Dairy Free Pizza Ideas

 

Hey guys!

So I don’t know about you but I love pizza!  We probably eat pizza a few times a month, sometimes take out but often I make it at home – I like to get creative, and don’t often use the regular “pizza sauce & toppings” So I thought I’d come up with a dairy free pizza guide!  How do you like your pizza pie?

While simple is usually best – let’s have some fun!

my most drool worthy pizza to date – hummus and roasted veggie.

CRUST IDEAS

~ make your own pizza dough – this is what I use – it’s simple and easy and you likely have the ingredients in your cupboards all ready -  Jazz it up with some spices, nutritional yeast  or onion/garlic powder in the dough.  Make a big batch and freeze some too!

~Pitas – perfect for a quick dinner

~ Naan Bread (Char’s idea)

~ Flat bread (Tasha gets a great one at Costco)

~English Muffins

~Portabella Mushrooms

~Polenta

~Tortillas

 

SAUCE IDEAS

Forgo your ideas that pizza has to be topped with tomato just for a second and get creative

~Hummus (awesome sub if you aren’t adding cheese)

~Pesto (watch for dairy ingredients but you can find some out there without dairy)

~BBQ Sauce

~Peanut sauce (think Thai pizza) I mix equal parts peanut butter to sweet chilli sauce

~Thick curry sauce

~Chutney

~Simple olive oil, garlic, salt and spices

~Salsa

 

“CHEESE” IDEAS

~If you use hummus as your base – you don’t even need cheese

~Daiya – the trick is to only use a bit, don’t go overboard!

~If you can tolerate it – goat cheese *thanks Cami

~Nutritional Yeast

~Sparkle Rae from facebook loves “Sheese Mozerella:

~Grated nuts – use a lemon zester (and watch your fingers) try grinding hazelnuts or brasil nuts – they brown up nicely on top.

 

TOPPINGS YOU MAY NOT HAVE THOUGHT OF…

Of course there are the regular toppings – veggies, meats etc… but what about these “outside the box ideas…”

Salad – a long time ago Noelle from Singer in the Kitchen posted that she put salad ON TOP of her pizza after it was baked – check it out…  I’ve been a huge fan every since.  Use whatever greens you have and even a simple balsamic vinegar dressing does wonders to a “dry, cheeseless pizza”

Herbs – think outside the basil box and think cilantro, parsley maybe even mint?  Some are great cooked right into the crust like rosemary and sage.  Some are better sprinkled on after…

Nuts – chop them up and add them in… think apple, fennel and hazelnut.

Fruit – besides pineapple.  Try fresh figs with salted meats.

Eggs – why not do a bacon and egg pizza.  The oozyness (is that a word) of the egg will take the place of cheese – sprinkle with fresh herbs after cooking

Don’t forget you can add ingredients after it’s cooked also – they add a great texture and sometimes can balance.  Avocado, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, salsa

 

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER NOW…

Thai pizza (one of my favs) Choose your crust, add peanut sauce, chicken or prawns, grated or julienned carrots, bean sprouts and small sprinkling of daiya mozza – serve with a lime wedge & crushed peanuts.

Hummus & Roasted Veg -  pre-roast your favorite veggies (think peppers, zuchinni, onion, mushrooms)  top crust with a generous amount of hummus, sprinkle on italian spice and nutritional yeast – top with roasted veggies & cook – make sure to broil for the last few seconds to get the hummus bubbling!   *sundried tomatoes would be awesome too!

BBQ Chicken – BBQ Sauce, chicken, corn, black beans, cilantro

From Jess on facebook – Cranberry Chicken  -  Cranberry sauce (she makes her own), smoked chicken and pinenuts…

My BFF did a blog post  (on her new blog – make sure to check it out) about Pizza – check it out – she has links to great suggestions such as – Chicken Tandoori, Roasted Beet & Cashew “Goat Cheese”, BBQ Black Bean Pita Pizza etc… *DROOOOL*

Or a fun idea is to go to a pizza places website and see what fun ideas they use and try to recreate them using dairy free ingredients. Check out my favourite pizza place’s menu – fun ideas like taco, chicken club, butter chicken, jambalya. fajita…  basically think of your favorite thing – dissect it, and put in on a pizza!

So fun…  now tell me what great ideas you have?

 

______________________SIDE NOTE_____________________________

Thanks for sticking around and for many many wonderful emails – I always want to be here to help and I try to always answer facebook messages and emails within a few days! So send away…  I do spend a lot of time chatting it up on facebook so if you want more day to day banter – join me there!

Hard to believe but my baby boy is 6 months old today and keeping me busy busy!  Being a mom is so wonderful but doesn’t leave me with much time to sit down and write! I hope you forgive me!!  Here’s a little picture of him since it’s been forever since I posted about him!  Having carrots for the first time – hahaha I think he enjoyed them!!

Love him!

Thanks again guys – I truly appreciate your support.

 

Jessica 

Fiesta Quinoa Salad

Well hello…

It’s been SO long since I posted an actual – made by me recipe – I actually don’t know where to start!

Ever since having baby boy (3.5 months ago now) I’ve been struggling with finding inspiration to eat healthier – as many moms/busy people know – sometimes, you have to grab and eat whatever you can just to fill the void.  On top of that, I just had 0 inspiration to create or play around with recipes! (or even cook if I’m being honest) 

The other day during nap time, I was flipping through documentaries on Netflix and found “Forks Over Knives” watched it and proceeded to watch the Engine 2 Diet documentary afterwards and felt totally inspired by Rip.  I felt so inspired.  Plant strong… ok I can do this!  Not saying that I’ll follow it 100% but I will try to make “plant base”choices as much as possible. 

So guess what – I’ve been making recipes like crazy (kale, lemon and cilantro sandwhich – YUM).  And I even created one of mine own – check out this beauty.

Fiesta Quinoa Salad

• 1 cup dry quinoa
• 2 cups water or broth
• 1 can corn drained
• 1 can rinsed and drained black beans
• 1/2 purple onion diced
• 5 tomatoes diced (seeded if you want it less runny)
• 1/2 bunch of cilantro (or more if you are a cilantro loving fool) – washed, de-stemmed and chopped
• 1 TBSP chili powder
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• Lime and zest from 2 limes
• Salt to taste

Directions – cook quinoa in water (broth) as per package instructions.

Toss together all ingredients and let sit for a few hours for the flavours to mix!

Done and done!  This makes a large portion perfect for a BBQ or pot luck!

Would be awesome;

• stuffed into a pepper and baked
• Served with lettuce for lettuce wrapped
• with avocado added
• with nacho chips

There you have it – a recipe from yours truly!

Hope you are all well!!  Loving the facebook interaction as always! Thank you for your support and I hope to start creating a bit more!  Summer and sunshine is always a good inspiration too!!

And a baby picture just for fun! Isn’t he the cutest!?

Ohhh I could just kiss those lil cheeks !

Curried Millet with Greens

Happy first day of summer!  I don’t know where you guys all live, but here – the weather is sub par to normal “Summer” weather!   I had a few hours off yesterday and was feeling cold to the bone – I wanted something creamy, filling, thick and with a spicy kick!

Drool….

Curried Millet w/Greens

1 tsp. oil

1 onion diced

1 clove garlic minced ( more if you love garlic flavour)

3 TBSP curry (I used mild spiced curry)

1 cup millet

1 red pepper sliced into short strips

2 cups chopped cauliflower

2 cups chicken broth

1 can rinsed and drained chickpeas

1 can full fat coconut milk

3 TBSP  (or to taste) fish sauce (sub 1.5 tsp. soy sauce for vegan)

1 TBSP sugar (or to taste)

5 cups packed greens!

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DIRECTIONS

• Sauté onion & garlic in oil
• Add in curry powder and millet (I find toasting the curry powder and millet adds to the flavour).
• Add in the rest of the ingredients (except greens)
• 
• Simmer on medium low for 30 – 40 mins or until millet has softened
• Taste – you may need to add in more fish sauce and or sugar – depending on your taste buds
• Final step – add in greens just before serving!

 

NOTES

• You may need to add extra water/broth  - depending on how thick you would like it.  It thickened up overnight!  
• I say add fish sauce and sugar to taste because everyone likes their flavours different – I am a huge fan of the salty – so it may be too salty for other’s taste buds!!
• All curries taste different and have different spice levels – so be sure to do lots of taste testing!

 

Hope you enjoyed this recipe!  I know I’m looking forward to the left overs!

On my plate

Morning!

So I mentioned on facebook that I am doing a post about how to gain weight while being dairy free – as per a readers request.  I don’t want to half ass the post – so I am taking some time and doing research on it – keep your eyes open for it next week!

I just uploaded the photos from my iPhone and didn’t realize I had so many meal photos!!   I know a few of you newly dairy free friends are having a hard time figuring out what to eat – so maybe these will help you out!   Just a snippet of my eats as of late!

I’ve been on a healthy eating kick lately – and feeling awesome!

Snack plate – one of my favourites!  Green peas, tomatoes & carrots.   Gluten free crackers, smoked salmon and guacamole (I only ate about 1/2 the guac and salmon!!)

 

Salmon – pan fried with BBQ spices.   Roasted veggies and black quinoa that I cooked with chicken broth and dried mushrooms.

 

Trout with BBq spices, steamed kale and asparagus with a grain medley from Costco – also cooked with mushrooms and chicken broth.

Smoked salmon, dairy free cream cheese with cucumbers on toast.   and a few olives.

Another snack plate – hummus, veggies, pickles, rice crackers and canned fish

Blackberries, multigrain cibbattta bun with mayo, nooch and cucumber

Green smoothie – mangos, mixed frozen fruit, orange juice, spinach and loads of macca

Lunch yesterday – steamed kale, chickpeas with oil & vinegar dressing & sweet potatoes fries.

Apparently I only take pictures of my food if it’s fish?  I also eat chicken and tofu!!

These meals are all pretty healthy, but I assure you sweets/treats were eaten too!  I try to keep my main meals as healthy as I can – but no one is perfect!! 

Hope this helps anyone struggling with what to eat!!

Savoury Vegan Waffles

Well hello!

So since I burst your bubble about Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Lattes (even soy) containing dairy (sorry again, it’s in the syrup) – I decided I needed to make it up to you with a recipe!

I am a fan of savoury breakfasts – most mornings I have eggs and toast – mainly because I cannot think of anything else to eat that is savoury.  Until the other day.

I was laying in bed on Sunday thinking what I could make that was eggless for breakfast.  I had a craving for waffles, but wasn’t digging the whole “maple syrup” thing.

Then it came to me – savoury breakfast waffles – oh yes. 

I searched the internet, and apparently I’m not the only person that has thought this up.  BUT from what I could see – most contain CHEESE!   Being dairy free and not particularly enjoying dairy free cheese I had to come up with a plan…

Savoury Vegan Waffles

makes 5-6 waffles

1 3/4 cup all purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tbsp. chia in 4 tbsp. water (or 2 eggs)

1 1/2 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/8 cup nutritional yeast

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1 pinch savoury (or spice of choice)

Pre-heat waffle maker.

Mix together dry ingredients

Add in wet ingredients and mix together until just combined.

Add 1/2 cup mixture to waffle maker per waffle..

Let waffles cook until desired texture – I prefer mine crunchy, so I cook them and then pop them in the toaster!

Toppings

I just did what I knew would work – for me savoury and mushrooms are a perfect marriage – so I sautéed up some mushrooms and kale in water with a pinch of salt.

Other options could include;

avocado

eggs

earth balance butter

grilled onions/veggies

Or you could even make it into a sandwich – with whatever fillings you want?  veggies and hummus?

 

My bottom line – I LOVED them – like really really loved them.  I am going to try to supplement something for the oil, as it’s a lot for a recipe.

My plans for the extras are to freeze them individually so I can pop them into the toaster for a quick snack!

Hope you enjoy this recipe! 

I start a photography course tomorrow – so expect to see my blog full of photos soon!!

Dairy Free Survival Guide

So I apologize for my lack of posting lately.  As mentioned before – life get’s SO busy sometimes!

I did think it would be a great idea to make up a Dairy Free Survival Guide of sorts. 

These are all my suggestions – with the help of some of my facebook crew.  I didn’t get anything for these suggestions – it’s just what I have enjoyed over the past few years of being dairy free.

(I apologize if I missed your name the the suggestions, there were an overwhelming amount of them – please see facebook for the feed back!)

 

Milk Substitute

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Almond Milk (Almond Breeze, unsweetened vanilla is my favourite)  or homemade (super easy)!

 

Butter/Margarine

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 Earth Balance (Michelle and Brooke are with me on this one!)  I’ve used this in baking, mashed potatoes, on corn etc. and it’s awesome! There is a soy free version too!

 

Caramel (one of the things I miss the most) The closes to caramel I can do?   tahini and maple syrup

Sour Cream – cashew cream (was never a huge fan before) Sheena suggests Tofutti Better than Sour Cream

Cream Cheese

<source> Tofutti Better than Cream Cheese is awesome – dare I say better than real cream cheese?  (Sheena agrees) Sonia also suggested a tofu ricotta – here’s how she makes it. “Just crush up firm tofu with my hands (after draining it), and add some lemon juice, nooch, and italian spices + salt!”

 

Meltable “cheese”

I don’t enjoy any of the cheeses I have found so far, but  Brooke, Michelle, Char, Jesse and Sheena vote Daiya

 

Creamy Alfredo like pasta sauce

Donna and I both agree Raw Rose’s is awesome.

 

Cheesey product – Nooch also known as Nutritional Yeast – I use the Red Star Brand.

 

Yougert – homemade or soyourgut  - Michelle suggests So Delicious Coconut Milk Yogurt – which I have yet to see!! (I hope it comes this way soon!)

 

Ice Cream

So Good Butter Scotch Ripple 

AND

So Delicious Coconut Milk Cookie Dough-both are to DIE for… Steph totally agrees with this one!

 

Mac and Cheese Recipe – There are a few versions out there – I’ve personally tried this one and this one…

 

Buttermilk – dairy free milk of choice – 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice per 1 cup mik.

 

Creamer – coconut milk (I don’t really drink coffee, so I’m not sure on this one) and Emma suggests SOY NICE she said it’s the closest to half and half.

 

Chocolate Bar – Jokerz, Endangered Species  72% (I know Kris is with me),  Char also suggested the rice milk chocolate bars – which I loved until I found Endangered species!

Brooke and Michelle also voted for the Enjoy Life brand chocolate chips! I’ve never tried them!!

Pizza

Since I haven’t found a cheese that I enjoy – I find the best way to make a satisfying pizza is to use HUMMUS as the base!! – then no cheese is needed!! My favourite hummus is Sabre!

Something I didn’t realize was dairy free but am happy it is – for a random treat (really good crumbled in so good vanilla ice cream)

 

Oreo Cookies – they are not only dairy free – but VEGAN! (Yay Alyssa think they are great too!)

 

Now of course this list isn’t exhaustive and I may have missed a few things – if so please leave a comment here or on facebook! 

I know being dairy free can be a real challenge – so if you ever need any suggestions or tips, feel free to post on my facebook wall or leave a message with your email!  

I have also done a list of dairy free bloggers that I know of – you can find that here!

 

Good luck – and I’d love to hear if I have missed anything, or if you have favourites that I missed!!

Fruit and Brownie Kebabs

Helloooooooo – long time no talk!!  I’ve been a busy bee!

I have an awesome easy take to a BBQ dessert for you today! 

Fruit + Brownies = perfect BBQ/shower treat!!

Fruit and Brownie Kebabs

10 kebab sticks

4 bananas

20 strawberries

1/2 fresh pineapple

10 mint leaves

Lemon juice

Brownies

For chocolate drizzle

1/2 cup dairy free chocolate chips

1 tsp coconut oil/

First off you need to make some brownies (because I’ve been so busy, I used a bought brownie mix (many of them are dairy free if you look at the ingredients), if you want to make your own here are two different recipes!   Make sure brownies are completely cooled (I popped mine into the freezer).

Slice up strawberries, pineapple and bananas.  Toss in lemon juice

Cut brownies into 1 inch x 1 inch cubes (you need 20 in total)

Start assembling kebabs – each one should fit 2 pieces of each fruit, 2 brownies and one mint leaf! Arrange however you want!

For the drizzle – melt chocolate chips in a double boiler – add in coconut oil to make it easier to drizzle.

My brownies didn’t work out so well, so they weren’t perfect little squares.

Everyone really enjoyed them – especially the kids!  It’s a nice light dessert for a hot night!

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So I’ve noticed that the walking challenge has kind of died down… Today is the half way point!

If you have been walking – make sure to update your totals!  I know it’s hard in the summer time, but keep it coming!!  

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Hope you are having a great week!!   Hard to believe it’s already Wednesday!!

Empty the Pantry Granola!

So if you knew me in my pre-dairy free days, you would know that one of my FAVORITE things was yogurt with granola and fresh fruit!  

I NEVER buy soy yogurt because it’s so expensive,  but the other day a 12 pack was on sale for under $5!!  I get this brand – and it’s very tasty!

So I had this 12 pack of “yogurt” so I KNEW I needed some granola to go with it!

Voilà -  I made some and it was perfect!

Empty the Pantry, Dairy Free Granola!

I call this empty the pantry, because I pretty much just used anything I had little bits of!!

2 cups oats

1/2 cup chia seeds

1/2 cup dry millet

1/2 cup dry buck wheat oats

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Preheat the oven to 350.

Mix all above ingredients into a large bowl

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Add to the mix;

1 TBSP Mesquite (optional)

1 TBSP Lucuma (optional)

1 TBSP cinnamon

1 TBSP vanilla

1/8 cup oil

1/4 cup liquid sweetener – I used maple syrup.

Mix together – taste and adjust flavours – you may want to add some salt to the mix too!

Put mixture on a baking sheet – and bake for 10 minutes

After 10 minutes flip granola and pop back into oven.

At this point – watch the granola so it doesn’t burn.   After about 5 minutes – I turned off the oven and just let the granola sit in the hot oven for a couple hours!

It came out perfect and crunchy!

The buckwheat grouts and millet added an awesome crunch and the mesquite and Lucuma added a really satisfying flavour (as well as boosted the nutritional stats!)

This granola would be great to wrap up as a gift for someone too!!   It should last awhile in an airtight container!!

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Do you have a favourite granola recipe?

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I’ve noticed a bit of a fade in the 30 miles in 30 days challenge!  Don’t loose hope!

I know though, I’m having a hard time with it too – because I am doing so many fitness classes at work – I’m tired when I get home and want to just hang out!  But we can still keep going!   We are only on week 2~~~  So feel free to join still!!

Curried Kebabs

What’s shaken bacon? 

I have a SMOKIN good recipe for you – and it’s easy and customizable. It came from a gouda (yes like the cheese) friend who brought kebabs to a beach fire the other night.

Kebabs + beach fire – beauty!

So I just loved this idea – and then we had to bring food to a birthday party the other night.. que kebabs (I like that word kebab!).

What oh what to marinate the kebabs in?  

                  What is one of my very favourite flavours in the whole wide world?

                                                     CURRY of course!  Red Thai curry to be exact!

Chop up which ever veggies you desire; 

                 Ours included; mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, peppers, onions, zucchini, and fresh pineapple.

Throw into a bowl (or I mean place gently <veggies have feelings you know>)

Mix together in a bowl  (two different options for marinade)

Orange Curry

1/4 cup orange juice

2 TBSP oil (I used grape seed)

2 TBSP red curry paste

OR

Coconut Curry

1/4 cup coconut milk

2 TBSP red curry paste

Dash or so of fish sauce !!

A pinch of sugar!

Pour over veggies and let sit for as long as possible!  A couple of hours at very least!

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While marinating you need to soak your skewers so they don’t burn on the BBQ~

Up next it’s time to stack.

I have no rhyme or reason for how I do it, BUT i always start and end with a zucchini piece!

Keep going until everyone is full.

Poor lonely mushroom skewer – somebody in this house hold (no names) doesn’t like mushrooms.

BUT I DOOOOO!!

 

Stack em and get ready to BBQ!

Grill on medium heat until the veggies get to desired level of readiness.

We like our to have char marks on them, and we judge when they are done by the caramelization of the onions!

These ones weren’t grilled enough!  But we were SO hungry!

Awesome idea to bring to a potluck – and make sure you do the fresh pineapple it was amazing!!

You could also make some fruit ones to grill  - think pineapple, peaches, nectarines – maybe even grapes?

I think these might be my favourite summer dinner meal so far!!

 

What’s your favourite go to summer meal?

PS.  If you are wanting to the raw thing – just marinate these babies over night and the marinade should soften the veggies!

 

PSS… if you haven’t noticed – I’m in a a giddy/over tired mood haha.. hopefully I didn’t scare you away!  This post was written WAY past my bedtime!

Pizza Party!

Happy Monday! I say that with a smile because I am DONE!!

Moving on.

I’m sorry about not being able to comment on my blog.  Something wacky is going on and I have no idea what?  I’m trying to install a new comment section so I can reply to your comments too, so if you want to comment, please come to facebook!

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By now everyone should know about my love for PIZZA!

The hubby has been gone for the whole week but I was lucky enough to have one of my BFF’s in town visiting and we had an AMAZING TIME!  She kept me busy!

One night we decided to do a PIZZA party and fun happened!

The one thing that I love about this friend – whenever we are together we laugh bunches – just like we did when we were 15.  On top of that, she is a photographer,  foodie and works with kids – so we have lots in common.

Anyways, pizza making was no different – we had a great time!

 

Our pizza’s were very different – but they both looked amazing non the less;

T’s included Italian salad dressing as the base – mushrooms and cheese!

Mine was hummus base – zucchini, onion, mushrooms, artichoke, sundried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes – Herb de Providence.

So good!

Who says pizza with no cheese isn’t good?  When the hummus cooks – it gives the feeling of cheese to the pizza – at least the creaminess!  

This pizza is awesome cold too!!

I’d share the crust recipe (the BEST crust recipe I’ve found) but it’s found on the back of the pizza yeast jar!

Hope you enjoyed!

ps. Wednesday I’ll have up all my Trader Joe’s goodies!  Rumour has it that the hubby brought me back TONS of goodies! SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!