This is one of those recipes people tend to shy away from because it seems complicated. It is actually so easy!!! Mayo made with olive oil is so much healthier for you and you can easily turn it into an aioli by adding additional ingredients like garlic or chipotle chilies. I also use this recipe as the base for a homemade ranch dressing, chicken salad, and my chipotle chili aioli! We enjoy this on sandwiches and as a sip for fresh veggies. Enjoy!   Ingredients:  1 large farm fresh egg, room temperature 1 tsp. of salt 3/4 C organic extra-virgin olive oil Juice of 1/2 lemon 1 tsp. of dry mustard     Directions:  1.  Using your food processor or blender, combine the egg, salt, lemon, and dry mustard. If you would like to add anything else, you would add it now and pulse until combined. (If you prefer a chunky consistency you can add your additions after you have processed the mayo). 2.  Turn the processor on high and slowly drip the oil in, the slower the better! Do not rush this step. Take it from me, if you pour the oil in too quickly you will have a liquid mess. 3. You should see the mayo start to become fluffy and thick as you slowly drip the oil in. As soon as all the oil is added, transfer to a glass container and you can store in the refrigerator for up to a week!         […]

I’ll admit it, we have a crush on salsa over here. I have been making homemade salsa ever since the kids were young and we have always loved to put it on everything. We are a little obsessed! Which is why I have several recipes. This is another salsa I came up with that is so easy and versatile. This recipe is pretty flexible so its possible you’ll have all the makings in your pantry at any given time. I started making this salsa a few winters ago when I was craving tomatoes and realized that if you use a good quality canned tomato the salsa is still very delicious. Be CAREFUL what brand of tomatoes you buy because some of the canned variety taste like the actual can they come in. Also, if you want less heat you can use just one or two of the chipotles. Salsa is a great way to keep fresh flavors and veggies in your diet during the winter. Our bodies desperately need veggies and if you’ve made the change to eat more of them, you will keep craving them. I truly enjoy making homemade salsa, for me, it is another way in which I choose to put more good into my body and nurture my health. I hope you can be inspired by how easy this is and begin to make your own salsas at home!   Ingredients: 1 28 ounce can of San Marzano whole tomatoes in their juices. 1 can chipotles in adobo […]

I am a little bit obsessed with avocados! They are actually one of my favorite healthy fats to put in my diet. I even wrote a little blog post about healthy fats you can read about here. Avocados are packed with fiber, vitamin E and potassium. The fat helps you feel fuller longer and their creaminess tastes almost decadent. These are just a couple reasons why I eat them almost every week. One way I eat avocados is in guacamole. I like to make a salad and top it with my Carnitas or Shredded beef, this guacamole and my homemade salsa. Yum! I love making these types of toppings that are not only crowd pleasers but packed with nutrition. When guests come over they can enjoy what we make and I can keep eating the way I like to without sacrificing flavor! This recipe beats out jarred cheese dip any day of the week! Ingredients: 4 avocados 1 large tomato or 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, chopped 3 green onions finely chopped 1 handful of cilantro leaves, chopped 1 jalapeno (or any other pepper you would like) (optional) 1 tsp. sea salt ½ tsp. Of cumin ¼ tsp. Crushed dried chili de arbol (optional) Juice of 1 ½ limes Directions: 1. Using a potato masher, mash avocados in a medium bowl. 2. Add chopped tomatoes, green onions, cilantro, jalapeno, salt, cumin, and dried chilis. Mix together and taste to make sure the seasoning is to your tasting.   3. Squeeze […]

This aioli recipe is a great condiment choice because it is not only full of flavor but it is much better for you than store-bought mayonnaise. It is made with olive oil which is such a good source of healthy fat and really important for hormone balance as well. You can use aioli for so many things: a dressing for slaw, a little drizzle on a taco or to spice up a burger.  There are so many possibilities! Make sure to use high-quality organic extra virgin, cold pressed olive oil. I want my Olive Oil as fresh as possible so I purchase mine from a local store, Olive Oil Taproom because it is bottled for me upon purchase. Our friend, David, makes aioli and kindly shared this recipe with me! He is an artist in the kitchen and everything he makes has so much flavor! This mortar and pestle method requires patience but is so worth it! Enjoy!!   Ingredients: 4-6 garlic cloves, pinch of salt, pinch of smoked paprika, ½ tsp fresh lemon juice,  1 ½ C Spanish extra virgin olive oil   Directions: 1. Place garlic in a mortar with a pinch of salt and pinch of smoked paprika. Using the pestle, smash the garlic cloves to makes a smooth paste. (I alternately grind circularly as well as pound it with the pestle). 2. Add lemon juice to the garlic. 3. Then, drop by drop, add the olive oil as you continue to crush the “garlicky” paste. Keep turning the pestle […]

  Looking for a great way to integrate fresh herbs into your cooking?  Below are links to five of my very favorite recipes that call for bunches of herbs. They really come in handy when you have a big bunch of cilantro or basil that you don’t want to go to waste. It’s very simple to use fresh herbs for two or three different recipes at a time during your meal prep.  I hope you enjoy this collection because all of these sauces or dressings are my “go-to’s” to keep meals fresh and healthy.   1. Salsa Verde     2. Lemon Parsley Vinaigrette    3. Chili Cilantro and Lime dressing     4. Kale and Pistachio Pesto     5. Chimichurri Sauce