paleo

09.19.18

Slow Cooker Apple Butter (No Added Sugar)

Posted on by Lexi , Views: 140410
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No Sugar Added Slow Cooker Apple Butter (whole30 & paleo) - Lexi's Clean Kitchen

This Slow Cooker Apple Butter has no added sugar and is my all-time favorite Fall spread. It’s Whole30 compliant, paleo-friendly, and is so delicious! It’s filled with in-season fresh apples and fall spices that will make you’re home smell heavenly.

best apple butter recipe

Slow Cooker Apple Butter (No Added Sugar)

While studying for my undergraduate degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst I found a serious love for apple butter thanks to frequent visits to Judie’s Restaurant. Back before I changed my diet I would enjoy the giant popovers they served slathered with the most delicious apple butter.

It has been a while since I’ve been there, but I haven’t forgotten that apple butter and realized it was time to create a recipe of my own that wasn’t loaded with refined sugar. While I won’t be enjoying this apple butter on top of popovers anymore, rest assured there are plenty of ways to enjoy it, with this, on top of these, over these or with the biscuits in my book. But really, it’s amazing just by the spoonful.

what is apple butter made of?

There are loads of other apple butter recipes out there, some with long cooking time and some with short. I really feel like the longer and slower the cook, the more depth of flavor the apple butter has, so a 2-hour version just has never cut it for me. But aside from the prep and the finishing touches, this recipe is relatively hands-off and can even be done overnight.

how do you know when apple butter is done

How Do You Know When Apple Butter is Done?

You want the apple butter to be dark in color and quite thick, thick enough that when you pick it up by the spoonful it mounds on the spoon instead of dripping off.

Tools Needed to Make Apple Butter:

can you freeze apple butter

If you like this fall favorite, check out these other recipes:

Easy Apple Butter Recipe

No Sugar Crock Pot Apple Butter

Print shopping list
Prep Time 10 min Cook Time 12 hr

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Put everything in slow cooker. The cider or juice should not overpower apples. Cook on low for 10-12 hours.
  2. At 10 hours, once apples are dark, immerse hand blender or transfer to a high speed blender and blend until smooth.
  3. Put lid back on slightly ajar and let cook for the remaining 2 hours. If you're in a time crunch, place into a pot on the stove over medium-low heat and let simmer until thick.
  4. Let cool, store in jars in the fridge for up to 1 week unless canning.

Recipe Notes

  • -If not as thick as you'd like, transfer to pot and cook over medium heat until thickens (use a lid, it will splatter)
  • -Very thick and spreadable. Perfect top spread on toast, or to top your favorite oatmeal, pancakes, or waffles!
  • Make it last a year! How to can this apple butter using the Water Bath Canning Method:
    • Heat water in a large, deep saucepot equipped with a lid. If you have a canning rack or a cooling cake rack, place the rack at the bottom of your saucepan. Bring the water to a simmer (not a boil) and carefully submerge your jars along with their lids for about 5 minutes or until warm. Make sure water is inside your jars to keep them submerged.
    • Carefully remove the jars and lids from the warm water with tongs and place on a cooling rack set over a kitchen towel. Pour the apple butter into each jar using a funnel, leaving at least 1/4 inch of space at the top. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the jam and that the rim of the jar is clean before securing the lid.
    • Cover your saucepan and bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Submerge the tightly closed jars in the boiling water for 10 minutes.
    • Take your saucepan off the heat and allow your jars to sit in the hot water for another 5 minutes.
    • Carefully take your jars out of the hot water and place on a paper towel. Check jar lids for seals by making sure the lids do not flex up and down when pressing the middle of the jar.
    • Store in a cool, dark place for up to one year! Once opened make sure to store in the refrigerator for up to one week!
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There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation, at no cost to you! However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use in my own home! Thank you for supporting Lexi's Clean Kitchen when you shop! See my privacy policy for more information about this, the information we save, and more!
06.25.18

Gluten-Free 4th of July Cake (Nut-Free)

Posted on by Lexi , Views: 43358

Fourth of July weekend is coming!  Whether you are headed to a BBQ with family or friends or hosting a get together of your own, you’ll need a classic festive cake for the all the parties! Let’s make the most perfect (AND nut-free) vanilla cake topped with an easy buttercream and garnished off with tons of fresh fruit (red and blue for good measure)!

gluten-free cake for 4th of July

Gluten-Free 4th of July Cake (Nut-Free)

This super easy cake is a great gluten-free and nut-free cake recipe for any occasion! Top it with your favorite fruit, clean sprinkles, and other naturally colored frosting flavors for a perfect grain-free cake recipe!

If you’ve seen my new gluten-free cake recipe, you know it’s pretty epic! BUT I get a lot of requests for a gluten-free cake that is nut-free and made with no almond flour! This cake is for you.

nut free cake recipe

This cake is…

  • Fluffy and moist
  • Gluten, grain, dairy, and nut-free!
  • Flavorful
  • Topped with a perfectly sweet and fluffy buttercream
  • July 4th, Memorial Day, and Labor Day festive!
  • And loaded with fresh local, in-season berries!

paleo cake recipe with coconut flour

Want other festive paleo desserts? Try these favorites:

Nut-free 4th of July Cake

Watch the video:


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How do you celebrate the 4th? What is your all-time favorite 4th of July festive meal?

06.20.18

Sheet Pan Ranch Chicken and Vegetables

Posted on by Lexi , Views: 7257
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This Sheet Pan Ranch Chicken and Vegetables is made with homemade paleo ranch dressing, marinated chicken, and perfectly cooked veggies! It makes for the ultimate healthy-yet-hearty dinner!

Sheet Pan Ranch Chicken and Vegetables

Sheet Pan Ranch Chicken and Vegetables

We love the mighty sheet pan here at LCK! This hands-off cooking method makes getting a delicious meal on the table simple and the clean up is a breeze. We’ve tested a range of recipes for different meal occasions and varying cooking time, but mostly we just love that utilizing the sheet pan allows for unattended cooking, giving us EXTRA time in our busy lives.

Sheet Pan Ranch Chicken and Vegetables

Tips for sheet pan cooking:

  • Read the recipe all the way through (of course) and plan to use a timer! Most recipes require different cooking times, so make sure to use a timer so you can truly walk away from the oven and not have to worry about when your adding anything in to the oven.
  • Do the prep ahead of time: Cut vegetables, make sauce or mix spices the night before or that morning if you are looking to speed up the process when it comes time for the actual cooking.
  • Use parchment paper to make clean up a breeze.
  • Use the correct size sheet pan. When we say sheet pan we are referring to the rimmed half sheet pan which is 18″ by 13″. The size of the sheet pan matters because you do not want to overcrowd the pan when cooking, so if you are using a smaller sheet pan you may need to use 2 to achieve the same result.

Sheet Pan Ranch Chicken and Vegetables

If you like this recipe, try these other sheet pan meals:

Sheet Pan Ranch Chicken and Vegetables

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Prep Time 00:10 Cook Time 00:45 Serves 4

Ingredients

Ranch Mix

Everything Else

  • 1 cup good-quality mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 scallions, finely sliced
  • 1 medium red onion, cut to 1/2" rings
  • 1 medium Japanese sweet potato, peeled and cut to 1/2" dice
  • 1 red bell pepper, cored and cut to 1/2" dice
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1-1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (see note)

Directions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400ÂşF.
  2. In a small bowl mix together dill, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt, black pepper. 
  3. In another small bowl mix together mayo, almond milk, scallions. Add 1/2 of the ranch spice mixture and combine. Set aside.
  4. In a large bowl combine red onion, sweet potato, red pepper, broccoli, avocado oil and remaining 1/2 of the ranch seasoning. Pour onto rimmed baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
  5. Meanwhile place chicken breasts into the large bowl used for the vegetables and add 1/3 cup of the ranch dressing. Toss to combine and place in refrigerator to marinate while vegetables are baking.
  6. After 20 minutes take out sheet pan and move vegetables to the sides to make space for the chicken. Place the chicken breasts in the middle of the pan and pour over any reserved marinade. 
  7. Continue to bake for 25 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked through.
  8. Remove from oven and serve hot drizzled with remaining ranch dressing.

Recipe Notes

  1. You can substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
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There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation, at no cost to you! However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use in my own home! Thank you for supporting Lexi's Clean Kitchen when you shop! See my privacy policy for more information about this, the information we save, and more!
06.06.18

Sheet Pan Cod with Vegetables in Lemon Herb Sauce

Posted on by Lexi , Views: 7896
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This Sheet Pan Cod with Vegetables in Lemon Herb Sauce is the ultimate Spring or Summer meal with perfectly cooked lemon herb cod, tender veggies, and a delicious green sauce. It’s the ultimate sheet pan fish dish everyone will love!

Sheet Pan Lemon and Herb Cod with Vegetables

Sheet Pan Cod with Vegetables in Lemon Herb Sauce

This sheet pan fish dish is a light and quick weeknight dinner you can get on the dinner from start to finish in just over a half an hour with minimal clean up! Sheet pan dinners are the best because they minimize clean up by utilizing one cooking vessel and they make cooking hands off. This sheet pan dinner is low carb for a nice light meal that is still going to leave you satisfied because it is packed with flavor and loaded with fresh, in-season vegetables.

The green herb sauce is made of few different herbs and aromatics with a punch of acidity thanks to the lemon that makes this dish really stand out!

Sheet Pan Cod with Vegetables

Tips for sheet pan cooking:

  • Read the recipe all the way through (of course) and plan to use a timer! Most recipes require different cooking times, so make sure to use a timer so you can truly walk away from the oven and not have to worry about when your adding anything in to the oven.
  • Do the prep ahead of time: Cut vegetables, make sauce or mix spices the night before or that morning if you are looking to speed up the process when it comes time for the actual cooking.
  • Use parchment paper to make clean up a breeze.
  • Use the correct size sheet pan. When we say sheet pan we are referring to the rimmed half sheet pan which is 18″ by 13″. The size of the sheet pan matters because you do not want to overcrowd the pan when cooking, so if you are using a smaller sheet pan you may need to use 2 to achieve the same result.

Sheet Pan Lemon and Herb Cod with Vegetables

I love using cod over Tilapia since cod is almost always farm-raised. Farm-raised fish have been found to have high concentrations of antibiotics and pesticides so I try to avoid them and buy wild fish that I can trust!

If you like this recipe, try these other sheet pan meals:

Sheet Pan Lemon and Herb Cod with Vegetables

Sheet Pan Lemon and Herb Cod and Green Veggies

Print shopping list
Prep Time 00:10 Cook Time 00:25 Serves 4

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. green beans, cleaned and trimmed
  • 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 8 cloves garlic, divided
  • 4 teaspoons avocado oil, divided
  • 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 1-1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup parsley, cleaned and picked
  • 1/2 cup cilantro, cleaned and picked
  • 1/4 cup dill, cleaned
  • 1 scallion
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 1 large zucchini, diced to 1/2" thick slices
  • 2 lb. wild caught cod, cut into 4 even pieces
  • lemon slices, for garnish

Directions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400ÂşF.
  2. On a rimmed baking sheet combine green beans, onion, 6 garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons avocado oil, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper.
  3. Bake in oven for 10 minutes.
  4. Meanwhile make lemon in herb sauce: In a blender combine 2 cloves garlic, parsley, cilantro, dill, scallion, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and blend until combined. Set aside.
  5. Remove sheet pan from oven and add sliced zucchini with green bean mixture and combine. Clear space in the middle of the sheet pan to add the fish. Place fish on sheet pan and lightly drizzle with remaining 2 teaspoons oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Return to oven and continue to bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the fish is just cooked through. (See note) 
  6. Drizzle cooked fish and vegetables with lemon herb sauce and garnish with lemon slices!

Recipe Notes

  1. You can tell a fish is cooked through by sticking a thin knife in the center. The fish is fully cooked when there is no resistance when inserting the knife or the fish reaches a temperature of 145ÂşF in the center.
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There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation, at no cost to you! However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use in my own home! Thank you for supporting Lexi's Clean Kitchen when you shop! See my privacy policy for more information about this, the information we save, and more!

04.18.18

Homemade Meat Sauce Recipe

Posted on by Lexi , Views: 84889
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This easy Italian meat sauce recipe is my probably my all-time favorite pasta sauce recipe! It’s an easy homemade meat sauce recipe that is hearty and flavorful, and perfect for a weeknight meal. Make this healthy meat sauce with ground turkey or ground beef, and let it cook nice and slow! It’s gluten-free, paleo-friendly, whole30 compliant, and so yummy! Serve it over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash for low carb, or gluten-free pasta!

Italian meat sauce recipe

Homemade Meat Sauce Recipe

I LOVE Italian dishes. Especially a quick and delicious meat sauce! I often make my favorite Italian dishes into healthy versions that I love to dig into, weekly. This spaghetti meat sauce is delicious, always a hit and so versatile! Serve it over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash, the options are endless! I often make a big batch to have for the week, and I never get sick of it!

How do you make meat sauce
If you love meat sauce, try this spaghetti sauce in these recipes:

Spaghetti Squash with Meat Sauce

Want other healthier pasta recipes? Try these favorites:

How Do You Make Meat Sauce

Lexi's Meat Sauce

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Prep Time 00:05 Cook Time 00:15 Serves 6

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 large organic carrot stalks, chopped
  • 1 lb. organic grass-fed beef (or ground turkey)
  • 1 15 oz. can organic diced tomatoes
  • 1 15 oz. can organic tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt, more to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, more for garnish
  • Optional: Serve with fresh parmesan
  • Optional: Garnish with fresh Basil

Directions

  1. In a medium sized saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
  2. Add onion, carrots, and peppers to saucepan. Let cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until onions are translucent and the carrots begin to soften.
  3. Add meat to saucepan and let cook until brown and no pink remains.
  4. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, spices, and 1 tablespoon fresh basil to the pan and mix well.
  5. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 15 minutes. Taste and remove from heat.
  6. In a large skillet, heat remaining tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add in zucchini noodles and red pepper flakes and let cook for 2-3 minutes.
  7. Serve over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.

Recipe Notes

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation, at no cost to you! However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use in my own home! Thank you for supporting Lexi's Clean Kitchen when you shop! See my privacy policy for more information about this, the information we save, and more!
04.09.18

One-Pan Shrimp and Green Beans in Chinese Garlic Sauce

Posted on by Lexi , Views: 18788
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This One-Pan Shrimp and Green Beans recipe in Chinese Garlic Sauce is the perfect, easy, whole30 compliant weeknight meal made in under 30 minutes!

One-Pan Shrimp and Green Beans in Chinese Garlic Sauce

One-Pan Shrimp and Green Beans in Chinese Garlic Sauce

I love healthy versions of my favorite Chinese food recipes! Growing up, we often ordered Chinese food, and while I have a clear memory of how delicious it was, it’s obvious now how unhealthy those dishes can be. This garlic sauce is thick and flavorful, and reminds me so much of a yummy oyster sauce I used to order as a kid!

One-Pan Shrimp and Green Beans in Chinese Garlic Sauce

I love serving this dish over cauliflower rice, but white rice would be delicious too!

One-Pan Shrimp and Green Beans in Chinese Garlic Sauce

Want other heathy Asian food recipes? Here are some favorites:

Shrimp and Green Beans Recipe

One-Pan Shrimp and Green Beans in Chinese Garlic Sauce

Watch the video:


Shrimp and Green Beans in Chinese Garlic Sauce

Print shopping list
Prep Time 0:05 Cook Time 00:15 Serves 4

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add green beans and season with salt and peppers. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until beginning to soften. Reduce heat and carefully pour 1/4 cup water in hot skillet (it will sputter, so be careful of steam) and cover pan with a tight fitting lid to steam for 10 minutes. Monitor carefully to make sure the water does not completely evaporate before the beans have steamed, adding more if necessary so they do not burn.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together coconut aminos, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, sesame oil and sriracha and set aside.
  3. In a separate small bowl whisk arrowroot and 4 teaspoon water to make a slurry to thicken the sauce. Set aside.
  4. Once beans have steamed, uncover and add shrimp and toss. Add in coconut aminos sauce ingredients, mixing to ensure it cooks evenly.
  5. When shrimp has cooked through, add in slurry and bring to a simmer to thicken. Once thickened, immediately remove from heat.
  6. Serve hot and serve over cauliflower rice or white rice.
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There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation, at no cost to you! However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use in my own home! Thank you for supporting Lexi's Clean Kitchen when you shop! See my privacy policy for more information about this, the information we save, and more!