Low Carb

  I know you all know how to make hummus. It’s a staple in most homes today. This recipe adds a bit of kick and is so flavorful, with one great secret. I typically use dried chickpeas and pressure cook them for 45 minutes. If […]

  This was a Godsend. Cooking bread on my boat is not impossible since I’ve done it often, but this recipe beats them all when traveling or hanging out in an Airbnb for a holiday. They will be my go-to when I am home as […]

  Fortunately, we’ve found wild caught ahi at our local store in the USA and the Wolfach Germany Wednesday market. This recipe can be made with ahi or fresh wild-caught salmon. Both are delicious. Just make sure it is sushi grade. I like using fresh […]

  I love learning how to use my air-frier to make dinners simpler and quicker. This recipe serves two and is a time saver. We’ve had this yummy meal several times. Every time, it just gets better. There are three components to the delicious fish […]

  This recipe is so easy! Remember that fresh strawberry pie your mom made with jello? This is my version made with organic Vita Protein Beef Gelatin and Monk Fruit sugar. So no guilt involved, only the robust taste of a refreshing burst of summer! […]

  Yes, you can have cake for breakfast, why not? This is so delicious and made with almond and cassava flour. Plus Monk Fruit Sugar, so enjoy and get your dose of anti-oxidants simultaneously. I’ve made it grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free! I love driving […]

  I’m not a fan of wild meat meals, but I’m living in Germany, a country where organ meats, sausage made from animal fat and blood, and wild boar sausages are offered at least once during one of the daily meals. The Germans do not […]

  Marmalade is one of the main dishes for breakfast in Germany. I jest, but no früstück is complete without a homemade preserve the table. Since it is blood orange season here, my juices are flowing with ideas, and of course, this marmalade is a […]

  This recipe is very similar to my Lemon Drops and Orange Dreamsicle Pie. It’s the easiest thing you will ever make and the lowest calories. But “who would have thunk it.” In Germany, it is blood orange season. I’ve been making all kinds of […]

  This spicy-sweet dinner was gone in minutes! This dish got rave reviews from both her kids and her husband. It’s a combo of recipes I’ve read about and some ingredients I love to combine to make sauces pop! I’ve been staying with my daughter […]

  Yes, this is a no-brainer for sure. It’s all in the sauce, the ingredients, portion size, and timing. With this cooking style, you can use any meat, fish, or veggies you like. Plus, it’s quick and straightforward. I love using any of the sauces […]

  This month I was invited to do a Google Zoom with a group of excellent DoDD teachers from Kaiserslautern, Germany. What a blast! My host, Terri, made the most delicious Dark Chocolate Keto Cookies dipped in chocolate ganache and sprinkled with nuts or coconut. […]

This is a wonderful accident that was waiting to happen. I love making my own Chili Pepper Crackers and serving them with my Herb Hummus recipe or other dips. I usually take the crackers out of the oven early and break them into large chunks […]

  I cook Asian food every week, and my taster, Lutz, said this one is the best we’ve ever had…so here goes! I must admit it was amazing and had a robust flavor and a surprise kick. You can use chicken or go vegan and […]

  Ok, I’m on a German baking roll. As you can tell in my most recent post, I’ve celebrated Christmas in San Diego for the past six years. This Christmas season, we’re celebrating in Germany. I’m struggling between traditional German holiday meals or traditional Mexican, […]

  My mom, Peggy, has always been my inspiration for creative cooking. It was not uncommon to come home from school to see something cooking on the stove and a new aroma filtering through the house. I recall a week-long marathon of Julia Childs’ French […]

  I’m so disappointed with Mexican cuisine in Germany. It doesn’t exist unless you call it tomato sauce and catsup authentic Mexican sauce. Yes, seriously. Whenever someone says, “I’ve found the best Mexican restaurant in town,” I get hopeful. However, while living here, I never […]

  While on the boat, we typically eat the same food groups while traveling. Usually, a protein, some veggies, and some salad. I use my crockpot when it rains, but mostly we grill rain, snow, and sun! How do I keep things from getting boring? […]

  Easy right? Ok, so I had a large batch of rooted cilantro from my Asian store and it was wilting fast…what to do? Make a pesto. So, I wanted it to be unique and decided to use roasted pecans I’d been saving for a […]

  This is the best thing on the planet! Ok, Well almost. Cooking onboard the boat can be really HOT so we try to keep our cooking for the grill. When supplies get low I always have a can of organic tuna on board and […]

  Ok, I admit, while we are traveling on the boat we tend to eat the same type of meals over and over again. Dinner usually consists of, meat, some veggies, and maybe potatoes or sweet potatoes. Yes, it can get boring but I’ve found […]

    As you know, we are off and heading to Strasbourg on our boat, Virus.  I threw everything from our home freezer into the ice chest in hopes of rejuvenating it on the boat into something beyond amazing. One of the labeled packages was […]

  This oil is fantastic! I am so fortunate to have an herb garden at home and on my boat. I’ve made hummus a million times and decided this oil would knock it up a notch. Plus, heck, I’m in France, why not?  It was […]

  OOOh just so yummy. This was easy and tangy with a touch of sweetness and a whiff of the summer. Use it as a side to your Mexican or Indian dishes. Plus it’s a super side dish for all-round barbecues. We even ate the […]

  Once again the seasons in Germany surprise me with the array of wild herbs and plants. This time of year our wild garlic or as we call it, bärlauch, is in full bloom.  The street markets are decorated with herbs and radical-looking plants. There’s nothing […]

  I’m fortunate to have an open market providing bio beef and bones. We dashed to the market Saturday to gather some essentials for the quarantine we will be facing here in Germany, and I created a nice list of things I’d need to make […]

  I love African food and it’s amazing how many different styles and seasonings exist throughout Africa. This is a northern recipe that may be closer to the Moroccan version of baked chicken with “pesto”.  I shop at Edeka because they have such a wide […]

  I love going to the farmer’s market in Germany. The produce is always fresh, and so many unique veggies. On this trip, I found the biggest purple carrots I’ve ever seen. I love that deep dark purple, and then when you slice them, bright […]

  I loved Chunky candy bars growing up. Biting into a burst of juicy raisins and toasted almonds covered in milk chocolate is like, well…you know AMAZINGLY SATISFYING. I took this recipe to a “healthish” level by using cranberries, toasted almonds and, covering them with melted […]

  This recipe is a version of my luscious Orange Dreamsicle Pie. I did a Valentine Cooking Class this month and decided EVERYONE needed to try the fantastic versatile recipe. So I created a piggyback recipe using a whole lemon instead of an orange. The […]

  I love the taste of pumpkin. It reminds me of fall, and it’s so versatile. You can make it savory or sweeten it up. I’m using it to sweeten up these cold fall and winter days in Germany. This recipe is so easy, and […]

  These little bites of yum will thrill your tastebuds. Chewy, creamy, and nutty, with a tang of ginger and orange. Just the right sweetness and so delightful. Each is filled with all-natural ingredients and no processed sugar. You can add a scoop of your […]

  We eat grilled salmon once a week and I might have a bit leftover. I usually scramble it into my morning eggs but this week I used the leftovers to make one of my favorite dishes, salmon cakes. It was FABULOUS! I drizzled a […]

  Want a power-packed breakfast the whole family can enjoy? This is it! Simple, quick and so delicious. Add a dash of hot sauce and bam! what a breakfast treat. This is our go-to for camping or on the boat. You can double it or […]

  One of the hardest things for me on this eating adventure is avoiding grains. I try to stay away from them but sometimes…you just got to have a bite of pasta. All my recipes that call for pasta I use gluten-free but they do contain […]

  Ok no brainer…really. Just grab your favorite veggies from the fridge and add this out of the world sauce and your mouth will have a celebration! I can throw them in my little baking oven on the boat and my confectioner oven in the […]

  I made it to my favorite organic meat stand at the Market this Saturday in time to get the last whole chicken. I needed some warm bone broth in this cold weather. Plus, a nice fresh chicken for my Crockpot Italian Whole Chicken recipe. Really […]

  I made this with my Crockpot Chicken Bone Broth. It is so simple, and since I had the broth in the fridge, all I had to do was zip it out, add my favorite veggies and spices, and voila! Just as long as you […]

  This is by far the simplest and most elegant dessert I have ever made. It is luscious, creamy with a hint of vanilla bean and a taste of cardamon that hits the last bite as it accents the coconut cream. Truly, if I had […]

This was my side dish for our family Christmas dinner this year and since the invention of this amazing side dish, I have decided I’m not going to wait a year to enjoy it again. So easy to make and just the right tang! The […]

  I love Asian food and my favorite is the fresh spring rolls stuffed with fresh veggies and shrimp.  I know the ones in restaurants are made of rice paper and wished I could find a substitute instead of lettuce. I happened to be at […]

  Breakfast is one of our favorite meals and making them together has become a great source of enjoyment for both Lutz and me. He’ll cut the fruit and I’ll whip up some concoction and usually forget to take pictures and write the recipe down. […]

  Ok, well, I just got home from the boat and had 10 days of no bread and decided to make a batch of Eincorn bread for my husband first, and then I’d whip up a batch of my Bread Machine Grain-Free Cassava Century Bread. […]

  Breakfast is the best part of the day when you’re camping. Well, basically breakfast is great for any meal and any place. It gets you going for the hikes! This one will surely “wake you up” and give you the power you need to […]

  I just love going to the open market on Saturdays in Germany. It’s alive with smells, people, and color! The stands are decorated and the displays resemble fresh food sculptures. Such a fest for the eyes. I happened to pick up some fresh tomatoes […]

No matter what you call it,  Fillo, Filo or Phyllo Dough, I have yet to discover a homemade gluten-free recipe that does not take me a century to make and is rice flour free. Seriously…I’ve wasted more time and materials trying to find the right […]

This is so delicious and inspired by Lutz’s 97-year-old mom. Every time we visit her she has this amazing spread of goodies, one of which is a “Rhubarba Kocken”. Every time she serves this, I am immediately transformed back in time. Why?… My Great-grandmother Mawmaw […]

  Yes, I’m on a roll. These pocket-grilled meals are amazing and so easy to prepare, plus the clean-up is “einfach,” which is easy in German! You’ll see many of these this summer, so I hope you try one of the recipes and enjoy it! […]

I LOVE berries. I can recall eating a warm berry pie from the 7/11 store several times a week on my way to San Dieguito High School in Encinitas CA. It was so tart and the crust was just yummy but full of fat and […]

  This is so delicious and keeps in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, but it never lasts that long around our house. It’s quick, easy, and makes a great impression.  Or spread this on your gluten-free homemade bread or one of my Grain-Free Cassava […]

  This was simple and was done using an immersion blender and a toaster oven! I’ve found many ways to use my Cassava Butter Cookies or Nut’n Butter Than Almond Cookies. Besides being the tastiest cookies, they make the PERFECT crust for that delicious pie […]

  Ok so I try to avoid eating processed foods but this little Italian shop opened next to us and I asked if they made gluten free…”Si señora, we make it all”. Ok, a few days later, I returned for my order and got the […]

  I love to make my Taj Indian Chicken & Spinach. After fishing out all the chicken I usually have sauce leftover and freeze it for the next batch. But on the boat, freezing this is not so easy. I tried to make a 2 serving portion […]

My friend, Trudy, would bring me back a jar of this delicious chili spread when she would visit her second home in the boot of Italy. I always use it up right away and decided it couldn’t be that hard to make. So I set […]

  With Easter on its way, hard-boiled eggs are numerous and everywhere. In Germany and Europe in general, it’s so cool to see the various Meat Markets carrying decorated hard-boiled eggs ready to eat! Of course, I bought a few knowing they were the best protein […]

  Ok, so on a boat I am limited as to the number of supplies and ingredients. Plus without a car, driving to the nearest grocery store is not an alternative. The fridge is the size of a small cupboard and fresh fruit and veggies […]

Oh, am I ready for summer…we’re starting to grill in the chilly evenings anticipating the sun any day now. This weather doesn’t prevent me from planning easy, fast, yummy summer recipes. This is a must if you like Chipotle. I usually have a can of […]

This is dairy free! And it tastes just like the real thing. You can use this on any cake or cupcake. It is really light and tasty. Try it on my Carrot Cake. Just remember you will need to put a 32 oz carton of […]

I have read every carrot cake recipe out there…Well, ok, most of them. And guess what? I decided to do my own thing. I created the moistest rich flavored cake of them all. You tell me…seriously. It is so thick and just the hint of sweet […]

Our summer RV’ing was amazing and I bought tons of cooking supplies thanks to my colleagues! I was given a gift certificate for King Arthur and for Amazon. Needless to say, I made sure I bought my cooking staples. I left all my clothes in […]

It is a cold snowy day her in Germany and my tummy needed some comfort food. Since going gluten, dairy and soy free for 2 years I have never tried making gluten free pancakes. What a great day to experiment. I have been trying to avoid […]

I’d eaten venison years ago in Arizona and was never impressed with it. Maybe it was the way it was cooked or seasoned. Since living in Germany, venison is a way of life. They make venison sausage, goulash, loin roast, and on and on. These […]

Yes, it is still cold and snowy here, so soup it will be! This one is light, flavorful, and with a distinct yummy flavor. A combo of herbs, tangy spices, and a hint of hot peppers. Check it out and let me know what you […]

Ok, I was suspicious at first, but I had to try making this creamy smooth deep dark chocolate mousse with AVOCADO––yes, you heard me, avocado! BUT I did not leave well-enough alone. I had to do my thing and spruce it up. Yes, it needed a […]

Woo! Just back from our tour in the USA and had a sweet tooth but the cupboard was empty. So what do you do? Improvise! I had Ghee, almond flour, coconut sugar, gluten-free oats, raw almonds, and dates! These cookies were so chewy in the […]

  “Tis the season to eat field salad, fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-la” Yes, really, it is hopping right now. Field salad is delicious; restaurants serve a yummy bacon dressing. I had to figure this out and master it. You can add your own touches and be creative, […]

Since I had steamed two small fresh pumpkins and puréed them, I was excited about coming up with some simple pumpkin recipes. Pumpkin bread was at the top of the list. I had a helper, so the mixing went fast! It’s so great to cook’n camp with […]

  This was so yummy and tart. It’s a really great recipe for using those fresh cranberries and tangerines that are now in season. Top it off with Coconut Whipped Cream or a scoop of homemade coconut ice cream for a perfect holiday dish!   […]

  I can’t take credit for this one since it has been published on several websites. It’s simple, delicious, and, best of all, dairy-free. The only problem is that you need to refrigerate the coconut cream overnight. I usually keep two large cartons in the […]

It doesn’t matter what fire you eat this Fireside Salad Bowl in front of, just as long as you try it. Whether in front of a roaring campfire or cozied up in front of your fireplace at home, this works! No setting tables, just a […]

  I’ve been so blessed to have a partner who also enjoys cooking. Lutz, my husband, has mastered the art of lentil soup. This is it for those who love soup and eat lentils. I believe all the rain on this RV trip leads to […]

For the past 3 weeks, we’ve been enduring the rain.  I’ve decided to go with the flow and make SOUP! Yes, I’m feeling the warmth of the broth and the zing of the red pepper flakes! I had to do something to get the blue […]

Fall is amazing in Washington. All the campgrounds in the area have apples falling off the trees. A visit to my son’s house led me to this amazing Sticky Apple Cake. He has a HUGE old apple tree in the front yard. Blankets of apples […]

I laughed to myself when I decide to post this recipe. As a retired teacher this was one of the funnest class cooking activities we used to do in the fall. Actually I don’t know one early childhood teacher who hasn’t tried this once in their […]

Fall is EVERYWHERE, and so are the apples. I am in pursuit of the apple lovers dream. So far I have made Fresh Applesauce and fresh Sticky Apple Cake and now this amazing Fresh Apple Bread. It is so good warmed up with a slice of […]

This cookie will keep you coming back for more. They literally melt in your mouth! Remember the burst of coconut and dark chocolate you get when you bite into a Mounds Almond Bar? And then that snap of the almond? I FOUND IT! And best […]

Was planning on cooking this on the grill in my iron skillet but since the rain came back I whipped it up in my dutch oven and made tangy Lemon & Garlic Gravy with the sauce. I accompanied it with white asparagus. The lemon gravy was […]

Yes, I’m still camp’n and cook’n and this one is a keeper. We bought a fresh pineapple and it was turning to alcohol and my thought was “don’t toss it, cook it!” So I sliced it into rings and kept the core in as well. This […]

  Ok, ok…so I love sweet potatoes, and I try all kinds of ways to use them in recipes: puddings, bread, shakes, fries, and whipped with organic butter and salt–but this is one of my favorites. These are great as a snack or a side […]

Ok, so color is the thing that makes food look inviting. I tend to agree. So, count this one colorful! I served this along side my Easy Peasy BBQ Pork Belly and Grilled Roasted Garlic Walnut Sweet Potatoes. This was so delicious, colorful and just […]

  Ok, it is finally summer here in Germany, and we are on a roll with the BBQ! We ordered some pork belly from our Bio-farmer guy at the market!!!! We made some soups and then looked at the last package and said now what…? […]

  OOOH yum. Truly, I don’t know why I waited so long to experiment with this one. The aroma of these warm morsels while baking was too much! A touch of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg just took my memory back to my mother-in-law’s […]

Ok this is it! When I first started this adventure I missed 2 things…chocolate chip cookies and pizza. Well, I’ve mastered them both now! Life is good.

Oh so spicy and flavorful. This is a quick dish and one that sets the house smelling so good! If the windows are open you might have neighbors showing up for dinner. I use a seasoning that is popular in the USA, especially in San Diego. It […]

We go to a little Vietnamese restaurant called Saigon, which is right around the corner. It is one of the restaurants where I feel confident that all the veggies are fresh and come from the open market. Plus, they are happy to accommodate my gluten, […]

I never thought about it until I was asked by a colleague one day, “How do you cook white asparagus?” Then  it dawned on me: maybe there are others who wonder how to cook these tasty treats. So here you go my friends!

Woohooh! This was truly an experiment and one that I will repeat. Such flavor, sweet and spicy and bits of fresh jalapeños throughout! Perfect for a side dish with dinner or lunch, or top with a fried or scrambled egg for breakfast and serve with a […]

FINALLY, after many attempts of trying and eating cardboard crust I believe I found the recipe for my monthly pizza! It was like there all the time, I just had to discover it… LOL. Couple of tricks, and ta-da! You will need cassava flour and […]

Quick and easy…that’s what it’s all about on a boat or living in our RV. Plus in the summer who wants the heat in the kitchen. These are so fast to make and you can serve them for lunch, snacks or anytime of the day. […]

  I think summer is starting to realize it is late. Last week, the sun chose to shine for a couple of days. We took advantage of this and snuck out to do some grilling! I am addicted to these Grilled Veggies with my B&B […]

  It might be quite obvious that I’m not enjoying this spring weather when I only think about soup. You’re right…But I am looking for the good in the weather. My mantra for this cloudy, rainy month has been: “Thank you, Universe, for the rain […]

OOOOh so good! Just a hint of coffee flavor to create a deep, dark chocolate bitter-sweet savory flavor. These goodies call for my Chocolate Chip Pistachio Ice Cream. Decadent, moist chocolate brownies with walnuts or almonds…easy-peasy to make! Drizzle with a thin layer of melted fudge […]

  After cooking my recipe for Poached Pot Roast, you can turn the leftovers of this yummy pot roast into Poached Pot Roast Kale Soup! I kept all the broth from the Poached Pot Roast, all the broken potato and carrot pieces, along with the […]

  I met Jodi and Barb at the cooking class a few weeks ago. Both are super excited about eating healthy and cleaning up their eating habits. While chatting, they shared their Waffle recipe with me, and with their permission, I am posting it for […]

I am willing the sun to come out with this treat. Seriously folks, it’s been raining for 3 days straight and it’s May 29th.  Rain is predicted for tomorrow, too, Memorial Day. Since it’s not raining too bad at the moment, we’ll make a dash […]

  DEEEEEElicious! Seriously, folks, it is amazingly delicious. If you’re feeling a winter hangover this spring in Germany, then this is what you need! Cozy pumpkin or sweet potato crepes with a warm tart topping of rhubarb and a hint of ginger to revive your […]

  I have to say this is not my recipe, BUT it is the easiest and best I’ve found. I discovered it on the site thekitchn.com. It’s amazing and has never failed. So, my thanks go out to Faith at thekitchn.com! Oh yeah, don’t let […]

Ok the name is strange but the flavors are great. This seasoning can be used on pork as well so get out the barbecue and fire it up. We LOVE this stuff and put it on our chicken and our grilled veggies. It’s delicious on potatoes […]

I love this rice. Really it is so versatile and can be adapted to any cuisine. When making African food I add raisins and pistachios. So it can be dressed up to meet your cooking desires and creativity!

  Oh yeah, babe! This is Sunday Brunch at our house. We love to sleep in, wake up slowly, and then head to the kitchen. My job is breakfast; Lutz’s jobs are coffee, music, and taking or working on photos. Then off to the gym…well, […]

  Moving to Germany sixteen years ago posed a food challenge for me: I love hot and spicy, but Germany is basically bland meat and potatoes with gravy and over-cooked veggies. It has changed since I first arrived, and new restaurants pop up every day […]

This dish went over really well at our Taj Cooking Event! I made them to accompany some of the exotic dips we had and they were all gone before the first course. I had no idea they would be that successful. My photographer wasn’t home […]

This custard is so delicious and easy to make. It is refreshing and makes a great desert to impress. You can make it the day before. Then assemble the dessert by warming the custard and caramelized mangos and bananas right before you serve. It is a great accompaniment to […]

This spice makes a great rub for chicken or pork, and it’ll bring a kick to your morning eggs or hollandaise sauce. It is the main seasoning for Spicy Cajun Delight. Simple to make and stores nicely for months in a sealed jar! Every time […]

  Oh yeah…this is so simple and delicious. Warms the soul and the belly! It is a nice fall/winter treat, and the colors are just great for a summer BBQ. Whip this up with cauliflower rice and BAMB! you are the star of the dinner […]

This is really beautiful and versatile. You can use it for all Italian recipes and dips.  I try to use my dried plants when making this seasoning. The recipe was constructed using both ground and fresh dried herbs, so get creative and use your cooking […]

This red robust sauce gets its color from my 2 secret ingredients. Ok, no secret anymore. But its due to the sun-dried tomatoes and the dash of dark paprika. Tomato sauce is a staple for me. I make a huge pot and then freeze it […]

This is the best, really! If you are avoiding grains or carbohydrates then give this a try. It is really yummy and can be flavored according to your cuisine. Simple and quick!

  Butter Chicken is a warm creamy dish that smells and tastes superb. It has a hint of cinnamon and the scent of cardamom that just begs to be eaten with Spicy Lime Chutney! Once again, I searched several sites and read the book Complete Indian written […]

  I am in love with this creamy spinach curry-infused dish! It is so simple and delicious. I usually double the gravy and freeze it to have it on hand when the urge hits me. The recipe itself is quite simple, but I like to […]

  As you can see, I’m on a soup roll. This is one of my favorite dishes, and it’s easy and quick to make. I can’t say I invented it, but after trial and error and reading a million recipes from the web, this recipe […]

  This is one of my annual event recipes. If you love hot, spicy, and salty––this is worth the wait…and I mean, wait! This takes about a month of patience, but it is so yummy and so tasty, especially on Carla’s Gluten-Free Recipe Box Naan […]

  This is the best salad. I went to my husband’s son’s house to visit in Munich, and his wife made this for us. It is one of the vegetables I get each week from our Bio home delivery company, and it just sits there […]

This recipe is dedicated to my sister Melissa. Every year my husband and I travel to my home town near San Diego. The area is known for surfing, meditation, and good food. Although I lived in Del Mar, my stomping grounds stretched all the way […]

European Herb Chicken 4 – Chicken breast cubed Gluten-free pasta or cauliflower rice (see recipe below) Herb Seasoning: 1/4 cup macadamia nut oil or coconut oil 1 tablespoon Minnie’s Italian seasoning * recipe to follow. Or any Italian spice. 1 tsp of Himalayan salt 1 […]

  This is to die for! Everybody needs a sweet treat once in a while. This super-rich brownie with whipped coconut cream, fresh raspberries, and drizzled with melted chocolate will satisfy any sweet tooth. The Chocolate sauce for the topping is optional! Just a reminder: […]

Chicken Pick your chicken. I buy fresh Bio chicken already cut since my husband and I like different parts so we usually have 2 breasts, 2 wigs 2 thighs, and 2 drumsticks. Chicken 2 onions 4 cloves of garlic 3-5 tsp of coconut oil 3 […]