One of my favorite dishes when I worked in a local steak restaurant was the au gratin potatoes. I remember watching the chef thinly slice the potatoes, then layer them with caramelized onions and believe it or not, slices of pears. The pears gave the dish a wonderful sweet balance. Since I love Hanna sweet potatoes

Making mayonnaise from scratch is quick and the ingredients are simple. As I always say, mastering the technique is the key to success in cooking. I prefer to use pastured eggs and avocado oil. Use what you can afford. If you would like to substitute the avocado oil, a light olive oil also works beautifully.

Using fresh frozen artichokes is a better option and eliminates any undesirable seed oils, which you will find with the marinated variety. And they taste cleaner, too.

Serve these spiced nuts in individual paper cones you can make with parchment paper.

This grain-free and dairy-free paleo cookie recipe will become your go-to for anytime you want a sugar cookie. This Valentine’s Day conversation hearts, 4th of July stars, Easter eggs, you get the idea! (I made thousands of Cleveland Browns helmet cookies with the traditional recipe, too!)

An old family favorite, this time made grain-free, rolled in pistachios and filled with strawberry jam.

These pecan diamonds work just as well at holiday gatherings as they do at outdoor alfresco events. Besides, who doesn’t love gooey, chewy and crunchy with that delicious crispy cookie shortbread base? They can be drizzled with tempered chocolate too, for added richness.

A unique way to use up leftovers and incorporate some protein into a food freedom treat.

This grain-free cornbread fits the bill along side a warm bowl of soup or chili. Try it with the Slow-Cook Green Chicken Chili recipe.

This Green Chicken Chili is a “set it and forget it” recipe! Completely paleo, grain, gluten and dairy free. And depending on the tomatillo salsa you choose, also Whole30 compatible.

Cream puffs, “Croquembouche”, but, what’s wrong with another doughnut recipe, right? I’m calling on you pastry people to get creative! This is a simple dough that can be shaped or piped into almost any configuration. (Eclairs, anyone?)

Creme Patisserie, or pastry cream, is the base for so many pastry fillings. This dairy and gluten/grain-free option checks all the boxes.

If you’re a pumpkin fan as I am, you’ll appreciate this savory variety!

I’m still waiting on the jury (i.e., other Whole30 coaches) to weigh in on whether this recipe violates the Pancake Rule (aka SWYPO) but I’ll post it anyway, because it’s so darn good! Note: If you’re not a pumpkin fan, just omit it and the pumpkin spice. It’s very good topped with fresh berries and a squeeze of fresh lemon, too!

I’m always looking to optimize nutritional content of my recipes as well as keep them flavorful, colorful and exciting. This Mediterranean Tuna Bake has everything you want in a dish reminiscent of those European flavors, and the added spaghetti squash is a nutritional powerhouse, replacing traditional noodles, but it’s just as comforting.

These Keftethes, or Greek meatballs contain both lamb and beef, are flavored with onion, garlic, and Paleo Powder seasoning, which is the closest I’ve found to an organic, clean Greek all-in-one seasoning. The butternut squash and almond flour keep them Whole30 compatible and AIP.

Since I still stay away from legumes, I wanted to add a beet hummus that didn’t contain any legumes, but still had that delicious, creamy texture and was simple to prepare. Beets are a staple in Greek cooking, or as we call them, “Pantzaria”. I love roasted beets, so I highly recommend roasting fresh to concentrate the natural sugars and really firm up the flesh.

One of the recipes I’ve been struggling with has been recreating Spanakopita with paleo phyllo dough. There isn’t anything I’ve tried with paleo ingredients that works to recreate that flaky, tissue-paper thin dough. So, these are perfect without it!

Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as both a spice and medicinal herb. The compounds, called curcuminoids, are beneficial in many ways, including powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

I still love to bake. And despite my paleo lifestyle and commitment to live with less sugar, I still love something fresh from the oven. So comforting! Relaxing with a warm beverage and a pastry is one of my favorite weekend things to do.