Blog — The Culinary Coon

Peppermint Brownies (Paleo, Grain Free, Gluten Free, Dairy Free)

Is there a more iconic Christmastime duo than chocolate and peppermint? Gingerbread is in it to win it, but chocolate/peppermint takes the cake. I even did a poll on instagram (do you follow me there? Click HERE) and peppermint won!

These brownies are everything I need at Christmas and heck, any time of year. They taste like a chocolate dipped candy cane and that’s really all you need to know. The best part is they’re completely free of refined sugar, dairy, grains, glutens… all the weird stuff. And you seriously won’t be able to tell they are paleo. They’re that good.

DessertAnna CoonDecember 18, 2018paleo, paleo brownies, paleo brownie, paleo baking, grain free brownies, peppermint browniesComment

Beef and Vegetable Soup (Paleo, GF, DF)

Remember that bone broth I posted last week? Next on the agenda… beef and vegetable soup using that bone broth! (You can totally use chicken/beef stock if you don’t have any bone broth) This soup is so delicious I could eat it for every meal… and I did for a week. No shame!

Soups, DinnerAnna CoonDecember 13, 2018paleoComment

Bone Broth

Bone broth has been one of those “buzzwords” in recent years. But it’s for a good reason. It is delicious and one of the most nutrient dense foods you can eat… or drink. However, I’ve found I don’t really enjoy the taste of most bone broths you can buy at the store. (I do like this one and I buy it often.)

But what makes bone broth so special? When you soak and steep the bones, you are able to extract the most valuable nutrients. For example, collagen and amino acids. Read more about the vitamins and minerals in both broth here. One of the best parts of bone broth is you get tons of bang for you buck. Fruit, veggies, bone marrow… without actually eating all of those things. It’s nature’s multivitamin. Luckily for you, you don’t have to cook your bone broth for 12-24 hours anymore. Enter: Instant Pot!

Soups, Main Dishes, Blog, DinnerAnna CoonDecember 2, 2018Comment

Pink Princess Smoothie Bowls

Feeling a little fluffy after eating all your Thanksgiving goodies? I know I am! This smoothie bowl is the most delicious way to get back on track! It’s great for kiddos (helloooo it’s pink!) and you can change up the toppings to be more kid friendly- lookin at you, sprinkles. I know a lot of people are hesitant to allow veggies in their smoothies but, TRUST ME, you really cannot taste them if you do it juuuust right. And I’m here to help you do it right.

BreakfastAnna CoonNovember 25, 2018Comment

Chocolate Protein Chia Seed Pudding

Chia seed pudding is a gift to humanity. I’ll admit- the first time I tried it I wasn’t into it. I think it’s because my expectations were off kilter. I expected “puddin’ cups” when I should have been expecting tapioca pudding. Have you ever had tapioca pudding? My grandfather LOVED it so it evokes a really sweet memory for me. Chia seed pudding is very similar to tapioca, but a little more crunch.

Chia seeds are not only delicious, they are extremely nutrient dense! They are a powerhouse in a tiny package- like Smurfs. Chia seeds boast 20% protein content, more fiber than flax seeds, high omega-3 fatty acids, as well as high quantities of calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium. You can ready more about their heart healthy benefits in this study I referenced here.

Breakfast, DessertAnna CoonNovember 19, 2018Comment

Perfect Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies

I have been working on this recipe for over a year and it has given me such a hard time! It was too dry, it was too crumbly, it was too grainy, it was too cake like, it wasn’t sweet enough… Well, my friends, she’s finally ready!

Beware: make these cookies and you become a danger to yourself and others. It’s impossible to keep your hands off of them! They are simply delicious and are made with real, whole food, minimally processed ingredients. Nut free friends: I haven’t tried but I bet these can be made with gluten free or brown rice flour. Please let me know if you try!

If you want a REAL treat, dunk these babies into a cold glass of almond milk (or any milk you like)! The dunk took me back to such a sweet time of childhood- filled with Nickelodeon, paper dolls, and flashlight tag. I hope you enjoy these beautiful, delicious, moist (I SAID IT) cookies as much as I did!

DessertAnna CoonNovember 11, 2018Comment

National Adoption Month

AdoptionAnna CoonNovember 4, 2018Comment

PB&J Sweet Potato Toast

Fall makes me crave peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. When there is a chill in the air I start to crave them. My dad makes the BEST PB&J ever. My dad has a few specialties- pancakes, “dad’s famous pasta,” and PB&Js. So basically, all the carbs. I don’t know what it is about the PB&J that my dad makes that makes it so wonderful. He used to always make them when I was going on field trips as a kid, so it was always a day full of anticipation and excitement.

It’s finally feeling like fall here in Arkansas and the PB&J craving hit. Crisp air and creamy nut butter are the perfect duo. I wanted the real deal, but I just completed my first Whole30 (doing a blog post on that experience later) and I’m in the reintroduction phase. I have wanted to make sweet potato toast at home for a while and thought this was the perfect opportunity! I love how the sweet potatoes get a little bit crispy and caramelized but also stay sturdy enough to hold your toppings.

Lunch, BreakfastAnna CoonOctober 16, 2018Comment

Crispy Potatoes + Air Fryer Instructions (whole30, paleo, grain free, gluten free, dairy free)

SidesAnna CoonOctober 7, 2018potatoes, paleo potatoes, whole30, whole30 potatoes, crispy potatoes, crispy, air fryer, air fryer potatoesComment

Greek Lemon Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

This might be one of my FAVORITE recipes to date! I love Greek food, and this recipe is inspired by one of my favorite Greek restaurants in town. Sheet pan dinners are all the rage, and there’s a reason for that- they’re quick and easy. This recipe is literally foolproof. My favorite part? Minimal dishes to clean. You add one ingredient at a time because of different cook times for different ingredients.

The tzatziki sauce is the TRUE star of this dish! It’s actually my favorite tzatziki EVER and I kind of made it on a whim. And I’m glad I did! It’s creamy, it’s cool, it’s flavorful, and citrusy. YUM!

This sheet pan dinner is paleo (debatable because potatoes are that gray area in paleo), gluten free, and Whole30. I’m currently doing my first ever Whole30 (I can’t believe I’ve never done it until now) and this recipe is such a delightful addition to my Whole30 wheelhouse. You can totally shape and make this recipe to fit you and your favorite flavors. You can use a store bought Greek seasoning (I like this one) or use the recipe I created. It is so flavorful and downright delicious!

Blog, Main Dishes, DinnerAnna CoonSeptember 12, 2018Comment