Healthy Eating – à la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

#vegetarian, Easy Entertaining, Entrees, Gluten-fress, Healthy Eating, Pantry to Plate

Pantry to Plate… Easy Sautéed Mushrooms & Gravy

March 25, 2020 à la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

As promised, I am sharing some of my favorite pantry recipes over the next week or so…

I had some nice cremini mushrooms in the frig, which made me think of a recipe from one of my very favorite cookbooks, Oh She Glows, by Angela Liddon. Mine has a few modifications for those who are gluten intolerant, but the recipe is stil vegan when served over mashed potatoes or smashed cauliflower. It also makes a healthy gravy option to serve with roast turkey or roast beef.

This comes together in a snap with just a few basic ingredients from you pantry. It’s a great for my family as we have as many vegetarians as onmivores and this can be served with or without meat.

From your pantry to your plate. Delicious, economical and so easy… Enjoy!

Cooking & Entertaining Ideas, Desserts, Easy Entertaining, Healthy Eating, Quick Tips

Pantry Perfect Chocolate Pudding

March 23, 2020March 23, 2020 à la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

As with many businesses across the country, we’ve made changes to how we are operating our Home and Lifestyle Boutique, à la Maison, and our design services. For the health and safety of our store customers and design clients, we have closed our store and postponed design appointments for a few weeks – and that could be extended depending on how the Coronavirus progresses.

Cross Lake House - kitchen 4 better prof — Kitchen in a mix of beige, gray and white – one of my favorite kitchens to date! The backsplash features a tile that the homeowner fell in love with… and you can see why:}

I am blessed to spend much of my time helping customers and clients create beautiful spaces within their homes… working with them to design their personal haven.

As we all practice Social Distancing, now it’s time to focus more energy on life at home and how to nuture, entertain and feed our families. I’ve decide to allocate some time highlighting a few family entertaining tips and some of my favorites recipes that include ingredients you probably have right in your own pantry.

Starting with something fun that even the kids can get involved with – Quick & Easy Chocolate Pudding.

This recipes is one I make quite often using almond milk instead of diary, but today I went with 1% diary milk as I had more of that in the refrigerator. You’ll notice that I recommend adding a small amount of coffee extract – only if you have it in the pantry. The recipe is delicious either with our without the coffee extract. If you have it, it amps up the chocolate a notch.

Hope you and your family enjoy!

Michele

Breakfast Ideas, Cooking & Entertaining Ideas, Desserts, Easy Entertaining, gluten-free, Healthy Eating

Gluten-Free Goodies… GF Frosted Chocolate Donuts

January 27, 2020 à la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

This is going to be a quick one!… I thought I had posted these donuts the last time I made them, but alas – I did not. It’s a great (and pretty healthy) recipe to have handy for easy entertaining for those with gluten sensitivities. Quite honestly, gluten sensitive or not, they satisfy a chocolate craving for anybody.

So here is the recipe for those who requested it.

Chocolate Frosted Gluten-Free Donuts

1 cup Multi-Grain GF Flour Blend*

1/2 cup GF Oat Flour

1/2 cup Almond Flour

1/2 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

1/4 cup Ground Flaxseed

2 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Baking Soda

1/4 rsp Sea Salt

1 1/2 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk

1/2 cup Pure Maple Syrup

1/3 cup Grape Seed Oil

1/2 cup Choco chips (semi-sweet, dark or mini)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mist donut baking pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together all the dry ingredients (Flours through to the salt). In a medium bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients (Milk through Grape Seed Oil).

Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry and whisk until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Carefully fill the donut pan with batter. Bake 18 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted. Set aside to cool for 15 minutes. Remove donuts to a cooling rack to cool to room temperature… then frost if desired.

Chocolate Frosting

(This is a small batch of frosting to drizzle or spread on donuts)

2 tbls Butter or Coconut Oil ( I usually use real butter – I figure to donuts are pretty healthy)

1 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

2 tbls Almond Milk (or milk of your choice

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

Whip or whisk together. Add additional milk to loosen to desired consistency (I usually do a teaspoon at time so it doesn’t get too runny).

Drizzle, sprinkle…Enjoy!

Michele

Appetizers, Cooking & Entertaining Ideas, Easy Entertaining, gluten-free, Healthy Eating

Make it a Home… Bang Bang Cauliflower (gluten-free)

January 20, 2020January 20, 2020 à la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

One of my favorite appetizers was Bang Bang Shrimp, but not the healthiest option – especially for anyone with celiac or is gluten-sensitive.

Utilizing an product that we always have on the shelves of our store, Terrapin Ridge Thai Aioli – I am able to create and healthier, lighter but equally tasty version using Cauliflower.

I’ve don’t this without any breading by just roasting the cauliflower and then tossing it with the Thai Aioli before serving. However, you miss out on the crunch.

I’ve also done it with gluten-free panko but found the best success by just making my own fresh bread-crumbs from a couple of pieces of whole grain gluten-free bread. (My favorite store-bought bread is Canyon Bakehouse Heritage Style Whole Grain – hands down!) I just put them in the magic bullet and process to create bread crumbs. For added flavor, I add a bit of ground ginger, tumeric and black paper, minimal salt, if any.

I then beat up an egg and add a dash of milk for a two-step breading process. Take cauliflower flowerettes and first dip in the egg mixture, then the bread crumbs and place on a parchment lined baking sheet. Once all the flowerettes are breaded, I lightly spray them with cooking spray and roast at 425 degrees for about 27-30 minutes (depending on the size of your flowerettes).

When flowerettes are nicely browned and tender on the inside. I transfer them to a bowl and toss with about a 1/3 – 1/2 jar of Terrapin Ridge Thai Aioli.

Serve on a bed or shredded lettuce or mixed greens for a healthy appetizer with a kick!

Enjoy!

Michele

Find Terrapin Ridge Farms Thai Aioli in stock at à la Maison. à la Maison is a home and lifestyle boutique located in Baldwinsville, New York featuring home décor, lifestyle products and kitchen essentials.

Desserts, gluten-free, Healthy Eating, Recipe of the Week

Gooey Peanut Butter Bars… an almost guilt-free treat!

June 28, 2019 à la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

I’ve been trying to behave, eat healthy and tame my sweet tooth, but I had a craving for chocolate and peanut butter so it was time to whip up a batch of these Gooey Peanut Butter bars.

With a relatively small amount of sugar and no grain flour, these come at about 17 grams of carbs and a good dose of healthy fats – thanks to the almond flour, coconut flour and flaxseed. You could use stevia or your choice of sweetener to drop the carbs down to about 7 grams, I just personally prefer natural sugar if I’m doing to indulge.

I can attest that these will cure your peanut butter & chocolate craving. I couldn’t wait to try them… and as I was enjoying my peanut butter chocolate moment, I realized I hadn’t taken the photo!

Oh well… I think you will enjoy these too!

Enjoy!

Michele

Cooking & Entertaining Ideas, Easy Entertaining, Entrees, Healthy Eating

Easy Entrees – Cherry BBQ Pork Chops with Sauteed Baby Bok Choy

January 29, 2019January 23, 2019 à la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

Cherry BBQ Pork Chops are rich in flavor, thanks to Brownwood Farms Cherry BBQ sauce. This item was a new addition to our store this fall and quickly became a family favorite. It’s unique flavor is delicous on pork, chicken and salmon – plus it’s all natural, gluten-free and made in the USA. What’s not to love?

Cherry BBQ Pork Chops with Sautéed Bok Choy is an easy and healthy entrée for any day of the week.

Recipe:

Oven Roasted Cherry BBQ Pork Chops with Sautéed Baby Bok Choy
4 Bone-in Pork Chops
1 Tbls Grape seed or Canola Oil
Salt & Pepper
1 Btl Brownwood Farms Cherry BBQ Sauce (you’ll need about ½ bottle)

Sautéed Baby Boy Choy
16 oz.    Baby Bok Choy, washed
½            White onion, sliced thin – vertically (optional)
2 Tsp      Grape seed Oil
1 Tbls Brownwood Farms Cherry BBQ Sauce
1Tbls Gluten-free Tamari or Soy Sauce
Salt & Pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray.

Heat oil in an iron skillet over medium-high heat. Season pork chops with salt & pepper on both sides. Add to skillet – brown for 3 minutes. Flip and brown the other size. (You may have to cook the chops in two batches so you don’t over-crowd the pan.)

Transfer to a prepared baking sheet and brush with Brownwood Farms Cherry BBQ Sauce and bake for 15 minutes. Flip the pork chops, heavily baste with the Cherry BBQ Sauce and roast for another 15-20 minutes, or until pork chops are cooked through (internal temp of about 145 degrees). Cover with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.

Prepare baby bok choy: Heat skillet with 2 teaspoons of grape seed oil over medium heat.

Add sliced onion (if using) and sauté for 4 minutes. Add baby bok choy and sauté for 4 minutes.

Add Cherry BBQ Sauce and Tamari Sauce. Sauté for additional 3-5 minutes.

Serving suggestion: Plate pork chops and baby bok choy with cauliflower rice or brown rice for a healthy meal.

Enjoy!

Easy Entertaining, Entrees, Healthy Eating, Salads, Soups & Stews

Prime Rib Salad with Butternut Squash and Honey Champagne Vinaigrette

November 4, 2018 à la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

Warm up your salad options for fall with this satisfying salad filled with thinly sliced prime rib, roasted butternut squash, cranberries, goat cheese and a delicious and light honey vinaigrette.

This is the perfect recipe to use up your leftover prime rib or steak; or just pick up some thinly sliced prime rib/roast beef from your deli counter for a quick and healthy weeknight meal.

The stars of the vinaigrette are local honey and B.R. Cohn Champagne Vinegar, which create the perfect blend of acidity and sweetness.

Prime Rib Salad with Butternut Squash and Honey Champagne Vinaigrette

Prime Rib Salad with Butternut Squash and Honey Champagne Vinaigrette

1 Butternut squashed peeled and diced (or an 11oz package pre-diced)

1 Tbl. Olive oil or Avocado Oil

1/2 tsp. Kosher or Sea Salt

1/4 tsp. Freshly ground Black Pepper

6-8oz. Thinly sliced prime rib, steak or deli roast beef

1 pkg Mixed Greens or Baby Spinach

1/3 cup Dried Cranberries

1/3 cup Chopped Pecans

1 Small Shallot, thinly sliced (optional)

2 oz. Goat Cheese, crumbled

Honey Champagne Vinaigrette

1/3 cup Olive Oil (we use B.R. Cohn)*

1/3 cup B.R. Cohn Champagne Vinaigrette*

1/2 tsp Kosher or Sea Salt

1/4 tsp Freshly ground Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange butternut squash on a baking sheet. Toss with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes (stirring once after 10 mins).

Prepare the vinaigrette by combining all in a magic bullet and blending; or hand whisk vigorously in a small bowl.

On a platter, or large salad bowl, arrange salad greens, butternut squash, cranberries, goat cheese and steak. Sprinkle over pecans and shallots. If serving immediately drizzle over vinaigrette. Or wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate salad until ready to serve.

Enjoy!

*B.R. Cohn Champagne Vinegar and Olive Oil can be found at a la Maison. For more information, or to order please call 315-440-6637.

Healthy Eating, Salads, Soups & Stews

Salad of the Week… GC Quinoa Tabbouleh

September 29, 2018September 29, 2018 à la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

A good friend of mine tells his kids, there are “GC’s and BC’s” – good choices and bad choices that you have the option to make every day.

This statement is true in so many areas of life, including what we choose to eat. Well, I have to say that this quinoa tabbouleh is a GC! A good choice full of healthy quinoa, vegetables and olive oil. It nourishes your body with antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, vitamins, fiber and protein.

Quick and easy, it was the Salad of the Week for me, and makes a light and healthy lunch that is ready and waiting in your frig.

Quinoa Tabbouleh

1 cup Quinoa (cooked per package directions)
1/2 tsp. Kosher or Sea Salt
1 One Seedless English Cucumber (cut into 1/2 pieces)
1 Pint of cherry or grape tomatoes
2/3 cup Chopped Flat Leaf Parsley
1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Mint
2 Scallions, sliced

Lemon Vinaigrette

3 Tbl. Fresh Lemon Juice
1 Garlic Clove, minced
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. Kosher or Sea Salt
1/4 tsp. Black Pepper

Prepare quinoa & 1/2 tsp salt per package instructions. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Prepare the dressing by adding the lemon juice and garlic to a small mixing bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil. Season with the salt & pepper.

Add the quinoa, cucumber, tomatoes, parsley, mint and scallions

to a bowl. Toss together and then drizzle over the lemon vinaigrette. Gently toss again. Garnish with additional Parsley if serving immediately, or refrigerate and serve at your leisure.

#easy entertaining, #kitchen, #pantry, Healthy Eating, Our Favorite Things...

Our Favorite Things… Chasseur Cookware

January 25, 2018January 19, 2018 à la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

We don’t carry a lot of cookware in the store, so I wanted to be sure we had a product on our shelves that was versatile and a good option for healthy cooking… cast-iron definitely fits the bill.

I absolutely love this Chasseur enameled cast-iron cookware – it’s not only beautiful but so practical!

Enameled cast-iron is ideal for grilling, simmering, roasting or simply for re-heating, thanks to its impeccable design and quality:

Distributes heat evenly, for slow cooking and saving energy
Resistant to high temperatures
Absorbs and retains heat to keep food hot
Durable and hard-wearing
It’s truly a work-horse in the kitchen that you’ll reach for time and again for soups, stews, braised meats… the list goes on and on!

Double layer of enamel, black on the edges to protect from corrosion – stylist on the outside. Pretty and practical!

For more information about Chasseur cookware or to order, please call Michele at 315-440-6637 or send an email to mgraham.alamaison@yahoo.com.

#easy entertaining, #gluten-free, Cooking & Entertaining Ideas, Entrees, Healthy Eating, Recipe of the Week

Easy Korean BBQ Pineapple Pork Lettuce Wraps

January 19, 2018January 19, 2018 à la Maison Home and Lifestyle LLC

Love this quick and easy fusion of flavor… a little Asian with a little Hawaiian barbecue. A delicious and healthy weeknight option or a casual gathering with friends.

Serves 6-8

Pork & Pineapple Recipe

One medium sweet onion, sliced vertically
3 pounds of pork tenderloin
½ teaspoon salt & pepper
½ teaspoon ground ginger & garlic
1 tablespoon Napa Valley Naturals dark sesame oil*
1/2 cup canned crushed pineapple with juice
1/2 cup Urban Accents Korean BBQ Taco Simmer Sauce*
2 teaspoons Sriracha (optional)
Additional 1/2 cup of UA Korean BBA Taco Simmer Sauce* to add at end of cooking

Grilled Pineapple

8 fresh pineapple rings – Canned pineapple works here too!

Lettuce Wrap Recipe

Butter or Iceberg Lettuce Leaves (12 large leaves)
Angel hair coleslaw mix
Shredded carrots
Greens onions
Grilled pineapple
Cauliflower rice or Steam White Rice (Optional)
Bourbon Barrels Foods Smoked Sesame Seeds*
Urban Accent Korean BBQ Taco Simmer Sauce* (to drizzle)
Sriracha Sauce (to drizzle)
Steamed Rice (optional as a side or in the lettuce wraps)

Directions

Season pork with salt & pepper. Place the pork and pineapple recipe ingredients in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours.
Grill Pineapple –Spray grill pan with cooking spray. Grill 5 mins on each side or until nice grill mark on both sides. (Alternative methods bake pineapple rings at 425 until caramelized (about 8 mins).
Shred cooked pork and return it to the slow cooker – add extra ½ cup Korean BBQ Simmer Sauce. Cook on low for another 20-30 minutes or until heated through.
Assemble the lettuce wraps as noted in the recipe above. Top with bourbon smoked sesame seeds and serve with steamed rice.

Additional Notes:

To make this in the slow cooker, add the pork + the marinade to the bowl of your slow cooker. Cover and cooking on high for 4-5 hours and on low for 6-8 hours. Finish the recipe as directed.

Swap out the lettuce for corn or flour tortillas – this recipe also make great pork tacos.

Korean-Pineapple-Pork-Lettuce-Wraps - my pic2

Korean-Pineapple-Pork-Lettuce-Wraps - my pic

*Find these fine ingredients at à la Maison at 25 Syracuse Street, Baldwinsville, NY 13027. Or call 315-440-6637 to order.