Egg Muffins

Tomorrow I start school again. I have already looked at the syllabus for each class, and have mentally prepared for the workload to come. When you're at school, it can be really hard to prioritize breakfast. By making your breakfasts for the week on Sunday, it allows you to get the nutrition you need to kick-start your day! Today's recipe is for egg muffins, a delicious option that you can customize to your taste.

Ingredients
6 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup diced onion
1/2 cup mushroom
1/2 cup tomato
3/4 cup shredded cheddar
A handful of diced parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Beat the eggs in a mixing bowl.
3. Stir in the milk.
4. Add your toppings.
5. Spray a cupcake form with non-stick cooking spray.
6. Add in your egg mixture and set it in the oven for 20-25 minutes.

Eat it at that moment or put some in the refrigerator to heat throughout the week!

Enjoy!
-Sema

Blackberry Ice Cream

Summer is almost over, and school is already starting in 2 weeks for me! The summer honestly flew by, and while I'm sad that it's coming to an end, I am ready to get back into the school routine. Plus, I miss my friends at college, and am very excited to be reunited with them as they begin to move in again. Today's recipe is a 3 ingredient ice cream! It's so easy to make, and the tartness of the blackberries combine perfectly with the cream and condensed milk.

Ingredients
1 pint heavy whipping cream
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup blackberry jam

Procedure
1. Whip the heavy whipping cream and sweetened condensed milk together until it gets a heavier texture.
2. Mix in the blackberry jam.
3. Add it to a container that comes with a lid and freeze it overnight.

Voila--it's that easy! Enjoy with a gluten-free cone or on its own, with a good book outside or with Netflix inside. Eat it however you'd like, it's so delicious it doesn't matter how you eat it!
Enjoy!
-Sema

French Onion Dip

I was craving chips and dip yesterday, but didn't feel like going to the grocery store to pick up a dip so I decided to make it myself! It didn't take too long, and allowed me to control what I wanted going into the dip. Sometimes it's easier to make the food yourself instead of going out to buy it! This dip was the perfect accompaniment to potato chips and a good Netflix marathon. 

Ingredients

1 cup sour cream

1 cup mayonnaise 

1 cup chopped onions

1/2 tablespoon garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Procedure

1. Caramelize the onions in olive oil and set them aside to cool.

2. Mix together the sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, and cooled onions.

3. Add in your salt and pepper.

That's it! Now you have a delicious dip for your potato chips that didn't take too long from your Netflix marathon (staying inside is the best way to beat this 100+ F heat).

Enjoy!

-Sema

Summer Blackberry Refresher

An excessive heat wave is about to hit my neck of the woods, which means another week of grueling summer heat! What's the best way to cope? A delicious summer drink of course! This easy drink will help you stay hydrated while adding a touch of blackberry goodness!

Enjoy!
-Sema

4th of July Pavlova Cake

Happy 4th of July! While it is pretty cloudy in my neck of the woods, nothing can put a damper on today's festivities. If you are in a pinch and wondering what to make last minute, I highly recommend this pavlova cake! Nothing screams the 4th of July like a cake that includes the necessary colors of red, white, and blue.

Cake Ingredients
6 room temperature eggs
1 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoons cornstarch
Dash of white wine vinegar

Procedure
1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.  
2. Separate the egg whites from the egg yolks, we will only need the egg whites for this recipe.
3. Place the egg whites in a food mixer. That way you don't have to beat it by hand, because trust me, that would take a while.
4. Set the mixer on high, and start mixing until it turns into a creamy white substance.
5. SLOWLY add in the sugar in a thin stream, as to not clump anything up.
6. Add the vanilla, cornstarch, and vinegar.
7. Let it mix until it because so thick that it doesn't run out when you tilt it over.
8. Place parchment paper over a round oven pan. (I used a pizza pan and cut out a sheet of parchment paper to fit it.)
9. Evenly distribute the batter over the pan.
10. Set it into the oven for 1 hour. 


Topping Ingredients
1 pint of whipping cream
3 tablespoons of sugar (or however much you want to sweeten the cream)
Fruit of choice (I used blueberries and strawberries)

Procedure
1. Whip the cream, adding in the sugar. You want to whip it until it becomes spreadable.
2. Wash, cut, and dry the fruit. I cut strawberries into little bits, and added blueberries.

Once your cake has cooled down, add the whipped cream, and top it with the fruit. The cake will be crispy on the outside, but creamy on the inside, and once paired with the fruit and whipped cream, it creates a delicious treat.

Voila! You have a 4th of July dessert!

Enjoy!
-Sema

Drip Coffee

I love coffee. There, I said it. College is a time where some nights you just need a nice cup of coffee to help you not fall asleep on your assignments. We were going to invest in a Keurig, but I found that I didn't particularly enjoy the taste of the coffee brewed in it. I also wanted to have a tea kettle (because I love good cup of tea in the evenings), so I initially brought a French Press with me. For some reason, I just never felt motivated to actually make the coffee in the mornings with it, as it required a bit more clean-up than I was willing to commit to so early in the morning. My mom introduced me to this easy way of making coffee, and I have used it ever since! I absolutely love this method of making coffee, because I can either choose to make a pot or just a cup depending on how many people I'm making coffee for. It also doesn't take up to much time, allowing me to grab my coffee and run out the door to class!

-Sema

DIY Study Snack: Candied Walnuts

It's that time of the semester when every assignment is due on the same day! Last week I was slowly preparing for my Friday which was full of assignment submissions! But that's what college is all about, and what better way to cope with all of the homework than with study snacks? This is one of my favorite study snacks to make, because it is simple to make but at the same time is a step up from raw walnuts.

Ingredients
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup walnuts
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 teaspoon-1 tablespoon of cinnamon (depending on how much of a cinnamon-y taste you want)

Procedure
1. Melt the butter in a small pot.
2. Add the sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon.
3. Stir everything together (keep stirring so nothing burns) until the sugar has caramelized and coated the walnuts.
4. Immediately transfer the walnuts to a plate, separating them. If you just leave it in the pot, you'll have a huge clump of walnuts!

Voila! You have a delicious study snack to consume as you finish all of the work you have to get done.

Enjoy!
-Sema

Cantaloupe Popsicles

 The perfect way to beat the heat is with an ice cold popsicle. But why buy them when you can make them? With cantaloupe season upon us, it's not hard to find them in the grocery stores. But instead of just cutting them up to eat them, you can spice things up and turn them into a healthy popsicle! This recipe only requires four ingredients, and can be eaten in popsicle or sorbet form.

Ingredients
1/2 a cantaloupe
2 tablespoons honey
2 1/2 tablespoons water
Juice from 1/4 of a lemon

Procedure
1. Cut the cantaloupe into small pieces and lay them on wax paper. Freeze it for a few hours or until frozen.
2. Add the cantaloupe, honey, water, and lemon into the blender. I didn't add all the cantaloupe at once, since adding it gradually helped the blender work better.
3. Add the mixture into popsicle molds with a popsicle stick and freeze until completely hardened.

Voila! You have a refreshing snack to enjoy out in the sun!

Enjoy!
-Sema

Smoothie Bowl Recipe

Hello everyone! With the hot and humid weather upon us, sometimes we need a refreshing snack. Today's recipe is an easy smoothie bowl--a cool and delicious treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth!

Ingredients
2  cups frozen berries
1/2 cup chia seeds
1 banana, frozen and chopped
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
A dash of coconut water
Your choice of toppings

Procedure
1. Blend the frozen berries, chia seeds, banana, Greek yogurt, and coconut water together.
2. Add your choice of toppings!

Voila! It was as easy as that!

Enjoy!
-Sema

Crispy Oven-baked Fries

Hello everyone! The weather has warmed up in my neck of the woods, so I spent the entire day outside yesterday in shorts. Yes, you read that right. It was so warm that I could wear shorts, which is hilarious since it snowed last week! But enough talk about the weather, let's get down to business. Today's recipe is oven baked fries, with a little twist to them. They're perfect for a snack or a side, and don't require a lot of prep time!

Ingredients
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
4 medium-sized golden potatoes
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup olive oil

Procedure
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and grease the parchment paper with olive oil.
3. Cut the potatoes into small strips.
4. Sprinkle the olive oil, garlic powder, paprika and salt over the potatoes in an even layer.
5. Bake the potatoes for about 35 to 40 minutes or until they are crispy and brown.
6. Optional: Sprinkle some cheddar over the fries and put them in the oven until the cheese melts. Garnish with parsley.

Voila! Now you have delicious fries to enjoy!
Enjoy!
-Sema

Gluten-free Fruit Roll-ups and Mango Walnut Candies

 Hello everyone! The trees are covered with a sprinkle of snow, and I spent today baking candy while drinking peppermint hot chocolate! I'd say that's a pretty good winter day. Today I have two desserts that stem from the same recipe (only one has walnuts!). You can choose to make one, both, or neither ;).

Ingredients
2 mangoes
2 teaspoons lemon juice
3/4 cup of sugar
A handful of walnuts

Procedure
1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
2. Peel and slice the mangoes into little bits and add them to a blender.
3. Puree the mangoes, and once they reach a smooth consistency, add the lemon juice and sugar.
4. Blend until the mixture is smooth.
5. Add the mixture to a pot and set it on low heat for about 25-30 minutes, occasionally stirring until the mixture becomes thick.
6. Line the baking pan with parchment paper, and spread your mixture over it. Make sure that you spread it evenly.
7. Set it in the oven for 1 1/2 hour to 2 hours.
8. Take it out and let it cool enough to the touch.

Now this is where you have to options:
1. Cut it into strips and roll it into wax paper.
2. Cut it into larger strips, and add walnuts to strips, rolling them in. Cut them into smaller pieces.

Voila! You have two candy ideas that are equally delicious!
Enjoy!
-Sema

Gluten-free Cauliflower Pizza

 

Today I have a pizza recipe for you all, but this is no ordinary pizza crust--it's made of cauliflower! This is honestly the first time I've worked with cauliflower, and it was quite good (I turned around for a second, and someone had already eaten half of my pizza which is a great sign). This recipe is great when you don't have any flour around, but are still in the mood for pizza :).

Ingredients
1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese
1/2 a stalk of cauliflower
Pizza sauce
1/3 cup of parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Your choice of toppings
1 clove of minced garlic
1 egg

Procedure
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Cut the cauliflower into small pieces, and blend it into cauliflower flour.
3. Steam the cauliflower until it gets soft, and then drain it.
4. Rinse your parsley, and cut it into small pieces. Make sure you drain any excess water.
5. Combine your egg, parsley, salt, pepper and cauliflower together, and mix it well.
6. On a baking pan, add parchment paper. I made mini pizzas and traced perfect circles with a cup on my pizza dough.
7.  Bake the crust in the oven for about 5-10 minutes, or until it sets.
8. Add your pizza sauce and toppings, and bake it until the cheese melts.

Voila! You have a healthier version of a pizza!
Enjoy!
-Sema

Quinoa Salad

Hello everyone! It rained non-stop for the past few days in my neck of the woods, flooding highways and streets! While I enjoy a good rainy day complete with a book and a cup of tea, I'm ready for some sun. The recipe I have for you all today is a quinoa salad, which will brighten up anyone's day :). If you have guests and need to prepare an easy lunch/dinner, this recipe is perfect for you. Now I know the ingredient list is long, so you can substitute/eliminate ingredients as you need (although they all work together quite well).

Ingredients
4 cups of quinoa
8 cups of water
2 cucumbers
1 lb of radishes
1 head of lettuce
3 branches of green onions
3 branches of Italian parsley
2 cups of diced red peppers
1/2 cup of lemon juice
1 cup of olive oil
1 cup of sweet red pepper paste or 4 diced tomatoes

Procedure
1. Add the quinoa to the water in a pot, and cook it until it gets fluffy.
2. Chop ALL of your ingredients.
3. Mix all your vegetables with the quinoa, and then add the olive oil, lemon juice, and red pepper paste/tomatoes.

Voila! You have a delicious light lunch/dinner!
Enjoy!
-Sema 

Three-Ingredient Cheese Dip

Do you want an easy appetizer to that will wow all your guests (you can also make this for those Netflix nights too, no shame)? Well I have the perfect recipe for you! This appetizer only requires three ingredients and won't take you long to prepare.

Ingredients
8 oz of fresh chopped mozzarella cheese
1 and a half chopped tomatoes
A few chopped basil leaves

Procedure
1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Mix all your ingredients in the oven and bake if for about 10-15 minutes.
3. Broil it for a few minutes until the cheese turns brown.

Voila! You have an easy, naturally gluten-free appetizer!
Enjoy!
-Sema

Lemon Sauteed Green Beans (Naturally Gluten-free)

 

Today's recipe is a side dish! It's made with basic ingredients that blend together perfectly to create an exciting twist on green beans. In the midst of college applications and school work, it's nice to know that it doesn't take too much effort to make a delicious meal.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons of olive oil
5 cloves of chopped garlic
5 cups of green beans
Chopped parsley
1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
1 lemon
Salt and Pepper to taste
2 medium sized chopped tomatoes

Procedure
1. Add the green beans to a pot and cover them with water.
2. Boil for about 10-15 minutes with the lid on or until they become tender (but be careful to not overcook them).
3. Drain the beans.
4. In a wok pan, add the two tablespoons of olive oil.
5. Add the garlic and let it sit for about 30 seconds on medium heat before you add the green beans.
6. Stir the green beans into the garlic.
7. Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice of the halves into your mixture.
8. Add the sesame seeds, parsley, salt, pepper, and tomatoes.
9. Let it sit for about 10-15 minutes or until done, occasionally stirring.

Voila! You have the perfect side dish to complement any main dish. Your house will smell like lemony goodness, and you'll be able to dress up your otherwise boring green beans!

If you decide to make this dish, be sure to post a picture of it with the hashtag #eatwithoutgluten on Instagram or Facebook, so that I can see your fabulous creation!

Enjoy!
-Sema