Ginger Cookies (Gluten free/Vegan/Refined sugar free)

So I'm on my iphone right now doing about 10 things at once, but one of those 10 things is making cookies, and I just had to post the recipe ASAP. I recently discovered I can't have chocolate (I know. Don't even get me started.) so I've been doing a lot of self discovery through finding non-chocolate recipes I like. First thing I've discovered along my journey? Everything needs chocolate. BUT these ginger cookies are pretty darn good, they're SUPER simple, and they make me feel like the holidays are coming, even if it is 86 degrees out.

Hope you enjoy!

Ginger Cookies (Gluten Free, Vegan, Refined Sugar Free)

1 Cup Honeyville almond flour
1/2 Cup oat flour (or 1/2 cup old fashioned oats) *you can use all almond flour if you want. Cookies will be much softer and chewier instead of crisp and chewy.
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup Spectrum shortening
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1/4 tsp ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon molasses
Dash of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

• Put everything in the bowl of your food processor and process until the dough comes together. If you're using oats instead of oat flour put your oats in first and pulse a few times until they're ground up, then continue adding everything else.
• Roll into Tablespoon size balls and press down with a fork, or if you want a thicker cookie just leave them.
• Bake at 350 for 7-9 minutes. Let cool on pan for a few minutes before transferring to baking rack.

These would taste really yummy frosted. Just saying.

Green Bean Chicken + Rice

I found this recipe a few years ago (check the original recipe out here) and my family absolutely loved it! I've shared it with many friends and it has become a great go-to meal for me! It only uses one pot, which means less dishes, and takes very little work! Although it's very, very simple, It's a seriously addicting meal.

Green Bean Chicken + Rice

• 2 Tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 1/2 pounds chicken, diced (I use boneless skinless thighs or breasts) 
• 3 stalks celery, sliced
• 1 large sweet onion, chopped
• 2-3 teaspoons dried dillweed
• 1 pound green beans, trimmed and cut (I've used fresh & frozen!) 
• 2 cups basamati rice (cooking time is for white rice, brown rice will take longer)
• 2 1/2 cups chicken stock (preferably homemade) 
• 1 Tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt

1. In a large stockpot or dutch oven, heat coconut oil to medium-high. Add chicken & cook until browned, then remove and place into a bowl.

2. Reduce heat to medium, add another Tablespoon of oil (if necessary) to pan, and then add chopped onion, sliced celery, salt & dillweed, cooking for a few minutes until the onion starts to become translucent. 

3. Stir in rice & cook for a minute more, then add chicken back in.

4. Add dijon mustard into your chicken stock & whisk to combine, then add to chicken & rice mix, bringing it all to a boil.

5. Once mix is boiling, *place green beans on top (do not stir them in!). Cover with a lid and reduce heat to medium low, letting simmer and cook for 20 minutes. 

6. When 20 minutes is done, turn stove off and let set for 10 minutes more. 

7. Stir everything together,  salt & pepper to taste, serve & enjoy!

*I like adding the green beans in early on because I like mine done all the way. If you want your green beans al dente, cook the rice mix for 10 minutes before adding the green beans.

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Meatloaf (Egg free, gluten free option)

I've been married for almost six and a half years and would you believe just a few weeks ago was the FIRST time I've EVER made meatloaf?! Isn't that like housewife fraud? Both my husband and I were scarred as children by meatloaf. Him by his mother's and me by mine. (Sorry if you're reading this, mom.) We both have these pictures in our mind of saltine cracker, heinz ketchup, eggs and hamburger in a mashed up nasty mess. I think it was only a couple months ago I said that I "hated" meatloaf. Those are strong words, so I'm assuming mom's meatloaf was psychologically damaging. I probably should have gotten therapy. But alas, I overcame the fear & took the plunge. I can now be truly initiated into housewife-dom. Meatloaf. Siggghhhh.  It's become something both the hubby and I dream about now. We've seen the light & realized how delicious & comforting this iconic food can be. I found the original recipe here if you want to see it, but have tweaked mine a bit to suite our personal tastes.

I did not take pictures of the raw meatloaf. You're welcome. No matter how good it tastes, it's just ugly.

I used homemade breadcrumbs from my einkorn sourdough bread that I made, but feel free to use gluten free! Croutons and breadcrumbs are so simple to make, once you do you will never buy them again! Check out my crouton/breadcrumb recipe HERE!


Meatloaf

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs (My Crouton/Breadcrumb Recipe) 
• 1/3 cup ketchup (MUST use homemade! It's super easy! Recipe HERE!)
• 1/3-1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce (I liked less so it wasn't as sweet)
• 1/2 tsp italian seasoning (optional)
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 Tbs dried parsley
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 large onion, grated or finely chopped
• 1-2 carrots, finely grated

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients mixing with your hands until well blended.

Place in a lightly greased loaf pan and brush top of meatloaf with a bit of ketchup.

3. Bake meatloaf approximately 60 minutes. Should be firm to the touch and a thermometer inserted should read 160 degrees F. 

4. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

*A friend who's family can eat eggs told me she replaced the applesauce with one egg & everyone loved it! 

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Homemade Croutons/Breadcrumbs! (Gluten Free Option!)

Oh croutons. What kid didn't pick every single one of those buttery, ranch flavored croutons out of the salad they weren't going to eat? While the days of packaged croutons are out of my life for good, I am not saddened. Homemade are so much better. And simple. Use whatever type of bread you want! Gluten free, sourdough, whole wheat….they all work.

Croutons/Breadcrumbs

• 2 Cups bread of choice, cubed* (see note for finer breadcrumbs)
• 1-2 Tbs coconut oil or butter if you eat dairy
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4-1/2 tsp italian seasoning
• garlic powder to taste
• onion powder to taste

In a medium size saute pan melt coconut oil or butter over medium heat. Add cubed bread and salt and stir to coat in oil/butter. Continue cooking and turning bread for 15-20 minutes, checking frequently to make sure the pan isn't too hot and they're not burning. Once desired crispness is attained, add garlic powder, onion powder & italian seasoning if desired. Stir to coat & remove from heat. They will harden more once cool. Use to top salads or as breadcrumbs where called for. Store in an airtight container once completely cool. 

*For making finer breadcrumbs, toast the bread before you begin & roughly grate it before browning it in the pan.


Fancy Food Thoughts contains some contextual affiliate links which advertisers have agreed to pay a commission if a purchase is made from that click-through. Everything I recommend are products I use & love!