Easy Matcha Pancakes

If a green breakfast is on your to-do list, be it for St. Patrick’s Day, a fun family meal, or just because you love matcha, these Easy Matcha Pancakes are quick and delicious!  The matcha flavor is subtle but pairs perfectly with the honey, and while the chocolate chips are optional, they’re surprisingly complimentary!

We used Mighty Leaf Matcha, but use whichever brand you prefer!

Servings: Approx. 4 Pancakes

Ingredients:

1 Cup Birch Benders Organic Classic mix

2/3 Cup Water (or as needed)

1.5 Tsp Matcha Powder

(Optional: A light sprinkle of chocolate chips)

Honey for serving

Directions:

Combine the pancake mix and water according to package instructions

Add in the matcha (and chocolate chips if using)

Cook the pancakes, drizzle with honey, and enjoy!

Ingredient recommendations linked!

Crispy Salmon Fish Tacos

We love fish tacos in this house, and these Crispy Salmon Fish Tacos are an easy and tasty crowd-pleaser!  After our recent introduction to deliciously crisp deep-fried salmon, my husband was inspired to incorporate a crispier, breaded, oven baked salmon into this meal and it turned out beautifully: the perfect combination of both crispy and flaky!

When it comes to the toppings, they certainly can be customizable to your preferences, but our tip would be don’t skip the chipotle mayo!  It’s a must as it really does tie all of the flavors together. 

Servings: 16 tacos (or about 5 servings)

Ingredients:

FOR THE FISH

1.5 lb Salmon

2 Eggs

1 Cup Flour (we used white whole wheat)

1 Cup Panko Breadcrumbs

1 Tbsp Fresh Chopped Cilantro

2 Tsp Smoked Paprika

Sea Salt

Black Pepper

Corn Or Flour Tortillas (corn recommended for flavor!)

TOPPINGS (SUGGESTED / TO TASTE)

Squeeze Of Lime

Sliced Avocado

Raw Coleslaw Mix

Sliced Serrano Peppers

Thinly Sliced Radishes

Chipotle Mayo Of Choice

Cilantro To Garnish

Directions:

PREP

Preheat the oven to 425°

Line a baking pan with parchment paper or foil to prevent sticking

Remove the skin from the salmon and cut it into small fillets (about 3” long) and pat dry

Season the fish liberally on both sides with salt and pepper

Mix the flour and paprika in a large plate or shallow bowl

Scramble eggs in a bowl

Mix the Panko with the chopped cilantro in a medium sized bowl

BREAD AND COOK THE FISH

Roll the fillets in the flour mixture until coated evenly on all sides

Dunk and cover the fillets in egg, then gently roll them in the Panko mixture until thoroughly coated

Place the breaded fillets on the pan and bake for 10-12 min at 425° – The fish texture should be flaky with a lightly browned, crispy breading

ASSEMBLE TACOS

Slice the fillets into thin pieces and place in warmed tortillas

Add the squeeze of lime over the fish before other toppings 

Top with avocado, coleslaw, radishes, and peppers

Drizzle with chipotle mayo and garnish with cilantro

Enjoy!

Sourdough Banana French Toast

This Sourdough Banana French Toast was made with my Dairy Free French Toast method!  It’s such a simple and satisfying breakfast, and the quantities are easily duplicated if you’re feeding a group.

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

2 Slices Sourdough Bread

2 Eggs

A Generous Sprinkle Of Saigon Cinnamon

1 Sliced Banana

Dark Maple Syrup

Directions:

Warm up a small nonstick pan on medium heat

Scramble the eggs in a bowl

Add the saigon cinnamon and scramble again

Coat slice 1 of the bread in the egg mixture and cook it evenly on each side

Repeat with slice 2

Top with banana slices and maple syrup

Enjoy!

Ingredient recommendations linked!

Crispy Potato Wedges

These Crispy Potato Wedges are such a quick and easy side to have on hand and always a crowd pleaser. They pair wonderfully with meaty meals such as steak, chicken, or battered fish, but also happen to be vegan and taste great alongside veggie burgers, veggie sandwiches, or chili too.  You only need 4 ingredients!

Servings: Approx. 1 Potato Per Person, Or Quantity Of Choice!

Ingredients:

Potatoes

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Sea Salt

Black Pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°

After cleaning, chop each potato into about 8 wedges

Lightly coat the wedges with olive oil

Add sea salt and black pepper to taste

Bake for 30-40 minutes depending on how crispy you like them

[Optional – You can raise the oven temperature slightly or broil in the last couple minutes for extra crispness if you like!]

Enjoy!

Dairy-Free French Toast

Yes, most French Toast calls for milk!  One day years back when I didn’t have any on hand, I experimented to see what would happen if I went without.  It became my preferred method!  Because there is less liquid involved, the egginess is slightly more prominent, but this creates a heartiness that I truly love.  Don’t worry, it’s plenty sweet once toppings such as syrup and fruit are added!

Ingredients:

Bread Of Choice

Eggs (Roughly 2 eggs per 2 bread slices)

Saigon Cinnamon (Such as the variety from McCormick)

Toppings Of Choice (Maple Syrup, Extra Cinnamon, Fresh Berries…Whatever you like!)

Directions:

Warm up a nonstick pan on medium heat

Grab your favorite bread and set aside

Scramble up enough eggs to cover the slices – roughly 2 eggs per 2 bread slices

Add a generous sprinkle of saigon cinnamon to the scramble

Coat your slices in the egg/cinnamon mixture and cook evenly on each side

Add your favorite toppings (I personally love dark maple syrup, some extra cinnamon, and fresh berries)

Enjoy!

Manuka Sunbutter Ice Cream

This Manuka Sunbutter Ice Cream has only 5 ingredients, is dairy free, and doesn’t require an ice cream maker! If you’ve ever been a fan of the peanut butter and honey combo, this one is for you!

Ingredients:

27 Fluid Ounces Unsweetened Coconut Milk

2/3 Cup Sunbutter

1/2 Cup Manuka Honey (I used Taylor Pass Honey Co)

3 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract

1/4 Teaspoon Sea Salt

Directions:

Place an empty freezer-safe pan into the freezer to chill for a couple of hours before preparation

Add all of the ingredients, starting with the coconut milk, into a large food processor

Blend on a low setting for about 3 minutes

Pour the mixture into the chilled pan and return it uncovered to the freezer for 45 min

Once the edges begin to freeze, remove it from the freezer and whisk until smooth

Return it to the freezer for 50 min, remove, and whisk again

Return it to the freezer for another 50 min, remove, and beat with a hand mixer on a low-medium setting

Return it to the freezer for a final 50 min, remove, and beat again with the hand mixer

It can be immediately served as soft serve, or be left sealed to harden further in the freezer to reach a firmer texture if desired

Serve as is, with drizzles of Sunbutter and Manuka, or with your favorite toppings

Enjoy!

Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts

If you’ve never been a Brussels sprouts fan, these will convert you!  When they’re crispy, crunchy, and salty it’s very hard not to eat the whole batch at once.  They’re such a versatile side dish, and so easy to whip up when you’re short on time.  They’re also always a crowd pleaser at holiday gatherings, and taste best when they’re fresh from the oven!

Ingredients:

Brussels Sprouts

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (roughly 2 tablespoons per 16 ounces of whole sprouts)

Sea Salt

Black Pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°

Cut the bottoms/tips off of the sprouts and peel off the outer layer

Cut each sprout in half (smaller ones can be left whole)

Toss in a bowl with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt, and black pepper

Spread evenly on a baking sheet (lined with foil if you prefer for easier cleanup)

Cook for about 35 minutes (stirring/flipping halfway) or until the outside is brown and crispy

Add additional sea salt and black pepper if needed after taste testing

Enjoy!

Oven Roasted Sweet Potato Circles

They’re so basic, so easy, and the perfect nutritious and delicious side to have on hand.  This is a Thanksgiving classic at our house!

Ingredients:

Sweet Potatoes

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Sea Salt

Black Pepper

Directions:

Peel and chop the sweet potatoes into medium-thin slices | You can leave the peel on if you prefer!

Toss with extra virgin olive oil | I do this in a ziplock bag – 1 tablespoon per potato

Bake at 425° for 45-50 minutes | Or until they’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside – flipping at the halfway point

You can include your sea salt and black pepper either before or after baking

Enjoy!

No Bake Manuka Energy Balls

Are you in need of a nutritious and delicious snack for the whole family?! I’ve got you covered. These NO BAKE MANUKA ENERGY BALLS are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast, school lunch treat, or after school snack. Plus they’re all-around allergy friendly!

Ingredients:

1 Cup Sunbutter

1/3 Cup Manuka Honey

2 Tsps Vanilla Extract

1 Cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

1/4 Cup Salted Pumpkin Seeds

1/3 Cup Hemp Hearts

(I used the varieties linked!)

Directions:

Stir together the sunflower butter, manuka honey, and vanilla extract in a large bowl.

Stir in all of your remaining dry ingredients.

Roll into balls and enjoy!

(Leftovers can be stored in the fridge.)

Ratatouille-Italiana

Ratatouille Italiana

An Italian twist on the French classic, this dish is extremely versatile. It can be enjoyed on its own, over pasta, as a side, however you like! Plus it’s vegan, dairy free, and gluten free.

We personally loved it over pasta with sausage.

Ingredients:

1 white onion

4 cloves garlic

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 eggplants

3 medium zucchini

1 jar Mezzetta Artisan Ingredients Italian Plum Tomato Marinara

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

cayenne pepper

black pepper

sea salt

Directions:

Dice the onion

Finally chop the garlic or use a garlic press

Peel & chop the eggplant into small cubes

Chop the zucchini into small cubes

Add the onion, garlic, and first 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a pan and sauté over medium heat until the onions are translucent

Add in the eggplant and the third tablespoon of olive oil, then continue cooking until eggplant is soft

Add in the zucchini

Once the zucchini is thoroughly cooked as well, turn down your heat to low and stir in the marinara

Stir in the parsley as well as small dashes of cayenne pepper and black pepper, plus a pinch of sea salt to taste

Enjoy!