Monday, July 16, 2012

Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

So everyone has been asking for my recipe for my Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies....well two people. Tht is more than I anticipated! Just so you know, these cookies are so good, you just want some milk to go with them. If you are a true Paleo, then don't give into the temptation.

When I first started following the principles of Paleo, I knew I would need something to quench my sweet tooth. I found a website with GREAT Paleo recipes, www.paleoplan.com love this site! I followed the recipe exactly the first couple times I made the cookies, and my husband and I both loved them! I even got non-Paleo eaters to eat them an admit they were pretty good. The recipe on Paleo Paln makes flatter more classic looking cookies.

I'd you are like me, I LOVE cookie dough. One of my best memories is making cookie dough with my college roommates in the Amarillo House (the name of our house). The recipe I modified from Paleo Plan takes me back to my cookie dough eating days! Here is my recipe:

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups almond flour (I prefer Bob's Red Mill brand.)
1/2 cup coconut flour (I am going to refer to Bob's Red Mill just as Bob's.)
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup raw honey
2 large eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip Chunks (Whole Foods)

Instructions
Preheat oven to 375℉.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a small mixing bowl, combine sea salt, baking soda, Bob's almond flour and Bob's coconut flour.

In a Kitchen-Aid mixer, beat the eggs, honey, and vanilla extract.

Pour dry ingredients slowly into the Kitchen-Aid bowl of wet ingredients and mix together.

Melt the coconut oil in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Add to your mixture and beat into the dough.

Stir in chocolate chips. Dough is not very sticky, so you might have to roll the balls an get the chips to stick in then. You will develop your technique.

(If you live in the Phoenix area, I have only found the Enjoy Life brand at Fry's and Fresh and Easy. They only have the mini chips. I found the Enjoy Life Chocolate Chunks at Whole Foods in Albuquerque, but not Chandler. I bought vegan chips at Whole Foods instead.)

Drop tablespoon size balls of cookie dough onto baking sheet covered in parchment paper.

Bake for approximately 8-10 minutes. I have found any linger than 8 minutes and the cookies will burn. Might just be my oven.

Recipe makes about 24-30 cookies. Of course mine may be larger than a tablespoon! :)

This is how mine turned out:

These cookies were really moist and soft inside. If you don't like soft cookies, follow the Paleo Plan website recipe. Both are delicious! Here is my beautiful bowl of cookies!

Hope you enjoy!

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Life Changes, Paleo Style

Well, I would consider myself a foodie. I love trying new restaurants and staying on top of the best places to go. My favorite social events include restaurants and good food. Not your chains either. Something new, fresh and creative. However, my food excursions typically include fries and some sort of yummy dessert. Yet, on the other end of the spectrum, I could easily be a vegetarian.

The time finally came. My husband and I went to LA and the universes must have aligned. When we returned, he was ready for a food overhaul. Not sure how it came to be, but we settled on the Paleo Diet. I don't really consider it a diet, but just changing the way we eat. In three weeks, we have both lost weight (of course his is more noticeable), feel much better, cook at home everyday, have spent more on groceries, but saved so much more. We are conscious of what we eat, yet having so much fun perfecting Paleo recipes.

As a foodie, I have eaten all kinds of "healthy" foods and desserts and often times thought I would rather not torture myself in that manner. My goal is not to suffer when I eat. I hope to share with you my adventures in the world of Paleo and some delicious recipes!

Here is a peak at one of my latest recipes - chocolate chip cookies. Dairy free, gluten free, sugar free, and seriously, probably the best chocolate chip cookie I have ever had in my life! I wish I could have a glass of milk with it!!