All posts filed under: Feel Good Food

Fried Green Tomato with Lobster Salad and Lima Bean Puree

This recipe was inspired by a dish I had years ago on vacation at a wonderful but now defunct restaurant on Martha’s Vineyard called Bittersweet. This is my favorite starter ever! I even had the catering company serve it at my wedding. You can also try it for lunch on a slice of toasted bread using the purée as a spread for a delicious open-faced sandwich. Serves 4 Lobster Salad 1 1/2 cups boiled, shelled lobster meat cut into chunks 1 Tbsp each vegan Mayonnaise and Coconut Yogurt 2 Tbsp finely diced Celery 1 tsp each finely chopped tender Celery Leaves, fresh Chives, and fresh Tarragon Dash of Heinz Ketchup or Sriracha Pinch of Salt and Black Pepper Lemon Zest for garnish Mix all ingredients except lemon zest in a bowl and chill. Lima Bean Puree 1 cup cooked Lima Beans 1/4 cup good Olive Oil 1 clove Garlic 3-5 chopped Basil leaves 3 Tbsp Vegetable Broth Salt if necessary to taste Puree in a food processor until smooth. If too thick add a bit more …

All Natural Homemade Sports Drink

Published by Jacqueline King

Most sports drinks are filled with sugar, food coloring and artificial chemicals, but It’s easy to make your own natural replenishing sports drink instead. Coconut water is high in potassium and electrolytes and super hydrating. Citrus is energizing and high in vitamin C. Chia seeds give you a little dose of healthy protein and fat and are high in antioxidants. Sea salt replenishes sodium lost through sweating and ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory. So just say no to drinking anything fluorescent-Your body will thank you! Ingredients: 2 Lemon 1 Orange 1 Lime 1 Tbs Maple Syrup 1 tsp Chia Seeds Water from 2 Coconuts or approximately 12 oz. bottled Coconut Water 1 inch chunk of fresh Ginger, thinly sliced (optional) Sea Salt Squeeze the juice from the citrus and pour into a 1 quart or liter bottle. Add the maple syrup, chia seeds, coconut water, ginger and a big pinch of sea salt then fill the bottle to the top with filtered water. Shake well, hydrate and enjoy!

QUICK SNACK- Better than Snickers Medjool Dates

Published by Jacqueline King

When trying to consistently eat healthy, it’s important to have quick snacks in your arsenal for when you’re on the go or having a serious sweet-tooth craving. These creamy chocolatey little guys, I swear, taste better than a snickers bar! You won’t believe something so simple can be so delicious. I used 1/2 cup of hazelnuts and 1/2 cup macadamia nuts blended with 3/4 cups water and a sprinkle of salt in my Vitamix to make the nut butter, but you can use any kind as long as it’s unsweetened. The ideal way to make homemade nut butters is to soak and dehydrate the nuts first, there is a great tutorial here. If you are using store-bought look for labels that have only nuts and optionally salt in the ingredient list. These also make great party appetizers or mini desserts. I hope you love this quick and healthy treat! xJacq Ingredients: per person 2 Medjool Dates 2 tsp your favorite Nut Butter 1 tsp Raw Cacao Nibs Split the dates with your thumb and remove the pits. Stuff a teaspoon …

REAL FOOD FAST- Artichokes Provençal

Published by Jacqueline King

This french inspired meal comes together in 5 minutes and is super nutritious. All the veggies are packed with vitamins, minerals and phyto-nutrients. When parsley and garlic are eaten together they provide a synergistic boost to the immune system, aid digestion, and have natural antibiotic, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. The beans are full of protein and fiber and the olives have healthy fats which means you’ll stay full and energized for hours. I use kitchen scissors to cut the sun-dried tomatoes, bell pepper and parsley. You don’t even really have to measure them; this recipe is so flexible you really can’t go wrong. Of course the most important thing is that it is absolutely delicious and makes a perfect quick lunch or dinner. Bon Appetit! xJacq Ingredients: Serves 1-2 1 Garlic clove, finely chopped Herb d’ Provence Olive Oil 1 can Cannellini (White Kidney) Beans 1 can Artichoke Hearts, halves or quartered Splash of White Wine or Veggie Broth Salt & Pepper 1/4 cup Black Olives 1.5 Tbsp Sun-dried Tomato, sliced 1.5 Tbsp Bell Pepper, chopped, fresh or jarred Fresh …

Sautéed Greens With Smoked Salt and Cherry Tomato Vinaigrette

Published by Jacqueline King

Sautéed greens with smoked salt are my new favorite thing to eat at the moment! Smoked salt adds amazing depth to the flavor to any vegetable dish. My absolute favorite is called “7-fire” from Hepp’s Salt Co., available at farmer’s markets around Los Angeles and online, but you can also find smoked salt at Whole Foods, Walmart and most gourmet markets. You could also make some next time you BBQ. The greens are very tasty on their own, but even better with this warm cherry tomato vinaigrette and crunchy Marcona almonds. This makes a delicious and nutritious side or a light meal. You can also serve it over quinoa or brown rice to make it a hearty bowl. Ingredients: serves 2 as side 1 as a main dish For the Vinaigrette: 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved 1/2 Shallot, chopped 1 cloves Garlic 1 sprig Thyme Salt & Pepper Olive Oil Red Wine Vinegar For the Greens: 1 bunch Kale or Swiss Chard 1 cup packed Baby Spinach 1 Tbsp Olive or Coconut Oil 1/4 Onion, thinly sliced …

REAL FOOD FAST- Ezekiel Hummus Wrap

Published by Jacqueline King

REAL FOOD FAST is a new series consisting of super fast, healthy, plant-based recipe ideas that take around 5 minutes to make. People often make excuses about being too busy to eat right, but there are lots of healthy meals and snacks you can make in less time than it would take to hit a drive through. These are my go-tos for a quick meal on the run. Ezekiel Bread Hummus Wrap– What you’ll need: 1. Ezekiel Bread or other whole grain or gluten free tortillas – I love Ezekiel sprouted whole grain tortillas because they are preservative free, organic, and since they are made with a variety of grains and legumes they are actually a complete protein! You can find them at Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s. 2. Hummus- today I used lemon, but any flavor you like will work. Since hummus is so rich in protein and fiber, it fights off hunger and can balance blood sugar levels. Try my Artichoke Hummus or my Canellini Bean Hummus recipes. 3. Veggies- I like to start with a leafy …

Salad with Green Beans, Pickled Persimmon and Dried Cherries

Salad with Green Beans, Pickled Persimmon, Dried Cherries, and Pistachio

Published by Jacqueline King

This is my favorite fall salad! It’s so scrumptious and full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The lettuce has a delicate, mildly sweet flavor that works beautifully with the sweet/tart flavor of the persimmon and dried cherries. The green beans add substance and the pistachios and shallot add a ton of flavor and crunch. It’s so good that I’ve decided to add it to my Thanksgiving menu this year. The great thing about making this for a holiday or dinner party is you can make the persimmon pickles and cook the green beans a couple of days ahead of time, making it really easy to put together on the big day. Ingredients: Serves 4 Green Beans: 1/2 lb Green Beans, trimmed 1 tsp salt Shallot: 3-4 Tbsp Olive Oil 1 Shallot, thinly sliced, separated into rings Salad: 1 head Butter or Green Leaf Lettuce 1/4 cup Pistachios 1/4 cup Dried Cherries 8 slices Ginger-Chili Pickled Persimmon Sea Salt & Black Pepper Dressing: 3 Tbsp Vinegar from the Pickles 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp Olive Oil Juice of 1/2 …

Roasted Spiced Cacao Beans

Published by Jacqueline King

I only recently found out chocolate grows on trees. I guess I sort of knew beforehand, but it wasn’t until I tasted whole raw cacao beans that I really got it. It’s pretty miraculous. If you haven’t tried them before, think of chocolate at its purest with nothing fluffy, like milk or sugar, to get in the way of some serious chocolate flavor. Roasting brings out the flavor even more, mostly because the aroma created by roasting is to die for. These beans are energizing thanks to caffeine’s milder cousin theobromine, which has been used to treat high blood pressure and which some believe can treat depression. This makes them a great mid-morning or afternoon snack but avoid eating too many before bed or they can keep you up, as I found out the hard way. WARNING: These are for dark chocolate lovers only and can be totally addictive. Luckily they just so happen to be full of antioxidants and essential fatty acids so you can enjoy a guilt free fix. 🙂 Ingredients: 1 cup Raw …

Foodie Heaven Cashew Cheese Spread

Published by Jacqueline King

I love cheese, but like many people, have decided to avoid dairy for both health and ethical reasons. I’ve tried several different versions of cashew cheese and they have all been…okay, just okay. And sorry, but if you are trying to replace something as delicious as cheese, then you better be freaking delicious, so I decided it was time to head to the kitchen to make up my own recipe, and holy moly, wait till you try this! Serve it on veggies, in wraps, as a sandwich spread, on crackers, stir it into creamy risottos or pastas, or pretty much anywhere you would use a soft cheese. This recipe is packed with protein, good fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals including B12, Vitamin C and Calcium, but most importantly it’s lick-the-spoon delicious. Ingredients: 1 cup raw cashews soaked in warm water for an hour then drained 1/4 cup Water 1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast* 2-3 Garlic Cloves 1 Tbsp + 1 tsp Bragg Liquid Amino* or Tamari 1 Tbsp fresh Lemon Juice 1 Tbsp Raw Apple Cider Vinegar 1 Tbsp …

Better Than Nutella

Published by Jacqueline King

This spread is absolutely heavenly. It’s super quick to put together and full of anti-oxidants thanks to the raw cacao nibs, minerals thanks to the nuts and healthy fat from coconut oil. That’s why I think it’s better than Nutella, which is 54% sugar and contains palm oil. I love it with apple slices or thinly spread on toast with fresh strawberries sliced on top. Yum! Ingredients: 1/3 cup EACH Hazelnuts, Pecans, Cacao Nibs, Honey, Coconut oil Pinch of Salt 1 Tbsp water Blend all ingredients together until smooth. Enjoy! This spread hardens when refrigerated because of the coconut oil, so allow leftovers to come to room temp before serving.