Falafels

Try making these delicious and healthy falafels as a side dish for your next dinner option! Falafels are a popular Middle Eastern cuisine that are commonly made from ground chickpeas. Chickpeas are a type of legume that are packed with fiber and protein. They are known to benefit digestion by supporting bowel movements and increasing healthy bacteria in the gut. Parsley is a low-calorie herb packed with Vitamins A, K, and C. Coriander is rich in antioxidants and benefits heart health by lowering LDL cholesterol, while increasing HDL (good) cholesterol! Cardamom helps to fight inflammation and improve oral health. Serve these falafels with your favorite hummus or tahini sauce and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups chickpeas (uncooked)

• ½ cup white onion, diced

• ½ cup parsley, chopped

• 5 small cloves of garlic

• 2 tbsp gluten-free oat flour

• 1 ½ tsp sea salt

• 3 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• Pinch of ground cardamom

• Coconut Oil

Instructions:

1) Pour the chickpeas into a colander and rinse under cold water. Transfer the chickpeas to a large pot and cover with two inches of water. Bring to a boil and boil for one minute. Remove the pot from heat, cover with a lid, and let sit for about one hour. After the one hour is up, drain the pot, rinse the chickpeas, and pat them dry with a towel.

2) Add white onion, parsley, and garlic to a food processor, and pulse well. Toss in the chickpeas, oat flour, sea salt, cumin, coriander, and cardamom to the food processor. Pulse for about 5 minutes or until a paste is formed.

3) Transfer the mixture to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for at least one hour.

4) After the one hour is up, remove the bowl from the refrigerator. Use a cookie scooper to scoop the mixture and use your hands to form the mixture into small discs. This recipe should yield around 24 falafels.

5) Add coconut oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Place enough falafels on the skillet to fit, and heat for 5 minutes, flipping the falafels halfway. Let falafels cool before serving and enjoy!

Zucchini and Beef Lasagna

This Zucchini and Beef Lasagna is the perfect cozy dish for this upcoming winter season! Ground beef is a rich source of protein and helps to improve muscle growth. Zucchini is an excellent source of Vitamin A and C and provides plenty of fiber for bowel regularity. Gluten-free lasagna noodles serve as a healthier alternative to traditional lasagna noodles and also contain more fiber. Dairy-free cheese is free from growth hormones and cholesterol-free. Top this dish with nutritional yeast if desired and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp coconut oil

• 1 white onion, diced

• 1 lb ground beef

• 3 large zucchinis

• 24 oz jar tomato sauce

• 10 oz pack gluten-free lasagna noodles

• 1 package of shredded non-dairy cheese (for Alexa-approved dairy-free cheese, please click here): Miss Alexa-Approved Dairy-Free Products)

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 375 F and set aside a 9x13 baking dish.

2) Add the coconut oil to a large skillet. Sauté diced onion for about 5 minutes or until soft.

3) Add in the ground beef and cook until brown.

4) While the beef is cooking, slice the zucchini into thin, circular pieces. Let sit for a few minutes and pat with a paper towel to drain excess water.

5) Once the beef is done cooking, drain excess oil from the pan. Add in the tomato sauce and mix well with the beef.

6) Spoon a thin layer of tomato/beef sauce to the bottom of the baking dish. Add 5 lasagna noodles to the pan. Add a layer of tomato/beef sauce, zucchini slices, and dairy-free cheese. Repeat until the ingredients run out or pan is full. Make sure the top of the dish is sauce and cheese.

7) Bake uncovered in the oven for 40 minutes. Enjoy!

Scallops with Lemon Sauce

Try making these Scallops with Lemon Sauce for your next lunch or dinner option! Scallops have an impressive nutritional profile as they are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, promote heart health, and are full of protein. Replacing butter with coconut oil in this recipe will help to improve bone health and promote weight loss. Garlic helps to strengthen the immune system and promotes healthy blood pressure levels. Lemon contains a high amount of Vitamin C, helps to prevent dehydration, and is great for digestive health. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb scallops

• Dash of sea salt and pepper

• 1/4 cup coconut oil

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/4 cup lemon juice

Instructions:

1) Pat the scallops dry and garnish with sea salt and pepper.

2) Melt one tbsp of coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once melted, add in the scallops and cook for five minutes, flipping the scallops halfway.

3) Once cooked, transfer the scallops to a plate and set aside.

4) Add the remaining coconut oil to the skillet to melt. Once melted, add the garlic and cook for about one minute or until soft.

5) Pour in the lemon juice and cook for an additional 30 seconds and remove from heat.

6) Garnish the scallops with the lemon sauce and enjoy!

Paleo Biscuits

These paleo biscuits can serve as a delicious addition to any meal! Almond flour serves as an excellent substitute for traditional wheat flour and is packed with plenty of antioxidants. Coconut oil promotes weight loss and bowel regularity. Honey is rich in antioxidants and helps to improve heart health. Serve these biscuits right out of the oven and enjoy!

Ingredients:

Serves 8

• 2 cups almond flour

• Dash of sea salt

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 4 eggs

• 5 tbsp coconut oil, melted

• 2 tbsp honey

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2) In a large bowl, combine the almond flour, sea salt, and baking powder.

3) Then, form a crater in the middle of the bowl. Crack the eggs into the crater and beat them with a fork. Fold the flour into the egg mixture.

4) In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut oil and honey.

5) Add the coconut oil and honey mixture to the large bowl. Combine all ingredients together.

6) Form eight balls of dough and line on top of the baking sheet. Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Enjoy!