Recipe: Blueberry-Walnut Pancakes

Grain-free, sugar-free and dairy-free

Do you miss seeing a stack of pancakes on the brunch table? Now you don’t have to. These grain-free, sugar-free, dairy-free pancakes are the perfect guilt-free treat. They’re easy to make, and the whole family will love them. Yum!

Ingredients

3 large omega-3 eggs
¾ cup almond milk
½ tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
½ cup coconut flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of sea salt
¼ cup roughly chopped walnuts
coconut oil, for greasing the skillet (about ¼ cup)
1 pint fresh blueberries
½ cup arrowroot
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and then add the almond milk, lemon juice, and vanilla. Whisk until well-blended. In a separate bowl, mix together the coconut flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt and arrowroot. Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, ¼ cup at a time, while continuously whisking. Once combined, gently fold in the walnuts.
  2. Grease a large skillet and place over medium heat. Once the skillet is hot, use a ladle to pour 3-inch pancakes onto the skillet. Cook until bubbles appear, then flip. The pancake should cook on each side for about 2-3 minutes. Repeat with rest of the batter. Add a tablespoon or more of coconut oil to the hot griddle, as needed.
  3. Make a blueberry sauce by simmering the blueberries in a small saucepan with 2 tablespoons of water for 10 minutes before serving.
  4. To serve, place 3 pancakes on a plate and top each stack with the blueberry sauce.

Nutritional information (per serving)

Makes 2-3 servings.

Calories 423
Total Fat 19 g
Protein 12 g
Fiber 14 g
Sugar 14 g
Sodium 416 mg

— Recipe courtesy of Mark Hyman, MD 

A delicious Greek appetizer with our healthier twist! @ClevelandClinic #spanakopitas

This savory Greek appetizer is usually made with a lot of butter and a lot of feta cheese, which is delicious, but not really heart-healthy. Our just-as-delicious recipe offers a lighter, heart-healthier alternative!

Ingredients

  • Olive oil cooking spray
  • 1 small onion, minced
  • One 10-ounce package frozen, chopped spinach
  • 1/3 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup 1% cottage cheese
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon egg substitute
  • 5 sheets frozen phyllo dough, thawed
  • Refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Coat a baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.
  2. Coat a large nonstick skillet with olive oil cooking spray. Add the onion and spinach; saute over medium-high heat until the spinach is thawed and the onion begins to wilt, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir frequently to break up clumps of spinach. Add the feta and cottage cheese along with the nutmeg, dill, pepper and egg substitute; mix well. Remove from heat and cool for 5 minutes.
  3. Cut the phyllo dough into four lengthwise strips, covering the dough you’re not using with a damp tea towel so it doesn’t dry out. Coat each strip with the butter-flavored spray. Place a tablespoon of spinach mix on top of a strip of dough and fold over to make a triangle; continue folding over as if folding a flag. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat, using all the remaining phyllo and filling. Coat each triangle with the butter-flavored spray. Bake for about 20 minutes, until browned. Serve warm.

Nutrition information (per serving)

Makes 20 pieces (10 servings/2 pieces serving)

Calories: 50
Total fat: 1.5 g
Protein: 3 g
Carbohydrate: 7 g
Dietary fiber: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 180 mg
Potassium: 60 mg

— Cleveland Clinic Healthy Heart Lifestyle Guide and Cookbook (© 2007 Broadway Books).

Recipe: Spaghetti With Fresh Tomato Sauce and Roasted Vegetables @ClevelandClinic #nutrition

Why not try your hand at making homemade tomato sauce? The freshness of the tomatoes and the smokiness of the roasted vegetables make this a great topping for spaghetti. If you don’t have your own garden, use canned Roma tomatoes for a tasty dish that includes roasted mushrooms, broccoli and peppers.

Ingredients

Tomato sauce

Olive oil cooking spray
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small carrot, minced
1 shallot, minced
4 cups peeled, seeded, and diced ripe tomatoes or one 28-ounce can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, drained
1/4 cup dry red wine
1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

Pasta

1/2 pound whole wheat spaghetti
3/4 pound broccoli florets and stalks, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
2 portobello mushrooms, halved and thinly sliced
1 red, yellow or orange bell pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Freshly grated pepper
2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400° F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  2. To make the sauce, coat a large pot with cooking spray and saute the garlic, carrot and shallot over low heat until they begin to wilt, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, wine, vinegar and red pepper flakes (if using). Cover and simmer slowly for 30 minutes.
  3. Stir in the basil and simmer for 10 minutes more. (To make a smoother sauce, cool and process in batches in either a blender or food processor.) Set aside.
  4. Place the broccoli, mushrooms and bell pepper on the prepared pan. Toss with oil and vinegar. Roast about 10 minutes until crisp or done to your taste. Sprinkle with pepper.
  5. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain.
  6. In a large serving bowl, toss the pasta with 2 cups tomato sauce. Top with the roasted vegetables and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition information (per serving)

Makes 4 servings

Calories: 363
Total fat: 4 g
Protein: 15 g
Carbohydrate: 71 g
Dietary fiber: 4 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 100 mg
Potassium: 93 mg

— Cleveland Clinic Healthy Heart Lifestyle Guide and Cookbook (© 2007 Broadway Books).

Recipe: Asparagus Salad With Lemon and Parmesan @ClevelandClinic

This bright, lemony salad is best made with farm-fresh asparagus, which is dressed and eaten raw here. Look for stalks that are bright green with firm, tight tips. Buy it in season from your local farmer’s market.

Ingredients

1 pound fresh asparagus
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon shaved Parmesan
8 fresh chives

Directions

  1. Break off the tough ends of the asparagus and discard.
  2. Use a vegetable peeler to make long thin ribbons of asparagus. Add to a large bowl.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper. Drizzle over the asparagus ribbons and toss well.
  4. Use the vegetable peeler to shave thin strips from a piece of fresh Parmesan (about 1 tablespoon) and scatter over the salad.
  5. Use kitchen shears to cut the chives into small pieces directly over the salad.

Nutritional information (per serving)

Makes 4 servings

Calories: 70
Total fat: 4 g
Saturated fat: 1 g
Trans fat: 0 g
Protein: 4 g
Total carbohydrate: 7 g
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 2 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 95 mg

— Developed by Sara Quessenberry for Cleveland Clinic Wellness.

Recipe: Garden Omelet @ClevelandClinic

Full of superfoods to power your day

This superfood omelet is full of nutrient-rich veggies. Brussels sprouts and kale provide folate and glucosinolates. Seaweeds are full of minerals and avocados are loaded with healthy monounsaturated and saturated fats.
Ingredients
2 large kale leaves, stemmed and halved lengthwise
4 Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved
3 large pasture-raised eggs
5 large pasture-raised egg whites
freshly ground black pepper and sea salt, to taste
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 crimini mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
2 (1/2-ounce) packages roasted seaweed snacks (see note*)
2 cups baby spinach
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced, for garnish
1 teaspoon white truffle oil (optional, for garnish)
Note: If you can’t find roasted seaweed snacks, you can substitute 1 ounce plain nori. Before using nori, brush it with a tiny bit of oil and toast it in a lightly oiled skillet over medium-heat for 10 to 15 seconds on each side. Cut into 3-inch squares before using in the omelet.
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high-heat. When it boils, add a large pinch of sea salt. Drop in the kale leaves and Brussels sprouts and blanch just until they turn a brighter shade of green, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain well.
Crack the 3 eggs into a medium mixing bowl, and then add the 5 egg whites. Whisk the eggs together and season with salt and black pepper, to taste.
Heat the oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-heat. Add the eggs and immediately turn the heat down to low. Stir to scramble the eggs, tilting the pan to distribute them in an even layer.
As soon as the eggs are no longer runny, arrange the Brussels sprouts on one side of the omelet and scatter the mushrooms over them. Add the kale and sprinkle the cilantro and dill on top. Cover the herbs all with the seaweed snacks and top with the spinach.
Cover the pan and cook over the lowest possible heat for 5 minutes.
Fold the omelet in half and then cut it into 4 sections. Garnish each portion with a few slices of avocado and a drizzle of truffle oil, if using. Serve immediately.
Nutritional information
Each slice of omelet contains:
Calories 248
Fat 18g
Saturated fat 3g
Cholesterol 123mg
Fiber 6g
Protein 14g
Carbohydrate 12g
Sodium 120mg


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Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cookies @ClevelandClinic

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Who says pumpkin spice is only exciting in latte form?

Don’t just reserve pumpkin for pumpkin spice lattes and pie! These easy spice cookies are a great way to spread the pumpkin love throughout the entire season.

If you don’t have any aluminum-free baking powder in your cupboard, pick some up the next time you go shopping. Aluminum may pose potential risks to your health as a neurotoxin. While the dose of aluminum is what makes the poison, some studies show a relationship between aluminum that is stored in your body and neuro-disorders (such as Alzheimer’s disease.) Limiting exposure to all metals is a protective measure we can take to optimize our health.

Ingredients

1 cup pumpkin puree, fresh or canned
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup vegan palm shortening or melted coconut oil
1 cup oat flour
1/2 cup almond flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Pinch sea salt
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix the pumpkin, syrup, applesauce, vanilla and shortening (or oil if using) in a large bowl. Alternatively, place in a blender and blend until combined.
  3. In a separate medium bowl sift the oat flour, almond flour, baking soda, baking powder and spices together.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and mix to combine. Then fold in the pecans and chocolate chips.
  5. Scoop 1 tablespoon of batter onto a large baking pan lined with parchment paper. Repeat until all batter is used. Place baking pan into the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until just slightly firm. Remove the cookies from the oven and serve warm or room temperature.
  6. Store uneaten cookies in a sealed glass container at room temperature for two days or in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Nutrition information (per serving)

Makes 3 dozen cookies

Calories: 43
Total fat: 2 g
Saturated fat: 2 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 1 g
Carbohydrate: 5 g
Sodium: 25 mg

— Recipe courtesy of Mark Hyman, MD.

Recipe: Hearty Minestrone Soup @ClevelandClinic #heartaware

 

cleveland minestrone

Cleveland Clinic
@ClevelandClinic

In honor of #SoupItForwardDay, we’re sharing our most popular soup recipe: Hearty Minestrone Soup cle.clinic/388EoJ4 #HugInABowl

This tasty, filling Italian soup is packed with nutrient-rich veggies, heart-healthy olive oil and fiber-friendly legumes. Enjoy it all year long — let it warm you up in the fall and winter, and fill it with fresh vegetables from your garden in the summer.

Ingredients

¼ cup olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder)
1-1/3 cups coarsely chopped onion
1-1/2 cups coarsely chopped celery and leaves
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 cup sliced carrots, fresh or frozen
4-3/4 cups shredded cabbage
1 can (16 ounces) tomatoes, cut up
1 cup canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1-1/2 cups frozen peas
1-1/2 cups fresh green beans
Dash hot sauce
11 cups water
2 cups uncooked spaghetti noodles

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a 4-quart saucepan.
  2. Add garlic, onion and celery, and sauté about 5 minutes.
  3. Add all remaining ingredients except spaghetti, and stir until ingredients are well-mixed.
  4. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer about 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
  5. Add uncooked spaghetti and simmer 2-3 minutes only.

Nutrition information

Makes 16 servings
Per serving:

Calories: 260
Fat: 4g
Saturated fat: 0g
Sodium: 191mg
Protein: 11g
Carbohydrate: 45g
Sugars: 7g
Dietary fiber: 8g

—Recipe courtesy of Stay Young at Heart (National Heart, Blood and Lung Institute)