Chocolate Chili

Chocolate in chili?  I have no idea why...but I tried it because the reviews of this recipe were all positive and a lot of them claimed it was the best chili they ever had.  I adapted this recipe from The Clothes Make the Girl.  This is amazingly, delicious and bean free chili...a must try recipe!  You can make this in a slow cooker or stove top.  -Kristin

2 Tablespoons coconut or olive oil
1 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 pounds ground beef or turkey or a combination of both
1 teaspoon oregano
1 1/2 -  2 Tablespoons chili powder
2 Tablespoons cumin
1 1/2 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
28 oz. can crushed or petite diced tomatoes
16 oz. beef or chicken broth
1 cup water
3-5 potatoes, peeled and diced small (optional)

• Heat oil and sauté onion until it is translucent.
• Add garlic and sauté a minute.
• Add meat and cook completely.  Drain grease.
• Add remaining ingredients and either simmer covered on the stove top for 2 hours or put in the slow cooker and cook on low until potatoes are done. (6-8 hours)

Chocolate Date & Pistachio Bites

This is a recipe from a friend that I had to post.  They are quick to make and are such a yummy treat.  If you have ever had a Larabar they are similar to one of those.  -Kristin

1 cup pistachios
1 cup almonds or other nuts
1 cup chopped dates
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted

• In a food processor pulse together the nuts, dates, coconut flakes and raisins.  
• Then add the cocoa powder and oil.
• If it is too dry add more coconut oil.
• Press into 9x9 pan and refrigerate 2-3 hours.

Slow Cooker Chicken and Vegetable Soup

This is a recipe I adapted from a blog called Multiply Delicious.  I love when I find good slow cooker recipes! -Kristin

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 to 1.5 pounds)
1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups chopped vegetables, combo of carrots, zucchini and or bell peppers
1 1/2 cups butternut squash, cut into small cubes (or sweet potato)
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1 – 15 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 – 15 ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
6 tablespoons tomato paste
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon rosemary
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon basil

• Put all in slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours until veggies are tender and chicken is cooked.

Salmon Patties

These are delicious.  I got my salmon at Cosco and for the almond meal I put almonds in my coffee grinder and ground them up...easy, peasy!  I served them with sliced tomatoes, chopped dill pickles, avocados and mayo for the toppings.  The salmon patties are fragile just so you know!  -Kristin

18 oz. canned salmon

1 sweet potato, cooked and mashed

1/3 cup almond meal 

1 Tablespoons dried parsley

1/2 Tablespoon hot sauce

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 egg

• Mix all the ingredients together and measure out about a 1/2 cup of mixture and press into a patty.
• Heat olive or coconut oil in a pan and fry.