breakfast

The Best Paleo Quiche (GF, DF)

April 3, 2020breakfast, lunch, recipes

If I had the time to make eggs for breakfast everyday, I totally would. They are really one of my favorite foods and I am constantly making egg muffins, omelettes, scrambled eggs, etc. The idea dawned on me the other week that I wanted to make a healthier Paleo quiche that can be enjoyed by almost everyone who eats eggs as it is gluten and dairy free (optional). What better time then to try out a crust recipe than in quarantine; am I right?!

I tried out a few different recipes for the crust and have almost turned into quiche at this point, but I definitely found the perfect one. Its buttery and super flakey; I promise no one would even know that it is Paleo. I tested out a few different flours, and the Super Fine Blanched Almond Flour yielded in my favorite crust texture. The other key ingredient here is vegan butter. You can surely use a grass-fed, high quality butter as well like Vital Farms or Kerry Gold. I use the vegan one from Miyokos Creamery and really love it. I typically buy it at Sprouts or Whole Foods, but you can find it at other grocery stores as well. If you do not have butter on hand, you can use coconut oil. I highly recommend the butter though 🙂

Once you have the crust made, I have a standard recipe for the egg filling that I use in a lot of my egg bakes, etc. I add coconut milk to the whisked eggs to create a fluffy, creamy egg texture. You can use whatever milk you have on hand for this! I also add in nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, garlic powder and red pepper flakes for a little kick. The beauty in this Paleo quiche recipe is that you can really use whatever veggies, cheeses and meats that you have on hand. Times are surely tough right now in regards to access to food, so get creative with what you have on hand in the kitchen.

The Recipe:

Paleo Quiche (GF, DF)

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Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 1 hr

Course Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine American

Ingredients

Crust

2 cups blanched almond flour I use Bob's Red Mill
5 tbsp melted vegan or grass-fed butter I use the vegan butter from Miyokos Creamery
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp water room temperature

Egg Mixture

7 pasture-raised eggs
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
pinch red pepper flakes
1/4 cup coconut milk Any milk will work
2 tbsp nutritional yeast Can leave out if you add cheese

Veggies, Cheeses, Meats (Customizable)

1/2 cup cheese I use dairy free cheddar, any will work
1/2 cup frozen broccoli Steamed and drained
3 handfuls spinach
~6 chicken sausage links
1/3 cup sun dried tomatoes

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350F.
In a medium sized bowl, combine all of the ingredients for the crust. Stir until everything is combined well. Tip: Using your hands in this step is easiest; add a little water to your hands before mixing.
Grease a pie pan lightly with olive oil spray.
Form the crust mixture into a ball and press into pie pan. Evenly distribute the mixture in the pan until the crust is uniform and spread out.
Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes.
While the crust is cooking, combine eggs (whisked), spices, coconut milk and nutritional yeast in a bowl. Mix well.
Add in the veggies, meats and cheeses of your choice! I left suggestions above, but you can use whatever you have on hand and get creative. Tip: For frozen vegetables, make sure that they are steamed and drained well. If you are adding greens or fresh vegetables, I like to saute them in a pan before with a little more butter or oil before adding to the eggs.
Once everything is combined and your crust has been baked, add the egg mixture on top of the crust. You can add more cheese on top if you'd like!
Bake the quiche for 40-45 minutes OR until the eggs are cooked through and no longer "jiggly". Each oven is different, so you may have to cook yours for a little longer. Enjoy!

Keyword Egg, Egg Bake, Healthy breakfast, Healthy brunch, Paleo, Paleo Quiche, Quiche

And there you have it! It really could not be easier and more satisfying. I keep mine in the fridge for around 5 days and heat up a slice every morning for breakfast. It is delicious and keeps me full for hours. Now that a lot of us are working at home, I think it is important to set ourselves up for a successful day with a healthy, filling breakfast. The Paleo Quiche has healthy fats, healthy carbs and protein to keep you fueled and focused.

If you decide to make it, tag me on Instagram at @matcha_and_margs or leave a comment below! I’d love to hear how you guys get creative with your fillings and can’t wait to try some of them out myself. I hope you are all staying safe and healthy — sending lots of love!

xo,

Cori

A Deliciously Healthy Green Smoothie, 4 Ways

January 29, 2020breakfast, recipes

Smoothies filled with greens, fiber and healthy fats are one of my absolute favorite ways to kick-start my day. With them, you can pack in a powerhouse of antioxidants, proteins and more. They taste great and really can be so versatile depending on what you choose to incorporate in your recipes. This month, I am excited to partner up with Nature’s Greens to showcase four of my favorite green smoothie recipes that are packed with their Organic Kale Greens! Each smoothie has its own unique flavor profile and added nutrition benefits.

In January, Nature’s Greens focus is to spread the message around inspiring fitness in a variety of ways. I know this can be the month where unrealistic goals are set, where the gyms get crazy packed, and so on. But fitness can be practiced in so many ways – whether it be taking your dog for more long walks, choosing to take the stairs at work instead of the elevators, and so much more. Small changes like these can lead to extremely positive changes in the long run.

So, how hard would it be to switch up a few of your breakfasts a week to kale-packed smoothies? In turn, this could give you more energy to hit the gym, head for a run with your buddies after work, and more. I know when I start my day with a smoothie, I feel prepared, fulfilled and filled with strength. Check out my four favorite green smoothie recipes and let me know which ones you decide to try!

It’s Kinda Like a Thin Mint

You’re in need of a filling, delicious breakfast but you’ve also got a little bit of a sweet tooth going on. Enter: “It’s Kinda Like a Thin Mint” Smoothie. It could be mistaken for a milkshake, but it is packed with superfoods and healthy ingredients. This may be one of my favorite smoothies of all time.

Ingredients:
a heaping handful of Nature’s Greens Organic Kale Greens
1 cup almond milk
1 frozen banana
½ tsp peppermint flavor/extract (can sub fresh mint)
1-2 tbsp cashew butter
1 tbsp cacao nibs
1 scoop of collagen peptides or vanilla protein
optional: top with chocolate brown rice cereal; I’m addicted to the crunch!

Instructions:
Gather the ingredients and blend until smooth! You can always add extra ice or more/less liquid in any of these recipes to reach your desired consistency.

Tropical Matcha Smoothie

You’re rushing out of the door in the morning and didn’t leave enough time to make a full breakfast spread. You need some caffeine, but you also need some nutrients. Why not knock it all out in one cup? That’s my favorite part about this green smoothie – it is refreshing, filling AND gives you that extra boost of energy to make it through your morning. As a bonus, you might feel like you’re laying in the sand, soaking up some sun rays with the tropical ingredients. You’re probably drinking this on the way into your office, but one can dream – right?!

a heaping handful of Nature’s Greens Organic Kale Greens
1 tsp matcha powder
1/3 cup coconut water or coconut milk
½ – ¾ cup frozen pineapple
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
a few pieces of frozen banana
optional: quarter of a frozen avocado (makes the smoothie more creamy); top with hemp seeds for additional healthy fats

Instructions:
Gather the ingredients and blend until smooth! You can always add extra ice or more/less liquid in any of these recipes to reach your desired consistency.

Refreshing Raspberry Lemonade Smoothie

This smoothie is one of my favorite ones to make after a workout. It is super refreshing, hydrating and contains protein from the hemp seeds and collagen powder. The tartness from the raspberries and the lemon really shine in this delicious combination!

Ingredients:
a heaping handful of Nature’s Greens Organic Kale Greens
3/4 cup frozen raspberries
¼ cup banana
juice of ½ a lemon
2 tbsp hemp seeds
1 scoop collagen peptides

Instructions:
Gather the ingredients and blend until smooth! You can always add extra ice or more/less liquid in any of these recipes to reach your desired consistency.

Pineapple Ginger Smoothie

Oh ginger, how I love you. Not only is ginger great for your stomach and digestion, but it also adds a great spiciness to drinks and meals. I decided to create a green smoothie that highlights all of the benefits of ginger and that tastes great; a true win-win.

Ingredients:
a heaping handful of Nature’s Greens Organic Kale Greens
1 inch piece of peeled ginger
¾ cup frozen pineapple
¼ cup frozen mango
½ cup of steamed then frozen cauliflower
1 cup almond milk or coconut water; depending on how creamy you’d like it to be
2 tbsp ground flax seed

Instructions:
Gather the ingredients and blend until smooth! You can always add extra ice or more/less liquid in any of these recipes to reach your desired consistency.

I hope these four delicious recipes help kick start your year in the right way and inspire you to get blending more! Smoothies are an awesome way to pack in a powerhouse of ingredients, and I am definitely going to make an effort to make more of them this year. Enjoy, friends!

This blog post has been sponsored by Nature’s Greens, but all opinions and recommendations are wholeheartedly my own. Thank you so much for supporting me and the brands I choose to align my own with; it truly means the world to me. If you decide to make any of these recipes, be sure to tag me, @matcha_and_margs, on Instagram so that I can share the love right back.

Happy Thursday!

Xo,

Cori

Healthy, Dairy Free Holiday Egg Bake

December 20, 2019breakfast, lunch, recipes

The holidays are a beautiful time of year that bring about a lot of family time and traditions. Add one to your family this year with a nice holiday brunch or breakfast before all the festivities begin! I love starting my day with a filling breakfast with healthy fats, and egg bakes are the perfect way to do just that. I made this healthy, dairy free egg bake with a base of pasture raised eggs and added in onions, garlic, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes, spinach and so much more! The “cheesiness” comes from the nutritional yeast, and there is also coconut milk which adds a creamy aspect. There is truly no better way to start a busy day in my opinion.

Ello Products:

I made this egg bake in my 8×8 Ello Baking Dish which is the perfect vehicle to bake and transport your dishes in. The baking dish is great for potlucks, meal prep and serving at different events and beyond. All of their baking dishes have crystal clear Tritan lids which are airtight and leak proof, so you never have to worry about anything getting messy when transporting your goods this holiday season. The dish keeps your food fresher longer, so you can prep things in advanced to make your holidays a little less hectic. Did I mention they are also dishwasher safe + BPA free?! Head to your local Target to pick one up today! You can also purchase them on their website and pick up a 9×13 Casserole dish as well!

They also sell reusable produce bags which I have been obsessing over lately. They are cute, and more importantly help reduce waste in grocery stores, etc. You can see them pictured below next to the egg bake. They would make for the perfect little stocking stuffer by helping your loved ones reduce their economic footprints this holiday season.

Recipe: