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{Almost} No-Bake Pumpkin Pie (dairy free, egg free, gluten free, grain free, paleo, soy free, vegan)

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Many weeks ago, at dinner, I asked the kids’ what kind of pie they would like for Thanksgiving dessert. My teenager began with I don’t know… then was quickly interrupted by his younger brother, Michael who chuckled, then blurted out, I want pumpkin pie (for those of you new here, Michael, 12, has a twin, Ely, they both have the neurological disorder autism with moderate expressive language.). We all looked at each other, shocked. Then Ely chimed in, with perfect eye contact, to say I want apple pie cake. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I know it doesn’t sound like anything much, but for us, these moments are a big deal. You see, Michael and Ely don’t usually take part in group conversation, so to help with this we prompt speech or sound out the first letter of the word in conversation. It was another glimmer of hope that we are getting through, we are breaking through, more so every day (we, as in my husband and me. I could never manage it all without him.). read more

Braised Chicken with Sour Cherries (gluten free, dairy free, paleo, soy free)

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With the cooler weather we were having a couple of weeks ago, and all sorts of squashes making their way onto the stands, I thought a braised chicken dish would seem fitting since fall has arrived. I served it over cauliflower rice, with a side of roasted carrots tossed in rosemary, and a new bread recipe (good enough for sauce-dipping) that was a hit (will share soon). It was a delicious Friday night dinner for the suddenly chilly weather we were having and one I will be making again soon. And the spiced applesauce bundt cake, that I am still thinking about. Surprisingly, dinner wasn’t as heavy as I thought it would be, with an inch of room for dessert (there’s always room for dessert). read more

Salmon Terrine with Beet Horseradish aka my take on gefilte fish {gluten free, dairy free, soy free}

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Passover is almost here (begins sundown this year on April 22nd) and, per usual, I’m itching to test out new recipes for the holiday, which got me thinking about the Passover staple food I used to love: gefilte fish. Something healthier, something tastier and something lighter was my thought process. This springtime salmon terrine – aka my take on gefilte fish – came to mind and it’s nothing like the jarred stuff. read more

Asparagus with Mustard Anchovy Vinaigrette + Poached Eggs {gluten free, dairy free, soy free}

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Spring is here!

So is asparagus season – yum! Our relationship has come a long way.

Growing up, raw carrots, lettuce, and tomatoes were welcomed on my plate, for the most part, and nothing else. The green vegetables were what I had a tough time with. Mushy, and usually marginally seasoned thus resulting in my conviction: I will never eat vegetables for the rest of my life. read more

Overnight Orange Honey Vanilla Baked French Toast {gluten free, dairy free, soy free}

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If this weekend comfort food doesn’t provide any consolation from a long week, then I don’t know what will.

Can we just stop and stare for a minute?

I’m not one to initiate a stare but look at those crispy edges. And the clusters of caramelized crunchy goodness. And the specks of orange zest. YASSS. Wait until we slice… there’s an irresistible blend of citrus swirling around with vanilla and honey flavors, all infused into the most decadent custardy french toast under a golden brown exterior. read more

Cauliflower Cake {gluten free, dairy free, soy free}

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In recent months, cauliflower has been a front-and-center sale item here (“here” being Los Angeles suburbia). Purple, orange and white varieties – all of them – spread out at my grocery store ready for the picking and poking, reminding me that I don’t make nearly enough recipes with this smart looking vegetable. read more

Homemade Grenadine + Pomagaritas Cocktail

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Have you ever had a Shirley Temple? It was a popular kid’s drink in the seventies and eighties made up of ginger ale and grenadine and usually the bright red dyed kind. To make things healthier I made us a homemade dye free grenadine for our pomagritas cocktail. It is so versatile and easier than you think!  Use it for Tequila Sunrises, Shirley Temples (kids love it), Rum and Cokes, martinis, anything really. It takes 20 minutes to make without any of the corn syrup, dyes or preservatives like the bottled stuff and stores for over a month in the fridge. read more

Cranberry Pear Pie with caramel

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Hey there, I’m back with another pie brimming with cranberries and pears!

Cranberries are burst of color in the late fall and could not come at a better time of year. It’s one of my favorite ingredients this time of year. Just when produce is beginning to pale in color, lo and behold, the festive cranberry for cakes, cookies, muffins, jams, dressings, and of course, the iconic sauce on Thanksgiving…and pie…SO good in pie.  read more

Pumpkin Sweet Potato Pie with Maple

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Thanksgiving is almost here! You didn’t think I forgot about the most important part, did you? Never. I’m usually thinking about pies before anything else. Gosh, do I have a major crush on pie as you can tell looking through my dessert recipes. If you love pie as much as I do and have a soft spot for pumpkin, in particular, then goodness is this going to make you squeal with delight. read more

Herbed Roast Turkey and Gravy

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If you have been handed over the turkey roasting this year and are nervous or have had more misses that hits, then let’s talk turkey! No need to stress over this, really. The key here is good notes and understanding technique. I’ve jotted down a bunch of notes to make roasting turkey easy. Speaking of easy, there’s no basting. read more