Coconut, Almond, Date Balls

I'm always looking for new and healthy snacks for my four insatiable children. I get tired of feeding them the same snacks day after day and I'm sure they're tired of it too. I was on a hunt for something, not only easy but tasty and that they could help me make. I found just the thing, and what I'm even more excited about is the variations these can take on, I could make just about any flavor I want. The kids devoured them, and I honestly think it may be my favorite "cookie" like snack ever. As in the best cookie I've ever had. These were so simple, I'm all ready to make another batch and am inventing other twists of ingredients on this recipe.

Coconut, Almond, Date Balls
1 cup almonds
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 cup pitted dates (about 8)
2 tbsp. coconut oil
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg

In food processor blend together the almonds and shredded coconut until a fine consistency.
Add in the remaining ingredients and process for about 45 seconds, or until the mixture starts to come together (sticky).
Take 1 teaspoon at a time and roll together in your hands to make small balls.
Place on parchment lined cookie sheet for an hour.
Store in fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Enjoy!

Instant Pot---Phake Pho

Pho real, this was so so good and easy. I easily could see eating this in different variations weekly. The kids each had two full bowls; note to self next time double recipe.
Now this isn't going to be a traditional Pho, why for a few reasons. I didn't have all the spices of traditional Pho and to be honest I'm not a huge fan of the cinnamon and other spices that typical Pho is. But it doesn't mean that this isn't an absolutely fantastic soup and so easy. You can mix up the vegetables you add








Pho
2 lemongrass stalks, cut in 2 inch pieces
3/4 of a leek sliced
3 green onions, chopped
1 cup cilantro, chopped
1/4 cup fish sauce (optional)
1/2 cup soy sauce
3 garlic cloves, can leave whole skin on
3 large pieces of ginger, no need to peel
Pieces of chicken bone in, skin on (I used a huge breast and two legs)
Water to cover (add extra if you like lots of broth)
Bok choy, chopped
Noodles (***see note below)

Add all spices, fish sauce, soy sauce, place chicken on top and cover with water.
Turn on Instant Pot for 30 minutes on high, I used the "meat" button.
When done release the pressure.
Strain the broth and shred meat off the bone. (make sure to save your bones for bone broth, stay tuned for my Instant Pot bone broth recipe)
Place all back in Instant Pot and add additional vegetables of your choice for 5-6 minutes
Additional vegetable options:
Bok Choy, snow peas, bean sprouts, daikon,carrots, celery...
Serve with Jalapenos, Limes, Basil, Cilantro, Green onion

***Noodles, now I'm sure this can be added to the Instant Pot, but I haven't been brave enough yet as we are very particular at the al dente "ness" (that's totally a word if not, I'm making it one) of our noodles you know being Italian and all.  So we cooked these in a pot on the stove, totally defeating the purpose of one pot cooking but I can't risk soggy noodles. I will get brave enough to add noodles, I will, I'm just not that confident yet...Soon...Soon.

Now go make this, eat it all, and enjoy!

Deconstructed Cabbage Rolls

I was looking to branch out, try a few new recipes, mix things up a bit. I can usually read a recipe and know pretty quickly a) if my family would like it and b) how to change it up a bit, if needed. I came across a recipe for Cabbage rolls, honestly never in my life had I had one before, but the ingredients definitely sounded like something that we would like. However I did dread the idea of "rolling the filling into the cabbage." So...I thought on it and realized I could get all the same great flavors out of recipe without having to roll each cabbage leaf individually. So last night we tested my recipe and I will tell you it was fantastic. So good that I don't even have a picture to share, before I knew it we'd eaten the whole batch. So instead I'll share the recipe with you and urge you to try it.

Deconstructed Cabbage Rolls
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lg onion chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium head of green cabbage, chopped
1 lg can of diced tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
1 cup bone broth (or chicken stock if you don't have bone broth)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

In large skillet heat olive oil over medium heat, add ground beef & onion
Stir ground beef until browned
Add garlic and cook for another minute
Add chopped cabbage, tomatoes, tomato sauce, bone broth, Worcestershire sauce, salt & pepper
Bring to boil.
Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes until cabbage is tender

We served over rice. It was delicious.