Almond Citrus Cake

This cake is Gluten-Free, Milk-Free, light, flavorful, satisfying.  Tell me what you think!

FLOURless CITRUS ALMOND CAKE

• 4 Omega-3 Eggs, at room temperature (can substitute 2 Tbs. freshly ground flax seeds mixed with 4 Tbs. water for two of the eggs)

• 3 Tbs. organic Lemon Zest

• 1 Tbs. organic Lime Zest

• 1/2 tsp. pure Almond extract

• 1 tsp. Orange Blossom Water, available at Whole Foods and at Middle Eastern markets

• 1/4 c. Pure Maple Syrup

• 1 1/2 c. fine Almond Flour/Meal

• 1 tsp. Aluminum-free Baking Powder (check expiration date!)

• 1 tsp. Baking Soda

• 1 tsp. Cider Vinegar (can use White Vinegar)

• Pinch of Sea Salt

• Juice of 1 organic orange and 1 organic Lemon

• 1 tsp. Orange Blossom Water

• 1 tsp. Pure Maple Syrup

Pre-heat oven to 350º F.

1. Line bottom of a 9" round cake pan with parchment paper, and grease it and the pan sides with Coconut Oil or butter.

2. Separate the eggs, making sure the egg whites go into a clean, dry bowl.

3. In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks, zests, extract, orange blossom water and Maple Syrup until smooth.

4. In a separate bowl, mix the almond flour, baking powder and soda until combined. Add the flour mixture to the egg yolks and mix well.

5. With and electric mixer, whip the egg whites starting on low-speed and gradually increasing to high.

6. When frothy, add the pinch of salt and vinegar. As they begin to increase in volume, add syrup a little at a time, as you continue to beat the egg whites. When thick enough to form soft peaks, they are ready.

7. Very gently fold the egg whites into the flour mixture a large spoonful at a time, (never stirring). As you add more egg whites, the mixture will become light and fluffy. Don't rush this process.

8. Gently scoop the batter into your prepared pan, and bake for 35 minutes in middle of oven, until top is golden.

9. Remove from oven.

10. Mix citrus juices with orange blossom water and the maple syrup.. and pour evenly over top of cake.

11. Let cool. Run a knife around the edge and lift from pan. Serve with whipped coconut cream.

Fruity Salad

Grapes have high sugar content, so eat in moderation.  Also make sure you bananas are firm and a little on the green side, since they too are high in sugar when ripe.

Makes 4 servings

• 1/2 c. seedless organic Red Grapes

• 1 c. organic Strawberries, halved

• 1 red Fuji Apple, chopped

• 1 c. organic Soft Tofu, crumbled

• 2 Tbs. organic fresh Mint, chopped

• 3 Tbs. Vegenaise

• 1 tsp. Lemon Juice

• dash of Monk Fruit powder

In a bowl combine Vegenaise, lemon juice, and monk fruit; stir well and set aside.

In a large bowl combine fruit, and spoon into serving dishes. Mix Tofu with mint and divide among dishes. Serve with the dressing.

My Favourite Fruit Crisp

Peaches and Blueberries have a Glycemic Index of 30 per average peach and 33 per cup of blueberries, they're well below the 55 threshold.  There isn't quite anything like cooked sweet peaches served hot with cinnamon. 

Blueberry-Peach Crisp

• 6 -7  ripe organic Peaches or Nectarines, sliced                                       

• 1 c. organic Blueberries

• 2-3 Tbs. Arrowroot Starch                     

• 1/2 c. organic Rolled Oats

• 1/3 c. Sorghum flour (or Brown rice flour)             

• 1/2 c. Almond flour

• 1/2 c. Xylitol (3 tsp. Stevia or 1/8 tsp. Monk Fruit powder)

• 1 tsp. organic Cinnamon                                       

• 1/2 tsp. Sea Salt

• 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder                                          

• 6 Tbs. cold Coconut Oil

• 1 tsp. Vanilla extract                                              

• 1 - 2 Tbs Lemon Juice

• 1/2 c. pecans (opt.)

  Preheat oven to 350º (175º C).

Mix the vanilla and lemon juice into the peaches (use less if the peaches are very juicy) and place in a glass baking dish. Mix in arrowroot starch to thicken a bit and set aside.

Mix together the sugars, oats, flours, cinnamon, salt, and baking powder and blend well with a whisk or fork.

Add the cold coconut oil and work with your hands to until it's crumbly.

Add nuts and mix. Sprinkle this mixture liberally over the peaches. Bake for about 40 minutes.

Let it cool for 15 minutes until the juices firm up. Enjoy warm with a scoop of non-dairy ice cream!

~ Bon Apetit! ♥

Low Sugar Fruits to Enjoy

I've mentioned that glucose is the choice food for cancer growth and nutrition...so watching our intake of glucose intense foods is critical. Spikes in blood sugar levels is what we are trying to avoid.  By combining high-fiber carbs that we eat with a protein or fat, lowers the likelihood.   (If you're craving a piece of toast, have it dipped in virgin olive oil, or topped with hummus or almond butter.)

Here is a list of fruits that are low in sugar that you can enjoy without thinking twice. Recommended 1 - 3 servings /day.

Choose fresh, ripe, organically grown fruits.  Frozen is OK when fresh is not available.

• Apples
• Bananas (on the green side, no brown specks on skin at all, otherwise high in sugar)
• Berries (fresh not dried) (blackberries, blueberries, cherries, gooseberries, mulberries, raspberries, strawberries)
• Papaya
• Pears
• Pineapple
• Peaches (not over-ripe)
• Plums
• Rhubarb

A Delicious Fruit Salsa

I was looking for a tasty but out of the ordinary appetizer to serve at a function and stumbled on this recipe.  It was a big hit and fit with my diet beautifully so I want to share it with you. If you are not partial to spicy foods, omit the jalapeno.

This makes about 4 cups, and since it doesn't store very well, you may halve the recipe.

Spicy Strawberry Kiwi Peach Salsa

• 2-1/2 ripe organic Peach - peeled, pitted, and diced
• 2-1/2 organic Kiwi, peeled and diced
• 10 fresh organic Strawberries, diced
• 1 Jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
• 2 Tbs. and 1-1/2 tsp. Lime juice
• 2-3 organic Green onions, chopped
• 1/4 c. and 1 Tbs. chopped fresh organic Cilantro
• 2-1/2 pinches Sea Salt

Combine the peach, kiwi, strawberries, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, green onion, cilantro, and salt in a bowl; gently stir to combine.

Very tasty on whole grain crackers or as a salsa with a mild fish, or roasted chicken.

~ Enjoy! ♥