Sunday, April 29, 2012

Bread Minus the Guilt; Minimally Modified Primal Part One

So, I know it seems like I am the revision master (ha ha) but sometimes there are recipes that are so perfect already they make me smile.  Sure, maybe I made small tweaks, but honestly, all the credit goes to the original makers.  Enter part one of Minimally Modified Primal... and it's all about bread!  Since these are technically just being shared from other websites there are no pictures this time around... sorry if that's why you came ;)

In our society living without bread is tricky.  It is everywhere.  When you try to order a meal without it you often get strange looks, rolled eyes, or the "it's fine I'll just pick it off later."  Most of the time I am okay being that person, but sometimes you just want a good roll to dip in sauce, biscuit to smother with jam, or bread to hold some lunch meat.  Enter my go to bread recipes.  These are all easy and delicious in their own rights, but very different in result.

This first one is very eggy.  It's good as a meal, but can also be dipped in sauces or spread with cream cheese.  It's also the one that probably takes the most patience to make.

Spinach Bread
  •  5 eggs
  • 16 oz frozen chopped spinach (thawed and drained)
  • butter
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts
    3 cloves crushed garlic
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease your glass baking dish with butter. Toast your pine nuts in a sautee pan with about a tablespoon of butter. Be very careful! Pine nuts burn easily. Watch them like a hawk and stir constantly. When they start to turn golden brown, they’re done and on the verge of burning.
Chop the nuts up in a food processor.  Mix eggs, garlic, basil, nuts, and spinach together in a mixing bowl. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.  Pour it into your greased pan and cook for about 15 minutes, or until it is no longer jiggly.

For pictures or the original recipe, go to http://www.marksdailyapple.com/spinach-bread/#ixzz1tTlweHI1


This next bread is my favorite for bread type meals.  I have been known to slice it thin and make grilled cheese or spread some jam on a toasted piece.  Some people think it is very dense or dry, but it is incredibly healthy!

Primal Loaf
  • 1 ½ cups almond meal
  • ¾ cup arrowroot powder
  • ¼ cup flaxseed meal
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp agave (optional)
In a medium bowl, combine almond flour, arrowroot, flax meal, salt and baking soda.  In a larger bowl, blend eggs 3-5 minutes until frothy.  Stir agave and vinegar into eggs, then mix dry ingredients into wet.  Put into a greased loaf pan of your choice and bake at 350ยบ for 30-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out clean.

For pictures or the original recipe, go to http://www.elanaspantry.com/gluten-free-bread-20/


If you are waiting to be wowed, here is your recipe.  It takes 90 seconds for this bread to cook, in the microwave no less!  The result is a light, fluffy, biscuity goodness.
90 Second Bread
  • 1/2 cup almond meal
  • 4 tbsp flaxseed meal
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 2 eggs
Melt butter evenly in two 4 1/2 inch ramekins.  Whisk egg and then slowly drizzle in the melted butter.
To the egg and butter add almond flour, flaxseed meal and salt. Mix well with a spoon. Sprinkle with baking powder and mix one more time. Spoon into ramekins (half in each) and microwave one at a time for 90 seconds.  Remove from microwave with dish towel and invert on a cooling rack.

I did not make this up, nor can I remember where I got it from :)

I have saved the best for last.  This is the ultimate comfort bread.  Make it on a rainy day and you will not be disappointed.

Cheesey Garlic Biscuit
  • 2 tbsp coconut flour
  • 1/4 cup almond flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp butter, softened (optional)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 egg, slightly beaten
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix dry ingredients, then add remaining ingredients and mix well with a fork. Portion onto parchment paper on a baking sheet.  Whatever size you make them is the size they will be.  I prefer to make four big guys.  Be sure to flatten with a spoon slightly.  Bake for 12-15 minutes until they don't feel "wet". They won’t turn brown on top but the bottoms will be a nice golden brown.  Once out of oven, smear a bit of salted butter on top and serve warm.  So.  Good.


Modified from http://fastpaleo.com/cheesy-cheese-garlic-biscuits/


And of course... Enjoy!