True Roots

True Roots

Butternut Squash Pancakes
Serves: 4
Cook Time: 15 minutes

These are hands down the favorite pancakes at my house. Gluten-free, protein-rich, and fiber-filled, they are as good for you as they taste. And they’re quick and easy to make in a pinch (I always make sure to have canned butternut squash puree on hand). You’ll be hooked. Replace the butternut squash with pumpkin puree in the fall or sweet potato puree for a little variety.
 
4 ounces cooked butternut squash puree (just over 1/2 cup)
4 eggs
1/2 cup oat flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon vanilla bean powder
Pinch of pink Himalayan salt
Coconut oil, for the pan

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the squash, eggs, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, vanilla powder, and salt until fully combined.
2. Heat the coconut oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Pour in about 1/4 cup of the batter for each pancake. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on the first side, or until bubbling, then flip and cook another 2 to 3 minutes, or until cooked through.
3. Serve immediately with butter and pure maple syrup, or your favorite toppings.


Thai Bison Skirt Steak Salad
Serves: 2
Cook Time: 5 minutes

Light and fresh, this salad is perfect for a warm summer day. Simple in the best possible way, this salad leaves its mark with the delicious sweet orange dressing. Bison is my current favorite protein for its amazing health benefits: It’s lean and grass-fed and has tons of omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acid.

SALAD
1 tablespoon tamari
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 orange, zested
1 teaspoon chili flakes
1 pound bison skirt steak
1/2 head oak leaf lettuce, shredded
3 cups baby spinach
1/2 cup roughly chopped bamboo shoots
3 scallions, sliced, white parts only
1 orange, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds

DRESSING
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon chopped basil
1 tablespoon raw honey
1 teaspoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon sliced scallions
1/4 cup toasted sesame oil

1. To make the salad: In a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag, mix together the tamari, sesame seeds, lime juice, orange zest, and chili flakes. Add the skirt steak and marinate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight.
2. Warm a skillet pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the steak and sear for 3 minutes on each side, or until cooked medium. Let the steak rest for 15 to 20 minutes before thinly slicing.
3. In a large bowl, add the lettuce, spinach, bamboo shoots, scallions, orange, and steak.
4. To make the dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the orange juice, basil, honey, sesame seeds, and scallions. Slowly whisk in the sesame oil.
5. Toss the salad with the dressing to taste. Garnish with the almonds.


Mushroom-Stuffed Cornish Hens
Serves: 4
Cook Time: 50 minutes

These are a mushroom lover’s dream. The hens change up ordinary roasted chicken, and the mushrooms and herbs pack a ton of flavor. Elegant enough for date night, yet simple enough for a night at home in sweats and a ponytail—now that’s my kind of meal!

4 whole Cornish hens, giblets removed
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1/2 cup chopped red onions
1/2 cup diced apples
2 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups assorted chopped mushrooms
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon chopped rosemary
1/2 teaspoon chopped thyme
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
Pink Himalayan salt
Ground black pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Rinse and pat dry the Cornish hens.
2. In a medium skillet over high heat, add the coconut oil, onions, apples, garlic, and mushrooms. Sauté for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the mushrooms reduce by almost half. Deglaze the mixture with the vinegar, stirring continuously. Remove from the heat and stir in the rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Cool until warm to the touch.
3. Stuff each bird equally with the mushroom mixture. Season the stuffed hens with the olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Place on a large baking sheet, breast side up, and roast for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.