be maple syrup and honey mostly, but still eating low sugar fruit like blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and raspberries, which are full of nutrition and fiber.

I am making sure I get plenty of low starch vegetables in like spinach, bok choy, artichokes, broccoli, zucchini, Swiss chard, kale, cucumbers, leafy green lettuces, mushrooms, asparagus, fennel (one of my favorites) onions, a little bit of fermented vegetables each day, and Brussels sprouts. I eat as many of these vegetables as I want.

I’m eating complex carbs from vegetables like butternut squash, beets, carrots, and winter squash. You can make “noodles” with butternut squash, beets and zucchini noodles using a spiralizer. (I have this one that suction cups to the counter top and cleans up like a breeze! It’s under $20. now. ) You need adequate protein for each meal like grass fed meat, pastured chicken and seafood such as salmon, and also healthy fats, especially whole food avocados.

I am also prioritizing sleep. Plenty of sleep helps avoid cravings and lowers cortisol levels. High cortisol can cause you to store belly fat and make you crave sweet things more than ever.

I’m drinking plenty of water and clear teas which are perfect hot for this deep freeze we are having in Maryland! My favorite teas are Dandelion Root, Rooibos, Chamomile and Milk Thistle with a piece of ginger root in it. I also have one cup of coffee a day with raw cacao powder, a scoop of collagen and a tablespoon of coconut milk.

I have a shoulder injury at the moment involving the lower trapezius muscle by my right shoulder blade, so weight bearing arm workouts are on hold for now. It’s an injury that occurred last June that healed, and then I re-injured it doing planks again. So, now I’m starting physical therapy to help heal and learning techniques to strengthen that muscle and restore the range of motion to prevent another re-injury. It’s a bummer for me, but you have to take care of your body. Currently my exercise routine looks like this, and I’ll add there is a point of exercise where you feel good and refreshed, and one where you overdo it and feel depleted. You want to avoid feeling depleted. If you can’t recover quickly, then it’s too much. For me what works is twenty minutes in the morning of some form of toning exercise like pilates, resistance bands, cardio step or an exercise ball, and then later in the day a 30 to 40 minute brisk walk, preferable outside, but on the treadmill if the weather isn’t good. I start out my walk with a square of 70% dark chocolate. I’ve been doing this for years, and it works very well for me as a motivator.

Happy, Healthy New Year to Everyone!

Sam

 

 

 

Happy 2018! What are you looking forward to in the coming year?

motivational-quote-waves

Happy 2018 Everyone!
What is one of your favorite memories of 2017? What was hard, and what are your plans, goals, and what are you looking forward to in 2018? I want to know.

Blessings!
Sandra Shields, Health Coach

Salmon Patties on Roasted Cabbage with Avocado

It’s almost a New Year, and I know you most likely want this to be your healthiest year yet! I know I do! In times when obesity is at an all time high, even in our children, and the next generation is the first not expected to live as long as their parents, there has never been a more urgent time to clean up our eating so we can live longer for our loved ones, and leave a legacy of healthy habits for our children to follow. I’ve attached a short video below of Dr. Oz speaking about this and using food as medicine.

That being said, we don’t have to sacrifice delicious food to be healthy and improve our health. That is a myth! Because, real food is delicious food, and I would argue the most delicious of all if our palettes are back on track, and we have so many different spices and herbs and alternatives at our fingertips!

Here is a wonderful salmon dinner using canned non-GMO salmon. It is a budget friendly meal, topped with a fat everyone loves…….the beloved avocado! The salmon burgers have fresh dill in them and other dried herbs, and are delicious! Have I ever told you how much I love herb shears? I am short on the patience required to finely mince herbs like parsley, dill, etc. Kitchen herb shears are so fast, and the mince is super fine. I put a link below if you are interested in seeing what I’m talking about. They come in super handy and are inexpensive!

Salmon Burger with Avocado on Roasted Cabbage

Salmon Patties on Roasted Red Cabbage with Avocado

Makes 12 Patties – 2 per serving.

Ingredients for Salmon Patties:

3 – 7.5 oz. Cans of Canned Salmon (I used Crown Prince Non-GMO)

6 Tablespoons of Coconut Flour

1 1/2 Cups of Minced Celery

3/4 Cup of Red Onion (chopped)

1/4 Cup of Coconut Milk

1 1/2 Tablespoons of Gelatin (I used this)

1 Teaspoon of Sea Salt, divided

1/4 Teaspoon of Dried Oregano

1 Teaspoon of Dried Marjoram

1 Teaspoon of Dried Parsley

1 Tablespoon of Fresh Minced Dill (or 1/2 teaspoon dried) (I use these herb shears for mincing herbs. They are fabulous and fast!)

1 Tablespoon of Garlic Infused Olive Oil (you may substitute 2 cloves or garlic and regular olive oil if you like)

2 Teaspoons of Cider Vinegar

2 Tablespoons of Avocado Oil or Olive Oil

Ingredients for Roasted Red Cabbage:

1 Large Head of Red Cabbage, Cored and Shredded with a sharp knife

1/4 Cup of Avocado Oil or Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar

1 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400º F. To prepare your red cabbage, toss the cabbage with 1/4 cup of Avocado Oil, the apple cider vinegar, and sea salt. Lay on a large rimmed baking sheet, and spread it out in an even layer. It shrinks by about 50 percent when cooking. Place it in your preheated oven, and roast for a full 40 minutes, tossing with tongs after the first twenty minutes. When it is done, it will have crispy brown edges.

Cook the minced celery, red onion, and 1/4 Teaspoon of Sea Salt in 1 tablespoon of Garlic Infused Olive Oil over medium high heat on your stove top until soft. While this is cooking, whisk together the coconut flour, gelatin, herbs and the other 3/4 teaspoon of sea salt. In a large mixing bowl, place the drained, canned salmon, the cooked celery and red onion, apple cider vinegar, coconut milk and coconut flour mixture, and mix until thoroughly incorporated. Add two tablespoons of Olive Oil to a large oven safe, non-stick skillet. With a half cup measure, scoop out the salmon mixture onto the greased skillet, and form twelve patties by pressing them down with the tips of your fingers until they are and inch thick.

When the cabbage is almost done, you can cook the patties. Since everything in these patties are fully cooked, the object is to brown them on both sides. These patties are delicate and delicious, but care is needed in flipping them.  Cook the prepared patties over medium high heat about 4 -5 minutes a side. Then, pop them into the oven for 5 more minutes with the cabbage.

To serve, place a generous mound of roasted red cabbage on your plate. Top the cabbage with a salmon patty and sliced avocado. Feel free to drizzle with a sauce. I never say no to that! I like the Mastadon BBQ which is here.

Salmon Patty Dinner

Paleo AIP Salmon Patties that are grain and egg free and AIP Paleo. They are seasoned with dill and served on a bed of oven roasted cabbage, topped with healthy avocado!

In this short Interview with Dr. Oz and our President, Dr. Oz discusses solutions to our all-time high obesity rates in adults and children in our country. Dr. Oz is a huge advocate for food as medicine!

Here’s to a healthy 2018!

Sam

Holiday Eggnog Thumbprint Cookies – Paleo – Nut and Egg Free

Delicious Paleo Eggnog Cookies (1)

I started loving Eggnog when I was around 12. It seems to me that either you love eggnog, or you hate it. I think maybe it has something to do with the nutmeg, but I’m really not sure why. To me it is a creamy delicious holiday drink to be partaken of while decorating the tree or on Christmas Eve hopefully spiked with rum. 🙂

Here is a recipe for Eggnog Cookies that you can make quite easily. They are pretty, and there is no piping involved, so you can leave your decorating bag in the cupboard for another time. I used mace when making these cookies. Mace is the lacy outside of the nutmeg shell, and nutmeg is the seed inside. Mace is slightly more pungent than nutmeg, and both work beautifully in this cookie, so use what you like.

These cookies are grain, dairy, egg and nut free, and a great cookie to make when you have friends and family with food sensitivities and allergies like myself.

Eggnog Cookies - Egg, Nut and Dairy Free (2)

Holiday Eggnog Thumbprint Cookies

Preheat the oven to 350º degrees F. Lay out a parchment lined cookie sheet.

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup of Coconut Flour

1/4 Cup of Coconut Butter

1/4 Cup of Maple Syrup

1/4 Cup of Olive Oil

1/2 Cup of Full Fat Coconut Milk

1 Tablespoon of Gelatin (I use this kind)

1 Tablespoon of White Rum

1 Teaspoon of Pure Vanilla Extract

1/4 Teaspoon of Baking Soda

1/4 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

1/4 Teaspoon of Mace or Nutmeg

16 Teaspoons of  Coconut Butter for the Thumbprints after baking.

Directions:

Whisk together the Coconut Flour, Baking Soda, Sea Salt, Mace and Gelatin in a mixing  bowl. In another medium microwave safe bowl, add the coconut butter, maple syrup, olive oil, vanilla and rum. Warm the liquid mixture in the microwave for 30 seconds, then with a hand held electric mixer, beat until smooth and creamy. If the coconut butter isn’t softened enough, microwave another 30 seconds. Add the liquid mixture to the dry and beat with your electric mixture until you get a soft crumb consistency. This next step will activate the gelatin and make a natural egg replacement. Place the coconut milk in a microwave safe glass measure. Microwave to a boil, but be careful not to boil it over. This is different depending on the power of your microwave, but about one minute to one minute thirty seconds. You can also do this on your stove top. Now with your mixer running, pour in the coconut milk, beating as you go until the milk is all incorporated, and you have a nice dough. With a tablespoon scoop, scoop the cookie dough onto your parchment lined cookie sheet. Press a thumbprint into the center of each cookie, and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until just turning golden brown on the edges. Remove from the oven. Melt 16 teaspoons of Coconut Butter in the microwave, and with a teaspoon, pour the coconut butter one teaspoon each into the indentations of the cookies while they are still warm. Sprinkle with a little additional mace or nutmeg. Cool completely.

Makes 16 cookies

 

Holiday Eggnog Cookies - Nut and Egg Free

 

 

Celebrating and Still Staying Healthy During the Holidays

22799678 - christmas tree with vegetables

The holiday season is in full swing and so is cold and flu season. We all want to stay healthy and enjoy this festive time of the year. Indulging in too many sugary treats and processed food when temptation is all around us can derail our best intentions and set us up for unwanted weight gain, sluggishness, bloating, fatigue, lower immunity and brain fog.

We all want to enjoy the gatherings, parties and festivities. You don’t have to be perfect with your eating, but a little extra care and attention can make a very big difference on how you feel going into the New Year without having to sign up for a new gym membership or crash dieting.

A good way to stay energetic, positive and healthy through the holidays is to get in the kitchen and make some healthy meals and your own healthier treats and snacks to take to holiday gatherings.

Here’s a few ideas from the recipe index to get you started.

Butternut Squash Soup with Chicken and Vegetables

Beef Paprikash with Spaghetti Squash Noodles

Cocktail Meatballs with Honey Orange BBQ Sauce

Zucchini Tomato Quiche

Oven Roasted Carrots with Cumin, Lime and Pumpkin Seeds

Lacinato Kale with Garlic and Almonds

No Bake Peppermint Ice Caps

Roasted Red Pepper Tapanade

Very Vanilla Truffles

Vanilla Pear Bread

Sweet and Salty Spiced Nuts

Grain Free Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake

Enjoy your holidays, and remember, there are many other ways to be festive, and food is just one part. We all love to eat, but other activities can be just as rewarding, if not more so in the long run, such as playing board games, going ice skating or other outdoor activities, playing good music, enjoying all the lights and decorations, taking in a movie (I’m thinking the new Star Wars), meeting someone for a coffee date, finding a new favorite read, watching movie classics, or even starting a new traditional food favorite that is good for you that people look forward to every year including yourself!

Happy and Healthy!

Sam

 

 

 

2 PRODUCTS TO HELP YOU STAY HEALTHY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

With the holiday season, along comes cold and flu season. Take charge and boost your immune system with Vital Proteins’ Beef and Chicken Bone Broth Collagen Powders. Your family will thank you!

What is Bone Broth Collagen Powder?

Vital Proteins’ Bone Broth Collagen Powder is crafted with USDA Organic bones that are simmered slowly to extract the maximum amount of nutrients. The bones are either sourced from grass-fed, pasture-raised cattle or free-range chickens, and offer 9g of protein. Vital Proteins Beef and Chicken Bone Broth Collagen powders are the first of their kind.

  • USDA Organic
  • Grass fed/free-range
  • Dehydrated using low temperature, patented technology
  • Naturally occurring chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid
  • Rich in glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline – the building blocks for collagen formation
  • Beef Bone Broth Collagen contains 9g protein and 9g collagen per serving

What are the benefits of Bone Broth Collagen?

  • Improve gut lining, joint health, and moisture/texture of skin
  • Boost immune system & detoxification
  • Maintain healthy skin
  • Encourages a positive inflammatory response
  • Promotes healthy metabolism

Because bone broth contributes to gut health restoration, it also promotes a healthy immune system due to an extensive amino acid profile that includes proline, glutamine and arginine, all of which help to encourage a healthy gut lining (1).

How do I use Bone Broth Collagen Powder?

Recipe: Bone Broth Tea with Ginger, Turmeric, Black Pepper, and Lemon

Ingredients
3 cups water
2 servings Bone Broth Collagen Powder
2 slices fresh lemon
1 teaspoon black pepper
Ginger
Turmeric

Instructions
Add all ingredients into a pot. Bring to a boil. Remove liquid from heat. Strain. Sip and savor.

Sources:
(1) Rennard, Barbara O., Ronald F. Ertl, Gail L. Gossman, Richard A. Robbins, and Stephen I. Rennard. “Chicken Soup Inhibits Neutrophil Chemotaxis In Vitro.” Chest118.4 (2000): 1150-157. Web.

Benefits of Vitamin D and Deficiency

61624725 - foods rich in vitamin d. top view

Vitamin D deficiency is high, especially in the winter months.  Around 40% of people worldwide are estimated to have low levels of vitamin D, though in some regions and populations, deficiency rates can be higher, particularly in the winter. There are three ways to get vitamin D…..UV light (sunlight), food, and supplements. My levels go up during the Summer, because I am outdoors so much, and they also gets very low in the winter months, so my doctor has me take a supplement. It is a good idea to get your vitamin D levels tested by your doctor, include foods rich in Vitamin D in your diet, and supplement if needed with Vitamin D3. You should not do this on your own, because you can get too much Vitamin D. It is good to test once a year. Vitamin D is supportive to our immune systems, aids calcium absorption, and cardiovascular health. Vitamin D, often referred to as a vitamin, is actually a hormone because the body produces it in response to sunlight and it helps regulate calcium and phosphate levels. The top food sources in order are, maitake mushrooms, swordfish, sockeye salmon, chanterelle mushrooms, canned tuna fish, fortified orange juice, milk and egg yolks.

Here are some recipes to get in some Vitamin D rich foods as well!

Greek Salad with Salmon Skewers

Honey Drizzled Wild Salmon on a Bed of Butternut Topped with Spinach

Egg, Parsnip and Celeriac Hash Brown Skillet

Pumpkin Creme Brulee


Happy Healthy Winter!
Sandra Shields, Certified Health Coach 

I do not get paid to give this advice on Vitamin D.

Disclaimer: This medical information is not advice and should not be treated as such. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements or vitamins.   The medical information on this website is provided without any representations or warranties, express or implied. You must not rely on the information on my website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter, you should consult your doctor. If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition, you should seek immediate medical attention. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website.

Broccoli Radicchio Salad with Bacon

Broccoli Radicchio Bacon Salad with Cranberries

This flavorful, nutrient rich, salad with chopped radicchio and oven roasted broccoli is a delicious mixture of crunchy, sweet and salty. The salad is tossed with apple juice sweetened cranberries, salty bacon and is drizzled with a honey lemon vinaigrette. The colors are bright and vibrant, and it keeps well in the refrigerator for three days.

Radicchio originated in Italy, and gives the salad a pop of  color as well as phytonutrients, flavonoids, vitamin c, k and b vitamins. It has a bold flavor and looks similar to red cabbage, but is nothing like it other than color. It is a member of the chicory family.

Broccoli is a vegetable in the cruciferous family and is full of nutrients. At the top of the list is vitamin k, c, chromium, folate and many more. This is a really delicious and eye catching salad!

Broccoli Radicchio Salad with Bacon and Cranberries Paleo AIP

Broccoli Radicchio Salad with Bacon

Ingredients:

8 Cups of Raw Broccoli Florets plus 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil or Avocado Oil and 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt

Two small heads of Radicchio (8 Cups) Washed and shredded with a sharp knife

1/2 Cup of Crumbled Cooked Bacon (I used sugar free Paleo bacon)

1/4 Cup of Apple Juice Sweetened Cranberries (I use these)

Preheat your oven to 400º degrees F. Toss the broccoli florets in the oil and sea salt. Roast in your preheated oven in the center rack for approximately 25 to 30 minutes until crispy and brown. They will be almost like a chip. They should be golden brown and crispy on the edges, but not burned.

Meanwhile, place your washed and shredded radicchio into a large bowl and make the vinaigrette.

Honey Lemon Vinaigrette

Ingredients:

1/4 Cup of Olive Oil

1 Tablespoons of Fresh Lemon Juice

2 Tablespoons of White Balsamic Vinegar (my favorite brand)

2 Teaspoons of Honey

1/2 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

Directions: Whisk together all the ingredients until emulsified.

Pour the dressing over the radicchio. Pour the prepared dressing over the top and toss to coat thoroughly. When the broccoli is done, place it on top of the dressed radicchio while it is hot. Add the cranberries and crumbled bacon. I like to serve it layered like this with a long set of salad tongs.

That’s it! It’s ready to serve, and as I said, this salad stays fresh in the refrigerator for several days. The radicchio is a sturdy leaf and doesn’t wilt or get soggy with the vinaigrette added to it, and the flavors just get better.

Sam

Broccoli Radicchio Salad with Bacon Paleo AIP Gluten Free

 

Grain Free Apple Tart

This is one of the desserts I am making for Thanksgiving this year. I love the warmth of the spices in apple desserts. It’s no surprise how popular apple pie scented candles are, and an apple tart baking in the oven makes the whole house smell amazing! I make a homemade non-toxic air freshener on my stove top with apples, oranges, cloves and a cinnamon stick. Here’s how if you want to do this……smells wonderful!

Apple Tart - Grain Free

I use coconut butter, maple sugar and cinnamon in the crust, which is similar to a sugar cookie crust. The apples are sweetened with maple sugar and apple butter. Because there is no top crust on this tart, I found tenting the pie while baking holds in the moisture and makes the apples retain their juiciness.

Apple Pie Tart Pin

Grain Free Apple Tart

Preheat your oven to 350° F and line an 8″ tart pan with parchment. I used a ceramic one, a pie pan will work as well. I have also made this recipe in a square metal baking pan.

Crust:

1/2 Cup of Coconut Flour

1/2 Cup of Coconut Butter

1 Egg

1/3 Cup of Maple Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon of Vanilla Extract

1/2 Teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

In a food processor, process the crust ingredients until it is crumbly and blended well. Pour the crumbly mixture into the prepared pan, and press firmly and evenly with your fingers to form the crust. Bake in your preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Apple Filling

I used Cortland apples in this recipe. You can use any tart apple or combination of apples that are good for pies including McIntosh or Granny Smith.

Ingredients:

6 Cups of Tart Apples, peeled, cored and sliced 1/2″

1/4 Cup of Apple Butter, I use this clean brand, just apples and juice

1/4 Cup of Maple Sugar plus 1 Tablespoon for the top

2 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice

2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil or Coconut Oil, melted

1/2 Teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon of Allspice

1/4 Teaspoon of Cardamom

1/4 Teaspoon of Ginger

1/8 Teaspoon of Nutmeg or Mace

1/8 Teaspoon of Sea Salt

Toss the apples with the lemon juice. Then, add in the maple sugar, spices and salt, and toss to coat evenly. Finally add the apple butter and olive oil or melted coconut oil and toss. Spread the apples evenly on top of the crust. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and seal the edges. Bake in your preheated oven for 60 minutes. Remove from the oven, and pierce an apple slice with a fork to make sure it is tender. Then, sprinkle the apples with the remaining one tablespoon of maple sugar, and bake uncovered an additional 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool.

This tart is great as is, but I do believe I will be adding my recipe for coconut whipped cream to embellish the top on turkey day! The recipe is here for that.

Coconut Milk Whipped Cream

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