Healthy Homemade Lemon Garlic Dressing

Healthy Homemade Lemon Garlic Dressing

8 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

6 tbsp Lemon Juice

1 tsp Oregano

1 tsp minced Garlic 

1/2 tsp Salt

Combine all of the ingredients in a jar or bottle. Give it a good shaking. Serve.

This dressing should be refrigerated after you make it. You can pull it out about half an hour prior to use to come to room temperature.

NOTE: Also makes a great marinade for chicken.

Healthy Homemade BBQ Sauce

Healthy Homemade BBQ Sauce

15 oz Tomato Sauce

1/2 cup Balsamic Vinegar

2 tbsp Coconut Aminos

1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

2 tsp Dijon Mustard

1-1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Black Pepper

1/2 tsp Onion Powder

1/2 tsp Paprika

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add all ingredients. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Let simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes, stirring often.

Healthy Homemade Ketchup

Healthy Homemade Ketchup

1 cup Tomato Paste

1/2 cup Apple Juice

1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

1 tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp Salt

1/8 tsp ground Cloves

Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the tomato paste, apple cider, and vinegar. Stir to combine and let the mixture come to a simmer, but do not allow it to boil.

Add the garlic powder, salt, and cloves. Cook, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. You may need to turn the heat down to low or simmer here. Cook until the ketchup has thickened enough to evenly coat the back of a spoon, about 5 to 8 minutes.

Remove from the heat and allow to cool.

Serve when cool or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Healthy Homemade Ranch Dressing

 Healthy Homemade Ranch Dressing

1 cup Healthy Homemade Mayonnaise

1/2 cup Coconut Milk

1 clove Garlic - minced

1/2 tsp Onion Powder

1/4 tsp Black Pepper

1 tsp dried Dill (or 1 tbsp fresh)

1 tbsp fresh Chives - finely chopped

2 tsp Lemon Juice

In a medium bowl, whisk together all the ingredients. Cover with plastic wrap (or put in a bottle) and refrigerate for one hour.

Use immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Healthy Homemade Mayonnaise

Healthy Homemade Mayonnaise

1-1/4 cups Extra Virgin Olive Oil 

1 Egg(s)

1/2 tsp Mustard, dry

1/2 tsp Salt

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Place 1/4 cup of the olive oil, the egg, mustard and salt in a blender, food processor, or mixing bowl.

Blend or mix thoroughly.

While the mixer is running, slowly drizzle the remaining 1 cup olive oil until the mayonnaise has emulsified. Add the lemon juice and blend on low or stir to incorporate.

TIP: The key to this emulsion is making sure all the ingredients are at room temperature.

German Apple Cake

 German Apple Cake

2 cups Flour (all-purpose)

2 tsp Cinnamon, ground

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/2 tsp Salt

3 Egg(s)

2 cups Sugar

1 cup Vegetable Oil

1 tsp Vanilla

4 Golden Delicious Apples - peeled, cored, diced

1 cup Pecans - chopped

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 pkg Cream Cheese, original - Philadelphia - 8 oz - at room temperature

1/2 cup Unsalted Butter - softened

2 cups Confectioners Sugar

1/2 tsp Salt

1 tsp Cinnamon, ground

1/2 cup Pecans - chopped

1 Golden Delicious Apples - thin sliced for garnish

1) Prepare your apples and pecans first. This takes a few minutes.

2) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. (To do a half recipe, use one 9-inch round pan!) Set aside.

3) In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

4) In a large bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, oil, and vanilla. Add the flour mixture and mix again until just combined. Fold in the diced apples and chopped pecans. The batter will be thick.

5) Spread the batter into your prepared baking dish. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. (For the 9-inch round pan with 1/2 recipe, bake for about 50 minutes.)

6) Allow the cake to cool on a wire rack.

7) Prepare the frosting: Using a mixer, blend the cream cheese and butter. Add the salt, cinnamon, and pecans and blend well. Slowly add the confectioner's sugar, one cup at a time.

8) Once the cake has cooled, spread the frosting over the cake with a spatula. 

9) Garnish with the apple slices.

NOTES: This makes a generous amount of frosting. Any excess can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You could use the extra to dip apples, frost cinnamon rolls, or spread on cookies. To prevent your sliced apple garnish from turning brown, toss the apple slices with a bit of lemon juiced before putting them on the cake.