Sugar Free Lemon Drop

So it seems I'm being asked by some of my Facebook friends to spill the beans on how I make my version of a sugar free Vodka Lemon - or "Lemon Drop"

My recipe entails using the components of a proper "Lemon Drop" that are high quality - and reflect a lower amount of calories consumed as well.

My secret is using Stevia - a plant based natural sweetener that has medicinal properties - specifically among other things - for regulating blood insulin levels with no adverse effects inherent in other artificial sweeteners like Splenda, Aspartame, Saccharin, etc.

Every person I have made this for has told me flat out this is the best Lemon Drop they've ever tasted - and it's potent as well ;)

Be responsible - Don't Drink & Drive

Ingredients:

• 4 oz - High quality Vodka - I recommend Absolut, Grey Goose, Ketel One and other similar quality vodka's
• 4 oz Fresh squeezed Organic Lemon Juice
• 4 level scoops of Stevia (I recommend NuNaturals Stevia Powder - it comes with it's own spoon in the container)
• Fresh lemon zest from the squeezed lemons
  

Directions:

I prefer to store my vodka in the freezer - it just seems the right thing to do.

Add to a cocktail shaker 4 oz of freezer cold vodka, add an equal amount of fresh squeezed organic lemon juice. Using a micro plane, add about 1 tsp of fresh lemon zest. Add the Stevia powder to the shaker with ice. Shake vigorously for 60 seconds. Pour into your serving container of choice.

Bon Appetito

Vegan/Gluten Free Mac & Cheese

It's been a busy summer and I haven't really had a chance to post what's been crossing my taste buds of late, but today's recipe is for those who are not only vegetarian/vegan, but also gluten intolerant

I've become a huge fan of Brewers yeast - especially sprinkled over popcorn, but I began to look at what else could be done with the highly nutritious and versatile flavoring and so I've been experimenting - and this is one of my end results - which to me looks very much like the gack imitation mac & cheese that comes in a box.

Vegan/Gluten Free Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

1 cup Brown Rice Penne or spiral pasta (Trader Joes brand is what I use)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic finely chopped
1 tsp olive oil
1/2 -3/4 cup Brewers yeast flakes
dash of Sriracha sauce
black pepper to taste

Directions:

Bring a pot of water to boil. Add a healthy dose of salt - as the Italians say - until it tastes like sea water. Add the pasta and cook til desired tenderness. Brown rice pasta will become like mush if you over cook it so keep an eye on it as it cooks - usually 8-10 minutes.

While the pasta is cooking, heat a medium a saute' pan over a medium high burner. Add the olive oil and chopped onion. Now turn the heat down to low and let the onion caramelize - this will bring out the sweetness of the onion. Add the chopped garlic and continue to saute' over a low heat for a few more minutes. Make sure to not over cook the onion garlic mixture - the garlic will turn bitter.

In a bowl, add about a 1/2 cup of the hot pasta water, the dash of Sriracha hot sauce, Black pepper and the brewers yeast, whisk in the bowl - it should have a very thick consistency - but not like paste - add more brewers yeast of water as needed. Once the pasta is done, drain it, add the sautéed onions to the sauce mixture and then the pasta. Toss and serve. A variation would be to toss in some steamed broccoli flowerettes.

This is comfort food that is nutritious, and full of flavor.

Bon Appetito