The last three years of my culinary life have been nothing short of incredible! I’ve applied classical cooking techniques to new amazing ‘clean’ ingredients and developed fresh, healthy recipes for you, me, and our families to enjoy.
I love the creative process. Whether it’s writing and playing songs on my guitar or creating and cooking recipes, I love to create and share. I have been so inspired these last few years that I have the urge to do something I thought I would never do again; write more cookbooks.
I have created hundreds of recipes with a few things in mind; what ingredients I have on hand, what is best for my skin and what I love to eat. All without gluten, dairy or refined sugar.
I’m determined to create delicious uncomplicated food that uses fresh seasonal ingredients. So, this week I thought I’d review my Top Five recipes published so far. These aren’t necessarily my favourites, but they are definitely the ones I’ve received the most feedback on. I think it’s because they are the easiest, tastiest, #cleanyoursoulfood recipes I’ve created to date.
Drum roll please…!
One of the tricks I used to employ when adding moisture to lean ground meats, was incorporating ‘pain’ (the French word for ‘bread’) which is a mixture of fresh egg, bread and milk. In my new ‘cleaner’ lifestyle, I use finely chopped kale to replace the ‘pain’. Kale adds a ton of moisture and flavour to this very simple dish which is literally just two ingredients; ground chicken and kale. To date, this is the most popular dinner recipe I have created. Not a week passes without receiving a picture, text or social media post with someone having successfully made these Chicken Kale Meatballs for their own loved ones.
2. Kick-Ass Granola:
When I first began to create recipes without sugar, gluten and dairy, one of my friends requested the creation of a crunchy, sweet snack to satisfy her cravings. Well, this was my first and it was a definite home run! I think this is the best granola out there and what makes it great is the ‘double toasting’ technique. After the ingredients are toasted, everything is mixed with maple syrup. Each almond, oat, nib and coconut shred are coated with maple syrup and then baked a second time. It’s the second toasting of the ingredients which renders the maple syrup and the granola candy-like. Just delicious!
3. Pesto Sauce:
If you follow me on social media you might have noticed that I use pesto a lot. This pesto sauce, inspired by the typical basil, arugula, parsley or green onion pesto, adds huge flavour to steamed vegetables, pasta sauce, and vinaigrettes for salads. You can also use it as a spread on your favourite sandwich. I use pesto everywhere!
Growing up I recall the smell of fresh brownies enveloping our house. But back then, brownies were created from a box, combined with oil, eggs and ‘BAM’, instant chewy chocolatey brownies. Fast forward to the newer, cleaner version of me. These brownies have just as much fudge and you can definitely smell them throughout the whole house. But these brownies can also be eaten for breakfast, as a snack, or a dessert. They are that good and that good for you!
5. Cinnamon Candied Pumpkin Seeds:
NOSH! I love to nosh and snack from morning to night. Whether it’s a quick handful of something as I head out the door, or a quick pick-me-up as I start to fade in the afternoon, or something just before a spin class, these Cinnamon Candied Pumpkin Seeds are the most delicious, absolutely addictive snack I have come up with. By the amount of feedback I’ve received, I can almost guarantee you will love them too!
Please keep the suggestions coming! I love all your feedback and I especially love hearing about the different types of recipes that you want me to create. Keep writing and I’ll keep creating the food!
In good health and a full tummy,
– Chef jw
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