#glutenfree

Anniversary Pumpkin Soup

Anniversary Pumpkin Soup~ Nothing warms my heart and soul more then a large bowl of home made soup. Especially a soup that brings back fond memories. My hubby and I just recently celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary...wow, where does the time go! He took me to a lovely dinner in downtown Vancouver. We had a super delicious meal that started off with an unforgettable roasted pumpkin soup. It had the sweet flavors of roasted pumpkin and roasted garlic with a touch of fresh s

Roasted Pumpkin

Roasted Pumpkin~ If you are like my family, after Halloween you have quite a collection of pumpkins of various sizes laying around. The large and small pumpkins have great seeds for roasting. However, the best pumpkins for roasting are the smaller sugar pie pumpkins that are about 3-4 pounds. They lend to a sweeter taste for use in baked goods of soups. Here's the story about these two little pumpkins. Once upon a time, there was a little family who went to visit the pumpkin

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds~ After the carnage of your Halloween pumpkin carving, you're left with a ton of pumpkin seeds. Don't throw them out! Those little guys are delicious when roasted and make a super healthy snack! After cleaning out your pumpkin, get rid of the larger pumpkin pieces stuck to the seeds. Wash thoroughly in a large bowl of warm water and then soak for a few minutes. There are many spice blends you can use to add flavor to your seeds. Here I have used my Pu

Thanksgiving Roasted Turkey that keeps on giving

Thanksgiving Roasted Turkey that keeps on giving~ The not so intimidating thanksgiving turkey that's easy to make, even for a beginner, and is juicy and flavorful! Here's the story about how I made my first thanksgiving meal for my newly married husband and I. Adam and I were good friends in high school and began dating at the end of senior year and all through University. I guess you call him my high school sweetheart. Adam proposed to me Valentine's Day weekend of our senio

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal Waffles

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal Waffles ~ Delicious pumpkin waffles that will leave you full of energy! Made with gluten free oats, pumpkin puree, and my own special Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend. When I think of waffles, my mind immediately goes to Mother's Day. Whether my boys take me out to a lovely brunch or they decide to spoil me rotten with a homemade breakfast, waffles are most likely on my menu and mind! These Oatmeal pumpkin waffles have most certainly made their appearance at the ta

Gluten Free Cornbread Stuffing

Corn Bread Stuffing~This Stuffing has a sweet spiciness that leaves you wanting more! With corn bread and chorizo sausage it's sure to be a crowd pleaser. Feel free to use vegan sausage if you like. Give this one a try on Thanksgiving or just any night as a delicious side dish. This stuffing recipe is inspired from my dear neighbor friend, Natalie who so graciously had my family over to her home to enjoy one of our first Canadian Thanksgivings. She made up a special batch of

Gluten Free Corn Bread

Gluten Free Corn Bread ~ Naturally gluten free corn bread with a corn meal base creating a golden and crispy top with a fluffy lightly sweetened coconut sugar and honey interior. Use it in my Corn Bread Stuffing recipe or serve it drizzled with honey...my personal favorite! I have been on the search for the perfect gluten free corn bread for quite some time. This one checks off all the boxes. Crispy top and soft fluffy interior without using a ton of butter...check. Slightly

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes ~ Try this healthy spin on your traditional mashed potatoes. Can be easily adapted to be vegan or dairy free. Fluffy delicious mashed potatoes are a comfort food usually loaded down with lots of butter and cream, but they can be just as yummy using lighter, more healthy ingredients. We pair this with my Pork Tenderloin or Roast Turkey. Make extras, leftovers are great in my Shepherd's Pie! Potatoes are probably the easiest vegetable to grow. T

Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's Pie~ A comfort food spin on a traditional British meal. Also great way to use those leftover Mashed Potatoes and Gravy! My Sweet Balentine Turkey Shepard's Pie Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 small onion, chopped 8 ounces ground turkey 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp onion powder ½ cup leftover turkey gravy mixed with ½ cup stock (if you don't have gravy, make a slurry with 1 tbsp corn starch and 1 cup

Turkey Stock

Turkey Stock~ There's nothing better than a nice hot soup made with homemade stock. It's packed with nutrition, is delicious, and easy to make! This super easy to prepare stock does all the work by itself simmering away on the stove. To make prep easy, I chop up and set aside all my ingredients as I'm making my Roast Turkey. Just throw it all in large stockpot after the big meal and few hours later you have a nice golden stock. Turkey Stock Ingredients 1 turkey carcass, fr

Welcome!

My name is Jessica Balentine. I'm an American girl living with my family in Vancouver Canada, a place we love to call home! As a wife and mother to 2 very active little guys who love to eat yummy wholesome food, I have developed a passion for feeding my family delicious food that will nourish their bodies as well as mine. All of my recipes are naturally gluten free and paleo friendly, some have vegan options as well. I hope you find just what your taste buds are looking for. Enjoy!